What's the Best? South Florida restaurants with a view

As a rule of thumb, beware the restaurant that touts its view and not its food. Here are five places in South Florida where the dishes are as appealing as the sights: 

1. Area 31

The 16th floor of the Epic Hotel provides a panoramic view of downtown and the bay. Ask for a terrace table. 

270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Miami. 305-424-5234, area31restaurant.com.

———

2. Rusty Pelican

The best bay views — and butter rolls — around.

3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne. 305-361-3818, therustypelican.com. 

———

3. Smith & Wollensky

Government Cut feels like a channel outside your private island on the patio of this timeless steakhouse.

One Washington Ave., Miami Beach. 305-673-2800, smithandwollensky.com. 

———

4. Juvia

The French-Japanese-Peruvian menu is very good. The scene full of pretty young things and the unbeatable view of Miami Beach? Mesmerizing. 

1111 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. 305-763-8272, juviamiami.com. 

———

5. Le Tub 

It’s still serving one of the best burgers in the country, and the Intracoastal setting is as peaceful as Florida waterway dining gets, no matter the bathroom decorations. 

1100 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood. 954-921-9425, theletub.com. 

This story was originally published October 23, 2014 at 7:10 AM.