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 even though it was over a decade ago. Rooftop restaurants follow a similar logic. The five spots on this guide are all open right now and well above sea level.
The Spots
Sugar is a fancy rooftop that’s way up on the 40th floor of Brickell’s East Hotel, where you’ll usually find people in shiny shirts and heels drinking cocktails and enjoying the view. And right now, those cocktails are a lot cheaper than normal. Sugar is offering Happy Hour, Mon-Sun from 4-6pm with two-for-one select drinks. They serve some small plates too, like sushi rolls and tuna tartare. Reservations aren’t required.
The Little Haiti food hall has a good amount of seating on its rooftop, with umbrellas for shading and a nice sunset view. They have cocktails and you can order food from one of the vendors downstairs - which include one of Miami’s best burgers from United States Burger Service, great Laotian food from Lil’ Laos, and Frice, one of our favorite ice cream shops in Miami. The roof is open Wed-Sun and you can make a reservation online.
Miami is not a city rich with rooftop spots that are actually worth your time, and the fact that Three is on this guide is proof of that. No disrespect to this place. We like it, but we do have to warn you that it’s only barely a rooftop - just two floors up. You might not have a great view, but you will have tilefish ceviche, a cheeseburger, and fried chicken to choose from. They also do weekend brunch with dishes like huevos rancheros, duck confit hash, and bacon, egg, and cheese sliders. Reservations are available online.
If we’re judging 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. This is a hotel restaurant, so brace yourself for $15 guacamole and a $24 burger. But if you really want to see the beach in all its glory, this is the place to do it. You’ll probably want a reservation and you can make one online.
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 they have decent fried food, cold beer, and (if you stand up and walk to the edge) a very nice view of Biscayne Bay. They’re open and no reservations necessary.
