35 Best Waterfront Restaurants in Miami (2026) 🌊

By Fernando Yemail, owner of Out.Miami and a Miami yacht captain and broker.

The 35 best waterfront restaurants in Miami for 2026, from Seaspice and Amara at Paraiso to Rusty Pelican and dock-and-dine spots. Checked October 2026.

🌊 On the water · ⚓ Dock-and-dine spots · 📅 Checked October 2026

The best waterfront restaurants in Miami in 2026 are Seaspice on the Miami River, Amara at Paraiso in Edgewater, Rusty Pelican on Virginia Key, Smith & Wollensky at South Pointe and Bayshore Club in Coconut Grove. These 35 restaurants sit on Biscayne Bay, the Miami River, the ocean or a marina, and every one was checked as open in October 2026.

Pick your view

• Biscayne Bay: Amara at Paraiso, Rusty Pelican, Casadonna, Klaw, Joia Beach, Delilah, Baia Beach Club, Verde, La Cañita, Il Gabbiano, Crazy About You, Cantina La Veinte, The Lido Bayside Grill, NOMA Beach at Redfish, Area 31
• Miami River: Seaspice, Zuma, Casa Neos, Garcia's, Elia on the River, Kiki on the River, American Social, Bagatelle, Casablanca
• Atlantic Ocean: Smith & Wollensky, Avra, Il Mulino, Ocean Social, The Surf Club Restaurant
• Marinas: Bayshore Club, Monty's Raw Bar, Gramps Getaway, Yaya Coastal Cuisine, Black Point Ocean Grill, Monty's Sunset

Where they are

• Miami River: Seaspice, Casa Neos, Garcia's, Elia on the River, Kiki on the River, Bagatelle, Casablanca
• Downtown and Brickell: Zuma, Area 31, Il Gabbiano, La Cañita, Verde, American Social, Delilah, Crazy About You, Cantina La Veinte
• Edgewater and the Upper East Side: Amara at Paraiso, Casadonna, Klaw, Yaya Coastal Cuisine
• Miami Beach: Smith & Wollensky, The Lido Bayside Grill, Baia Beach Club, Monty's Sunset, Ocean Social
• Watson Island and Virginia Key: Joia Beach, Rusty Pelican, Gramps Getaway
• Coconut Grove and Coral Gables: Bayshore Club, Monty's Raw Bar, NOMA Beach at Redfish
• Sunny Isles and Surfside: Avra, Il Mulino, The Surf Club Restaurant
• South Dade: Black Point Ocean Grill

Before you go

• Book for sunset: the bay-side tables at Rusty Pelican, Baia Beach Club, The Lido Bayside Grill and Monty's Sunset face west, so reserve for the hour before the sun goes down.
• Arriving by boat: Seaspice, Casadonna, Kiki on the River, Bagatelle, Delilah, Yaya and Black Point have docks or slips, so call ahead to reserve a space.
• Parking: most riverfront and bayfront restaurants use valet, and Virginia Key and Watson Island are easiest by car or rideshare.
• Weather: outdoor tables close in summer storms, so ask for a covered table from June to October.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best waterfront restaurant in Miami?

Seaspice on the Miami River, Amara at Paraiso on Biscayne Bay and Rusty Pelican on Virginia Key are the top picks, and Smith & Wollensky at South Pointe is the best choice for steak with a view of the ship channel.

Which Miami waterfront restaurants have the best sunset views?

Rusty Pelican, Baia Beach Club, The Lido Bayside Grill and Monty's Sunset face west across the bay, so the sun sets over the water and the skyline.

Can you take a boat to a restaurant in Miami?

Yes. Seaspice, Casadonna, Kiki on the River, Bagatelle Miami River, Delilah, Yaya Coastal Cuisine and Black Point Ocean Grill have docks or slips for guests, and it is best to call ahead to reserve a space.

What are the best restaurants on the Miami River?

Seaspice, Casa Neos, Zuma, Elia on the River, Bagatelle and Garcia's are the best on the river, from polished dinners to an old-school fish house.

Where can I eat on the water in Miami without spending a lot?

Crazy About You in Brickell, Garcia's on the Miami River, Monty's Raw Bar in Coconut Grove and Gramps Getaway on Virginia Key are the most affordable picks.

Which Miami restaurants are right on the ocean?

Smith & Wollensky at South Pointe, Ocean Social, Avra, Il Mulino and The Surf Club Restaurant all face the Atlantic.

How did you choose these waterfront restaurants?

Every pick has tables on or directly over the water, was chosen by the Out.Miami team for 2026, and was checked as open in October 2026. See how we rank our guides for the full method.

Which of these restaurants have the highest ratings?

Bagatelle Miami River, Casa Neos and Bayshore Club have the highest ratings on this list, based on places with at least 50 reviews.

Which areas have the most waterfront restaurants on this list?

Downtown and Brickell have the most picks, followed by the Miami River.

More Miami dining

See the seafood restaurants in Miami, rooftop restaurants in Miami and date night restaurants in Miami, start the day at one of the coffee shops in Miami, and read how we rank our guides.

Compare at a glance

1. 1. Seaspice

   A white boathouse on the Miami River with a brasserie, a raw bar and a private dock, so guests can arrive by boat. The globally influenced seafood menu and the weekend brunch party make it one of Miami's best-known riverfront tables. A splurge. Open daily except Monday, opening as early as noon and closing as late as midnight on Friday to Sunday.

   ✅ Best for: a riverfront seafood dinner · 📍 422 NW North River Dr, Miami River · ⚓ Private dock

2. 2. Amara at Paraiso

   Chef Michael Schwartz's Edgewater restaurant cooks Latin American dishes over a wood fire and serves them on a large deck right over Biscayne Bay. Book a deck table for golden hour. A splurge. Open daily, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday.

   ✅ Best for: dinner on the bay · 📍 3101 NE 7th Ave, Edgewater · 🔥 Wood-fired cooking

3. 3. Rusty Pelican

   A Miami landmark since the 1970s on the causeway to Key Biscayne, with seafood, a weekend brunch and one of the widest views of the Downtown skyline across the bay. It is one of the most-reviewed restaurants in Miami. Open daily, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

   ✅ Best for: skyline views · 📍 3201 Rickenbacker Cswy, Virginia Key · 🥂 Weekend brunch

4. 4. Smith & Wollensky

   A classic steakhouse at South Pointe where cruise ships slide past the windows through Government Cut on their way out to sea. Order a dry-aged steak and ask for a table outside at sunset. A splurge. Open daily, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as midnight on Friday and Saturday.

   ✅ Best for: steak with a ship-channel view · 📍 1 Washington Ave, South Pointe · 🚢 Cruise ships pass by

5. 5. Bayshore Club

   Set in the former Pan Am seaplane terminal at Dinner Key, on the spot once known as Scotty's Landing, this seafood bar and grill looks out over the Coconut Grove marina. It is casual, busy and one of the best-rated waterfront spots in Miami. Open daily, opening as early as 10am and closing as late as midnight on Friday and Saturday.

   ✅ Best for: casual seafood by the marina · 📍 3391 Pan American Dr, Coconut Grove · ⛵ Marina views

6. 6. Zuma

   The Miami branch of the Japanese izakaya sits on the Miami River at the Kimpton EPIC, with robata grills, sushi and shared plates. The riverside terrace is the table to ask for. A splurge. Open daily, opening as early as 11:30am and closing as late as 11:30pm on Thursday to Saturday.

   ✅ Best for: Japanese on the river · 📍 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Downtown · 🍣 Robata and sushi

7. 7. The Lido Bayside Grill

   A Mediterranean restaurant at The Standard Spa on Belle Isle, with tables along Biscayne Bay and frozen cocktails. It works best as a long, slow lunch on the water away from the South Beach crowds. Open daily, 8am to midnight.

   ✅ Best for: a slow lunch by the bay · 📍 40 Island Ave, Belle Isle, Miami Beach · 🍹 Frozen cocktails

8. 8. Casa Neos

   A large Mediterranean restaurant, lounge and beach club on the Miami River, spread over about 30,000 square feet. It is built for long dinners that turn into a party, and it is one of the highest-rated restaurants on this list. A splurge. Open daily except Monday, opening as early as 11:30am and closing as late as 2:30am on Friday and Saturday.

   ✅ Best for: a dinner that turns into a party · 📍 40 SW North River Dr, Miami River · 🎶 Lounge and beach club

9. 9. Garcia's Seafood Grille & Fish Market

   A family fish house on the Miami River since 1966, with a fish market and a river patio. Stone crabs in season and fried fish are the order, at prices well below the glossier spots. On the pricier side. Open daily, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

   ✅ Best for: old-school seafood · 📍 398 NW North River Dr, Miami River · 🐟 Fish market

10. 10. Casadonna

    A coastal Italian restaurant in the restored Miami Women's Club building in Edgewater, on the bay, with a dock for guests arriving by boat. It suits a dressy dinner with a view. A splurge. Open daily, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: a dressy Italian dinner · 📍 1737 N Bayshore Dr, Edgewater · ⚓ Boat docking

11. 11. Joia Beach

    A beach club on Watson Island with Mediterranean food, DJs and daybeds facing the bay and the Miami skyline. Plan a long afternoon rather than a quick meal. A splurge. Open daily except Tuesday, opening as early as 11:30am and closing as late as 10pm on Friday to Sunday.

    ✅ Best for: a beach-club afternoon · 📍 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Watson Island · 🎧 DJs

12. 12. Elia on the River

    A coastal Southern Italian restaurant at River Landing, known for fresh pasta, with tables facing the Miami River. It is one of the highest-rated restaurants on this list. A splurge. Open daily, opening as early as 11:30am and closing as late as midnight on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: fresh pasta by the river · 📍 1440 NW North River Dr, Miami River · 🍝 Handmade pasta

13. 13. Yaya Coastal Cuisine

    A Mediterranean restaurant on the water by the 79th Street Causeway, with a marina setting and a club for boaters. It is a quieter option north of Downtown. Open daily except Wednesday, opening as early as noon and closing as late as 1am on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: a quieter dinner on the bay · 📍 7999 NE Bayshore Ct, Upper East Side · ⚓ Boaters' club

14. 14. Klaw

    A rooftop restaurant on top of the Miami Women's Club building in Edgewater, serving king crab and dry-aged steak with wide views over Biscayne Bay. A splurge. Open daily except Monday, opening as early as 4pm and closing as late as 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: king crab with a bay view · 📍 1737 N Bayshore Dr, Edgewater · 🦀 King crab

15. 15. Kiki on the River

    A Greek restaurant on the Miami River that turns into a party as the night goes on, with a 150-foot dock for boats. Come for the scene more than a quiet dinner; its rating trails most of this list. A splurge. Open daily, opening as early as 12:30pm and closing as late as 2am on Wednesday to Sunday.

    ✅ Best for: a Greek night out · 📍 450 NW North River Dr, Miami River · ⚓ 150-ft dock

16. 16. Gramps Getaway

    A casual tiki bar at the Rickenbacker Marina on Virginia Key, with a raw bar and boat access. It is a laid-back stop on the way to or from Key Biscayne. Moderately priced. Open daily, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: a casual drink by the marina · 📍 3301 Rickenbacker Cswy, Virginia Key · 🦪 Raw bar

17. 17. Delilah

    A 1920s-style supper club on Brickell Key with live music, polished service and boat slips on the bay. Dress up and book ahead. A splurge. Open daily except Monday and Sunday, opening as early as 5pm and closing as late as midnight on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: a dressed-up night · 📍 301 Brickell Key Dr, Brickell Key · 🎷 Live music · 👔 Dress up

18. 18. Avra

    A Greek seafood restaurant at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach, with tables facing the Atlantic. It is the pick for grilled fish and a Mediterranean feel up north. A splurge. Open daily except Monday, opening as early as 5pm and closing as late as 11pm on Thursday to Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: Greek seafood by the ocean · 📍 17945 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach

19. 19. Il Mulino New York

    The Miami outpost of the New York Italian institution, at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach, reopened in 2026 with a new look and menu. Expect large plates of Italian classics and ocean views. A splurge. Open daily, 11:30am to 11pm.

    ✅ Best for: classic Italian by the ocean · 📍 17875 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach · ✨ Renovated in 2026

20. 20. American Social

    A riverfront sports bar in Brickell with a 3,000-square-foot patio on the Miami River and dock-and-dine access. It is the casual pick for game days on the water. Moderately priced. Open daily, opening as early as 10:30am and closing as late as 2am on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: game day on the river · 📍 690 SW 1st Ct, Brickell · 📺 Sports on every screen

21. 21. Baia Beach Club

    A Mediterranean restaurant at the Mondrian on the bay side of South Beach, with skyline views and sunset tables. It suits a relaxed lunch or an early dinner. On the pricier side. Open daily, opening as early as 7am and closing as late as 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: bay-side South Beach sunsets · 📍 1100 West Ave, South Beach

22. 22. Monty's Raw Bar

    A Coconut Grove raw bar on the bay for more than 50 years, with live music and a busy happy hour. It is one of the most-reviewed waterfront spots in Miami. Moderately priced. Open daily, opening as early as 11:30am and closing as late as 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: raw bar and live music · 📍 2550 S Bayshore Dr, Coconut Grove · 🎸 Live music

23. 23. Verde at PAMM

    The restaurant at the Pérez Art Museum Miami, with a terrace overlooking Biscayne Bay and a New American menu. Pair it with a museum visit. Moderately priced. Open daily except Tuesday and Wednesday, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as 8pm on Thursday.

    ✅ Best for: lunch with a museum visit · 📍 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Museum Park · 🎨 Inside PAMM

24. 24. Ocean Social

    A seafood restaurant with Caribbean influences at the Eden Roc on Mid-Beach, facing the ocean. It is a hotel dining room with a view; its rating trails most of this list. Moderately priced. Open daily, 11:30am to 9pm.

    ✅ Best for: oceanfront seafood on Mid-Beach · 📍 4525 Collins Ave, Mid-Beach

25. 25. Il Gabbiano

    A formal Northern Italian restaurant in Downtown with a waterfront terrace where the Miami River meets the bay. It is a classic for business dinners. A splurge. Open daily except Sunday, opening as early as noon and closing as late as 11pm.

    ✅ Best for: a formal Italian dinner · 📍 335 S Biscayne Blvd, Downtown

26. 26. La Cañita

    Chef Michelle Bernstein's Cuban and Caribbean restaurant at Bayside Marketplace, looking over the bay and the port. It is one of the highest-rated restaurants on this list. Moderately priced. Open daily, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: Cuban food by the bay · 📍 Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd, Downtown

27. 27. Bagatelle Miami River

    The French-Mediterranean brand opened this Miami River location in November 2025, with a private dock. It brings the brand's festive dinners to the riverfront and is one of the highest-rated restaurants on this list. A splurge. Open daily except Monday and Tuesday, opening as early as noon and closing as late as 2:30am on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: a festive French dinner · 📍 311 NW South River Dr, Miami River · ⚓ Private dock

28. 28. Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill

    A seafood restaurant and fish market on the Miami River next door to Garcia's, with river-view tables and fresh-caught fish. On the pricier side. Open daily, opening as early as noon and closing as late as 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: fresh fish on the river · 📍 400 NW North River Dr, Miami River · 🐟 Fish market

29. 29. Area 31

    A seafood restaurant on the 16th floor of the Kimpton EPIC, looking over the mouth of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay. The view here is high and wide rather than at the water's edge. Moderately priced. Open daily, opening as early as 7am and closing as late as 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: a high view of the bay · 📍 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Downtown · 🏙️ 16th floor

30. 30. The Surf Club Restaurant

    Thomas Keller's Continental restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Surfside, steps from the ocean. It holds a Michelin star and suits a special occasion. A splurge. Open daily except Monday, opening as early as 5:30pm and closing as late as 10pm on Thursday to Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: a special occasion · 📍 9011 Collins Ave, Surfside · ⭐ Michelin star · 👔 Dress up

31. 31. NOMA Beach at Redfish

    Donatella Arpaia's Italian seafood restaurant at Matheson Hammock in Coral Gables, the former Redfish, with tables on the bay. It is one of the few places to eat right on the water south of Coconut Grove. A splurge. Open daily except Monday and Tuesday, opening as early as 11:30am and closing as late as 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: Italian seafood in a park setting · 📍 9610 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables · 🌴 Matheson Hammock

32. 32. Black Point Ocean Grill

    A casual restaurant at Black Point Marina in Cutler Bay with a patio over the water, burgers and seafood, and boat-up access. It is the waterfront pick for South Dade. Moderately priced. Open daily, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: a casual meal in South Dade · 📍 24775 SW 87th Ave, Cutler Bay · ⚓ Boat-up

33. 33. Crazy About You

    A Brickell bistro on the bay that has served a budget-friendly menu of Spanish, Italian and American dishes for almost 20 years. It is the best-value waterfront dinner on this list and one of the most-reviewed. Moderately priced. Open daily, opening as early as 10am and closing as late as midnight on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: a waterfront dinner on a budget · 📍 1155 Brickell Bay Dr, Brickell

34. 34. Cantina La Veinte

    An upscale Mexican restaurant in Brickell with an outdoor patio on the bay and live bands. It suits a lively dinner with margaritas. On the pricier side. Open daily, opening as early as 11am and closing as late as 1am on Friday and Saturday.

    ✅ Best for: Mexican with live music · 📍 495 Brickell Ave, Brickell · 🎺 Live bands

35. 35. Monty's Sunset

    A tiki bar and seafood spot at the Miami Beach Marina in South of Fifth, with a raw bar, live music and DJs. As the name says, come for the sunset. Moderately priced. Open daily, 11:30am to 10pm.

    ✅ Best for: sunset drinks at the marina · 📍 300 Alton Rd, South Beach · 🌅 Live music