Best Miami Restaurants on Collins Avenue

Best Restaurants Collins Avenue Miami

The selection of trendsetting restaurants on Collins Avenue is unlike any other place in South Florida. You’ll find dining options from elegant five-star restaurants to quaint ethnic eateries within an easy walk from your hotel. For an overview of restaurants in other areas, visit Miami Restaurants.

While finding great places to dine in South Beach can be as convenient as an elevator ride to your hotel lobby, we’re confident you will want to get out and explore all that Collins Avenue has to offer.  Here’s a look at some of the more “famous” restaurants on Collins Avenue, and please keep in mind, that we’ve munched our way up and down the beach to get you the latest inside intel so you won’t miss a single delicious bite.

South Beach 1st – 23rd Street

Bianca

1685 Collins Avenue

Sun-drenched by day and completely romantic after dark, the Delano Hotel’s Bianca Restaurant offers a feast of simple, savory Italian cuisine interpreted by Executive Chef Brian Massie and his team. Enjoy house-made pasta, gently charred octopus, and a salt-roasted branzino in the elegant dining room or overlooking the romantic moonlit garden!

STK Miami

2377 Collins Avenue

Combining the most appealing elements of a Vegas steakhouse and the edgy swagger of a swank nightclub, STK and CoCo de Ville give guests at the Perry Hotel a unique supper club experience that’s delicious, sexy and always a good time! Offering prime cuts of beef grilled to perfection and served in sizes from petite to gourmand, STK is a great spot for a girl’s night out or a lively business dinner.

The Dutch

2201 Collins Avenue

Locals have ardently embraced the upscale comfort food served at The Dutch at the W South Beach Hotel where Chef Andrew Carmellini brings Florida-fresh produce to the table from early morning until late night seven days a week. Adding on a new bakery takeaway counter to showcase Pastry Chef Josh Gripper’s sweet sensations only makes it harder to face the rigors of swimsuit season!

Setai Beach Bar

2001 Collins Avenue

One of our favorite “off-road” haunts is the oceanfront Beach Bar tucked behind the Setai Hotel which is directly accessible via the paved beachwalk promenade that runs along the coast. Serving breakfast weekends and burgers, sandwiches & salads for lunch from 11:30-5:30 daily, the bar also hosts a sunset happy hour Friday & Saturday from 5-7pm with complimentary tapas, specialty cocktails, and Taittinger Champagne specials.

Lucy’s Cantina Royale

1801 Collins Avenue

After an exhausting day spent perfecting your suntan, chances are you’ll find yourself too hungry and parched to make it more than a few steps from the sands of South Beach. That’s why the recent addition of Lucy’s beachfront taqueria to the Shelborne South Beach pool deck offers the perfect happy hour solution; two-for-one tacos and frozen margaritas from 4-6pm daily.

Katsuya by Starck

1701 Collins Avenue

Icons unite! Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi brings his award-winning seafood and Japanese robata dishes to South Beach tucked inside the dazzling new SLS Hotel where an intimate mezzanine lounge welcomes thirsty travelers to wash away their troubles in a perfectly splendid atmosphere thoughtfully designed by the one and only Philippe Starck.

DiLido Beach Club

1669 Collins Avenue

As the moon rises over the Atlantic Ocean, Chef Andrew Balick and his Ritz-Carlton South Beach team fill the boardwalk beach club with the aromas of his savory Mediterranean cuisine. Fridays starting at 5pm, guests can enjoy oysters on the half-shell and select champagne starting at $5 and priced by the hour. Kick off the weekend with a great-looking crowd as a DJ spins and come back Sunday for a Southern Comfort all-you-can-eat beachfront crab boil from 4-7pm.

Lantao Kitchen

1717 Collins Avenue

Experience the unique flavors of ginger, lemongrass and kaffir lime in the Southeast Asian street foods served at Chef Ferdinand Ortiz’s Surfcomber Hotel beach bar. The updated tapas style bites are riffs on recipes from Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and China which pair perfectly with strong tropical cocktails and friendly conversation.

Grillfish

1444 Collins Avenue

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, South Beach enjoys a steady stream of fresh Florida seafood and the chefs at Grillfish treat it with simple aplomb in the heart of Collins Avenue’s Nightclub District. Steps away from the Crowne Plaza Z Ocean Hotel, this casual eatery has been a local favorite for many years.

Front Porch Cafe

1437 Collins Avenue

For a simple solution to the stuffy hotel breakfast, break away to the Crowne Plaza Z Ocean Hotel’s Front Porch Cafe where the hearty whole-grain banana pancakes start every day off right. Serving American comfort food classics round the clock, this place feels homey even in the midst of South Florida’s vacation capital.

Spiga Ristorante Italiano

1228 Collins Avenue

In the heart of the Historic Art Deco District, the Impala Hotel has been home to Spiga Ristorante for over 13 years (which is nearly an eternity on South Beach). Chefs Roberto Legrand and Saele Cantoni dedicate themselves to this romantic trattoria; making their own pastas, baking fresh bread and pastries and serving soulful Italian classics to their loyal local fans and friends.

Puerto Sagua

700 Collins Avenue

Bustling Cuban luncheonettes are a staple for working Miamians so many South Beach locals flock to this classic storefront eatery for pressed pork-filled sandwiches, sweet coconut flan and strong espresso coffees morning, noon and night. Gritty and no-nonsense, Puerto Sagua is as authentic as you’re likely to find and always very crowded.

Pita Loca

601 Collins Avenue

Vegetarians and fans of the healthy flavors of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine line up at lunchtime at this busy Glatt Kosher sandwich shop where the falafel platters, gyro sandwiches and tabouli salads are always in demand. Serving Sunday thru Thursday until 11:30pm and closed after lunch on Friday, the Pita Loca team has served hungry South Beach locals for over 12 years.

Big Pink

157 Collins Avenue

Recreating diner classics 7 days (and late nights) a week for hungry travelers and exhausted club kids making their way home from Amnesia has kept the friendly staff at this famous South Beach restaurant on their toes for years! Serving bountiful breakfasts, juicy burgers and giant desserts, the buzzing SoFi eatery offers a full bar and breezy sidewalk seating.

Mid-Beach 23rd – 69th Street

Dining choices are not as plentiful as they are on South Beach, but if you’d rather skip the taxi, here are our favorite Mid-Beach eateries:

Cecconi’s

4385 Collins Avenue

One of the most romantic garden dining spots lights up the courtyard at the Soho Beach House as it perfumes the air with the aroma of rustic Italian fare served effortlessly by a professional waitstaff. Popular at lunch and attracting loyal locals for Sunday brunch, this picture perfect alfresco terrace is a lovely Mid-Beach oasis.

1500 Degrees

4525 Collins Avenue

Embracing the farm-to-table ethos in every delicious dish, Eden Roc Renaissance’s 1500 Degrees Restaurant serves perfectly-grilled steaks, garden ripe produce and decadent desserts in a dining room overlooking the tanning terrace and the pool.

La Cote Restaurant

4441 Collins Avenue

With an elevated dining platform offering 360 degree views of the pool deck and the sea, there is no better place to party like a celebrity on Miami Beach. Set to the beat of St. Tropez, the Fontainebleau Resort’s poolside restaurant is not just delicious, it is drop dead gorgeous!

Scarpetta

4441 Collins Avenue

Fans of FoodTV network series “Chopped” will thrill to the rustic Italian flavors captured by Chef Scott Conant who opened his Miami Beach restaurant to immediate critical acclaim. From the humble pasta and tomato sauce to more complex classic recipes, everything at this elegant eatery will transport your tastebuds straight to Italy.

Hakkasan

4441 Collins Avenue

London’s authentic Chinese restaurants are praised by critics and granted stars by Michelin so Miami Beach is truly honored to have the first American outpost of Hakkasan where the humble dumpling and classic Chinese entrees receive a four star upgrade. Dim sum brunches on weekends are simply stellar.

Gotham Steak

4441 Collins Avenue

Manhattan no longer holds a monopoly on the classic steak house now that Chef Alfred Portale opened a branch of his Gotham Steak Restaurant overlooking the pool at the Fontainebleau Resort. The 2-tier dining room truly dazzles offering views of the massive, glass-enclosed wine tower or more romantic alfresco tables under the stars.

Shula’s Steak House

5225 Collins Avenue

The house the Dolphins built is still home to that Old Boy’s Network where a sizzling steak and a strong cocktail are all that matters after the sun goes down. Set in the lobby of the Alexander Oceanfront Resort, this traditional pub attracts local sports buffs and nostalgic Dol-Fans who enjoy remembering a time when our local footballers were truly champions!

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

3921 Collins Avenue

Offering amazing views and lots of local color, this casual seaside tiki bar is just steps away from the Courtyard Miami Beach Oceanfront and serves strong drinks and tasty appetizers as the sun slowly sets in the west. Ideally situated for inexpensive happy hour drinking, the 2-for-1 pricing is not wildly inflated here as it is in most tourist-friendly spots. Enjoy snacks and pizzas as you enjoy the gentle sea breeze.

Essensia Restaurant & Lounge

3025 Collins Avenue

A wonderful dining experience awaits the intrepid traveler at the Palms Hotel & Spa where Essensia provides an authentic farm-to-table menu that’s flavored by the chef’s seaside herb garden out back. Chef Julie Frans leads families on tours of her tiny plants on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and then serves a wholesome sharing menu from 6-8 p.m. with freshly picked produce. Sunday’s brunch buffet is also a great way to celebrate the weekend.

Cantina 27

2701 Collins Avenue

This tiny Italian cafe makes its own pasta, risotto, and gnocchi and takes pride in the savory flavors and garlicky aromas that perfume the air. Serving alfresco when the weather permits, simple classics like caprese salad and a basket of fresh bread make a perfect after-beach luncheon. Expect big flavors in a very small space!

Indomania

131 26 Street (at Collins Avenue)

Fusing Dutch and Indonesian cuisine, this tiny ethnic eatery serves carnivores and vegetarians a hearty rijsttafel dinner consisting of many small plates of curry-spiced meats, veggies, and fragrant rice. Ideal for larger groups who like to sample and share, Indomania is a local foodie’s favorite hideaway.

FiFi’s Place

6934 Collins Avenue

Giving Florida-fresh seafood an extra kick of Latin style, Fifi’s Place is steps away from the Canyon Ranch Resort. Truly a labor of love, this mom-and-pop eatery enjoys a loyal local following for catch of the day specials, paella and Florida spiny lobster.

Las Vegas Restaurant

6970 Collins Avenue

For an authentic taste of Cuban cuisine, Las Vegas delivers savory entrees, well-priced daily specials and that extra strong Cafe Cubano – the sugary sweet espresso that keeps Miami moving 24/7. Portions are often large enough to share so bring a friend and enjoy the cozy cafe atmosphere.

El Rey del Chivito

6987 Collins Avenue

As healthy as the lifestyle suggestions made at Canyon Ranch may be, guests still flock to El Rey, attracted by the belly-busting Chivito Sandwich that’s ham, chicken, & grilled pork topped with a freshly fried egg. Decadent, messy and delicious this tummy torpedo is served with a pile of fries and the phone number of a local cardiologist. Don’t miss it!

Athens Juice Bar

6942 Collins Avenue

Fans of the old-school Miami Beach juice bar experience flock to Athens for a morning wheat grass, a freshly cut fruit salad topped with the house “secret” papaya mango sauce and the friendly conversation of the original owners who have been making health-conscious locals happy for decades.

La Perrada de Edgar

6976 Collins Avenue

When culinary bad boy Anthony Bourdain visits Miami Beach, he’s often spotted at Edgar’s authentic Colombian hot dog shop where the toppings include pineapple, potato sticks, and even whipped cream. Not for the faint of heart nor the tender of belly, this storefront snack shack puts a special spin on the old-fashioned weenie!

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