Top 10 Miami Restaurants

Miami's well known for ethnic diversity and the dining choices in our fair city reflect that multiculturalism. From fine steaks to authentic Cuban specialties, you'll find it somewhere in town. Below, you'll find ten of the best spots in town to grab a bite to eat.


1. Joe's Stone Crabs
If you find yourself in South Florida during stone crab season (October 15th - May 15th), a stop at Joe's Stone Crabs on South Beach is absolutely mandatory! This former lunch counter opened in 1913 and claims to be the original discoverer of the delicious stone crab.

2. Azul
Azul's cuisine may leave something to be desired, but they more than make up for it with one of the city's best wine lists and a breathtaking view of Biscayne Bay. It's located inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel on Brickell Key.

3. News Cafe
This Miami Beach classic is one of the best places to eat eggs, read any newspaper you can imagine and people-watch all at the same time!

4. Capital Grille
Ranked by the Zagat's survey as one of the top ten steakhouses, the Capital Grille offers delicious steaks and a celebrated wine list to discerning patrons. They're located in the heart of downtown right near the Brickell Bridge.

5. Cafe Prima Pasta
This acclaimed Italian restaurant frequently wins top billing from a variety of Miami restaurant polls. Visit their Miami Beach location and you're bound to find some sumptuous homemade pasta, chicken and veal dishes.

6. Tobacco Road
Another old-time favorite, Tobacco Road was established in 1912 and has a somewhat shady history of run-ins with local law enforcement authorities. That said, it's the absolute best place in town to find a huge greasy hamburger and you're liable to hear some of the best live blues music in the country while you're dining.

7. Shorty's Bar-B-Q
Shorty's is not a fancy place. However, if you don't mind a few splinters in your rear and a roll of paper towels to wipe your mouth with, you'll find the best bar-b-q in South Florida at amazingly low prices! The original Shorty's on U.S. 1 opened in 1951 and is joined by more recent openings in West Dade and Broward.

8. Tropical Chinese
Tropical Chinese is the real deal! This South Florida tradition offers authentic Chinese cuisine, including a popular Sunday afternoon dim sum.

9. Perricone's Marketplace
If you're looking for Italian in downtown Miami, Perricone's Marketplace is where you want to be! Their diverse menu features Italian classics like homemade potato gnocci and cioppino right alongside good thick Italian sandwiches. One downside is that you won't make it to the exit without plunking down your credit card in their irresistible Italian market!

10. The Palm
The Palm is a classic steakhouse: fine beef, lobster and other specialties served in a romantic, sophisticated environment. My husband and I love to eat there and appreciate that "our" waiter not only remembers our names but details about events in our lives when we return. Be sure to try the cheesecake -- they fly it in from New York!

Paolo Mojo in Miami at Club Mansion

Paolo Mojo. With Walker and Royce. Thursday, August 9, 11 p.m., Mansion, 1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-695-8411; mansionmiami.com. Tickets cost $15 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Paolo Mojo is billed as "a true international," dropping underground electro beats and re-edits at some of the most popular clubs on Earth. Most impressively, however, he also manages to run a successful record label, Oosh, on the side. 

Car2go Car Sharing Has Officially Hit The Streets Of Miami

Can Miamians comprehend this level of intellectual hipness? Can we embrace car sharing, or does the "public utility" ick-factor immediately throw us for a loop? (We're so snobby) Well, you better believe Miamians are going to like it, as soon as we, you know, grow up a little. After all, didn't the people of Miami Beach just fall in love with DecoBike? Here now, Car2go, basically the car version of DecoBike, has hit the streets of Miami. 240 identical smart carsare scattered around town available to rent for 38 cents a minute or $13 an hour (the price goes down the longer you have it). They can be picked up, and parked, in any Miami Parking Authority metered spot within Miami's central areas, and they don't have to be left where you found them, meaning one-way trips are fine.