The Best Waterfront Restaurants In Miami

The only problem with eating at a restaurant with a magnificent view of Biscayne Bay, the Miami River, or the Rickenbacker Causeway is that the food has a lot to live up to. Luckily for you, this list of waterfront restaurants doesn’t sacrifice location for quality. Read our guide to Miami’s best waterfront eateries to be best informed for your next dinner outing in the 305. This handful of eateries are all eloquently perched on winding canals, bustling bays and blue oceans, offering a complete package of views, tastes and the ambiance of the Miami lifestyle.

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Black Point Ocean Grill

Located in the Black Point Marina in Homestead, Florida, this waterfront restaurant has won awards for its outstanding service and mouthwatering dishes. Here, only the freshest ingredients and quality seasonal dishes are served and everything is reasonably priced, all the way from steak to seafood. We recommend that you eat on the outside patio where you can experience an al fresco setting as you sip on a glass of wine and enjoy a pleasant South Florida evening.

Eating seafood just feels more authentic while enjoying it with a view of the ocean where it comes from. Garcia’s is the perfect place to do just this; grab a seat and soak up views of the Miami River while watching fishing boats drop off their latest catches. Originally from Cuba, the Garcia brothers made their dream of opening a seafood restaurant/market in Miami a reality in 1966. 48 years later, their legacy lives on, and the business is still owned and operated by the family.

Lido Restaurant & Bayside Grill

Housed inside the always hip Standard Hotel, this popular spot is filled with people soaking in the pristine bay views under the restaurant’s large and colorful umbrellas. The Lido Bayside Grill at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach takes inspiration from the traditional Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. Executive Chef Mark Zeitouni specializes in organic meats and fish, and the portions served are not small by any standard. We highly recommend this place for a romantic date night on the water.

Rusty Pelican

Known as the hottest destination for locals, celebrities and tourists alike, the Rusty Pelican offers eclectic and impressive contemporary American cuisine and the freshest local seafood you can find. Located on the famous Rickenbacker Causeway, this waterfront restaurant has elegant interior that features wood floors, tables and chairs. Make sure to check out its Saturday-Sunday Brunch.

Smith & Wollensky

One of the best places in Miami to catch the sunset, you’ll find locals and tourists alike crowded around its popular bar nightly to take in the views and the ocean breezes. Smith & Wollensky is a chophouse chain with exclusive locations in the trendiest parts of the country, such as Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, and Boston’s famous Atlantic Wharf. The food and drinks here are excellent and the atmosphere is surprisingly lively and fast-paced considering the high-class nature of the establishment.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.