Introduction
- BALEENkitchen – Sunny Isles Beach’s Oceanfront Gem
- Il Mulino Miami: Zagat-Rated Italian Excellence
- La Cabrera Sunny Isles
- Mykonos Kitchen and Bar
- The Green Pointe
1. BALEENkitchen - Sunny Isles Beach's Oceanfront Gem
Located within the elegant Solé Miami Resort, BALEENkitchen stands as Sunny Isles Beach’s premier oceanfront dining destination with an impressive 4.9 out of 5 rating from over 357 TripAdvisor reviews. This sophisticated restaurant showcases local ingredients through an international lens, creating dishes that celebrate both South Florida’s coastal bounty and global culinary traditions.
The dining experience features stunning Atlantic Ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen concept, and a menu that changes seasonally to highlight the freshest available ingredients. The seafood-focused menu features locally caught fish prepared with innovative techniques, complemented by an extensive wine collection and creative cocktail program.
Location: Solé Miami Resort, Sunny Isles Beach
Cuisine: Seafood, International
Price Range: $$$$
Highlights: Oceanfront views, seasonal menu, open kitchen
2. Il Mulino Miami: Zagat-Rated Italian Excellence
Nestled within the luxurious Acqualina Resort, Il Mulino New York – Miami brings the legendary New York restaurant’s acclaimed Italian cuisine to Sunny Isles Beach. This Zagat-rated establishment has maintained its reputation for excellence for over two decades, offering authentic Italian dining in one of Miami’s most prestigious resort settings.
The restaurant features classic Italian elegance with rich wood paneling and ocean glimpses, while the menu showcases time-honored recipes executed with the finest imported ingredients. Guests are treated to the famous complimentary antipasto selection, followed by renowned veal preparations, house-made pasta, and an impressive Italian wine cellar.
Location: Acqualina Resort, 17875 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach
Cuisine: Fine Italian
Price Range: $$$$
Highlights: Zagat-rated, complimentary antipasto, luxury resort setting
3. La Cabrera Sunny Isles: Authentic Argentinian Steakhouse
La Cabrera brings authentic Argentinian steakhouse culture to South Florida, earning an exceptional 4.8 out of 5 rating from 276 TripAdvisor reviews. This restaurant offers a genuine cultural experience that transports guests to Buenos Aires through traditional cooking methods and high-quality Argentinian ingredients.
The restaurant features an open parrilla (grill) as the centerpiece, where premium cuts of beef sourced directly from Argentina are prepared using traditional methods. The menu includes handmade empanadas, provoleta, and an extensive selection of Argentinian wines, all served in an atmosphere that reflects the warm hospitality Argentina is known for.
Location: Sunny Isles Beach
Cuisine: Argentinian Steakhouse
Price Range: $$$
Highlights: Wood-fired parrilla, premium Argentinian beef, traditional atmosphere
4. Mykonos Kitchen and Bar: Greek Mediterranean Paradise
Mykonos Kitchen and Bar offers an authentic Greek island experience with stunning Intracoastal Waterway views, earning an “Awesome” rating from 185 OpenTable reviews. The restaurant recreates the enchanting atmosphere of its namesake Greek island through waterfront dining and carefully curated Mediterranean cuisine.
The outdoor terrace features white and blue Greek-inspired décor, perfect for watching spectacular sunsets while enjoying fresh grilled fish, traditional lamb dishes, and extensive mezze selections. The restaurant sources many ingredients directly from Greece and offers an impressive selection of Greek wines and spirits.
Location: Sunny Isles Beach (Waterfront)
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Price Range: $$$
Highlights: Waterfront dining, sunset views, authentic Greek ingredients
5. The Green Pointe: European Elegance in Aventura
Located in the waterfront community of Mystic Pointe, The Green Pointe has earned an “Exceptional” rating from 200 OpenTable reviews for its European-inspired cuisine in an intimate, sophisticated setting. This hidden gem offers refined European techniques while maintaining the relaxed elegance of South Florida dining.
The restaurant provides tranquil marina views and features European culinary traditions with French and Mediterranean influences. The menu changes seasonally, emphasizing quality ingredients prepared with classical techniques, complemented by an expertly curated European wine selection.
Location: Mystic Pointe, Aventura
Cuisine: European
Price Range: $$$$
Highlights: Marina views, intimate setting, seasonal European menu
6. Sunny's Steakhouse: Miami's Most Theatrical Dining Experience
Sunny’s Steakhouse in Little River has earned recognition from Time Out Miami as one of the city’s best restaurants, offering a bold reimagining of the traditional steakhouse concept. Created by the team behind the acclaimed Jaguar Sun, this restaurant combines exceptional cuisine with theatrical presentation.
The menu features steakhouse classics with unexpected twists, like Caesar salad dominated by crispy fried breadcrumbs and steak tartare with burnt leek aioli. The restaurant ventures beyond traditional offerings with sophisticated pasta dishes, while the beverage program includes elaborate cocktail presentations and seafood platters served with dramatic flair.
Location: 7357 NW Miami Ct, Little River, Miami
Cuisine: Modern Steakhouse
Price Range: $200-250 per person
Highlights: Theatrical presentation, creative twists on classics, dramatic atmosphere
These ten restaurants offer a perfect complement to your Miami Open Backgammon Tournament experience
7. Boia De: Brooklyn Meets Little Haiti
Boia De represents the exciting evolution of Miami’s dining scene, combining intimate Brooklyn-style atmosphere with Little Haiti’s cultural diversity. Located on the edge of Buena Vista and Little Haiti, this restaurant has earned Time Out Miami recognition for its modern Italian-inspired dishes and exceptional low-ABV cocktail program.
Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer constantly reinvent Italian classics with creative techniques. Their famous beef tartare features fried capers and tonnato sauce, while the fresh pasta program showcases both technical skill and innovation. The wine list includes adventurous skin-contact options alongside traditional selections.
Location: 5205 NE Second Ave, Miami
Cuisine: Modern Italian
Price Range: $150 per person
Highlights: Creative Italian dishes, excellent wine list, intimate atmosphere
8. The Surf Club Restaurant: Thomas Keller's Miami Masterpiece
Located within the Four Seasons Surf Club in Surfside, this restaurant brings legendary chef Thomas Keller’s culinary excellence to Miami. The historic setting combines midcentury glamour with contemporary luxury, providing the perfect backdrop for Keller’s refined approach to classic American cuisine.
The tightly edited menu focuses on perfected dishes like the famous beef Wellington, baked and carved tableside. The restaurant emphasizes tableside service and theatrical presentations, supported by an extensive wine collection and service that embodies the highest fine dining standards.
Location: 9011 Collins Ave, Surfside
Cuisine: Classic American
Price Range: $250 per person
Highlights: Thomas Keller cuisine, tableside service, historic setting
9. Tâm Tâm: Vietnamese Innovation in Downtown Miami
Tâm Tâm evolved from a pandemic pop-up to become a full restaurant serving creative Vietnamese cuisine in Downtown Miami. Time Out Miami recognizes it for excelling in every aspect of the dining experience, from atmospheric design to exceptional service and crave-worthy dishes.
The nostalgic dining room pays homage to Vietnamese culture while the menu showcases traditional flavors with contemporary techniques. The famous crazy-crispy wings in caramel fish sauce exemplify the chef’s bold approach to authentic ingredients, while the shareable menu format encourages exploration of Vietnamese cuisine’s complexity.
Location: 99 NW 1st St, Downtown Miami
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Price Range: $150 per person
Highlights: Creative Vietnamese dishes, shareable format, authentic ingredients
10. Macchialina: South Beach's Italian Trattoria Gem
Macchialina has established itself as one of South Beach’s most beloved Italian restaurants under Chef Michael Pirolo’s guidance. The restaurant captures the warmth of traditional Italian dining with handmade pasta, rustic dishes, and a newly expanded garden patio.
The menu features authentic preparations like lamb ragù, clam pasta, and simple garlic and olive oil dishes that showcase ingredient quality. The beverage program, helmed by Jacqueline Pirolo, offers expertly selected Italian wines and creative cocktails that perfectly complement the cuisine.
Location: 820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach
Cuisine: Italian Trattoria
Price Range: $150 per person
Highlights: Handmade pasta, garden patio, authentic Italian preparations
Reservation Tips
- Book well in advance, especially for popular spots like Boia De and The Surf Club Restaurant
- Use OpenTable for most restaurants, though some require phone reservations
- Consider dining times outside peak hours for better availability
Geographic Strategy
- Sunny Isles restaurants are convenient to tournament venues
- Miami restaurants offer neighborhood exploration opportunities
- Plan transportation between locations, especially for evening dining
Budget Considerations
- Mix high-end experiences ($200−$250)with moderate options ($150)
- Consider lunch at fine dining establishments for better value
- Factor in wine and cocktail programs when budgeting
Best Practices
- Make reservations before arriving in Miami
- Dress appropriately for upscale establishments
- Take advantage of outdoor dining during pleasant weather
- Ask about seasonal menu changes and special offerings
Final thoughts
These ten restaurants offer a perfect complement to your Miami Open Backgammon Tournament experience, representing the diversity and excellence that make Miami a world-class dining destination. From waterfront Greek cuisine to innovative Vietnamese dishes and theatrical steakhouse experiences, each establishment provides unique flavors and memorable atmospheres.
Whether celebrating tournament victories or exploring Miami’s culinary culture, these carefully selected restaurants ensure that your dining experiences will be as rewarding as your time at the backgammon tables. The combination of exceptional cuisine, outstanding service, and distinctive atmospheres creates lasting memories that extend far beyond the tournament itself.
