Best Trendy Restaurants in Brickell
15 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza - Brickell
Founded by O1 Visa-certified pizza chef Renato Viola, featuring signature star-shaped pizzas with 72-hour fermented dough and ricotta-filled crust points.
Notable Picks
Two-time Pizza World Champion Renato Viola opened this 2014 concept after earning an O-1 'extraordinary ability' visa—a rare achievement for a pizza chef—and has since grown it to 20-plus locations. The signature move is the 72-hour fermented dough that yields a delicate, crackly thin crust, best showcased in the star-shaped pies with ricotta-stuffed points. The Brickell outpost is larger and more polished than the original South Beach spot, with solid outdoor seating and a scene-y energy that skews date night over family dinner. Service can feel rushed when the room fills up, and some purists find the style too thin for their taste. Best for pizza nerds who appreciate technique and don't mind paying a premium for it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Star Luca, Coffee Paolo, Ginger Lilliam
What Makes it Special: Founded by O1 Visa-certified pizza chef Renato Viola, featuring signature star-shaped pizzas with 72-hour fermented dough and ricotta-filled crust points.
#2
Casa Zeru
8.4
The Miami outpost of a Mexico City favorite that's been perfecting Basque cuisine since 2009, now occupying the ground floor of Hotel AKA Brickell with 200 seats and a striking palm-accented design. Chef Israel Aretxiga brings 15 years of traditional Spanish technique to the Josper grill, where the socarrat rice dishes deliver that prized caramelized crust worth ordering every visit. The Manchego fondant dessert has developed its own following among regulars. Service runs attentive but can lag during peak hours when the live music kicks in—some find the entertainment distracting rather than atmospheric. Come for a splurge-worthy date night when you want Basque precision without flying to San Sebastián.
Must-Try Dishes:
Socarrat de Mariscos, Fried Artichokes with Idiazabal Cheese, Alaskan King Crab with Miso Glaze
What Makes it Special: San Sebastian-inspired Basque cuisine cooked over a wood-burning Josper grill, with signature socarrat rice dishes featuring the prized crispy bottom crust.
#3
Alma Rosa
8.4
A sultry Brickell lounge where Mexican meets Mediterranean, Alma Rosa has carved out a following since opening for its tableside guacamole with crispy ribeye and the crowd-pleasing ossobuco ravioli. The space leans into moody lighting and plush textures that feel distinctly nightclub-adjacent—fitting, since there's an actual club attached for post-dinner revelry. Service gets high marks for attentiveness, though a few diners note it can feel performance-driven. Pricing runs steep for the neighborhood, and surprise fees have caught some guests off guard. Best for date nights where atmosphere matters as much as the plate, or happy hour when the drink specials soften the bill.
Must-Try Dishes:
Guacamole con Ribeye Frito, Costra de Picanha, Pulpo Crujiente
What Makes it Special: Contemporary Mexican cuisine with Mediterranean influences in a sultry lounge atmosphere, featuring tableside preparations and an on-site nightclub.
8.3
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Jacopo Giustiniani opened the first Felice on the Upper East Side in 2007 after realizing Manhattan needed a relaxed wine bar with proper Italian roots—this Brickell flagship carries that same 'extension of your living room' philosophy backed by the SA Hospitality Group that runs Sant Ambroeus. The fettuccine alla Bolognese and mezze maniche cacio e pepe use imported Italian tomatoes and the family's organic Tuscan wines from Fattoria Sardi near Lucca. Manager Flavio and executive chef Luigi Bailon have built a loyal following, with reviewers consistently praising the attentive, professional service. The outdoor seating works for date nights, though the Brickell location is still building its reputation compared to the NYC originals. A genuine Italian import, not a Miami approximation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fettuccine alla Bolognese, Mezze Maniche Cacio e Pepe, Veal Meatballs
What Makes it Special: NYC's beloved Tuscan trattoria brings countryside Italy energy to Brickell with proper Italian tomatoes and a family-first approach.
8.3
This Tokyo-meets-Lima izakaya opened in 2021 and quickly earned three consecutive Miami New Times 'Best Sushi' awards under Chef Michael Asalie, who won the South Beach Seafood Festival's sushi battle in 2022. The Paper Tuna and torched salmon nigiri draw the crowds, but the Nikkei-leaning menu—think crispy rice with truffle and acevichado rolls—is where the kitchen really distinguishes itself from Brickell's sushi pack. Dinner service gets loud and energetic, which is either the point or a drawback depending on what you're after. Service can feel transactional during peak hours, and some reviewers find the portions modest for the price point. Best suited for date nights where you want quality fish without the omakase commitment or the scene-y peacocking of flashier neighbors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paper Tuna, 48-Hour Marinated Black Cod, Salmon Aburi Nigiri
What Makes it Special: Tokyo-inspired izakaya blending Nikkei flavors with inventive nigiri like torched wagyu and truffle-kissed salmon in a sleek Brickell setting.
#6
Kaori
8.3
Opened in 2022 and Michelin-recognized, Kaori marries serious Pan-Asian cooking with a genuine Hi-Fi listening bar concept—130,000 vinyl records, Danley Sound Labs speakers, and rotating DJs Thursday through Saturday. Executive Chef Seth Fatah's menu runs from wagyu-foie gras gyoza to dry-aged duck, and the kitchen executes with more precision than the nightlife-forward vibe might suggest. The 6,000-square-foot two-story space lets you choose between refined upstairs dining or a more casual first-floor bar experience. Prices run high and portions can feel precious, which draws occasional grumbles. Best for dates or groups who want excellent food without sacrificing atmosphere, and who appreciate that the music isn't just background noise.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu and Foie Gras Gyoza, Shiro Ponzu Crudo, Miyazaki A5 Beef
What Makes it Special: A restaurant meets Hi-Fi listening bar where Michelin-recognized modern Asian cuisine pairs with curated vinyl and live DJs for a sensory experience.
8.2
Russian restaurateur Arkady Novikov—with nearly 300 restaurants worldwide—opened this Downtown Miami outpost in 2018 as his first U.S. venture, bringing the London original's celebrity-magnet formula to Biscayne Bay. The live seafood display where guests hand-pick their ingredients is theatrical in the best way, and the Peking Duck holds its own against any in Miami. The outdoor terrace overlooking the bay with occasional live jazz creates a polished, grown-up atmosphere that feels distinctly international. Service is consistently praised as attentive and knowledgeable, though the $17 valet and overall pricing push this firmly into special-occasion territory. Best for business dinners or dates with people who appreciate that the dim sum cart exists for a reason.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peking Duck, Duck and Foie Gras Dim Sum, Miso Black Cod
What Makes it Special: The first U.S. outpost of the world-renowned London import, featuring a live seafood display where guests hand-pick their ingredients for custom preparation.
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Birthday & Celebration Central
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Trendy Table Hotspots
The Venice dynasty behind Harry's Bar brings 90+ years of Italian hospitality heritage to Miami's waterfront, serving the original Bellini and carpaccio in a Florentine-designed space with Murano chandeliers and bay views. The imported pasta and classic preparations justify special occasion splurges, though service inconsistencies and aggressive pricing draw criticism from those expecting Harry's Bar-level refinement.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carpaccio Alla Cipriani, Baked Green Tagliolini with Praga Ham, Homemade Potato Gnocchi al Pomodoro
What Makes it Special: Venice's legendary Harry's Bar dynasty brought to Miami's waterfront, serving the original Bellini and carpaccio in a nautical-chic Florentine-designed space.
8
A 20-year Miami institution that was doing late-night ramen before it was trendy, open until 5AM every night with an izakaya-style menu spanning crispy rice rolls, A5 wagyu ramen, and deep-fried cheesecake. The value proposition is strong—quality ingredients at prices that don't punish you for ordering a second round—and servers like Luis and Noel get called out by name. Peak hours can slow the kitchen considerably, and some find the ramen merely solid rather than destination-worthy. Works best as a reliable Brickell standby or post-bar spot rather than a special-occasion pick.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Rice Roll, Red Dragon Roll, A5 Wagyu Ramen
What Makes it Special: One of Brickell's only quality sushi spots open until 5AM, offering A5 wagyu ramen and creative rolls at accessible prices.
Worthy Picks
#10
Claudie
7.9
A French-Mediterranean restaurant that leans hard into the transportive dinner—roving musicians circling tables nightly, a fountain-anchored terrace framed by bronze sculptures, and a Michelin-trained kitchen (Le Louis XV, Joël Robuchon) turning out clean, oak-grilled Provençal plates like branzino with tomato viejo and a lobster spaghetti that's become the table's reliable anchor. Service swings between attentive and stretched thin on peak nights, and the à la carte pricing runs steep for what lands on the plate, but when the musicians hit your table and the terrace awning opens at sunset, the full production earns its keep.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Spaghetti, Truffle Toupie Macaroni, Grilled Loup de Mer
What Makes it Special: Michelin-pedigreed chef (Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse, Joël Robuchon) channels Roger Vergé's 'cuisine du soleil' over an oak wood open grill, with nightly roving musicians serenading tables on a fountain-anchored terrace.
#11
MAMO Miami
7.9
This SoHo transplant brings generous truffle portions and refined Italian technique to Brickell's dining scene, with standout dishes like the cacio e pepe fried artichokes and truffle ravioli. The marble-accented dining room offers a chic setting where you can actually hold a conversation, though expect upscale pricing including marked-up bottled water.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carciofi Alla Giudia (Cacio e Pepe Fried Artichokes), Truffle Ravioli, Capelli D'Angelo with Shrimp and Pistachio
What Makes it Special: SoHo import blending Italian tradition with French Riviera influences, known for generous truffle portions and a chic marble-accented dining room.
#12
Tacology
7.9
Established in 2016 as a mercado-style taqueria on the fourth floor of Brickell City Centre, Tacology sources its corn directly from Mexico to make 26 different tacos in-house. The birria and lobster tacos earn repeat visitors, though the iPad ordering system and auto-gratuity feel transactional rather than hospitable. It's loud, it's busy, and dishes arrive whenever they're ready—not necessarily together. Works well for a post-shopping pit stop with friends who don't need hand-holding, but don't expect a relaxed meal. The Taco Tuesday half-off deal makes it genuinely worthwhile on the right night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco de Birria, Lobster Taco, Queso Fundido con Huitlacoche
What Makes it Special: Mercado-style taqueria with 26 different tacos made from scratch using corn sourced directly from Mexico, all ordered via tablet at your table.
#13
Ojo de Agua
7.9
A health-forward Mexican brunch destination wrapped in boho-chic greenery, Ojo de Agua draws the Brickell wellness crowd with extensive vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options alongside fresh-pressed juices. The chilaquiles and guava pancakes are the draws, and portions run enormous—plan to share or take a box home. The plant-filled outdoor patio feels like an escape from the glass towers nearby, though the aesthetic appeal outpaces the culinary ambition; reviewers note dishes can be solid without being special. Bathroom cleanliness has drawn complaints. Works for a leisurely weekend brunch with friends who prioritize dietary flexibility and Instagram-worthy surroundings over adventurous cooking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilaquiles Verdes, Guava Pancakes, Acai Bowl
What Makes it Special: Health-conscious Mexican brunch destination with organic ingredients, fresh juices, and extensive vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options in a boho-chic setting.
#14
Gekko
7.9
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
David Grutman and Bad Bunny's Japanese steakhouse trades heavily on celebrity cachet and dimly-lit opulence—gold dragons, hot-stone wagyu, and a crowd dressed for the 'gram. The A5 beef cooked tableside and the lobster dumplings genuinely deliver, but service reviews are sharply divided: some servers earn praise by name, while others rush tables or disappear entirely. At these prices, inconsistency stings, and the host stand has developed a reputation for rigidity that borders on unwelcoming. Best approached as a birthday spectacle or nightlife-adjacent flex rather than a pure food pilgrimage.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu Crispy Rice, Lobster Dumplings, A5 Hot Stone Wagyu
What Makes it Special: A Japanese steakhouse-meets-nightclub from David Grutman and Bad Bunny, where you cook A5 wagyu on hot stones with Japanese whisky while gold-plated dragons watch.
#15
Salty Flame
7.9
VE Hospitality Group—15 years in Brickell—opened this Asian-fusion steakhouse in 2024 with a hook: you sear your own wagyu on a blazing hot stone tableside, which is genuinely fun once and gimmicky twice. The lomo saltado bowl and Korean fried chicken show the Indonesian-influenced range, and servers like Nia and Joaquin draw consistent praise for guiding first-timers through the experience. Reviews diverge sharply on whether the food matches the sleek, DJ-backed ambiance—some call it superb, others use words like 'mediocre' and 'plain.' The $28 three-course lunch special represents the best value play; dinner pricing runs steep for what can feel like style over substance. Too new to have a track record, so approach as an experience rather than a sure thing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gold Label Wagyu Hot Stone, Lomo Saltado Bowl, Korean Fried Chicken
What Makes it Special: Asian-fusion steakhouse where you sear your own wagyu on a blazing hot stone tableside, blending interactive dining with Indonesian-influenced flavors.