The Best Food at Hard Rock Stadium

Shula Burger at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami
Photo credit Courtesy of Shula Burger
By , Audacy

Hard Rock Stadium received a slew of upgrades in 2018, including new training facilities for the Dolphins, new tennis facilities for the Miami Open, and upgraded amenities to attract major musicians. But most importantly to the fans who make the trip up to Miami Gardens, an area that, let’s be honest, is not exactly known for its culinary knockouts, is the growing bevy of excellent food vendors. Local favorites like Mojo Donuts now sling game-time concessions alongside national players like Fuku fried chicken. With an all-star lineup to sample, here are the foods you need to seek out the next time you head to the stadium.

Arroz con leche doughnut

Where to find it: Mojo Donuts (section 217)
Whether you need a breakfast of champions or a sweet dessert to cap off a Dolphins victory, head to Mojo Donuts for the mini-chain’s famed Abuelita donut. Bakers stuff the little bundle of joy with arroz con leche (from a 100-year-old recipe), then top it with powdered sugar and dulce de leche. If you’re not in the mood for Latin flavors, try the Deco Delight (a donut stuffed with banana puree and topped with blueberries and strawberries), a maple-bacon bar, or a key lime pie donut.

CBR (bacon ranch fried chicken sandwich)

Where to find it: Fuku (sections 116 and 319)
David Chang’s fried chicken sandwiches stormed the gates of Hard Rock Stadium in 2017 and they’ve remained a fan favorite ever since. Options include the classic fried chicken sandwich that has won Chang accolades all over the country, but the CBR is unique to the HRS location. The sandwich levels up the normal sando with bacon and ranch dressing.

Gnarlic pizza

Where to find it: &pizza (sections 142 and 345)
New wave D.C.-based pizza chain &pizza arrived in Miami Gardens in 2018, bringing four of its signature oval pies to Dolphins and Hurricanes fans. While it’s not for everyone, the brand’s garlic-loaded Gnarlic pizza is a sure winner with anyone who appreciates full-flavored toppings and seriously stinky pie. It’s just an added bonus that your breath will clear out the three rows in front of you. Wash it down with a beer from &pizza, where you’ll find options from Funky Buddha Brewery, J. Wakefield Brewing and Concrete Beach Brewery.

Shula burger

Where to find it: Shula Burger (sections 114, 142, 222, 250, 345)
Easily one of the most popular purveyors of fine grub at the stadium, Shula Burger has five locations across all three levels of the stadium, all cooking up the signature burger. Whether you opt for the classic or something more adventurous is up to you. Whether you crave a Shula Burger at the first sight of someone else chowing down on one -- that’s totally not up to you.

Blueberry pancakes

Where to find it: OB House (section 146)
Is it weird to eat pancakes at a football stadium? Not if those pancakes come from the buttermilk savants at OB House. The restaurant’s signature buttermilk pancakes come with a few toppings at their HRS kiosk, but our favorite are the blueberry variety. Grab one during an early Sunday game, pair it with a bloody mary and win the weekend.

Salmon burger

Where to find it: Grown (sections 148 and 242)
For something ever so slightly healthier than fried chicken and donuts, head to Grown, the healthy chain from Miami resident Shannon Allen and her husband Ray Allen (yeah, that Ray Allen). Grown offers 100-percent USDA-certified organic fast food, including a fantastic salmon burger that is absolutely worth the weird looks you get from your beef-eating friends.