1. Fox’S Sherron Inn
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 661-9201
Address: 6030 South Dixie Hwy.
Insider Pick:
Description: Fox’s, the quintessential romantic speakeasy, is so old-school it doesn’t even have a website. Since 1946, Fox’s has been a Miami staple and attracts crowds ranging from Harley riders to middle-aged parents and college students. Nightly specials are typically baked snapper and corned beef and cabbage on Mon, prime rib on Tues and Thurs, stuffed Florida lobster tails on Wed, dolphin and grouper fish fry on Fri and road duck and lamb chops on Sat. Breakfast is also served throughout the day and more health-conscious options are available. In the back parking lot there is a shady liquor window that’s an ideal grab-and-go spot if you’re in a rush.
2. Town Kitchen And Bar
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 740-8118
Address: 7301 SW 57th Court
Description: The dining atmosphere at Town Kitchen and Bar epitomizes what a Friday night out with friends should be: satisfying food in a chic, lively environment. This is definitely not the place for a quiet dinner or a first date (although it is ideal for those in search of a date). The menu mostly focuses on casual, comfort foods like burgers, salads, steaks, and thin-crust pizzas with only the occasional gaudy oddity (lobster tacos?). Entrees are reasonably priced, but the wine list is where the real deals can be found. Perhaps in order to keep up the vivacious mood, a rotating selection of 25 wines for under $25 is prominently featured, which makes it easy to spend several hours sitting around a table chatting or to make friends with a neighboring table.
3. South Garden
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 274-9099
Address: 10855 SW 72nd St.
Description: Good Chinese restaurants in Miami are few and far between. South Garden is one of them. Their menu is extensive and offers both Americanized favorites along with more traditional cuisine. Poultry dishes like the sesame chicken and the honey garlic chicken are especially well done. Their Sunday dim sum is popular with local Chinese families, which speaks volumes about their authenticity.
4. Shorty’S Bbq
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 670-7732
Address: 9200 South Dixie Hwy.
Description: Chicken, brisket, pulled pork, and, of course, ribs are all on the menu along with some distinctively Southern sides such as fried green tomatoes and fried okra. A diverse, laid-back crowd and bargain prices are the restaurant’s real draws. Their website has a special section for coupons so be sure to check for current deals if you have access to a printer. For those who can stop by before 4 p.m. on a weekday, take advantage of one of the lunch specials, all of which are priced well under $10. The restaurant has five locations total in South Florida, two of which are in Davie and another that is in Deerfield Beach. Their West Miami location is at 11575 SW 40th St. (305-227-3196).
5. Cafe Pastis
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 665-3322
Address: 7310 Red Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: This cozy, boisterous bistro is a slice of France in South Beach. Elegant food presentation and a genial atmosphere have turned this restaurant into a favorite of locals. Traditional French fare like Croque Monsieur, escargot, steak frites, and steamed mussels are executed with the precision one would expect from a classically trained French chef. There are also several Mediterranean-inspired entrees like the grilled shrimp served over feta, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes and the Moroccan chicken with apricots and couscous. The french onion soup is among the best, and the french fries are a must.
6. Miyako Japanese Restaurant
City: South Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 663-7166
Address: 5844 SW 73rd St.
Description: Miyako is truly almost exclusively locals and any sushi lover in Miami will have good things to say about this place. The usual suspects are on the menu, all of which are good, but be sure to try the spectacular ginger dressing either on a salad or as a dipping sauce for a roll or dish. Their Kendall location is at 9533 South Dixie Hwy. (305-668-9367). Both locations are fairly simple and no-frills but the waitstaff and chefs are nice and willing to edit orders and accommodate parties.