Where to eat this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Miami

What is it? What better occasion to ogle the newly debuted $100 million renovation at the iconic Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne property than Christmas? Taking the place of the beloved Lightkeepers restaurant, Luma is serving up a Southern Italy-inspired holiday with pre-fixe menus for brunch and dinner. Fresh pastas, roasted specialties, seafood and festive sweets all feature, plus live music during dinner on Christmas Day.

Address: 455 Grand Bay Drive, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Christmas hours: Dec 24 5–10pm; Dec 25 12:30–3:30pm, 5–10pm

Expect to pay: Brunch is $195 per adult and $79 per child ages 2 to 12; Dinner is $140 per adult, with an optional wine pairing for $95.

What is it? Excellent steak and wine programs—plus refined cocktails and a buzzing atmosphere—have edged Daniel’s to the top of Miami’s impressive lineup of steakhouses. For the holiday, the team is rolling out a 12 Days of Christmas-themed menu to complement their already celebratory à la carte selections. Festive dishes include Black Winter Truffle Churros, Australian Cobungra Station Wagyu Beef Wellington, Maple Syrup Roasted Brussel Sprouts and a decadent Cranberry Pistachio Cheesecake.

Address: 1500 San Ignacio Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Christmas hours: Dec 24 4–10pm; Dec 25 3:30–10pm

Expect to pay: $100 to $150 per person

What is it? A sultry, windowless cavern of a restaurant in South Beach serving up a mix of traditional Chinese flavors and seasonal touches this Christmas. The four-course holiday menu includes highlights like Stuffed Chicken Wings packed with sticky rice, fragrant mushrooms and thirteen-spice salt; Charsiu Pork Back Ribs glazed with wildflower honey and caramelized soy bean; and Smacked Cucumber Salad with wood ear mushrooms, chrysanthemum and Shanxi vinegar, among others. The menu concludes with Chocolate Steamed Cake, featuring a rich chocolate base paired with egg custard and sweet rice cream.

Address: 1575 Alton Rd, Unit 2, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Christmas hours: Dec 24 and 25 5–11pm

Expect to pay: $110 per person plus tax and gratuity 

What is it? This Brickell hotspot with a flair for the French-Mediterranean is offering its full à la carte menu alongside limited-edition seasonal dishes crafted especially for the holiday. The star of the show is a refined Black Angus Tenderloin layered with seared foie gras, accompanied by tender salsify and finished with a périgourdine sauce. Tableside presentations and live performers add to the festive ambiance.

Address: 1101 Brickell Ave S-113, Miami, FL 33131

Christmas hours: Dec 24 6pm–1am; Dec 25 6pm–1am

Expect to pay: Around $100 per person

What is it? This new oceanfront concept from the José Andrés Group has a breezy Mediterranean-meets-Miami vibe and is offering two special holiday menus this Christmas. The brunch buffet features fresh juices, viennoiserie, granola parfaits, tropical fruits and cheeses and charcuterie. There will also be an ample seafood spread, carving stations with prime rib and heirloom marbled potatoes, a salt-crusted salmon and an epic Bûche de Noël (Yule Log). Highlights from the à la carte dinner menu include a Foie Gras Terrine with fig compote and sea salt brioche and a Wagyu Beef Wellington with truffled duxelle and Pedro Ximenez au jus, plus a Panettone Bread Pudding with Grand Marnier ice cream for dessert.

Address: 4041 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Christmas hours: Brunch noon–4pm; Dinner 6–11pm

Expect to pay: Brunch starts at $120+ per adult (or $160 with all-you-can-drink Taittinger or La Fête rosé) and $55 for children 12 and under. Dinner is around $150 per person, à la carte.

What is it? The always festive Phuc Yea in MiMo pulls out the stops this holiday, offering its full à la carte menu of Vietnamese-inspired dishes—the Smoked Bone-In Short Rib and Chef Cesar’s beloved biscuits are just a couple of highlights—along with fun add-ons like a limited-edition coquito (a Caribbean take on eggnog made with coconut and rum). The restaurant will be decked out in Christmas decor, including Mi Chini, the cozy speakeasy bar located directly downstairs (perfect for a holiday nightcap).

Address: 7100 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138

Christmas hours: Dec 25 5–10pm

Expect to pay: $50 to $100 per person

What is it? The newly crowned highest-grossing restaurant in the U.S. shows off its chops this Christmas. Ascend to the rooftop overlooking Lincoln Road, where you’ll find multiple rooms, moody lighting and sultry performances from dinner until late. The full menu will be available along with holiday features like a luxurious Creekstone Tenderloin served with Maine Lobster Tempura in a sake caviar beurre blanc. For dessert, try the Chocolate Lava Cake, accompanied by vanilla ice cream and a delicate snowflake coconut tuile.

Address: 1636 Meridian Ave Rooftop, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Christmas hours: Dec 24 6pm–1:20am; Dec 25 6pm–2am

Expect to pay: Around $100 per person

What is it? Our preferred Carbone of the Miami pair, Carbone Vino in Coconut Grove, is a flamboyant yet warm option for an upscale Italian holiday lunch or dinner. To mark the occasion, Carbone Vino is offering a Prime Rib special for two priced at $95, accompanied by Dijon mustard, horseradish cream, and a rich natural jus. The à la carte menu will also be available, featuring classics like the Caesar alla ZZ, Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, Jumbo Shrimp Fra Diavolo, and Veal Parmigiana.

Address: 2911 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Christmas hours: Dec 25 11:30am–2pm, 5–9pm

Expect to pay: Around $100 per person

What is it? A renowned Argentinian chef’s iconic wood-fired restaurant in the Faena Hotel, Los Fuegos, is a swanky, crimson-hued setting to celebrate Christmas this season. Start fresh with the Bluefin Tuna Crudo served with a fresh potato salad, then lean into the flame-kissed theme with the Branzino “A La Brasa” in a luscious brown butter and lemon sauce, or the Wagyu Hanger Steak with green peppercorn sauce and crispy potatoes. Finish with the Hazelnut Cream Yule Log, lightened up with pear chantilly and pear sorbet and topped with crunchy praline.

Address: 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Christmas hours: Dec 24 and 25 7–11am, noon–4pm, 6:30–10:30pm

Expect to pay: Around $100 per person

What is it? This Design District gem has become a go-to for its old-world Northern Italian ambiance and sophisticated menu to match. On Christmas Day, soak in every decadent design detail as you partake in favorites like the Margherita Pizza, Crispy Red Prawns, Spicy Lobster Rigatoni and Classic Veal Milanese.

Address: 111 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137

Christmas hours: Dec 25 11:30am–4:30pm, 5–9pm

Expect to pay: Around $100 per person

What is it? Estiatorio is a family-owned Greek restaurant with a global footprint, but its Miami outpost feels like home. Settle into the relaxed, loft-like space this holiday to partake in a Mediterranean lunch or dinner. Expect the signature fish market display of fresh catch alongside à la carte staples like the Milos Special, Greek Salad and family-style sharing plates.

Address: 730 1st St, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Christmas hours: Dec 24 and 25 noon–3pm, 5:30–11pm

Expect to pay: Around $100 per person

What is it? Massimo Bottura relocates his playfully edgy Italian concept—the renowned chef’s only U.S.-based restaurant—from Downtown to the Design District this season. On Christmas Eve, take the new 1960s-inspired digs for a spin while revisiting some of the menu’s greatest hits, like the steamed red shrimp cocktail and the tortellini filled with cured pork in creamy Parmigiano Reggiano sauce. Other highlights include the golden fried turbot milanese with saffron mayo and Chef’s Favorite Pizza topped with mozzarella, scamorza, stracciatella, creamy basil pesto, crispy baby zucchini, and basil.

Address: 191 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137

Christmas hours: Dec 24 noon–2:30pm, 6–9:30pm

Expect to pay: $100 to $150 per person

What is it? Sleek and airy AVIV switches focus from Israeli to Chinese cuisine this holiday, offering a nostalgic yet modern menu of fusion dishes like Kimchi and Scallion Latkes with sour cream and caviar; Persian Fried Rice with saffron, chicken and pomegranate; Smoked Duck with sweet and sour silan and bok choy olesh; and Kung Pao Pastrami with Szechuan sauce and roasted peanuts. Desserts include a Labneh Cheesecake with fig compote and red currant gel or Chocolate Challah Bread Pudding with tahini soft serve.

Address: 2341 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Christmas hours: Dec 24 and 25 5–10pm

Expect to pay: $50 to $100 per person

What is it? Ball & Chain is a Calle Ocho institution and among the most lively ways to spend Christmas Day, either with a group or a date. Break up your holiday routine with live music that flows out onto the sidewalk, hearty Cuban food and lots of tart and minty mojitos. You might even burn some of those Christmas Eve calories dancing salsa til late.

Address: 1513 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

Christmas hours: Dec 25 11am–1am

Expect to pay: Around $50 per person

What is it? The Downtown Miami outpost of chef Danny Grant’s acclaimed wood-fired steakhouse promises a glamorous and high-energy Christmas holiday. Choose from Maple & Ash’s signature à la carte menu, or go for the special chef’s Chateaubriand, available exclusively for the occasion.

Address: 699 NE 1st Ave 2nd floor, Miami, FL 33132

Christmas hours: Dec 24 6–10pm; Dec 25 4–9pm

Expect to pay: $100 to $150 per person