South Florida’s Top Waterfront Dining Hot Spots – Eat, Drink & Enjoy Scenic Views
- wgclients01
- May 17
- 6 min read
From the breezy charm of Elia on the River, where guests can dock and dine with serene North Miami River views, to the lively energy of American Social Bar & Kitchen along the Miami River, South Florida is home to standout waterfront restaurants serving up great food, cocktails, and views that define the season. Here are some of our favorites!
Avra Estiatorio Miami
North Miami River
Elia on the River offers an unparalleled dining experience on the Miami River, combining stunning views with a carefully curated menu showcasing a harmonious blend of coastal Italian flavors with a flair and locally sourced ingredients. Guests can look forward to enjoying meals surrounded by luxurious imported marbles and a stunning hand-painted mural masterpiece, all while taking in panoramic views of passing yachts and breathtaking sunsets. For those looking to arrive by boat, dockage fees are waived with a minimum spend of $500 per table.
Elia on the River
Downtown Miami
Bayside Marketplace, set along Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami, offers a variety of outdoor dining options with stunning views. Visitors can enjoy tropical vibes at LandShark Bar & Grill, savor grilled meats at The Knife Argentine Steakhouse, or indulge in Cuban-inspired cuisine at La Cañita, all with ample outdoor seating. As one of Miami’s most visited attractions, Bayside combines international dining, live music, and unique shopping experiences, making it the perfect destination for both locals and tourists looking to experience Miami’s lively waterfront atmosphere.
Bayside Marketplace
Edgewater/Brickell
Casadonna is a coastal Italian-inspired restaurant developed in partnership between Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality. Located in Edgewater alongside Biscayne Bay, Casadonna boasts expansive al fresco dining areas and bar seating with waterfront views that span the length of the bay-facing terrace. The menu features the freshest local and imported-from-Italy ingredients, a comprehensive crudo bar, bespoke cocktails, and spritzes, and an extensively curated wine cellar to complete the spirit of seaside dolce vita. Guests can also now experience docking and dining, from day to night, with any size vessel. To reserve a slip and arrive by boat, contact Casadonna's dock master at 786-869-0158 or marina@casadonnamiami.com.
Casadonna & Ngoc Minh Ngo
Description: Overlooking the Miami River in Brickell, American Social Bar & Kitchen offers an expansive outdoor patio, the perfect place to wave to passing boats with a drink in hand. With television screens both inside and outside, guests never have to miss out on a game day no matter where they sit. American Social’s upscale, yet casual dining experience includes reimagined American classics with modern twists, unique cocktails, local beer and a high-energy atmosphere with live entertainment.
American Social Bar & Restaurant
W Miami, an urban oasis located in Miami's trendy Brickell District, recently opened TULUM Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, a new modern American dining concept on the hotel's 15th floor. Drawing inspiration from Tulum, Mexico, TULUM offers panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline through its floor-to-ceiling windows and al fresco dining areas. The indoor-outdoor restaurant features an organic aesthetic with earthy hues, ample greenery, warm wood accents, and a harmonious blend of natural elements and contemporary allure. The menu includes modern American cuisine with Caribbean influences through dishes.
W Miami
Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove’s favorite waterfront dining destination offers sweeping views of Biscayne Bay accompanied by an extensive menu. With three levels of “stadium-style” seating, all guests can enjoy the best seat in the house while enjoying the nice waterfront breeze along with the restaurant’s fabulous seafood fare like the iconic Island Conch Fritters and “Yankee Style” Lobster Roll.
Grove Bay Hospitality Group
North Miami/Aventura/Sunny Isles
Transport to the whitewashed islands of Greece at Avra Miami, the acclaimed Greek restaurant at the glamorous Acqualina Resort & Residences. The wildly popular estiatorio is best known for a menu that focuses on Mediterranean-sourced seafood and traditional platter-style entrées made with imported ingredients. The menu offers iterations of fresh fish with familiar favorites such as branzino, red snapper and wild Dover sole, as well as rarer Mediterranean gems like fagri and lithrini. The wine program at Avra is as impressive as the food with a list that includes more than 1,200 varieties and spans the globe. Greek spirits are part of the mix with ouzos and mastichas, and the cocktails are creative and a nod to Greece. The spacious, custom-designed restaurant spans 12,000 square feet and has a 330-seat main dining room. The airy space is chic yet inviting with its floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings, white color tones and brass finishes. Diners will be able to hear the waves crashing while they eat al fresco and savor oceanfront views.
The Avra Group
South Beach/Miami Beach
Mirabella, located at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach offers redefined coastal Italian dining, helmed by award-winning Chef Michael White. Guests can enjoy the fresh flavors of land and sea while taking in beautiful Miami views while enjoying outdoor dining. The diverse menu reflects the rich heritage of Italian coastal cuisine with dining on the terrace which offers ocean views.
Moris Moreno
The tropical beachside venue, formerly known as 1 Beach Club, has transformed into Tala Beach, a 50,000-square-foot outdoor oasis focusing on Spanish-inspired shared plates, precisely crafted cocktails and curated entertainment. This new concept features sprawling daybeds, overstuffed pillows, time-tested textures, an outdoor bar and restaurant serving a new menu and thoughtfully crafted cocktails, and a VIP lounge for those in search of an over-the-top experience. Hidden beneath the swaying palms and ample umbrella shading, Tala Beach will transport guests to paradise as they enjoy live beats and exciting entertainment while capturing 1 Hotel’s signature ethos of mindfulness and wellness. The truly 1-of-a-kind experience in South Beach will act as a gathering place for spiritual seekers, daydreamers and unconventional thinkers.
Hotel South Beach
Joia Beach Restaurant & Beach Club is a vibrant day-to-night oasis located near downtown Miami in a hidden enclave on Watson Island. Serving as both an outdoor restaurant and a beach club, Joia Beach is the only private beachfront location in Miami where guests can dine with their toes in the sand and offers a European-inspired menu with freshly sourced seasonal ingredients. Experience Miami’s calming waters just a few feet away from your table, and embrace the sun setting on the city’s skyline while enjoying their handcrafted cocktails and dishes. The goal is to feel Miami’s music, vivid culture, and breathtaking scenic views in one place, and an evening at Joia Beach is the perfect way to do it.
Joia Beach
Located at cloud level, WATR at 1 Rooftop offers unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean. The floating oasis offers guests Japanese-inspired lunch and dinner menus and an elevated nightlife experience. Open to the public for lunch and dinner, at night, WATR is set to transform into a lively dinner scene complete with a DJ and live performances.
1 Hotel South Beach
Fort Lauderdale
El Vez, the celebrated Mexican restaurant at W Fort Lauderdale, offers a vibrant atmosphere where every detail enhances your dining experience. The eclectic vibe sets the stage for a fun and casual outing, whether you're enjoying snacks and tropical drinks or indulging in a delightful multi-course Mexican feast. The restaurant features raw industrial elements and panoramic ocean views, complemented by warm, inviting furnishings. This perfect blend of comfort and beach-chic design creates an ultimate retreat for guests to relax and savor every moment.
STARR Restaurants
Steak 954, located at W Fort Lauderdale, offers a fresh twist on the traditional steakhouse experience. With luxurious ocean views, the menu features an extensive raw bar, a stellar selection of dry-aged beef sourced from handpicked ranches, locally caught seafood, and decadent desserts. This dining destination combines exquisite cuisine with a stunning backdrop, making it the perfect spot for an unforgettable meal.
STARR Restaurants
Boca Raton
Description: Kasumi brings a new level of sophistication to Boca Raton’s waterfront dining scene — a contemporary Japanese restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Takashi Yagihashi and renowned chef/restaurateur Jonathan Fox. With over 60 years of combined culinary expertise, the Chicago-based duo brings a refined yet modernized take on traditional Japanese cuisine. Located within the Waterstone Resort & Marina, Kasumi offers sweeping waterfront views that serve as a serene backdrop for its meticulously crafted dishes. The menu features a refined selection of sushi and sashimi, crafted with a mix of locally sourced seafood and prized cuts flown in from Japan’s top markets. Each dish is prepared with the precision and care that reflects the spirit of omotenashi, the Japanese philosophy of wholehearted hospitality and attention to detail. The experience is complemented by an extensive cocktail program, curated selection of Japanese whiskeys, and premium sake offerings.