Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida’s Culinary Scene
Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - An Ode to Oceanside Dining
There's nothing quite like dining with a view of the ocean. The sound of waves crashing, seabirds calling, and the salty breeze tingling your senses - oceanside restaurants provide a one-of-a-kind eating experience. In South Florida, diners are spoiled for choice when it comes to waterfront establishments.
My personal favorite is Hillstone in Fort Lauderdale. Their expansive wooden deck offers panoramic views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean. It's the perfect place to indulge in fresh local seafood while watching the sunset. The grilled mahi sandwiches and peel-and-eat shrimp are standouts. And don't get me started on their key lime pie - it's divinely creamy with just the right tart kiss of citrus.
Another gem is S3 on Fort Lauderdale beach. This sleek and modern eatery has floor-to-ceiling glass windows so you'll never lose sight of the sea. Their globally inspired menu ranges from sushi rolls to wood-fired pizzas, but I like to keep it local with their super fresh ceviche and fish tacos. And you can't beat sipping a mojito while gazing out at the hypnotic waves.
In Miami's South Beach, Smith & Wollensky offers upscale steakhouse fare with a side of spectacular ocean views. Their covered patio right on the beach is perfect for indulging in premium cuts of beef and seafood, like the colossal shrimp cocktail and dry-aged porterhouse. Don't miss their classic creamed spinach side - it's out of this world.
For a more casual oceanside meal, check out Dune Fort Lauderdale. This Hampton's style eatery has a sprawling deck overlooking the Atlantic. I love starting with a watermelon feta salad before diving into one of their wood-fired pizzas. The prosciutto and arugula pie is my go-to, but their seafood options like the shrimp and clam pizza are stellar too. Nothing beats enjoying a carafe of sangria and good eats practically right on the sand.
What else is in this post?
- Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - An Ode to Oceanside Dining
- Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - From Farm to Table Fare in the Redland
- Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Experiencing Miami's Multicultural Cuisine
- Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Bountiful Bistros for Beachgoers
- Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Savoring Street Food finds in Little Havana
- Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Culinary Creative in Fort Lauderdale
- Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Sophisticated and Succulent Seafood
- Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Satisfying Global Flavors in Palm Beach
- Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Indulging in Innovative Indian Dishes
Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - From Farm to Table Fare in the Redland
Just south of Miami lies the Redland, an agricultural region known for its fragrant orchards, lush fields, and farm-fresh cuisine. This fertile area provides an abundance of tropical fruits, winter vegetables, and artisanal fare that many local chefs have skillfully incorporated into farm-to-table dining experiences.
Eating locally sourced food straight from the surrounding farms allows diners to taste the Redland's natural bounty at its peak flavor. Celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein sources many ingredients from nearby Swank Specialty Produce for her eponymous restaurant. Dishes like the farmers salad tossed with Swank's heirloom tomatoes and avocados offer an incredible garden-fresh quality. Yet Michelle creatively prepares these ingredients, like roasting those tomatoes into a rich peanut sauce blanketing her signature jerk chicken.
At downtown Miami's Roche Bobois Cafe, rising star chef John Gallo also crafts dishes showcasing the Redland's produce, especially its famed heirloom tomatoes. His colorful tomate burrata salad marinates creamy burrata cheese in a tangy vinaigrette with sliced heirlooms, evoking the essence of summer. He also fires up flavorful thin-crust pizzas with farm-sourced toppings like rapini and pork belly.
Further south in Homestead, farm-to-table pioneer Chefs Allen Susser and Stephen Sawitz have run Chef Allen's restaurant since the 1990s. Dedicated to sourcing locally, their menu highlights tropical fruits and vegetables grown on nearby Frog Song Organics. Dishes like the green papaya salad with jicama and fresh herbs offer a crisp, clean taste of the Redland. Allen's fish dishes married with tropical fruit salsas also showcase the region's singular bounty.
For home cooks and foodies, destinations like Robert Is Here fruit stand let you sample exotic tropical fruits straight from their groves. Their rare selection includes lychees, longans, jackfruit, and mamey sapote. You can also browse local honeys, jams, sauces, and baked goods. It's a delicious way to connect with the Redland's agricultural riches.
Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Experiencing Miami's Multicultural Cuisine
Miami is truly a melting pot, with vibrant immigrant communities from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and beyond mingling together. This multiculturalism extends to Miami’s one-of-a-kind cuisine, where you’ll find flavors and dishes reflecting the city’s diverse roots. Experiencing this mosaic of cultures through food offers a delicious way to taste Miami’s rich identity.
In neighborhoods like Little Havana, savor staples of Cuban food like roast pork, rice and beans, and sandwiches stuffed with ham, pork, and Swiss cheese pressed on a plancha. Or try more adventurous fare like fried beef sweetbreads and tamales filled with spicy picadillo. For a refreshing cool down, don’t miss Miami’s signature Cuban coffee brewed with rich espresso and demerara sugar. You can also sample sweet Cuban guava pastries at beloved bakeries like Versailles Restaurant.
In Little Haiti, be transported to the Caribbean through the complex flavors of Haitian cooking. Stewed meats or turkey in sauces punctuated with scotch bonnet chilies offer heat and savor. Rib sticking soups brimming with starchy vegetables like plantains and yuca are also staples. And you can’t visit Miami without trying fried accra fritters made from malanga, a cousin of taro. Wash it all down with refreshing sour sop juice or sweet passionfruit nectar.
Thanks to a wave of immigrants, you can find stellar Central and South American cuisine all over Miami. For Colombian flavor, try arepas - deliciously griddled corn cakes perfect for stuffing with cheese or meats. Or order a heaping plate of flavor-packed patacones - smashed and fried plantains. And don’t miss the chance to try Nicaraguan nacatamales - banana leaf-wrapped bundles crammed with meat, rice and veggies.
Miami also boasts a prominent Jamaican community serving up island specialties. Savory beef patties make for a perfect quick bite, enveloped in a flakey yellow crust. Jerk chicken and pork offer an addicting spicy, smoky jolt of flavor. And sides like rice and peas, plantains, and festival (fried dough) round out a true Jamaican meal.
Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Bountiful Bistros for Beachgoers
After a day spent frolicking in the South Florida surf and sand, beachgoers will find themselves working up quite an appetite. Luckily, Fort Lauderdale’s strip of barrier island hits the sweet spot between beach and Intracoastal bistros, with plenty of options to refuel after a long day under the sun.
Casual burger joints like Lona Cocina Tequileria offer prime people-watching right on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Their outdoor patio lets you soak up the sunset while biting into chargrilled Angus beef patties and washing it all down with some of Florida’s best margaritas. Or grab a coveted patio seat at S3 for sweeping ocean views and globally inspired small plates, from Thai coconut curry mussels to Spanish charcuterie boards loaded with Iberico ham and manchego cheese.
Over on Las Olas Boulevard, beach lovers can kick back after a sun-drenched day with dinner and drinks along the pedestrian promenade. At American Social, score a balcony seat overlooking the bustling street and Intracoastal Waterway while diving into their stack of loaded nachos. Or head to Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille to slurp down briny local oysters and knock back refreshing watermelon margaritas as the evening light dances on the water.
In Pompano Beach, beach bums can nosh at houston’s restaurant right on the sand. Kick back under an umbrella and soak up the seaside setting while fueling up on their classic cheeseburgers and coconut shrimp fresh from the fryer. Or head up the road to the legendary Lighthouse Point waterfront. At breezy Galuppi’s Restaurant and Patio Bar, savor stone crab claws larger than your fist paired with crisp chardonnay as the sun sets over the hillsboro inlet lighthouse.
Over in South Beach, later evenings call for indulging in a curated tasting menu at Byblos Miami. Their Mediterranean-inspired small plates like grilled octopus salad and kebabs of succulent chicken souvlaki pair perfectly with Lebanese wines. Then work off the feast with a moonlit stroll down South Beach taking in the deco district’s iconic architecture.
Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Savoring Street Food finds in Little Havana
Little Havana’s streets teem with the sights, sounds, and smells of Cuban culture. But wander beyond the cigar shops and domino players and you’ll discover Little Havana’s lesser-known gems: its addictive street food finds that provide a windshield tour of Cuba's culinary soul.
The whirring of blades chopping tender, juicy pork for pan con lechón draws you into Los Pinareños Fruteria. At this fruteria-cum-restaurant, feast on baguette sandwiches stuffed with garlic-and-citrus-marinated pork. The meat’s crispy, burnished edges offer a satisfying crunch. Each savory bite harmonizes succulently with garlicky mojo sauce.
As you continue down the street, wafts of smoky and sweet lead you to El Exquisito. This walk-up stand specializes in chicharrones de pollo: juicy hunks of fried chicken smothered in onions stewed in a sweet-tart glaze reminiscent of Cuban mojo. Order yours doused in hot sauce for the ideal spectrum of flavors: crunchy, salty, spicy, and tangy.
Venture down a side street toward the aroma of frying dough and you’ll discover S & G Bakery, a treasured source for crisp, puffy fritas Cubanas. These sandwiches cradle thinly shredded, slow-cooked pork between pillowy buns that shatter into flakes with each bite. Add hot sauce and extra mojo for the quintessential Frita experience.
The soundtrack of sizzling griddles signals you’ve arrived at Sigfredo Benitez’s El Paisano Cuban Coffee. The tiny stand run by Sigfredo and his family for decades serves textbook Cuban coffee brewed dark and strong with sugar. But their crunchy Cuban toast steals the show. Fried in butter, the toast gains a perfect crust with just a hint of sweetness that pairs exquisitely with the potent café Cubano.
Finally, follow the crowds clustered around a truck to taste what Anthony Bourdain declared the best Cuban sandwich in Miami. El Mago de las Fritas serves the classic Cubano at its essence: salty-sweet ham, melty Swiss cheese, and juicy pork cutlet pressed in crunchy Cuban bread. The secret is in the fritas sauce: a hearty puree of sautéed onions that seeps into every layer. One taste and you’ll be bewitched by the sandwich wizardry.
Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Culinary Creative in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale has emerged as an under-the-radar hotspot for culinary creativity. While South Florida's glitzier dining scenes in Miami and Palm Beach soak up the limelight, Fort Lauderdale offers diners a more relaxed yet quietly sophisticated experience. Here, a cadre of talented chefs fuse global techniques with hyper-local ingredients to craft one-of-a-kind destination dining.
Leading the culinary charge in Fort Lauderdale is Chef Jeremy Ford. After honing his skills in acclaimed kitchens like those of Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Ford returned home to showcase elevated Florida cuisine at Rebel House. Dishes like local fish crudo dressed with calamansi and sea beans display multicultural touches while allowing the Sunshine State's star ingredients to shine. Meanwhile, delicacies like Everglades frog legs fried up tempura-style reveal lesser-known facets of Florida's food bounty.
Another hometown hero raising Fort Lauderdale's culinary cred is Chef Tim Nickey of Seaspice Brasserie & Lounge. Nickey sources seafood so fresh from Florida waters that his menu changes daily. Specialties like Florida stone crab and pompano arrive straight off the boats into Seaspice's kitchen, where Nickey works his magic. His truffle pompano en croûte, luxuriously blanketed in pastry, soft leeks, and earthy truffle butter, transmutes the local catch into haute French cuisine.
Over at Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery, married chefs Alonzo and Dominique Coby fuse Caribbean soul food with American craft beer culture. Dishes like jerk chicken nachos crowned with mango relish and curried oxtails with rice & peas riff on Caribbean classics. They pair perfectly with Sistrunk's roster of funky brews like the citrusy Fe Fi Fo Funk fruited sour ale. The Cobys' blend of global flavors and locally crafted libations spotlights Broward County's diversity.
Another culinary power couple making waves in Fort Lauderdale is Eric and Wendy Policastro of Rustic Inn Crabhouse. Far from everyday seafood shacks, the Policastros reinvent this historic restaurant with their own brand of innovation. House specialties like mustard fried frog legs reveal a playful daring. While favorites like Alaskan king crab legs bucket with Parmesan truffle butter add luxe touches to primal seafood boils. Combined with a wonderfully eclectic wine list, the Rustic Inn makes fine dining fun.
Further boosting Fort Lauderdale's creative dining landscape are restaurants like Lemongrass Asian Bistro. Chef Michael Lechner fuses Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese fare with his own singular twists. Signatures like the Vietnamese shumai dumplings stuffed with chili coconut shrimp reveal Lechner's knack for experimentation. Meanwhile, polished presentations like blackened tuna tataki dressed with yuzu ponzu sauce showcase innovation. Thanks to chefs like Lechner, Fort Lauderdale has become a destination for those craving envelope-pushing culinary excitement.
Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Sophisticated and Succulent Seafood
South Florida provides an embarrassment of riches when it comes to fresh seafood. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Gulf of Mexico to the west, an abundance of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans find their way from the sea to local plates. In Palm Beach, talented chefs transform the day's catch into sophisticated seafood experiences.
At PB Catch, diners delight in seafood prepared with Mediterranean and Asian accents. Dishes like the prawn bucatini fraudulently blends Italian pasta know-how with plump Gulf shrimp and smoky chorizo. Their signature crispy whole yellowtail snapper also reveals a Pacific Rim influence, drizzled in sweet chili sauce and fried till delicately crisp. PB Catch even offers sushi and sashimi crafted from the freshest Florida yellowfin tuna and wahoo.
Over at Restaurant Cafe Boulud, Chef Rick Mace crafts French-inflected seafood with a farm-to-table ethos. His Florida black grouper meunière showcases fish sourced just off Palm Beach's shores, elegantly sauced with brown butter capers and lemon. Mace also works magic with tuna, curing local yellowfin into mouthwatering tartares or searing it to serve with an avocado-yuzu purée.
For the ultimate indulgence, Le Bilboquet on Worth Avenue offers caviar service sourcing from purveyors worldwide. Their extensive list includes prized beluga and osetra roes from Russia and Northern Europe. Or opt for American hackleback sturgeon caviar from Florida's own I.F. Caviar. Le Bilboquet's elegant presentation with traditional garnishes like crème fraîche and blinis provide a decadent education in the finer points of caviar.
While Palm Beach's white tablecloth venues offer a sophisticated seafood experience, more casual eateries also serve up super-fresh fare. At Reef + Barrel in West Palm Beach, seafood arrives straight from the owner's own fishing boats. Highlights from their raw bar include Florida stone crab claws and Everglades-harvested frog legs served with inventive sauces like black garlic aioli. Seafood mains like the miso grouper sandwich also display global touches.
Even at takeout joint The Oceanaire, sustainably sourced fish and shellfish shine. Their menu offers simply prepared fish like fried, blackened or grilled, allowing top-grade seafood to speak for itself. Florida pompano, cobia, wahoo and snapper are among the rotating cast of hyper-local catches. For the ultimate indulgence, try their Signature Seafood Tower, a beautifully presented platter of oysters, king crab, lobster tails, shrimp and ceviche.
Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Satisfying Global Flavors in Palm Beach
Palm Beach enjoys a reputation as a refined resort town, complete with Worth Avenue’s glittering boutiques, the Breakers' Gilded Age opulence, and socialites sipping Champagne at charity galas. But quieter global influences also permeate Palm Beach's dining scene. A wave of immigrants has added authentic ethnic flavors to the city's culinary fabric. Exploring these global eateries offers visitors a passport to new cultures without leaving Florida's paradisiacal shores.
Tucked away from Palm Beach's mansions and luxury hotels, Havana Restaurant brings a taste of Cuba's vibrant culture. The aromas of slow-roasted pork shoulder and fried sweet plantains recall the streets of Little Havana. Signature dishes like Ropa Vieja (shredded beef stew) and Vaca Frita (crispy fried beef) deliver deep, soulful Cuban flavor. Handmade empanadas with savory fillings offer ideal starters, while Tres Leches cake capped with meringue exemplifies Cuban dessert decadence. With its warm decor and robust, stick-to-your-ribs fare, Havana transports diners to Cuba's heart and soul.
Further north near the Everglades, Farmer’s Table restaurant spotlights Florida’s Mexican migrant community through vibrant Oaxacan cuisine. Subtle mole negro oxtail and complex chapulines salsa exemplify Oaxaca’s rich culinary heritage. Masitas pibil showcases smoky, citrusy Yucatan flavors with pork shoulder roasted in banana leaves. Finish with tres leches bread pudding marrying European and Latin dessert traditions. Farmer’s Table’s sparkling renditions of Mexican regional fare offer an enriching foray into Mexico’s lesser-known flavors.
The aromas of India permeate Palm Beach’s Imoto restaurant, where diners feast on artfully presented curries, flatbreads, and street food. Chef Chakri Koteppa prepares classics like chicken tikka masala and saag paneer with skillful balancing of spices. More unique dishes like venison seekh kebab and jackfruit biryani reveal his penchant for innovation within India’s culinary canon. And the extensive vegetarian menu ensures herbivores won’t miss out on Imoto’s authentic Indian flavors. From street stall to royal kitchen, Imoto captures India’s kaleidoscope of culinary delights.
Sizzle and Sun: My Top 5 Restaurants for Soaking Up South Florida's Culinary Scene - Indulging in Innovative Indian Dishes
Imoto restaurant in Palm Beach has become a destination for indulging in innovatively reimagined Indian cuisine. While many Indian restaurants stick to well-trodden fare like tandoori chicken, naan breads, and predictable curries, Imoto dares to push boundaries and surprise diners. Under the guidance of Chef Chakri Koteppa, Imoto spotlights lesser-known regional Indian cooking while adding subtle twists to classics.
Consider their venison seekh kebab appetizer, a riff on the classic minced lamb kebabs found on the streets of Delhi and Mumbai. Koteppa had the genius idea to substitute venison, with its deeper flavor and lean texture, to create a uniquely flavored and healthy kebab. He uniquely pairs the grilled venison with a papaya salsa, allowing the fruit's tropical sweetness to dance with the kebab's spices.
Beyond kebabs, Imoto offers revelatory takes on curries that go far beyond the tomato-cream-and-spice gravies many associate with Indian food. The jackfruit biryani substitutes silky, meaty jackfruit for chicken or lamb in the classic layered rice dish, topped with crispy onions and cooling raita. The complex sweetness of the jackfruit pairs sublimely with aromatic spices and saffron-tinged basmati rice.
For the truly adventurous, Koteppa's funky fermented black lentil curry delivers a flavor bomb that's at once familiar yet intriguingly novel. The fermented black lentils offer an addictive sour tang while toasted spices like cumin, coriander and mustard seeds provide depth. It's a unique curry that's complex, nutty, and pleasingly tart.
Beyond curries, Imoto expands horizons with lesser-known street foods and snacks hard to find outside India. The vada pav sandwich may look humble, but the fried potato fritters between fluffy rolls deliver a quintessential Mumbai street food experience. And the pani puri, crunchy puffed shells, and mint water, capture the magic of India's addictive snack.
Even familiar dishes reveal touches of innovation, like the garlic naan topped with a garnish of micro arugula. The fresh peppery greens contrast the doughy naan beautifully. And the palmsugar Kulfi, India's iconic ice cream, gains new texture with a shard of white chocolate.