Empire Journal | Destinations
The 10 Best Brunch Spots in Miami Right Now
From a Design District institution to a Key Biscayne sunset terrace, these are the Miami brunch tables actually worth planning a weekend around — with neighborhoods, what to order, and the happy-hour details worth knowing.
The 10 Best Brunch Spots in Miami Right Now
Miami does brunch the way it does everything else: outdoors, over-dressed, and with a view whenever possible. But the scene is sprawling, and the gap between a genuinely great brunch and an overpriced scene is wide. These are the ten tables worth planning a weekend around — what to order, which neighborhood each one anchors, and the honest details most lists skip.
One note before the list: a few of these spots run excellent happy hours, but happy hour and brunch rarely overlap. Where a verified schedule exists, we have included it so you can plan a return visit in the evening.
1. Michael's Genuine Food & Drink — Design District
The restaurant that arguably started Miami's chef-driven era still sets the standard. The courtyard is the move on a sunny morning, the menu changes with what is actually in season, and the pastry program alone justifies the trip. Order whatever is on the griddle that week and the crispy hominy if it is on.
Michael's also runs one of the city's most civilized happy hours: Sunday through Friday, 4:00 to 7:00 PM — a rarity in that it includes Sundays.
2. Greenstreet Cafe — Coconut Grove
A Grove institution with the sidewalk terrace everyone pictures when they think of Coconut Grove. This is the people-watching brunch: strong coffee, generous portions, and a crowd that is half locals walking their dogs and half visitors who read about it correctly.
Greenstreet publishes its happy hour directly: Monday through Friday, 4:00 to 7:00 PM.
3. Chug's Diner — Coconut Grove
A Cuban-American diner that takes the format seriously without taking itself too seriously. The cast-iron pancakes and the medianoche-inspired plates are the draw, and the whole room feels like a neighborhood secret that stopped being secret years ago.
Chug's runs one of the more unusual happy-hour schedules in the city: Thursdays from 3:00 PM to close, and Friday through Sunday from 5:00 PM to close, plus a much-talked-about $0.99 martini window Thursday through Sunday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM with a food purchase.
4. MILA — South Beach
A rooftop "MediterrAsian" restaurant on Lincoln Road that manages to be both a scene and a genuinely good kitchen. Brunch here is the dress-up option — the rooftop setting does a lot of work, and the food holds up its end.
For an evening return, MILA runs a Golden Hour Sunday through Thursday, 6:00 to 7:30 PM, at the bars.
5. Pastis Miami — Wynwood
The Miami outpost of the New York French bistro, dropped into Wynwood with a garden patio that suits the neighborhood. Steak frites and a good bloody mary, surrounded by murals. It books up — reserve ahead.
Pastis runs Le Happy Hour Monday through Friday, 3:00 to 6:00 PM, with discounted cocktails, wine, and bites.
6. Bachour — Coral Gables
Antonio Bachour's flagship is technically a bakery and restaurant, and the pastry case is the main event — the bonbons and entremets are the most photographed desserts in the city for a reason. Brunch plates are bright, tropical, and precise.
Bachour does not run a verified happy hour we could confirm; go for the morning and order more pastry than seems reasonable.
7. Little Hen — Midtown
An English-inspired breakfast and brunch spot that looks like a storybook — floral everything, delicate china, and a menu built around buttermilk biscuits, rose petal pancakes, and proper afternoon tea. The Miami location wraps up by 3:00 PM on weekdays and 4:00 PM on weekends, so this is strictly a morning plan.
8. Catch Miami Beach — South of Fifth
The South Beach outpost of the seafood-focused Catch brand, with a Sunday brunch from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It is the polished, celebratory option — good for a birthday table or a last-morning-in-Miami meal before the airport.
Note the timing: Catch's Sunset Hour runs daily from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the indoor bar and lounge — separate from brunch, and worth its own visit.
9. Rusty Pelican — Key Biscayne
The view restaurant that actually earns its view. The Rusty Pelican sits on the Rickenbacker Causeway side of Key Biscayne with a straight-line shot at the downtown Miami skyline, and brunch here is about that panorama as much as the plate.
Its Sunset Hour runs Monday through Friday, 4:00 to 6:30 PM in the bar and lounge — one of the best skyline happy hours in the city.
10. Level 6 Rooftop — Coconut Grove
A rooftop above CocoWalk with a view over the Grove's tree canopy toward Biscayne Bay. The brunch is Spanish-leaning, the crowd is local, and it is a strong lower-key alternative to the South Beach circuit.
Level 6 runs a Sunset Hour Monday through Friday, 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
Plan the Miami weekend
If brunch is the anchor, build the rest of the trip around the water. A crewed day charter out of Miami is the natural pairing — see our Miami yacht charter guides for what a real quote includes and which marinas to depart from. And if you are a creator planning to make content from a trip like this, our Travelpayouts guide explains how the commissions actually work.
Frequently asked questions
Do Miami brunch spots take reservations?
The popular ones — Pastis, MILA, Catch, Little Hen — book out days ahead for weekend brunch. Greenstreet and Chug's are more walk-in friendly but expect a wait at peak hours.
What is the best neighborhood in Miami for brunch?
Coconut Grove has the densest cluster of great options within walking distance (Greenstreet, Chug's, Level 6). South Beach has the scene; the Design District and Wynwood have the chef-driven rooms.
Do any Miami brunch spots have happy hour?
Happy hour and brunch rarely overlap. Several spots on this list run evening happy hours — Greenstreet (Mon–Fri 4–7 PM), Rusty Pelican (Mon–Fri 4–6:30 PM), Catch (daily 5:30–7 PM) — but they start after brunch service ends.
What should I wear to brunch in Miami?
Miami brunch skews dressy, especially on South Beach and at rooftops like MILA. Smart casual works everywhere on this list; beachwear does not.
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