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    Rao's Miami Beach

    4.1 (198 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndItalian
    Closed • 5:30 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Rao's Miami Beach Photos

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    RAO'S MIAMI BEACH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Rao's Miami Beach

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    Sorry, I forgot to take the picture before we split the meals, but it was eggplant Parmesan and Penny à la vodka. Both were excellent.
    Pam P.

    The place is beautiful our waiter Javier was excellent , and the food was amazing.. highly recommend!

    Francine M.

    Classic. My family and I love coming here. The vibe the food and the service. Everything is to be die for. When in doubt just come to Rao's. This have been our go to spot for good Italian food since they opened here in Miami.

    Carbonara pasta
    Anitra W.

    First time going to any Rao's and it was a good experience. Servers were kind and detailed in their explanations of the food and history. The space feels like a traditional Italian restaurant with dark lighting and lots of booth seating. We started with the meatballs which were huge and very tender. Between the fresh bread and meatballs we were close to stuffed when our entrees arrived. My carbonara was excellent and a very large portion. My friend had the rigatoni which was also very good. Overall a good experience and would visit again.

    Rao's Meatball appetizer
    Sergio F.

    When an Italian restaurant has red and green drapery and you hear Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra more than once on the sound system, you know it's legit! I've been waiting to check out Rao's since it opened since it's reservation list is allegedly as complex as another well-known New York import Italian restaurant. However, yesterday while enjoying South Beach with my lady friend, after sulking another dolphins loss, we decided to stop it and enjoy their Miami Spice menu. Sidenote, we pregame at their lobby, bar myself with my Cab Sab red and her with her classic Pinot Grigio. Then we entered by their photogenic wine cellar! The portions are huge! I started with the classic meatball appetizer, with a main course sized meatball soaked in a yummy marinara sauce. The plate had two meatballs, perfect for sharing as I also tried her mozzarella sticks (I mean mozzarella carroza). By the time I got to my main course of chicken Parm, I was already stuffed and could barely finish my New York cheesecake dessert, garnished with fresh berries. The chicken Parm itself was tasty, not overly breaded and served with their deliciously robust sauce. The final reason why Rao's gets five stars is the excellent service we received. From the hostess recognizing us when we came back after pregaming at the lobby bar, to our waiter Efren slicing up and preparing sharing plates of the chicken Parm and the lemon chicken she ordered, to even packing up the food instead of having us do the work in to go containers as many restaurants do, was top notch.

    Bar seating
    Haniyyah B.

    Went to Rao's Miami after work without a reservation and had such a good experience! We sat at the bar right away, which actually ended up being a great spot -- cozy, lively, and perfect for people-watching while still feeling relaxed. The staff was warm and attentive without being overbearing, and you could tell they really know their regulars, which gave the place that neighborhood-Italian charm. We ordered two pastas to share along with the meatballs. The pesto pasta was the standout for me -- perfectly cooked pasta with a rich, fresh pesto that had just the right balance of flavor. The other pasta was solid as well, and the meatballs were hearty and flavorful (definitely worth ordering). The whole space has an old-school Italian vibe but with Miami energy -- warm lighting, bustling but not overly loud, and a mix of locals and visitors. It feels like the kind of place you could come for a special dinner but also just drop in for a midweek meal and still feel welcome.

    Chicken Parmesan and pasta vodka
    Jas H.

    When I first heard of this place, I immediately thought of the jar of sauce, which is exactly the company who owns this establishment and I've used their sauces before so I had high hopes and they delivered! I love the ambience of the location. It was cozy with dim lighting and played fabulous FrankFrank Sinatra type music. I enjoyed the vibes with a glass of red wine and ordered what the waiter recommended, which was the traditional meatballs and the sautéed shrimp, scampi style. I have to say that was one of the best shrimp scampi's I have ever had. The sauce was so flavorful, buttery, and you can taste the elements of the lemon and garlic with white wine sauce. I would go back just for the shrimp and they were huge. The meatballs were incredibly big as well enough to pack for leftovers, in fact the food portions were huge all around. We did a classic pasta vodka, and chicken Parmesan, which did not disappoint and was one of the best chicken Parmesan on the market. The cheese was melted perfectly. We ended the night with a traditional tiramisu, which was decadent, and I love the presentation in the glass. This is a great date night spot if you're looking for an elevated Italian feel.

    Lemon chicken
    Madison N.

    White glove service with an atmosphere that's reminiscent of all New York, and delicious food to top it off! I went to Miami spice week and got such a great deal on their prefix menu! The meatball was incredible, I could've only eaten that and been very happy I also got the lemon chicken, which was good, but it was not seasoned enough, so I needed to ask for salt. Once I added some salt, it was perfection. Finally, the tiramisu was everything you wanted it to be, cold, and creamy with just the right amount of espresso and chocolate flavor. It was not overwhelming, borderline refreshing!

    Meet balsa and towards the back you can see the mozzarella
    Cristy R.

    Totally loved this Italian Restaurant! The romantic dim lighting , elegant and cozy at the same time. Tables are set up with good distance. ( no wait- we walked in with no reservations) We were surprised to learn that the restaurant was participating with Miami Spice. So we definitely jumped on that! As appetizer we ordered meatballs and mozzarella sticks. (Both a very good size- not skimpy at all. The meatballs were 2 and it was such a good size that it was just right! The tomato sauce was delish! Just perfect! Not too strong nor too sweet. As for the main dish we ordered lemon chicken and chicken parmigiana. It was a big portion ... perfect to share too! We actually had enough for both of us to take home leftovers. ( that I'm so excited to have for lunch and Dinner) so yes the portion are definitely shareable and plenty to take home. The desert was a Tiramiso and cheesecake. I was full by then but my gentleman friend said it was good but he enjoyed the cheesecake a little more. ( packaged and taken to go too) They custom my package to include a glass of Champagne . I also had two glasses of wine that went well with my meal. But not only was the food great but what can I say what an amazing staff all around! From the moment walked in ...we were greeted by a happy outgoing face. The waiters are dressed with a white button shirt and white suit with black neck bow and pants. It looked so chic! The waiters were not hiding in the kitchen. They were visible and very attentive. Everything was great from start to end! The waiters actually package out leftover and going the extra step of splitting the meal between 2 and giving us both the right portion size for each of us to take home each the lemon and chicken parmigiana home. He even included bread. He separated the lemon chicken in 1 package and parm in another box. Like that was excellent service by our waiter Efren! He definitely deserves recognition. My only regret is we should have ordered spaghetti too! I saw a plate and it looked sooooo good! All around I would say this is 5+ stars in all the aspects!

    Tiramisu
    Cathy P.

    Nice vibe inside the Loews hotel. A spin off of nyc restaurant. Loved the meatballs and chopped salad. And then basil pasta and vodka pasta was delicious. Tiramisu and cheesecake made it a great night. Service was top-notch.

    Fried mozzarella app
    Maddy B.

    We came for Miami Spice! I didn't even know Rao's had an actual restaurant! We had amazing service at the bar. The portions were full menu sized portions, so much food for one person. We ordered different items so we could try each other's plus a glass of wine each. Service charge is included, so the whole meal came out to be a little over $100. I have leftovers of my entree and dessert because the apps were filling and they give bread with the best whipped butter I've ever had! I would highly recommend coming here to check it out for Miami Spice!

    Mariana S.

    A delicious food and great dining experience! You have to get the meatballs and calamari for the apps, these were both 10/10. I tried three different pasta dishes and the pesto pasta surprisingly was the one that stood out to me the most - it was yummy and fresh. Also, you cannot go wrong with the cheesecake for dessert.

    Mona E.

    As somebody who has lived in the New York area, I was super excited to try this place as it is impossible to get a table in New York City. This restaurant lived up to the hype for me. We got some of the meatballs, which were huge, and really delicious. We also got the chicken Parm, which was very very good, we also got the Ragu which is wonderful. Every single dish was very flavorful very well seasoned and prepared relatively quickly. We also got the Brotto, which was also very very fresh. I recommend coming here and getting the meals family style as you're gonna want to try different dishes make sure you come your hungry though because portions are large and you're gonna want to try different things, the server was extremely friendly and had a great recommendations and really explained the menu to us. He was very honest on how big the portions were. The highlight for me was the table side, espresso, martini probably one of the best espresso martinis I've ever had. It was very decadent, and it was the perfect ratio of alcohol and coffee.

    Bolognese.
    Andrew R.

    Memorable dinner at Rao's, Miami. In the Lowe's Miami Hotel Complex. Very sleek restaurant design. Server Dennis was very pleasant and professional. Fresh bread Dino's Salad Meatballs app Several pasta dishes NY cheesecake dessert Wine Asparagus Peas and Prosciutto Our table had an absolutely delicious Italian dinner. Check did not cause a heart attack although you can do some financial damage if you order certain items. Really had a good time. Lived up to its famous reputation.

    Ricotta ravioli cranberries

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Rao's Miami Beach

    Is it possible to get a reservation that does not involve Resy, which I despise?

    Does Rao's except walk-ins for bar area or tables?

    I have walked in and sat at the bar a few times without an issue (as a single person, but I often see couples). There are two bars, a larger one and a smaller one. A "gatekeeper" is still at the front host podium - you can't just walk in.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Macchialina Taverna Rustica - An off menu pasta, another highlight!

    Macchialina Taverna Rustica

    4.1(961 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    •$$$

    What a complete turnaround from the one-star review I left a couple of years ago! I'm very happy to…read moresay that Macchialina has really stepped up its game. The pasta was excellent, the vegetarian dishes were fresh and flavorful, the salad was delicious, and even the bread was great. Most importantly, the service was friendly, attentive, and professional. It's great to see a restaurant make such a positive change. This visit was a completely different experience from a few years ago, and I'm happy to give Macchialina five stars this time. Highly recommended!

    From the moment we walked in, the experience was disappointing. The hostess, who had tattoos on her…read morehands, looked as if she had just stepped out of the shower. First impressions matter, especially in a restaurant, and this was not a professional welcome. Once seated, our waiter seemed to have very little knowledge of the menu. He could not answer basic questions about the ham or provide information about the food. We had to call him three times, and eventually another server came over, but communication was difficult because they spoke very little English. The food was equally disappointing. The prosciutto was sliced incredibly thick--more like a steak than traditional prosciutto. Anyone familiar with Italian cuisine knows that prosciutto should be cut paper-thin. It was clear that the staff did not know how to prepare or serve it properly. Overall, poor service, lack of product knowledge, and improperly prepared food made this a disaster of a dining experience. I would not return.

    Photos
    Macchialina Taverna Rustica
    Macchialina Taverna Rustica - Yummy desserts

    Yummy desserts

    Macchialina Taverna Rustica

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    Osteria Positano

    Osteria Positano

    4.6(245 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    Family-owned & operated
    Romantic vibe

    Osteria Positano is conveniently located on the ground floor of The Marlin Hotel, making it an easy…read moreoption whether you're staying at the hotel or exploring South Beach. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The bar isn't very large, but it comfortably accommodates a good number of guests. The atmosphere is quiet, relaxed, and perfect for a leisurely meal or cocktail. On my first day at the hotel, I stopped in for a late lunch. Tania, my waitress, was friendly, attentive, and provided excellent service throughout my visit. In fact, every member of the staff I encountered while coming and going from the hotel was pleasant, welcoming, and courteous. I ordered the bruschetta, the shrimp and calamari salad, and an Espresso Martini. The bruschetta was fresh, with flavorful tomatoes and perfectly toasted bread. The shrimp and calamari salad was outstanding fresh, generously portioned, and beautifully prepared. The appetizers were so filling that I can only imagine how generous the entrée portions must be. Overall, it was a wonderful first dining experience, and I'd gladly return.

    Osteria Positano is good…read more We ordered the ribeye, and chicken pasta and some sides. Everything was freshly made, and looked beautiful, however, it wasn't that great. Unfortunately, nothing pops out about Osteria Positano. Nothing from the bread, to the steak, to the ribeye to the coffee. Just average. At nearly $300 plus for a family of 4, I'd suggest you go elsewhere. Cheers to better eats Yelpers xx

    Photos
    Osteria Positano
    Osteria Positano
    Osteria Positano

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    Café Prima Pasta - Calamaretti Fritti (happy hour menu)

    Café Prima Pasta

    4.5(1.4k reviews)
    4.6 mi
    •$$

    We had dinner at Café Prima Pasta with our best friends, and it was fantastic. We've been before…read morebut forgot how good it was. The complimentary bruschetta and bread bowl was delicious. Nick and Andre kept our glasses full and tables squeaky clean throughout the entire night. Now for the food... for apps, we had ricotta meatballs, fiocchi, and truffle fries - all 10/10, but man, that fiocchi was mind-blowing... some of the best we've ever had. For mains. I had crab ravioli (perfection), my bestie had cacio e pepe, my husband had gnocchi with chicken, and my friend's hubs had an off-menu mushroom risotto with shrimp that was suggested by the server - literally no misses here, everything was top-tier. Dessert? Tiramisu, creme brulee, and Nutella mousse/ice cream hybrid - all amazing. The ambiance was great. Even the valet was reasonable. Great night, great food. Would go back in a heartbeat.

    Back for a fixing of Miami beach glam! The ambiance here is just *chef's kiss*…read more Our reservations this time were at 6PM and we arrived a little early. What we didn't know is that they have a Super Price menu running from 4:30PM-6PM! So we were able to get our order in and take advantage of the specials. Highly recommend going early because the prices are great! We started the evening with a Caesar salad and an order of the meatballs. And the meatballs were to die for!! They were so delicious! The meat had great seasoning throughout and it was a great ratio with the sauce and ricotta. The caesar was also really good with light dressing. For entree we got the agnolotti rosso which was amazing. It was stuffed with spinach and you can tell spinach was fresh. The sauce was absolutely delicious. And the pasta was made of spinach so it enhanced the flavor. We paired off all the food with a bottle of Bonanza cab which was perfect with the food. The whole time the waiters are flying by making sure our plates are clean, and waters filled. We ended the evening with a piece of tiramisu which was perfection. Perfect balance of mascarpone and coffee. I paired that with an espresso martini which was nice and strong. Great way to enjoy the glamour without breaking the bank!

    Photos
    Café Prima Pasta - At check-in

    At check-in

    Café Prima Pasta - Tiramisú

    Tiramisú

    Café Prima Pasta - Famous people and celebrities have enjoyed Cafe Prima Pasta

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    Famous people and celebrities have enjoyed Cafe Prima Pasta

    Lucali

    Lucali

    3.9(940 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    •$$

    This one of my husbands and I favorite restaurants. It is super consistent. Every visit has been…read morespot on. I usually avoid ordering pasta, it's just not my thing but their spicey 3 cheese fusili is killer! We love the pepperoni pie with onion. Sometimes we'll let the server pick our toppings just to experiment. Their Kale Caesar is delicious as well. Highly recommend the Mozzarella sticks. See cheese pull featured on photos. What's really neat is that this a NY based restaurant that people usually wait in line to try and get it but here on the beach we've never waiting more then 10-15min to be seated. Service overall is timed well. We never wait to be attended to and food always come out hot. Atmosphere is relaxed and not pretentious at all. Family friendly for sure and there are booths for small parties of 5-6. We love it there.

    I visited Lucali Miami in advance of a cruise and to no small degree planned my day around dining…read morehere! So my very high level of anticipation may certainly be partially to blame for my average-ish experience. I was pleasantly surprised to get a table with no wait at ~6:30 on a Wednesday evening. Staff were attentive and friendly. Prices were high, as expected, but at least the pizzas are of reasonable size. The $32 pasta portion probably could've been a bit more generous. But anyway, on to why we're all here - The Pizza: The crust had a great crunch but I felt lacked nuance beyond that, no chew and a touch on the dry side. Cheese and sauce were fine but also unremarkable. The heaps of basil provided some bright freshness that was definitely appreciated. I feel even more compelled now to try the NYC location for comparison! This wasn't a bad pizza by any stretch but not something I would ever pick over my favorite NYC standouts.

    Photos
    Lucali - Table set + Beer

    Table set + Beer

    Lucali - All Beef pepperoni

    All Beef pepperoni

    Lucali - The dining room just before the lunch rush.

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    The dining room just before the lunch rush.

    Rao's Miami Beach - italian - Updated September 2026

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