The Top 10 Miami Waterfront Restaurants You Can Reach by Boat

miami beach marina drone view
Picture of Blogs Written By Colin Keohane
Blogs Written By Colin Keohane

Long-time resident of South Florida who loves boating, great restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. I've chosen to make Miami my home because of the city's incredible culture. I love sharing my local knowledge with others through writing.

So, you’re visiting Miami and you’re looking for a great waterfront restaurant with a dock you can pull your boat or yacht up to? Since it’s Miami… you have a ton of great options. No need to search for Miami waterfront restaurants near me. Here, we will list the top 10 Miami Waterfront Restaurants for you and brief description of why we love them.
  1. Sea Spice
  2. Kiki on The River
  3. Lido Bayside Grill
  4. Boater’s Grill
  5. Rusty Pelican
  6. American Social
  7. Casablanca on The Bay
  8. Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill
  9. Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill – Miami
  10. Monty’s Sunset – South Beach

1. Sea Spice

The very best of the best. If you want to go to the most-high end spot in Miami where you can arrive by boat, you have to go to Sea Spice!

Sea spice has incredible food and an even more incredible ambiance. The vibes here are amazing. Like many restaurants in Miami, it feels like a cross between a restaurant and a night club. You’ll hear great music, have impeccable service, and you’ll likely see a few bottle girls coming out with sparklers.

seaspice restaurant

If you come for a late dinner and want to stick around, the restaurant turns into a night club with music blasting, people dancing, and drinks pouring everywhere.

If you take a boat to Sea Spice for a late-night dinner, you will have the time of your life. Great food, impeccable service, dancing, loud music, and one of the most beautiful cruises you’ll ever experience along the Miami River.

2. Kiki on The River

Another favorite waterfront restaurant to stop at during your luxury boat rental is Kiki on the River. Kiki is located right next to Sea Spice, and it gives the exact same vibe but with even more partying!

kikiontheriver restaurant

At Kiki on the River, you’ll have great food in an exquisite setting. If you stay late, you’ll stay for one of the best parties in Miami. You’ll avoid all the other tourists at Space and Elleven. Instead, you’ll be partying with locals blasting Reggaeton and dancing your heart out.

Don’t forget that you get to enjoy that breath-taking cruise down the Miami River at the end of the night. There’s really nothing like seeing downtown Miami and Brickell little up at night from the Miami River.

3. Lido Bayside Grill

Looking for a calm and relaxed night on the water that doesn’t break the bank? Lido Bayside Grill is one of our favorite spots to go if we are looking for a chill night that’s a little more intimate.

lidogrill waterfront restaurant
Lido is attached to the Standard Spa in Miami Beach. It has incredible food and a beautiful outdoor deck for seating. The deck faces west, so if you go at the right time, you can catch an incredible sunset behind the Miami skyline. Great food, a beautiful setting, sunset views… all just a short boat ride away!

4. Boater's Grill

If you are renting a boat in Miami and going Nixon Beach Sandbar, you have to stop at Boater’s Grill at the end of the day. Boater’s grill is located on the Southern tip of Key Biscayne, and the name says it all. This is the place to stop when you’ve just been on the water and you swimsuit is still wet.

boatersgrill waterfront restaurant

Boater’s Grill is a super casual waterfront restaurant with a great mix of seafood and American classics. We’ve never been to Boater’s Grill when it wasn’t packed, and for good reason.

At Boater’s Grill, you’ll get casual vibes, great seafood, and quick service.

5. Rusty Pelican

We can’t believe that Rusty Pelican only made it to number 5 on our list. The Rusty Pelican is a staple Miami beachfront restaurant. Rusty Pelican has some of the best views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami Skyline that you can find.

rustypelican waterfront restaurant

This waterfront restaurant has some of the best seafood that you can find in Miami. On top of that, it won’t empty your wallet! The food is delicious and reasonably priced.

The Rusty Pelican is located on Virginia Key right next to Rickenbacker Marina. It’s the perfect location right in the middle of Biscayne Bay!

6. American Social

Located just a few steps away from the heart of Brickell, American Social is one of the most fun waterfront restaurants in the area. Brickell is full incredible shopping, restaurants, and nightlife.

american social waterfront restaurant
Many of our customers who hire boat rentals in Miami love to stop at American Social because it’s the perfect place to start their night out after a beautiful cruise to a waterfront restaurant in Miami!

7. Casablanca on the Bay

Many of our luxury boat rentals in Miami depart from the Venetian Marina & Yacht Club. Casablanca is located within the marina complex. It’s the perfect restaurant to stop at right before or after you depart on your Miami boat rental.

casablanca waterfront restaurant

Casablanca has an elegant ambiance with great food for every tastebud! You won’t be disappointed if you start or end your day on the water at Casablanca.

8. Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill

Shuckers is another favorite waterfront restaurant among locals. You can be at the dock at Shuckers in about 10-15 minutes from most of the marinas in the Miami area. Shuckers is also extremely popular because it has an incredible view and is extremely affordable at the same time.

shuckers waterfront restaurant

The menu is full of great seafood, burgers, and water fun cocktails you want. If you’re looking for a casual dinner on your next boat rental, we highly recommend shuckers!

9. Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill – Miami

Whiskey Joe’s is everything you would ever hope for from a waterfront restaurant in Miami. Great seafood, burgers, and authentic bar food. It’s also the type of place you can show up to when you’re still wet from your day out on the water.
whiskeybar miami

Whisky Joe’s is super casual and super fun. It’s located in the same complex as Rickenbacker Marina. It’s extremely convenient when you are looking for an easy place to eat after a day on the water.

10. Monty’s Sunset – South Beach

The final spot on our list goes to Monty’s Sunset. It’s a waterfront restaurant that overlooks Miami Beach Marina. It’s a fantastic place to grab a bite before heading out on one of our luxury yacht rentals leaving from the Marina.

montyssunset
Final Thoughts

There are so many great waterfront and beachfront restaurants in Miami. We hope this list was helpful for when you plan your next boat or yacht rental in Miami!

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Miami is in between March and May.

The weather is hot and sunny in April.

July to October is off season in Miami, making it a little cheap during those months.

January is the coldest month in Miami.

Summer clothes would be comfortable in Miami in April.

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