Celebrate your special occasions at these top 13 Miami restaurants

Located in Miami’s up-and-coming MiMo neighborhood, Phuc Yea has been a source of exciting Vietnamese Cajun comfort food since 2016 (it first debuted as a pop-up in 2011). The cultural balancing act is expertly executed by owners Ani Meinhold and chef Cesar Zapata, who use their heritage and kitchen experience as inspiration. As ’90s hip-hop plays in the background, diners feast on green papaya salad with crispy shallots, dried shrimp, carrots, peanuts, herbs, and nuoc cham (Vietnamese fish sauce) dressing; and massive bowls of pho. The restaurant’s signature dish is PY noodles, made with oyster sauce, parmesan, and garlic butter, and quickly cooked in a wok. Dine in Phuc Yea’s artful, multi-level interiors or grab a spot on the spacious patio, adorned with paper lanterns and murals. The restaurant is ideal for date night, birthday celebrations, and brunch with a large group. Check out the special oysters experience available via OpenTable.

A New York transplant by famed chef Marcus Samuelsson, this Overtown restaurant is filled with warmth. The menu takes cues from Samuelsson’s Ethiopian roots, the Caribbean, and America’s Deep South, too. Start with the cornbread served in a cast iron skillet with spiced rum butter or the deviled eggs topped with chicharron, caviar, and mustard. Move on to entrees such as shrimp and grits or fried chicken. Save room for dessert—there’s a sibling concept next door called The Creamery featuring a selection of locally made ice creams. Live music is played daily with a different theme each day of the week, including a gospel choir during Sunday brunch, making that a particularly fun time to celebrate.

This beloved BYOB pizza spot is nestled in a charming neighborhood courtyard, lending it a warm and cozy feel. It’s best suited for those special occasions when getting dolled up isn’t required because the night is all about the delicious food and company. On the menu, expect Neapolitan pizzas, calzones, salads, pastas, and more, all fresh out of a wood-fired oven. Come for a casual celebration (Ironside is especially good for groups) and enjoy a relaxed evening without feeling rushed.

If your special occasion calls for steak, then chef/restaurateur Richard Sandoval’s pan-Latin steakhouse inside the Intercontinental Hotel is the way to go. The restaurant is known for its expansive selection of tableside carved meats served rodizio, or all-you-can-eat style. Small plates include short rib and bone marrow arepas and grilled octopus. Sunday brunch features bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. If you’re celebrating with a group, reserve Toro Toro’s wine room, named El Matador, which seats up to 14. For ultimate exclusivity, opt for the chef’s table, located in the center of the bustling kitchen.

Those looking to dine in style—and maybe spot a fashionable celebrity or two—should book a table at Swan in Miami’s Design District. Owned by nightlife mogul David Grutman and musical sensation Pharrell Williams, this glitzy restaurant is worth booking for a special night out on the town. Popular plates include corn prepared three ways and caviar pasta made with spaghetti, white wine, butter, and lemon, topped with a heap of caviar. Dishes are small, but meant to be ordered in abundance and shared. The Instagram-worthy spot is decked with a spacious indoor bar and cozy, pink velvet booth seats, plus outdoor dining in a lush garden setting.

Located in the exclusive Setai Miami Beach hotel, Jaya’s menu is an impressive mix of pan-Asian cuisines. The flavors of Thailand, China, Korea, India, and Japan are all available, surfacing in dishes such as Peking duck, pad Thai, and Indian-style prawn curry. Feast in the sophisticated dining room, or opt for the courtyard with soothing water features and a retractable roof. While the restaurant is a great place for dinner, the Sunday jazz brunch features a grand buffet and bottomless Champagne for $95 per person, fit for extra-special celebrations.

Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford’s first restaurant, which recently received its first MICHELIN star, is known for Ford’s tasting menu. Featuring seasonal dishes and ingredients from local farms, the offerings change based on what Ford finds freshest. But it’s always sectioned out the same: snacks/rooted/raw, where diners find vegetable-forward dishes and some form of freshly baked bread; land/sea with a handful of options ranging including wagyu, local fish, and poultry. The shifting menu means a unique experience every time, making each visit feel more celebratory. There are a few tables available outside, but those who dine indoors will be mesmerized by the goings on in the glass-walled kitchen.

When your special night out calls for velvet rope entrances, Sexy Fish is the spot to book. This high-end, Japanese-influenced spot is known for its sushi, and stunning cocktails. Cover all your bases by opting for the omakase menu where you’re served 10 signature dishes. It’s nearly impossible to be too dressed up at this Brickell stunner— you’re competing with the one of the most glamorous restaurants in the Magic City. Diners enjoy their meals in booths or tables surrounded by 30 million dollars in artwork and design.

Dark and cozy in the heart of South Beach, Byblos, dressed in velvet, is a delightful date spot. Most of its Eastern Mediterranean plates are served family-style, making it easy to share. Can’t-miss dishes include the whole-grilled branzino served with chermoula, saffron toum (a creamy Lebanese sauce), and watercress. Don’t sleep on the roasted lamb shoulder with sumac, pickles, and house lavash. A DJ spins on the weekends, making it especially celebration friendly.

As the name Mignonette suggests, this spot is known for its array of oysters that are flown in from both U.S. coasts daily. The cozy, indoor dining-only spot is reminiscent of an old-school diner: The day’s oyster selection is displayed on a sign just above the area where they’re shucked. The casual setting is great for a low-key celebration. Diners can down dozens of oysters and a bottle of bubbles before moving on to dishes such as lobster rolls and clams casino.

Tucked in Miami’s ritzy South of Fifth neighborhood, Forte dei Marmi, a Tuscan-inspired spot, prides itself on high-quality, organic produce and responsibly sourced meats and seafood. Ring in a special occasion with the truffle cacio e pepe—it’s served tableside in a massive cheese wheel. The outdoor patio, filled with greenery, makes for a prime spot to tuck into copious amounts of pasta. But save room for the decadent pistachio ice cream; the scoop is large enough to fuel the entire table.