Brunch Goals: A Taste of France at Madame Olivia in North Miami
Tucked in a shopping mall in North Miami, Madame Olivia is a French-Mediterranean bakery and bistro-café building a cult-like following for its fresh, high-quality pastries and healthy Mediterranean dishes.
On a recent Saturday, we were invited to dine and meet co-owner Stephen Laurent. An acclaimed pastry chef from France that previously worked at the three-star Michelin restaurant L’Arpege in Paris, Laurent infuses Madame Olivia with his expertise and focus on quality. Together with his business partner and co-owner, Oren Cohen, Laurent and Cohen have created an environment that showcases the highest-quality ingredients in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.
Offering a wide array of freshly made pastries, sourdough breads, and desserts, guests at Madame Olivia can stop for a coffee and pastry or sit down for a full meal.
Madame Olivia’s breads are all made using a high-quality sourdough base with a specialty French flour; you can taste the quality and freshness in each bite. Baked fresh daily, you can choose from varieties like French country sourdough, walnuts and raisins sourdough, and multigrain sourdough, all of which you can purchase as a whole loaf or sliced.
If you choose to stay for a meal (which we highly recommend!), Madame Olivia offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch dishes. If you need caffeine, be sure to order coffee here, as it is freshly roasted (every two weeks), imported from Costa Rica and Brazil. If you are in a celebratory mood, you can also order from their wine and Champagne menu.
While you can go the traditional route with eggs, Challah French Toast, or muesli, Madame Olivia really shines with its three options for Shakshuka. We tried the Shakshuka Bolognese, marrying a tomato meat sauce with the delicacy of poached eggs. It was filling, satisfying, and surprisingly light.
We also enjoyed trying the Brussels Sprouts Salad, which combines green apple,cilantro-parsley, and raisins with Parmesan cheese on top, and the Short Ribs Challah Sandwich. To top it off, we shared a few pastries and types of bread. While marathon training, I very much appreciated the extra carbs!
It is unique in Miami to find a high-quality breakfast spot that features excellent food with good value for money. It is even more unique to meet a restaurant team that is focused on empowerment. Laurent shared that he is building the whole staff to grow in their roles. It is clear that they love what they do.
With a second location opening in Midtown in a few months, Madame Olivia is soon to expand its footprint across Miami.
We will be there to celebrate with a pastry and coffee when they do!
1821 NE 123rd St., North Miami, FL 33181