A trip to Miami is always a good choice for a quick weekend getaway. The city’s warm weather, pristine beaches, and sizzling nightlife attract spring breakers and retirees alike. As a multicultural melting pot, Miami’s culinary scene is top-tier, and the luxury experiences are plentiful.
If you’ve outgrown going to Wet Willies and standing on tiny couches at Liv, treat yourself to a luxury dining experience at one of the most expensive restaurants in Miami.
1. NAOE
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NAOE (pronounced “nah-wé”) is a high-end Japanese restaurant located in Miami’s Brickell Key area with a unique dining experience.
The restaurant offers omakase-style dining, a chef’s-choice culinary experience. This allows the chef to showcase their creativity and expertise in selecting and preparing the day’s freshest ingredients.
NAOE only serves a limited number of guests each night, allowing for personalized and attentive service. The chef interacts with the guests and explains each dish, creating a unique and intimate dining experience.
2. Zuma
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Zuma’s sophisticated, elegant atmosphere makes it a popular destination for special occasions and celebrations. The cuisine at Zuma is a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine, with a focus on fresh and high-quality ingredients.
Menu items include a range of dishes, from sushi and sashimi to grilled meats. The restaurant also features a robata grill, which is a traditional Japanese charcoal grill for grilling meats and vegetables. Located at the center of the restaurant, the grill adds an element of theater to the dining experience.
The restaurant offers a range of seating options, including private dining rooms and outdoor terrace seating.
3. Nobu Miami
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Nobu is a popular destination for celebrities, athletes, and other high-profile guests. The high-end restaurant combines Japanese and Peruvian flavors to create an exciting, innovative menu.
Signature dishes include yellowtail with jalapeño, black cod miso, and rock shrimp tempura.
Nobu is co-owned by the renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who has gained international acclaim for his fusion cuisine. Matsuhisa has trained under some of the world’s top chefs and has been recognized with numerous awards.
Since its debut in 1994, Nobu has grown its operations to five continents and become a symbol of upscale dining and luxury.
4. Cipriani Downtown Miami
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Cipriani has a long history with locations in New York, Venice, Hong Kong, and other cities around the world. Cipriani Miami, situated on the downtown waterfront, delivers stunning views of the Miami River and the city skyline.
Featuring classic Italian dishes, the restaurant has been a favorite of celebrities, politicians, and high society for decades.
Fresh, high-quality ingredients make Cipriani’s signature dishes undeniably delicious. The restaurant is famous for its Carpaccio alla Cipriani, a thinly sliced raw beef dish, in addition to its homemade pasta.
Cipriani has indoor and outdoor seating options, including a terrace and a private dining room.
5. Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina
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Bourbon Steak specializes in dry-aged steaks, which are aged for a minimum of 28 days to enhance flavor and tenderness.
The restaurant’s menu also features a range of other dishes, including seafood, salads, and sides.
Bourbon Steak has a beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean for stunning sunset views during your meal. The terrace features comfortable seating and a relaxed atmosphere.
Bourbon Steak is helmed by award-winning chef Michael Mina, who has received numerous accolades for his use of high-quality ingredients and bold flavors.
6. Pao by Paul Qui
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Pao is helmed by Chef Paul Qui, a James Beard award-winning chef who has been named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs. His culinary style blends his Filipino heritage with Japanese and French techniques. Qui’s travels and experiences inspire the menu’s bold flavors and textures.
Pao’s menu features creative dishes that are both visually stunning and delicious. Elevate the dining experience with a seafood tower or caviar service.
The restaurant is located on the 20th floor of the Faena Hotel in Miami Beach. Breathtaking views of the ocean and city make for a dreamy background to your meal.
7. Hakkasan
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Hakkasan is a high-end Chinese restaurant with a global presence. The Miami location has several unique features that make it a special place to dine.
The menu’s modern interpretations of traditional Chinese dishes have earned the restaurant a Michelin star in multiple locations around the world. Hakkasan Miami also offers a unique menu that incorporates local ingredients and flavors.
Although it may be one of the most expensive restaurants in Miami, it is also a great destination for nightlife. The nightclub is a separate space on the upper level of the restaurant with a state-of-the-art sound system, VIP bottle service, and renowned DJs.
8. Il Gabbiano
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Il Gabbiano is popular for its fresh seafood, which is flown in daily from Italy and other parts of the world.
The restaurant’s seafood dishes are prepared with traditional Italian techniques and flavors.
Il Gabbiano also boasts an extensive wine list with over 600 selections from around the world. The restaurant’s sommelier can help guests select the perfect wine to complement their meal.
Elegant decor, a romantic ambiance, and stunning waterfront views set the scene for this fine Italian dining restaurant.
9. Prime 112
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Prime 112 serves some of the highest quality steaks in Miami, using only USDA prime beef that is dry-aged on-site for 45 days.
The restaurant’s steaks are cooked to perfection and served with a variety of delicious sides. In addition to its steaks, Prime 112 also offers a selection of fresh seafood, including oysters, lobster, and tuna tartare.
The decor at Prime 112 is chic and trendy, with white leather banquettes, black-and-white tiled floors, and a lively bar area.
The ambiance is upscale but also relaxed and comfortable.
10. Barton G
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Barton G’s offerings are presented in a creative, theatrical manner, with dishes and drinks that are visually stunning and memorable. For example, the Lobster Pop-Tarts are presented in a toaster, and the Sparkling Cotton Candy Martini comes with a cone of cotton candy that dissolves into the drink.
The menu features a range of inventive dishes like Marie Antoinette’s Head, a cotton candy wig with berries and cream, and the Samurai Tuna, which is a sashimi-grade tuna served on a bed of crispy rice with soy reduction.
For special, private occasions, Barton G also offers private event spaces for weddings, corporate events, and birthday parties.