For some reason, life feels more exciting high up in the air. Just ask your cousin Ted, who still talks about that one time he went skydiving in 1992. Rooftop restaurants follow a similar logic. And while Miami is admittedly a bit lacking in quality rooftop spots, the ones on this guide are all solid options for those breezy days that demand a good roof.
THE SPOTS
Terras is our favorite rooftop in town, and this is thanks to both the great cocktails and the wonderful view of the Downtown skyline. They serve food here as well, including small plates like queso fundido, hearts of palm salad, and short rib birria tacos—but you’re coming here to drink (and maybe dance a little too). The space is pretty and not too claustrophobic—great for a date or catching up with a few friends. And even though it’s on the roof of a hotel, it’s always fun and never annoyingly touristy.
Higher Ground is a Wynwood cocktail bar inside a hotel and, depending on which night you go, is either a great place to hide from the chaotic nightlife of Wynwood, or partake in a more sophisticated version of it. The cocktail bar is broken up into three different rooms (one of which has a pool table). And there’s also an outdoor deck that feels like a rooftop even though it’s not technically on the roof. The cocktails are very good, and—whether for a relaxed weekday after work or crowded Saturday night party—Higher Ground should be in your Wynwood bar rotation.
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Sipsip, a rooftop bar and restaurant in Coconut Grove’s Mayfair Hotel, isn’t one of those mini rooftops. You really feel like you’re on a roof here, and the eastern view includes a slice of Biscayne Bay. The small, mostly seafood menu isn't too impressive, so this is more a place to drink, especially if you’re in the mood for tiki cocktails or something frozen. The adjacent pool is hotel guests-only, but Sipsip is still a good place to pretend you’re on vacation. They also have a fireplace for those six nights a year when the temperature approaches something that resembles “cold.”
Klaw is an excellent and luxurious steak and seafood restaurant where it's way too easy to spend $200 per person without even trying. But Klaw's upstairs bar is...well, it's expensive too. But you will spend way less than $200 there on top-notch martinis with an aerial view of Biscayne Bay so dramatic it might make you unironically whisper something like, “This is my city." The bar is an enclosed space with a roof, but there is an outdoor patio that feels a lot more like you're drinking on a roof. Make a reservation to snag a spot out there. They also have a food menu available with small plates like chilled prawns, crudo, and lobster rolls.
This Little River food hall has a nice rooftop, with umbrellas for shading and a solid sunset view. But the best part is the food, so if you’re trying to eat on a roof, this is the place to go. There are some stellar vendors downstairs, and you can order right from your table. Options include one of Miami’s best burgers from United States Burger Service, great Lao food from Lil’ Laos, seafood from The Shores, a ridiculously good rigatoni carbonara from Borti Pastabar, and Frice, one of our favorite ice cream shops in Miami. They accept reservations for the rooftop as well.
Editor Pizza serves solid pasta and pizza in a South Beach hotel. We like this place because it’s casual yet stylish, fun but not cosplaying as a nightclub, and (for the neighborhood) reasonably priced. They have a baby rooftop (it’s only a couple floors up) and the food menu up there is limited to just pizza and empanadas. But it’s still a great casual rooftop choice where you can have pizza, cocktails, and possibly even dance a bit thanks to the DJs they usually have playing. Just know the rooftop is only open Friday and Saturday.
Sugar is probably Miami’s fanciest (and one of our tallest) rooftop spots. You’ve got to take a very cool elevator 40 floors up in Brickell’s East Hotel to get here. It’s an upscale place that sometimes has a line to get in. Once you’re in, expect decent cocktails in the $18-20 range, and a crowd that looks extremely ready for its close-up. They have food too, but it's pretty unremarkable so stick to drinks. Still, if you want to put on nice clothes and are in a rooftop mood, it’s a solid spot for a fancy night out.
Just down the hall from Sugar, behind a somewhat secret door, you’ll find Tea Room. This dark space is more of a sit-down restaurant than Sugar, but it actually has an even better view thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a spectacular look at the Miami skyline. That view is the best part about this place, so don't expect phenomenal food and drinks. Team Room does an “Asian night brunch” with dishes like bang bang shrimp, spring rolls, dumplings, and some sushi rolls. None of it is as impressive as the view though. You will need a reservation to get in.
Level 6 is a rooftop bar and restaurant above Amal in Coconut Grove. The drinks are not bad, the tapas are just fine, and both of those things are overpriced (there’s not a cocktail under $20 on the menu). So why would you go here? Well, this is a rooftop guide, and judged solely as a rooftop, Level 6 is good. It has a stellar view of Coconut Grove and Biscayne Bay that you can enjoy from any seat, since the walls are transparent and the space isn’t cluttered. Plus, there’s a retractable roof in case it rains. It’s not our favorite rooftop option in Miami thanks to the slight gap between price and quality, but certainly does the trick for a gorgeous sunset drink.
If an Irish pub closed its eyes and made a wish to be on a roof, you’d get Mike’s. This place is casual bordering on dive bar, and it’s on the roof of an old apartment building right at the west end of the Venetian Causeway. But it’s got a charming old Miami vibe we really love. They also have decent fried bar food, affordable drinks, and (if you stand up and walk to the edge) a very nice view of Biscayne Bay. It's a good stop after a game or concert at the nearby FTX Arena.
If we’re judging only by the view, Watr is the best rooftop spot in Miami. At this Mid-Beach restaurant, you’ll have a really stunning 360-degree look at Miami Beach—even from the bathrooms. But this is a South Beach hotel restaurant, so brace yourself for mediocre and overpriced Japanese small plates. But if you really want to see the beach in all its glory, this is the place to do it. Just come while the sun it still out so you can see it all. You’ll probably also want a reservation and you can make one online.
Mamey is a restaurant inside the Thesis Hotel in Coral Gables with a mostly Caribbean menu. And Mamey has a third floor rooftop (which they call Mamey On Third). The food menu is shorter up there—mostly small plates like shrimp taquitos, ceviche, and ghee-roasted plantains. It's all solid, and the cocktails are good too. Plus, they have live music Thursday through Sunday and Happy Hour daily from 3-6pm. This place isn't very close to any other nightlife options, but if you're in the area for whatever reason, keep it in mind if it’s nice out.
