By: Kara Franker
Check out some of the best restaurants in South Beach.
South Beach is home to a trendy food scene that has been attracting tourists and locals alike for decades. From mouthwatering, freshly-caught seafood to budget-friendly burgers with a heaping side of French fries, add these restaurants to your must-try list.
Great Seafood South of Fifth
A landmark Miami Beach restaurant that’s been around for more than 100 years, Joe’s Stone Crab first opened its doors in 1913. There’s no restaurant more popular or more famous for serving Florida stone crab (served fresh when in season, from October through May), along with a long list of tasty dishes. Order a cold trio combo and you’ll get stone crab claws, king crab and half a cold Maine Lobster, or order stone crab claws a la carte along with lobster macaroni and cheese, hashed brown potatoes and creamed spinach. Make sure you save room for a slice of Joe’s famous Key lime pie. They do not accept reservations, so your best option is to show up early evening to make sure you get in. 11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Just like its name suggests, Lobster Bar Sea Grille showcases world-class seafood dishes in an upscale dining room just a few blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. With executive chef Arturo Paz at the helm, you can expect artful cuisine inspired by his Puerto Rican grandfather, who first taught him to love to cook. Jump right in with a massive shellfish tower to start, including a whole lobster, oysters, colossal shrimp and red king crab. From there, you can’t go wrong with the whole fish experience like sea bass from Greece or red snapper from New Zealand. Just as famous for their prime steaks, order the Lobster Bar’s version of the surf and turf with a whole, de-shelled lobster from Chile along with a Wagyu New York strip steak from Snake River Farms with grilled shishito peppers. Sunday brunch is equally as popular as the evening dinner service, so make sure you call ahead for reservations. 404 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Located in the South of Fifth (SoFi) neighborhood’s most popular dining corner, Prime Fish offers everything from fried clam strips to Petrossian caviar. The contemporary yet comfortable design allows you to enjoy indoor/outdoor dining alongside an intimate bar perfect for Miami’s cocktail scene. Sautéed, blackened, grilled, or steamed, indulge in fresh fish any way you want it. 100 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139
Eclectic Ethnic Eats on Collins Avenue
Helmed by renowned Chef Jose Icardi and located in sbe’s iconic Delano hotel, LEYNIA features traditional Argentine cuisine fused with Japanese influences. The bustling eatery serves family-style meals overlooking the hotel’s Instagram-worthy pool and backyard. Adding a theatrical touch to the dining experience, dishes and drinks are served tableside from roaming bicycles imported from Argentina. The centerpiece of the restaurant is a wood burning grill, allowing meats to be cooked a la leña. In addition to time-honored Argentinian dishes, including a selection of meats arranged in two tiers, you can enjoy sushi and daily fish specials flown in from around the world. Cocktails are inventive versions of beloved Miami Beach classics using the traditional flavors of South America, like the Los Libertadores with Chilean pisco, Malbec and rosemary syrup, vermouth, orange bitters and lemon. For dessert, try the house beignets with vanilla cream, rum and caramel sauce. 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Experience the warmth of Mediterranean culture in a modernized Art Deco setting at Byblos Miami. Loved by locals, tourists and celebrities alike (including Drake, Dwayne Wade, Gabrielle Union, Rob Gronkowski and more), the Florida outpost of the wildly popular eatery in Toronto by Chef Stuart Cameron, brings the exciting flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean to South Florida. The extensive menu blends Israeli, Persian and other Mediterranean flavors in each shareable plate to encourage a warm, social dining experience. Stuart’s recreated versions of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern staples such Turkish Manti dumplings, baked hummus topped with Wagyu, roasted lamb shoulder with sumac and sweet jeweled rice will take your taste buds on a culinary adventure. 1545 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Located inside the historic Marlin Hotel, the award-winning Osteria del Teatro is an Italian hotspot that’s been around for 30 years. The menu offers traditional homemade pastas and risotto like Cartoccio with assorted seafood, fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil and linguine. Or opt for the Papperdelle con Astice, a whole Maine lobster with made-from-scratch pappardelle in a creamy pink lobster sauce. 1200 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Popular Cafes that Won’t Break the Bank
Between the large TVs lining the walls and eye-catching bright pink Volkswagen Beetles parked up front, The Big Pink is a restaurant like no other in Miami. The unique restaurant creates a modern-day diner atmosphere with items like The Big Pink TV Dinner served on a stainless steel tray. Known for serving unbelievably huge portions of anything you can imagine like towering plates of nachos, decadent desserts, its famous "Pink Daddy Mack" burger and more—this tasty locale is designed to please any palate. Whether you’re a part of the breakfast crowd or you decide to stroll in after a night at the clubs, Big Pink is an all hours see-and-be-seen spotfor locals and tourists alike. 157 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139
An acronym for Young Urban Cuban-Americans, YUCA is a popular Lincoln Road restaurant for its Cuban “Nuevo Latino” cuisine. It’s been around since 1989 and serves up dishes made from traditional Latin ingredients, all with a wide variety of textures and flavors. Try one of the Habana Plates like ropa vieja (traditional slow braised shredded Angus beef, sweet plantain fufu and crispy red onions) or yuca rellena (steamed yucca, wild mushroom picadillo and sautéed spinach). Stick around at the YUCA lounge and watch live performances by some of the best local musicians. 501 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Located on Ocean Drive and famous for being the last spot that designer Gianni Versace was seen alive, News Café has been attracting the in-crowd for years. Open 24 hours a day, stop by this street side café for breakfast, lunch, dinner or an afternoon glass of wine. Listen to jazz music while people-watching—one of South Beach’s best free activities. 800 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Check out more great restaurants and discover amazing dining deals during Miami Spice happening every year, August 1st through September 30th.