Joia Beach Miami Restaurant & Beach Club is unlike any other restaurant in Miami. Its tables are literally on the beach, and you can take a dip in Biscayne Bay, enjoy a full restaurant menu, entertainment, and instagrammable views of the Venetian islands and the Miami skyline.
This oasis happens to be adjacent to Jungle Island, right off the MacArthur Causeway with its own convenient parking. Since opening in 2020 it has attracted the likes of Dwyane Wade, the Estefans, Ryan Seacrest, Brazilian model Adriana Lima and more.
It’s a place to come for a drink and light bites while soaking up the sun on a day bed in the lounge area, have lunch with friends or a romantic dinner. You can come by yacht as well, via tender service (booking in advance when you make a reservation. Everything is open air and ideal for social distancing. There’s also a bar area under a chickee hut and spacious covered terrace which work when it rains.
We went midweek early evening, a perfect time to catch a beautiful sunset and enjoy dinner on the beach. Kicking off the evening, Mr. W had his Manhattan but I opted for – how could I not – the delicious Girl from Miami cocktail with Belvedere vodka, Aperol, lemon, passion fruit puree and topped with prosecco. Great fun. The menu, the same for lunch and dinner, isn’t large, but with selections for all tastes and daily specials highlighting seafood. On the evening we went Maine lobster and tiger prawns were among the specials.
Having had a large birthday lunch, I went with ideal light selections of a tasty tuna tartare provencale with tomato, capers, lemon juice, shallots and crostini ($28) followed by a fave, beluga lentils and green peas ($12). Mr. W had the watermelon and arugula salad and lamb chops (4) with another fave dish, oyster mushrooms, bulgur, and sweet Moroccan sauce. He gave solid marks to the lamb chops ($48) Other appealing selections for next time included fire grilled octopus with red lentils, ginger puree and brown butter ($30) and the whole branzino prepared tableside ($42). Sweets include gelato, baklava with ice cream and chocolate ganache cake ($12-$14).
There’s a large cocktail and liquor menu. Cocktails are $17 and a glass of wine starts at $13/bottles at $62.
Joia Beach Miami is open for lunch and dinner Friday, Saturday and Sunday and dinner Wednesday through Friday. Located at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami 33132. Valet parking is $20 . For reservations call 305-400-7280 or visit www.joiabeachmiami.com.
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