The Ten Best South Beach Restaurants

South Beach is more than a day at the seashore. The southern tip of Miami Beach boasts museums, shops, and classic Art Deco architecture.  

Here you’ll find restaurants that serve fresh local seafood, offer the finest cuts of meat, and employ chefs who’ve won international accolades. And those are just a handful of the culinary bona fides of the top ten restaurants in South Beach.

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Photo courtesy of Abbalé Telavivian Kitchen

Abbalé Telavivian Kitchen

864 Commerce St., Miami Beach
305-902-3477
abbatlvkitchen.com
This intimate eatery could be mistaken for a charming villa surrounded by flowering magenta bougainvillea, but it’s actually a soulful place to enjoy a menu of Mediterranean and Israeli comfort food. A collaboration between chef Samuel Gorenstein and Omer Horev, founder of Pura Vida Miami, Abbalé (derived from the Hebrew word for “father”) serves the food that the two restaurateurs (and fathers) serve to their families ar home. Start with the “Holy Grail” of tahini, grated tomato, and green harissa served with fire-baked pita before digging into shakshuka, a baked Mediterranean egg dish, or a roasted local fish. Abba’s Mediterranean dishes are perfect for Miami’s climate, served in a beautiful setting.

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A spread at the Bazaar by José Andrés.

Photo courtesy of the Bazaar by José Andrés

The Bazaar by José Andrés

1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
305-455-2999
sbe.com/restaurants
What’s not to love about Spanish celebrity chef and dynamic personality José Andrés’ gastronomic wonderland? Dinner at the Bazaar is a trip down a culinary rabbit hole, led by chef de cuisine Karla Hoyos. The restaurant offers a bevy of fusion tapas that pay homage to the Caribbean, Asia, and the Americas while keeping a Miami taste and feel. The food is playful yet sophisticated, with interesting takes on classics like a caprese salad — here made with spheres of liquid mozzarella — and “Caviar Cones” filled with Ossetra caviar, capers, eggs, onion, and crème fraîche. The restaurant offers socially distanced seating and a large patio for dining alfresco.

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Calamari ($24) and shrimp scampi ($24) at Carbone.

Photos courtesy of Carbone

Carbone

49 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
(no phone)
carbonemiami.com
Don’t dare try to walk into Carbone without a reservation. The New York transplant is trending, with reservations booked up a month in advance. The wait is worth it to experience the Old World charm that Mario Carbone and his partners, Jeff Zalaznick and Rich Torrisi, have created. The restaurant is a tribute to classic New York City red-sauce joints — with a modern (and pricey) update. Chef Carbone offers a menu chock-full of classic dishes like veal parmigiana, minestrone, and baked clams. You might have seen Carbone’s spicy rigatoni vodka on your Instagram feed. Served on a hand painted plate from Umbria, it’s worth ordering for the photo — but take the time to actually eat the dish, which is creamy, spicy, and ultimately worth the monthlong wait.

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Eat at Joe’s.

Photo courtesy of Joe’s Stone Crab

Joe’s Stone Crab

11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
305-673-0365
joesstonecrab.com
For more than a century, crowds have flocked to Joe’s Stone Crab for fresh seafood. Founded in 1913, the restaurant is older than the city of Miami Beach, which was incorporated two years later. Over the years, Joe’s has become a multimillion-dollar business; it was named the second-highest-grossing independently owned restaurant in the United States by Restaurant Business. Though Joe’s boasts a wide selection of fresh seafood and steaks and employs full-time fish and meat butchers to cut perfect pieces of flesh, it’s the stone crabs that lure customers from around the globe. The claws, served with the restaurant’s signature mustard sauce, are the reason multiple generations have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, and just a Thursday evening at Joe’s. The restaurant now offers a limited number of reservations and has enlarged its outdoor seating area.
lasandwicherie

Sandwiches at La Sandwicherie begin with great bread.

Photo courtesy of La Sandwicherie

La Sandwicherie

229 14th St., Miami Beach
305-532-8934
lasandwicherie.com
This French-owned counter restaurant, located in an alley off 14th Street, may not look like much, but it offers some of the best sandwiches in South Florida. Crispy, flaky French bread is the basis for the sandwich. From there, the sandwich makers add your choice of meat, cheese, or a combination thereof, such as ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, and Swiss cheese, as well as more distinctive, Euro-friendly choices such as Camembert, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, saucisson sec, and pork/duck liver pâté. Next come crisp toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, hot pickled red peppers, black olives, red onion, cucumber, and cornichons. Garnishes are followed by a finishing splash of tart Dijon-based French vinaigrette. Voilà! A damn good sandwich. La Sandwicherie has expanded to additional locations, but the South Beach shop is the original.

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A pasta dish at Macchialina.

Photo courtesy of Macchialina

Macchialina

820 Alton Rd., Miami Beach
305-534-2124
macchialina.com
Business and life partners Jen Chaefsky and former Scarpetta chef de cuisine Michael Pirolo consistently offer some of Miami’s best and most satisfying food. Every dish is wonderful, especially Pirolo’s house-made pastas and creamy polenta loaded with sausage ragu. There’s always something new to try in the daily special list and Macchialina offers an affordable five-course tasting menu daily. DInner is served in the restaurant’s outdoor “Giardino”, and the indoor dining room is available for private dinners. Called “Bestia”, the private dinners are serves family-style and are available for four to 12 guests. Call the restaurant to reserve a “Bestia” dinner, as the restaurant only offers one per evening.

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Dig into a steak at Red the Steakhouse.

Courtesy photo

Red South Beach

801 South Pointe Dr., Miami Beach
305-534-3688
redsobe.com
The allure of Red South Beach lies in its perfectly charred steaks, pristine seafood, and well-executed small plates such as truffle whipped potatoes, four-cheese macaroni and cheese, and Parmesan tater tots. The menu, created by executive chef Peter Vauthy, transcends season and trend through items that will never go out of style. Try the toothsome 40-day dry-aged rib eye, Miyazaki Japanese A5 Kobe, or giant Alaskan crab as big as a house — Vauthy handpicks the proteins with the same care jewelers select fine diamonds. The restaurant recently relocated to a new spot that offers outdoor dining on a large patio.

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A “Fisherman’s Tackle Box” at Stiltsville.

Photo courtesy of courtesy of Stiltsville Fish Bar

Stiltsville Fish Bar

1787 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach
786-353-0477
stiltsvillefishbar.com
James Beard nominee Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth, both Top Chef alumni, serve fresh local seafood at their Sunset Harbour restaurant. About 115 pounds of seafood is delivered daily by fishermen from Key West, Key Largo, and Miami. Before opening for dinner, the restaurant prints “Daily Catch” cards, which list each fish, the preparation (baked, grilled, seared), and a few descriptors, such as “flaky,” “sweet,” “subtle,” or “medium firm.” McInnis’ famed fried chicken also makes an appearance as a Stiltsville entrée. Brined for 24 hours with bay leaves, citrus, and a pinch of fennel, the bird is crunchy on the outside, moist in the center, and faintly tangy. It’s worth a try despite the restaurant’s seafood focus.

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The dining room at Stubborn Seed.

Photo by CandaceWest.com

Stubborn Seed

101 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
786-322-5211
stubbornseed.com
Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford has worked with venerable chefs such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Los Angeles’ Ludo Lefebvre. Now, in Miami Beach’s tony South of Fifth neighborhood, Ford shines solo at Stubborn Seed. The interior design of his 70-seater is industrial chic, allowing the food to be the focal point. The best way to experience Stubborn Seed is by experiencing chef Ford’s eight course tasting menu, available until 9 p.m. nightly.

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Sweet Liberty’s eggs Benedict.

Photo courtesy of Sweet Liberty

Sweet Liberty

237 20th St., Miami Beach
305-763-8217
mysweetliberty.com
In 2016, restaurateur David Martinez, Blackbird Ordinary’s Dan Binkiewicz, and world-class bartender John Lermayer opened a Miami Beach bar meant to be a hangout where locals could gather for proper cocktails and a killer menu by chef Michelle Bernstein. This neighborhood joint — adorned with a pink neon sign that urges patrons to “pursue happiness” — quickly became one of the most revered bars on the planet. Sweet Liberty has been named one of the World’s 50 Best Bars and has won several Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Even Lermayer’s untimely death couldn’t stop the plucky bar and restaurant from staying true to its mission to serve good drinks and good food in a lively and friendly atmosphere. After all, it’s a rare place that combines a James Beard-winning chef’s food and some of the best drinks in a convivial setting that’s unpretentious and downright fun.

South Beach is more than a day at the seashore. The southern tip of Miami Beach boasts museums, shops, and classic Art Deco architecture.Here you’ll find restaurants that serve fresh local seafood, offer the finest cuts of meat, and employ chefs who’ve won international accoladesa handful of the culinary bona fides of the top ten restaurants in South Beach.This intimate eatery could be mistaken for a charming villa surrounded by flowering magenta bougainvillea, but it’s actually a soulful place to enjoy a menu of Mediterranean and Israeli comfort food. A collaboration between chef Samuel Gorenstein and Omer Horev, founder of Pura Vida Miami, Abbalé (derived from the Hebrew word for “father”) serves the food that the two restaurateurs (and fathers) serve to their families ar home. Start with the “Holy Grail” of tahini, grated tomato, and green harissa served with fire-baked pita before digging into shakshuka, a baked Mediterranean egg dish, or a roasted local fish. Abba’s Mediterranean dishes are perfect for Miami’s climate, served in a beautiful setting.What’s not to love about Spanish celebrity chef and dynamic personality José Andrés’ gastronomic wonderland? Dinner at the Bazaar is a trip down a culinary rabbit hole, led by chef de cuisine Karla Hoyos. The restaurant offers a bevy of fusion tapas that pay homage to the Caribbean, Asia, and the Americas while keeping a Miami taste and feel. The food is playful yet sophisticated, with interesting takes on classics like a caprese salad — here made with spheres of liquid mozzarella — and “Caviar Cones” filled with Ossetra caviar, capers, eggs, onion, and crème fraîche. The restaurant offers socially distanced seating and a large patio for dining alfresco.Don’t dare try to walk into Carbone without a reservation. The New York transplant is trending, with reservations booked up a month in advance. The wait is worth it to experience the Old World charm that Mario Carbone and his partners, Jeff Zalaznick and Rich Torrisi, have created. The restaurant is a tribute to classic New York City red-sauce joints — with a modern (and pricey) update. Chef Carbone offers a menu chock-full of classic dishes like veal parmigiana, minestrone, and baked clams. You might have seen Carbone’s spicy rigatoni vodka on your Instagram feed. Served on a hand painted plate from Umbria, it’s worth ordering for the photo — but take the time to actually eat the dish, which is creamy, spicy, and ultimately worth the monthlong wait.For more than a century, crowds have flocked to Joe’s Stone Crab for fresh seafood. Founded in 1913, the restaurant is older than the city of Miami Beach, which was incorporated two years later. Over the years, Joe’s has become a multimillion-dollar business; it was named the second-highest-grossing independently owned restaurant in the United States by. Though Joe’s boasts a wide selection of fresh seafood and steaks and employs full-time fish and meat butchers to cut perfect pieces of flesh, it’s the stone crabs that lure customers from around the globe. The claws, served with the restaurant’s signature mustard sauce, are the reason multiple generations have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, and just a Thursday evening at Joe’s. The restaurant now offers a limited number of reservations and has enlarged its outdoor seating area.This French-owned counter restaurant, located in an alley off 14th Street, may not look like much, but it offers some of the best sandwiches in South Florida. Crispy, flaky French bread is the basis for the sandwich. From there, the sandwich makers add your choice of meat, cheese, or a combination thereof, such as ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, and Swiss cheese, as well as more distinctive, Euro-friendly choices such as Camembert, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, saucisson sec, and pork/duck liver pâté. Next come crisp toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, hot pickled red peppers, black olives, red onion, cucumber, and cornichons. Garnishes are followed by a finishing splash of tart Dijon-based French vinaigrette. Voilà! A damn good sandwich. La Sandwicherie has expanded to additional locations, but the South Beach shop is the original.Business and life partners Jen Chaefsky and former Scarpetta chef de cuisine Michael Pirolo consistently offer some of Miami’s best and most satisfying food. Every dish is wonderful, especially Pirolo’s house-made pastas and creamy polenta loaded with sausage ragu. There’s always something new to try in the daily special list and Macchialina offers an affordable five-course tasting menu daily. DInner is served in the restaurant’s outdoor “Giardino”, and the indoor dining room is available for private dinners. Called “Bestia”, the private dinners are serves family-style and are available for four to 12 guests. Call the restaurant to reserve a “Bestia” dinner, as the restaurant only offers one per evening.The allure of Red South Beach lies in its perfectly charred steaks, pristine seafood, and well-executed small plates such as truffle whipped potatoes, four-cheese macaroni and cheese, and Parmesan tater tots. The menu, created by executive chef Peter Vauthy, transcends season and trend through items that will never go out of style. Try the toothsome 40-day dry-aged rib eye, Miyazaki Japanese A5 Kobe, or giant Alaskan crab as big as a house — Vauthy handpicks the proteins with the same care jewelers select fine diamonds. The restaurant recently relocated to a new spot that offers outdoor dining on a large patio.James Beard nominee Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth, bothalumni, serve fresh local seafood at their Sunset Harbour restaurant. About 115 pounds of seafood is delivered daily by fishermen from Key West, Key Largo, and Miami. Before opening for dinner, the restaurant prints “Daily Catch” cards, which list each fish, the preparation (baked, grilled, seared), and a few descriptors, such as “flaky,” “sweet,” “subtle,” or “medium firm.” McInnis’ famed fried chicken also makes an appearance as a Stiltsville entrée. Brined for 24 hours with bay leaves, citrus, and a pinch of fennel, the bird is crunchy on the outside, moist in the center, and faintly tangy. It’s worth a try despite the restaurant’s seafood focus.winner Jeremy Ford has worked with venerable chefs such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Los Angeles’ Ludo Lefebvre. Now, in Miami Beach’s tony South of Fifth neighborhood, Ford shines solo at Stubborn Seed. The interior design of his 70-seater is industrial chic, allowing the food to be the focal point. The best way to experience Stubborn Seed is by experiencing chef Ford’s eight course tasting menu, available until 9 p.m. nightly.In 2016, restaurateur David Martinez, Blackbird Ordinary’s Dan Binkiewicz, and world-class bartender John Lermayer opened a Miami Beach bar meant to be a hangout where locals could gather for proper cocktails and a killer menu by chef Michelle Bernstein. This neighborhood joint — adorned with a pink neon sign that urges patrons to “pursue happiness” — quickly became one of the most revered bars on the planet. Sweet Liberty has been named one of the World’s 50 Best Bars and has won several Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Even Lermayer’s untimely death couldn’t stop the plucky bar and restaurant from staying true to its mission to serve good drinks and good food in a lively and friendly atmosphere. After all, it’s a rare place that combines a James Beard-winning chef’s food and some of the best drinks in a convivial setting that’s unpretentious and downright fun.