About Smart Bites To Go
Smart Bites To Go is not a traditional concert or theater venue but a fast-casual healthy café in Miami’s Allapattah/Overtown area (near I-95 and the Dolphin Expressway). It was locally known for its bright green awning and focus on nutritious, diet-friendly meals . Owners Mari Vila and partner Will famously turned the corner lot behind the café into an urban farm – planting rows of vegetables, fruit trees and even an aquaponic fish pond to grow ingredients for the menu . This back-yard garden setting, under a large shingle oak tree, gave the restaurant a true farm-like atmosphere – reviewers noted the outdoor seating felt “between an actual garden and a beer garden” . In its prime, it offered healthy twists on comfort foods (turkey and bison burgers, spinach ravioli, salads, wraps) along with juices and smoothies . Importantly, Smart Bites To Go has since permanently closed (it was still cited as open in 2017 but reviews now list it as “permanently closed” ). All the information below describes how it operated when open and what made it unique.
Events and Programming
Smart Bites To Go was primarily a café, not a regular concert venue. It did not have a set schedule of events or performances. However, the indoor/outdoor setup included a small stage in the garden area, so on occasion local musicians or DJs would play live . These were informal, spur-of-the-moment shows rather than ticketed concerts. The atmosphere was relaxed – more backyard hangout than night club. There were no large music festivals or recurring theatrical programs held here. In short, if you were hoping for a big show or dance party, this was not the place; it only ever hosted occasional live tunes or community gatherings. (Today, with the location closed, there are no events of any kind scheduled.)
Tickets and Booking
Because Smart Bites To Go was a restaurant, not an entertainment hall, no tickets or advance purchases were needed. There was no box office – you simply walked in to order food or reserves space like any café. For very large parties or special catering, the owners might have accepted pre-order phone calls or group reservations, but typically diners just ordered at the counter on arrival. As a “grab & go” health café , it was common for customers to come and order on the spot. If it had been open today, booking ahead would not have been necessary, though calling ahead to check hours or place a large food order could be helpful. In short, plan to treat it like any casual lunch spot – no tickets, just dine-in or takeout.
Seating and Layout
The layout of Smart Bites To Go was very distinctive. The actual storefront was modest – a small bright-green awning over a counter where you ordered. But the standout feature was the immense outdoor seating area behind it. There were colorful picnic tables under a large oak tree, surrounded by vegetable gardens and patio lighting. As one reviewer wrote, “the best part about this place is the backyard… it feels somewhere between an actual garden and a beer garden” . In other words, most diners enjoyed their meals al fresco among the plants. The outdoor garden included even a raised stage for occasional live music (and, humorously, the owner noted the chance of seeing iguanas wandering through) . Indoor seating was minimal – just the front order area and perhaps a few stools – so if the weather turned bad or it was very crowded, space could be tight. The interior décor was unpretentious and health-focused, while the patio was bright and leafy. In general, the “best seats” were the picnic tables in the garden, benefiting from shade and ambiance, whereas indoor standing service could feel cramped.
Getting There and Parking
Smart Bites To Go was located at 791 NW 20th Street (just west of the 7th Avenue intersection) in Miami. If you’re driving, note that the site is roughly 3,000 square feet in a 1940s building . A real-estate listing indicates a parking ratio of about 6.7 spaces per 1,000 ft² – roughly 20 dedicated parking spots on the property. In practice, street parking along NW 20th Street or NW 7th Avenue is often used by patrons, though spaces can be scarce during busy lunch hours. There were no large public garages immediately next door; overnight parking might be limited. For drop-offs (e.g. Uber/Lyft), the driveway off NW 20th or the curb on 20th Street can be used (the bright green awning is a clear marker of the entrance). Given the limited on-site parking, many locals would park a short distance away and walk or use a rideshare to avoid hunting for a spot.
Public transit options include several east-west Metrobus lines on NW 20th. For example, Metrobus routes 37, 42 and 7 stop within a block of the café , so you could hop off at NW 20th & 37th Ave, for instance, and walk a few minutes. (These lines connect to downtown and beyond.) The Orange/Green Metrorail lines run further east; the closest stop is Culmer station at NW 21st & 7th, about half a mile (10–15 min walk) from the restaurant. Tri-Rail’s Miami Airport station (NW 36th) is about a mile north. In short, public transit can get you within a few blocks of NW 20th; from there a short walk south on 7th Ave leads right to the café.
Inside the Venue
Inside Smart Bites To Go, you’d find a casual, health-focused café atmosphere. The ordering counter was in front, with many menu items displayed, and the kitchen at the back. Expect self-service water and a simple décor emphasizing the farm theme (greens, woods, and pictures of garden produce). Restrooms were located inside, typically near the entrance or kitchen. Because of the “grab-and-go” concept, there was no coat check or concierge – it ran like a friendly neighborhood lunch spot. The restaurant likely offered Wi-Fi for customers (common in cafes these days) so you could check e-mail or social media. What really makes the inside special, however, is that the food itself was often harvested and prepared on-site. For example, a local write-up notes that on a spring day you might see the owner picking fresh cilantro or herbs for your salad right from the café’s own gardens . So the “inside” experience extended to enjoying produce grown just outside. In short, expect a clean, low-key interior with a focus on healthy menu displays, complemented by the farm-to-table feel of the open garden just steps away.
Nearby Amenities
Smart Bites To Go sat in a mixed commercial & medical area of Miami. The immediate block is mostly retail shops and small businesses. For dining, Allapattah has a variety of local eateries (especially Cuban, Dominican and Latin American flavors) along nearby NW 2nd Avenue and NW 7th Avenue. For example, you’ll find casual Cuban diners and bakeries within a mile or two. If you want a more upscale dinner or nightlife after visiting Smart Bites, you’d likely head east into Downtown/Brickell (about 5-10 minutes away by car) where there are many restaurants and bars. There were no hotels in the Allapattah neighborhood itself, so visitors often stayed downtown or along the Brickell and Miami River corridor. For instance, Miami’s central business district (with large hotels like the JW Marriott or Hilton) is not far (5-10 blocks east), making it convenient if you’re combining the visit with a Downtown stay. Public parking lots and hotels (and late-night rideshares) are also plenty in the downtown core if you’re coming from out of town. As a tip, if driving, allow time to find a spot or consider dropping off – the area isn’t heavily served by 24-hour transit, so grab an Uber or Lyft for late-night returns from downtown.
What Makes This Venue Special
Smart Bites To Go stood out from typical Miami eateries in several ways. First, it was one of the few genuine “farm-to-table” restaurants in an urban warehouse district. Instead of just hauling in produce, the owners literally farmed the site. As noted by a Miami food writer: the owners “built out the rows of fresh vegetables, greens, [and] fruit trees and the aquaponic fish pond” on the property . In practice, that means ingredients came straight from the backyard gardens to the menu. No wonder the décor and vibe felt like dining in a backyard garden. Second, its whimsical blend of nature and music set it apart. The huge oak-shaded patio was a rare oasis in an industrial part of town, and the addition of a small stage hinted at charming impromptu live shows – a mix you would never get at a chain restaurant. In fact, one local review highlights that “you may see occasional live music or a small gathering of iguanas” wandering the yard , underscoring the unique, quirky atmosphere. Finally, culturally it was a pioneer in Miami’s health-food scene. Its menu (including unusual items like a Bison Burger ) and its role as a gathering place for health-conscious locals gave it a loyal fan base. While these healthy café trends are more common now, at the time Smart Bites to Go was a trailblazer in the city, infusing wellness culture into a neighborhood of hospitals and offices. (It mattered enough to be featured in local wellness blogs and guides.) All told, its combination of farm-grown menu, bright-green branding, garden dining, and community feel made it a genuinely special spot in Miami – even if now, sadly, it’s closed.
Visitor Tips and Information
**Status:** Before you go, note that Smart Bites To Go has closed its doors . If you find references to it, consider that out-of-date. In general, always check current hours or call ahead (the listed phone was (305) 894-6325 ) in case of any special openings or pop-ups.
**What to expect:** If it were open, know that seating was mostly outdoors. Dress comfortably for an outdoor café – think casual attire and perhaps something to shield from sun or rain (there are picnic tables under the oak, but it’s still open-air). Bring a light jacket or umbrella in case of sudden rain. The vibe was very laid-back. Music at the venue was unpredictable and quiet – it catered more to lunch crowds than concert crowds.
**Accessibility:** The restaurant was a single-story space with ground-level entrances, so wheelchair access to the main dining area was likely possible (though curb conditions vary in that neighborhood). If you require special assistance, it would be safest to call ahead, as no special accommodations (like an elevator) are in such a small venue.
**Parking & Transport:** As mentioned, on-site parking was limited (about 20 spots ). Many visitors preferred public transit or rideshare. Plan to pay for street parking by meter if available, or use any nearby parking lots. For transit: board Metrobus routes 7, 37 or 42 to NW 20th and walk a block . Night owls should note that late-night transit is sparse – call an Uber/Lyft after dark.
**What to bring:** If open, you could bring only normal personal items. No special attire required – casual sportswear or jeans is fine. Typical café rules applied: outside food or alcohol wouldn’t be allowed (it’s a restaurant, not a public park event). Camera/phone photography of the greenery was welcome – it’s a very Instagram-friendly spot with the colorful patio and plants.
**Menu strategy:** The staff encouraged patrons to enjoy the garden seating rather than rushing off. We’d suggest arriving a few minutes early if you plan a lunchtime visit, as it was a popular grab-and-go lunch spot for nearby medical workers. Signature dishes included things like their spinach ravioli and the Bison Burger , so those would be fun to try. Smoothies, fresh juices and protein bowls rounded out the menu. Portions were hearty and healthy. Wallet-wise, expect to pay moderate prices for made-to-order health cuisine (roughly $10–$15 per main dish, plus drinks). Credit cards were accepted, but it’s always wise to have some cash just in case.
**Nearby Stops:** If you’re coming by foot from Downtown Miami, it’s about a 15-20 min walk north from the Government Center area. From Brickell or Bayside, it’s a 10–15 min drive. The neighborhood itself doesn’t have late-night dining or entertainment options, so plan to visit earlier or combine this outing with downtown activities. For kids: yes, it was family-friendly (no 18+ policies; it’s an open daytime café). For pets: the city allows pets in outdoor dining areas, so small dogs on leash would likely have been fine outside. Bottom line – it was as unpretentious as they come, so no formal rules apply, just common sense.
FAQ – Smart Bites To Go
Where exactly was Smart Bites To Go located?
The café was at 791 NW 20th Street in Miami (Downtown/Overtown area). It sat on the corner near NW 7th Avenue, identifiable by a bright green awning . This intersection is just north of I-395 and south of NW 22nd Street. (As a reference, a local directory lists it at 791 NW 20th St with a phone number 305-894-6325 .)
What kind of food and cuisine did Smart Bites To Go offer?
It was a fast-casual healthy café focusing on diet-friendly meals. The menu included salads, protein wraps, smoothies/juices, and creative twists like a “Bison Burger” and even spinach ravioli . A local write-up highlights the offerings: “healthy soups, salads, burgers (including a Bison Burger!), wraps, sides and fresh juices” . Overall the cuisine was plant-forward and lean, often described as vegan/healthy fare (the New Times site even classified it under “fast-casual, health, vegan” ).
Is Smart Bites To Go still open?
No. Smart Bites To Go has permanently closed. As of mid-2020s, all reports indicate it is not operating . If you find an old reference to it, note that it was active around 2016–2018, but now the location is vacant. For practical planning, you cannot visit it now.
Where can I park or how do I get there?
When it was open, Smart Bites To Go had limited on-site parking (about 20 spots for its ~3,000 ft² space ). Street parking on NW 20th or nearby side streets was available but could fill up at lunch. Because parking was scarce, many visitors used Metrobus lines (routes 37, 42, 7 stop a block away ) or rideshares like Uber/Lyft. The nearest Metrorail station (Culmer on the Orange/Green lines) was about 0.5 miles away. In short, if visiting, allow extra time to find parking or plan public transit: for instance, get off the bus at NW 20th & 37th Ave and walk 2-3 blocks to the café .
Was there a seating chart or capacity (how many people could it hold)?
The owners did not publish a formal capacity. The space was roughly 3,000 square feet spread over a small indoor serving area and a large outdoor garden. In practice, the dozen-plus picnic tables under the oak tree could seat perhaps 50+ people at once, plus a few inside. It wasn’t a large hall, so capacity was modest (on the order of dozens, not hundreds). The comfortable outdoor area, however, allowed many more diners than a typical small café.
Did Smart Bites To Go host live music or other events?
Only occasionally. It wasn’t a formal concert venue, but there was a small stage in the backyard. Reviews mention that you might catch “occasional live music” there . These would have been informal, small-scale performances (local bands or solo acts). There were no advertised concert series or ticketed shows at Smart Bites – it was mainly a lunch spot. Today, with the spot closed, no events take place at this location.
Do I need to buy tickets or make a reservation?
No tickets or reservation were required (or even available). Smart Bites To Go was dine-in/takeout. Walk-ins placed their food order on sight, much like any café. If you had a large group, you could call ahead to arrange space or catering, but it was mostly first-come, first-served. In short: you booked a meal by ordering at the counter, not through an event line.
What are the menu prices at Smart Bites To Go?
As a healthy fast-casual spot, prices were moderate (not ultra-cheap fast food, but not fine dining). Most entrees were on the order of $10–$15 (for example, a burger or salad bowl), with smoothies/juices around $5–$8. The Yelp/Infatuation category is $$$ (indicating roughly $$–$$$) . Because it was oriented to the lunch crowd of busy professionals, expect a main dish plus drink to total roughly $15–$20 per person. (Exact prices varied over time.)
What should I try from the menu?
Local reviews highlight some signature options. One standout was the spinach ravioli (a unique healthy entrée) . They also offered hearty protein burgers – notably a bison burger as a menu special . In general, the menu included fresh salads, hearty wraps, and protein bowls. Smoothies or freshly pressed juices accompanied most meals. If it were open, trying the farm-fresh specials (like salads with garden-picked herbs ) would give the full Smart Bites experience.
Were alcoholic beverages served there?
No, Smart Bites To Go was primarily a juice-and-food café. The focus was on health and nutrition, so it didn’t function as a bar. Drinks were mostly non-alcoholic (juices, smoothies, water, coffee). There was no tap for beer or wine menu advertised. It operated more like a daytime lunch spot than a nightclub.
Was it kid- and family-friendly?
Yes, very friendly. Smart Bites catered to health-conscious families and workers alike. There were no age restrictions or dress codes – you could bring children easily, especially since a large outdoor area was great for casual family dining. (It felt like a picnic garden, so families often enjoyed the open space.) Just pay for the food, and kids could even enjoy fresh fruit juices. In short, it was as family-friendly as a neighborhood café could be.
Was it wheelchair accessible?
Specific details about ADA compliance aren’t documented online. The venue was single-story at street level, so in principle a wheelchair could enter the front door and reach the outdoor patio (which was flat). There were likely no steep stairs, but one should note that the interior space was fairly tight. If accessibility is a concern, it would have been safest to call ahead. Generally, though, the open-air layout implied straightforward access.
What happens if it rains or goes past operating hours?
When it was open, most seating was outdoors, so bad weather could impact comfort. There was limited covered seating under the oak tree, but heavy rain would mean fewer available tables. In practice, if it rained hard, fewer people hung out in the garden. The café itself had typical business hours (around 11am–8pm on weekdays, though hours likely varied). If you arrived after closing, you’d find it locked and empty – there was no 24-hour service or late-night events. In summary: check the weather and hours beforehand, and note that staying late was not an option.
