Miami’s Best Restaurants With “Ambiente”

Where to have a SUPER Miami experience for brunch or dinner

Dec
07
2022

Miami’s Best Restaurants with “ambiente” have been hand-selected by The Hungry Post and are presented by:

Whether you’re trying to impress out-of-towners with brunch and sweeping ocean views or you’re looking for the ultimate dinner party, we’ve got you covered. This guide features the spots with the best ambiente in Miami. These one-of-a-kind spots can only be found in our Magic City.

And while you’re out, stay refreshed with evian natural spring water and the naturally carbonated evian Sparkling™️. Get your hydration going and let’s hit the town!

KOMODO


Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 801 Brickell Ave
Cuisine: Southeast Asian

When David Grutman owns a swanky Asian restaurant in the heart of Brickell, you’re dressing to the nines and going for dinner. If you want to spot some celebrities, opt for indoor seating and prepare to “people watch” the night away. Or if you want to explore their outdoor seating you’ll want to request a spot in their floating bird nests which give you a fancy treehouse vibe.

It goes without saying that this hotspot has a solid cocktail list featuring the delicious Szechuan old fashioned, a modern Asian spin on the classic drink.

When it comes to food, sharing a variety of small plates is the way to go. The miso Chilean seabass skewers are not to be missed. Or go for the Wagyu beef dumplings. If sushi is your thing, go for the tuna & toro roll. For that sweet finish, you’ll want to order the miso chocolate temptation which comes with caramelized nutty popcorn.

Once you’re done with dinner, you’ll want to head upstairs to the secret nightclub and dance the night away with smoke machines and lasers.

 

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SOHO BEACH HOUSE


Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 4385 Collins Ave
Cuisine: New American

It wouldn’t be the ultimate Miami guide without a private members-only club making the list. This international celebrity hub is located directly on Miami Beach and features several different dining options. You can literally spend the whole day here.

Check out the incredible ocean views from the rooftop which is currently a popup by La Santa Taqueria. Or head to the second-floor Club Bar which features an all-day menu if you want to sit back and do some low key people-watching. Not to be missed is their black truffle, zucchini and goat cheese pizza. You’ll thank us later for that one.

You can always spend the day at the beach sipping on their epic Picante De La Casa, made with tequila, chili pepper, lime, cilantro, and agave. You’ll probably want to make that a pitcher. Pair it with the famous Dirty Burger and you’ve got yourself the ultimate beach meal.

Not a member? Don’t worry. London-based Cecconi’s is situated on the first floor and is open to the public. On the weekends, their famous brunch buffet is the star of the show. The menu features everything from a raw bar to wheels of cheesy pasta, juicy carving stations, and plenty of gelatos. The $85 price tag includes one cocktail per person and is well worth it. You can choose to sit inside and listen to the live musician or outside in the garden courtyard underneath the most beautiful pergola. At night, the garden transforms into twinkle-light heaven and is uber-romantic. Kick off your dinner with their whipped ricotta drizzled with honey and truffles. Their lobster spaghetti is a must-have and their bolognese is also a show-stopper. For dessert, go for their chocolate pot served with coconut cream. You can also indulge in a scoop (or two) of their homemade gelato.

MILA RESTAURANT


Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 1636 Meridian Avenue Rooftop
Cuisine: Asian fusion

If you’re looking to impress those out-of-towners with an exotic rooftop in the heart of Miami Beach, look no further. The space itself is indoor and outdoor so you don’t have to worry about that Miami humidity and can keep looking fab. The outdoor terrace has a pond running through it with a beautiful bar set on top for all your cocktail needs so it might be worth sitting outside, especially when the weather is nice.

This glamorous spot is just as fabulous for brunch as it is for dinner. Featuring a fusion of Asian and Mediterranean, the menu features small plates that are prepared to be very theatrical. There’s smoke, there’s fire, there’s music. What else do you need? The brunch menu starts at $95 per person and is a combination of a self-serve buffet and tapas and main courses served tableside. Basically, there’s a ton of food. If you want a sultry dinner vibe, you won’t want to miss the truffle cream spaghetti or the decadent bone-in short rib. It wouldn’t hurt to make it a party and order a sushi platter for the table.

KIKI ON THE RIVER


Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 450 NW N River Dr
Cuisine: Greek

Nothing says Miami more than a waterfront restaurant with luxurious yachts pulling up for lunch and champagne showers. Enter Kiki, one of Miami’s famous riverside spots for all your eating, drinking and dancing needs, combined into one. This Greek restaurant is a seaside party vibe from day to night so there is never a bad time to show up.

If you’re joining for brunch, you wouldn’t be living your authentic Greek life if you didn’t order the olive oil braised octopus. Fan favorites include the honey truffle lamb chops and lemon potatoes. If you’re trying to catch the nighttime scene, the seafood tower filled with Alaskan king crab and lobster tails is a great way to kick off the party. Don’t miss the impressive salt-crusted Mediterranean seabass. When it comes to cocktails, get ready for the cutest presentation of your life. The One Night Stand features mango, guava, and vodka and is served in the cutest ceramic pig. If rum is more your vibe, the Rub A Dub Dub features flavors of pineapple and blue curacao served in a …you guessed it… mini bathtub.

We can’t promise you won’t get sprayed with a $10,000 bottle of champagne. But you may want to keep your napkin handy for the Greek-style table dance parties.

 

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JOIA BEACH


Neighborhood: Jungle Island
Address: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
CuisineMediterranean

Do you ever dream of enjoying a delicious cocktail with the sand beneath your toes staring out into the breezy ocean? Say less fam. Joia Beach is your premier beachfront destination serving up Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and refreshing cocktails with stunning views of our city.

If you want to enjoy those ocean views and daytime beach vibes, stop by for a delicious lunch featuring watermelon and goat cheese salad and wood-grilled Branzino. Pair your meal with a refreshing frosé (or two).

If you want to see the Miami skyline shining bright, you’ll want to come for dinner and order the yellowtail crudo and black Angus skirt steak served with chimichurri. Feeling sweet? Get the baklava which is served with creamy pistachio ice cream and honey. Or maybe you’re feeling thirsty? You don’t want to miss the Girl From Miami made with vodka, passionfruit, and prosecco.

SALVAJE


Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 101 NE 34th St
Cuisine: Japanese

Looking for a fabulous rooftop to enjoy Miami’s perfect winter weather? Salvaje is the spot for you. This international hotspot features Japanese and Mediterranean small plates meant to be shared with everyone. If a Miami club restaurant is your thing, you’ll want to stop by for dinner. You’ll find options like fresh sushi rolls, lobster dumplings, and the Salvaje Japanese tacos featuring flank steak with yuzu. You can sip on sake or sip on their Sea Of Love featuring mezcal, passionfruit, and tangerine flavors.

Their popular Monkey Brunch is only offered on Sundays and includes delicious options like a refreshing acai bowl or match waffles with berries. Don’t forget to take a selfie with their gold rhinoceros heads which is a quirky theme throughout the property.

 

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THE DECK AT ISLAND GARDENS


Neighborhood: Jungle Island
Address: 888 MacArthur Causeway
Cuisine: Mediterranean

If you want to impress your guests with the mega yachts of the rich and famous, look no further. The Deck at Island Gardens is Miami’s chicest marina restaurant featuring a delicious Mediterranean menu and beautiful cocktails. If you’re joining for brunch, you’ll find items like charred octopus with marinated feta and their creamy Maine lobster ravioli. Sip on their Leave Me In Capri which features vodka with homemade blueberry lavender syrup.

At night, the area transforms into an ultimate seaside party with fire dancers and DJs. Start off the night with their refreshing seafood tower which comes with lobster tails, shrimp cocktail, oysters, and more. Want a little bit of a show with your dinner? Order the 4.5 lb. salt-crusted Snapper which is prepared table side. You can’t go wrong with their Wagyu tomahawk which comes with bone marrow on the side for that extra flavor. For dessert, keep it Miami and go for the mango Key lime tart. Don’t worry about those calories… You’ll dance the night away here and burn it off! We may have seen Marc Anthony here doing that, more than once…

NOVIKOV


Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 300 S Biscayne Blvd
Cuisine: Asian

If dining at internationally renowned hotspots is your thing, then look no further. Situated in the busiest corner of Downtown Miami, this ritzy spot is known around the world for its delicious Chinese-Japanese flavors and fabulous cocktails.

Sunday brunch features an expansive menu including unlimited Japanese favorites like nigiri, dim sum, and Singapore noodles. You can pick a main entree and dessert and wash it all down with the unlimited beverage options featuring bloody marys, mimosas, wine, and sake. All of this for the price of $99!

If nighttime is more your vibe, make sure to wear your stretchy pants because the menu is quite large and beyond delicious. Not to be missed would be the bluefin toro crispy rice, hamachi yuzu truffle roll, and the hamachi and shaved truffle sashimi.Our two favorite dim sum would be the shrimp and cilantro and the wild mushroom. It goes without saying the Peking duck is a fan favorite but if you want to try something new the cilantro pesto Branzino and miso black cod are great options. Don’t forget the dessert and try the Tropical Ki-ro which is their fruity play on a baked Alaska featuring passionfruit, white chocolate ice cream, mint, basil, and mango.

SEXY FISH


Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1001 S Miami Ave
Cuisine: Asian

If you’re looking to blow your guests away with over-the-top decor, and cocktails, Sexy Fish is your spot. Admittedly, this is the kind of place we’d go to eat light and drink more. It’s all about the vibes here. Once you step inside, you’ll feel like you’re under the sea surrounded by 26 custom fish lamps, a tropical fish tank that’s larger than life, and a giant glittery marlin that’s likely judging your every dance move.

This Japanese-style menu features an overwhelming selection of delicious food. You’ll want to dive into their yellow tartare which includes bacon and caviar and some prawn gyoza for the table to enjoy. Some fan favorites are their mushroom and truffle tempura, the scallops with jalapeno and pickled apple, and the ultimate wagyu nigiri.

Though this hotspot features brunch and dinner, you likely won’t want to miss out on the club restaurant vibes at night. Get ready for the lights to be dimmed, the bartenders to start dancing and the drinks to flow all night. They feature over 50 wines by the glass and one of the largest Opus One Winery collections in the world. In other words, get ready to spend that money. Did we mention Drake just threw his birthday party here? It’s giving the ultimate Champagne Papi vibes.

GEKKŌ


Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 8 SE 8th St
Cuisine: Japanese steakhouse

It literally doesn’t get more Miami when Daavid Grutman partners up with Bad Bunny, the king of reggaeton to open a Japanese steakhouse and lounge in the heart of Brickell.

You’ll want to make a reservation in advance to snag a spot at this newcomer. Be sure to dress to impress because you’ll be doing a lot of photos for the gram with their incredible Japanese-inspired decor. Serving only dinner, you can kick off the night with their “Lava and Ice” Kumamoto oysters or the lobster dumplings made with ginger and lemongrass. The spicy bluefin tuna is a hit. For steaks, you can choose from filet mignon, NY strip, ribeye, or their 32oz tomahawk. You’re going to want to do a lot of dancing after that eating which can be done in their connecting night lounge. If it was good enough for Kim Kardashian, it’ll be good enough for you.

 

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KLAW


Neighborhood: Edgewater
Address: 1737 N Bayshore Dr
Cuisine: Seafood

If you’re looking for an ultra-chic rooftop with ocean views and indoor seating, look no further. Klaw is Edgewater’s only rooftop featuring sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and is housed in the historic 95-year-old Women’s Club. With a massive renovation complete, you’ll find stunning interior design features like tall ceilings, arched windows, dark wood, and smokey blue tones throughout the dining room.

This newcomer features a surf and turf menu that is equally impressive and delicious. For brunch, you’ll find an $85 buffet which includes items like oysters, king prawns, and king crab avocado toast. You can check out the king crabs before their last moments in the aquarium in front of the restaurant. You thought that was just decor didn’t ya?

If you’re joining for dinner, you’ll want to head to the display of hanging dry-aged steaks and pick out the winner. Keep it balanced with their grilled diver scallops and the sake-cured salmon. No steakhouse dinner is complete without an order of hand-cut steak fries and these come with grated parmesan and truffle salsa. You’ll feel guilty if you don’t order a cocktail here since they donate a portion of featured cocktails to local Miami charities. Toast for a good cause? Sign us up! Go for the Ramujito, a play on the classic mojito with Japanese flavors.

ENRIQUE TOMAS


Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 2701 NW 2nd Ave
Cuisine: Spanish

Enrique Tomas is Wynwood’s newest Spanish restaurant. Since 1982, the name Enrique Tomas has been synonymous with Jamon Iberico. With over 40 years of experience in curing and slicing some of the best jamon, they now have their first restaurant in our very own Magic City. The sleek space with Jamon Iberico tastefully displayed on the back wall of the restaurant features Maestro Jamóneros serving jamoncito at the bar. You can expect patatas bravascharcuterie boardsseafood paella, Galician octopus, and Spanish cheesecake for dessert.

THE HUNGRY POST
Miami’s Best Restaurants With “Ambiente”
By Alejandra Gallo
PHOT CREDIT KOMODO

 

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