The new food hall at Miami’s Brightline station is open. Here’s what commuters will love
Start getting used to the idea of hanging out in train stations for fun.
By fun we mean eating and drinking.
You don’t even have to be traveling anywhere to enjoy all that the newly revamped MiamiCentral station has to offer. South Florida’s Brightline express train is also returning to regular service Monday, after service was suspended in March 2020, thanks to COVID-19.
Citizens MiamiCentral, formerly known as Central Fare, is open for business, too. The 26,000-square-foot, 16-stall food hall operated by hospitality mogul Sam Nazarian’s C3 concept is bound to be a destination for 305ers in search of a variety of dining options. A bar called Mary Mary also serves up cocktails in a sleek setting that looks more like South Beach than a transportation hub.
We tried out a few eats at a launch party Thursday night. Our favorites:
Umami Burger
Please don’t send us hate mail for advising you to try the cheese tater tots at Nazarian’s restaurant, named after the Japanese word for “pleasant and savory” (the fifth taste category). But honestly, these crunchy, gooey balls will haunt your palate for days. We mean this in the best way possible. Burgers are damned good, too.
El Pollo Verde
Three words: Roasted organic chicken. How can you go wrong? You just can’t. Michelin-starred NYC chef Dani Garcia keeps it simple and smart. We noshed on a bowl at Citizens, with such rustic fixings as broccolini, quinoa and butternut squash. The sweet and tangy honey mustard dressing sealed the deal.
Sa’Moto
Yet another star chef in the house: That would be Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, whose latest pan-Asian fine-dining concept is already in New York and L.A. Cheat-day picks: Either the lusciously warm noodles or his signature, perfectly plump pork dumplings.
Cindy Lou’s
Of all the trendy TikTok friendly treats out there (we’re looking at you, Crumbl) these cookies um, take the cake. Pastry chef turned baker Cindy Kruse, with a shop in Little River, has an outpost here, offering up flavors like lemon, confetti and Nutella. “Always make room for dessert,” laughed Kruse at Thursday’s launch. We made room for more Nutella.
Citizens MiamiCentral
Where: 600 NW 1st Ave., Miami. On the second floor of the Brightline train station.
Info: Garage parking. Masks are mandatory at stations and on the train. You may remove your masks to eat.
This story was originally published November 8, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
