If you’re a foodie and you happen to find yourself in South Beach, consider it your lucky day, because it’s likely that you’re only a few steps away from a great place to enjoy some of the finest cuisine in South Florida. A foodie’s paradise, South Beach covers a range of options, from homemade pasta and Mediterranean fare to Argentinian cuts of steak and fusion cuisine that creatively combines the best of our local bounty. 

Although it would be impossible to include all of the great restaurants you can find in South Beach, our local team whipped up this list that includes a bit of everything, including some of the Michelin Star restaurants in Miami. Now, grab your fork and knife and come with us as we go through the list of the best restaurants in South Beach.

Mila

1636 Meridian Ave., Rooftop

Why we love it: celebrity chic meets inspired dining

Embracing the beauty of the five elements in both cuisine and your dining environment, MILA offers a multi-sensory experience filled with eclectic blends of Balearic music, tasteful dishes, and bespoke mixology, with an excellent wine list to boot. Enjoy cuisine inspired by Asian and Mediterranean influences, under the helm of 26 Michelin-Star Chef Michaël Michaelidis.

Dishes are served in the informal izakaya dining style, meaning they are meant to be shared at the table, in an energetic and open rooftop setting, where your celebrity company will be just as memorable as your meal. 

Macchialina

820 Alton Rd.

Why we love it: traditional Italian with a local spice

Since opening in 2012, this understated locale has made a name for itself in the busy South Beach scene thanks to its soulful food and great service. Chef Michael Pirolo manages to get the rustic charm of traditional Italian cuisine with a contrasting elegance that has captivated the hearts of food critics and amateurs alike. Here, you’ll enjoy delectable Italian and Mediterranean cuisine featuring fresh, handmade pasta inspired by seasonal, local ingredients, with indoor and outdoor seating and a great collection of wines sourced from boutique growers. Make reservations to make sure you get a table.

Joe’s Stone Crab

11 Washington Ave.

Why we love it: older than Miami Beach itself and simply the best stone crabs

One of the coolest restaurants in South Beach, Joe’s continues to draw crowds year round for the freshest seafood, key lime pie, and other classics. And it’s a can’t miss during season for its famed stone crab. Originally established as a lunch counter in 1913, Joe’s was around before Miami Beach was incorporated as a city and grew into the Beach’s most enduring restaurant thanks to fresh seafood, a signature Bloody Mary, and legendary stone crabs. Reservations are required for indoor or outdoor dining. But their take-out counter just next door is a local favorite.

Abbalé Telavivian Kitchen

864 Commerce St.

Why we love it: Middle East meets the Mediterranean

Abbalé (meaning “two fathers”) is located in the elite South of Fifth neighborhood of Miami Beach. Although it is inspired by Israeli cuisine, it makes the most of the whole Middle Eastern-Mediterranean region with dishes that inspire and surprise. Once you add that sophisticated South Beach flair, you’ll find that Abbalé creates a delicious and unique dining experience, with an emphasis on healthy eating and the freshest local ingredients. 

RED South Beach

801 South Pointe Dr.

Why we love it: best steak in town

RED South Beach is a favorite among Miami locals and features among the best steakhouses in lists by Time Out Magazine and Eater. In a sexy and sophisticated setting that features an expansive outdoor dining terrace, RED serves upscale steak, seafood, surf & turf dishes, pasta, and tropical cocktails, along with an extensive wine list and signature desserts. Besides being one of the top South Beach restaurants, they also have a butcher shop where you can get those amazing cuts to take home.

Orilla Bar and Grill 

426 Euclid Ave.

Why we love it: inspiring Argentinian

This chic Latin fusion venue serves steak and grilled specialties featuring Argentine cuts of meat and fresh seafood, combining bold Latin flavors with European culinary techniques, along with a varied wine list and an array of signature tropical cocktails and exquisite desserts, all served in a casual upscale setting with outdoor seating options. 

Lucali

1930 Bay Rd.

Why we love it: wood-fire oven pizza delight

As far as pizza goes, this can be one of the best places in all of South Beach. After a successful run in Brooklyn, Lucali opened up shop in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood to great acclaim. Although simple, the key to this pizza is its handmade dough, perfect sauce, and delicious toppings, all perfectly cooked in a wood-fired oven. For dinner, make sure to get your reservation as lines can go for a while. Or, if you’d rather just walk in, come at lunchtime.

Stubborn Seed

101 Washington Ave.

Why we love it: a true Michelin experience

We could not leave out one of the first restaurants to receive a Michelin Star out of the list of the best restaurants in South Beach! And we’re not including Stubborn Seed just because of that. Chef Jeremy Ford’s cozy, understated establishment makes dining a true pleasure with a tasting menu that offers an eight-course meal that changes constantly depending on his inspiration at the moment and the local ingredients at hand. Save this one for a special occasion!

Carbone

49 Collins Ave.

Why we love it: exciting American-Italian tastes with attitude

Carbone takes Italian cuisine and brings it to another level. No wonder there is one in every exciting city in the world: Las Vegas, New York, Dallas, Hong Kong, and obviously South Beach. The key here is the punch that founders Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick manage to infuse in their classic American-Italian dishes, which in the hands of anyone else could turn into a snoozefest. Don’t forget to try the spicy rigatoni in a vodka sauce. 

Tropezón

512 Española Way

Why we love it: cozy and spirited tapas and drinks

Bringing Andalusian flair and honoring its street’s name, Tropezón on Española Way is a can’t-miss stop for drinking and dining. Its menu honors the most traditional Spanish tapas with a selection that includes paella, patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, or pan con tomate. For drinks, the star of the show is the gin but they also have a great selection of wines and cocktails. Get some friends and you’re all set for an unforgettable night.  

The Lido Bayside Grill

40 Island Ave 

Why we love it: 100% local on the water

Are there so many Miami South Beach restaurants that it’s hard to choose one for your special night? Why don’t you try the Lido? A local’s favorite, tucked into the Standard Hotel and Spa in the quiet Venetian Islands, the Lido offers waterfront dining on a spacious deck overlooking Biscayne Bay with a distinctly European vibe. Think South Beach meets St. Tropez. Serving a menu of health-conscious dishes that feature locally sourced ingredients, it has line-caught sustainable fish and seafood, with an array of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Even the house coffee is locally sourced and roasted here in Miami. 

The Bazaar by José Andrés

1701 Collins Ave. #100

Why we love it: fantastic fusion

Unique tapas that combine Spanish, Asian, and Caribbean influences, crafted by noted international chef José Andrés, are paired with an excellent wine list and colorful cocktails in a playful, historic ambiance that personifies the celebratory spirit of South Beach. Set inside the SLS Hotel South Beach, an unforgettable evening of fine dining and good cheer awaits you at the Bazaar!

Planta 

850 Commerce St

Why we love it: delicious 100% plant-based dining experience

Focusing on fresh, healthy cuisine and harnessing the power of plants to nurture and sustain human life, Planta is an eco-conscious, sustainable eatery set in a beautiful, art deco-inspired setting. Planta features exquisite sushi, ceviches, burgers, noodles, pizzas, poke bowls, and more, all created from fresh local, seasonal produce, and served in a lush rooftop garden. In fact, the on-site garden actually supplies many of the fresh fruits and veggies that will end up on your plate! 

Stiltsville Fish Bar

1787 Purdy Ave.

Why we love it: a true local seafood bar

Located in the heart of the laid-back Sunset Harbour neighborhood, Stiltsville Fish Bar is the quintessential South Beach fish joint, serving exquisite, fresh fish and seafood in a relaxed indoor-outdoor setting. Locals come in droves to catch the sunset while enjoying top-quality seafood and Floribbean-inspired cocktails while dining in an upscale yet relaxed indoor-outdoor atmosphere.

The Den at Azabu Miami Beach

161 Ocean Drive

Why we love it: sushi with Michelin stars

Almost like South Beach’s best-kept secret, The Den hides behind a sliding door at Azabu Sushi, inside the Stanton Hotel. Here, you’ll find an omakase experience in the hands of the most expert Tokyo-trained chefs who work with flown-in fish to create authentic Japanese compositions and sushi in its purest form, unlike what you get at most places. 

To enjoy this Michelin-starred concept, make sure to make reservations as there are only two seatings per night and a limited number of spots available.

More Restaurants to Discover in and Around South Beach

Next time you’re thinking about dining out in the city, take this guide to the best restaurants in South Beach and make sure to try them all. If you’re feeling adventurous, we also have a guide on the best restaurants in Edgewater for you to try!

 

Unfortunately, the only downside of dining out in Miami is the difficulty in deciding where to go, with hundreds of delicious dining options, all beckoning and tempting your taste buds. But we’re more than happy to try new places, so follow us on social media and tell us what you think about these recommendations or if you have some of your own!