Sometimes, you just want to feel fancy. And when that happens, these five Miami hot spots pull out all the stops to make sure you feel like a VIP—especially during brunch.
Aba
A great brunch offers guests a ton of options. And a great brunch is what you’ll find at Aba, a new Mediterranean restaurant at Bal Harbour Shops. The brand, which has locations in Chicago and Austin, has made its way to the 305 and brought some delicious fare with it. Most plates are meant to be shared, so load up on mezze like house-made Stracciatella, spicy lamb ragu, local snapper ceviche, and big eye tuna.
Brunch-specific standouts include the short rib shakshuka, kefta, and eggs, and the strawberry drop biscuit. No brunch is complete without drinks, and while there’s no bottomless option available, items like the carajillo martini and Harissa bloody Mary are worth the premium. We like that there’s also a zero-proof menu for non-drinkers; more places should do this.
Aba is located at 9700 Collins Avenue, Suite 101, Bal Harbour, FL 33154. For more information, visit their official website.
La Mar
Most brunches that include drinks limit you to mimosas and non-cocktail options. That’s not the case at La Mar’s lavish buffet brunch, which is available on Saturdays and Sundays. Diners can indulge in unlimited bites from the seafood and grill stations, plus a Chaufa Aeropuerto (think fried rice) to share along with one main and assorted desserts.
But back to the drinks: The 2-hour brunch experience lets you get bottomless brunch cocktails like pisco sours, as well as select wines, beers, and champagne. You can do some serious damage in that time, so make sure you Uber or Lyft here. Also, reservations are strongly recommended; try to get a table outside for a beautiful Brickell skyline view.
La Mar is located at 500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, Florida 33131. For more information, visit their official Instagram.
RED South Beach
Nothing says fancy like a steakhouse, and RED South Beach is one of the most renowned in South Florida. The restaurant gets a lot of attention for dinner, but its brunch service is just as worthy of your time and money. At this South of Fifth favorite, guests can enjoy a tremendous value: For $89 per person, you get unlimited champagne, hot or cold beverages, unlimited brunch tapas, one entrée, and a dessert. Some of the bites included are blue crab ravioli, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, lobster pot pie, and king salmon. The weekend deal will definitely turn any Sunday into a funday and make you feel like royalty.
Rusty Pelican
Institutions like The Rusty Pelican are few and far between these days. It’s a shame because these places have a lot of character; you can’t help but feel fancy when stepping into this Key Biscayne venue. When—not if—you visit for brunch, know that it is served a la carte, at least when it comes to the food; bottomless mimosas are available if you want to spice things up. The signature orange mimosa is a signature for a reason, but make sure to mix and match; Rusty Pelican offers different flavors like passionfruit and tarragon and dragonfruit and watermelon.
In terms of food, expect decadence. Lobster Benedict, New York Strip steak and eggs, caviar frites, truffle egg, and bacon sandwich… your taste buds won’t know what hit them. Feel like really splurging? Get the brunch board for two, which includes the lobster Benny, New York Strip, fried chicken, and waffles and smashed fingerling potatoes.
Rusty Pelican is located at 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149. For more information, visit their official website.
Toscana Divino
For a tasty brunch with Italian flair, Toscana Divino has you covered. The Brickell gem boasts a three-course feast for $55 per person—a steal on this side of town. What can you expect? A lot: Among the many savory options up for grabs are the spaghetti vongole, oyster and shrimp, truffle carbonara, and steak and eggs. For dessert, we’re suckers for the ricotta cheesecake with caramel sauce. Every table gets a bread basket and seasonal fruit, too. Pro tip: Sit outside on the covered patio for the ultimate people-watching view.
Toscana Divino is located at 900 South Miami Avenue, #185, Miami, FL 33130. For more information, visit their official website.
