Cactus Club Cafe is Your New Default Downtown Dinner
No, we DID need another Canadian chain restaurant
Canada, (which to most Miamians, means pretty much anything north of Miramar, but I’m talking about the actual country here) is a lovely place known for many lovely things. Things like hockey, and apologizing. Most recently, Canada has become known for another great cultural contribution: Upscale chain restaurants. And in Miami, we can’t get enough of them, as anyone who’s tried to get a table at Moxie’s on a Friday can attest.
The latest of the bunch opens this week in Downtown, right next to the InterContinental. It’s called the Cactus Club Café, and despite a disappointing lack of cacti still looks like the best of the bunch. From its inviting main bar to its big outdoor patio and “hey, look at me, I’m eating with Drake” semi-private dining rooms, it’s an absolute beauty, and gives downtown its best casual dining option to date.
So how’s this any different than Moxies and Earls?
Bottom line: It’s not. But that’s not a bad thing! There’s a reason you can never get a seat at either of those other places: The food is great, the service is polite, and the staff is a special breed of stunning Canadian that only appears in Yorkville and Miami restaurants. Cactus Club excels in all three, and we should be glad we’ve got another option.
The space: Is all high ceilings, light slatted wood, and curated mood lighting that makes the places feel urban and buzzy. On the odd cold night, it feels very much like eating in Chicago or Toronto, bringing the kind of welcoming, friendly sophistication you find those cities. It’s destined to be an after-work happy hour hangout for downtown workers, with a hearty contingent of business dinners and downtown date nights thrown in.
What to eat and drink: While the food here isn’t anything novel, its far from elevated bar food. The menu is all over the board, offering the same kind of something-for-everyone variety that’s made its Canadian cousins so popular..
My picks: The 45-day aged prime peppercorn ribeye, served with one of the best au poivres you’ll ever try; and the hot chicken and pickles, which smartly uses chicken breast instead of cheap, vile dark meat. The Thai Red Curry is decent, but the staff seemed unaware it was made with shrimp paste, a big deal for kosher folks and those with seafood allergies.
For drinks, the wine list is impressive, though nothing a wine lover hasn’t seen before. The frozen rose and bellinis are going to be patio favorites once summer hits, or for any visitor to whom 70 degrees is “warm.” The Tropic Like It’s Hot is a fun, fruity drink served in a tiki mug, though a Stanley Park totem mug would have been more on brand.
Don’t miss: The wagyu beef carpaccio is like the Real Housewives of appetizers: Rich, thin, and easy to finish in one sitting. You’ll feel a little guilty after, too.
Perfect for: Your default downtown dinner spot, since there’s something for everyone. Downtown happy hours.
Expect to pay: $100 a person if you’re drinking. Stick with tap water, and you’re out for $60-75.
How’s the parking: Onsite valet is $30. You can try and snag a spot in one of those weird parking lots in the middle of Biscayne Boulevard and walk. Or park in a downtown garage for $25-30. Take the Mover if you can, Bayfront Park station is right across the street.
@cactusclubcafemiami // 201 S. Biscayne Blvd. Downtown