Miami's Top Waterfront Restaurants

Greater Miami and Miami Beach is renowned for its beautiful beaches, water views and culinary landscape, so it’s no surprise that the best restaurants in Miami include a gorgeous array of waterfront dining locations. From iconic, long-standing institutions to newer hotspots for foodies, these beachfront dining spots and waterfront restaurants in Miami are sure to excite your senses.

Seaspice Brasserie & Lounge

Located on the Miami River with views of the city skyline, Seaspice Brasserie & Lounge in Downtown Miami features an elevated menu of global cuisine alongside a raw bar, handcrafted cocktails, specialty wines and hookah service.

This festive waterfront restaurant is suited for a variety of tastes, offering everything from wagyu steak tartare and Hudson Valley foie gras to king crab ravioli and mushroom risotto. While you enjoy your meal, the sophisticated nautical décor, DJ sets and massive yachts add to the splashy atmosphere.

Amara at Paraiso

At James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz's Amara at Paraiso, guests are greeted with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay right as they walk through the door. Located in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood, Amara’s relaxed atmosphere, vibrant Latin flavors and beachy outdoor dining area make it a great choice for anyone seeking the quintessential Miami vibe.

Try dishes like yuca cheese puffs, half chicken a la brasa with aji verde and pickled onions, or the signature seafood parrillada with a half Maine lobster, giant prawns and local fish. 

Amara is a popular spot for waterfront brunch in Miami, and also has a large indoor-outdoor rooftop deck where the views are even more stunning.

Gramps Getaway

Nestled within the bustling Rickenbacker Marina on Virginia Key, Gramps Getaway is a fun and laidback dock-and-dine joint with a large waterfront deck and thatched tiki bar serving frozen cocktails, plus indoor seating if the weather takes an unexpected turn.

It’s an ideal perch to watch the boats come and go while dining on seriously good staples like wings, smoked fish dip, conch fritters and oysters. It’s also home to one of the best burgers in Miami and more creative fare, like a hot dog with miso honey mustard, jalapeño relish and crispy shallots. Live DJs keep the vibe funky, playing everything from ’80s hits to vintage Caribbean sounds on vinyl.

Avra Estiatorio Miami

Located in Sunny Isles Beach, Avra Estiatorio Miami channels the atmosphere of the Greek islands while embodying the luxury of Miami fine dining. The indoor dining room with its sleek design and stunning bougainvillea ceiling installation is a fabulous option, but the views of the Atlantic on the beachfront patio make for an unforgettable meal.

Avra’s Greece-born co-founder Nick Tsoulos incorporates generations old recipes into the restaurant’s menu, prioritizing a combination of olive oil, sea salt, fresh seafood and vegetables, with most ingredients sourced from artisanal producers throughout the Mediterranean. 

To add to the dining experience, patrons are invited to choose their own seafood from the ice display before it is cooked into the dish of their choice.

Rusty Pelican

A local institution, Rusty Pelican is renowned for its breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, thanks to its Key Biscayne location. Take in the stunning vistas through dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows or savor your meal on the waterside terrace. With arguably one of the best restaurant views in Miami and a menu of contemporary American cuisine and fresh seafood, Rusty Pelican is a go-to destination for first-time visitors and a favorite among locals.

Savor starters like caviar frites or fresh oysters from the raw bar. Entrées include grass-fed filet mignon, Chilean sea bass with smoked sweet plantain mash or a vegan miso cauliflower steak with beet hummus. Try the Rusty Pelican “Board For Two” with local whole crispy snapper, lobster and shrimp risotto and a New York strip steak.

Smith & Wollensky

Smith & Wollensky, an iconic steakhouse known for its prime cuts of beef and refined dining, requires little introduction. Located in South Pointe Park with views of cruise ships sailing in and out of PortMiami, it combines exceptional service with a menu featuring aged steaks and fresh seafood as well as an extensive wine list. Long considered one of the best dining destinations of Miami Beach, the elegant atmosphere, water views and top-notch cuisine make it a premier choice for special dinners and celebratory meals.

Delilah Miami

This Los Angeles import fits right in with the trendy crowds of its Brickell neighborhood. Located just over the bridge on Brickell Key, Delilah Miami sports beautiful waterfront and skyline views which are best enjoyed from the lush, tropical-glam patio. Inside, it’s a sultry supper club feel, with live performers setting the mood most nights.

No matter where you’re seated, enjoy the upscale menu of seafood and American classics, like shrimp cocktail, roasted lobster, crab cakes and a solid selection of steaks. You’ll also find nostalgic yet elevated items, like “pigs in a blanket” made with wagyu beef hot dogs and chicken tenders served with a sauce trio of spicy BBQ, buttermilk ranch and Zab's Hot Honey.

Joia Beach

Head to Joia Beach for beachfront dining in Miami. Located on Watson Island off the MacArthur Causeway, the restaurant is part of a private beach club that offers a secluded setting on Biscayne Bay. Joia Beach features several menus, including a fixed-price weekday lunch, happy hour, dinner and Sunday brunch. 

Enjoy fresh seafood, pasta, dishes from the land and handcrafted cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere with DJ beats and bottle service. Menu highlights include grilled Maine lobster with lemon butter, pistachio herb lamb chops and truffle French ravioli.

Zuma Miami

Nestled in Downtown Miami’s Kimpton EPIC Hotel is Zuma Miami, a contemporary Japanese restaurant with a view of the Miami River meeting Biscayne Bay. The restaurant offers a menu of Japanese classics like sushi and sashimi alongside seasonal dishes, specialty beef cuts, robata and omakase options.

Enjoy starters like stir-fried lemon and chili edamame or fried softshell crab with wasabi mayo before an entrée of wagyu gyoza with black truffle, grilled scallops with pickled plum, or Kurobuta pork belly with yuzu mustard miso. The popular weekend brunch features caviar upon arrival and numerous live cooking stations, plus a kids’ menu.

NOMA Beach at Redfish

NOMA Beach at Redfish, located in Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables, is the newest venture by celebrity chef and Iron Chef judge Donatella Arpaia. The menu at NOMA features a fusion of classic and modern seafood, focusing on fresh, seasonal fish, shellfish and other ingredients. 

Enjoy indoor or alfresco dining with bay views and menu items such as Manchego croquettes with fig conserva, hot honey glazed salmon with charred broccolini and Arpaia’s acclaimed crispy veal and beef meatballs in slow braised ragu.

Looking for more ideas? Explore more waterfront restaurants in Miami.