There are a lot of reasons to spend time in Miami Beach. Head to the shore, and you can catch a downright tropical breeze off the Atlantic. Walk down Ocean Drive, and you can pretend you’re starring in your very own sun-drenched biopic set in South Florida. Hang out at any bar for a few minutes, and you’ll experience unparalleled people-watching.
Wunderbar
$$ | (305) 538-4900 | WEBSITE
Wunderbar is a lively hotel bar located within the Circa 39 Hotel, and it has a talented bartender, a creative chef, and exceptional service that makes guests feel at home. Despite the cozy setting, this isn’t the sort of place where you’ll want to sip alone. The charming space is cute and welcoming, and you’ll want to share a bunch of things like the crispy cauliflower coated with sweet Asian chili sauce and the jalapeño margarita that’s especially spicy and loved by many.
HIGHBAR Pool + Bar + Sky
$$ | (305) 534-8455 | WEBSITE
Miami Beach residents have plenty to boast about, and near the top of that list is the fact that the area is home to HIGHBAR Pool + Bar + Sky. As of yet there is no regulars’ rewards program—but it’s still reassuring to know that some of the city’s most enjoyable rooftop hangs is right there overhead, inside a breezy, sun-drenched space that captures a classic poolside vibe.
The drinks are unapologetically refreshing, with happy hour deals so generous and well-priced that we’d gladly finish the complimentary shots off a teetotaler’s tray. They don’t do quiet evenings, which essentially nudges you to have an afternoon party. Things could be worse.
Backyard Miami Beach
$$ | (844) 472-3663 | WEBSITE
A lot has changed about Miami Beach in the past few years, but Backyard Miami Beach is forever. The strong drinks here are still great, as is the lively, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re planning a casual group outing, this place should be at the top of your list—there are plenty of breakfast options for anyone who wants to start their day right. If you just want to get a cocktail, head to the bar where Richard will craft you something special during daily happy hour.
Taverna
$$ | (305) 497-4449 | WEBSITE
This Miami Beach tavern exudes ‘just finished my sunset jog’ coastal ease. In addition to a skilled bartender crafting excellent cocktails, and plentiful parking just a short walk from the middle beach, you’ll find good food with excellent raw materials and pleasant atmosphere. Come for drinks and happy hour specials with friends, and try their varied menu if you’re feeling adventurous. They also have both indoor and outdoor seating.
Esquina Mexicana | Mexican restaurant in Miami Beach
$$ | (786) 619-6649 | WEBSITE
It’s easy to get swept up in eating the delicious chicken fajitas at this Mexican restaurant. With a platter full of sizzling steak tacos, freshly made guacamole, and multiple margaritas on the table, it’ll take a few bites before you realize that your taste buds are dancing, and it’s totally worth it. Choose between the Birra tacos, enchiladas, or birria tacos, and then round out your order with some mixed burrito and more margaritas.
Located in Miami Beach, this spot has a chill vibe and staff that provide personalized attention, making guests feel comfortable.
Kantina Restaurant
$$ | (305) 534-7100 | WEBSITE
Kantina Restaurant pretty much only does one thing, and that’s deliver outstanding food and a lively atmosphere you’ll want to linger in for hours while chatting with the friendly staff. Modeled after Miami Beach’s vibrant dining scene, this sit-down restaurant has a beautiful energy, as well as hospitable servers who are happy to explain the menu in detail.
Dishes cost around $18–$28 each and range from super delicious, crispy calamari and fresh shrimp tempura tacos to churrasco with savory juices and paella with vibrant flavors.
Lapidus Bar
$$ | (786) 761-1700 | WEBSITE
Lapidus Bar is a stylish cocktail lounge located in the Ritz Carlton Miami Beach. The bar offers a lively and fun vibe with exceptional service, perfect whether you’re a hotel guest or just seeking a unique evening out. The bartenders, including the knowledgeable Sarinya, serve sliders cooked to perfection alongside creative drinks.
Cocktails run about $16–$22, with sliders around $24 for a trio, so if you’re looking for a classy spot with attentive, professional service, visit for an exquisite atmosphere and a memorable night.
The ScapeGoat
$ | (786) 275-6488 | WEBSITE
You have to go looking for The ScapeGoat. It’s tucked away in a mostly residential area with a converted space that feels like a garage, and if it weren’t for the smooth jazz and clinking glasses drifting from the doors, you could easily miss it. A small part of us wishes we could keep this place all to ourselves, but you should know that The ScapeGoat makes some exceptional cocktails.
The bartenders are passionate and knowledgeable, the drinks are fire and go down very easy, and they’re meticulous with details like hand-cut ice. There are only a few stools at the bar and some cozy booths inside, so this is a spot for a relaxed, semi-religious solo cocktail experience.
Segafredo L’Originale
$$ | (305) 673-0047 | WEBSITE
This Miami Beach spot has been around for years and, despite the constant churn of trendy new places in the area, it has consistently delivered some of the most reliably enjoyable nights out in the neighborhood. We love Segafredo L’Originale for a weekend drink with friends, but it’s also a fantastic choice for an aperitivo, when they offer great food at affordable prices.
The vibe is fantastic, featuring top music and a good DJ on weekends, creating a sensational atmosphere that brings back memories for many. The food is fresh and flavorful, with a great variety to choose from, and the service is attentive, ensuring everyone feels taken care of. This restaurant is a go-to place that’s sure to become a regular spot for many.
Maxine’s Bistro and Bar – American Restaurant in Miami Beach
$$ | (786) 607-4187 | WEBSITE
Maxine’s Bistro and Bar in Miami Beach is an American restaurant where you’ll find a friendly bartender mixing spicy margaritas and something called the Hangover Burger (with perfect eggs). The lively spot in Miami Beach serves hearty dishes that taste like they’re coming straight out of a classic American kitchen. Try the fried calamari, or the ribeye with whipped potatoes and seasonal vegetables, and share a big flaming cocktail with your friends.
South Beach Rooftop Pool Party & Open Bar
Miami Open Bar’s Cuban Sampler tastes like a celebration of Miami’s vibrant culture, and it’s the signature dish of this beachside restaurant that’s one of our favorite day party spots in South Beach. Our favorite way to experience here is the bottomless brunch. Between the tender pork bites and crispy yuca fries, there’s lots of flavor that gets elevated by the lively atmosphere.
Add in a generous portion of Caesar Salad that easily feeds a small group, and you’ve got yourself a mighty fine meal. Either take your Cuban Sampler, plus some tasty bottomless mimosas, to their rooftop pool area, or hang out at their beachside tables with a refreshing cocktail from their open bar.
Wet Willie’s
$$ | (305) 532-5650 | WEBSITE
Miami Beach’s most satisfying casual hangout is a patio spot overlooking the ocean. Fun, unpretentious, vacation-ready—there are many things you could call Wet Willie’s, but boring isn’t one of them. The frozen-drink-focused restaurant is a genuinely relaxed place where a server might offer you a sample before blending your perfect slushy cocktail. Choose from a chicken Caesar wrap for $14 or Baja tacos and a burger with curly fries for around $18, or just grab a stool and order a few drinks.
The menu is straightforward and consistently tasty, with items like the sweet Bob Marley frozen cocktail and strong options like the “triple play” or “call a cab” that pack a punch.
Kill Your Idol
$$ | (305) 672-1852 | WEBSITE
An instant bright spot for the Miami Beach scene when it opened years back, this lively bar has become an essential weekend entertainment option. Their popular Friday night drag shows feature great sound systems, DJ/VJ performances, and a welcoming crowd. And when you’re ready for drinks on a Saturday evening, their weekend happy hours with live music are the ideal thing to lift your spirits.
STK Steakhouse
$$$$ | (305) 604-6988 | WEBSITE
If you’re reading this and you still haven’t been to STK Steakhouse, we hope you’re having a nice day, and we also hope you stop reading this and go to STK Steakhouse. Ideally, you’ll bring a few friends to this steakhouse and tackle as much of the menu as you can. But if you don’t have anyone who currently wants to eat with you, a plate of the miso sea bass at the bar is an excellent solo dining choice.
Mixology
$$$ | WEBSITE
Miami Beach has plenty of spots where you can sip a cocktail, but Mixology is our favorite place in the neighborhood to enjoy drinks that someone else mixed to perfection. Their frito misto and shrimp appetizer are the best in the area, and the beautifully designed space (it’s welcoming and thoughtfully lit) is a great place to gather a group of friends for happy hour, especially after a long day at the beach.
Ordering a pasta dish just feels right when you’ve survived another scorching afternoon in Florida.
Havana 1957 Cuban Cuisine Espanola Way
$$ | (305) 503-3828 | WEBSITE
Havana 1957 Cuban Cuisine Espanola Way only opened in 2025, but this authentic take on classic Cuban dining has already achieved Espanola Way landmark status. Their Cuban dishes are instantly memorable, sort of like vintage cars or salsa rhythms. Our go-to orders are the Havana 57 coffee, the Ropa Vieja Empanadas, and the Cuban sandwich from the spice menu.
If you want to skip the wait, arrive before the dinner rush, then settle into a cozy booth and enjoy the lively atmosphere with a coconut mojito for the perfect evening.
Saxony Bar
$$$$ | (305) 534-8800 | WEBSITE
From the same glamorous team behind the Faena Hotel, Saxony Bar captures the spirit of the roaring 20’s with a speakeasy vibe. Their slightly overpriced but excellent cocktails have turned us into night owls (they’re worth the splurge), and the great music sets the perfect mood for a stylish evening. Always expect an intimate, cozy atmosphere, and always expect that atmosphere to be entirely worth it for a girls’ or date night.
