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Miami

Touring Coconut Grove

View of the Marina from the Window More Photos

by Columbus

A travel journal

Last Updated: June 2, 2003

Journal Usefulness Rating 2 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
12
Reviews
3
Photos

Visiting the village of Coconut Grove in the vicinity of Miami you will be transported, during the day or on their active nights, to a very charming area of this city

When you arrive to the center of town you are greeted by lavish decorated plazas, rustic outdoor push carts plus avant-garde clothing stores which are the trademark of Coconut Grove, Miami’s pedestrian- friendly shopping and dining village. When you arrive in the center of town you are greeted by lavish decorated plazas, rustic import shops, European salons and clothing boutiques the Grove is centered around Main Highway and Grand Avenue. At its heart is Cocowalk, 3015 Grand Avenue, a colorful, casual open-air shopping center that includes cafes and trendy nightspots.

Quick Tips:

Plenty of activities in this area. From outdoor cafes to movie theaters (16 of them at Cocowalk). Powerboat rentals are available from Club Náutico at the back of Monty's Trainer Restaurant, at 2560 S. Bayshore Drive, in Coconut Grove 305-361-9217.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you prefer, rent and take a bicycle. Ride on the paths that wind beneath a canopy of trees in Coconut Grove, where you can get off and walk through the neighborhood’s colorful downtown area.

Public transportation is infrequent . Driving is the main way to get here, but parking is difficult.

This very centrally located hotel built around fountains and ground floor shopping mall. Package plans are offered. The hotel has easy accessibility to downtown Coconut Grove. Sauna, whirlpool. Exercise room for a fee. Rooms are comfortable, large size with very elegant decoration. One of the best in the area.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 7, 2001

Mayfair House Hotel
3000 Florida Ave Miami, Florida 33133
(305) 529-9382

Mutiny Hotel

Hotel

This hotel is patronized by the rich and famous. Grounds are surrounded by tropical folige with similar decoration by the pool along with the waterfall. All rooms with soft colors and balcony. There are units with kitchens and some with whirlpools. There are safes, irons, hair dryers, fax, and voice mail in each room. Heated pool with sauna, steam room, exercise room. Bikes for a fee. Several restaurants.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 7, 2001

The Mutiny Hotel
2951 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE Miami, Florida 33133
305-441-2100

A popular upscale hang-out with classical Italian food. We always try the Tortellini with Veal. Crowded late in the evenings, but very lively with live music and dancing. Waiters are very helpful and friendly. Service is fast. Lounge on premises.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 7, 2001

Mezzanotte In The Grove
3390 Mary St Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
+1 305 448 7677

Baleen

Restaurant

Outdoor sitting by the ocean, whimsical decor, good service (but sometimes too slow). Exceptional food by Chef Robbin Haas. The menu is large, and except for a few delicious indulgences for the meaat lovers, it is all fish and seafood. Fresh oysters shucked at your table are an inspiring toch. Boullabaisse is a masterpiece, lobster bisque is sublime, veal T-bone deliciously flavored and expertly handled.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 7, 2001

Baleen
Four Grove Isle Drive Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
+1 305 858 8300

Genteel charm remains in the Grove at this Key West-like spot on busy Commodore Plaza. Don't miss sesame-crusted tuna with wasabi, scallops, shrim and mussels with avocado. We had the fettuccine with shrimp and Reggiano Parmigiano and it was excellent. To finish try the lush chocolate cake.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 7, 2001

Franz and Joseph's
3145 Commodore Plaza Miami, Florida
(305) 448-2282

Monty's

Restaurant

View of the Marina from the Window
This Monty's Restaurant is located by the waterfront facing Biscayne Bay. It has a large indoor dinning room and outdoor, more informal tables perfect for a casual lunch and with a Caribbean band playing during lunch and dinner. It is famous for "all you can eat" stone crabs 365 days a year. Fish is excellent, fresh and well prepared. They also serve hamburgers, ribs etc., outside. Complementary valet parking.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 8, 2001

Monty's Seafood Restaurant
2550 South Bayshore Drive Coconut Grove, Florida 33131
+1 305 858 1431

Bice

Restaurant

This is the newest player in the international power-lunch game located at the elegant Grand Bay Hotel. At dinner the attractive room buzzes with both hotel guests and locals. At all times the food is very good classic Italian, and the service is impeccable. The ossobucco Milanese is the best in the city, and the homemade pastas are mouthwatering. Desserts are perfect to match a perfect meal. Free valet parking.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 8, 2001

Bice
2669 South Bayshore Drive Miami, Florida 33133
+1 305 860 0960

Parrot Jungle and Gardens presents a large collection of parrots and other exotic birds in a subtropical jungle with orchids, flowering trees and shrubs. There is a performance in the trained parrot show. A large flock of Caribbean flamingos resides at the lake in the garden section. Visitors can hand-feed parrots and walk through an aviary. Parrot Jungle and Gardens located near the Coconut Grove area at 57th Ave. and 112th St. presents a large collections of parrots and other exotic birds in a subtropical jungle with orchids, flowering trees, and shrubs. There is a performance in the trained parrot show.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 7, 2001

Jungle Island
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail Miami, Florida 33132
(305) 258-6453

View of Vizcaya from the Bay
On your way to Coconut Grove you can stop at the Vizcaya Museum and Garden an Italian Villa. Formerly the state of James Deering the 10 acre villa is now a museum with 34 rooms furnished with European decorations. The use of cameras within the house is prohibited. Extensive formal gardens with pools and fountains contain sculpture from France and Italy. The museum is facing Biscayne Bay.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 7, 2001

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
3251 South Miami Avenue Miami, Florida
(305) 250-9133

Scenic drive through Coconut Grove by the way of Old Cutler Highway and you reach the Fairchild Tropical Gardens, a botanical garden specializing in tropical plants, flowers and trees. It is an 83 acre tropical garden with rainforest and a conservatory. There is an admisión charge. Before you reach the Fairchild Tropical Garden you pass by Matheson Hammock Park, a public park with a nice view of the city of Miami and a small beach.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 7, 2001

Fairchild Tropical Gardens
10901 Old Cutler Road Miami, Florida 33156
(305) 667-1651

Cocowalk

Activity

A View from Grand Ave.
This open air, upscale mall is known as the heart and beat of the town of Coconut Grove. We always enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere with live music entertaiment and strolling performers. There are aproximately 40 stores in this center offering all types of merchandise. They have more than 15 movie theathers also.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Columbus on January 11, 2001

CocoWalk
3015 Grand Ave Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
+1 305 444 0777

About the Writer

Columbus
Columbus
Miami, Florida

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