The TOP 10 Contemporary Restaurants in Miami

What is it? The Surf Club Restaurant by Chef Thomas Keller is located at 9011 Collins Ave in Surfside, just a few steps from the sands of Surfside Beach. The venue holds a Michelin star and sits roughly a fifteen-minute walk from the Bal Harbour Shops.

Why we love it: It is a rare instance of a high-end French and classic seafood destination that balances a significant 4.86 rating with the rigor of its Michelin-starred kitchen. The price point is high, but it offers a specific brand of formality that distinguishes it from the casual, high-traffic dining culture found elsewhere in Miami.

Good to Know: While the menu highlights classic French techniques, the kitchen’s approach to seafood is the reason to visit The Surf Club Restaurant by Chef Thomas Keller, so pair your selections with the bottles recognized by their Wine Spectator Excellence Award.

What is it? Nusr-Et Steakhouse sits at 999 Brickell Ave, a six-minute walk from Brickell City Centre. This fine dining destination specializes in a mix of grills and seafood.

Why we love it: While many spots in the district lean toward casual fare, this restaurant leans into a high-end, theatrical style of service. With a guest rating of 4.82 from over 5,000 diners, it remains a consistent draw for those seeking a grand, formal experience in the middle of the city.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Nusr-Et Steakhouse is strictly enforced, so leave the beachwear for your walk over to Bayfront Park.

What is it? Dōma sits on NE 26th St, a fifteen-minute walk from the Wynwood Walls. This Mediterranean and International fusion restaurant operates as a fine dining destination in a market otherwise dominated by casual concepts.

Why we love it: While many neighborhood spots lean into the high-energy pulse of the nearby Design District, Dōma prioritizes a quieter, more romantic tone. The kitchen balances Mediterranean roots with broader international fusion influences, justifying a price point that sits well above the surrounding Wynwood baseline.

Good to Know: The terrace at Dōma provides the best vantage for the restaurant’s smart and elegant atmosphere, so request an outdoor table when you book.

What is it? Sexy Fish Miami sits at 1001 S Miami Ave, a seven-minute walk from Brickell City Centre. The restaurant holds a Wine Spectator Excellence Award and offers a high-end menu centered on Asian and contemporary sushi.

Why we love it? The venue commands a significant price point for its fine dining, yet it earns its keep with a sustained 4.85 rating from over 7,000 diners. Unlike the more subdued dining rooms within two kilometers of Bayfront Park and the American Airlines Arena, this space leans into a vivid, maximalist aesthetic that matches the scale of its ambition.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Sexy Fish Miami is strictly enforced, so plan your outfit to complement the high-shine, luxury interiors before heading out.

What is it? Walrus Rodeo sits on NE 2nd Ave, an eight-minute walk from the Miami Design District. It is a restaurant recognized as one of the New York Times 50 Best Restaurants.

Why we love it: This spot thrives on a creative, modern fusion approach that defies the typical expectations of a fine dining menu. With a guest rating of 4.88 across 379 reviews, it manages to balance a distinct sense of luxury with a price range that avoids the city's most inflated brackets.

Good to Know: The terrace at Walrus Rodeo offers the best vantage point to appreciate the shift from the area's industrial edge to the restaurant's curated, smart and elegant atmosphere.

What is it? Itamae AO is a fine dining restaurant on NE 1st Avenue. It sits a twelve-minute walk from the Wynwood Walls and is located within a fifteen-minute walk of the Design District.

Why we love it: This venue distinguishes itself by focusing on a high-end Japanese and seafood-centric menu that draws local diners despite the premium price tag. Its 4.86 rating from 293 reviews reflects a level of consistency in its sushi program that sets it apart from the more transient establishments found toward the nearby waterfront.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Itamae AO is best interpreted as polished attire, given the high-end, view-oriented nature of the dining room.

What is it? Gitano sits at 3500 Collins Ave, a short walk from Miami Beach and roughly a 15-minute stroll from The Bass. It specializes in contemporary Mexican fusion within a formal, open-air setting.

Why we love it: The restaurant balances an expensive price tier with a consistent guest satisfaction rate, evidenced by a 4.80 rating across more than 700 reviews. It favors a high-end, romantic atmosphere that makes the terrace a distinct alternative to the high-traffic dining rooms found elsewhere along Collins Avenue.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Gitano is strictly enforced, so leave the beachwear at the hotel before heading over for dinner.

What is it? Delilah Miami sits at 301 Brickell Key Dr, positioned a short walk from the greenery of Brickell Key Park. This contemporary fusion restaurant focuses on seafood and holds a 4.81 guest rating from 642 reviews.

Why we love it: While most dining in the area clusters near the commercial density of the Miami Heat store, this location offers a more secluded fine dining experience on the edge of the island. It balances a high-end price point with a specific, curated atmosphere that feels intentional rather than performative.

Good to Know: The terrace at Delilah Miami is the primary choice for those seeking the venue’s signature view; plan for a smart and elegant dress code that matches the level of the surrounding dining room.

What is it? Prime 112 is a grill and seafood restaurant located at 112 Ocean Dr in Miami Beach. It sits a ten-minute walk south of the Art Deco Historic District and less than two minutes by foot from the water at Miami Beach.

Why we love it: The restaurant balances high-end grill culture with a substantial seafood menu, a combination that keeps the dining room consistently crowded with 2,352 reviewers contributing to a 4.71 rating. It functions as a definitive spot for fine dining on Ocean Drive, distinguishing itself from the surrounding tourist corridors through a rigorous commitment to its smart and elegant dress code.

Good to Know: Prime 112 makes the best use of its terrace during the cooler evening hours when the sea breeze hits the tables along Ocean Drive.

What is it? Sugar is a fusion restaurant located at 788 Brickell Plaza, perched on the 40th floor. It sits a six-minute walk from Brickell City Centre and roughly a twenty-minute walk from Bayfront Park.

Why we love it: While many spots in the area lean into the neighborhood’s corporate pulse, Sugar balances its high-altitude setting with a focus on shared Asian fusion and sushi. The venue draws a crowd that appreciates a fine dining price point, reflected in a 4.91 guest rating across hundreds of reviews.

Good to Know: Sugar maintains a strict smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual beachwear for your trek toward Bayside Marketplace.