Florida Has The 2 Best Casual Dining Restaurants in the US

TripAdvisor just released its 2024 Travelers' Choice® Awards Best of the Best Restaurants, including the casual dining category. Now, it's not uncommon for Florida to frequent lists of the best restaurants in the country. What is unusual is for the top 2 spots on a list to be only 6 blocks apart! The people that live in that area truly are spoiled.

I favor the casual dining restaurants when I travel simply because - it doesn't cost as much as the fancier places. But dining on a lower budget shouldn't mean giving up amazing flavors. That's what makes this list so special, it's exactly what I want.

Coming in at number one is the first of two South Beach restaurants to make the list. Actaully, two of them.  Miami Beach's That's Amore - Italian Restaurant made history by securing the top spots in both the casual dining and hidden gems categories in the US. 

That's Amore, located on Ocean Drive on Miami Beach isn't just voted as the best best casual dining restaurants, it's actually rated as one of the best overall dining experiences in Miami. The recommended meal is a margherita pizza paired with a glass of house red. Based on their menu prices, that's $30. Even with dessert you can get by with dinner for 2 on South Beach in Miami for under a $100! They've got a fantastic lunch special, too.

Number 2 on the list is just a few blocks north, it's Osteria Positano - Italian Restaurant, and it looks every bit as amazing. Enjoy their genuine Italian decorations and enchanting balcony seating. How are two of the best Italian restaurants in the US both located on South Beach? Added bonus, their pricing is very similar, again you can have dinner for 2 for under $100. It's such an unassuming place, I actually walked right by it last December when we stayed on Collins Avenue for a Miami Heat game. Next time, I'll know.

"There's something special about the way food brings people together. Some of my fondest travel memories are gathering the people I care about the most around a table and sharing a meal. From discovering hidden local favorites to unique dining experiences, our Tripadvisor community is here to guide travelers to meals worth remembering," says Kristen Dalton, President, Tripadvisor.

2 Italian restaurants just a few blocks apart have been voted the best casual dining in America. And both are listed as 'women owned'. Another list, the Best Pet Friendly Restaurant was also won by a Florida spot: No. 1 in the US: La Fuga - Fort Lauderdale, Florida. And then in still another category, No. 1 in the US For Date Night: Beach Walk at Henderson Park Inn - Destin, Florida.

Taylor Swift is coming to FLORIDA!!! for the big Eras Tour weekend October 18-20, 2024. If you're thinking of heading to Miami to catch the show and don't want to make the long drive back - good news! There's quite a few themed Taylor Swift Miami hotel packages available. From Taylor themed cocktails, gift baskets, friendship bracelets and more, several Miami, Florida hotels are going all out for the Swifties. Some of the packages even include transportation to the show!

If you don't already have Taylor Swift tickets for that Miami show, it's going to be VERY expensive to get them now. If you do, and you're looking to turn your trip into a total adventure, well - that's why we're here. For Taylor Swift Miami hotel packages. And here's why it's a good idea.

First of all, you're going to be completely exhausted. Some of Taylor's shows have topped out at 3 hours and 45 minutes. You DO NOT want to make that long drive home after all that. Secondly, you may want to consider ridesharing to the Hard Rock Stadium. The cheapest I've seen parking at the stadium was $55. That's if you buy it in June. I'm thinking it's going to be MUCH higher on the day of show. The downside to Uber and Lyft is that surge pricing will most certainly be in effect on Taylor Swift show nights. It's not going to be easy, or cheap, to get there.

Just to be clear through the legal department, these hotel packages are not affiliated in any way with Taylor Swift. Also, the radio station has not received any consideration for posting these specials. These are not recommendations, just information that's been reported to me.

Also, maybe bookmark this and check back. The show isn't until October and I'll update this list as I find out about more Taylor Swift Miami hotel packages. Have fun at the show! I'm super jealous, I'm not going - but enjoy Taylor's shows in FLORIDA!!! (It's one hell of a drug)

Enjoy the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in style and luxury at The Gabriel Miami with the Downtown Era package*, complete with all the items necessary for the ultimate weekend getaway. Start the glamorous concert experience with the “Champagne Problems'' welcome cocktail, an elevated bubbly take on the classic vodka cranberry. The fun continues when guests arrive at their spacious room and find an epic Eras Tour survival kit: a grown-up friendship bracelet-making kit to show the T-Swift love, signature red heart sunglasses that will have all Swifties seeing RED, a musical bingo card spanning all the eras, and a Swiftie-approved towel for enjoying the two Gabriel Miami pools, which have “Enchanted” views of the Intracoastal, Miami Beach, PortMiami and Biscayne Bay. Swing by The Gabriel Miami’s F&B spots for curated Swiftie food specials, including an “Enchanted to Meat You” charcuterie board, “Wing of My Heart” chicken wings and “Welcome to NY'' pizza slices. Also included is a post-concert recovery kit stocked with eye masks, Tylenol and Gatorade and a late checkout. *This package is subject to availability, based upon request.

Address: 1100 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132

Experience The Eras Tour the Miami Beach way at The Gabriel South Beach on Ocean Drive. The experience* begins with a specialty welcome cocktail: the “Miss Americana, Taylor’s Version” of the French 75. Upon arriving at their suite, guests will receive a friendship bracelet-making kit and a Pandora “Moon and Star” ring set representative of Taylor’s iconic song “Midnight Rain.” Swifties can live Taylor’s jet-set lifestyle at The Gabriel South Beach with black car service to and from the show, a Priv personal stylist to ensure they’re looking “Gorgeous” for the big event, an in-room K’Alma Spa treatment, and strawberries and champagne for all of the “Champagne Problems.” Get the Swiftie glow with T-Swift’s favorite skincare and beauty products, provided en suite, and relax in the lush landscape, the courtyard pool or the show stopping glass-bottom rooftop pool in the Floridita Building. With its unforgettable art deco flair, The Gabriel South Beach is “The 1” to stay at for The Eras Tour 2024. *This package is subject to availability, based upon request. 

Address: 640 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Calling all Swifties to Miami for the epic three-day Eras Tour! The Elser Hotel & Residences has curated The Elser Tour, an exclusive experiential package to take the concert experience to the next level. The fun starts as soon as guests arrive, as they’ll receive a welcome “Bejeweled” mocktail and a Swiftie-approved welcome basket, complete with a Polaroid camera to capture all the moments throughout the weekend, a friendship bracelet-making kit and more surprises. Swiftie dads will receive a white T-shirt and glitter kit to custom-make their own concert get-ups with their kids. Those who book the package will find the bathrooms stocked with products rumored to be in T-Swift’s skin care lineup, plus tea and snacks in the fully equipped in-room kitchen for post-concert munchies. The ultimate concert pregame will be at the hotel’s expansive pool deck, where The Eras Tour movie and songs from all her albums will play all day long in preparation for the big night. Guests can also work out with Swiftie-themed fitness classes featuring music from every era. The package also has transportation covered with luxe limo service by Limo Miami to and from the stadium.

Address: 398 NE Fifth St., Miami, FL 33132

Elevate your Eras Tour experience at The Balfour Hotel with the “Bejeweled at The Balfour” package*. The excitement starts as guests enter the charming art deco property, which features an elevated plunge pool with an underwater window, ideal for capturing the perfect Instagram photo. Fans will start their stay with the Swiftie mocktail, “Sweet Nothing,” inspired by the track on her Midnights album. As guests retreat to their rooms, they can prepare to be “Bejeweled” with face gems, glitter and body jewelry, along with a friendship bracelet-making kit to ensure they’re ready to “Shake It Off” at the show! They can join fellow Swifties at the bar, where mixologist Alberto Montesino will teach guests how to make the “Traylor Hideaway,” inspired by Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s tropical getaway in the Bahamas. They can start the day with the “Evermore” bottomless mimosa brunch menu, specially curated by Executive Chef Antony Awak, on the gorgeous art deco patio overlooking iconic Ocean Drive. *This package is subject to availability, based upon request. 

Address: 350 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

The Gates Hotel South Beach’s Eras Tour package is for concert-goers looking to retreat to the tranquility of The Gates. As fans arrive on property, they’ll be welcomed to an oasis where the timeless allure of South Beach meets a sanctuary for wellness and sustainability. Guests will be greeted with a welcome French Blonde cocktail or mocktail and a concert survival kit packed with necessities like ear plugs, sleep masks, “Lavender Haze”-inspired essential oils, fuzzy socks and more. The sweet surprises continue in the room with a friendship bracelet-making kit and a delicious box of donuts from Pink Love Donuts spelling out “Eras Tour.” Guests can prepare for the big night with a relaxing in-room massage by K’Alma Spa therapists. The squad will also be set up with Priv to book dry styling, makeup touch-ups, mini manicures and other glam sessions before the exciting night of live music. They can also “Shake It Off” with fellow Swifties with a showing of The Eras Tour movie on the hotel’s pool deck and enjoy a late checkout.

Address: 2360 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139

Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection, a dreamy oceanfront gem in the heart of Mid-Beach at 39th Street and Collins Avenue, is rolling out the pink carpet to welcome Swifties to South Florida with fabulous F&B specials available all weekend! Dive into tasty treats, including Wing of My Heart ($17), Buffalo wings with blue cheese dipping sauce, or Pigs in a Cardigan ($19), a delightful combo of fried plantains, shredded roasted pork, melted mozzarella cheese, sautéed red onion, mixed peppers and cilantro. Fuel up for the show with Should’ve Said Nacho ($21), a savory mix of white corn tortillas, pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, seasonal veggies, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. Head to the Lobby Bar to pregame for your evening with magical drinks like Enchanted Lemonade ($7), a bewitching blend of color-changing butterfly pea flower tea and fresh lemon; Cruel Summer ($19), a refreshing mix of aviation gin, St-Germain, homemade raspberry syrup and dragon fruit; Lychee Rosé ($21), which combines Casamigos Reposado, lychee liqueur, elderflower liqueur, freshly squeezed lime juice and Château la Gordonne rosé; And Champagne Problems($19), with Beluga vodka, orange liqueur, a touch of cranberry and fresh lime juice topped with prosecco. To make this weekend even more unforgettable, Cadillac Hotel is offering bracelet-making kits for hotel guests so you can create keepsakes of your magical memories.

Address: 3925 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140

Pinstripes, a leading experiential dining and entertainment brand, opened its first Florida location at Esplanade at Aventura. To celebrate Taylor’s upcoming show, the expansive “eatertainment” destination will offer themed Taylor Swift cocktails, such as the Swiftie Spritz, made with a refreshing blend of prosecco and Aperol. Guests can also order the Love Story Lemonade, a nonalcoholic botanical lavender-infused lemonade. Serving as a dining and entertainment hub for an elevated culinary experience, Pinstripes features an extensive Italian-American menu with enticing seasonal entrées and craft cocktails within an ambiance complemented by an eclectic display of abstract art reflecting Miami’s vibrant culture. Restaurant-style seating provides flexibility for guests to enjoy their meals at booths, tables surrounding the bar, or in front of big-screen TVs on the expansive rooftop patio. Pinstripes Aventura boasts 12 bowling lanes, five indoor and outdoor bocce courts, a thoughtfully curated wine cellar, and a spacious private event area featuring a dynamic ballroom suitable for 20 to 1,500 people. 

Address: Esplanade at Aventura, 19505 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 3290, Miami, FL 33180

Available from October 17th to 21st, the Florida (!!!) Girls Weekend package offers an unparalleled experience, beginning with accommodations in one of the resort's premier suites: the Ocean Palace Suite, the Sky Palace Suite, or the newly available Grand Palace Suite.  Accessible via a private hallway on the hotel’s 23rd floor, the extraordinary Grand Palace Suite spans over 7,500 square feet and boasts ten bedrooms, multiple living and dining areas, and breathtaking ocean views, providing ample space to “shake it off.”

In addition to luxurious accommodations, the package includes an exclusive in-room friendship-themed welcome amenity, a daily $300 breakfast credit, a private in-room “champagne problems” sabrage experience, an “at tea time everybody agrees” tea service, a 60-minute spa treatment if “you need to calm down”, an Oceanfront Day Villa, and a private car transfer for one afternoon during your stay. Starting at $15,000 and available for groups up to eight, the Florida Girls Weekend package requires a minimum two-night stay.

Florida (!!!) Girls Weekend:

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is an enclave in the exclusive Bal Harbour Village. The resort is ideally located on the edge of the Atlantic, just 15 minutes north of South Beach. The property boasts 213 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites with direct ocean views from expansive private balconies. Designed by award-winning interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg, the suites feature a soft, refined color palette. The resort also offers St. Regis’ legendary Butler Service, a 14,000 square foot St. Regis Spa, over 10,000 square feet of tropical sun deck and two pools overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and direct access to the beach, a St. Regis Athletic Club, and multiple dining outlets to suit any occasion or taste.