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Scarpetta’s signature pasta dish.
Photo Credit: Scarpetta

14 South Florida Tourist Traps That Are Actually Good

Worth the time for visitors and locals

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Scarpetta’s signature pasta dish.
| Photo Credit: Scarpetta

Miami has been drawing in the crowds ever since word got out that one could be frolicking in turquoise, warm waters instead of shoveling out of yet another bitter northeastern storm. As with any popular destination, there are plenty of dining options that are overpriced and underperforming, but tourists are willing to overlook that for a chance of some sun.

However there are some establishments set on catering to outsiders — because they offer a fabulous view, have a long-history with the Sunshine state, or simply are a very buzzy place — that actually come through with solid food options as well. Here now, a list of some of the biggest tourist destinations in South Florida that are worth a visit. Consider them the next time family or friends come to town.

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Scarpetta by Scott Conant

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Since its opening in 1954 the Fontainebleau Hotel has been a go-to destination for celebrities, so it seems fitting that chef Scott Conant has run his successful Italian restaurant inside of it since 2008. Straightforward spaghetti with tomato and basil, short rib agnolotti, and duck and foie gras ravioli with marsala reduction will impress any out-of-town guest. Return visits can become habit-forming, not only for the food but that ocean view as well.

El Palacio de los Jugos (Multiple locations)

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Translated from Spanish El Palacio de los Jugos means “the palace of the juices.” It’s a nod to all the drinks made on-site from local tropical fruits like mamey, maracuya (passion fruit), and guayaba. But there’s plenty more here like large portions Cuban classics like chicharrones, sandwiches, rice dishes, and sweets. While it can be daunting to order, as there are multiple counters with different vendors, diners just simply need to travel from one spot to another picking and paying for what they’d like before enjoying their budget friendly meal.

Barton G. The Restaurant - Miami Beach

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Over-the-top from start to finish this Miami Beach staple prides itself in “pushing the limits of dining,” an apt statement given its eccentric dishes like lobster pop tarts served in a toaster or the fried chicken served in a waffle cone with apple and cabbage slaw and whipped mashed potatoes. Dessert is a big draw, from Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all!!!! made with a chocolate ganache and dulce de leche tart under a gold brick shell served with golden caramel corn or the Let Them Eat Cake dessert made with a cotton candy pompadour with Confetti funcakes topped with a raspberry almond buttercream. Take note, the bill will be memorable as well.

Red Rooster Overtown

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This buzzy Harlem import from chef Marcus Samuelsson offers a variety of soul food dishes like fried chicken served with pigeon peas and the shrimp and grits with sausage, spicy stewed tomatoes, and baby zucchini, that have food-lovers, locals, and visitors alike heading to Overtown for a visit. Plus, its speakeasy upstairs featuring drinks and live music recently opened, perfect to start the night with out-of-towners with.

Sugar Factory

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Ice-smoking cocktails and decadent shakes have had tourists flocking here with phones ready to capture it all for the ‘gram. The restaurant recently introduced a new weekend brunch menu offering dishes like the Insane Double Stack Rainbow Pancakes—as the name would imply, a colorful mountain of pancakes served with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and butter, along with a side of chocolate chips, gummy bears, strawberries, whipped cream with rainbow sprinkles and a signature rubber ducky for patrons to take home. There’s also a crispy chicken and waffle sandwich (with jalapeño maple syrup) along with a donut burger (beef patty between a glazed donut, topped with a grilled cheese sandwich and bacon—both big wins for those liking a sweet and savory mix. Be sure to order a mimosa goblet to nurse on throughout the meal.

Rainbow pancakes.
Sugar Factory

Stubborn Seed

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Helmed by Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, at Stubborn Seed ever dish is an experience for the senses. Highlights include crunchy truffle bravas with sopressata ham, truffle aioli, garlic crumbs, and aged parmesan; cacio e pepe cheesy puffs; and shrimp and saffron gnocchi veloute. Add-ons like Ossetra caviar and Australian black truffle are available, alongside a fan-favorite eight-course tasting menu.

Elcielo By Juan Manuel Barrientos

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Latin American dishes with a molecular gastronomy twist makes this intimate Michelin-starred restaurant on Brickell a popular spot to take visitors. That and washing one’s hands with warm chocolate (called “Chocotherapy”), an experience most people have dreamed of doing since the age of nine. The menu rotates regularly but be sure to begin with the show stopping Tree Of Life, an edible bonsai-looking work of art made from yucca flour. Other favorites include blood sausage macarons and salt-crusted branzino.

Joe's Stone Crab

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This 109-year old restaurant is an institution, and thought to have started the stone crab craze that captures Miami to this day. Ordering the namesake stone crabs is a must, which are served with a mustard sauce that is a legend in its own right, but stone crabs aren’t the only notable item on the menu. From an assortment of seafood dishes to steaks, to its popular fried chicken, there is something for all tastes. And don’t forget the sides: creamed spinach and coleslaw are favorites, but the hash browns and the roasted tomatoes are worth the order too.

Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine

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The center of Cuban-American relations, the “ventantita” or little window, is the heartbeat of this Little Havana landmark that opened in 1971. Go for a Cuban coffee, croquetas, and a hearty dose of good ole’ Latin love (and politics). There’s no need to speak Spanish, although it doesn’t hurt. Inside dine on a feast of Cuban favorites like the medianoche sandwich, ropa vieja, and chicken and yellow rice. The tres leches or flan have just the right amount of sugar to get through the remainder of the day, but wash it down with a cortado for the extra caffeine buzz.

Rusty Pelican Miami Restaurant

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One of Miami’s most romantic spots, this Key Biscayne landmark underwent a $7 million dollar facelift back in 2011 to give it a more elevated, sophisticated feel. Head there for sunset and sit at the bar to enjoy a cocktail creations while gazing at the cotton candy Miami skyline. Once at the table dine on prime beef tartare with foie gras before moving on to main dishes like whole local snapper with coconut orzo or surf and turf made with braised short rib, lobster, and a bonus of truffle-scented mac and cheese.

Monty's Raw Bar

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For those craving a Key West vibe in Miami head to this iconic easy-going spot serving frozen cocktails like pain killer, mango margarita, and rum runner. Drinks pair well with the unpretentious seafood grub—coconut shrimp, oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp come to mind.

Frozen cocktails at Monty’s.
Giovanny Gutierrez @chatchowtv

Knaus Berry Farm

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While the sticky bun king is only open for a little less than half a year, South Floridians flock to Knaus Berry Farm when it does open its doors. The lines are long but worth the wait. The concept began with a roadside strawberry stand and grew into what has become a Redland’s staple in 1959. Aside from the popular sticky buns, Knaus Berry Farm also sells produce, baked breads, pies, cheesecakes, and jellies. Make sure to grab a shake to go or enjoy while picking some fresh berries on the farm. Open November through April.

Robert Is Here Fruit Stand

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Those headed to the Everglades or Florida Keys know to make a pitstop at this family-owned tropical fruit stand featuring local produce, addictive fruit shakes, and a array of honeys and baked goods.

Signature fruit shakes.
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand /Instagram

Scarpetta by Scott Conant

Since its opening in 1954 the Fontainebleau Hotel has been a go-to destination for celebrities, so it seems fitting that chef Scott Conant has run his successful Italian restaurant inside of it since 2008. Straightforward spaghetti with tomato and basil, short rib agnolotti, and duck and foie gras ravioli with marsala reduction will impress any out-of-town guest. Return visits can become habit-forming, not only for the food but that ocean view as well.

El Palacio de los Jugos (Multiple locations)

Translated from Spanish El Palacio de los Jugos means “the palace of the juices.” It’s a nod to all the drinks made on-site from local tropical fruits like mamey, maracuya (passion fruit), and guayaba. But there’s plenty more here like large portions Cuban classics like chicharrones, sandwiches, rice dishes, and sweets. While it can be daunting to order, as there are multiple counters with different vendors, diners just simply need to travel from one spot to another picking and paying for what they’d like before enjoying their budget friendly meal.

Barton G. The Restaurant - Miami Beach

Over-the-top from start to finish this Miami Beach staple prides itself in “pushing the limits of dining,” an apt statement given its eccentric dishes like lobster pop tarts served in a toaster or the fried chicken served in a waffle cone with apple and cabbage slaw and whipped mashed potatoes. Dessert is a big draw, from Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all!!!! made with a chocolate ganache and dulce de leche tart under a gold brick shell served with golden caramel corn or the Let Them Eat Cake dessert made with a cotton candy pompadour with Confetti funcakes topped with a raspberry almond buttercream. Take note, the bill will be memorable as well.

Red Rooster Overtown

This buzzy Harlem import from chef Marcus Samuelsson offers a variety of soul food dishes like fried chicken served with pigeon peas and the shrimp and grits with sausage, spicy stewed tomatoes, and baby zucchini, that have food-lovers, locals, and visitors alike heading to Overtown for a visit. Plus, its speakeasy upstairs featuring drinks and live music recently opened, perfect to start the night with out-of-towners with.

Sugar Factory

Ice-smoking cocktails and decadent shakes have had tourists flocking here with phones ready to capture it all for the ‘gram. The restaurant recently introduced a new weekend brunch menu offering dishes like the Insane Double Stack Rainbow Pancakes—as the name would imply, a colorful mountain of pancakes served with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and butter, along with a side of chocolate chips, gummy bears, strawberries, whipped cream with rainbow sprinkles and a signature rubber ducky for patrons to take home. There’s also a crispy chicken and waffle sandwich (with jalapeño maple syrup) along with a donut burger (beef patty between a glazed donut, topped with a grilled cheese sandwich and bacon—both big wins for those liking a sweet and savory mix. Be sure to order a mimosa goblet to nurse on throughout the meal.

Rainbow pancakes.
Sugar Factory

Stubborn Seed

Helmed by Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, at Stubborn Seed ever dish is an experience for the senses. Highlights include crunchy truffle bravas with sopressata ham, truffle aioli, garlic crumbs, and aged parmesan; cacio e pepe cheesy puffs; and shrimp and saffron gnocchi veloute. Add-ons like Ossetra caviar and Australian black truffle are available, alongside a fan-favorite eight-course tasting menu.

Elcielo By Juan Manuel Barrientos

Latin American dishes with a molecular gastronomy twist makes this intimate Michelin-starred restaurant on Brickell a popular spot to take visitors. That and washing one’s hands with warm chocolate (called “Chocotherapy”), an experience most people have dreamed of doing since the age of nine. The menu rotates regularly but be sure to begin with the show stopping Tree Of Life, an edible bonsai-looking work of art made from yucca flour. Other favorites include blood sausage macarons and salt-crusted branzino.

Joe's Stone Crab

This 109-year old restaurant is an institution, and thought to have started the stone crab craze that captures Miami to this day. Ordering the namesake stone crabs is a must, which are served with a mustard sauce that is a legend in its own right, but stone crabs aren’t the only notable item on the menu. From an assortment of seafood dishes to steaks, to its popular fried chicken, there is something for all tastes. And don’t forget the sides: creamed spinach and coleslaw are favorites, but the hash browns and the roasted tomatoes are worth the order too.

Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine

The center of Cuban-American relations, the “ventantita” or little window, is the heartbeat of this Little Havana landmark that opened in 1971. Go for a Cuban coffee, croquetas, and a hearty dose of good ole’ Latin love (and politics). There’s no need to speak Spanish, although it doesn’t hurt. Inside dine on a feast of Cuban favorites like the medianoche sandwich, ropa vieja, and chicken and yellow rice. The tres leches or flan have just the right amount of sugar to get through the remainder of the day, but wash it down with a cortado for the extra caffeine buzz.

Rusty Pelican Miami Restaurant

One of Miami’s most romantic spots, this Key Biscayne landmark underwent a $7 million dollar facelift back in 2011 to give it a more elevated, sophisticated feel. Head there for sunset and sit at the bar to enjoy a cocktail creations while gazing at the cotton candy Miami skyline. Once at the table dine on prime beef tartare with foie gras before moving on to main dishes like whole local snapper with coconut orzo or surf and turf made with braised short rib, lobster, and a bonus of truffle-scented mac and cheese.

Monty's Raw Bar

For those craving a Key West vibe in Miami head to this iconic easy-going spot serving frozen cocktails like pain killer, mango margarita, and rum runner. Drinks pair well with the unpretentious seafood grub—coconut shrimp, oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp come to mind.

Frozen cocktails at Monty’s.
Giovanny Gutierrez @chatchowtv

Knaus Berry Farm

While the sticky bun king is only open for a little less than half a year, South Floridians flock to Knaus Berry Farm when it does open its doors. The lines are long but worth the wait. The concept began with a roadside strawberry stand and grew into what has become a Redland’s staple in 1959. Aside from the popular sticky buns, Knaus Berry Farm also sells produce, baked breads, pies, cheesecakes, and jellies. Make sure to grab a shake to go or enjoy while picking some fresh berries on the farm. Open November through April.

Robert Is Here Fruit Stand

Those headed to the Everglades or Florida Keys know to make a pitstop at this family-owned tropical fruit stand featuring local produce, addictive fruit shakes, and a array of honeys and baked goods.

Signature fruit shakes.
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand /Instagram

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