Beyond Ocean Drive: 17 Miami Beach Spots Worth the Trip
Eater Miami's new list of 17 best Miami Beach restaurants spans from Michelin-starred Stubborn Seed to late-night La Sandwicherie, proving SoBe dining goes far beyond Ocean Drive.
The stone crab claws at Joe’s arrive cracked and glistening, just as they have for more than a century on South Beach — but the restaurant scene around it has exploded far beyond the tourist traps of Ocean Drive.
Eater Miami released its list of the 17 best restaurants on Miami Beach this week, highlighting everything from Michelin-starred tasting menus to late-night sandwich counters that have fed club-goers since the ’90s.
The list spans the full spectrum of what makes Miami Beach dining special. Stubborn Seed, Jeremy Ford’s Michelin-starred restaurant, sits alongside La Sandwicherie, the 24-hour French sandwich shop that’s been a SoBe institution since 1988.
“The beauty of Miami Beach dining is that you can have a $200 tasting menu at lunch and a $10 sandwich at 3 a.m., and both experiences feel authentically Miami,” said one local food writer familiar with the scene.
The selection reflects the area’s cultural diversity. Abbalé Telavivian Kitchen and Motek represent the growing Israeli food scene, while Tropezón Miami brings Spanish flavors to the mix. Carbone delivers its theatrical Italian-American experience, and Uchiko offers high-end Japanese cuisine.
Several neighborhood gems made the cut, including Macchialina Taverna Rustica, the cozy Italian spot that locals have guarded as their secret for years. True Loaf Bakery represents the artisanal bread movement that’s taken hold across South Florida.
The pizza category alone shows the range — from Prince Street Pizza’s New York-style slices to Lucali’s thin-crust pies that draw lines down Lincoln Road.
New additions like The Joyce prove Miami Beach continues evolving beyond its reputation for flashy, style-over-substance dining. The restaurant scene now balances Instagram-worthy spots with serious culinary destinations.
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company rounds out the list, representing the craft cocktail movement that’s transformed Miami Beach nightlife from bottle service to serious mixology.
For visitors looking to eat like locals, the list offers a roadmap beyond the obvious choices. Skip the chain restaurants on Ocean Drive and head to these spots where the food matches the city’s reputation for innovation.