Best Places To Eat In Surfside

Surfside is a beachside enclave that combines a small-town feel with stunning high-rises and a resort atmosphere. 

If you’re planning your vacation in Surfside or just want to make it part of your Greater Miami & Miami Beach experience, you’ll find some of the destination’s best places to eat in this unique little beach town. 

From ice cream, kosher food and health-conscious offerings to high-end dining with spectacular views, these are the restaurants you’re sure to love.

MICHELIN-Starred Fine Dining at The Surf Club Restaurant

The crown jewel of Surfside dining is celebrated chef Thomas Keller’s original Miami-area outpost, The Surf Club Restaurant. The MICHELIN-starred spot at Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club is a venerable showcase of the culinary legend’s creations, where each meal is a splurge-worthy special occasion. 

Fresh seafood and Mediterranean-inspired specialties dominate the offerings, like Gulf prawn cocktail, hand-cut steak tartare, linguini alle vongole, and turbot grenobloise with brown butter and lemon. 

A team of the area’s top sommeliers will help you pair your meal with The Surf Club’s extensive wine list.

Poolside Bliss at Winston’s On The Beach

The Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club has a bevy of excellent restaurants, and if you’re looking to combine gourmet cuisine and tropical breezes, Winston’s On The Beach is the place to go. 

At the resort’s alfresco option, set right beside the tranquil pool, you can feast on light, fresh seafood and vegetable dishes while taking intermittent swim breaks. 

The ceviche can make a claim as one of Miami’s best, with local whitefish, cilantro and leche de tigre sauce. The lobster rolls and cauliflower tacos are both excellent choices that satisfy without weighing you down. 

And for those who enjoy a little lunchtime cocktail, the Surf Punch with Bacardi, Brugal 1888, Diplomatico Reserve Exclusive and pineapple tastes like a tropical vacation. 

The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Coastal Italian at Lido Restaurant at the Surf Club

Set amidst the frescos and beamed ceilings of the Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club’s circa 1930s main building, Lido Restaurant at The Surf Club brings coastal Italian flavors to Surfside’s most-historic restaurant. 

Begin your meal at the iconic Champagne Bar and enjoy some bubbly or a craft cocktail. Then move into the dining room, where Chef Marco Calenzo, a native of Florence, Italy, flashes his modern takes on traditional Italian fare. 

The bluefin tuna tartare with pistachio di bronte and citrus makes for a refreshing first course, followed by dry-aged Long Island duck with Bigarade sauce or any of the freshly made pastas.

Satisfying Twists on Deli Favorites at Josh’s Deli

Josh’s Deli, an unassuming deli on Harding Avenue, might seem like a simple little sandwich shop, a classic deli with some pastrami and chicken soup on the menu, but it’s home to some of the most creative breakfast and lunch dishes in the area and has become a stalwart of Surfside restaurants. 

This Glatt kosher restaurant first gained fame for its French toast, but it has become a spot for morning destination dining with its long list of bagel sandwiches and freshly baked breads. 

Later in the day, you’ll find deli meats by the pound, fresh-cooked burgers, and steak sandwiches interspersed with French and Chinese inspirations. 

Josh’s Deli is closed on the Jewish Sabbath, from Friday at 3:30 p.m. and all day Saturday.

Israel Meets Japan at Neya

Set just north of Miami’s largest Israeli community in North Beach, Surfside is a natural home for one of the region’s best Israeli restaurants, Neya. This kosher restaurant melds Asian flavors with Middle Eastern favorites. 

Begin your meal with yellowtail sashimi and tuna crispy rice, then move on to Mediterranean favorites like hummus and roasted eggplant with fresh pita. The flatbreads and pastas are not to be missed, whether you opt for the pappardelle with truffle and Jorden mushrooms or truffle chestnut flatbread. 

You’ll also find Miami’s deepest selection of Israeli wines. 

The restaurant is closed all day Friday and on Saturday until 9:30 p.m.

The Locals’ Favorite at Flanigan’s

No discussion of places to eat in Miami is complete without mentioning Flanigan’s, a South Florida steak and seafood institution with a location in Surfside. 

The wooden walls are covered with fishing photos and other nods to the nautical side of Miami, and Flanny’s classic dishes, like rib rolls, baby back ribs and garlic knots, are big reasons it’s a local mainstay. 

The place is very casual, and you’ll feel welcome even if you’re coming straight off the beach in your flip-flops. 

Make sure to order a fountain soda with your meal so you can go home with Flannigan’s iconic green cup.

Post-Beach Refreshment at Serendipity Creamery

One of Miami’s best home-grown, small-business success stories is Serendipity Creamery, a little ice cream shop just a few blocks from the beach. 

The kosher-certified creamery was founded by Surfside local Jessica Levinson in 2008 and has since become one of Florida’s most-prolific ice cream brands. You’ll find their products in Publix and other big grocery stores, but the best flavors are still at the Surfside original, where Levinson uses ingredients from local farms and shops, like Panther Coffee. 

It’s the ideal spot to cool off after a day at the beach and an absolute must if you’re traveling to Surfside with kids.

Omakase Mastery at Hikari

For sushi in Surfside, look no further than Hikari, one of Surfside’s newest restaurants and a kosher-certified gem. 

The best experience is either the 12- or 16-course omakase menu. You’ll get a sense of what the chefs can do with dishes like bluefin chu-toro tataki, oyster mushroom tempura and a special selection of nigiris. 

Those who like to order for themselves will find a welcoming menu of intriguing Japanese dishes, like the four-ounce Wagyu rib eye with truffle sansho pepper sauce or Chilean sea bass with ginger miso. 

The setting is elegant and opulent, with decor meant to evoke dining in a tropical rainforest as sun pours in from outside. 

The restaurant is closed on the Jewish Sabbath, from Friday at 4 p.m. until Saturday at 10 p.m.

Healthy Options at The Fresh Carrot

For fresh smoothies, healthy bowls and generally good-for-you eating options, The Fresh Carrot is the best choice in Surfside. 

This kosher-certified spot has a long menu of salads and wraps, filled with falafel, tuna, chicken breast and other lean proteins. 

Fresh Carrot also offers an inventive menu of stuffed sweet potatoes, packing them with chicken salad, roasted eggplant and other savory treats. 

The restaurant is closed on the Jewish Sabbath, from Friday at 4 p.m. and all day Saturday.

Discover more great places to eat in Miami.