Dining at the Dilido Beach Club is an escape to paradise. Have a seat and relax to the sights and sounds of a beautiful ocean view. As the Girl from Ipanema plays in the background, have one of Dilido’s signature mojitos–an icy mix of mint and rum. Watermelon and peach sangrias are also popular concoctions. The Dilido Experience is relaxation at its finest.

The beach club is located on Ocean Drive in the magnificent Ritz Carlton. The large ovular bar is set beneath the pool of the hotel. It is surrounded by small green and blue tiles which go with Miami’s Art Deco theme. A lush garden of flowers and bushes surround the restaurant. Many of the items on the menu are grown in these gardens.

Patrons include international world travelers, hotel guests and even locals. It isn’t surprising that Dilido is such a popular lunch spot. Afterall, with the sun in your hair and a magnificent ocean view, it is the perfect location for a casual meal with friends.

Complimentary hookah lounges are available at no charge to customers. Bottle service isn’t even required. As the sun was setting, we smoked the hookahs and relaxed in one of Dilido’s plush cabanas. Live music is available from 4-8pm Thurs through Sunday. We were mesmerized by the classical guitar.

Chef Jeff McInnis created a “Sun Cuisine” which is inspired from his visits to beach towns along the Southern Mediterranean and North African Coasts. The style is casually elegant, simple and non-pretentious. The menu consists of many light appetizers and entrees which are meant to be shared. Try the Atlantic Fried Oysters–with housemade chorizo, spinach and saffron aioli. 

The scallop and melon ceviche was one of our favorites–complete with cilantro, citrus and a watermelon sorbet. The cucumber wrapped Tuna came with heirloom tomatoes and fresh garbanzo beans and basil seeds. The combination of all these ingredients was refreshing and went well with the scenic Ocean view. For entrees, we tried the local Florida Pompino with orange vinaigrette. The fish was so fresh, it was caught only a few days ago.

Dilido Beach Club
The Ritz Carlton, South Beach
One Lincoln Road 
Miami Beach, FL 33139

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/SouthBeach/Dining/TheDilidoBeachClub/Default.htm