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    Pelican cafe

    3.1 (355 reviews)
    Open 8:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    PELICAN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Pelican cafe

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    Grace L.

    I ordered the avocado toast ($16) and it came missing the micro greens listed on the menu, with onions mixed into the avocado mash (also not listed). They threw some arugula on the side as a replacement. Definitely not what was advertised. Service was just as disappointing--my water sat empty three times and there was no mid-meal check-in. Ambiance outside was fine, fans kept the air moving, but that's about the only positive. Overall I felt the food was overpriced, underwhelming, and not worth the visit.

    Coconut mojito and shrimp cocktail remnants
    Bridget A.

    We stopped for appetizers - shrimp cocktail and drinks. The coconut mojito was ok. The outdoor seating was amazing- they have cute lamps at the table as well as great green glassware. Service was good but we were left unattended for long periods. The key lime pie was delicious. We walked from our hotel.

    Annushka K.

    What a great meal! Loved the menu and the vibe, cute outside seating, great service! Great batter on calamari and shrimp app, calamari were a tiny bit too soft for me though; the oysters were clean, fresh and delicious. Lobster ravioli were cooked to perfection and it was a large portion. The star of the evening was the whole red snapper - unbelievable flavors and perfect crisp on the skin! Jasmine rice was fluffy and super fresh side salad accompanied the fish very well. I really liked the panna cotta with all the berries. I would fly here again just for that fish!

    Teddy G.

    The food was excellent! We ate breakfast several times and thoroughly enjoyed! We would recommend Pelican cafe, if you want to eat on Ocean Drive.

    Gnocchi
    James F.

    Haven't been on Ocean Drive in years but must have to say we had an excellent time . We went to Miami Beach for an Expo and decided to hit the Drive for dinner and came upon this Italian Resturant that was fabulous !!!!!!! Started off with Kale Cesar salad that was very large portion and complimented it with a Margarita pizza . The main dish was the gnochi s and they were amazing . Never had them before baked and crispy on top , a must have dish .

    Alyssa W.

    Such a cute spot we were recommended to try while in Miami! Got seated immediately by a super kind and friendly waitress who threw in free shots at the end. The food was AMAZING their risotto is fantastic and I had probably the strongest Negroni of my life (no complaints lol) Would go here again for sure.

    Lauren G.

    Fun fact: the Pelican is owned by Renzo Rosso, the founder of Diesel. Don't be surprised when you see servers sporting Diesel attire and boxers for sale at the front desk. It's no surprise that the space has stylish touches. The menu seems to be focused heavily on pasta, though you'll find fish, pizza, and steak. The menu was a bit strange. There was a dinner menu, an all day menu, a wine list, and cocktail menu - all separate from each other. Our table was covered with menus. We tried the squash blossoms, lobster ravioli, pasta pomodoro, and an assortment of desserts. I didn't love the squash, but I think it is because I generally don't love heavily fried foods. The pasta was great though, and the dessert was even better. It was the most fun dessert I've ever had, served in a spinning wheel. It turned every head! My only qualms were with the valet and lack of hostess. The valet was disorganized, so we didn't use it, and I couldn't even find a hostess station so I didn't know who to go to for my reservation. Once we sat down though it was a pleasant meal with a beach view to boot.

    American Breakfast
    Aimee T.

    After spending multiple days on a cruise eating mostly stocked food, I was really excited to try Pelican Cafe for some fresh fare. It was good. I was surprised to find out that this is an Italian restaurant. We came around 10am, we ate breakfast items and I never would have guessed it wasn't "American" food. I had the avocado toast (added spinach) and I tried eggs, hash browns, and potatoes from others and it was so good. They basically made guacamole and topped the toast with it. Mine also came with choice of protein. I chose smoked salmon and it was amazing. It was exactly what I needed. I had a Blood Mary and I didn't like it. It tasted like sweet tomato juice. I added hot sauce and salt to mine and it was more to my liking. I am used to, and prefer, a Bloody that is on the spicer side and tastes more of vinegar/salt. This was my second of three that I had and I surmise that this is just how they make them here. I don't really fault them for that but just being honest, I didn't like it. On one menu the Bloody Mary's were priced at $16 but we were charged $18 each. We also asked for still water, and we got bottled, that cost us $7 a bottle. Maybe it was a miscommunication, but with the other price discrepancy, I have to make note of it. Like many of the restaurants in South Beach, outdoor seating is mandatary. Pelican had a great outdoor seating area. The service was great. They accommodated 8 of us on the fly nicely, the restaurant itself was funky, they had fans blowing and the restaurant had a really cool vibe.

    Truffle omelette
    Lynette B.

    Always on the hunt for a good breakfast spot in South Beach so we stopped by Pelican Cafe one day after seeing their good reviews on Yelp. Service was good. The fact that you can sit on Ocean Drive and people-watch is always a great selling point. My truffle omelet was good but not the best I have had. Coffee was very good. Prices are on the higher end when you're eating on Ocean Drive but I think this is a decent option for breakfast if you want to sit and relax while watching interesting people go by.

    Menu and our tables view
    Lauren F.

    I came here on a Tuesday evening during spring break in March. The restaurant was fairly packed. However, the wait time was not long. My group sat at a table on the second level so we had a great view of the main street and were able to people watch all night. The table we sat at was up the first set of stairs into the right on its own semi-private balcony area however, it was behind the handrail so we had to squeeze behind this tiny little space just to get to the table, which was kind of awkward. We also had a speaker right behind our heads, which was very loud, however we didn't mind it too much, but I can see others being irritated with this. Our server, Julio was absolutely wonderful! He was very energetic and passionate, and is an excellent waiter. He gave us some great recommendations, and was very attentive, even though he seemed to be very busy with multiple other tables. We got the free bread and oil and vinegar for our appetizer, and my coworkers ordered the king crab and I ordered a truffle pizza for myself since I am vegetarian. They do seem to have a decent amount of vegetarian options, but not many vegan options... If any at all. Our food took a little while to get us. However, I give them a little grace with this since it was spring break and they were super busy, so it was absolutely understandable. I ordered myself a glass of wine to drink, but realized that if I checked in on yelp, I also got a free glass of Prosecco or a free aperol spritz. I don't drink either one of those, so I asked the waiter if I could get my wine for free instead of doing either one of those drinks for free. After checking with the manager, Julio said they could make a one time exception and give us a glass of free wine instead of the two options listed, however, they wouldn't be able to use the coupon for that. So we all ended up getting a glass of free wine, which was so kind of them! They also accidentally brought out the wrong dish for me originally however, Julio fixed it immediately and was profusely apologetic... Which was so unnecessary, but totally appreciated! The truffle pizza was phenomenal, even as leftovers, and my coworkers said they did like the crab, but they wish there was more included for the price they paid. They also commented that they wish they would be able to get regular butter instead of the butter sauce that is available with the dishes. Overall, I would definitely come back to pelican! It's a little bit on the pricier side ($70 for my pizza, a glass of house Cab, tax, and tip) but then again you're on South Beach so most options are!

    Tuna Tartare
    Bren K.

    We only stopped for a quick drink and small bite. They drew us in with happy hour, which is small but sufficient. $5 margaritas(rocks) super strong & delish. You can taste the Cointreau. Tuna tartare-great presentation, and if you don't know fresh fish, you'll love it. I only had one bite, & my guests were happy to eat the remainder. Nice vibe, great service. I'd def come back to try more food options

    Tuna salad
    Alessia R.

    High-quality ingredient. Best Italian food in Ocean drive, south beach. Great service.

    Burrata salad

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    2 years ago

    Delicious dinner and great service! Homemade pasta, appetizers and drinks were very good. We enjoyed our evening here.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great decor and location at the heart of South Beach near the beachfront. Excellent selection of food and drinks and friendly service.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Maria Jose amazing waitress. Very attentive and super friendly. Felt at home nice conversations and very helpful with all questions.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Pelican cafe great service! Has great drinks! Very nice view! Would definitely come again

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    2 years ago

    Federico was AWESOME! Service was amazing, they treated us with care and the food was a perfect hangover cure!

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Frederick was my server and was very attentive and helpful! Also the horseradish sauce for the oysters were to die for!

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    10 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The food at this place is amazing and Fredrico was such a nice host. I also liked the beach ambiance vibe.

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Miguel, our waiter was excellent! The steak was fabulous. The tuna tartare was the best. Will be back!

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    3 years ago

    Alice was the best and the food was so good. I got the breakfast and I really enjoyed it.

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    11 years ago

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    Yardbird Table & Bar

    Yardbird Table & Bar

    4.4(7k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$
    Full bar
    Gluten-free friendly

    Always great food. EVERYTHING…read more And our server was exceptional. I'm not sure just how many times I've been to Yardbird.... maybe 25 times over years. I'll be going back again and again, for sure.

    First and foremost, do not waste your time or money coming here…read more As a Miami native, I was genuinely disappointed by both the food and the level of service. Unfortunately, neither lived up to expectations. We started with the "jumbo" wings, which were anything but jumbo. We received only flats, and they were some of the smallest wings I've ever been served. After bringing this to the staff's attention, we were told the manager would take 50% off the order. However, when the bill arrived, we were informed that the manager had already left and the discount could no longer be honored. Instead, we were given only the $4 happy hour discount, despite being promised otherwise. For our entrées, we ordered the brisket sandwich and the half chicken. Neither was worth ordering. The chicken lacked the crispy texture it was advertised to have, and the brisket was bland and without flavor. The sandwich was also supposed to come with truffle fries, but instead we were served cold, plain fries. After mentioning it, the solution was to bring us a side of truffle oil and Parmesan cheese and ask us to mix it ourselves. The service was equally disappointing. We asked our server twice for drink refills, but she never brought them. We eventually had to flag down another server just to get our beverages refilled. Overall, this was a frustrating dining experience from start to finish. Between the poor-quality food, unfulfilled promises regarding the bill, and inattentive service, this restaurant fell well below the standard I would expect from a Miami establishment. I rarely leave negative reviews, but this experience deserves one. I sincerely hope management addresses these issues because the current level of food quality and customer service is simply unacceptable. and quality is embarrassing for miami.

    Photos
    Yardbird Table & Bar - Mac & Cheese was delicious.

    Mac & Cheese was delicious.

    Yardbird Table & Bar
    Yardbird Table & Bar

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    The Villa Casa Casuarina - Empire room

    The Villa Casa Casuarina

    3.0(216 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    We recently stayed at The Versace Mansion and had a wonderful experience! The restaurant is…read moreabsolutely beautiful, and even though we had seen the famous pool during a visit a few years ago, it was just as magical the second time around. We were seated right next to the pool, but our table happened to be directly in front of the spot where everyone stopped to take photos. At first it felt a little odd, but it quickly became entertaining and added to the fun atmosphere. We stayed in the Azure suite, Our room was stunning and was ready a few hours early, which allowed us to start enjoying our stay right away with a bottle of bubbly the hotel sent up. We changed into our swimsuits and headed straight to the pool. The next morning was my favorite part of the stay, since only hotel guests have access to the pool before the restaurant opens, it was much quieter and the perfect way to enjoy such a beautiful setting. The only downside was that the hotel is extremely loud at night. We knew what to expect from reading previous reviews, so it wasn't a surprise, but it's worth mentioning. I was also a little disappointed by the restaurant service, which felt indifferent and not especially welcoming. Despite those drawbacks, the beauty, history, and overall experience made for a memorable stay!

    Lamb chops amazing 5 stars all around…read more Very tasteful this would be another must experience

    Photos
    The Villa Casa Casuarina - Empire room

    Empire room

    The Villa Casa Casuarina - Room key

    Room key

    The Villa Casa Casuarina - Secluded dining area.

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    Secluded dining area.

    Sunny Side Cafe & Eatery - Omelet

    Sunny Side Cafe & Eatery

    4.2(211 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    The chicken waffle with berries is the telling dish. The batter is restrained, doesn't oversell…read moreitself with sweetness, the waffle has structure instead of dissolving into custard. The berries stay whole and tart instead of melting into jam. That restraint is what separates precision from indulgence. The avocado toast comes with radish shaved thin and microgreens that aren't buried, just placed. The plating is considered, not theatrical. Big difference. The benedicts work. Hollandaise holds the emulsion, the eggs are cooked to the yolk, the proteins don't bleed. The pancakes (key lime, pistachio, Belgium ganache) are where they let personality show, but the base is always solid. The plain croissant is $5 and tastes like they're not cutting corners. They close at 3:30 PM. That constraint is actually their strength. You eat when the kitchen is fresh, not fighting fatigue at lunch hour. Everything lands at the same level of finish because they're not spread thin across 12 hours. The mosaic tables make every meal feel unhurried. The outdoor section has real breeze and light. The price feels honest, $24-32 depending on what you add. This is breakfast and brunch executed like someone actually cares how it tastes and where you sit.

    Not a bad cafe located in Miami, Beach!…read more The first thing you notice when you walk in is that there is a scent of stale incense. A bit musty but not bad. We ordered two coffees; Dulce de leche iced latte with included cold foam and a pistachio iced latte (Dulce de leche was better!) For food we both got a breakfast sandwich with no bacon(cross-contamination for gluten) and the gluten free bread. I am celiac (gluten free)This was very tasty and would have again! The service was normal, casual, and well. Nothing out of this world but still kind and respectful. I would 100% eat here again but I would love to see lower prices for everything. It all seems so much but it's a given being in Miami where everything is expensive. Parking is also next to the cafe and it's 20$ an hour or 20.40$ online which is a bit too much

    Photos
    Sunny Side Cafe & Eatery - Bakery goods

    Bakery goods

    Sunny Side Cafe & Eatery - Smoked salmon eggs Benedict with potatoes

    Smoked salmon eggs Benedict with potatoes

    Sunny Side Cafe & Eatery - Indoor seating

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    Indoor seating

    Backyard - OG Avocado Toast

    Backyard

    4.2(55 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    We recently enjoyed breakfast at The Backyard on Miami South Beach, and it was a delightful…read moreexperience. The menu had a fantastic range of options, so we could all find something that suited our tastes. Each dish tasted as good as it looked, giving us a cheerful start to the day. The vibrant atmosphere, with its funky decor and open-air setting, added a special touch, making it feel more like a gathering of friends than just a meal. What really made our breakfast stand out was the incredible service from Richard. He was friendly and attentive, always making sure our drinks were full and checking in to see if we needed anything. His warmth and professionalism made us feel truly appreciated as guests. With great food, stellar service, and a fun, lively vibe, breakfast at The Backyard turned out to be a highlight of our Miami adventure!

    Was excited to try this place. When we got there we were the only ones and it took a long time to…read moreget someone to give us menus, when we got water, 4 people and one glass with ice (mind you seating is outside so water brought would get hot). When we order and get the food (pancakes, loyalties, eggs, bacon, extra bacon, and a chicken bowl) the food was ok, but agin we are waiting to get common sense condiments like syrup and ketchup. And we were the ONLY ones there- overall the service was really really poor and the food was ok, wouldn't recommend.

    Photos
    Backyard
    Backyard - Chicken ceaser salad

    Chicken ceaser salad

    Backyard

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    Pelican cafe - italian - Updated September 2026

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