The Magic City was made for special nights out, and there’s always a reason to celebrate with an OpenTable reservation at one of the fancy restaurants in Miami. From a sleek sushi hotspot with standout omakase to a retro-cool oyster haunt and a seafood stunner from an acclaimed Portuguese chef, the city is filled with tons of great spots for fancy occasions and everyday celebrations.
Feast on Asian-accented fare in romantic bird’s nest seating at a swanky celebrity favorite in Brickell. Sip Champagne and dine on Italian-inspired favorites at a stunning oceanside spot in Surfside. Enjoy a contemporary American tasting menu at a Top Chef’s stylish, MICHELIN-Starred tasting destination in South Beach.
Skip the wait by reaching for an OpenTable reservation instead.
Read on for a guide to 12 top fancy restaurants in Miami.
For Vietnamese-inspired small plates at one of the top birthday restaurants in Miami: Phuc Yea (MiMo/Upper East Side)
The paper lantern-decked patio at Phuc Yea screams cool birthday vibes, and so do the ’90s hip-hop tunes. But this artsy Vietnamese Cajun spot in Mimo/Upper East Side is just as ready for casual date night or a group brunch. Owners Ani Meinhold and chef Cesar Zapata use their heritages as a launching pad for unexpected cultural mashups like wok-fried noodles with oyster sauce, Parmesan, and garlic butter. Bonus points for an affordable happy hour with oyster and drink specials.
For dinner and a show with Asian-inspired fare at one of the upscale restaurants in Miami: Jaya at the Setai (South Beach)
Impress out-of-towners (or anyone, really) with a celebration at this sleek oasis, one of Miami’s most beautiful restaurants. Jaya lives in the Setai Miami Beach, and the hotel’s glam vibe extends to its signature restaurant. Jaya’s tandoor-roasted, wok-fried menu is a trip through India, Thailand, and China. Book a table around the water-filled courtyard, and saddle up for a nightly entertainment lineup that includes fire dancers and acrobats—this is dinner and a show, Miami style.
For a MICHELIN-Starred tasting menu at one of the fancy restaurants in Miami: Stubborn Seed (South Beach)
Stubborn Seed’s MICHELIN Star is one reason to celebrate here. Led by Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, the elegant American spot—one of Miami’s most upscale restaurants—is known for a blockbuster tasting menu with the freshest finds from local farms. That means a new meal with freshly baked bread, seasonal local fish, and luxe toppers like caviar on every visit. Outdoor tables promise a breezy al fresco celebration, or dine indoors to watch the action in the glass-walled kitchen.
For shareable Mediterranean fare at one of the nice restaurants in Miami: Byblos Miami (South Beach)
One of the fanciest restaurants in Miami, Byblos is all dark and velvety interiors—ideal for romantic celebrations. Most of its Eastern Mediterranean dishes are served family-style, confirming that sharing is definitely caring here. Toast to each other with the vodka and pomegranate Gulab cocktail, garnished with fresh rose petals. Then choose from feasts-for-two like lamb shoulder with sumac, pickles, and house lavash. A DJ spins on weekends, making Byblos especially celebration-friendly.
For fresh oysters and great bubbles in a low-key setting: Mignonette (Downtown Miami)
As its name suggests, Downtown Miami’s Mignonette is where you go for oysters, flown in from both US coasts daily. Its retro-cool digs are great for first dates and low-key celebrations (read: flip-flops and tanks are welcome), complete with lobster rolls, seafood towers, and lots of caviar. Snap a photo by the charming marquee showing off the bivalve selection of the day, and add a bottle of bubbles—or a slice of key lime pie—to make things extra festive.
For romantic, bird’s nest seating and Asian-accented dishes: Komodo (Brickell)
This David Grutman-owned restaurant in Brickell is fluent in all things flashy. A celebrity favorite, the massive three-story spot works equally well for celebratory drinks and intimate dinners (request one of its bird’s nest-like seats if you’re here for a romantic occasion). Easy-to-share food like wagyu beef dumplings, rock shrimp, and duck lettuce wraps dominate the Asian-inspired menu. But you’re really here for the OTT atmosphere—think 40-foot ceilings and sexy treehouse-chic decor.
For a coastal Italian escape with ocean views: Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar at Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club (Surfside)
Lido is far from your average hotel lobby restaurant. Instead, every meal at the Surfside special-occasion spot shuttles you to the Italian coast. Start with a glass of bubbles from Miami’s largest Champagne collection, then dive into a sophisticated surf-and-turf dinner. Tucked away inside Lido, you’ll find a crudo bar with a separate menu of specialty dishes by executive chef Marco Calenzo for an extra-special treat.
For award-winning cuisine from a culinary legend: L’atelier de Joël Robuchon – Miami (Design District)
As Florida’s only two MICHELIN-Starred restaurant, this Design District location is perfect if you’re looking for a sophisticated celebration spot. Whether you opt for a table or counter-style dining, you’ll bask in a dark red glow while feasting on luxe, French-inspired fare like cold-poached Maine lobster and sea urchin-topped capellini pasta with optional caviar. For extra-special celebrations, book the “chef experience” tasting menu with fancy add-ons like Japanese A5 wagyu.
For seafood-heavy dishes from a renowned Portuguese chef: Sereia (Coconut Grove)
The first US restaurant for chef Henrique Sá Pessoa of Lisbon’s two MICHELIN-Starred Alma, Sereia brings gorgeously plated Portuguese-inspired seafood to Coconut Grove. You’ll find an array of imported and local catches in dishes like snapper tartare and a salted cod served with confit egg and fries. Ask to sit at the crudo bar for an immersive experience featuring a specially curated menu—perfect for that milestone anniversary celebration.
For creative sushi at one of the fancy restaurants in Miami: Uchi Miami (Wynwood)
This Austin transplant in the bustling Wynwood area is perfect for a date night celebration. Sit at the raw bar with a hand-drawn chalk mural of jellyfish to choose your own sushi adventure, or settle into a wooden banquette in the plant-decked room for the standout ten-course omakase experience. And with 50% off bottles of bubbles (which is something to celebrate in its own right) and well-priced bites and drinks starting at $4, happy hour at Uchi is a must.
For freshly made pastas at one of the nice restaurants in Miami: Erba Miami (Coral Gables)
This beloved local favorite is the brainchild of James Beard Award-nominated chef Niven Patel and restaurateur Mohamed Alkassar of Ghee. The menu is filled with Italian dishes with a local twist, thanks to ingredients sourced at Patel’s two-acre farm in Homestead. The cozy space feels like someone’s well-decorated living room, and the banquette-style seating accommodates larger groups, making it one of Miami’s best restaurants for birthdays or engagement celebrations.
For New American cuisine with a Cuban twist in a modern farmhouse space: Ariete (Coconut Grove)
At MICHELIN-Starred Ariete, chef and Miami native Michael Beltran gives French and New American flavors progressive twists. From a special tasting menu to à la carte options, there’s no shortage of expertly prepared dishes worthy of a celebration. Go big with the signature canard à la presse, a 14-day dry-aged duck breast for two presented tableside, or a reservation in the private dining wine cellar in the basement.
No matter what you’re looking to celebrate, there are plenty of nice restaurants in Miami that fit the bill. From Miami Beach to Coral Gables, the city is filled with celebration-worthy dining destinations serving everything from fresh oysters to stellar sushi and Portuguese coastal fare. Whether celebrating a birthday with Vietnamese-meets-Cajun fare in a cool, lantern-outfitted space or toasting a special occasion with oceanside Champagne and Italian fare, these hotspots are sure to fill up quickly.
Snag your seat at one of these fancy restaurants in Miami by booking with OpenTable now.
Want to learn more about Miami’s amazing restaurant scene? These city guides can help:
- The 12 most beautiful Miami restaurants to visit right now
- 12 top restaurants for every kind of date in Miami
- The 12 best restaurants to dine outdoors in Miami
Amber Love Bond is a Miami-based food + beverage writer who can typically be found somewhere delicious with her laptop in tow and a cocktail in hand. See what she’s sipping and follow her adventures on Instagram.
