The best birthday dinner guide in Miami for large groups
These restaurants are good & you'll get in with 6 to 8 guests
Mar
12
2023
Here is our birthday dinner guide in Miami for large groups.
There are two types of people in this world. The ones that love their birthday and plan multiple activities, sometimes extending into a birthday week. And then there are the ones that say they hate their birthday. But, really, what they mean is that they hate planning their birthday. If a friend or family member took over and planned a nice dinner, they would most probably be happy to attend and even be grateful.
The best birthday dinner guide in Miami might be for you because it is your birthday or might be for you because you’re planning a birthday. Either way, we checked the availability of these restaurants, and it seems that you can get in with a group of six or eight guests. And the best part is that the food is actually good and there’s buen ambiente. Book your reservation one or two weeks before and Feliz Cumple!
UNDERSTORY
Neighborhood: Little River
Address: 7135 NW 1st Ct
Cuisine: cocktail & wine bar, tacos, food pop-ups vary
We’ve included the new Understory in Little River in our first date guide, outdoor bar guide, and this time we want to talk about birthdays. This outdoor bar & event space by the Jaguar Sun team is multifaceted. It works for many time types of plans, especially for a big birthday group where you don’t have to worry about splitting the bill between 35 credit cards.
This jungle-like space with hidden nooks, picnic tables, and live music on Thursday and Friday starting at 7 PM is great for when you want to celebrate big.
How would we do it? Tell your 35 friends to arrive before 8:30 PM, so they don’t have to pay cover. Grab a table so you have somewhere to drop your drinks and food. Everyone can buy their own wine at the yellow Bad Seed wine hut, led by natural wine legend Karina Iglesias.
If it’s Thursday, then you can expect some delicious wood-fired cuisine by some of South Florida’s best restaurants before Jazz in the Jungle. Future and existing collaborators include Jaguar Sun, Flour & Weirdoughs, El Bagel, Tacotomia, Sidewalk Diner, Lazy Oyster, and Tigre. And of course, there are cocktails by the Jaguar Sun team. Our favorites so far are the gin & cucumber and the frozen espresso. It’s chill, fun, and you can invite everyone to your birthday.
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THE DREXEL
Neighborhood: South Beach
Address: 1436 Drexel Ave
Cuisine: Mediterranean
The Drexel is a refreshing addition to the recently revamped Española Way, at the Esme Hotel. The airy, elegant restaurant has a large indoor area with doors that open up to Espanola Way. The team from Mandolin opened the Drexel, so expect impeccable decor.
They serve homemade pasta and pizza and emphasize locally sourced seafood and an extensive selection of vegetable dishes. They also have an impressive selection of boutique wines and specialty cocktails. We enjoyed the Italian Fennel Sausage, Heirloom Tomato Salad with avocado, hearts of palm, and Nicoise olives, and we also recommend the Spaghetti cacio e pepe with limone.
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JOLIET
Neighborhood: South Beach
Address: 1209 17th Street
Cuisine: America, Southern, seafood
You love group trips and this year, too much is going on. Your friends won’t commit to going anywhere. So for one night, you’re taking them to New Orleans. But really, you’re just asking that they drive to Joliet in Miami Beach.
Joliet, a neighborhood seafood restaurant, is an exciting and rare find in Miami. The menu created by the talented Chef Juan Garrido is inspired by the sweet, spicy, soulful, and bold Cajun flavors found in New Orleans cuisine.
You’re starting with oysters. We had the East Coast Beau Soleil and Momma Mia. They have four variations of mignonettes, fine herbs, Calabrian chili, passion fruit, and a classic white pepper. Get all of them.
The fish dip is one of the best fish dips we’ve had recently. Each bite is set to be enjoyed with chow chow pickles, and a housemade hot sauce on a fried saltine cracker. The New Orleans-style BBQ prawns soaked in a Worcestershire, garlic, and beer sauce is a must-order. We also loved the simple Johnny Cakes served with pimento cheese and country ham. They tasted like childhood.
Sharing is the best way to do Joliet right, especially if you’re getting the Whole Broiled Lobster with melted Parmesan and lemon. This dish was delicious and cooked to perfection. Leave room for the Coconut Rum Cake. For parties of 7 or more please contact joliet@wearealllost.com.
Oh, and they also recently launched their brunch menu which has a delicious French Onion Burger with a 25 Wagyu beef patty served with Comte cheese, garlic mayo on a brioche bun. Worth it. And also great if you prefer to day drink.
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OSAKA
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1300 Brickell Bay Dr
Cuisine: Peruvian, Nikkei, sushi
Osaka Miami is the first North American location of an internationally acclaimed Nikkei restaurant known for its Japanese techniques and Peruvian flavors. The menu is perfect for sharing, featuring ceviches, tiraditos, makimonos, nigiris, and Peruvian izakaya.
The sleek and upscale restaurant is a great spot for a birthday dinner.
If it’s Thursday and you plan to go out after dinner, well then, we recommend you do drinks and shared appetizers at KERO, their cocktail lounge inside the restaurant. It has a fun ambiente with a DJ playing music from 10 PM to 1 AM.
Sip on inventive cocktails with Fresno pepper, shizo salt, chicha morada ice cubes, and yuzu honey. As far as food goes, order to the center of the table some of our favorites that include the Osk Ceviche with tuna, crispy quinoa, kyuri, yuzu ponzu sauce; Carpassion, a 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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DOYA
Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 347 NW 24th St
Cuisine: Aegean
Doya located in Wynwood is serving Aegean flavors from the coast of Turkey. We are talking dips, local produce, refreshing and light plates, plus an amazing octopus’ dish that keeps us coming back for more.
At Doya you are stopping by for the top-notch hospitality and the meze dining experience that works so well with a big group. This Wynwood hot spot is full of action and it has just the birthday vibes you’re looking for.
Order for the center of the table, because you’re sharing. We love the Cretan Feta Dip, the Manti, beef dumplings, drenched in a garlic yogurt sauce, and the Adana Kebab with lavash bread. Oh, and if they have the Dolmas cabbage leaves, get them.
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PHUC YEA
Neighborhood: Little River
Address: 7100 Biscayne Blvd
Cuisine: Modern Vietnamese
Tucked away on 71st and Biscayne Blvd you will find glowing red lanterns and flavorful food. Phuc Yea has been around since 2016. Half Vietnamese and Half Cajun, you are getting a culinary melding from the wonderful chefs helming the kitchen front. With Aniece Meinhold’s Vietnamese heritage and Chef Cesar Zapata’s Colombian roots, they come together to provide soulful, family-rooted plates.
It’s great that you’re here with a group because there’s a lot we want you to try. Start with 5 Spice Roasted Pork bao, Salt ‘N Peppa Soft Shell Crab Bao, Edamame Hummus, Duck Confit served with house red coconut curry, PY Noodles (and yes add the caviar), and don’t forget the Smoked Short Rib with extra steamed buns for the group.
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PATIO ISOLA
Neighborhood: MiMo
Address: 6789 Biscayne Blvd
Cuisine: Italian
If you love Italian red sauce, then you will love Patio Isola. Chefs Santo Agnello and Jose Mendin opened a second Casa Isola concept in the former La Placita space. They’ve changed the name to Patio Isola and added additional antipasti, sandwiches, pasta, specialty plates, and a roster of pizzas.
This location has a lovely patio and lots of options for a big group. Oh, and they also have a full bar!
Stop by for their Cheesy Garlic Bone Marrow served with housemade focaccia, the best Rigatoni alla Vodka in Miami, and the Veechia Signora pizza with braised short rib, taleggio white sauce, truffle oil, and pecorino. Upgrade your pizza “Isola style” and they’ll brush the crust with garlic butter, sesame seeds and serve your pizza with a cheese dipping sauce.
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JAGUAR SUN
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 230 NE 4th St
Cuisine: American, pasta
Jaguar Sun is probably our favorite place in Miami. So naturally, we’d recommend it for a birthday dinner for six guests.
Some may say it’s a cocktail bar, others, a restaurant with an awesome pasta selection. We’d like to think of it as a combination of both. Where we can always count on fun, original and balanced cocktails. And where you can taste the quality of delicious and consistent food. Not an easy find in our city, especially in an obscure lobby of a residential building.
Our favorite dishes include the Hokkaido Scallop, the Wagyu Beef Tartare, Agnolotti with blue crab, and the Spicy Rigatoni. Leave room for a Wolf Whistle, their version of a tequila espresso martini paired with dessert.
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CAFÉ LA TROVA
Neighborhood: Calle Ocho
Address: 971 SW 8th St
Cuisine: Cuban
Cafe La Trova is a vibrant, festive, modern Cuban destination in the heart of Little Havana. With cuisine from James Beard award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and a bar program from world-renowned Julio Cabrera. You might not be able to have a deep conversation here but if you’re looking for live music and ambiente, this is a great spot.
It’s also perfect for large groups because you won’t break the bank. You can share empanadas, croquetas, and sliders; while sipping on some of the best tropical cocktails, you will find in Miami.
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RED ROOSTER OVERTOWN
Neighborhood: Overtown
Address: 920 NW 2nd Ave
Cuisine: Southern
Chef Marcus Samuelsson has brought his soulful Southern flavors from Harlem to Overtown Miami with his second outpost of Red Rooster.
The food and music are as lively and vibrant as the venue. So plan a night out here with a big group of friends. It’s the sort of place that will make you fall in love with Miami, all over again. Oh, and you’ll for sure be dancing in your seat.
The Southern classics can be found on the menu. Think Mac n Cheese with aged cheddar and Cornbread with jalapeño honey butter. Chef Tristen Epps is also putting a modern spin on dishes like the “chicken-fried” green tomatoes with lemon pepper jelly, Overtown combac’ sauce, and trout roe. Must orders include Deviled Eggs with chicharron, caviar, and mustard as well as the Fire-Roasted Wagyu Oxtail (served whole), a generous portion, where sharing is recommended.
Also, if it’s someone’s birthday, order the Sundae with Neapolitan ice cream, housemade donuts, cookie dough bites, caramel corn, dulce de leche, and rainbow sprinkles. It will come with a giant sparkler that will embarrass the birthday queen or king but also put a smile on your pretty little face.
If you’re not ready to go home yet, grab a drink at The Pool Hall, Red Rooster’s speakeasy lounge. It’s reminiscent of that really cool basement that your friend’s never had. An adults-only refuge. With elegant yet comfortable furniture, a pool table, and a flashing sign announcing “old fashion’ but good!”
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TIGRE
Neighborhood: Little River
Address: 620 NE 78th St
Cuisine: Argentinian
Tigre is a modern Argentinan concept inspired by traditional Buenos Aires cafes and neighborhood bistros or “bodegones”. The outdoor deck by the Miami River is where you want to sit with your big group.
The menu includes small plates of Argentinian classics with a modern approach. We’d get the palmito salad (grilled heart of palm, radicchio, shaved fennel & parmesan, preserved lemon vinaigrette) and remolachas al rescoldo (coal-roasted beets, cashew yogurt, tangerine, roasted hazelnuts, and mint).
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DC PIE CO
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1010 Brickell Ave Suite 200
Cuisine: Italian, pizza
If you love Brooklyn-style pizza, then you need to stop by DC Pie in Brickell. This is for those looking for an easy, laid-back night out. We love the idea of sharing the summer salad with bleu cheese, grapes, and pistachios; the eggplant parm, and the sweet hot wings with bleu cheese. Order a few pies for the table with your choice of toppings. We love the long hots, pepperoni, basil, and of course some mushrooms.
If you’re feeling the night and want to keep drinking, make your way to Dom’s, DC Pie’s Bar, after your meal. And if it’s Thursday you’re singing karaoke.
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BYBLOS
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 1545 Collins Ave
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Located at the Royal Palm Hotel on South Beach, Byblos has been a longtime favorite. The interior is sensual and Mediterranean, with blue and gold accents. The outdoor patio is fantastic for dining al fresco. It’s also a great dinner spot if you’re planning a long night on the Beach.
The menu delivers on the food front with delicious Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. We love the Turkish Kale Salad, the Hummus Royale, and the Short Rib Kebab with truffle tzatziki, chemen, pine nut dukkah, and oregano.
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GRAZIANO’S
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 394 Giralda Ave
Cuisine: Argentinean, Italian, steakhouse
Martinis, steak, and the best sobremesa in Miami?! That’s Graziano’s. This classic Argentinian steakhouse is where you want to spend a birthday with your family and/or friends. No one is going to rush you out of here.
Consider this the roasting fest of your dreams. It’s a Parrillada with certified Angus beef, raised by three-generation family ranchers, and naturally aged for at least 21 days.
We love the Mussels with Leeks in a Marsala wine sauce, the melted Provoleta cheese, the Polenta with parmesan in a tomato sauce, and the Mashed Potato. Get enough Skirt Steak and Picanha for the table! For dessert, order the Crepes with dulce de leche.
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KYU
Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 251 NW 25th St
Cuisine: Asian
A classic never goes out of style and that’s the case for KYU. One of the few original spots that still has remained open since 2016 in Wynwood. Known for its diverse menu, exceptional cocktails, and a throwback playlist that gives you good vibes. It’s great for a birthday dinner with friends, just make sure to book this one with time.
Some of our favorite dishes include Hamachi Crispy Rice, Korean Fried Chicken with braised spinach, and Roasted Cauliflower with goat cheese, shishito, and herb vinaigrette. And of course, you’re blowing out a candle with a slice of Coconut Cake.
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