Best Dock and Dine Restaurants in Miami

For breathtaking views, relaxed vibes and ocean-inspired eats, Miami restaurants on the water rank among the best in the world. Of course, for the most quintessentially Miami dining experience, nothing beats arriving by boat. Throughout Greater Miami and Miami Beach, you’ll find a range of dock-and-dine spots where you can pull up, hop off and take in an excellent meal and drinks right on the water. Whether it’s a classic seafood restaurant, breezy Mediterranean with a lively scene or a laid-back dive under a thatched roof, these are the Miami waterfront dining destinations to bookmark for your next epic boat day.

The Rusty Pelican

A Key Biscayne icon everyone should visit at least once, The Rusty Pelican has been around for more than 50 years. Located off the Rickenbacker Causeway on Virginia Key, it boasts stunning views of surrounding Biscayne Bay and the Downtown Miami skyline, especially at sunset. Simply dock your boat at the adjacent Rickenbacker Marina (call ahead to ensure availability).

Expect fresh, local seafood at this classic spot for celebrations, such as gorgeous seafood towers, sushi and sashimi, surf-and-turf with filet mignon and lobster tail, and of course, whole Florida snapper. Weekend brunch brings inventive takes, like 24-karat lobster and crab cake Benedicts and bottomless mimosas. Sunset hour with craft sips takes place at the bar, but there’s nothing quite like taking it all in outdoors. 

Zuma Miami

Enjoy upscale, izakaya-style Japanese cuisine overlooking the Miami River at Zuma Miami, a chic and lively indoor-outdoor gem located at the base of the Kimpton EPIC Hotel. Docking couldn’t be easier at the EPIC Marina, conveniently located at the edge of Downtown Miami.

Order from an extensive list of sushi, warm dishes from the robata grill, like roasted lobster with shiso ponzu butter and pork belly with yuzu mustard miso, plus several wagyu selections, like gyoza with black truffle and a 10-ounce wagyu skirt steak with shiso chimichurri. Or let the chef decide with signature and premium omakase options. Japanese-inspired drinks include the Zuma Mai Tai and Yuzu Paloma. 

Kiki on the River

With Greek cuisine in an open-air setting and decor that makes every moment Instagrammable, you’ll want to check on dock space availability before you cruise into Kiki on the River in Downtown Miami. Once you’re tied off, enter a world that merges the vibrant energy of Mykonos and the magic of Miami.

As a DJ cranks the tunes, nosh on dips, Greek salad, meatballs, baked feta and gyro bites, followed by a large platter of sea bass or the shareable 40-ounce tomahawk steak. There’s also a grand seafood tower and caviar service. Brunch has shakshuka, Aegean French toast and Champagne service with oysters, while spritzes, margaritas and mules flow during happy hour at the bar.

Monty’s Raw Bar Coconut Grove

Call the dockmaster in advance to arrange boat mooring during your visit to Monty’s Raw Bar, located in Coconut Grove's Dinner Key Marina. A feel-good, island-style escape, thatched tiki huts and live tunes set the laid-back mood, as does the roster of tropical and frozen cocktails, like Bahama Mamas, Rum Runners and Watermelon Sugar Mojitos.

One of the best seafood restaurants in Miami, Monty’s offers extensive raw bar options, including the popular peel-and-eat shrimp, seafood ceviche and stone crabs, when they’re in season. Comforting classics include house-smoked fish dip, mahi fingers, calamari and coconut shrimp. Fish and chips, fish tacos and seafood pasta round out the seafood offerings. There’s also a sail-away menu with various to-go platters, beer, wine and liquor. 

Casadonna 

Serving elegant coastal Italian along Biscayne Bay in bustling Edgewater, Casadonna resides in a Mediterranean Revival building – the same as the historic Miami Women’s Club (“casadonna” translates to “house of the woman.”) A dock-and-dine reservation here also includes a convenient valet option.

Time your visit to indulge in the Yacht Club Lunch menu, Wednesday's Tiny Tini Affair, La Dolce Happy Hour, Sunday Brunch on the Bay or regular dinner service. Level-up your visit with an Ora Dorata Spritz, Amalfi Lemonade or bottle of fine wine as you snack on tuna tartare, crispy baby artichokes and burrata with caviar to start. Try a variety of pasta dishes or chicken Milanese, roasted grouper or a premium steak. Finish with a tiramisu affogato, house gelato or the hazelnut-infused Rocher dessert. 

Seaspice 

The Miami River is also home to Seaspice, a waterfront brasserie with a classy nautical ambiance, where a dockmaster is waiting to greet you and your seafaring crew. Focused on sustainable ingredients and global flavors, it’s a see-and-be-seen destination where you might even spot a celebrity or two.

Dig into Spanish octopus a la plancha, wagyu dumplings, barbacoa-grilled oysters and an array of sushi and crudos to start. Pizzetas and salads keep a boat day light, or there’s pasta and risotto, a Mediterranean seafood casserole, salt-crusted fish and steaks cooked on volcanic hot stones for entrees. Both bottle and hookah service will encourage you to kick back and stay a while.

Klaw Miami

Known for its freshly imported Norwegian King Crab from the Barents Sea, Klaw Miami in Edgewater is where you’ll want to drop anchor if you’re into premium crustaceans – just be sure to call ahead to confirm availability at the private affiliated marina. You’ll also find an impressive menu of global beef cuts (think: American wagyu, Kobe beef, Australian wagyu and more), plus caviar service and plenty of raw bar action.

Up on the rooftop, enjoy more approachable happy hour bites and drinks as elevated as the views. We’re partial to the Nashi Highball, Peach Cobbler or Trip to Oaxaca cocktails, paired with beef tartare toast, truffled deviled eggs and Maine lobster rolls. 

Gramps Getaway

Boaters are welcome to dock at Rickenbacker Marina to get to Gramps Getaway, a fun and laid-back spot on Virginia Key, just north of Key Biscayne. Grab a seat under the al fresco tavern’s massive palapa (the former home of Whiskey Joe’s) and order a refreshing frozen or on-ice cocktail to pair with live DJ tunes and excellent views of the Miami waterfront.

For food, highlights include oysters chargrilled or on the half-shell, ceviche, chilled Key West jumbo pink shrimp, conch fritters and smoked fish dip. If you’re into handhelds, Gramps also serves top-tier versions of a blackened fish sandwich, lobster roll, smash burger and crispy chicken sandwich – but leaving room for the classic Key lime pie is an absolute must.