The best rooftop restaurants in Miami to book right now

No matter the time of year, sunset dinners at Juvia are marked by candy-colored skies. Consider it a free show or part of the experience when you dine at the Lincoln Road restaurant. Not there for the sweeping views of South Beach? Rest assured, the food doesn’t play second fiddle to the skyline. The Japanese-Peruvian menu impresses with all kinds of ceviches as well as cooked fish, like the tasty Chilean sea bass.

The hip, neon-accented Serena is like taking an elevator ride up to Mexico City. Inspired by the trendy patios of the Mexican capital, it’s a dazzling lounge in the sky with lots of cozy nooks concealed by blooming bougainvillea bushes and lit by twinkling string lights. The couch setups and garden feel are intentional—you’ll surely want to stay here awhile. In the outdoor kitchen you’ll find chef Scott Linquist, a veteran of the cuisine, who doles out his best takes on uni and crab tostadas, tuna tartare and other coastal Mexican eats. The squash blossom quesadillas and the classic caesar salad are two of the dishes not to be missed. 

For years, the Epic Hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant was a magnet for business types grabbing a drink after work in the area. But even without its beat-the-clock happy hour, Area 31 is still luring the locals with its unparalleled views of Downtown and well-priced bites and sips. The food and drink menus have been scaled back but the restaurant’s signature salads and seafood dishes made the current list (plus Thursday night brings a festive tapas party for more nibbles). Cocktails and wine are always in abundance at the 16th-floor spot.

Watr owns its stunning view of the ocean with a Peruvian-inspired rooftop restaurant and bar decked in reclaimed wood. The soundtrack is more akin to breaking waves than the usual club bangers you hear in these parts. There’s just something about the laidback vibe of this place that makes us feel like we’re at a spa with frosé on tap—and that ain’t a bad thing. Fill up on skewered meats and seafood or ignore the fact that you’re dining next to a pool and dive head first into Watr’s burger. It’s towering and drippy and ever so worth the price tag ($24) and the calories.

Fourth-generation Cipriani brothers, Maggio and Ignazio, follow in their family’s footsteps with this upscale Italian restaurant perched on the rooftop of Coconut Grove’s splashy Mr C hotel. Whether you sit outside on the terrace or cozy up at a table inside, the wrap-around windows make it so everyone’s got the best seat in the house. Here for more than the scenery? Dig into traditional pasta dishes like the standout cacio e pepe with a refreshing Bellini (you’re there, after all) to wash it all down.

It’s the longest ride to the top of any rooftop restaurant in Miami (40 floors up!), but Sugar’s Downtown views—and East Miami’s ‘grammable galactic elevators—make it all worth it. Pockets of Asian-inspired gardens help set the Zen mood, though it’s the flowing breeze that’ll really put you at ease. Known for its swank crowd and high-priced drinks, Sugar recently introduced a daily happy hour from 4 to 6pm that includes two-for-one deals on signature spritzes, rosé and wine. Grab a couple of glasses to go with your sushi rolls, spicy rock shrimp, lettuce wraps and other shareable bites.

The first U.S. outpost of the internationally known Japanese-fusion spot lands in Miami’s Midtown neighborhood. Salvaje, whose other locations include Ibiza and Marbella, is a clubstaurant with excellent views, a tasty sushi menu and a nightlife pedigree you’ll recognize as soon as the sun sets (catch it from the rooftop’s bamboo daybed) and the music turns up. Not a fan of the raw stuff? The grilled lamb shank, lobster dumplings and wok-fried rice with roasted duck are delicious ways to fuel up for a night of tableside dancing.

The bilevel restaurant gives it all away with its name: Vista. It’s as much a looker as it is a place to sit back and enjoy the views. The fully exposed space is at once cozy and breezy, enclosed by plants but open to the elements save for the cover of a wooden pergola that’s lit up by bistro lights at night. It’s balmy up there but don’t go light on the food on account of the temps: no meal at Vista is complete without an order of house-cut french fries with raclette cheese or any of the house-made pastas. Indulge, baby.

MILA’s MediterrAsian concept doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue but the views are an easy sell. Quietly situated above Lincoln Road, the combination restaurant, lounge and bar make for a combustible atmosphere fueled by DJs, fire dancers and other types of live entertainment. Performative servers bring the show tableside to finish off cocktails with dry ice, sear off meats and put the final touches on a variety of dishes and drinks right before your eyes. Both the crowd and the restaurant are a spectacle, so sit back and take it all in.

This former firehouse-turned-restaurant and lounge is quite the popular date spot in Brickell. Couples gravitate toward the second-floor dining room, where lots of greenery and fans keep the space airy and private. Downstairs it’s a party but upstairs folks come to linger over affordable two-course meals (every entrée includes a complimentary appetizer) and sip cocktails in one of the several lounge setups.

The sister lounge to Wynwood’s excellent restaurant Three doubled its dining area and its dinner menu during lockdown. Now, guests can nosh on dishes from Three as well as the rooftop spot’s list of classics—think sliders and dips. It’s only on the second floor, so don’t expect skyscraper views. But the cocktails are great and taste even better when the breeze comes rushing over the outdoor patio.

The Little River food hall boasts a rad rooftop space, like the kind you imagine cool people in Brooklyn hanging out on. It’s lush and tropical and injected with just the right amount of color and island flair to remind you that you’re in Miami even if the view below leads you to believe otherwise. Once you’ve found a spot, you’ll be able to order cocktails as well as food from any of the eateries below. We love a place with choices.

We’re not sure how many people actually dine at Astra, but the rooftop bar does serve a full menu. It’s tasty, too, featuring oysters, grilled octopus and fresh salads like you’d expect to find at a beach club off the Aegean. As far as Wynwood goes, this place is a scene thanks to a steady rotation of DJs and daybeds that attract large groups of people looking to sit around and drink for hours. Lately, the Greek spot is channeling the chill vibes of Ikaria more so than the party atmosphere of Mykonos.