Miami is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s surrounded by crystal blue and turquoise waters at almost every turn. And it’s moderate, tropical climate means we have incredible weather almost year round. On top of that, we’ve got international culture galore, and that means incredible cuisine. 

So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience on the water at one of the many waterfront restaurants in Miami, here is our updated list of our current favorites. Book your reservation now!

Best Waterfront Restaurants in Miami Beach

Lido Bayside Grill

40 Island Ave, South Beach

Overlooking the waters of Biscayne Bay at the Standard Hotel in the beautiful Venetian Islands, the Lido is one of the most popular waterfront restaurants in Miami Beach.  A favorite lunch, dinner, or happy our spot for friends to gather and relax over drinks and light fare, featuring an evolving menu of sustainable seafood, and fresh, seasonal produce that reflect the flavors of Miami Beach. 

Ocean Grill at the Setai

2001 Collins Avenue, South Beach

The Ocean Grill in Miami Beach features a covered waterfront dining area on an elevated deck with additional beachfront seating that allow you to bask in the Atlantic Ocean breezes while enjoying Mediterranean and Italian cuisine showcasing local and seasonal ingredients, wood-grilled prime meats and fish, pastas, risottos and pizzas. 

Joia Beach

1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Jungle Island

Joia Beach is Miami’s only private beachfront restaurant, set in a paradisiacal setting surrounded by lush palm groves on Jungle Island, the little island between South Beach and Mainland Miami. The menu features fresh caught fish and seafood, prime meats, an extensive raw bar, as well as weekly chef’s specials, all accompanied by live music and a unique, upscale ambiance.

Baia Beach Club

1100 West Avenue, South Beach

The Baia Beach Club at the Mondrian on West Avenue in South Beach, Baia Beach Club features panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, a rustic-chic ambiance, craft cocktails, and Mediterranean fare. There are several outdoor dining options to choose from, including The Deck, The Terrace, and The Greenhouse, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and/or dinner with an ocean view!

Artisan Beach House

10295 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour

The Artisan Beach House at the Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour provides a lavish waterfront dining experience, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Fresh local fish and seafood, alongside the best local produce, are combine in globally-inspired culinary creations. This is among Miami’s most exclusive waterfront restaurants and features a private dining room that can accommodate up to 180 guests in the posh neighborhood of Bal Harbour.

Lique

3957 NE 163rd St, North Miami Beach

Lique Miami Waterfront Restaurant in North Miami Beach provides an elegant waterfront dining experience with a varied international menu and excellent service. Private Dining opportunities are available, accommodating special events and parties of any size. 

Best Waterfront Restaurants in Brickell, Miami

La Mar

500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell Key

La Mar, the brainchild of acclaimed chef Gastón Acurio, offers a bounty of authentic and diverse Peruvian dishes, as well as exotic creations fusing novo-Andean and Asian-Peruvian cuisine, with indoor and outdoor dining areas overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline.  The elegance of Brickell Key makes La Mar one of Miami’s most popular upscale waterfront dining experiences.

Best Waterfront Restaurants in Downtown Miami & Edgewater

Verde at Perez Art Museum Miami

1103 Biscayne Blvd., Downtown Miami

One of our personal favorites, Verde is located on the sweeping bayfront deck at the beautiful Pérez Art Museum in Downtown Miami, surrounded by vertical gardens and panoramic views of Biscayne Bay. Verde features nouveau American and Mediterranean-inspired specialties by Chef Kaitlyn Bakefield, who also finds inspiration in Miami’s unique bounty of ingredients, cultural influences, and coastline. Don’t miss her signature pastries and Verde’s specialty craft cocktails, as well as the excellent wine list.

Amara at Paraíso

3101 NE 7th Ave., Edgewater

Amara at Paraíso, directly overlooking Biscayne Bay in Edgewater, is another of Miami’s most prized waterfront restaurants, serving bold Latin American fusion cuisine prepared with fresh coastal ingredients and inspired by South Florida’s bounty of diverse food cultures. Amara is all about celebrating Miami, a love letter to our beautiful city and its vast array of flavors.

Klaw

1737 N Bayshore Dr, Edgewater

Upscale sophistication defines this newly opened spot in Edgewater at the site of the beautifully-restored historic Miami Women’s Club, overlooking the waters of Biscayne Bay.  With specialties such as dry-aged steaks and king crab legs served on the bar’s outdoor patio and in the spacious dining room with views of Biscayne Bay.  Certainly pricy, but known for its excellent service, it’s worth a visit to this historic location.

Best Waterfront Restaurants in the Miami River District

Kiki on the River

450 NW N River Dr., Miami River

One of the most unique waterfront restaurants in Miami, Kiki’s is an authentic Greek and Mediterranean restaurant overlooking the Miami River and located on the site of one of Miami’s oldest fish markets.  In honor of its humble origins, a menu of classic Mediterranean specials elaborated by award-winning chef Steve Rhee is served on a rustic-chic 150-foot riverfront dock.

Seaspice

412 NW N River Dr., Miami River

Another waterfront restaurant on the Miami River, Seaspice serves hearty wood-fired casseroles and brasserie specialties along with signature cocktails amid the tranquil and natural beauty of the Miami River with views of the downtown skyline. 

Garcia’s Seafood Grill and Fish

450 NW N River Dr., Miami River

Garcia’s is one of the oldest and most popular waterfront restaurants in Miami, and for as long as we’ve been going there, it has always been unfailingly excellent. Overlooking the Miami River, this family-owned waterfront restaurant has been serving up no-frills Cuban and Floribbean-inspired fresh fish and seafood since 1966!

Best Waterfront Restaurants in Key Biscayne

Rusty Pelican

3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne

Definitely one of the flagship waterfront restaurants in Miami, the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne has been around for decades, and you may remember it from its appearances on Miami Vice. Yet this sophisticated local icon constantly reflects the energy of contemporary Miami. Known for its fresh local seafood and classic American cuisine, along with craft cocktails and one of the most dazzling views of Biscayne Bay in all of Miami, you’ll enjoy the elegance and top-notch service that have made the Rusty Pelican a must-have Miami experience for over 50 years.

Best Waterfront Restaurants in Coconut Grove

Bellini 

2988 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove

Bellini, at the Mr. C Hotel in Coconut Grove, features some of Miami’s finest haute Italian cuisine on a breezy deck with expansive views of Biscayne Bay and the Coconut Grove skyline. Enjoy their famous Cipriani platters as well as cocktails and prime Italian wines.

Monty’s Raw Bar

2550 S Bayshore Dr., Coconut Grove

Monty's is another Miami icon located in the Grove that has been around since 1969 and you will undoubtedly recall it from its appearances on Miami Vice and practically any other TV show that has ever showcased life in Miami. Known for its laid-back ambiance, live music, and lively happy hours, as well as the raw bar and grilled surf and turf specialties, Monty’s is what Miami is all about. Get there by land or by sea, as Monty’s is one of Miami's top boat-up restaurants!

However, if you’re interested in a true luxury dining experience in Coconut Grove, then you should check out the list of Michelin star rated restaurants in Miami.

Best Waterfront Restaurants in Coral Gables

Red Fish

9610 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables

Photo courtesy of Miami and Beaches

Located at Matheson Hammock Park & Marina, Redfish Grill is the only waterfront restaurant in Coral Gables and serves up a seasonal menu of fresh local fish and seafood specialties. A favorite neighborhood happy hour known for its signature cocktails, catch the sunset over Biscayne Bay and enjoy the view.

While these are not by any means all of the best waterfront restaurants in Miami, we figure it’s a digestible list to give you an idea of the many price point options and varieties of food available for waterfront dining in Miami.