Miami-Dade County

Do you remember these Miami restaurants? Lums, Wolfie’s, El Cid, more. Take a look

By Miami Herald Archives
In 1952, a car hop at Colonel Jim’s Tasty Thrill drive-in on the 79th Street Causeway in North Bay Village. The sign says “Blink Lights for Service.”
In 1952, a car hop at Colonel Jim’s Tasty Thrill drive-in on the 79th Street Causeway in North Bay Village. The sign says “Blink Lights for Service.” Bill Sanders Miami Herald File

South Florida has held on to some beloved restaurants through the years. Survivors that have been around for decades include Jaxson’s, Frankie’s, Arbetter’s, Cap’s Place, Joe’s Stone Crab and The Big Cheese.

But we also have lost beloved places. Owners start new ventures or retire. Rents increase. Customer tastes change.

MORE: Remember when old South Florida restaurants looked like this? You can still eat there

We still remember these old and now-closed restaurants like Lums, Wolfie’s, Embers, La Paloma asnd El Cid.

And we love to reminisce about our favorite restaurants. Especially those that no longer exist. Miami historian Seth Bramson even wrote a whole book about the “Lost Restaurants of Miami.”

These restaurants of the past stay in our hearts. They are places where we celebrated milestones. Places that served as landmarks in our youth. And of course, places where we’ve eaten a memorable meal or two.

So let’s dig into the Miami Herald photo archives for a look. Do you remember them?

THE LANDMARKS

El Cid, the castle restaurant, in 1990.
El Cid, the castle restaurant, in 1990. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
Pickin’ Chicken, at 71st Street and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, was rated as one of the 10 most beautifully decorated restaurants in America by Fortune magazine. The restaurant was popular in the 1950s into the ’60s.
Pickin’ Chicken, at 71st Street and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, was rated as one of the 10 most beautifully decorated restaurants in America by Fortune magazine. The restaurant was popular in the 1950s into the ’60s. Miami Herald File
Embers Restaurant in Miami Beach.
Embers Restaurant in Miami Beach. Battle Vaughan Miami Herald File
Firehouse Four Restaurant at 1000 S. Miami Ave.
Firehouse Four Restaurant at 1000 S. Miami Ave. Bill Frakes Miami Herald File
The fine-dining restaurant at Miamarina in 1970, site of the current Bayside Marketplace.
The fine-dining restaurant at Miamarina in 1970, site of the current Bayside Marketplace. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
In 2006, a view of Martha’s on the Intracoastal restaurant in Hollywood.
In 2006, a view of Martha’s on the Intracoastal restaurant in Hollywood. Candace Barbot Miami Herald File
Lums in Miami Beach.
Lums in Miami Beach. Battle Vaughan Miami Herald File
In 2003, the Rascal House in Sunny Isles Beach put a speacial note on their sign for Emma Noble, a counter waitress who had her retirement party.
In 2003, the Rascal House in Sunny Isles Beach put a speacial note on their sign for Emma Noble, a counter waitress who had her retirement party. Miami Herald File
In 1995, the Crab House Seafood Restaurant at 1551 79th Street Causeway in North Bay Village. In the 1960s and early ’70s, a restaurant named for rocker Wayne Cochran was on this site.
In 1995, the Crab House Seafood Restaurant at 1551 79th Street Causeway in North Bay Village. In the 1960s and early ’70s, a restaurant named for rocker Wayne Cochran was on this site. Chuck Fadely Miami Herald File
Wolfie’s restaurant on 21st Street in Miami Beach in 1985.
Wolfie’s restaurant on 21st Street in Miami Beach in 1985. Michel DuCille Miami Herald File

THE FOOD

In 2006, Chef Kal Abdalla makes shrimp during the dinner rush at Prezzo restaurant in Aventura.
In 2006, Chef Kal Abdalla makes shrimp during the dinner rush at Prezzo restaurant in Aventura. Miami Herald File
In 2006, Lois Lovett-Gianos, owner of Nick’s Restaurant in Hallandale Beach, shows off a carrot cake.
In 2006, Lois Lovett-Gianos, owner of Nick’s Restaurant in Hallandale Beach, shows off a carrot cake. Miami Herald File
Tuxedo clad delivery serve Debi London picks up food prepared by line cook Mike Malki at Mark’s Place in North Miami.
Tuxedo clad delivery serve Debi London picks up food prepared by line cook Mike Malki at Mark’s Place in North Miami. David Bergman Miami Herald File

AT THE TABLE

Florida Gov. Bob Graham autographs a poster of himself as Jeanne England and granddaughter Melissa look on as he visits tables at Wolfie’s restaurant in Miami Beach in 1986.
Florida Gov. Bob Graham autographs a poster of himself as Jeanne England and granddaughter Melissa look on as he visits tables at Wolfie’s restaurant in Miami Beach in 1986. Miami Herald File
La Paloma restaurant.
La Paloma restaurant. Bob East Miami Herald File
Louis Kovacs plays at Budapest restaurant in Miami Beach.
Louis Kovacs plays at Budapest restaurant in Miami Beach. Brian Smith Miami Herald File
Giusseppe Goldberg Restaurant in the Sans Souci Hotel in Miami Beach.
Giusseppe Goldberg Restaurant in the Sans Souci Hotel in Miami Beach. David Walters Miami Herald File
In 1997, proprietors of Norma’s on the Beach, Delius Shirley and Cindy Hutson in front of the New World Caribbean cuisine restaurant...
In 1997, proprietors of Norma’s on the Beach, Delius Shirley and Cindy Hutson in front of the New World Caribbean cuisine restaurant... Patrick Farrell Miami Herald File
Gabrielle Hakman and Bill Keen, co-owners of Lulu’s Restaurant in Miami Beach.
Gabrielle Hakman and Bill Keen, co-owners of Lulu’s Restaurant in Miami Beach. Chuck Fadely Miami Herald File
Manager John Scinicariello and waitress Bonnie McCurdy at Mario the Bakers on West Dixie Highway in North Miami.
Manager John Scinicariello and waitress Bonnie McCurdy at Mario the Bakers on West Dixie Highway in North Miami. Andrew Innerarity Miami Herald File

This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER