Best Places To Eat In Surfside

Surfside combines the charm of a little seaside community with the sophistication of a high-rise metropolis. The neighborhood just north of Miami Beach is bolstered by the fabulous Four Seasons Surf Club Hotel, one of the top luxury hotels in Greater Miami and Miami Beach. But there’s so much more to explore here, including some of the destination’s best restaurants.

These prized places to eat in Surfside range from a homegrown ice cream shop to kosher sushi and pizza, and even a MICHELIN-starred spot. Whether you’re looking for oceanfront dining in Miami or just a place to refuel after a day at the beach, this guide has just the Surfside restaurant you crave.

The Surf Club Restaurant

The destination for fine dining in Surfside is Thomas Keller’s original Miami-area outpost, The Surf Club Restaurant, which has retained its MICHELIN Star each year since the guide arrived in Miami. Located at the Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, it’s a venerable showcase of the culinary legend’s talents, where each meal is a splurge-worthy special occasion.

Fresh seafood and Mediterranean-inspired specialties dominate the Continental offerings, like Gulf prawn cocktail, hand-cut steak tartare, braised beef and forest mushroom lasagna, and Dover sole Meuneire. The vibe is classically glamorous, like you might spy Don Draper tipping back a stiff drink at the next table during your meal. Reserve this historic stunner of a restaurant for special occasions.

Winston’s On The Beach

The Four Seasons Surf Club has a bevy of excellent food options, and if you’re looking for Surfside beach dining, Winston’s On The Beach is an excellent choice. The resort’s more casual al fresco restaurant is set right beside the tranquil pool, where you can feast on fresh seafood and vegetable dishes while taking intermittent swim breaks.

The ceviche ranks Miami’s best, made with branzino, cilantro and leche de tigre sauce. The poke bowl and cauliflower tacos are both delicious dishes that satisfy without weighing you down. For a little lunchtime cocktail, the boozy Surf Punch made with three different rums and pineapple tastes like a tropical vacation. Or opt for a custom smoothie for something healthy by the pool.

Lido Restaurant at the Surf Club

Set amidst the frescos and beamed ceilings of the hotel’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.

After, move into the dining room, where Florence, Italy-born chef Marco Calenzo 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 wagyu beef carpaccio, milk-fed veal Milanese, ossobuco with saffron risotto or any of the freshly made pastas.

Café Ragazzi

Sometimes a Florida beach vacation just calls for some good, old-fashioned Italian-American food at the end of the night. In Surfside, the spot to get it is Café Ragazzi. This neighborhood favorite has all the staples, with a brick oven, white tablecloths and a big list of pastas. Expect warm service and generous portions.

Café Ragazzi brings a little Miami twist, too. Its owner is singer Ricardo Montaner, and the walls are covered with pictures of his famous friends, many of whom have eaten there. This is the kind of place where you’ll feel like a regular even if it’s your first time.

Neya

Set amid Miami’s largest concentration of Jewish residents, Surfside is a natural home for one of the region’s best Israeli restaurants, Neya. This Kosher restaurant isn’t just your standard lineup of hummus and falafel; its expansive menu is laced with Asian influence, too, making it a culinary experience unlike few others.

Start out with branzino and falafel served with tahini and cucumber, or yellowtail sashimi with Jerusalem artichoke and white truffle. Mains are equally intriguing, with offerings like sea bass souvlaki and cabbage cacio e pepe. The Syrian cheese samosa is a must with any order, served with zaatar and tomato vinaigrette. You’ll also find Miami’s deepest selection of Israeli wines.

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 Miami’s nautical side, and the prices here are just as friendly as the service.

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 the restaurant’s iconic green souvenir cup. 

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 Serendipity products in select Publix stores and other big grocers, 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 treat yourself after a day at the beach, and an absolute must if you’re traveling to Surfside with kids.

Fialkoff's Kosher Pizza

Those looking for the best pizza in Surfside will do well to check out Fialkoff's Kosher Pizza. This kosher pizza spot, a longtime favorite among New Yorkers, finally opened its first Florida outpost in Surfside in 2022. It’s since gained acclaim for its authentic New York-style pizza, with crispy, thin crust, spicy sauce and kosher cheese. Beyond the traditional cheese pies, Fialkoff's also offers specialty pizzas like spinach ricotta, vegetable supreme and even deep dish. If you don’t feel like leaving your hotel or apartment, Fialkoff's delivers everywhere in Surfside.

Hikari

For sushi in Surfside, look no further than Hikari, one of the neighborhood’s finest 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. Or go a la carte with a menu of intriguing Japanese dishes, ranging from wagyu short rib gyoza to miso black cod. There’s also a large menu of classic and original maki rolls, including an entire vegan maki menu. The opulent dining room has been designed to evoke a tropical rainforest as sun pours in from outside.

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. The setting is casual: order and pull up a seat at the counter, or take your haul with you for a fresh, grab-and-go beach picnic.