Best Dock-and-Dine Spots Near Miami Beach for Boat Owners and Renters
There’s nothing more Miami than slowing your boat, tying up at a waterfront restaurant, and walking straight into a cocktail, a seafood tower, and a Biscayne Bay breeze. Because Premier Boat Rentals launches from 9901 E Bay Harbor Dr, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154, our guests can reach Miami Beach, North Bay Village, the Miami River, Coconut Grove, and even Key Biscayne in one outing — so it makes sense to have a real, boater-first guide to places that actually welcome you when you arrive by boat.
Miami River & Downtown: Lively, Glam, “We Arrived by Yacht” Energy
The Miami River is the most social stretch of dock-and-dine in the city. Boats cruise right past outdoor tables, music spills out onto the water, and restaurants know people are coming by water as much as by land. It’s perfect for your captained charters and larger boats because the atmosphere matches the vessel — but it also means you should always call ahead for dock space.
Kiki on the River
Address: 450 NW North River Dr, Miami, FL 33128
Kiki on the River is the textbook example of a Miami restaurant that was built to be arrived at by boat. Sitting directly on the river at the site of an original fish market, it combines Greek island flavors with a very Miami social scene. On weekends, especially Sundays, the place turns into a waterfront party with music, champagne, and guests dressed to be seen. During the week, lunch is calmer and perfect for charter groups who just want to say they docked at Kiki.
The menu leans Mediterranean — grilled fish, spreads, seafood towers, and plenty of dishes meant to be shared — which works well for groups coming off a boat. Because the restaurant sits on a busy part of the river, docking isn’t something to freestyle. Guests should call ahead to secure a spot, and it’s far better to arrive on a captained boat like your 42′ Sea Ray or 55′ Azimut so the captain can talk to the dockmaster and manage wake from passing vessels. Recommend Kiki whenever your renters ask for “that Greek place on the river” or when a group wants a celebratory, high-energy stop in the middle of their charter.
Zuma Miami
Address: 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL 33131
Zuma is the sophisticated option on the river — modern Japanese, always busy, and instantly impressive to out-of-town guests. The terrace looks over the water and Brickell Key, so there’s always something to watch while you eat. The crowd here is international and well-dressed, and the food is consistently good enough that people will happily build a boat day around it.
Docking is handled through the EPIC marina, which is why a quick call ahead is important. They can take larger vessels, but they need to know your length overall. This makes Zuma a natural recommendation for your bigger, captained boats and yacht charters. When someone renting from Premier says, “We want somewhere really good to eat that we can arrive to by boat,” Zuma is one of the easiest answers.
Seaspice Brasserie & Lounge
Address: 412 NW North River Dr, Miami, FL 33128
Seaspice is what people picture when they imagine “Miami yacht lunch.” It’s open-air, the river is right there, and the whole place feels designed for people who stepped off a nice boat. The menu is refined — seafood platters, pastas, dishes built to impress — and the music and crowd give it an upscale, celebratory feeling.
Because it’s such a popular arrival spot for yachts, docking is usually paid and can be charged per foot on busy days. That’s not a deal-breaker for most charter guests, but it’s something to tell them ahead of time. This is a fantastic place to send your VIP groups and anyone on a 42′+ Premier vessel who wants to make docking part of the experience.
Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Market and Casablanca Seafood
Garcia’s Address: 398 NW North River Dr, Miami, FL 33128
Casablanca Address: 400 NW North River Dr, Miami, FL 33128
Just upriver from the party spots, Garcia’s and Casablanca offer a more classic, local-Miami version of dock-and-dine. Both sit right on the river, both serve fresh seafood, and both attract boaters who want to eat well without the nightclub atmosphere. Garcia’s is a bit more old-school — Cuban sides, fried snapper, smoked fish dip — while Casablanca leans a touch more upscale with ceviches and raw bar.
These are easier places to arrive to in a mid-size Premier boat like the 35′ Maxum or 36′ Monterey because the crowd is more relaxed and docking is less high-pressure than it is at Kiki or Seaspice. Tell guests to call ahead to confirm space, especially on weekends, but this is a great recommendation when people say, “We just want real seafood on the water.”
Casa Neos / Amara-at-Paraiso–Style Edgewater Spots
Casa Neos Address: 40 SW North River Dr, Miami, FL 33130
Amara at Paraiso Address: 3101 NE 7th Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Along the bay side near Edgewater, a newer wave of waterfront restaurants has popped up — Mediterranean, coastal Latin, lifestyle-forward — and many of them are reachable by boat with a quick call ahead. These places are made for photos and long lunches, and they skew a bit younger than some of the classic river stops.
Dockage here can be limited, so always tell guests to contact the venue or marina before pulling in. Recommend these spots to renters who have already been to the big-name river restaurants and want something “new Miami” with bay views.
Miami Beach, Venetian Islands & Watson Island: Sunset, Stylish, Close to Bay Harbor
On the west side of Miami Beach, restaurants face Biscayne Bay and get perfect sunsets over the water. This area is closer to your location in Bay Harbor Islands, which makes it great for shorter rentals, date-night cruises, and guests who don’t want to run all the way to the river.
Lido Bayside Grill (The Standard)
Address: 40 Island Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Lido is one of the most recognizable dock-and-dine stops on Biscayne Bay. It sits right on the water at The Standard, the tables look west toward the sunset, and the whole thing feels laid-back but still very Miami. The menu is light and Mediterranean, which is perfect for people who still want to cruise afterward.
Docking is usually available for boats up to around 40 feet on a first-come basis and often with a fee for the first few hours. That makes Lido an ideal target for your 23′ Sea Ray, 35′ Maxum, or 36′ Monterey guests. Always suggest they call ahead, especially on weekends. This is the spot to recommend to couples, small groups, or anyone doing a 3–4 hour cruise out of Bay Harbor.
Baia Beach Club (Mondrian)
Address: 1100 West Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Baia feels like a Mediterranean beach club that just happens to be in Miami. It opens right onto the bay, looks at the skyline, and has the kind of décor that makes people want to take pictures as soon as they step off the boat. The food leans coastal and shareable, and the energy builds as the day goes on.
They do welcome boat arrivals, but often tie dockage to spend or to a reservation, so it’s smart for your guests to call from the water. Baia is a great answer when charter groups say, “We want somewhere nice on the Beach side, not too far from where we started.”
Pamplemousse on the Bay
Address: 910 West Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Pamplemousse is a good option when guests want waterfront dining on Miami Beach but not the full high-traffic scene. It’s stylish, right on the water on West Ave, and convenient to reach by boat from Bay Harbor.
You can dock right in front, but space isn’t unlimited, so guests should still call ahead. This is an easy recommendation for smaller Premier boats and for renters staying in Miami Beach who ask, “Where can we stop nearby to eat on the water?”
The Deck at Island Gardens
Address: 888 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL 33132
The Deck at Island Gardens is where you send the people who want the Miami skyline and mega-yacht backdrop. It’s an outdoor, luxury-leaning restaurant/lounge on Watson Island with uninterrupted views of downtown across the water.
Because it’s right next to serious yachts, docking has to be arranged in advance. This is much better for your captained charters and your larger boats like the 55′ Azimut. Recommend it for VIPs, proposals, corporate groups, and any charter that’s focused on arriving in style as much as it is on the food.
Joia Beach
Address: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132
Joia Beach is more of a destination than a simple restaurant. It’s tucked away near Watson Island, has a European-beach-club atmosphere, and is one of the more photogenic places you can arrive to by water.
Often, you anchor nearby and come in by tender, so guests should definitely call ahead to find out the arrival process for that day. This is a perfect pick for sunset cruises, content creators, and charter guests who want something special rather than just “a place to eat.”
Coconut Grove, Dinner Key & Key Biscayne: Relaxed, Boater-First, Stay-A-While
South of downtown, the water opens up and restaurants lean more casual. This area is perfect for longer day trips from Bay Harbor because docking is more forgiving and the atmosphere is aimed at people who are already on the water.
Monty’s Raw Bar (Coconut Grove)
Address: 2550 S Bayshore Dr, Miami, FL 33133
Monty’s is a true Miami boating staple. The big tiki deck looks right out over the marina, there’s usually music, and the menu is exactly what people want after a few hours on the bay — raw bar, conch fritters, fried fish, and tropical cocktails.
Because it’s right by the marinas, it’s one of the easier places to arrive by boat, even for less experienced renters on your mid-size cruisers. Recommend Monty’s to families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who says, “We want somewhere fun, not fancy.”
Bayshore Club (Dinner Key)
Address: 3391 Pan American Dr, Miami, FL 33133
Bayshore Club sits on a historic waterfront site in Coconut Grove and was clearly designed for people coming off the water — open-air layout, big bar, and wide views of the bay. It has that Grove mix of casual and polished.
They do dining-by-boat, especially from Thursday through Sunday, but guests should call the dockmaster for instructions. This spot is great for 35–42 ft Premier boats cruising south for the day who want a stop where the group can spread out.
Rusty Pelican (Rickenbacker Causeway)
Address: 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Rusty Pelican is the classic “best view of Miami” restaurant, which is why so many celebrations happen there. From the deck you get the skyline framed across the water — a big win for out-of-town guests.
Boat arrivals are possible, but guests should call ahead because space and policies can change. This is the recommendation for romantic cruises, special occasions, or charter guests who want a picture with downtown in the background.
Gramps Getaway
Address: 3301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Gramps Getaway adds a fun, slightly quirky Florida flavor to the Rickenbacker area. It’s a great place to relax after a swim or sandbar stop, with skyline views and tropical drinks.
It’s meant to be boat-friendly but, as always, a quick call is smart. Suggest it to younger groups or renters who want a laid-back waterfront bar stop instead of a full, formal meal.
Boater’s Grill (No Name Harbor, Key Biscayne)
Address: 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Boater’s Grill is the most relaxed stop on this list. It’s tucked inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in No Name Harbor, and it’s been serving Cuban dishes and fresh seafood to boaters for decades.
The atmosphere is beachy and unpretentious — you can pull up in boat clothes, tie off, and eat with wide-open harbor views. Docking is first come, first served, so tell guests to arrive early on busy days. This is the one to recommend to people cruising south who want the “old Florida” docking experience.
North Bay Village, Bay Harbor & Upper Biscayne Bay: Close, Convenient, Local
Because Premier Boat Rentals is based in Bay Harbor Islands, it’s smart to give renters a few “nearby” dock-and-dine options so they don’t have to go all the way to South Beach or the River. These are great for shorter rentals, families, and first-timers.
Palm Tree Club (North Bay Village)
Address: 1819 79th Street Causeway, North Bay Village, FL 33141
Palm Tree Club is a newer bayfront spot that taps right into Miami’s easygoing boating lifestyle. It sits right on the water, has a fun, casual-chic vibe, and serves seafood, burgers, and shareable plates that work well for boat groups.
Boats can dock right in front, but guests should call ahead to confirm space. Recommend this to renters who say, “We want to stay up here near Bay Harbor / North Bay Village, what’s good on the water?”
Shuckers Waterfront Bar & Grill (79th St Causeway)
Address: 1819 79th St Causeway, North Bay Village, FL 33141
Shuckers is one of the most boat-friendly places in this part of Miami. It’s casual, always lively, and looks right out over the bay. The menu is simple — wings, mahi sandwiches, salads, frozen drinks — and that’s exactly what a lot of boaters want.
Docking here is straightforward and forgiving, which is why it’s such a good recommendation for your 23′ Sea Ray renters and for families. If someone wants “somewhere easy we can pull up and eat,” send them here.
Yaya Coastal Cuisine (Upper Biscayne Bay / North Miami)
Address: 7999 NE Bayshore Ct, Miami, FL 33138
Yaya is a newer, coastal Mediterranean restaurant right on the water — and the key detail is that it actually has a set of slips for boaters. The dining room and terrace are stylish but relaxed, and the menu has lots of seafood and shareable dishes.
Because slips can fill up, tell your guests to call ahead. This is a great option for local guests or renters staying in North Miami or Bay Harbor who want “somewhere nice on the water” without a long cruise south.