With its immaculate white sand beaches, vibrant nightlife, and cosmopolitan culture, Miami Beach has always been a magnet for discerning travellers. Its food scene is multicultural and eclectic, and it never fails to capture your full attention. Below, we look at some of the very best dining options available in Miami Beach right now.
1) Japón at The Setai, Miami Beach
A significant part of the Miami Beach dining scene is about the “see and be seen” restaurants. It will be hard to find a trendier restaurant than Japón at The Setai, often regarded as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world. You can dine in either their traditional Japanese architecture-influenced indoor dining room or their water garden feature-influenced outdoor courtyard. A spectacular Japanese torii gate sets the scene. Serene palm trees and ambient bird chirps add to the atmosphere. Dinner is an immersive experience, with aerialists, contortionists, and a live DJ entertaining diners and keeping the vibe happening.
The menu delivers on contemporary Japanese offerings, as well as modern Asian-fusion dishes. Expect only the finest ingredients on offer, so think Chilean sea bass and miso black cod. The former is particularly meaty, served with charred tomato miso. The large-flaked texture holds up beautifully even after cooking and leaves a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth finish. Their sushi menu is hugely popular and includes indulgent classics like uni nigiri. Their uni is particularly buttery and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture that will delight your palate.
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2) Cave 305, Miami Beach
Having opened not that long ago in mid-2025, it is already a popular haunt for celebrities and sportsmen alike. There was a famous Formula 1 party recently after the conclusion of the Miami Grand Prix. The restaurant has already established its status as one of the finest high-end steakhouses in Miami Beach. They specialise in serving some of the most sizeable flame-seared premium cuts in the city. The decor has a moody, upscale nightclub design with glowing gemstone features, making the restaurant particularly standout. They have a delightful patio area, which is popular with diners looking for an al fresco experience.
The most-talked about dish on the menu is undoubtedly their 64oz Tomahawk, The Mammoth. It is a showstopping extravaganza, as the dish is prepared tableside. You can add very decadent enhancements, such as lobster tail and foie gras. They also serve up dry-aged steaks, as well as premium steaks from Snake River Farm. The former has a particularly concentrated, intense flavour compared to standard fresh meat, and it is packed with umami richness.
Seafood is another highlight on their menu. A jumbo shrimp cocktail might not be a surprise, but they have octopus cocktail and crab cocktail. The servings are particularly generous, even when it is a premium ingredient like the meaty crabmeat served in their cocktail.
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3) AVIV, Miami Beach
AVIV is owned and operated by the dynamic duo, Chef Michael Solomonov and restaurateur Steve Cook. They’ve won James Beard Awards, and their restaurant empire spans multiple states. Their signature restaurant, AVIV, is arguably one of the finest. The decor is sexy and sultry with just the right amount of mood lighting to serve up the breezy, coastal decor they have aimed for. The restaurant feels like a high-end beach club with an expansive al fresco garden seating area.
The restaurant specialises in wood-fired cooking and sharing plates. Their hummus and salatim are a must-order. It is attractively presented in a colourful sharing platter, which has the visual appeal to make you salivate profusely. The fluffy warm pita bread is perfect for dipping into the various appetising dips. The secret to their hummus tehina? They use whipped herb tehina, paprika, and high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
They often run special pop-up events, such as a recent cookbook launch with the superstar Israeli chef, Adeena Sussman. The talented kitchen team at AVIV would execute the recipes from her cookbook with military precision. It is arguably the best Israeli restaurant in Miami Beach.
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4) Watr, Miami Beach
Also situated in 1 Hotel South Beach, like AVIV, Watr is one of the most popular rooftop restaurants in Miami Beach. You will discover panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Miami skyline. The signature feature is the striking infinity pool that flows seamlessly into captivating ocean views. It is also an adults-only restaurant, thus attracting a more trendy date crowd to the restaurant.
The open-air boho-chic decor utilises plenty of rustic reclaimed beechwood, which is in keeping with the sustainability-focused credentials of the hotel. This is another one of those glamorous “see and be seen” spots in Miami Beach.
The menu is very much Japanese fusion with a strong seafood focus. Only the very best ingredients will do, hence you will find bluefin tuna tartare and Ōra King salmon tataki. The latter is a premium, sustainably farmed breed of Chinook salmon. Their signature sushi roll, the Watr roll, has no less than four different seafood ingredients in it, including snow crab, shrimp tempura, tuna, and unagi glaze. Even the humble hotpot fried rice is elevated with juicy shrimp and exotic mushrooms. The handcrafted cocktails are also not to be missed, including their adaptations of classics such as Island Time and Mia – Mai Tai.
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5) MARKET at EDITION, Miami Beach
Often, you will find the fine-dining restaurants in Miami Beach might just be open for the evenings, so if you want great lunch options, you should check out the likes of MARKET at EDITION. Situated inside the stunning The Miami Beach EDITION, the restaurant is presented as an airy, elevated food bazaar. The concept has been curated by the Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. It is meant to represent a European market, where you are happy to visit anytime of the day. Their bakery serves up freshly baked pastries daily, but you will also find more comforting, substantial options on their lunch menu.
Their elevated casual dining offering includes a choice of East or West Coast oysters. My preference would be for the East Coast option, which has bolder flavours and a mineral-forward, crisp, salty finish. Whereas the West Coast oysters generally have more of a creamier finish with sweeter notes. If you want to celebrate a special occasion, they even offer a decadent Seafood Plateau. If you want to try local seafood, don’t miss their satisfying lumache pasta served with plump Florida shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce. It is a very popular restaurant with a plethora of options that will satisfy the most demanding of diners.
Click here to visit their website.
Why not check out my article on The Top 5 must-visit restaurants in Rome? Click here to read the article.
