Situated between two idyllic parks, Key Biscayne is a subtropical enclave nestled on Biscayne Bay and only a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Miami. Embark on a scenic drive down Rickenbacker Causeway and you’ll be greeted with the peaceful barrier island known as Key Biscayne, which is home to a slew of both upscale restaurants and local culinary institutions with breathtaking water views.
Here are the eight key locales in Key Biscayne for appeasing your appetite—after a long day of kayaking on crystalline waters and playing tennis at Crandon Park’s state-of-the-art facilities, of course.
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3201 Rickenbacker Causeway / Website
If you’re in Key Biscayne and don’t make a reservation at this legendary Rickenbacker Marina eatery, you’re doing it all wrong. The views are all-encompassing, featuring a city-scape and waterfront that is best enjoyed at sunset, both accessible from the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows indoors and the massive outdoor dining area situated directly on the water. Your out-of-town guests will be talking about their dining trip to heaven for days on end. The menu features American cuisine with tasty options from land and sea.
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620 Crandon Blvd. / Website
Although Novecento is indeed a South Florida chain (hailing from international origin), you can still find us dining at their Key Biscayne location with absolutely zero qualms. A mixture of Argentinian, Mediterranean, and Latin influence, but experienced entirely separately according to the individual dish, Novecento is a must-dine for an authentic bistro feel. We highly recommend taking a look at their pasta selection if you’re a carb addict like us.
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200 Crandon Blvd. Suite 104 / Website
For authentic Spanish cuisine and melt-in-your-mouth tapas, make your way over to Kebo Restaurant. Believe us when we say there’s no reason to book that flight to Barcelona when you have Kebo across the Rickenbacker. The staff is doting and delightful, and the space is bright and inviting, a revered local mainstay and it’s easy to understand why. Order the heaping paella if your family resembles something close to an army.
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328 Crandon Blvd. 115 shop / Website
Mike Hussain’s Ayesha Saffron presents Tandoori cooking at its finest and is one of its kind on Key Biscayne. You’ll find all your favorite Indian staples on the menu, from samosa to chicken tikka to tamarind rice—all executed to perfection and splendidly complemented by their cavernous selection of wines.
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605 Ocean Dr. / Website
The Ritz-Carlton couldn’t be better located than on Key Biscayne, where opulence meets tropical beachside living. Naturally, the Ritz is a homebase to celebrated fine dining institutions, Cantina Beach being a favorite unique to Key Biscayne. Dine underneath a thatched hut that can only be made classy with the Ritz touch, and revel in elevated Mexican fare paired with sophisticated tequilas, all while enjoying the magnificent water views.
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455 Grand Bay Dr. / Website
Lightkeepers is another trendy Ritz-Carlton destination honorarily named on behalf of the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse. Offering modern-coastal cuisine with an emphasis on freshly caught seafood, the restaurant is another waterfront hotspot delivering the island’s signature laid-back vibes without ever compromising on elegance.
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606 Crandon Blvd. / Website
Located in a shopping center, Peruvian-inspired El Gran Inka serves some of the best ceviche in town. Known for its abundance of flavor, Peruvian cuisine is prepared with great expertise at this casual yet polished destination, and best of all, it doesn’t break the bank.
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1200 Crandon Blvd. / Website
A trip to Key Biscayne is incomplete without stepping foot on Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, home to the iconic lighthouse at the southernmost tip of Key Biscayne. A true dock-and-dine spot, Boater’s Grill is a hidden gem offering all of the fried food classics (with a Cuban twist) for over 20 years.
Photography by: cristianl/Getty Images
