Julia and Henry’s, the new food hall on Flagler Street in Downtown Miami is impressive in its scope and number of vendors and food quality.  Mr. W, a fellow restaurant reviewer and her husband and I tried seven food offerings and we agreed on the verdict.  Julia and Henrys Food Hall is  a fun place to go, especially with a group of friends, order different dishes and have a grand tasting.

A soaring central atrium with a three-story bar feature is surrounded by several dozen food vendors. Some of the names I recognized from their other sites around town but then there are new entries that offer up everything from all manners of Asian food including Burmese, American and Italian comfort food to options that will please any sweet tooth. Three bars, too, and thoughtfully designed seating throughout.

As with most food halls, you go to the desired vendor, choose and pay for your food, and you get a  text message when the food is ready. There are servers who can bring you your cocktails. We started with Achar, South Asian food. The inspiration of Maher Murshed, it features  recipes that have been passed down over the last 50 years from his family members all over India.

Both of the dishes we tried were standouts including the tandoori bowl, Tandoori-grilled chicken  served on a bed of basmati rice, alongside turmeric cauliflower & potato, roasted tomato mash and chopped salad and the Chickpea Salad Bowl served with avocados, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and papri chips, tossed in house-made yogurt dressing and tamarind sauce. Next time for sure we’ll try the Burmese Noodles— rice noodles & chicken cooked in a creamy coconut milk broth, garnished with scallions, cilantro and potato sticks, served with red onions, garlic chips, boiled eggs, aleppo pepper, green chillies and lime. Prices range from $6-$25.

Next to Achar is Shimuja ramen by Chef Keiichi Maemura who uses the same preparation methods as he did in Japan such as his tonkotsu broth that is cooked over 18 hours and made only with pork bones and water. We had the Satsuma classic Tonkotsu with wavy thick egg noodles in pork bone broth, scallions, sprouts, kikurage mushrooms and chashu pork.The broth was excellent,  rich and flavorful, and the noodles al dente ($18-$25). Choose from a variety of optional toppings including Chashu pork, mixed vegetables, soft boiled eggs, shrimp, tofu, and more. A ramen fave.

This being in Miami, we had to try one of the Latin offerings. We picked the Venezuelan La Latina though there’s also a Cuban choice. A popular favorite are  the traditional Venezuelan arepa corn cakes, no fewer than 30 different versions, from capresa and bacon to vegana , chicken pabellón and short rib. We opted for the asado negro and cheese. (roasted meat $11.45). The arepa was liberally stuffed, and a little crispy, just the way I like it. Other options include full platters like cachapa with de mano cheese  ($11.68) and desayuno llanero ($14.02.

If you like the over the top, even on traditional comfort food, you’ll love the offerings at Frank. . You choose your meat in the frank, the bun, sauces, cheese and a mix of add ons. There are also signature combos like the foie gras, truffle and pepperoni pizza.

Our friends tried Mensch (don’t you love the name?) that has Jewish and Middle Eastern specialties. We tried the hummus ($9), falafel with tomato salsa and tahini ($12), and a wonderful laffa bread served with olive oil and labneh ($14) that all tasted freshly made and of quality ingredients. Next time I’d like to try the pastrami sandwich and  clay oven baked peach with pistachio and cardamom sponge, mint and basil ice cream ($12).

There are a number of dessert vendors offering French pastries, Brazilian brigadeiros and Puffles, a Hong Kong egg waffle that’s crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside and filled with ice cream and different toppings. Mr. W loves baklava so we made it over to Baklava Bakery. Not only do they offer variations of traditional baklava with walnut or pistachio filling along with a vegan option ($4-$6), but also, creative variations on the theme such as baklava cups, truffles with 24K gold and candied sushi with some of the ingredients of baklava (4 for $20). Mr. W gave it good marks, proclaiming it fresh, crunchy with just the right amount of sweetness.

Next time we’d like to try  Osso that’s part butcher shop and part restaurant and looked delicious; Yabai hand rolled sushi that’s a creative spin on Japanese handrolls that seemed to be a popular choice; and Cicchetti Venetian style tapas.

Julia & Henry’s, 200 East Flagler Street, Miami 33131. Parking garage nearby at Miami Dade College.  There’s valet parking at 235 SE 2st St, about a 2-minute walking distance from J&H.