Eating out in Miami in 2025: Top Restaurants, Budget Eats & Dining Tips
In 2025, Miami’s restaurant landscape is more diverse and vibrant than ever — you can dine at Michelin-stars, enjoy luxe steak and omakase experiences, or find cheap places to eat that feel genuinely local..
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1. Burger Bar & Grill
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2. Eagle French Cafe
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3. L’ardoise Bistro
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4. Anchor Seafood Market
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Eating out in Miami in 2025: A local expert’s guide
If you’re planning a trip to Miami this year, get ready: the food scene here is heating up. Think big flavours, bold fusions, and often, big price tags. But there are also gems for every budget, and some surprises if you're used to Europe’s way of dining. Below are what I’ve observed as a local + travel/tour guide—helpful tips, fun facts, weird stories, and my recommendations so you can eat well without regret.
What’s new and what stands out
Top Miami Restaurants 2025: The Michelin Guide continues to expand in Miami — restaurants like Ogawa (omakase), Boia De, Elcielo, Torno Subito are getting a lot of attention.
Miami Spice 2025 is back (Aug-Sept), giving diners prix-fixe options at over 300 restaurants. It lets you try high-end spots at lower risk.
Omakase and tasting-menu concepts are trending. Ogawa offers up to ~$350 menus for serious Japanese tradition and artistry.
Most expensive restaurants & where to splurge
These are places where price tends to reflect theatrics, exclusivity, ingredients, or all three:
The Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller — refined, elegant, classic, and you’ll pay accordingly.
Sunny’s Steakhouse in Little River — high level steak, raw bar, luxe decor; plan on $200-$250 per person if you’re doing more than a burger.
Ogawa – its omakase is one of the most expensive traditional Japanese tasting-menu-driven options in town.
Papi Steak — known both for stellar steaks and dramatic experiences (there have been media reports around costlier cocktails and specialty items).
If you want to feel fancy for one night, these are your spots. 🍾
Cheap places to eat & local value spots
You don’t need a big budget to eat great in Miami. Some of my faves and tips:
Little Havana and Calle Ocho – Cafés that locals love. Good food, modest prices, think palomilla steak, cuban sandwiche, empanadaa
The Salty Donut + Azucar Ice Cream Factory – for dessert / sweet treats, good vibes, not overpriced.
Ethnic eateries (Dominican, Haitian, Central/South American, Vietnamese, etc.) tend to give big flavor for less.
Lunch specials or “happy hour” menus can be huge savings. Always check midday deals.
Difference between dining in the United States (Miami) compared to Europe
Feature
What you’ll see in U.S. / Miami
What Europeans often expect / do
Portion size
Very large: mains can often be big enough for two people. Expect generous sides and hearty servings.
More modest portions focused on a single dish or several small courses meant for sharing or savoring slowly.
Pace of service
Faster — restaurants often turn tables quickly. If you feel rushed, tell your server you'd like to linger.
Slower and more relaxed: diners commonly linger over multiple courses and drinks without pressure to leave.
Tipping & service
Tipping culture is strong (typically 15–25%). Some places add service automatically, so check the bill.
Service is often included or lower tipping expectations — a small tip or rounding up is common in many countries.
Drinks / wine by the glass
Wide cocktail culture; wine by the glass is common but can be pricey. Expect a strong focus on craft cocktails.
House wines and affordable by-the-glass options are often easier to find; cocktails are less central in some regions.
Dress & formality
Upscale places may enforce dress codes (no flip-flops, neat attire); casual spots are relaxed. Check ahead for policies.
Varies by country — some places are consistently more polished while others are very casual; overall standards can feel different.
Closing time / late dining
Miami has late-night options, but many restaurants still close earlier than typical late-dining European cities.
In many countries — Spain, Italy, Greece — dinner often starts later (8–10pm) and late-night dining is common.
Weird stories & fun local dining culture
There was a $30,000 cocktail at one restaurant in Miami (yes, you read that right) for something like a gold briefcase or special gimmick.
Some omakase places are so intimate (10 seats or less) you literally feel like a guest in someone’s kitchen. Also sometimes the chef will talk you through every temperature, sauce, even how to chew. It’s theatrical.
Late night food culture is real: food trucks, late-hours Cuban cafés or sandwich shops stay open past midnight. If you get hunger after partying, Miami won’t leave you high and dry.
Tips for getting the most out of dining in 2025
Use Miami Spice months to try upscale restaurants with price-fixed menus.
Make reservations ahead, especially for expensive or popular spots (ogawa, Boia De, etc.).
Ask about prix-fixe, lunch specials, or “prix-light” tasting menus — some expensive places offer lighter cost versions.
Explore neighborhoods outside Beach and Downtown: Little Haiti, West Coconut Grove, Allapattah often have hidden gems.
Be clear about allergies, dress codes, etc. Don’t assume casual dress works everywhere.
My top recommendations: mix & match
Here are restaurants I’d pick, depending on what mood you’re in:
For a splurge / special occasion: Ogawa (omakase), The Surf Club Restaurant, Tambourine Room.
For something excellent but not bank-breaking: Boia De (modern Italian), Elcielo (Colombian), Tam Tam (Vietnamese).
For breakfast / brunch / casual: The Salty Donut, Cuban cafés (especially in Little Havana), roadside bakeries or “pan con café” spots.
For super cheap & local: Sandwiches, food trucks, mom-and-pop ethnic places. Don’t overlook look-outs in neighborhoods locals frequent.
Further reading on Eating out in 2025
“Miami’s most expensive restaurant meals” — where the bar is sky high. Eater Miami
Dining out has always been one of our favorite pastimes, but 2025 has added some new flavors to the mix. Between global dining trends, local favorites, and the ever-evolving restaurant scene, it’s safe to say Miami has kept its place at the table.
Before starting The Miami Tour Company in 2008, Michelle and I worked at the popular late-night South Beach restaurant, Tuscan Steak, where we learned just how much the right meal at the right place can define a vacation. That same love of hospitality and food culture still shapes how we see visiting Miami and eating out today.
💡 If you found this post helpful, don't miss our 14 Must-Know Travel Tips to do Miami like local.
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