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Miami Beach: Lincoln Road

by Mary Jo Manzanares on March 20th, 2006

Up until the early 60’s Lincoln Road was known as the “Fifth Avenue of Miami Beach,” and was THE top commercial district in the area.  Upscale, luxury hotels were there, along with the stores catering to that wealthy clientele.

As many of these luxury hotels recognized how much money was being spent, they began to change their business model, becoming self-contained resorts.  These resorts now offered an assortment of shops, restaurants, and bars so that the hotel patron need never leave the property.  Lincoln Road began a slow downhill spiral.

In the 60’s, Lincoln Road was turned into a pedestrian shopping mall, but this conversion didn’t meet with much success.  The upscale stores gradually closed down, and the area deteriorated even further.

It’s current metamorphosis began in the late-80’s.  Today Lincoln Road is known as a hip area catering to the creative community, and bills itself as being more local than touristy.  It is still pedestrian-only, and features specialty shops and restaurants tucked in and around the larger national retail stores.

On a recent Miami layover, I went exploring Lincoln Road with a co-worker.  The stores were fun, and I even found myself drawn to some of the chain stores as they carried items not found at home.  The most fun were the little eclectic stores, filled with local art and unusual tchotkes.  Didn’t buy much, but great fun to look and explore.

Lincoln Road is full out of outdoor dining, with umbrella covered tables lining the mall area.  Some restaurants even had sofas and easy chairs set out.  There were lots of choices, plenty of different types of food to choose from, and menus were generally posted for a quick review, and to aid in the decision making process. 

On the restaurant front, however, I found most to be a little overpriced.  ($10-$15 was a common price for a drink.) In fact, I felt the prices were definitely “tourist” prices rather than “local” prices.  Half a block off the main street, prices dropped by about a third.

My co-worker and I went to two places for a drink, and at a both found the service to be poor.  Actually, poor would have been a step up, it was mostly indifferent. 

At Segafredo we stepped inside and sat at one of the little indoor tables for two.  What attracted us to the place was its charming (and, according to my companion, authentic) Italian atmosphere.  After waiting for five minutes without any contact from a server, we moved to one of the stools at the bar.  After sitting in front of the bartender without any contact, we should have known better and left.  We didn’t.  Instead we had an Italian beer, were never asked if we’d like to order food or another, and left saying we’d never be back.

For dinner we headed off the main road and found a charming Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Grande.  We were greeted warmly, seated promptly and were provided excellent service by Giovanni.  It’s not a typical Mexican menu.  Although some old standbys were there, it also featured entrees with a Cuban flair, as well as other Caribbean influences.  Dinner for two, including chips and salsa, entrees, and a couple of beers was under $40.  A very good bargain for this area.

My conclusion about the whole dining experience on Lincoln Road is that we would have had a much better experience if we were 21 years old, with our midriffs showing and our mini-skirts very short.  I prefer to head off the beaten path, once again, for a much better experience.

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