The best restaurants in Miami Beach
The spots that make the traffic and tourist run-ins worthwhile
Aug
26
2026
Keep this guide handy when looking for the best restaurants in Miami Beach.
It took us a long, long time to finish our guide to the best restaurants in Miami Beach. Not because we didn’t care, but because, truthfully, Miami Beach has never been our favorite dining destination.
The traffic is certainly a factor, but it’s mostly the touristy vibe and the abundance of restaurants catering to that crowd. We also tend to stay away from hotel restaurants, but surprisingly, a few of the spots that earned a place on this list happen to be inside hotels.
We finally feel like this guide is in a good place and that every restaurant below is a solid reason to bear a little traffic and dine among the tourists.
If you think we’ve missed a great local spot, let us know HERE—we’re always open to recommendations!
PAULINE
Address: The Shelborne By Proper, 1801 Collins Ave
Cuisine: Latin American, Caribbean, New American, seafood
Pauline was honestly such a happy surprise. The space is beautiful—very beige, beachy, and fresquito, with a little bit of that effortless LA feel. It’s a coastal restaurant on Collins Avenue with Latin and Caribbean influences woven throughout its seafood-forward menu.
We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share, and everything felt light, refreshing, and really well-balanced. There’s a lot of acidity and citrus throughout the dishes, which keeps every bite bright and fresh.
Some of our favorites were the Crab Tostones with crab salad, guacamole, and pineapple-habanero gel; the Zucchini Blossom Dumplings with goat cheese and Creole sauce; the Marinated Scallops with yuzu, cashew, and sorrel; the Tuna Ceviche with watermelon, red onion, cucumber, and nasturtium; and the Lobster Fideos with sofrito rojo, sour orange, and basil.
We would definitely come back. It’s a great spot for a cutesy dinner with your best girls, but it’s also super nice for date night.
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BEYBEY (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
Address: 1330 18th St
Cuisine: Lebanese, Mexican, Middle Eastern
If Cabo and Beirut had a baby, it would be BeyBey.
BeyBey is back in Sunset Harbor and is now led by Chef Roberto Solís. The Yucatán-born chef behind Huniik brings a menu rooted in Mexican and Middle Eastern flavors, all built around open fire. Our favorite dishes include Kibbeh Crudo, Aguachile, charred Tacos al Pastor with a nod to Lebanese shawarma, and a Cheesecake you’re not skipping.
This space in Miami Beach still carries that late-night energy, with a great outdoor setting. The vibes are still late-night friendly, making BeyBey an easy pick for a lively date that doesn’t plan to go to bed early.
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VECINOS
Address: 3101 Indian Creek Dr
Cuisine: Spanish, Mediterranean, all- day cafe, cocktail bar, wine bar, bakery
Vecinos in Miami Beach is brought to you by the team behind Medium Cool and Caracas Bakery. It’s a fun, neighborhood spot offering elevated bar food, charcuterie boards, wine, and cocktails. The menu features Spanish and Mediterranean small plates designed for sharing. Dishes include Burnt Sourdough with Butter and Anchovy, Pan con Tomate, and Jamón con Tomate, alongside a concise drinks list featuring frozen coladas, spritzes, rosé, martinis, and lots of wine. And, lucky for you, they also have one of our favorite burgers in Miami on the menu—the Vecinos Burger. Imagine: a homemade Caracas Bakery sesame sweet-potato bun with a house beef blend, American cheese, pickles, and their secret sauce. Vecinos is open Wednesday through Friday from 4 PM until 12 AM-ish, Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM until 12 AM-ish. They don’t take reservations, so arrive early.
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BAR LUCA
Address: 2925 Indian Creek Dr
Cuisine: Italian-American
This might be Miami Beach’s best-kept secret. Bar Luca by Chef Santos (who was Chef Marc Iacono’s right hand at Lucali) is the kind of neighborhood spot you keep going back to when craving Italian-American comfort. Located inside the historic Alden Hotel, a 1930s Art Deco gem, it’s cozy, it’s homie, with an outdoor terrace when the weather permits. We recommend the Rigatoni alla Vodka, Grilled Chicken Wings, Bolognese Grilled Cheese, and their Sicilian squares.
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UCHIKO
Address: 1759 Purdy Ave
Cuisine: Japanese
Uchiko, the sister concept to Uchi, is located in Sunset Harbour. She is sleek and gives beach vacation vibes. You’ll still find familiar favorites like nigiri, sashimi, and sushi rolls; the spotlight here is on the yakitori grill. This section is packed with smoked, charred, and cured dishes cooked over an open flame—think Roasted Lobster in a tom kha broth and Hama Chili.
The menu also features daily specials, two chef’s tasting options (Omakase and Somakase), and standout small plates like Sake Crudo and A5 Hot Rock. For dessert, try the Milk & Cereal. The beverage program features sake, Japanese whisky, and cocktails, along with a daily happy hour from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
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AGUASAL
Address: 4041 Collins Ave
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Aguasal is a coastal Mediterranean
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ABBALÉ
Address: 864 Commerce St
Cuisine: Modern Mediterranean
Abbale is a family-run Mediterranean
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MACCHIALINA
Address: 820 Alton Road
Cuisine: Italian, pasta
Macchialina is that rustic Italian restaurant we have loved since 2012, a rare find in Miami Beach. They’ve always stayed true to who they are and have consistently prepared some of the most flavorful Italian dishes, making it one of the best restaurants in Miami. It’s dark, romantic, and great for a date night with a quaint bar inside. And it also has the cutest outdoor “Giardino” setup.
Stop by, of course, for all our favorite red sauce pasta like the Cavatelli Macchialina and the Spaghetti Pomodoro. We also can’t get enough of their specials, which change often. Oh, and if you love a little vino with dinner, they’ve always had an excellent wine program. They also have a full bar if you’re looking for a stiff cocktail.
For dessert, don’t skip the most refreshing Tiramisu you’ve had. It’s made with dulce de leche and an espresso granita, giving it an additional texture that is not usual when eating tiramisu. Make sure you dive in deep with your spoon.
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JOE’S STONE CRAB
Address: 11 Washington Ave
Cuisine: Seafood, American
Joe’s Stone Crab is a Miami institution, and the oldest restaurant on this list, serving locals and tourists since 1913. That’s over 100 years of stone crabs and the most glorious fried chicken.
We always go for the Select-Size Stone Crabs—don’t forget to dip them into the signature mustard sauce. You also can’t miss Joe’s Fried 1/2 Chicken, the rich Stone Crab Bisque, and the ice-cold slice of Key Lime Pie.
While we often pick up from Joe’s Take Away, which offers the same quality as the restaurant, for this guide, we recommend dining in. The brightly lit dining room is for anyone who appreciates old-school vibes, impeccable service, and a mean bread basket.
Joe’s is for those who want to have fun—they don’t take themselves too seriously. Like those suegros that don’t live in Miami and appreciate the old-school vibes, incredible service, and a good bread basket. They’ll happily put on an adult bib and dig into their claws with their bare hands.
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LUCALI
Address: 1930 Bay Rd
Cuisine: Italian, pizza, pasta
The original and famed Italian restaurant Lucali is located in Brooklyn, New York. And we’re okay with having the second one in the nation. You’re bringing your New York friends here when they’re missing home. They’ll go and say, “It’s not the same,” but trust us, this is better than no Lucali. Remind them of where they live, “Look around… you’re in Miami Beach.” Also, non-existent is that 2-hour line you have to make in Brooklyn.
The menu includes appetizers and salads that pair nicely with the main pizza event. We’d get an order of the Chicken Wings and the Kale Caesar, which is one of our favorite salads with the biggest and cheesiest croutons. As far as pizza toppings go, we love Beef Pepperoni, Italian Artichoke Hearts with stems, and Hot Peppers. Also on our list is the delicious, creamy Calzone with Lucali’s signature tomato sauce.
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MILA OMAKASE
Address: 800 Lincoln Rd 2nd Floor
Cuisine: Japanese, Mediterranean, sushi, omakase
This might be one you haven’t heard of, and it may even surprise you—it certainly did for us. MILA Omakase was one of the biggest surprises for one of the best non-traditional omakase
Hidden away inside MILA restaurant, behind a curtain-clad entrance and down two floors, the setting is nothing short of mesmerizing. You’re greeted by cherry blossom trees, minimalist woodwork, and Japanese craftsmanship-inspired wallpaper. The dramatic marble countertop and 500-year-old Hinoki wood cutting board set the stage for a truly authentic yet modern experience.
While the menu hits many traditional notes, we couldn’t help but admire their untraditional approach to flavors and combinations.
For those looking to break from the norm, MILA Omakase infuses a playful Japanese-Mediterranean twist into each dish. The result? A 13-course experience that’s both modern and mind-blowing. It’s a hidden gem not enough people are talking about, and though we’ve only experienced it once, we can’t wait to return—once our wallet catches its breath.
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ORILLA BAR & GRILL
Address: 426 Euclid Ave
Cuisine: Argentinean
Orilla is located inside the March Hotel on Euclid Avenue in Miami Beach. It’s a modern Argentinian steakhouse led by renowned Chef Fernando Trocca. This is a sexy, contemporary restaurant, so we’d dress the part.
Grab a table on their covered outdoor patio and go for the meats from the charcoal grill. The menu also includes Argentina Empanadas; Mollejas or sweetbreads with a criolla sauce; Burrata; chicken Milanesa; and Wagyu Cheeseburger with crispy pork belly. We also really love the Homemade Bread paired with labneh.
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LA LEGGENDA PIZZERIA
Address: 224 Española Way
Cuisine: Italian, pizza
We rarely would send you to Española Way because we know it’s tourist central. However, if there’s a spot that’s worth it for Neapolitan-style pizza, it’s La Leggenda Pizzeria. This unpretentious and cozy pizzeria has been around in Miami since 2017 and was brought to you by Chef Giovanni Gagliardi. His experience spans 20-plus years, and he’s won several accolades, including the number nine spot in the 50 Top Pizza in the US. Of course, you’re getting the Margherita STG with San Marzano Tomato sauce, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, basil, which won the Best Traditional Pizza in the World Award, in the Pizza World Championship in 2012 in Parma.
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THE DEN
Address: Inside Azabu, 161 Ocean Dr
Cuisine: Japanese, sushi, omakase
Say hello to The Den at Azabu Miami Beach, where mastery meets secrecy and sophistication. This hidden gem, tucked away behind a speakeasy-style entrance, takes you on a journey like no other. The Den offers a traditional Edomae-style omakase featuring the freshest seafood caught near Tokyo Bay.
The seasonally changing menu is a treat for the senses, featuring a varietal toro tasting and a sushi finale that includes Uni from Hokkaido, Sea Eel nigiri, and a specialty hand roll. Unique pieces like Striped Jack nigiri, Hokkaido Scallops, and the best Tamago we’ve ever had make each visit unforgettable.
If you’re looking to impress someone with a one-of-a-kind experience, reservations are available Tuesday through Saturday, as The Den is closed on Sundays and Mondays. With seating limited to just 18 guests per session, there are two seating options at 7 PM and 9:15 PM.
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ESTIATORIO MILOS
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 Mediterranean spot for a buttoned-up lunch or dinner when you’re looking for some simple Greek flavors in a white tablecloth setting with amazing hospitality. It’s also a great spot to bring clients.
Timeless dishes you should order include the Milos Special, paper-thin zucchinis and eggplants, lightly fried, with saganaki cheese and tzatziki; and the Chargrilled Octopus
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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CASA ISOLA OSTERIA
Address: 1418 20th St
Cuisine: Italian, pasta
Chef Jose Mendin highlights Italian and Asian flavors under one roof at Casa Isola in Sunset Harbor. This neighborhood spot is for those who love red sauce Italian and those who appreciate inventive Italian dishes with an Asian influence. Casa Isola is casual and will surprise you with dishes you can’t find at a traditional Italian restaurant. You must try the Corn Gyoza “Agnolotti” with beef soy broth and parmesan foam, as well as the Meatball Dumplings with tomato vin, shiso pesto, and Calabrian chili crisp. They also have our favorite Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka in all of Miami.
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