Iconic Dining on Ocean Drive

Ocean Drive beckons visitors day and night thanks to its beautifully preserved Art Deco hotels and electric energy in the heart of South Beach. For anyone seeking out the best restaurants in Miami, this famous stretch offers a mix of Cuban comfort food and classic Italian, as well as beachfront brunches, immersive dinner shows and so much more. Save this restaurant list for the next time you’re in town or after a quick dip in the Atlantic.

Havana 1957

Craving croquetas, picadillo and an ice-cold mojito? Relive the glory of 1950s Cuba at Havana 1957. Enjoy live music and vintage memorabilia in the main dining room, or choose to sit on the outdoor patio, which is prime for Miami Beach people-watching.

Discover the spirit of the country via flavorful favorites like ropa vieja, lechon asado, vaca frita and fried yucca. Don’t leave without ordering a Cuban espresso, which will keep you energized for the next adventure on your list.

Meet Dalia Miami

Meet Dalia Miami pairs Mediterranean flavors with New American flair at its beachfront locale housed inside a remodeled Art Deco building. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner on the outdoor terrace.

For dinner, dig into a whole crispy-fried snapper or an organic half chicken with Greek lemon potatoes and chimichurri. On Saturdays and Sundays, brunch kicks off at noon with lobster eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles, Greek omelets and shakshuka.

Gianni’s at The Villa Casa Casuarina

Few meals in Miami Beach feel as iconic as the one you’ll have inside the former Versace Mansion. Gianni’s at The Villa Casa Casuarina seats you for a meal amid one of South Beach’s most recognizable landmarks. Choose between several elegant dining spaces, including a Greek-themed Moroccan room, the formal Medusa dining room and the mosaic garden, which overlooks the grand mosaic pool.

The Italian Mediterranean menu leans into the drama of the setting, with octopus carpaccio and artichoke alla Romana to start, and Dover sole, Australian lamb chops and lobster spaghetti to follow.

J’Adore Miami Beach

A historic building on Ocean Drive sets the scene for J’Adore Miami Beach, an immersive dining experience that blends Old Havana’s Golden Era with Las Vegas’ fanfare in a distinctly Miami way.

Come for coastal Latin cuisine like black grouper and Peri Peri chicken, and stay for the interactive performances that unfold across first-floor lounges, upstairs bars and a central staircase. A three-course VIP prix-fixe menu is available on performance nights.

News Cafe

Among the most enduring Ocean Drive restaurants, News Cafe helped shape South Beach’s revival in the 1990s – back when the late fashion icon Gianni Versace was known to stroll over from his mansion just down the street. Located inside The Tony Hotel South Beach, the restaurant remains a favorite for coffee, people-watching and lingering over a meal at any hour. 

Menu items pay homage to the iconic newsstand that opened in 1988, with breakfast standouts like café con leche French toast topped with colada syrup and piña colada pancakes finished with grilled pineapple and toasted coconut. Lunch, dinner and two daily happy hours keep the energy going.

LT South Beach

Located inside The Betsy Hotel, a charming boutique property known for its arts programming, LT South Beach blends upscale dining with relaxed South Beach style. Celebrated chef Laurent Tourondel helms the popular restaurant, infusing international flavors with techniques from France, Asia and Latin America. Pull up a chair in the Art Deco dining room or opt to sit outside on the front porch overlooking Ocean Drive.

Dinner favorites include The Betsy crabcake and grilled Spanish octopus, as well as the award-winning Boucher Burger and linguine pomodoro classico with burrata di Bufala. Go for the crème fraîche panna cotta with Key lime sauce, coconut tuile and coconut lime sorbet for a refreshing finish. The Cuban flan with cafecito gelato and a sweet filo croquant is another indulgent option.

Oh! Mexico

Since 1997, Oh! Mexico has built a loyal following for its fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine. Some days, you’ll catch mariachi bands performing; On Tuesday afternoons, it’s all about the $4 tacos, like baja fish and slow-braised birria.

Sit on the patio and savor additional favorites like fajitas, flautas or shredded mole chicken. Cap it all off with an adult treat: The watermelon-blackberry pop combines tequila, lemon and jalapeño, served in a Tajín-rimmed glass with a watermelon popsicle.

Buddy’s Burger

The smell of smash burgers will draw you in before you spot the bold red-and-white booths at this vintage American diner. Buddy’s Burger is the place for a quick lunch after the beach, a relaxed date night or a late-night bite on Ocean Drive. 

The menu offers classic Americana in a nostalgic setting: juicy handcrafted burgers, crispy fries, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and hand-spun shakes, making it a reliable stop among the many South Beach restaurants lining Ocean Drive.