We may not have the scads of ethnic eateries that Manhattan boasts, but Miami certainly holds its own when it comes to the greatest of all melting-pot meeting places – ethnic grocery stores. Here’s a sampling of places to shop, eat, hangout and get a taste of the many cultures that add spice to Miami life.

BRAZILIAN

Carnaval DeliMarket, 5818 South Dixie Hwy., Miami, FL 33143; tel: (305) 226-1717
Tucked along a side street next to the mammoth Sunset Place shopping mall, this Brazilian market offers the staples, sauces and sweet treats of the homeland. You’ll find dende (palm oil), canned hearts of palm, bacalao (dried codfish), coconut milk, guava paste and the popular maté soda. A small food counter serves incredibly addictive cheese buns, called pao de queijo, along with sandwiches, empanadas and freshly brewed Brazilian coffee.

INDIAN

Indian Grocery, 2342 Douglas Rd., Coral Gables, FL 33134; (305) 448-5869
This inconspicuous little food market, across from Sears at the intersection of Coral Way and Douglas Road, offers a Taj Mahal full of Indian spices and staples. The friendly owners are happy to answer your questions and offer helpful suggestions for any Indian cooking dilemmas. They stock frozen Indian food, coconut oil, chutneys, sweetmeats, and large bags of lentils, rice, garbanzo beans, hot and mild curry powders, mustard seed, coriander and numerous other spices. Tip: Ask for some of their freshly made samosas. (They disappear quickly.)

ITALIAN

Laurenzo’s Italian Supermarket, 16385 W. Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33160; tel: (305) 945-6381
Laurenzo’s is a must-stop destination if you’re looking for freshly made pasta, homemade pastries, fine produce, meats and fish, imported Italian food products and one of the most well-rounded wine collections in Miami. This North Miami market also has a small cafeteria-style restaurant that serves up manicotti, lasagna, chicken parmesan and other soul-satisfying Italian fare. Laurenzo's is a slice of Little Italy in multicultural Miami.

JAPANESE

Sushi Chef, 3100 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33127; tel: (305) 444-9286
This tiny spot is a longtime favorite for those who know that fresh is all that matters when it comes to sushi. Sashimi platters, bento boxes, soba salads, maki rolls and crunchy tempura will make your tummy happy. Desserts – usually not a strong suit of sushi joints - are well worth ordering. Sushi Chef is also stocked with an assortment of Asian groceries, including rice vinegars, noodles, wasabi paste, miso and much more.

LATIN AMERICAN

El Palacio de Los Jugos, 5721 W. Flagler St, Miami, FL 33144; tel: (305) 262-0070
Even though it’s located smack dab next to a loud and crazy Miami intersection, this bustling Cuban fruit market and sandwich shop is a popular local hangout. Juice Palace (translated for you gringos) offers freshly squeezed orange juice as well as fresh coconut milk, mango, papaya, pineapple and guanabana juice. You can eat well on a budget here. El Palacio serves up simple, country-style Cuban dishes including tamales, roast pork, chicharrones (fried pork rind), vaca frita (tender, shredded beef in tomato sauce) and picadillo (a tasty mix of ground beef, tomato, olives, onions and green peppers). Grab a seat at one of the picnic tables, ignore the blaring traffic horns and start practicing your español.

Sedano's Supermarket, 1263 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33135; tel: (305) 324-1687
Sedano's has one of the best selections of Cuban foods in Miami. At this supermarket chain, you’ll find fresh Cuban bread, meringues (melt-in-your-mouth puffs of sugar and egg white), Cuban crackers (Gilda is a popular brand), Latin spices and seasonings, rice and beans, frozen tropical fruit pulp (great for smoothies) and everything you need to prepare a Cuban meal or have your Miami friends prepare one for you. Like all respectable Cuban establishments, Sedanos has a take-out window where you can grab a cafecito and some pastelitos (pastries) and make new friends.

MIDDLE EASTERN

Daily Bread, 2400 SW 27th St., Miami, FL; tel: (305) 856-0363
Located along busy US1 just behind the Metrorail track, Daily Bread is always crowded with downtown folks grabbing a quick lunch or locals savoring a cup of Turkish-style coffee and baklava. This grocery and restaurant offers a full range of Greek and Middle Eastern foods, including fresh baked pita bread, refrigerators full of baba ganoush, hummus, kibbe, taboulleh, filo dough, pickled turnips and more. Explore the isles for other fun items like orange flower water and rose water (used as flavorings in Lebanese pastries), hookah pipes, Turkish Delight candies and brass coffee pots.

SPANISH

Delicias De Espana, 4016 SW 57th Ave., Miami, FL 33155; tel: (305) 669-4485

This Spanish grocery and restaurant has expanded into the retail space of three other storefronts – a sign that the food is fresh and the locals have found a home away from home. If you’ve never been to Spain, a visit here will make you feel like you just flew to Madrid. Grab a table and order a fat slice of tortilla (an omelet made with buttery onions sautéed in olive oil and served at room temperature) and café con leche. Delicious prepared salads, Serrano ham sandwiches, giant wedges of manchego cheese, imported Spanish canned foods and a wine collection that knows no bounds make Delicias De Espana the hottest spot on the block.

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