Clubs in Miami

Bars in Miami

Restaurants in Miami

Nemo 100 Collins Avenue, at First Street, South Beach (532 4550) Bus H, W. Lunch noon-3pm Mon-Sat. Brunch noon-3pm Sun. Dinner 7pm-midnight Mon-Sat; 6pm-11pm Sun. Average $40. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Chef Michael Schwartz, formerly of Wolfgang Puck's Chinois in LA, has given people a reason to cross over to the more desolate yet quickly developing side of Collins Avenue. Hollywood types head this way to sample Nemo's finest organic fare (Good Morning America's `sweetheart' Joan Lunden was rumoured to have a little tryst in the bathroom here with actor Steve Guttenberg), which includes wok charred salmon with roasted pumpkin seeds, crispy prawns with salsa, and an addictive white bean and olive oil purée in which to dip the hot, crusty, home-made bread. celebs: Antonio Sabato Jr, Steve Guttenberg, Joan Lunden. Blue Door Delano Hotel, 1685 Collins Avenue, at 17th Street, South Beach (672 2000) Bus C, G, H, L, S. Breakfast 7am-11am Mon-Sun. Lunch 11.30-3pm Mon-Sun. Dinner 7pm-midnight Mon-Thur, Sun; 7pm-1am Fri, Sat. Average $50. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. Smack dab in the middle of the linen-draped lobby of Ian Schrager's so-chic-it-hurts Delano Hotel, the Blue Door is one to visit if you enjoy seeing and being seen. But the main viewing, er, dining area isn't the only option. There's also a kitchen area in the lobby with a long buffet table bearing an impressive gourmet lunch and, during cocktail hour, a sleek champagne and caviar bar; the Blue Door also extends its service out on the verandah. The contemporary US cuisine is unusual (swordfish with green-apple reduction), but not the main reason people don their best Armanis and scramble for a table. Hint: Madonna was once part-owner and you may witness a virtual who's who in fashion and entertainment. celebs: Calvin Klein, David Geffen, Kate Moss, Johnny Depp Century 140 Ocean Drive, between First & Second Streets, South Beach (674 8855) Bus H, W. Breakfast 6am-11am, lunch 11am-5pm, dinner 6.30-11pm, daily. Average $33. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. On the desolate southern tip of Ocean Drive, the Century is an expensive place where hipsters go to be away from the mainstream. Attached to a hotel favoured by fashionistas (such as Thierry Mugler) and celebrities, the Century offers California cuisine in an ultra-modern setting, with video footage on some nights from the latest catwalk shows. China Grill 404 Washington Avenue, at Fifth Street, South Beach (534 2211) Bus C, H, K, W. Lunch 11.45am-5pm Mon-Fri. Dinner 6pm-midnight Mon-Thur, Sun; 6pm-1am Fri, Sat. Average $40. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. With portions large enough to feed the entire Asian continent, the cavernous China Grill is a culinary experience that should be shared by many. That is, if you are lucky enough to land a reservation at a decent hour. Unless your surname is Stallone or Nicholson, you may find yourself indulging in China Grill's Pan Asian cuisine at the unfashionable hour of 6pm or indigestion-inducing midnight. But with incomparable broccoli rabe dumplings, outrageous crispy spinach (not low-fat, but so good it's even Oprah's favourite), lobster pancakes and a killer dessert sampler, this hub of South Beach flashiness is well worth the wait, so find a spot at the packed bar, read the excerpts from Marco Polo's diary engraved in the mosaic floor and keep your eyes open for everybody who's anybody. celebs: You name it, they've been here. Christy's: Rod Stewart, George Bush. Moe's Cantina 616 Collins Avenue, between Sixth & Seventh Streets, South Beach (532 6637) Bus C, H, K, W. Dinner 5pm-2am daily. Average $18. Credit AmEx, MC, V. Though Pancho Villa may not have sipped his tequila here, supermodel Niki Taylor and a bevy of beautiful people have. Moe's is heavy on atmosphere - the only thing to remind you that you're still in South Beach and not Mexico are the model types who gather here in droves and even eat the (decent) food. Beware of roaming banditos in the form of shot girls who will harass everyone at your table until someone lets them pour tequila down their throat. Just make sure to chase it with some of Moe's spectacular salsa. Farfalla 701 Washington Avenue, at Seventh Street, South Beach (673 2335) Bus C, H, K, W. Dinner 6pm-midnight, Mon-Thur, Sun; 6pm-1am Fri, Sat. Average $25. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. A popular Aspen- and LA-based trattoria, Farfalla does well in Miami with its wood-burning stove serving up excellent pizzas and huge portions of pasta to a young, well-travelled crowd. On Wednesday nights, unescorted women get free meals; prepare to brave a mob. I Paparazzi Breakwater Hotel, 940 Ocean Drive, between Ninth & 10th Streets, South Beach (531 3500) Bus C, H, K, W. Breakfast 8am-noon, lunch noon-5pm, daily. Dinner 5-11.45pm Mon-Thur, Sun; 5pm-12.45am Fri, Sat. Average $38. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. Expensive and overrated Italian food is accepted at this popular Ocean Drive attraction because of its live music, which has prompted the management to place velvet ropes on the street to contain the pedestrian onlookers. Allioli Cardozo Hotel, 1300 Ocean Drive, at 13th Street, South Beach (538 0553) Bus C, H, K, W. Breakfast 6am-11am daily. Open 11am-11.30pm Mon-Fri, Sun; 11am-1am Sat. Average $35. Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V. Euro-Mediterranean meets South Beach deco at Gloria Estefan's second Ocean Drive eatery, named after the Spanish word for garlic mayonnaise. Located at the legendary Cardozo Hotel, used in the film Birdcage, Allioli's cool, ambient Spanish music, assortment of tapas and paellas and gorgeous modern interior make for excellent dining. Mezzanotte 1200 Washington Avenue, at 12th Street, South Beach (673 4343) Bus C, H, K, W. Dinner 6pm-midnight Mon-Thur, Sun; 6pm-2am Fri, Sat. Average $40. Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V. Branch: 3390 Mary Street, Coconut Grove (448 7677). You don't go to Mezzanotte for a quiet, romantic Italian meal but for a bacchanalian feast. The loud music often provokes patrons to get up and dance on the tables; before you scoff, you may find yourself doing the table hustle, too, since your food won't be arriving anytime soon. After building up a raging appetite from all that dancing, reward yourself with a fabulous risotto al porcini, gnocchi bolognesa or osso bucco. Osteria del Teatro 1443 Washington Avenue, at Espanola Way, South Beach (538 7850) Bus C, H, K, W. Dinner 6pm-midnight Mon, Wed, Thur, Sun; 6pm-1am Fri, Sat. Average $45. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V. So what if the beach's best, albeit priciest, Italian restaurant is located directly under the mangy Cameo Theatre? With panoramic windows facing a busy intersection and divine cuisine, it's worth every penny.