If your in miami and your looking for local views of the city and the ocean with decent bite this is your place! I will note it can be on the pricey side for dinner but I've heard their brunch is a hit! Our family of 9 have a pleasant evening with good service! Our waiters recommendations were appreciated as well as her honesty for portions. Notable bites: Crab cake Sushi Rosemary fries Coffee Lava cake!!! We couldn't give this an overall 5 star for simple measures including hot items presenting cold when brought to the table and price point but overall we were satisfied! We look forward to trying what their brunch has to offer! read more

Rusty Pelican - Miami - Chefs platter - Seafood Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

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Here is a shorter, punchier version of your review: 4.5/5 -- Stunning Views & Great for Celebrations! The Rusty Pelican is the perfect spot for a special occasion! We celebrated a 70th birthday here, and the guest of honor was thoroughly impressed. The location offers incredible, sweeping views of the water and the Miami downtown skyline, and the sophisticated interior sets a wonderful upscale tone. The menu has a great variety, including excellent options on the kids' menu. Just note that the portions are very large! The Chilean Sea Bass was the absolute highlight--flaky and delicious. The only minor downside was the fried fish filet, which had a bit too much breading. Overall, between the breathtaking views and the fantastic ambiance, it was a memorable night. Highly recommend! read more

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Our 5-star review is for our combined experience during a Sunday lunch/brunch. This is not a gourmet restaurant (even though the food was very good). We had a wonderful time at The Rusty Pelican -- not my first visit, but we usually go there on special occasions or when we have visitors in town, thanks to the beautiful Miami/Biscayne Bay views. We were a party of 9, and yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially on a Sunday. Everyone found something they liked on the menu, and the cocktails were delicious. The service was very attentive, and we had a great time overall. Price-wise, it's $$$ out of 4$, but as I mentioned, it's perfect for special occasions. read more

my birthday dinner here was a upscale and perfect restaurant for an event, for me specifically my birthday. Loved the view, food was 10/10 and the drinks unique and stronggg! thank you to the staff for being accommodating and helpful, this is now one my FAV spots. read more

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The views were absolutely impeccable! My friend and I had this shared meal where it came with steak, red snapper and a bunch of sides and we couldn't even finish it. It was so much food and it was so good! The service was great our server was so kind given it was my birthday! read more

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My wife and I had the RUSTY PELICAN LUNCH BOARD FOR 2. $135 - Photos to follow. Very good, but could be better. Lobster Benedict, N.Y. Strip, Fried chicken and (1) waffle, Fingerling potatoes. Plating somewhat sloppy. We also had two Classic Mojitos at $17 each. Service was good by Everett. What you see on the photos is exactly what you get. Is it worth it? You tell me. Ambiance is very relaxing, outside seating available next to the water. We're both 66 and have been coming here since 1977. Totally different experience back then. Highly recommend if in the area. read more

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Came here for my mother-in-law's birthday, and we had a great time. We started off with some coffee and ordered the Rusty Pelican Brunch Board for Two, we got two boards for five people, and it was perfect. The food was amazing. The lobster benedict was honestly the best I've had, and the steak melted in your mouth. The fried chicken was super juicy, and the cream on the waffles was delicious. At the end, we had their café con leche lava cake with cookies and cream ice cream, and the bread pudding. I would go back just to have the bread pudding again. The view was also beautiful. We sat by the window and had ocean views, and the service was great. Overall, we had a really nice experience and would definitely come back read more

Rusty Pelican - Miami - American Coffee - Seafood Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

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Perfectly Flawless Dining Experience. From the breathtaking view of Miami to the lovely decor and ambiance, this is a must do seafood restaurant when in town! Krishna took wonderful care of us, Angela made the Mojoto Experience both educational and delicious, while the quality of our food was impeccable. We shared the Hamachi Crudo ahi tuna appetizer, then Laurie had the Arroz Meloso rice and fresh seafood dish while I enjoyed the Crispy Whole Local Snapper. We finished it all off with spectacular key lime pies. We highly recommend this restaurant and will be back whenever we're back in town! read more

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For starters, we kicked things off with the Caesar salad and the burrata salad--both were generously portionsed and perfectly complemented by the complimentary jalapeño cornbread. Everything felt fresh and flavorful. Drinks were on point all around. I sipped the One in a Melon, a refreshing watermelon creation with a magical balance of sweet and tart--truly delicious. My husband loved his classic margarita without a single complaint. For the mains, I went with the lobster and shrimp risotto. It was hearty, meaty, and satisfyingly filling, with a well-balanced flavor profile. My spouse enjoyed the Chilean sea bass, perched on a bed of mashed plantains and crowned with a vibrant pineapple-mango salsa. Both dishes were excellent, and we'd happily order them again on a return visit. Overall, a fantastic dining experience--we left eager to come back and relive these flavors. read more

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I'm a big fan of Rusty Pelican, their happy hour is one of my favorite to go too so when I heard I was going to Brunch I was very excited. Our service was okay, we had to wait a bit for a few things but other than that our server was attentive. We ordered a seafood tower for 4 which was delicious and then I ordered tacos which were fresh and tasted delicious! We were sitting outside by the water under an umbrella so we weren't getting too much sun. It was a beautiful slightly windy day outside and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day! The seafood tower had sashimi and sushi rolls on the bottom level, oysters on the second level, and two lobster tails and shrimp on the very top layer of the tower. Everything was fresh and tasted so good. We asked for extra sauces and soy sauce and it took all couple times of asking but we eventually got them. The wine we order was delicious, they brought out ice buckets with water so it was chilled. We had Mer Soleil Reserve Santa Lucia Highland Chardonnay. It was light and refreshing. The fries that were a side with my tacos were delicious! I believe they were truffle fries, they were so fresh and crispy. I would definitely order it again! I look forward to planning another brunch at Rusty Pelican soon! read more

Rusty Pelican - Miami - Fish Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

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This restaurant has a beautiful view of the Miami S skyline. Our server was very quick and attentive! Of the three dishes, the hamachi crudo was a little sour for my liking and a bit unlike other ones i've had before. The lobster grilled cheese and burrata salad were really good read more

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I remember this place being a lot better than it was, but I think it's just because we went at lunchtime so the selection wasn't great It was over an hour and a half to get our food, and once it came, it was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. I will say the dessert was absolutely fantastic. It was a lava cake that is made with coffee and it was something that I will definitely be back for. That being said, this place is stunning for views of the beach and the Miami coast, and it has a very relaxed, elegant vibe. read more

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Rusty Pelican is a Miami staple! Celebrating a milestone? Rusty Pelican. Friend visiting from out of town? Rusty Pelican? Good food with a great view that isn't overly hyped? Rusty Pelican! I have come here before moving to Miami and continue to come here for the last 6.5 years here. The food is solid, the cocktails are great, the staff is super friendly and sweet. One downside is the parking, it's valet but other than that it's a great spot! read more

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First off, the view is amazing. If you go outside or sit by the window, you can see Biscayne Bay with a beautiful view of the Miami skyline. It was breathtaking. We had reservations, however since part of our party was 5 minutes late, we had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated. We were escorted to our table and were given our menus. I needed the flashlight on my phone to read it, because I couldn't see a thing in the dark. Jalapeño cornbread was served on the table. It was okay. It came with a drop of some type of butter. I'm not sure what it was and I couldn't find anyone to ask. Another 10 minutes went by before we were able to order drinks and an appetizer. We had the fried calamari. It was tasty and fresh. As an entree, I had Arroz Melosa. This was made up of shrimp, corvina, scallops, cilantro rice, cornbread migas, garlic It was tasty, but I can't tell you anything else because it was so dark in the restaurant it was mystery bites, with an occasional spicy flavor. My husband had steak and mashed potatoes. No mystery there. He knew exactly what he had. It was delicious. The mashed potatoes were creamy and perfect. Honestly, ambiance is one thing, but darkness is another. This restaurant has 3$$$ so bring your wallet, if you can find it. Although the food was good, the poor lighting made it difficult to enjoy the experience. read more

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We attended an event in the upstairs party room. Let's start with the view, mesmerizing!! The service was exceptional as was the food. We had chicken and salmon with mashed potato and broccolini. Cocktails were great too! read more

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We were there to celebrate our sons graduation from college, despite having reservations, we still had to wait 45 minutes to be seated! Our server Lina was absent most of the time and barely paid attention to our table of 6! My steak was dry and chewy, garlic fries were average, empanadas needed sauce, sashimi was great because it's hard to mess up fresh fish, lol! Atlantic Salmon was decent! My Caesar Salad was actually the best of all our foods oh and the jalapeno bread was good too! This place is too overpriced and their food was a 4 out of 10 in taste, flavor and presentation! The server needed help. I probably will never go back to this Rusty Pelican location especially if I have to take a $50 steak home and season it again and sear properly to get the flavor I should have gotten initially!! read more

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This Thanksgiving, my son and I treated my dad to brunch at Rusty Pelican, and wow, the 3-course holiday special did not disappoint. So much food, and every dish was delicious. Our waiter, Akosh, was amazing: attentive, kind, and on top of every detail. We started with the Bottomless Signature Mimosas ($30), switching between Dragon Fruit & Watermelon, Lavender Activated Charcoal Lemonade, and Passion Fruit & Tarragon. All so good. Appetizers came out family-style and felt like a full spread on their own: Pumpkin Spiced Cinnamon Roll * Comté & White Cheddar Grilled Cheese with Cranberry Compote * Butternut Squash Soup * Cheese & Charcuterie * Prosciutto-Wrapped Grissini * Seasonal Veggies with Roasted Garlic Hummus * Fresh Oysters * Colossal Shrimp Cocktail * PEI Mussels * Salmon Tartare. For entrées, my son and I went classic with the herb-roasted turkey (pan gravy, 50/50 mash, green beans, cranberry relish) and my dad ordered the Chilean sea bass (smoked sweet plantain mash, grilled pepper, mango & papaya salsa) Turkey was good... but the sea bass absolutely won. Dessert came out family-style again and honestly felt like a dream: Salted Caramel Five-Layer Chocolate Cake * Pumpkin Cheesecake * Apple Galette * Cinnamon Sugar Churros with Valrhona Chocolate Sauce * Pecan Tartlets * Mini French Toast * Blueberry Panna Cotta. All of this for $98 per person, plus the unlimited mimosas. We had such a great time enjoying the food and that gorgeous Miami view. My only complaint: the forced valet. It's always so annoying! Tons of empty parking spaces, yet you have to valet, and then you wait forever to get your car back. Offering valet as an option is great; forcing it on every guest is not. Rusty Pelican, please reconsider this. Other than that, an absolutely beautiful Thanksgiving brunch. read more

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A must if you like dining with an ocean view. Great food and drink. Recommend checking ahead as reservations are sometimes required. Parking is valet only. read more

Rusty Pelican - Miami - Seafood Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

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Amazing views of the city and right on the water! Went for happy hour and the drinks were great and food was delicious! Highly recommend when in the mood for something a bit classier and with a very nice ambiance. read more

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The service was actually good--our server was friendly, attentive, and did their best throughout the evening. Unfortunately, the food was a huge disappointment. For a restaurant with this reputation and these prices, I expected much better. The dishes lacked flavor, were poorly prepared, and simply weren't worth the cost. What made the experience even more frustrating was that we paid extra for a waterfront table specifically to watch the fireworks. However, the fireworks didn't take place until after the restaurant had closed, so we never got to see them. Paying a premium for a view that we couldn't actually enjoy felt misleading and left us disappointed. The location is beautiful, and the staff did a good job, but the quality of the food and the unmet expectation of the fireworks experience made this visit not worth the price. Unfortunately, I wouldn't return. read more

From the moment we booked (with Aly) to upon arrival (May greeted us and quickly accommodated our needs) and service throughout the evening (with Lala), our group of 16 had a fabulous experience! The views, the food and the service were exceptional! Drinks were flowing all night and all the dishes ordered were great. The surf & turf for two is a must! Thank you for making our experience memorable as we celebrated the proposal of our son and his beautiful fiancé! read more

Rusty Pelican Miami Date night at Rusty Pelican was pure perfection from start to finish. The ambience, food, drinks, service, and presentation were all a flawless 10 -- every detail felt intentional and elevated. My wife and I were greeted warmly, the cocktails were balanced and creative, and every dish looked as amazing as it tasted. As a Yelp Elite South Florida foodie and the creator behind @DyEatsNDrinks on TikTok, I love showcasing restaurants that deliver not only flavor but a full experience -- and Rusty Pelican does exactly that. From stunning views to impeccable hospitality, this spot sets the standard for Miami dining. We'll definitely be back -- the vibes, service, and overall energy were unforgettable. read more

Rusty Pelican - Miami - Seafood Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

Fantastic Miami experience! The virgin mojito experience was fun and delicious! The views are outstanding! read more

Rusty Pelican - Miami - Great views! - Seafood Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

In all my years in Miami, I've heard so many great things about the city's most popular and original staples -- so I have to ask myself, how have I not arrived here sooner? Recently, as luck would have it, I attended a fundraising event here, and I was simply impressed by their event production. From the event's perspective, it was impeccable service to the delicious food, beautiful decor, and that breathtaking view of the Miami skyline -- it all came together to create an unforgettable experience. My biggest piece of advice would be to take heed on the busy weekend valet parking as I understand it can take awhile to get your car. However, many friends and family have raved about this venue, so after seeing it firsthand, I can see why it's such a beloved Miami staple. My next goal? To return for their legendary weekend brunch. read more

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I took the guests from out of town. I wanted to impress them and this is the place. The food was delicious. I wish mango salad had more mangoes instead of a few pieces of thinly sliced mangoes. It seems that they may be understaffed. So, the service could be a bit slow. Oh, since it's hot outside, we sat inside. But outside tables had shades which obstlacted the view. That was a bit disappointing. read more

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Rusty pelican did an exceptional job between their service, food, and drinks. During our visit, we let our waiter, Akosh, know that we were getting married in a few days, and he automatically gave us a VIP experience. Champagne, desert, choice of seating, etc. We had the rusty pelican board for 2. Ribeye, lobster, potatoes, salad, the works. Everything was very solid. Views were amazing. Ambiance great. Service even better. 5/5. read more

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The atmosphere was absolutely stunning the waterfront views while dining made the entire experience feel special. The food was Incredible. Every bite was so flavorful I didn't even think about reaching for salt or pepper it was perfectly seasoned and satisfying. If I wasn't already full, I would've kept eating! The portions were generous and well worth it. Our server deserves a huge shout-out we had a party of nine, and he somehow managed to be attentive, fast, and friendly the entire time. 10/10 service. He absolutely killed it! read more

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We came to Rusty Pelican on New Year's Day, and while there was a bit of a wait, they offered champagne in the waiting area, which was a really nice and classy touch. We were first seated inside, but we were wanting to sit outside to enjoy the beautiful Miami waterfront views. Since we were a group of 8, they initially seated us at two tables of four right next to each other. We asked if the tables could be pushed together, but at first we were told it wasn't allowed. It was also pretty cold outside, even though there were heat lamps. I asked one of the staff members to move a lamp closer, but it was barely adjusted, so I tried to move it myself and was told we weren't allowed to touch them. Thankfully, our server Alb stepped in and completely turned things around he moved the tables together, adjusted the heat lamps, and genuinely tried to make us comfortable. Unfortunately, with all the confusion, it took over an hour just to place our order, and since none of us had eaten since the year before, no one was particularly happy. I started with the empanadas, which were an amazing surprise. the birria filling literally melted in your mouth, and the salsa verde with Oaxaca cheese paired perfectly. The they frits were a bit underwhelming for me. they were essentially fries topped with crème fraîche and red and black caviar, and I didn't feel the red caviar really worked with the dish. The entrée was the sea bass we shared. It was unbelievably soft, buttery, and fell apart with every bite. It came with mashed plantains, which was a first for me and such a unique but perfect pairing I really liked it. Dessert was the best part. the lava cake was rich, indulgent, and delicious, paired with cookies and cream ice cream. It's definitely shareable because it's very filling, but 100% worth ordering. while the service started off rocky, Alb worked incredibly hard to make things right, and the food especially the sea bass and dessert really impressed us. read more

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Great views obviously but the food is seriously good. The team is good, and you can see the hustle in them. read more

I've been to the Rusty Pelican multiple times, but this time I went to try the miami spice menu for dinner and was greatly disappointed. Prior to, the food was always been top-tier but today with everyone trying multiple food items on the menu we all had the same experience. Everything came out very cool. It didn't come out hot like it was freshly made. The seasoning wasn't right. The snapper had abnormal taste to it that almost felt like the fish was going bad and fries came out stale. Also heads up we also got the banana cheesecake it's crustless btw. read more

Such a cute area to see the see the Miami skyline. We went for brunch and it was pretty good and filling. read more

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Dining at The Rusty Pelican in Miami was an unforgettable experience. We chose to sit outside and the view was an uninterrupted panorama of the Miami city skyline that truly lives up to its reputation as one of the best spots in the city for skyline photography. The evening felt both elegant and relaxed. We started with two appetizers: the Herb Marinated Octopus and the Caviar Frites. The octopus was beautifully prepared, tender and thoughtfully seasoned, paired with potatoes that were exceptionally crisp on the outside, the squid ink emulsion added depth and richness, tying each component together with a delicious flavor profile. The Caviar Frites were equally impressive. The fries were perfectly golden and crunchy, serving as an excellent foundation for the generous caviar and roe topping. Finished with a smooth vodka crème fraîche, the appetizer was perfect offering layers of flavor and texture in every bite. For the main course I decided to try the Seared Scallops which were cooked with precision and paired wonderfully with the Forbidden Rice. The rice added a satisfying contrast while elements like the sea beans, yuzu koshō, and accompanying components elevated the dish with brightness and complexity creating a well-composed entrée. Between the city views and thoughtfully executed cuisine, The Rusty Pelican delivered an exceptional dining experience. It's good for anyone looking to enjoy waterfront dining while in Miami or Key Biscayne. read more

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Amazing experience at Rusty Pelican! Our server Roberto was so fun and fun provided great service. There was live music, and a beautiful view of the water from most of the tables. We had a prix fixe menu and it was DIVINE. I also loved the Tiffany & co inspired cocktail I had -- it was even served in a fake Tiffany box Really fun and memorable. read more

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This is my go-to spot whenever I have friends visiting Miami. The restaurant is absolutely stunning--right on the water with a gorgeous view of the Miami skyline. Sunset is definitely the best time to go; the atmosphere is unbeatable. The food is solid overall, though it can vary a bit depending on what you order. I went during Miami Spice Week and was really impressed with both the prices and the variety of options. I had some sushi, which was incredibly fresh and flavorful, and the grilled furikake oysters were a standout--super fresh and perfectly prepared and seasoned. Their drink menu is extensive, so there's definitely something for everyone. The service was great too. Our server was friendly, attentive, and quick even on a busy Friday night. Two of my friends ordered the board for two and absolutely loved it. It came with a ton of variety and was more than enough food to share. All in all, it's a spot I always recommend! It checks all the boxes: great views, solid food, good vibes, and excellent service. read more

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I love a nice meal with a view, and that's what you get at Rusty Pelican with beautiful bayside seating. The service was good and the food was tasty as well. I especially loved the caviar fries. We did a pitcher of Hugo spritz and that was great and got us several glasses. Also honorable mention, it's a plus that you can dock and dine. Aka arrive by boat. read more

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It had been a while since I have been here and this time it was for a private event with over 100 guests and they nailed it! The staff was great and the food was delicious. From the passing of the Hors d'Oeuvres to the space and main course, it was great!! Tuna tarter, crab cake, egg rolls, empanadas and the chicken, it was all great! I ate so much that I didn't get to take photos of anything but the salad. lol! It was great and the cheesecake was too. Great experience and parking is via valet which automatically includes a $2.00 tip making it $12.00 in total. A great time was had and I look forward to going back. Enjoy! read more

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we came here to celebrate mom for her birthday, husband and i each got a sushi for dinner. the shrimp tempura roll, i believe is a great pick and kept me very satisfied. i'm not sure i would return though as the service was on the slower side read more

Rusty Pelican - Miami - Seafood Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

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A local friend of mine told me this was a tourist trap - I don't think so at all. Beautiful scenery, gigantic portions considering the location, and great tasting food. The Rusty Pelican provides a prime spot to view the Miami city line, sunset, and boating activity. Solid food options, and good tasting drinks Would I Go Out of My Way to Try? Yes Would I Return? Yes Food Taste- 8/10 Ambiance - 10/10 Service - 10/10 Value- 8/10 read more

Rusty Pelican - Miami - Arroz Meloso - Seafood Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

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The view is as good as one would hope for, amazing skyline shots! We arrived at the time of our reservation, but ended up having to wait 30 minutes anyway which was not a great start. Once seated, our server was great, super friendly and helpful. The sea bass was fantastic! Scallops were some of the best we have had as well. Strong drinks. We did mention it was for a birthday, but got celebratory things of any sort. A little underwhelming, especially for the price but the view and food are on point read more

Great place for date night, family affairs or weekend brunches! The Rusty Pelican is located on Virginia Key, home to the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, once a segregated beach for Black beachgoers in the mid 1900s (I think the date is correct). I have been bringing my visiting family and friends here for more than 15 years, often educating them on the historic importance of this location for Black and Brown folx (especially the immigrants who built South Florida). Even my employer has been booking huge events here for at least a decade or more. We bring in scholars from across the country to enjoy quality food during their stays with us. Location: The views are just stunning! Whether you are inside or dining al fresco, you are bound to catch beautiful Florida sunsets with a city skyline in the back drop for the best pics. And of course, the occasional Yacht, jet ski or speedboat will add for a bit of entertainment. Service and food: The service here is impeccable and the food.... mouth-watering. Recently we celebrated my partner's birthday with a sunday brunch and bottomless mimosas. Albi was our server. He didn't crowd us. He allowed us space to enjoy our time while also checking in occasionally to top off our drinks. We were so stuffed that we did not ask for dessert and yet, Albi still showed up with a nice Key Lime surprise to top off our afternoon. Our bellies were full, appetites satiated. Gabby (manager) and Rafael (co-owner?) also popped by our table and gave well wishes. Hands down, the Rusty Pelican is one of the most beautifully located restaurants in Miami with exceptional service and great quality food. read more

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