Best Places To Eat On Key Biscayne

Drive across the scenic Rickenbacker Causeway and you’ll find yourself in the subtropical paradise of Key Biscayne. Perfectly positioned off the coast of mainland Miami, with idyllic views of the urban skyline reflecting off of Biscayne Bay, this little island is an oasis of opulent residences, golden beaches and nature preserves – all with a chic yet low-key vibe. You’ll also find a wonderful range of casual and fine dining restaurants, promising delicious food, an intimate atmosphere, top-notch service and dazzling vistas. These are our picks for the top restaurants in Key Biscayne.

Luma

Set off the grand lobby of the The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne in a lovely indoor-outdoor dining room overlooking the Atlantic, Luma serves modern Italian cuisine with a coastal touch. Share a few pastas, like squid ink pasta with lobster or spaghetti alle vongole, or go big with the branzino del mediterraneo for two. On weekends, Luma’s Dolce Vita brunch is a treat. Don’t miss the Nutella and caramelized banana French toast. For a nightcap, head next door to the hotel’s Rum Bar, redesigned to evoke a stylish Old Havana social club, for a classic rum bar daiquiri, plus small plates, like crab cake or meatballs.

Paralía

Down on the sand at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Paralía is an oceanfront Mediterranean restaurant that feels like a trip to the Greek Isles, with market umbrellas, ocean breezes and a fire pit for lingering after sunset. Start with a spread of meze, including hummus, spicy cheese dip and spinach pie, then move on to grilled prawns, lamb shank, or the savory gyro chicken platter. Pair it all with a Fig Leaf Spritz. For a more casual bite before sunset, kick off your shoes at the hotel’s Dune Beach Bar for toes-in-the-sand dining. Order the signature Dune Classic burger or fresh ceviche, and cool off with a frozen Crandon Park Colada.

Rusty Pelican

Rusty Pelican is one of Miami’s most iconic restaurants. Known for its elegant waterfront setting with floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor dining, it boasts impeccable views of Biscayne Bay and Downtown Miami’s skyline.

Pair your views with a margarita and choose from Rusty Pelican’s extensive menu of contemporary American fare and seafood. If you’re on a dinner date, consider the Rusty Pelican Board for Two: whole fried snapper, lobster and shrimp risotto and New York Strip.

Gramps Getaway

Gramps Getaway is perched on the same marina as Rusty Pelican. A dockside, tiki-style bar and restaurant with a come-as-you-are attitude, Gramps Getaway's views are as impressive as the food.

Order classics like smoked fish dip and oysters alongside elevated hits like roasted prawns, smoked jerk chicken and coffee-rubbed skirt steak with Jimmy Nardello peppers. Add to that frosty beers and frozen cocktails, and you and your crew are in for a fun afternoon in a fantastically salty Key Biscayne setting.

El Gran Inka

Hailing from Costa Rica, El Gran Inka is a Peruvian restaurant in Key Biscayne with a modern twist. Choose from ceviches, tiraditos, parihuela fish soup, beef stir fry lomo saltado or snapper a la plancha.

Be sure to pair your meal with a classic pisco sour, which is made with a brandy-like liqueur produced in Peru. The restaurant’s décor features original Nazca paintings and masks that offer a peek into Peru’s ancient history and culture.

Novecento

An elegant Argentinean bistro with European sensibilities, Novecento is a Miami classic. Start your meal here with beef empanadas, ceviche and crispy fried tostones, then move onto main courses, which include a variety of steaks and pastas.

A hungry group will love the traditional Picada Criolla tasting platter designed for sharing, which includes grilled skirt steak, chicken, chorizo and a sampling of empanadas, served with homemade chimichurri sauce. There’s also an excellent menu of fresh, homemade pastas. Add to that a bottle of Argentinian wine and you’ve got yourself a feast.

The Cleat

For a tropical tiki bar experience that feels miles from the city’s hustle and bustle, The Cleat sits on a beach at No Name Harbor in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. A central bar shaded by a palapa anchors picnic tables right on the sand, where you can sip and listen to live music as the sun sets over Biscayne Bay. It’s an utterly transportive experience. The menu is all about tapas made for sharing. Order a round of ceviche, tuna tartare, empanadas and shrimp cocktail, and settle in for the sunset.

Boater’s Grill

Just around the harbor, Boater’s Grill is a longtime local favorite perched over the water, where boaters tie up at the dock for lunch. The menu leans seafood with a Latin twist, and the star is the whole fried snapper. The seafood paella and lobster and shrimp asopao, a soupy Caribbean-style rice, are also great for sharing, and you can start with conch fritters or tostones.

Sir Pizza

A classic Key Biscayne staple since 1969, Sir Pizza serves up delicious pizzas, subs, pastas and salads to a loyal following. The Royal Feast pizza is the way to go. It’s Sir’s version of the supreme and made with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions and green peppers. Locals know to order it with a side of Ranch dressing for dipping.

The blankets are another popular item. These calzone-like creations are stuffed with any manner of meat, cheese and veggie combinations.

Donut Gallery Diner

A family-run diner passed down through the generations since 1971, the Donut Gallery is a warm and comforting place to enjoy breakfast and lunch. Slide into a booth or snag a stool at the counter and order up your favorite breakfast staples, from eggs, pancakes and bacon to hashbrowns, grits and omelets.

There are plenty of combinations and specialties to choose from. At lunchtime, it’s hard to resist the Philly cheesesteak sandwich, BLT or grilled cheese. It’s a true holdout of the classic American diner and a real treat.

La Boulangerie Boul’ Mich

Named for a famous Parisian boulevard, La Boulangerie Boul’ Mich has been a fixture of Key Biscayne for over 20 years. This spot bakes up gorgeous artisanal French pastries with a Latin twist, from pain au chocolat to pasteles with guava and cream cheese, plus empanadas, quiche and more.

It also serves an all-day brunch menu featuring a wide variety of omelets, egg dishes, French toast, sandwiches and more. There’s even pasta, from spaghetti pomodoro to wild mushroom ravioli.