Best Fine Dining in Sunset Islands

"Helmed by Chef Jeremy Ford, this Miami Beach mainstay serves up fresh and creative fare made from seasonal, often locally sourced ingredients. You can dine on tasty homemade potato rolls with fennel pollen and garbanzo chili dip, succulent scallops with coconut chili emulsion, baby spinach and sunchokes, and prime Wagyu beef cheek paired with crispy charred maitakes. If you’re a sweets lover, don’t miss the decadent snickerdoodle cookies, baked fresh in house and served warm straight from the oven."

"Make a reservation and enjoy the delectable culinary experience of Stubborn Seed – the brainchild of Top Chef season 13 winner, Jeremy Ford. With a choice of the chef’s tasting menu or a la carte dishes, the pared-back decor ensures the food is always in the spotlight at this fine dining restaurant."

"Cooking in a state surrounded on three sides by water, Florida chefs typically know a thing or two about seafood. Opened in mid-2014 by Miami natives, Edgewater restaurant Mignonette makes a splash with its modern take on the traditional oyster bar. With an old-Florida-meets-New-Orleans vibe, the space features tufted camel-colored banquettes, a long marble bar and oversize arched windows with palm views."

"Mignonette Downtown is a seafood restaurant started in a former 1930 gas station located at 210 NE 18th St that offers luxurious and down-home options. Guests can enjoy seafood dishes like Clams Casino, Charred Octopus, Grilled redfish, Faroe Island Salmon Fancy, Shrimp Cocktail, South African Lobster Tails, and more. Address: 210 NE 18th St, Miami, FL 33132, United States"

"A modern take on the classic seafood restaurant by Blue Collar chef Danny Serfer and partner Ryan Roman. Described by critics and guests as a “plain and fancy” oyster heaven, it also features plenty of other seafood items, as well as non-sea dwelling options like prime rib, chicken, and its famous veggie board."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user John Krupsky used under CC BY 2.0. Nestled directly on the coast, you can’t get much closer to the water’s edge if you tried. Smith & Wollensky have been serving up fantastic steaks since they first opened their doors."

"This classic steakhouse perched in the South of Fifth neighborhood is just as popular for its views as it is for its meat selection. Grab a drink on the overlook deck and soak up the waterfront views while dining on your meal."

"The team behind celeb-favorite Sugar Factory launched the first Happy Place Donuts on Española Way in South Beach with a glass-enclosed kitchen allowing visitors to watch the donuts being made. While you can keep it simple and delicious by ordering a chocolate glazed or the original Happy Donut with a vanilla glaze, go for the outrageously fun options that include a rainbow donut topped with Skittles, monkey bread with sea salt cream cheese frosting, or a crispy Nutella donut. The Hot & Happy Dough Balls, a bag of brioche dough balls sprinkled in powdered sugar, are another popular choice."

"There’s no happier place than a doughnut shop and Happy Place calls it like it is. From the team behind the famous Sugar Factory, Happy Place is South Beach’s answer for everything hot, fluffy and sweet. The Espanola Way location is a massive 4,000-square-foot doughnut wonderland with finger-licking flavors inspired by Italian street food."

"Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi blends Japanese flavors for American palates and enjoys star status amongst his Los Angeles celebrity clientele. Opening his first … […]"

"Located in the prestigious Setai Hotel, this expansive restaurant is situated around an open kitchen and bar and outfitted with high ceilings, neutral tones and striking Asian decor. Patrons may also dine in the serene courtyard, surrounded by lovely ponds and pergolas. Executive chef Mathias Gervais, who has trained with some of the world's best, prepares some of the most interesting and authentically flavored pan-Asian dishes in the city."

"For a luxurious Valentine’s dinner, head to Jaya at The Setai Hotel. Jaya is an Asian restaurant that serves authentic heritage dishes with a modern twist. Whether you decide to dine indoors or opt for al fresco dining in the stunning courtyard beneath the stars, Jaya offers the perfect setting for a memorable dinner date."

"Riverfront romance with grilled meats and no attitude For years, dining on the Miami riverfront meant packing a picnic and watching freighters full of mattresses load up for Haiti. But times have changed, and the best spot for romance on the river is this Greek offering with sunset views one way, and golden-hour reflections off Downtown the other. You and your date can share one of the plush booths next to the river while enjoying fresh seafood, souvlaki, and steaks paired meticulously with hard-to-find wines."

"Kiki on the River is a luxurious Greek restaurant situated alongside the Miami River, on the site of one of Miami's original fish markets. Boasting beautiful riverfront views and a delectable menu featuring modern Greek cuisine, Kiki on the River is a brilliant place to experience Miami. Decorated with a rustic-Mediterranean style, the waterfront setting offers an exquisite location for outdoor dining."

"Embracing the hospitality and spirit of the Greek islands, Kiki on The River is heralded for it meticulously-scuffed elegance that only a windswept waterfront garden can provide."

"Miami’s hottest spot for amazing seafood and beautiful waterfront dining is located on the banks of the Miami River. Just minutes from Downtown Miami and the Brickell Financial District, Seaspice Brasserie and Lounge, has brought a vision unlike any other to the Miami River, transforming a post-industrial warehouse outfitted in unexpected, sophisticated nautical touches into a world renowned fine dining destination. Coral Gables Love reader, Suzy, recommends you try the risotto."

"The restaurant sits on the banks of the Miami River, providing an awe-inspiring view of the waterway and its equally stunning yachts. It’s a lot of fun looking at the gorgeous boats pass by while you enjoy some delicious food. As you can probably guess from the name and location, Seaspice’s menu is focused heavily on fish and other seafood offerings, but there is something for all tastes."

"Address: 422 NW N River Dr, Miami, FL 33128Neighborhood: Miami RiverCuisine: Seafood. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Seaspice (@seaspicemia) on Apr 16, 2020 at 1:05pm PDT"

"1685 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139-3136Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Valet Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Parking AvailableLatin, Argentinean, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free OptionsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner, BrunchSGD 39 - SGD 79+1 305-674-5752"

"The gist: The grunge era is alive and well at this Seattle-style yakitori shop, where grilled meats and ramen combine with a cleaned up ‘90s-era setting for the best casual Asian restaurant in Miami.The food: Buya’s menu takes big inspiration from drizzly-day northwest yakitoris, where the modernized take on authentic Japanese dishes are almost guaranteed to make you over order. Start with the tempura beech mushroom, a deep-fried fungus that’s like a bloomin’ onion minus the bad breath. Move on to the grilled wagyu with shiso chimichurri or the pork belly with fuji apple glaze."

"For casual bites and drinks, look no further than Buya Izakaya + Yakitori. Those not familiar with the izakaya concept should know that these Japanese bars are essentially informal hangouts. Don’t let the laid-back vibes fool you, though: You’re in for some seriously tasty food."

"Football fans are surely familiar with Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Located just north of the city in Miami Gardens, this impressive stadium is pretty easy to get to regardless of where you are staying. While the Miami Dolphins are the most famous tenants, the University of Miami Hurricanes football team, as well as countless events and shows, take place at the stadium as well."

"This late-night bar and lounge serves Latin American cuisine in a vibrant, bustling urban setting. Nosh on spicy Latin appetizers, drink hand-crafted cocktails, and check out the funky street art that is the foundation of the decor. The space is eclectic, but so are the people."

"A post shared by LT Steak & Seafood (@ltsteakandseafood) on Jun 15, 2019 at 10:37am PDT. Whether you’re dropping by for lunch or dinner, this Miami Beach restaurant at The Betsy Hotel delivers on delicious. Dinner is probably the most popular time to dine; the house bread is mouthwateringly good and the entrees never fail to hit the spot."

"These sister restaurants located inside the Betsy Hotel boast a comfort food menu that will satisfy an array of cravings. From Cuban sandwiches, to hearty pastas, a variety of pizzas, and wines and cocktails to rinse them back with."

"Chef Laurent Tourondel’s LT Steak & Seafood, located inside the historic Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive, is popular not just with hotel guests but locals as well, who stop in for an afterwork cocktail or a nice night out."

"Paperfish is a Nikkei restaurant in Brickell with indoor and outdoor seating. They have a long menu with ceviche, tiradito, nigiri, maki, and sashimi."

"The drag brunch at R House is a Miami Sunday tradition right up there with getting disappointed by the Dolphins. But unlike the Dolphins, R House is full of pleasant surprises, where in addition to the best drag revue in the city you’ll also get a menu that would be pretty fantastic even if it wasn’t raining men. The R Cuban Breakfast with scrambled eggs, moros y cristianos, and tostones would put you into a food coma if not for Miss Athena Dixon and her cadre of performers."

"R House is a fine dining restaurant and lounge with an art gallery right in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood arts district, serving a contemporary and eclectic mix of American, Mediterranean, Asian and Latin dishes. R House provides patrons the opportunity to admire and acquire art as well as enjoy DJs and live music. One thing to know about this restaurant is that their Sunday brunch is one of the best in town."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user MayraElizabeth used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. Located in the heart of the Arts District, R House Wynwood is all about good food, arts, and music, so guests are not only well fed but also well entertained."

"The privately funded luxury collection of Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz finally got a name as the de la Cruz Collection in Miami, designed by John Marquette. The de la Cruz art museum, established in 2009, has been the home of the art-lovers for more than three decades, and now they have opened it for the public to encourage the free flow of artistic thoughts in the neighborhood. Covering an area of 30,000 square feet, the gallery is stuffed with contemporary art exhibits and also organizes lectures, summer workshops, and scholarships for students at DASH and NWSA."

"It's difficult to name a better place to see incredible art for free. Since it moved into its current digs in the Design District, the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami (ICA) has put on one blockbuster exhibition after another, celebrating contemporary masters such as Judy Chicago, Larry Bell, and Ettore Sottsass alongside underappreciated black and Latin artists such as Paulo Nazareth and Purvis Young. Thanks to its great taste and no entry fee, the ICA is the Miami museum that commands repeat visits."

"North MiamiSouth Florida’s original contemporary art museum has been around since 1981, but moved into its spacious new digs in 1996. The North Miami facility regularly plays host to free jazz concerts in its breezy MOCA plaza courtyard, and features provocative rotating exhibits from up-and-coming young artists. Though the concerts are virtual for the time being, the exhibits are still open and ready for visitors."

"North Miami's Museum of Contemporary Art is known as the venue "where new art is discovered," leading the way for modern artists to connect with their audience.[Learn more]"