Whether you live or vacation in Miami, chances are a beach body is high priority considering the year-round tropical climate allows for little to no clothes, no matter what you're up to.
Though calorie counting is popular, everyone's got a cheat day (or two) and that's good news in a city where pastries, pies and souffles from all over commingle in what feels like a cultural amusement park for the tastebuds.
There are enough options in the Magic City to keep your sweet tooth satisfied, and with Miami being open for business, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself into the wonderful world of sweets.
From Palmetto Bay to South Beach, here's what I think is the best of the best:
Delices de France
A hidden gem in South Florida suburbia, this shop-known to everyone in the neighborhood as just "the French Bakery"-is located in an unassuming shopping center in Palmetto Bay.
The eclairs, palmiers and almond croissants are my personal favorites, but there's a plethora of flaky, authentic-tasting treats to pick from. You really can't go wrong. Get there early; lines are often out the door and can last from 15-20 minutes on any given day.
Azucar Ice Cream
Literally translating to "Sugar," Azucar is homemade ice cream with a Cuban twist. Signature flavors include Platano Maduro (Sweet Plantain), Cafe con Leche (Cuban Coffee & Oreo) and Coconut Flan. The shop is in Little Havana-where else?-and was inspired by South Florida culture and the owner's grandma.
Fireman Derek's World Famous Pies
A pie shop with a beautiful backstory, Fireman Derek's was conceptualized long before Miami firefighter, Derek Kaplan, left the fire station. For years, he baked in commissary kitchens and sold pies at firehouses and farmer's markets.
But when a close friend and firefighter passed away, he left Kaplan a gift. In 2014, Fireman Derek's opened in Wynwood and is lauded especially for its Key Lime Pie and Crack Pie. The shop makes about 4,000 pies for its customers monthly.
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The Salty Donut
Also in Wynwood, this Artisanal Donut Shoppe and Coffee Bar's craft donuts have been mentioned in the press more times than I can count.
The Salty Donut's menu is divided into two categories: Weekly Flavors and Year Round. (The year-round category includes Nutella, Maple Bacon and Traditional Glazed Buttermilk flavors.)
All fillings, glazes, jams and doughs are made in-house, and the Salty Donut even has an online shop where you can buy drinkware, coffee and gift cards for yourself or your donut-loving friends.
Vicky Bakery
Family owned and operated since 1972, Vicky Bakery is Miami's go-to for Cuban pastries, which are known to many Floridians as pastelitos. The family now has more than 15 locations in South Florida, but they all produce the same quality goods. Sandwiches, cakes and my favorite pick me up-caf con leche-all are crazy affordable and even more delicious.
What's a trip to Miami without a trip to one, two or even three Cuban bakeries?
Icebox Cafe (cakes, etc)
Known for brunch but also its award-winning cakes, Icebox on Purdy Avenue in South Beach has a Coconut Buttercream Cake that's part tropical escape, part buttery sin.
Imbibe while you indulge; the restaurant has a full bar and nothing has ever sounded better than a slice of cake paired with a glass of champagne. If you can't make it to the South Beach location, Icebox now has a shop in Miami International Airport, as well, so you can get your fix before saying farewell to the sweet Sunshine State.
