“Must-Try” South Florida Restaurants, From Jupiter to Miami, Florida

By Tina Walsh

The dining options in South Florida are vast. You will find both fine dining establishments and budget-friendly eats, all with something special to offer. These “must-try” restaurants introduce you to the distinct flavours of international fare, from Peruvian, Cuban, and Middle Eastern to Italian and Asian. You will also find some places to enjoy homestyle American meals. Whatever your choice, all of them will wow you with their deliciousness.

Jupiter, FL - Dune Dog

It sounds crazy but one of the best places to get grilled local fish in South Florida is Dune Dog Cafe. This tiki hut restaurant is located on Alternate A1A. It is the best value in Jupiter. Besides serving a large selection of hot dogs and burgers, they serve seafood, wings, and smoky, saucy baby back ribs. On the seafood side, they serve steamed crabs, lobsters, and clams. They also offer grilled, fried, and blackened shrimp and fish. Grilled fish can be a tricky thing if not done just right, as it can so easily end up dry. Dune Dog has perfected grilling their fish. Try to catch them on one of their special nights, such as Monday which is all-you-can-eat ribs. Tuesday is two complete dinners for the price of one. Thursday is lobster night, a whole Maine lobster with two sides for a “ridiculously low price”. This is an incredibly casual place – you can go straight from the beach to the table. (www.dunedog.com)

West Palm Beach, FL - Nick’s 50’s Diner

Want to try some “true” American food? Head to Nick’s 50’s Diner. This “blast from the past” restaurant has an extensive menu that includes meatloaf and mashed potatoes, country fried steak and roast turkey with dressing, plus a wide range of burgers, sandwiches, and salads. They serve breakfast until 11:30 daily and all day on Saturday and Sunday. With a juke box loaded with 1950’s music, a true “lunch counter”, 1950’s movie posters on all the walls and a nostalgic menu, you will step back in time when you walk into this diner. Located just west of Interstate 95 on Okeechobee Blvd., this homestyle American food restaurant is open daily from 7:00am to 2:00pm and on Sundays from 8:00am to 2:00pm. (www.nicks50diner.com)

Delray Beach, FL - Rose’s Daughter

In the Pineapple Arts District of Delray Beach is a gem of an Italian restaurant, Rose’s Daughter. Visitors are treated to hand-crafted, made-from-scratch pizzas, homemade pastas, imported charcuterie, house-made cheeses, and gelatos. A favourite is the spinach dumplings with pecorino cream. It is velvety and slightly salty with the spinach adding a delicious freshness. It is served with a side of their bread, which is baked daily in a wood fired oven. You cannot go wrong with any of their Italian classic dishes prepared with a modern twist. The menu is extensive and diverse. The restaurant has two covered patios and an outdoor bar that are delightful places to enjoy a meal. Rose’s Daughter is open Wednesday to Sunday starting at 4:00pm. They do not take reservations.

Delray Beach, FL - Amar Mediterranean Bistro

Craving the bright and earthy flavours of the Mediterranean? Visit Amar Mediterranean Bistro on Atlantic Ave. in downtown Delray Beach. The owners of the stylish restaurant have Lebanese roots. They offer simply prepared dishes including cold and hot mezze, various grilled meats, kebabs, fresh seafood, and creative homemade desserts. There is something for everyone. At Amar, the plates are meant to be shared. You will want to soak up the aromatic spices and herbs of this Mediterranean cuisine with their handmade pita bread baked in their wood-burning oven. If you are unsure what to order, try the hummus with lamb, the Mediterranean shrimp skillet, or the mixed grill platter for two. Amar is open daily from 4pm to 10pm. (www.amardelray.com)

Oil Dumplings

West Palm Beach or Boca Raton, FL KaPow Noodle Bar

With two locations in South Florida, KaPow Noodle Bar offers contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine in a vibrant, art-adorned space with outdoor and indoor dining. Their vast menu contains dumplings, buns, noodles, small plates, and creative cocktails. Highlights on their menu include red chilli oil dumplings, crispy mushroom bao bun, spicy skirt steak gyoza taco, duck lo mein and a Shinjiro mule made with Japanese vodka. You can find them on Clematis Ave. in West Palm Beach or Mizner Plaza in Boca Raton. (www.kapownoodlebar.com)

Lighthouse Point, FL - Cap’s Place

Cap’s Place offers a taste of local history along with fresh seafood. Recognized as a national landmark in Broward County, it is Florida’s oldest restaurant. Starting as a 1920’s casino and rum running speakeasy, this restaurant is on an island off Lighthouse Point and can only be reached by Cap’s motor launch from their parking lot on mainland Florida. Cap’s Place offers casual waterfront dining with fresh native seafood including snapper, cobia, stone crab, and Caribbean lobster. Make sure you save room for their tangy key lime pie. Cap’s Place is located halfway between West Palm Beach and Miami, just north of Fort Lauderdale. The combination of fresh South Florida cuisine and its unique history attracts notables from Al Capone and Winston Churchill to Joe Namath. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday at 5:30pm with the first launch leaving at 5:20. Reservations are recommended. (www.capsplace.com)

SOUTH FLORIDA RESTAURANTS, FROM JUPITER TO MIAMI, FLORIDA

Fort Lauderdale, FL - Southport Raw Bar

Do you like to eat where locals eat? When you visit Fort Lauderdale, do not miss Southport Raw Bar. They have been feeding locals for 50 years from their Cordova Road location. They are open 7:30am to 11:00pm daily serving breakfast, seafood, salads, sandwiches, and hoagies. They offer indoor as well as patio dining overlooking the waterway, with live music seven days a week. One major attraction is the oysters. If you are an oyster lover, you can get them fried, baked or raw on the half shell. They also offer steamed, baked, and fried clams and shrimp. Southport Raw Bar is child-friendly and pet-friendly. You can arrive by boat or car. (www.southportrawbar.com)

Midtown Miami, FL - Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop

Any foodie visit to Miami must include a Cuban sandwich and Cuban espresso, called Cortadito (a sweet Cuban coffee that’s half espresso and half milk). If you are in Midtown Miami, Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop is the place to try them. Located on the edge of the Wynwood neighbourhood, this is an unassuming little cafe. Enriqueta’s is open from 7:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Saturday serving breakfast and lunch with a distinct Cuban flair. Their menu is extensive, although most people order Cuban sandwiches, pan con bistec especial (a steak sandwich with cheese, tomatoes, onions, and crispy potatoes sticks) or sandwich pollo especial (the chicken version). There is a walk-up takeaway window, where patrons can order anything from the menu to go. Cortadito is only $1.00 from the takeaway window.

Hollywood, FL - Le Tub

Wedged between the intracoastal and A1A in Hollywood FL, Le Tub Saloon has been serving up burgers, hot dogs, and fresh seafood for 32 years. In 2006, GQ magazine named their burger #1 in the United States. Their burgers are made with 13 ounces of top ground sirloin beef. They are made to order and served on a bun with American or Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Add an order of French fries and a cold drink for a complete meal. Enjoy this deliciousness as you watch the boats cruise up and down the intracoastal. Everything is made in house including their chili, salad dressing and key lime pie. Make sure you take time to admire the interesting décor, all created by the owner, where many of the tables have bathtubs as their base. (www.theletub.com)

Miami, FL - CVI.CHE 105

With five locations including Downtown Miami, South Beach-Lincoln Road, Aventura Mall and Dadeland Mall, CVI.CHE 105 is known for a large selection of fresh ceviche as well as Peruvian dishes. If you are not familiar with Peruvian food, your waiter can make recommendations. Ceviche is the centrepiece of the menu. You will find all types of seafood and citrus combinations in the ceviche. There are many large plates that are easily shareable, as well as rolls, rice dishes and tacus (a fried rice and bean dish). The décor has a stylish, tropical vibe. That tropical vibe carries over into their cocktail offerings. CVI.CHE 105 is open 12pm to 10:30pm daily. Reservations are recommended. (www.ceviche105.com) UA