When you think of Miami Beach what do you think of? Art Deco facades? Sun-kissed bodies lounging on white sand? People sipping mojitos at 2pm on a Tuesday? If you thought of any of the above, then you would be correct. But you should also think of a vibrant collection of cocktail bars where the drinks are as dazzling as the ocean views.
Jules Kitchen, at Circa 39 Hotel
$$ | (305) 538-4900 | WEBSITE
We remember the days when this Miami Beach spot used to serve their brunch dishes on those massive communal platters that stretched all the way from one side of the table to the other. Although we kind of miss it, we’re also grateful that we don’t have to worry about sharing the now regular-sized portions with anyone else.
Featuring everything from jerk chicken to sea bass, the dishes here are well-prepared with fresh ingredients, making this the perfect spot in Miami Beach when you want relaxed outdoor seating and a solid Italian Ricotta Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis for less than $20.
Casa Matilda Steakhouse
$$$$ | (786) 686-6682 | WEBSITE
Casa Matilda Steakhouse, a beautiful steakhouse in Miami Beach, is quiet but polished. They prepare guacamole tableside and the filet with crab enchiladas is excellent. The generously portioned tres leches dessert is also a crowd-pleaser, but know that the menu will make its way back to your table when you realise you need another round of that Adult Carajillo. Seating more than twenty people at a time is impossible (unless the music is lively, in which case the bar is the best place to be).
Prime 112 Restaurant
$$$$ | (305) 532-8112 | WEBSITE
This Miami Beach steakhouse is all dark wood paneling, low amber lighting, and plush leather booths. Beef drippings from excellent bone-in filets create abstract patterns on white tablecloths and portions are served generously on oversized plates.
The crab cake appetizer with its delicate remoulade is beyond anything we’ve grabbed from a casual seafood shack, and the little touches—monogrammed cocktail napkins and staff who remember your name after one visit—make us feel like a valued regular rather than just another tourist.
Privilege Cocktail Lounge
$$ | (305) 913-1025 | WEBSITE
Despite the name suggesting exclusivity, this cocktail lounge is refreshingly approachable. Regulars sidle up to the bar for a Sobe Sour while newcomers toast with mojito cocos in the cozy corners. It’s a compact, polished space—part speakeasy and part social hub—and the drink selection pulls inspiration from Miami’s vibrant spirit. There are classics like the refreshing South Beach Sour, and more adventurous options like tropical-infused creations.
The bartenders offer expert guidance with a personable touch, making the upscale atmosphere feel both lively and intimate—very Miami chic, indeed.
Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery
$$ | (347) 977-6428 | WEBSITE
Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery, a hidden speakeasy-style spot tucked downstairs, feels like it was made for cocktail lovers. Friends, old and new, settle into the cozy, dark space, leaning in to share a sip of the deconstructed pina colada, or—even better—a perfectly balanced daiquiri. Bartenders and guests mingle in the chill, laid-back atmosphere, where the vibe is welcoming and the service is even warmer.
Bring a curious palate, try the signature Slivovitz, and know that whatever you’re craving, Swizzle’s expert bartenders will craft something delicious.
Little Havana | Cuban Restaurant in Miami Beach
$$ | (786) 907-2644 | WEBSITE
Little Havana’s whole thing is that they serve proper Cuban food cooked up with real Cuban soul. The kind where they pile your plate so high with rice and beans you’ll think you’re at your abuela’s Sunday dinner. Even on weeknights you’ll find the patio buzzing with groups, strolling in shouting ‘hola’ with friends and family in tow. This place is lively, welcoming, and just the right amount of nostalgic.
Sure, there’s fancier Cuban spots out there, but the Cuban roasted chicken is a personal comforting favourite.
Macchialina
$$$ | (305) 534-2124 | WEBSITE
Macchialina is one of those ‘if you’re in the know, you’re in the know’ spots in Miami Beach. This Italian gem sits right in the heart of South Beach, with a lively patio that buzzes to a jazzy hip-hop soundtrack. They offer a chef’s choice tasting menu where you just let them work their magic—though you might want to mention any dietary restrictions upfront.
We’ve had phenomenal dishes here, like the signature macchialina pasta and gnocchi, along with the best polenta and a lasagna that’s absolutely worth ordering. It’s perfect for a date night or dinner with friends, but try to snag a patio table if you can—the inside can get a bit tight when it’s busy, and the service sometimes slows down. Still, with friendly staff like Sean and food this exceptional, it’s a wonderful choice.
Meet Dalia – Mediterranean restaurant in Miami Beach
$$ | (786) 206-3881 | WEBSITE
Meet Dalia is one of Miami Beach’s more stylish Mediterranean restaurants—and one of its most popular, offering diners a taste of the Mediterranean right on the sand. There’s no stuffy attitude for guests who linger over their drinks; the sleek stools lined along the bar hold a mix of designer sunglasses and well-worn flip-flops; and a couple from Fort Lauderdale are encouraged to debate an age-old question—is it the branzino or the seafood pasta?
All while glasses of Bloody Marys are shaken around the room and a relaxed beach playlist hums in the background.
Lolo’s Surf Cantina
$$ | (786) 276-0535 | WEBSITE
Lolo’s Surf Cantina is one of our favourite places to get Baja-inspired tacos in Miami Beach. In fact, it’s one of our favourite casual spots full stop. Just like the original surf cantina concept, this restaurant has an effortlessly charming energy. The atmosphere is pleasant, the outdoor tables are the place to be (if they’re not already filled with sun-kissed groups), and you might need to save room for dessert—although you should just order the steak tacos and the corn cake.
Matador Room
$$$$ | (786) 257-4600 | WEBSITE
Matador Room is effortless, it’s chic, it’s cool, and some of the dishes (cc: the crusted spiced grouper) need to be studied for their flavor factor. Order correctly (Maitake mushrooms, short ribs tacos, traditional lava cake) and you’ll be pleased. The energy is welcoming and fun, with the outdoor seating full of dates and loud inner-circle catch-ups. If you’re after a last-minute dinner, it’s much easier to get a seat at the bar, where you can watch bartenders crafting high-end cocktails.
Brother’s Keeper
$ | (954) 857-9277 | WEBSITE
Miami Beach has a pretty cool and vibrant reputation, and places like Brother’s Keeper very much live up to that. A mix of happy hour bites like fresh oysters from Cape Cod and bacon-wrapped dates with queso Cabrales will leave you almost $30 out of pocket. That said, the food at this South Beach spot is tasty and if you’ve got time to kill, then you could do a lot worse than sharing a couple of small plates and a cocktail between two.
Taco Taco
$$ | (305) 674-1160 | WEBSITE
At Taco Taco, you’ll find lively rhythms, generous portions, and flavorful food that falls somewhere between authentic Mexican and Miami Beach fun. This place is absolutely perfect for late-night bites or a family dinner with your deeply hungry friends. There’s some perfectly cozy seating inside but really you’re here for the satisfaction of eating crispy wings with habanero mango and a whole grilled shrimp with mango salsa out in that charming, street-side seating area.
Rum Room Miami Beach
$$ | (786) 423-1859 | WEBSITE
This cocktail bar restaurant feels like a hidden gem where you’re worried about missing out for fear of not ordering enough. But the food at this modern and ‘Old Florida’ spot is delicious. This isn’t limited, boring stuff you tolerate. It’s bold flavors—like fish dip nachos that surprise, succulent grilled salmon with maracuyo sauce, charred broccoli with the right spice—that you can devour like a happy hour regular.
For a post-tradeshow meal or a treat-yourself Friday with live music, Rum Room is a place you could easily settle into.