A Guide to Miami’s Best Restaurants & Nightlife
Few cities rival Miami’s with its crystalline waters, art deco architecture and lively atmosphere. Its home to some of the best restaurants and clubs in the world and even if it were stripped of its beaches, Miami would still have undeniableallure. Whether it’s club hopping in South Beach or discovering the new cosmopolitan hub in the once-gritty Wynwood and business hub of Brickell, Miami continues to grow and change with pulsating energy. A playground for locals and out-of- towners alike, with sunny poolside terraces, artfully designed dining rooms and plush nightclubs, it’s the perfect winter getaway. We’ve rounded up our favourite places to drink while you’re there!
BEACH RESTAURANTS
JOIA BEACH
Tucked away on Watson Island you’ll find Joia Beach. A vibrant day-to-night dining destination where bright lights and beat of the city meet beauty and nature. Follow the long, picturesque pathway amongst lush jungle greenery to reveal Joia’s pristine beachfront local adorned with chic, rustic daybeds and eclectic interiors housed under the tiki style restaurant. Depending on the day, you may see one of Joias’ A-list regulars including Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade, Ryan Seacrest, Flo Rida and more, adding to the allure of this European-inspired hotspot. Guests frequent Joia Beach to savour its tantalizing dishes with their toes in the sand, sip on craft cocktails from the comfort of their luxurious daybeds and enjoy the sounds of the live DJs and entertainment. With spectacular views and the best the city has to offer in beachside dining, it’s a Miami must.
1 BEACH CLUB
Situated within 1 Hotel South Beach, 1 Beach Club finally made its entrance to the Miami restaurant scene in 2020. The beachfront oasis draws inspiration from the beaches of Tulum, featuring lounge seating, live music and an ocean-inspired eatery, Wave Restaurant. The ethos of the 1 Hotel brand flows in and around the Beach Club with a heavy emphasis on mindfulness and wellness as well as eco-friendly architecture and design. The Mediterranean menu features fresh and colourful dishes and their innovative craft cocktails, such as the Cleo, created with Absolut Elyx, cucumber, honeydew melon “agua fresca” chaereau aloe vera, midori melon and club soda— offers something truly unique to South Beach. Poised to become one of the most in-demand destinations, it’s hard to see how with live music from a DJ, plenty of plush seating and a picturesque venue such as this, you’d ever need anything from outside the confines of the beach club again!
BAIA BEACH CLUB
Baia Beach Club brings the equable spirit and effortless sophistication of Mediterranean coastal living to a new and reimagined Mondrian South Beach. Bringing to life its ethos for laid-back bohemian energy and the multicultural spirit of its origins, you may find yourself being drawn to a health and wellness class or being immersed in one of the many social activities on offer here. Set within bountiful lush tropical surroundings, club members can indulge in the naturally seamless blend of indoor and outdoor space. The cuisine here is truly authentic, developed with a focus on health and local ingredient sourcing and is a fresh take on traditional Mediterranean fare.
KIKI ON THE RIVER
Feeling more party than chill on a Sunday? Kiki on the River is a prime spot to rub elbows with the young and fabulous of South Beach. Complete with a 150 feet waterfront dock the restaurant’s
ultimate Sunday Funday event is the perfect pre-game to the week ahead. Renowned for its larger- than-life bottle parades and mouth-watering Greek cuisine, it offers a party atmosphere featuring live music, twirling napkins, and dancing that will make you say “opa!”. Built at the site of one of Miami’s original fish markets, the glamourous Greek Restaurant transports diners to the Greek islands with the style of a windswept island hotspot. You might even forget you’re in Miami!
NIGHTLIFE IN MIAMI
E11EVEN
This cavernous ultra-club in downtown Miami is open 24 hours a day. Part-cabaret, part-nightclub, E11EVEN Miami takes hedonism to another level. Throughout the night (or day) the main room alternates between a dance floor and a stage where contortionists, aerialists and dancers perform. There are various private rooms, as well as a rooftop restaurant and lounge. DJs range from local talent to celebrity guests and superstars like Drake and Usher have performed here.
https://11miami.com/
LIV
When it comes to an epic party in Miami, there’s no place like LIV. Located in the
legendary Fontainebleau, this megaclub has a domed ceiling, impressive light show and VIP tables lining the dance floor and mezzanine. It hosts world-class DJs such as David Guetta, Steve Angello and Tiësto. With its voyeuristic design, be ready for the ultimate nightlife experience.
DINNER IN MIAMI
ZUMA
The Miami version of Chef Rainer Becker’s famed Izakaya restaurant serves sleek and modern Japanese small plates to a celebrity-filled room. A regular stable of customers come here as much for the buzzy atmosphere as the consistently executed menu of bold flavours and shareable plates. Start off with the suzuki no sashimi (seabass sashimi with yuzu, salmon roe, and truffle oil). Then, order something from the robata grill or a signature dish like roasted lobster with shizo-ponzu butter. Each plate pairs perfectly with wine from the 350-plus bottle list, plus sake and yuzu-heavy cocktails.
KOMODO 
Komodo is where you will want to see and be seen any day of the week in the booming district of Bicknell, Miami. Serving up contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine with a South Florida vibe to elevate your dining experience, the restaurant and lounge offers multi-level dining options including their signature outdoor floating “birds’ nest” – because who wouldn’t want to eat sushi in a treehouse! The menu features signature favourites including Peking Duck, Tuna & Toro Roll and Lobster Dynamite (a must!) and is complete with three bars serving handcrafted cocktails that you can enjoy on any occasion, day or night. It’s no wonder that Komodo plays host to celebrities, athletes and stylist Brickell locals regularly.
PAO BY PAUL QUI AT FAENA
There is nothing low-key about Pao. Gold leaf covers the walls and ceilings while you dine at walnut tables, surrounded by white marble (not to mention a Damien Hirst bronze and gold-leaf unicorn sculpture sat in the centre of the restaurant!). Dining at Pao by Paul Qui is a one-of-a-kind culinary experience where guests are treated to unique modern Asian cuisine, influenced by Qui’s favourite international flavours and styles, including his Filipino heritage, Spanish, Japanese and French. Dishes and seared tableside on Japanese charcoal and fresh local ingredients are utilized a lot — for example, Pao’s gin and tonic features fresh kaffir lime leaves. You’ll also find a deep selection of premium sakes, including Faena’s own brand.
DRINK WITH A VIEW
WATR AT 1
Watr at 1 Hotel South Beach floats 18 stories high on the rooftop, giving a 360-degree ocean view. Fernando Cruz, the 34-year-old Culinary Director at 1 Hotel, uses local and organic ingredients to serve up a unique menu with a Latin and Japanese flair. Here you’ll find organic wine and handcrafted cocktails (some of which are even gluten-free) including the iconic Oyabun – aka “The Boss” – which features Suntory Toki Whiskey, Yuzu Luxe Sour and Umami Bitters 18, or their very own Watr Bird which packs a punch of Bacardi Cuatro Anejo Rum. The view rivals even the most well-known spots and it’s not hard to imagine why they’ve been voted Best Scenic View and Best Late Night Find in Miami.
Located on the edge of Brickell, Miami’s hottest new neighbourhood, Area 31 serves up Mediterranean cuisine on the 16th floor of Miami’s Kimpton EPIC Hotel. With enviable panoramic views of the glittering waters of the Biscayne Bay and Miami River, it’s a breath-taking setting – that is if you’re not too focused on the incredible cuisine and drinks. Named after one of the only self- sustaining spots that is said to be left in the ocean, Chef Wolfgang Birk blends international culinary expertise with produce from local farms and ranches in one of the region’s most sustainably progressive menus. With innovative cocktails crafted to match the Chef’s seasonal food, you can leave your guilt and inhabitation on the ground floor.
https://www.epichotel.com/downtown-miami-restaurants/
PLACES TO LOOK OUT FOR…
OPENING FALL 2021, SEXY FISH MIAMI
Venturing across the Atlantic, Sexy Fish – an Asian restaurant and bar from Mayfair, London – will open its doors to Miami in Fall 2021. Serving a Japanese-inspired menu and designed with mid- century glamour and opulence in abundance, we’re anxiously awaiting Sexy Fish’s Miami twist.
OPENING FALL 2021, RASPOUTINE MIAMI
Named after the famous mystical pilgrim Grigory Rasputin (yes, the one from Anastasia for any Disney fans out there!), Raspoutine is launching its legendary Russian cabaret as a restaurant in Miami. We have no doubt that its mythical allure, magical décor and exclusive entry will make the voyage from their current locations in Paris, Rome and LA. Stay tuned!