Coconut Grove: The Jewel of Miami

Beyond the sun and sand of South Beach, the clubs of Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue and the businesses of Downtown Miami lay Coconut Grove. Tucked away south of the city and just north of Coral Gables on Biscayne Bay, “The Grove” as it is known by locals, is a spot that shouldn’t be missed by anyone traveling to South Florida.

As you drive down Grand Avenue, cutting through the main section of Coconut Grove, you are immediately bombarded by the exciting atmosphere that makes the Grove so special. During the day, women are shopping in the many stores offered in and around CocoWalk, men make their way to catch the latest sports event over at Sandbar Sports Grill, children enjoy a milkshake at Johnny Rocket’s Diner and boat owners dock in the harbor to catch a bite to eat at Monty’s Stone Crab and Seafood Restaurant.

And then the sun sets and the Grove comes alive with an all new type of energy. The nightlife of Coconut Grove begins to take over. Men and women, both dressed-to-impress, are on the street making their way to their favorite watering hole for a few drinks and some dancing, families are enjoying dinner at one of the local restaurants, couples are watching a beautiful sunset over the bay and others are sitting back taking in the excitement that is unfolding before them.

Settled in 1834 by Bahamian seamen, the Grove is now home to many restaurants, shops, hotels, nightlife, art museums and Miami culture. Whether you are looking for a great seafood spot, a family friendly atmosphere or cultural flair, Coconut Grove has a restaurant to meet your needs. Situated on Biscayne Bay, Monty’s Stone Crab and Seafood Restaurant offers an array of seafood dishes to suit anyone’s taste. The menu features all-you-can-eat stone crabs, peel & eat shrimp and a variety of other seafood dishes. Favored by locals and tourists alike, Monty’s has both indoor and outdoor seating. So whether you want some relief from Miami’s heat or want to take in a sunset under a tiki hut, Monty’s can accommodate you. While enjoying your food, you could end up swaying to the beat as live music is often played here.

“I think the music is really fun and it really compliments the atmosphere,” Zoe Schwartz, 20.

However, if seafood is not what you are after, you may prefer to go cultural and stop over at Café Tu Tu Tango. One of three main restaurants in CocoWalk, Café Tu Tu Tango’s menu features a variety of exotic cuisine served tapas-style. Run under the philosophy “Great food, like great art, was meant to be shared,” all food portions are miniature sized to allow patrons to share and sample all that the restaurant has to offer. Live entertainment is also often present as local artists paint their masterpieces right next to your table.

Right across the breezeway from Café Tu Tu Tango is The Cheesecake Factory. Created by Oscar and Evelyn Overton, it is renowned for its numerous varieties of cheesecake. The lunch and dinner menu offers over 200 selections to suite everyone’s cravings including salads, pastas, pizzas, seafood, steaks, sandwiches and many more. The featured dishes are Chicken Madeira, Cajun Jambalaya Pasta, Miso Salmon and The Factory Burger. But don’t fill up on your main course, because The Cheesecake Factory has 50 different flavors of luxury cheesecakes to choose from. Some favorites include Dulce de Leche Caramel, Oreo, Chocolate Mousse and the classic Original cheesecake. For anyone who’s a strawberry lover, you must try the Fresh Strawberry cheesecake on your visit; it has been the most popular cheesecake there for 28 years.

“The cheesecake is phenomenal. I’ve tried a million different flavors and they are all good,” says Rachel Ewy, 19, a student from Naples.

While you let your food digest, before a night on the town, why not catch a movie at AMC CocoWalk or stop into some of the shops situated around the CocoWalk for some retail therapy? With numerous movie screens, AMC shows all of the latest releases in a cool, relaxed theater.

The Grove’s retail economy caters to a wide variety of customers. There is Maui Nix Surf Shop for the surfers, Coco Cigar for the cigar connoisseur, Victoria’s Secret and White House Black Market for the women, FYE Music for the whole family plus many more options for everyone else in between.

After some great food and a shopping expedition, you are bound to need a little rest. By checking into one of the numerous hotels in the area, you can catch a few Zs before getting ready to sample the nightlife of the Grove. There are a variety of two through five star hotels around the Grove including the DoubleTree, Wyndham Grand Bay, Hampton Inn, Ritz-Carlton, Residence Inn, Sonesta Hotel and Suites and the Commodore Inn. Prices range from approximately $140 a night at the Commodore to $320 a night at the Ritz-Carlton.

Now that you are rested and dressed-to-impress, it’s time to hit the town. First stop is Fat Tuesdays, located on the second floor of CocoWalk in between The Cheesecake Factory and Café Tu Tu Tango. Here you can sample one of their signature frozen drinks while enjoying the lively atmosphere of this open air bar.

From there, head over to the Coconut Grove Playhouse or Improv Comedy Club. Host to many nationally known comics, the Improv is sure to deliver few side-splitting laughs before you venture back out onto Grand Avenue.

When the act is over, take your party down to Sandbar Sports Grill. During the day, Sandbar is a fun spot to watch your favorite sports team play while enjoying some good old fashioned American cooking. Come night time though, the tables are cleared away to make a dance floor and the music is pumped up, converting this restaurant into a happening hot spot for many 20-somethings in Miami. DJs spinning all of today’s hits on request keep the dance floor moving until close.

“Sandbar is definitely the place to be on a Friday night,” says Paul Bonitz, 22.

Then it’s time to head over to Mr. Moe’s Restaurant & Bar to close the night. Open until 5:00 am, “Moe’s” features Karaoke Tuesdays, Bull Riding Wednesdays and Live music all weekend on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It also offers drink promotions during happy hour and special events. With a log cabin décor, renowned American cuisine, 32 flat screen TVs, a 95-foot long bar, arcade games and pool tables, Moe’s keeps the party going until sunrise.

After a day of movies, shopping, local food and an exciting night out, a relaxing day is sure to be called for. If being pampered is your idea of relaxing, stop over at the TanSolaire Body Spa and book a few treatments to help you drift away. However, visiting a museum and taking in some local flavor may be more your speed. If this is the case, be sure you don’t miss the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Built by James Deering, an agricultural industrialist, the property includes a house filled with art and furnishings and 10 acres of garden. You may also want to venture on to the Barnacle Historic State Park and the Miami Museum of Science and Planetarium before leaving the area.

No matter what your interests, Coconut Grove has something to offer you. Situated just south of downtown Miami, the Grove sits on the shores of Biscayne Bay and is home to a variety of restaurants, shops, hotels, nightlife, museums and Miami flair. Eat at Café Tu Tu Tango, shop at Koko & Palenki, see a show at the Coconut Grove Playhouse and enjoy a frozen Margarita at Fat Tuesdays. Sample it all! But definitely make sure to check out Coconut Grove on your next visit to South Florida. It really is a jewel not to be missed.