Miami’s Must-Try Restaurants for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Holiday magic tastes better by the ocean, and Miami sets the table with sparkle. From Michelin stars to sunlit brunches, these festive menus promise flavors you will talk about all year. Whether you want caviar and jazz or Latin heat and live music, there is a seat with your name on it. Let this guide help you book the perfect Christmas Eve or Christmas Day celebration.

1. Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar at The Surf Club

Step into timeless glamour at the historic Surf Club, where chandeliers glow and the ocean whispers just beyond glass. Lido sets a sparkling mood for a four-course Italian Christmas Eve dinner that feels celebratory yet relaxed. Think pristine crudo, handmade pasta, truffled roast, and a graceful dolce finale.

Christmas Day turns indulgent with a lavish brunch that lets you graze without hurry. Towers of chilled seafood, carving stations, and sunshine-lit pastries make it easy to linger. Service is attentive without fuss, and the Champagne list nudges you toward a festive toast.

Dress up a bit, arrive early for a pre-meal martini, and savor the room’s old-Florida glamour. Reservations are essential.

2. Altamura Trattoria

Doral’s Altamura celebrates its first Christmas Eve with a seafood-forward splash. The kitchen channels Italy’s Feast of the Seven Fishes with pristine crudo, delicate fritto misto, and silky scallop risotto. Handmade pasta arrives al dente, tangled with sweet clams or lobster butter.

Expect a five-course cadence that feels abundant yet balanced. Wines lean Italian, highlighting coastal whites that sing with brine and citrus. The room’s contemporary glow makes date night or family gatherings feel festive without being formal.

Portions favor tasting over excess, so you leave satisfied yet light enough for dessert. Book early, ask about wine pairings, and save space for olive oil cake. It is a polished, seafood-loving ode to tradition.

3. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

For a truly grand Christmas Eve, the two-Michelin-starred workshop of flavor awaits. L’Atelier’s counter seats put you inches from the ballet of foie gras searing and sauces being whisked to satin. The five-course tasting flows with king crab, jewel-like vegetables, and buttery Japanese A5 ribeye.

Service is orchestrated yet warm, guiding you through pairings that elevate every bite. The room glows with modern glamour, a fitting backdrop for precision-driven cuisine. Portions are thoughtful, letting flavors crescendo without fatigue.

Expect luxury ingredients treated with restraint and polish. Book counter seats to watch the craft unfold, and plan for a leisurely evening. It is a gift to yourself that lingers long after dessert.

4. Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

Michael’s Genuine turns Christmas Eve into a farm-driven celebration anchored by local purveyors. The menu leans cozy and seasonal, with pheasant terrine, slow-cooked goose confit, and sides that taste like winter sunshine. Cocktails shimmer with spice, and the dining room hums with neighborhood energy.

Expect clean flavors, confident technique, and a sense of place that feels unmistakably Miami. Dishes are generous without being heavy, perfect for sharing across the table. The gingerbread cake arrives fragrant and nostalgic, a sweet landing for the night.

Friendly service makes newcomers feel like regulars. Ask for outdoor seating if the weather is kind. For a relaxed yet special holiday dinner, this classic delivers comfort and craft in equal measure.

5. Aguasal

Aguasal brings José Andrés’s sunny Mediterranean spirit to Christmas, offering options that fit your mood. Christmas Eve stays à la carte, so you can graze from mezze to wood-grilled mains. Bright flavors, olive oil gloss, and citrusy herbs keep everything lively.

Christmas Day brunch swings festive with optional bottomless Champagne. Expect playful egg dishes, seafood, savory pastries, and a dessert lineup that rewards curiosity. The room is breezy and chic, perfect for family photos and lingering conversations.

Service keeps the pace relaxed while glasses stay topped. Come for a light bite or build a celebratory feast course by course. Either way, the Mediterranean ease makes holiday dining feel effortless and fun.

6. Pao by Paul Qui

Pao stages a dazzling Christmas Eve at the Faena, where artful drama meets plate finesse. Start with Hokkaido scallops, sweet and precise, then lean into sake-aged Wagyu prime rib carved like ceremony. Sauces are layered, echoing Asian influences without losing balance.

The room itself feels theatrical, with crimson accents and mood lighting setting an elegant tone. Cocktails lean inventive, offering spice, citrus, and subtle smoke. The yule log makes a decadent finale, finishing the evening on a jubilant note.

Service is polished and anticipatory, perfect for special-occasion energy. Dress smart, arrive a touch early for a bar moment, and settle in. It is an unforgettable, upscale holiday feast with Miami Beach sparkle.

7. Amara at Paraiso

Amara pairs sweeping bay views with a vibrant Latin Noche Buena menu. The à la carte approach invites sharing: smoky grilled seafood, bright ceviches, and charred vegetables dressed with citrus and herbs. Holiday cocktails bring tropical warmth, from spiced rum to guava sparkle.

Live music drifts across the water while the skyline glows. Families snap photos with Santa, and the patio becomes the best seat in town. The mood is celebratory yet easygoing, the sort of night that slips by beautifully.

Service is upbeat and quick, keeping plates flowing for the table. Book sunset if possible, and bring a light wrap for the breeze. It is quintessential Miami holiday energy by the water.

8. Aviv

Aviv leans playful for Christmas Eve and Day, remixing Israeli flavors with cheeky twists. Kimchi-scallion latkes crackle at the edges, while Kung Pao pastrami hits sweet, sour, and spice in one crunchy bite. Fresh herbs, tahini swirls, and citrus keep everything bright.

The room buzzes with casual energy, ideal for friends who love sharing plates. Expect bold seasoning, quick service, and a soundtrack that keeps the vibe upbeat. Desserts often steal the show, layering sesame, chocolate, and halva warmth.

Come curious and ready to explore. Ask staff for off-menu favorites and pairing suggestions. It is a lively, modern holiday table where tradition meets fun, perfect for adventurous eaters craving something different.

9. Jaya at the Setai

Jaya turns Christmas Day into a grand spectacle beneath palms and soft jazz. Brunch unfolds like a parade: caviar station, wood-grilled meats, roving dim sum, and a jewel box of sushi. The setting is serene and cinematic, with a reflecting pool anchoring the courtyard.

Attentive staff keep plates cleared and flutes refreshed. It feels indulgent without rush, the kind of meal that stretches happily into afternoon. Pastry tables tempt with tropical fruit, chocolate, and airy confections.

Dress stylishly and come hungry. Secure an early seating if you want gentler crowds, or go later for peak atmosphere. For a showstopping holiday brunch, Jaya delivers luxury and ease in perfect balance.

10. Mareva 1939

Inside the National Hotel, Mareva 1939 crafts a Spanish-accented Christmas Eve with poise. The three-course format lets you chart a journey from tapas to heritage mains. Expect saffron-kissed paella, flaky cod, and succulent Iberico pork presented with simple confidence.

Live piano sets a golden, old-Miami mood. Wines lean Spanish, from briny Albariño to savory Rioja that flatters roast flavors. Desserts echo Barcelona cafes, offering crema catalana and chocolate torte.

Service is graceful and timing is precise, ideal for conversation and lingering. Ask for a table near the music if you love ambiance. It is classic holiday romance with Iberian soul, polished enough for occasions yet warmly inviting.