Best restaurants to take clients in Miami
Where to impress clients with the company card
Jul
25
2024
Keep this guide handy when looking for the best restaurants to take clients in Miami.
Sometimes it’s lunch, sometimes it’s dinner. The good thing is that it’s not on your dime…it’s on the company. So let’s spend someone else’s money and give your clients a great dining experience.
Some spots on our list are a bit more traditional with a tablecloth setting, others are hipper for a fun client, and we even have some good ones with amazing views. What you can definitely count on at all of these spots is great food, drinks, and service.
FELICE
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1450 Brickell Ave Suite 110
Cuisine: Italian
The newest addition to Brickell is where you want to go for a client lunch or an easy high-end dinner. The people of JP Morgan and Banco Santander should listen to this one because Felice is within walking distance from those offices.
We see a future where you become best friends with Lester, our incredible server, and Felice becomes your go-to spot for anything client-related. They have a great prix-fixe lunch menu with an appetizer and a main course for $34 available Monday to Friday. Start your meal with the Arancini sticks stuffed with rice, tomato, and mozzarella, paired with tartar sauce; as well as the Tuna Carpaccio dressed in olive oil, grated tomato, Taggiasche olives, and capers. Some of our favorite main dishes include the Mafalde Limone with plenty of lemon zest, ricotta, and red onion; the Fusilli Ferretto with roasted cherry tomato Pomarola sauce, local burrata, & crunchy croutons; and the crispiest Pollo Frito with a buttermilk yogurt marinade, and spicy caper aioli, served with grilled lemon. Oh and do not leave with our try their Pistachio Almond Cake.
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COTE
Neighborhood: Design District
Address: 3900 NE 2nd Ave
Cuisine: Korean Steakhouse
COTE is for those trendy clients who like a little glitz, glamour, and a martini or two. This may be the first stop but there’s a good chance it’s not the last stop.
Coming from New York to Miami it is no surprise that Cote delivers its exceptional service and flawless wine program here in the 305. Being awarded not only a one-star in the Michelin Guide but also the Florida Sommelier Award; it’s clear Cote is making waves in Miami’s Design District. When entering Cote you will be met with seamless service from start to finish. And if you are craving exceptionally cooked meat that melts in your mouth, then look no further.
We recommend getting the Butcher’s Feast, featuring a selection of Chef’s favorite cuts and a feast of USDA Prime & American Wagyu beef for $68. Additionally, if you come with a big group, we’d also get the Korean Bacon, the Kimchi Wagyu Paella, and the Chicken Nuggets only available off the bar menu. Soft serve ice cream topped with soy sauce caramel is included with the Butcher’s Feast.
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LPM RESTAURANT & BAR
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1300 Brickell Bay Dr
Cuisine: French, Mediterranean
LPM stands out for its unique French Mediterranean and Nicoise cuisine and beautiful decor inspired by the French Riviera. It’s a crisp, clean, and solid choice that will impress a wide range of clients, especially the banker types who have some cocktail knowledge.
They serve delicious pasta, seafood, and meat dishes using fresh Mediterranean produce such as lemons, artichokes, and olives. It has impeccable service, ambiance, and food.
Start your meal with a Tomatini (it’s a cherry tomato in drink form). Once you’ve enjoyed your drink, move on to the Warm Prawns with olive oil and lemon juice and Escargots with garlic butter and parsley. For your main course, we recommend the slow-cooked coquelet au citron confit. This Marinated Baby Chicken is probably one of the best chicken dishes we’ve had. We’re never one to order chicken at a restaurant, but this one is worth it. Please order the Gâteau au Fromage Frais, which is the vanilla cheesecake with berry compote. It’s delicate, smooth, creamy, and will melt in your mouth.
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KLAW
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Address: 1737 N Bayshore Dr
Cuisine: Seafood, steak
It’s not easy to find a restaurant that provides good views and food. And a rooftop? We would have said good luck until Klaw came into the picture. You’re stopping by Klaw with those out-of-town clients who are obsessed with Miami. They’re fancy, dig seafood, and like the finer things in life.
This is the only rooftop in Edgewater with a menu that features a high-quality beef program and sea delicacies. It’s also a great spot to bring your mom who loves to be fabulous.
The rooftop has a more condensed menu in comparison to the main dining room. However, you can still order the Norweigan King Crab legs.
Additionally, order the black grouper crudo with caviar, yuzu kosho, finger lime, scallion, avocado, and leche de tigre; the baby-size crab tacos with spicy dashi butter, avocado, lime, and kimchi; and the stracciatella with grilled black mission fig, shaved speck ham, buttered croutons aged balsamic, toasted walnuts, basil oil, and herb salad. Order the Maine lobster roll and picanha that are only available at the rooftop lounge.
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ESTIATORIO MILOS
Neighborhood: South Beach
Address: 730 1st St
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Estiatorio Milos is a classic establishment from New York City that has been in Miami’s South of Fifth neighborhood since 2012. It’s a great spot for a client lunch when you’re looking for some simple Greek flavors in a white tablecloth setting with amazing hospitality.
Timeless dishes you should order include the Lethrini sashimi from Nazare, Portugal; Milos Special, paper-thin zucchinis and eggplants, lightly fried, with saganaki cheese and tzatziki; and the charcoal broiled Octopus served with a fava bean purée, onions, and capers.
You’re going to want to walk over to where the seafood is being displayed with your server to pick your main dish. Depending on what you get, they will be able to recommend how they’ll best cook your fish or shrimp. Anything from grilled, fried, baked in salt, or poached will go. For a light finish don’t skip the Greek yogurt with walnuts and honey.
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LA MAR BY GASTÓN ACURIO
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 500 Brickell Key Dr
Cuisine: Peruvian
If you’re looking for a Peruvian meal with a Brickell view, then La Mar at Mandarin Oriental should be at the top of your list. The restaurant overlooks Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, with indoor and outdoor seating available (plus three great bars!). Chef Gastón Acurio has curated a menu dedicated to Peruvian gastronomy. Dishes include Causa Nikkei with Peruvian trout tartare, pan-seared jumbo scallops or Conchitas Oka with 24-month-old parmesan cheese foam, and Lomo Saltado.
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OSAKA
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1300 Brickell Bay Dr
Cuisine: Nikkei
Osaka is the first North American location of an internationally acclaimed Nikkei restaurant known for its Japanese techniques and Peruvian flavors. The menu features ceviche, tiraditos, makimono, nigiris, and Peruvian izakaya. The restaurant is sleek and upscale – a great spot for a cool client from New York or LA.
Order to the center of the table some of our favorites that including the Osk Ceviche with tuna, crispy quinoa, kyuri, yuzu ponzu sauce; Carpassion, salmon carpaccio with passion fruit honey, watercress, and crispy strips; and the Chirashi Causa made with yellow potato, topped with tuna tataki, crab salad, ikura, dresses with acevichada sauce. From the nigiri section, we’d get the Inca with cured tuna, aji amarillo, chalaquita, black quinoa; the Katsu with salmon belly, lemon zest, white truffle oil; and the Hotate Truffle with Hokkaido scallop, truffle butter, and lime.
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PORTOSLE
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 2530 Ponce de Leon
Cuisine: Italian, pasta
Portosole is one of the best restaurants in Coral Gables and you’re bringing your top clients. Half the guests are Italian which is a good sign. Here you will feel important & well taken care of in a brightly lit, white tablecloth setting.
We love it for a bright lunch with family. It’s also great for clients or a cute day dress situation with your amigas.
Make sure you order one of the best Melanzane alla Parmigiana we’ve had in Miami, Ravioli di Ossobuco allo Zafferano for those who love saffron, and the classic and traditionally executed Tonnarelli al Cacio e Pepe.
Get the Sgroppino Veneziano, a dessert cocktail made with Prosecco, vanilla ice cream, and vodka. Finished off with lemon zest and ground coffee. Trust us.
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FIOLA
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 1500 San Ignacio Ave
Cuisine: Italian, pasta
Famed for their Michelin star standing in Washington, Chef Fabio Trabocchi brings that same energy to Fiola in Miami.
Stop with those clients who love a classic Italian meal with some Frank Sinatra in the background.
Your meal will always start with an amuse-bouche. Ours had Foie Gras and was similar to a crema Catalana. Order the Pane Pugliese with sheep’s milk ricotta, honey & thyme.
Other dishes we recommend include the Burrata with heirloom & sundried tomato pesto, Fiola Meatballs with shaved royal trumpet mushrooms, Pecorino from Sardinia; Spaghetti alle Vongole with Middleneck & Littleneck Clams, Fresno peppers parsley; Whole Wheat Rigatoni with Classic Bolognese, Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe with whipped Parmigiano & Pecorino.
Fiola is open Monday- Sunday for dinner, and Tuesday – Friday for lunch. They also recently launched Sunday Jazz Brunch at La Terrazza rooftop offering a Bellini and Bloody Mary bar, live jazz, classic brunch favorites, and some of Fiola’s iconic pastas.
Additionally, they have the option of a Pasta Omakase with a 5-course pasta tasting menu, featuring the Chef’s choices of pasta & dessert.
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ZUCCA
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 162 Alcazar Ave
Cuisine: Italian
If you’re looking for a white tablecloth situation great for lunch with clients, stop by Zucca.
The indoor restaurant has a modern sleek vibe with beige booths, white orchids, and columns covered in green foliage. You’re passing by Zucca if you want to wine and dine someone in a traditional Coral Gables way.
The menu is influenced by flavors from Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, and Umbria. The first thing you need to order is the Fiori Di Zucca, the restaurant’s signature dish. These are fried zucchini flowers stuffed with goat cheese sprinkled with truffle honey. Our recommendation is to order at least two pastas. Make sure to ask for the specials, they usually have one with a ragú sauce that feels like home.
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DŌMA
Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 35 NE 26th St
Cuisine: Italian
Wynwood’s only Italian restaurant on this list made it here for a reason. You’re bringing your clients that want something out of the box like the Neapolitan Ragu Bao Buns with buffalo mozzarella, and basil puree.
Dōma brings unique Mediterranean Southern Italian cuisine to life in an industrial restaurant with an open kitchen and minimalistic patio.
Some of our favorite dishes include the soft egg with seasonal mushrooms, parmesan cheese espuma, crispy potato, and shaved black truffle; the simple bucatini ‘Cacio e Pepe’ with Pecorino romano cheese, and Sichuan black pepper, and the non-traditional yellowfin tuna tataki served with cous cous, diced vegetables, and pistachio dust.
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UCHI
Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 252 NW 25th St
Cuisine: Japanese, sushi
This is for the worldly client, the one that travels, and that likes a sprinkle of culture with their meal. You’re taking them to Uchi, one of our favorite reasons to stop by Wynwood.
This modern and sophisticated Japanese restaurant from Austin, Texas offers delicate flavors, modern techniques, and innovative dishes. You will be blown away by the simplest of dishes.
We love the hot and cold dishes off the menu at Uchi. However, if you’re in the mood for a modern take on Japanese sushi and crudo, check out the hama chili, ora king crudo with passion fruit zu, the kinmedai golden eye snapper, and the managatsuo pomfret. Although Uchi has become easier to get into, we still recommend you make a reservation. Stop by for happy hour between 5 PM and 6:30 PM if you want to get a taste of their menu for a discounted price.
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BOUCHON BISTRO
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 2101 Galiano St
Cuisine: French
If your client is into French fine dining and big-name chefs, he’ll be grateful you’re taking him here.
Bouchon Bistro is the newest restaurant by Chef Thomas Keller to open in Miami. You’ve heard of Chef Keller’s acclaimed restaurants The French Laundry in Napa Valley and Per Se in New York City; as well as, his first restaurant in South Florida, The Surf Club Restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club.
Bouchon situated in the historic La Palma building in Coral Gables, is a classic French restaurant offering dishes like Beef Tartare, Steak Frites, a Seafood Tower, Roasted Chicken, Gnocchi à la Parisienne, and buttery Escargots de Bourgogne. Get the chicken, it’s so juicy and we barely ever order chicken at a restaurant.
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