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Miami is particularly well known for its Cuban restaurants and the city's cuisine is predominantly
floribean (a combination of Latin, American and Caribbean). Eateries include everything from steakhouses and cafés to Italian, Oriental and Middle Eastern restaurants.
Emeril's is a sophisticated venue specialising in fine Creole food; its elegant décor and luxurious design is also remarkable. Palme d'Or was voted the best restaurant in South Florida and offers glamorous dining at the prestigious Biltmore Hotel. Shoji Sushi is distinguished by its fusion of Japanese and North American cooking, and its authentic Japanese sushi box technique. Miami's premier seafood restaurant, Joe's Stone Crabs, has flourished since its 1913 beginnings as a sidewalk vendor and is celebrated for its stone crab claws.
Señor Frogs has an appealingly trendy atmosphere and affordable menu; the place to go for cheesy food, potent margaritas and a great mariachi band. A popular spot with the locals, Versailles is where Miami's Cuban power brokers meet over café con leche; the diverse menu offers humble, authentic and extremely tasty Cuban dishes. So, with an appetite and wallet to match, take on Miami's impressive and varied gastronomy!
Emeril's Miami Beach | $$$$$ | French |
A sophisticated restaurant specialising in Creole cuisine, Emeril's Miami Beach will not only win you over in the gourmand department but the elegant décor and luxurious design will leave a lasting impression. The chic dining room is bathed in natural lighting, which compliments the clean lines and soft beiges and whites that are used throughout. Juxtaposing this is blood red velvet seating at the eclectic glass framed bar and wraparound velvet booths in the dining room, ideal for dinner with friends or a family brunch. Emeril's signature dishes include the New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp and the Niman Ranch Double-Cut Pork Chop with Tamarind Glaze. For desert the indulgent Banana Cream Pie with Caramel and Chocolate Shavings is a winner. Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations recommended.
Address: 1601 Collins Avenue
Telephone: (305) 695 4550
Voted as the best restaurant in south Florida, Palme d'Or offers glamorous dining at the prestigious Biltmore Hotel. Overseen by renowned Chef Philippe Ruiz, Palme d'Or specialises in Nouvelle French cuisine with a determined flair and panache. A menu composed of tasting portions; patrons get to sample an array of flavours, textures and taste sensations, which Palme d'Or is renowned for. Try the Seven-Hour Braised Beef Effilochée served with Soft Polenta and Aged Parmesan or the Wild Mushroom Cassolette accompanied with Seared Foie Gras and Creamy Spinach. This three star Michelin dining experience is complimented with attentive service and beguiling live music. Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables
Telephone: (305) 913 3201
Shoji Sushi | $$$$$ | Japanese |
Shoji Sushi is best known for its fusion of Japanese and North American style décor, cuisine and overall presentation. It's known for its authentic Japanese sushi box technique and features rolls such as the spicy lobster roll, a combination of mango, avocado, scallion, shiso, salmon egg and massive chunks of lobster. Guests can sit at the fabulous table height sushi bar allowing them to watch the chefs hard at work without any obstruction while sipping on a Gingertini, a cocktail made with ginger, vodka, triple sec, ginger ale and pickled-ginger juice. Shoji Sushi definitely puts a new spin on the art of eating sushi. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner, no lunch on weekends. Reservations recommended.
Address: 100 Collins Ave, South Beach
Telephone: (305) 532 4245
Santo | $$$$$ | Modern Eclectic |
A great dinner destination if you're in the Lincoln Road area, Santos offers indoor and patio dining, plus a swanky lounge area and live performance lounge. The flat rock walls and modern seating in the trendy bar area set the urban mood and the dining room has maintained a formal air with simple lines and soft lighting. The diverse menu offers a twist on modern American cuisine, infused with Latin and Asian influences. Sample the Maplewood Glazed Wild Salmon drizzled with an apple and smoked bacon cream sauce or the Crispy Free Range Chicken stuffed with basil and tomato in a buttery Gnocchi. Pair this with a Californian wine or a variation from South America or Europe, with a 'by the glass' option and you're set for a memorable night out. Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday.
Address: 430 Lincoln Road
Telephone: (305) 532 2882
Joe's Stone Crab | $$$$$ | Seafood |
A Miami institution, Joe's Stone Crabs has burgeoned since its humble beginnings as a sidewalk vendor in 1913. Renowned for its knack at preparing stone crab claws, nothing could compliment a beach holiday more than a pit stop at Miami's premier seafood restaurant. A plethora of scrumptious side orders are also on offer including Joe's famous hash browns and cole slaw, creamed spinach, grilled tomatoes and fresh salads. If the restaurant is bustling and you're struggling to find a table, head next door to Joe's Takeaway who have a no wait policy, otherwise head to Joe's for an early or late meal to avoid the crowds. Don't forget to try Joe's famous mustard sauce and the appetizing seafood bisque, but if you're not up to Stone Crabs, there is also a selection of other seafood, steaks, ribs and chicken to choose from. Note: Joe's Stone Crabs is only open during Stone Crab season, from October to May. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday and dinner Sunday.
Address: 11 Washington Avenue
Telephone: (305) 673 0365
News Cafe | $$$$$ | International |
The South Beach breakfast establishment, News Café offers a superb oceanfront setting, outside seating and an international newsstand, ideal for that first coffee of the morning. With a plethora of breakfast options, patrons can tuck into Eggs Florentine, Buttermilk Pancakes, or try the Middle Eastern Combo, a hummus, tabouli salad and grape leaf platter. The lure of News Café is that it's open 24 hours a day and breakfast can be ordered around the clock, which makes for a great nosh after a long night at the clubs. Try their burger and fries or smoked salmon bagel, you won't be disappointed. Open daily.
Address: 800 Ocean Drive
Telephone: (305) 538 6397
Señor Frogs | $$$$$ | Mexican |
Señor Frogs appeals to college students and young people because of its trendy atmosphere and affordable menu. It's known for a rip-roaring good time, potent margaritas and a mariachi band. The food at this cantina is cheesy and tasty, if not exactly authentic. A specialty, the mole enchilada with 14 different kinds of mild chillies mixed with chocolate, is flavourful and unique and a definite must. Portions are huge and served with rice and beans. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed for Sunday dinner. Reservations not accepted.
Address: 3480 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove
Telephone: (305) 448 0999
Timo | $$$$$ | Mediterranean |
Timo is a hip and happening, haute restaurant in Sunny Isles owned by executive chef Tim Andriola. The restaurant is a trendy Italian Mediterranean popular with North Miami Beach locals. Specialties worth trying are the semolina gnocchi with braised oxtail; and the sumptuous ricotta and fontina wood-fired pizza with white truffle oil is the perfect filler for lunch or a snack with drinks. Timo's atmosphere is relaxed and trendy making it the ideal place to enjoy any kind of occasion, from a business lunch to a romantic candle-lit dinner. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations required.
Address: 17624 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles
Telephone: (305) 936 1008
Red Fish Grill | $$$$$ | Seafood |
Located at the edge of the saltwater lagoon lies the Red Fish Grill surrounded by the magnificent setting of the tropical Matheson Hammock Park. The ambience of the restaurant makes it an ideal place for a romantic dinner, reminiscent of Old Miami; a rare find and truly hard to beat. Red Fish Grill offers decent and affordable seafood dishes that won't disappoint. Open daily for dinner. Closed for lunch.
Address: 9610 Old Cutler Rd
Telephone: (305) 668 8788
Versailles | $$$$$ | American |
A popular spot with the locals, Versailles is where Miami's Cuban power brokers meet over café con leche. Versailles could be described as a glorified diner and sparkles with mirrors, glass, chandeliers and murals, almost reminiscent of a French palace and a great place to people watch. The food is humble, authentic and extremely tasty with a diverse menu offering everything Cuban such as
ropa vieja (shredded beef stew) and
Moors and Christians (black beans with white rice). Versailles also has a walk up coffee window that serves more than 1,000 cafecitos a day making it a great place for people to come together and debate and catch up. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: 3555 SW 8th St
Telephone: (305) 444 0240
