An overview of best bets for dining on South Beach:
LOWER South Beach - Closer to 5th Street:
Best $$ meal in town - Prime 112 on 112 Ocean, if you want to spend $$ and eat at the hottest restaurant in town, make reservations at Prime 112. It features amazing food that only starts with the steaks...the rest of the menu is actually dazzling and the side dishes and desserts are all wonderful too. Everyone raves about the truffled mac and cheese - a great starchy dish if you are planning on partying later on.
Best burger - Smith & Wollensky, 1 Washington (see cruise ships pass by out back weekends at 3.30pm)
Best Latin - Ola at Sanctuary Hotel. Chef Douglas Rodriguez will never disappoint you with his creative talent of Latin cuisine. 1745 james Ave
Best 24/7 dining - Big Pink (oh yeah! BURGERS & buckets of fries!), 157 Collins
Best Pizza - Pizza Rustica, 863 Washington (by the slice)
Best Seafood - Joe's Takeaway, 11 Washington
Best Brunch - Nemo, 100 Collins (Sunday all you can eat)
Best hidden pub - Ted's Hideaway, 124 2nd St
Best nouveau pub - Room 100 Collins
Best Greek - Taverna Opa, 36 Ocean. This is a fun Greek restaurant with garlicky grilled grub and a party atmosphere.
Best Sexy Lunch Spot - Nikki Beach Club, 1 Ocean
Best Asian - China Grill, 404 Washington
Best Tropical Gem - Tap Tap (Caribbean seafood - best mojito too!), 819 5th
Best Tiki Bar - Monty's, 300 Alton
Best Italian - Grazie Cafe, 701 Washington
Best Ice Cream - Dolce Vita Gelato Cafe, 500 S Pointe Dr
Best Steak - Tuscan Steak, 433 Washington
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UPPER South Beach (17th Street) inexpensive restaurants near LINCOLN MALL:
Everyone assumes South Beach is expensive. These are all great spots for inexpensive food and drink...
Parilla Liberty 1925 Liberty Ave (Argentine "futbol" grill)
Rosinella 525 Lincoln Rd (Italian)
Sushi Siam 647 Lincoln Rd (sushi/Thai)
Pizza Rustica 667 Lincoln Rd and 1447 Washington Ave (slices)
Nexxt Cafe 700 Lincoln Rd (huge portions)
Hosteria Romana 429 Espanola Way (pizza)
Spris Pizzeria 731 Lincoln Rd (light Italian)
LeBon 731 Lincoln Rd (mussels - cheaper 5-730pm)
A La Folie Cafe 516 Espanola Way (light French)
Miss Yip Chinese 1661 Meridian Ave (Good apps/ drinks)
Paninoteca 809 Lincoln Rd (light salad/ sandwiches)
Front Porch 1418 Ocean Dr (brunch)
David's Cafe II 1654 Meridian Ave (24 hr Cuban)
La Sandwicherie 229 14th St (great sammies to go)
San Loco 235 14th St (hot stuff LATE after the Deuce Bar)
Zeke's Roadhouse 625 Lincoln Rd (dogs/ Intl Beers $3)
Pasha's Restaurant 900 Lincoln Rd (pita pockety food)
Icebox Cafe 1657 Michigan Ave (breakfast, desserts)
Balans Restaurant 1022 Lincoln Rd (nice brunch - less $$ on weekdays)
Sushi Doraku 1104 Lincoln Rd (free sushi happy hr)
Piola pizzeria 1625 Alton Rd (chimney baked pies)
Texas Taco 1608 Alton Rd (quick taco shack)
Dogma Grill 1500 Washington (dogs n beers)
Yummy Chinese & Sushi 1671 Alton Rd (basic stuff/ quick delivery)
Joe Allen 1787 Purdy (brunch, burgers, salads, meatloaf)
MOST IMPORTANT:
Frieze Ice Cream Factory 1626 Michigan Ave (just GO!)