Wondering what's new in South Beach? From a juice bar to Indian cuisine, keep reading for a rundown of the newest hotspots to open their doors in the area.
El Palacio De Los Jugos
555 Jefferson Ave.
El Palacio De Los Jugos has ten locations around South Florida. In addition to its eponymous juices — which are produced to-order from a long list of fresh fruits — you'll find Cuban and Latin food from buffet-style heating trays. Items include Cuban sandwiches, paella and lomo saltado (marinated sirloin, onions, tomatoes and french fries). There is a wide selection of seafood, as well, from garlic shrimp to fried fish and calamari.
El Palacio De Los Jugos's current Yelp rating of 4.5 stars out of nine reviews indicates positive attention from users.
Yelper Elisa M. wrote, "This was my first time trying this establishment. I've heard good things about their other locations. It did seem like they're working the kinks of prices and organization. The vast selection was amazing: chicken, fish, beef and veggies with different types of rice. My favorite was their juice."
Chris M. noted, "Great addition to the neighborhood. A number of the other local joints will have to step it up in order to compete. Friendly service, you'll recognize the faces."
El Palacio De Los Jugos is open from 8 a.m.–9 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m.–8 p.m. on Sunday.
Energia Co.
1330 West Ave., Suite 401
Energia Co. is a new spot in South Beach for healthy sandwiches, cold-pressed juices and snacks. Raw oats, chia seeds, walnuts and goji berries exemplify the ingredient list of their small energy-producing snacks. It also has açaí bowls and paninis with chicken, tuna, turkey or avocado. Or try a smoothie: the Mean Green has celery, kale, apple juice, coconut water, frozen banana, frozen pineapple and spirulina, while the Ginger Rush is made from carrot juice, apple juice, ginger, coconut milk, frozen pineapple and frozen mango.
Energia Co.'s current rating is five stars from just one review so far on Yelp.
Yelper S R., who reviewed Energia Co. on May 5, wrote, "I've been to plenty of juice places, but this one has the quickest service, and everything is made fresh. I go religiously for the oats on-the-go."
Energia Co. is open from 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m. daily.
Taj Mahal Bengal Indian Cuisine
1321 Washington Ave.
Taj Mahal Bengal Indian Cuisine has a very long menu. Seafood options include salmon, tilapia, shrimp and mahi mahi as curries, kormas and vindaloos. The tandoor oven churns out everything from kebabs to lamb chops. It offers nine biriyani options including (goat and shrimp), plus vegetarian dishes.
Taj Mahal Bengal Indian Cuisine currently holds four stars out of 17 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Yelper Bailey P., who reviewed Taj Mahal Bengal Indian Cuisine on May 5, wrote, "The decor is simple yet tasteful and the food is superb. The entrees in particular are worth noting: the chickpeas perfectly cooked and in a light but flavorful masala (not too oily or thick), and the spinach was likewise not overdone and was extremely flavorful."
A P. noted, "Finally, an Indian restaurant in South Beach. My very first order was so spicy that was difficult to eat. But after that not so good experience, I asked to have the chicken not spicy. Wow. Food tastes so good!"
Taj Mahal Bengal Indian Cuisine is open from noon–midnight daily.
Pink Teacup Villa
1542 Washington Ave.
Pink Teacup Villa is a cocktail bar and soul food restaurant from chef Lawrence Page of TV's "Hustle and Soul" program. He brings to this South Breach spot comfort dishes like cornbread crab cakes, bourbon candied yams, and seasoned catfish roasted in cornmeal and served with potato salad. Dessert is the drinks: the Pound Cake cocktail has French vanilla vodka, pineapple nectar, cranberry essence and brown sugar, for example. Iced tea and lemonade are also available.
Pink Teacup Villa currently holds 3.5 stars out of 18 reviews on Yelp, indicating fair reviews.
Yelper Deneesha P., who reviewed Pink Teacup Villa on July 7, wrote, "Pros: There was no wait for the food. It came out hot. It was fresh. It tasted really good. Cons: I want to see better decor. The menu is too limited. And the music was off-putting."
Lindsey M. noted, "Nice spot to go for drinks. The resturant has a nice vibe. The owners and waiters are super nice and patient. Prices are a little on the expensive side."
Pink Teacup Villa is open from 4 p.m.–10 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday, 1 p.m.–midnight on Friday, noon–midnight on Saturday, and noon–10 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday.)
Happy Place Donuts
507 Española Way
Finally, there's Happy Place Donuts, a 4,000-square-foot donut boutique with an outdoor patio and a viewing area where visitors can watch the making of donuts. It's from the team behind sweets brand, Sugar Factory, and features specialty donuts like the Black and White Boston Cream (brioche donut glazed with equatorial 56% chocolate ganache and classic vanilla glaze, and filled with a vanilla pastry cream) and the Monkey Bread (brioche donut tossed in cinnamon sugar and glazed with a coffee caramel and sea salt cream cheese frosting). They also have homemade pop tarts, gelato, ice cream and a specialty line of mojitos.
Yelp users are generally positive about Happy Place Donuts, which currently holds four stars out of 15 reviews on the site.
Yelper Valentina M., who reviewed it on June 6, wrote, "Very cool interesting flavors and crazy extensive menu. I'd say this is a place that's super Instagrammable and where you can find interesting desserts, like the ice cream donut sandwich. Don't come here if you're expecting to find classic donuts."
Yelper Lauren D. wrote, "Pretty good donuts here and a nice variety of different ones. It seems to me that they all essentially taste the same but just have different decorations."
Happy Place Donuts is open from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and 9 a.m.–9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. (It's closed on Tuesday.)
