Are you a fan of the movie Chef? You’re not alone! The 2014 comedy/drama has an impressive 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows the life of fictional chef Carl Casper after a public altercation with a popular Los Angeles food critic causes him to quit his job. After returning to his hometown of Miami, Casper reconnects with old friends and family and begins to fix up a food truck to rediscover his culinary passion. Casper’s food truck, named El Jefe, serves Cuban sandwiches with yucca fries and visits various Miami hotspots before leaving on a cross-country road trip to get back to LA.
As you might expect from leaders in Miami food and culture tours, we love the movie! And we know all too well that when fellow fans come to Miami, visiting locations used on the big screen is an absolute must. Well, in this blog, we point you in the right direction! Scroll down to find a list of the places in our city where Chef was filmed!
And if you have any questions for the Miami Culinary Tours team at any point, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
3555 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33135
Call on (305) 444-0240
Known as “The World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant”, Versailles is a must when visiting Miami. Since the movie is based around Cuban cuisine, no other restaurant could have embodied this better. Versailles is the epitome of Cuban food and culture, and it’s often used as a neighborhood meeting spot for locals and tourists alike.
Although there is better Cuban food to be found in Miami, it is irrefutable that Versailles is an essential part of a Miami experience. In fact, we even included Versailles in our picks for the top 20 restaurants in Miami.
4441 Collins Avenue, Miami, FL, 33140
Call on (305) 538-2000
Considered by many as the premier hotel in the city, the Fontainebleau is a Miami icon. Even though the hotel has always been large and luxurious, it made a case for being truly breathtaking after its $1 billion 2-year renovation during the early 2000s. To cement the Fontainebleau’s legendary status, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in December 2008.
This historic hotel is home to one of Miami’s well-known clubs, LIV, and some of the city’s best restaurants, including Mirabella, Hakkasan, and Prime 54.
2212 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33135
Call on (305) 541-263
This Cuban club with dim, red-tinged lights, cigars, and Latin jazz blasting throughout makes a fun night out in Little Havana. They do operate as a restaurant, but make no mistake about it: you are here to listen to music, to drink, and to dance.
Check out their calendar to see the upcoming events that could coincide with your visit. Expect everything from all-day happy hours and live music to stand-up comedy and all-day brunch! The Cuban flavor and influence are ever-present throughout Hoy Como Ayer, making it the best Latin Club in Miami.
Do you want to explore Little Havana during the daytime too? We think you’ll love our Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour. It’s an immersive experience in one of our city’s most vibrant and colorful neighborhoods.
1334 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33135
Call on (305) 285-1135
If you imagine the perfect Hispanic fruit stand, you will almost certainly summon an image of Los Pinarenos. This petite market offers the complete Calle Ocho experience, including thick and creamy Batidos de Mamey, homemade tamales, Coco Frio, Guarapo, and live chickens walking around. Yes, we said live chickens!
And these only add to the authentic experience that many places try to capture but fail on various levels. This no-nonsense type of place is a Miami gem, providing a taste of what true Cuban culture has to offer.
Located in the heart of Little Havana, Los Pinarenos is on the same street as Versailles and only a five-minute drive away!
Looking for more Cuban food recommendations while you’re in town? Check out our picks for the best places to try authentic Cuban food in Miami!
10th Street & Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL, 33139.
Lummus Park is that stretch of green you see before making your way onto the sandy shores of South Beach. Here, you get the true essence of South Beach’s lifestyle and elegance. You’ll find the beautiful people that Miami has become synonymous with here, whether it be lounging, working out, or just going for a stroll. And there are plenty of eclectic people to bump into, too!
Lummus Park is near South Beach’s most well-known locations and establishments, so it’s a great spot to add to your Miami itinerary. If you plan on experiencing Magic City like a true local, you will find yourself around Lummus Park at least once.
This 74-acre public park has many amenities to make your visit comfortable. There are three public restrooms (at 6th, 10th, and 14th Streets), water fountains and beach wash stations at the same locations, a pavilion shelter, playgrounds, and plenty more.
Are you planning to kick back and relax while you’re here? Check out our Guide to Miami’s Beaches and discover even more about living the good life in the place we call home.
So, which of these Miami locations found in the film Chef will you visit first? Remember, you can enjoy an even deeper, more meaningful experience exploring Magic City with us on our Miami food and culture tours. Our outings revolve around food and drink, and our expert guides will immerse you in Miami’s most fun and fascinating neighbourhoods.
Browse our range of tours and find the perfect fit for you. And if you have any pre-booking questions, please just get in touch for the answers you need.
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