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Name: Rusty Pelican - Miami
Address: 3201 Rickenbacker Cwy, Key Biscayne, FL, 33149
Telephone: (305) 361-3818
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.61

Rusty Pelican - Miami

3201 Rickenbacker Cwy, Key Biscayne, FL, 33149

(305) 361-3818
Store is closed

Rusty Pelican - Miami Menu

Beginnings

Crab Cake

Ahi Tuna and Fennel

Shrimp Cocktail

Corvina Ceviche

3 Tiered Seafood Tower

Fried Calamari

Sea Bass and Salmon Bunuelos

Mediterranean Mussels

Short Rib Empanadas

Charcuterie and Cheese Plate

Crab Cake

Ahi Tuna and Fennel

Shrimp Cocktail

Corvina Ceviche

3 Tiered Seafood Tower

Fried Calamari

Sea Bass and Salmon Bunuelos

Mediterranean Mussels

Short Rib Empanadas

Charcuterie and Cheese Plate
Sushi & Salads

Deco Maki

Nikkei

Spider Roll

Spicy Tuna Roll

Salmon Roll

The Pelican

Caesar Salad

Smoked Tomato

Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Salad

Deco Maki

Nikkei

Spider Roll

Spicy Tuna Roll

Salmon Roll

The Pelican

Caesar Salad

Smoked Tomato

Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
Raw Bar

Daily Oyster Selection

Raw Bar Oysters

Alaskan Snow Crab Claws

King Crab

Lobster Tail

Daily Oyster Selection

Raw Bar Oysters

Alaskan Snow Crab Claws

King Crab

Lobster Tail
Lunch

Crispy Whole Local Snapper

Atlantic Salmon

Spaghetti Pomodoro

Whole Maine Lobster

Oven Roasted Patagonian Toothfish

Lobster Salad Wrap

Biscayne Burger

Grilled Swordfish

Seared Tuna Sandwich

Salmon BLT

Crispy Whole Local Snapper

Atlantic Salmon

Spaghetti Pomodoro

Whole Maine Lobster

Oven Roasted Patagonian Toothfish

Lobster Salad Wrap

Biscayne Burger

Grilled Swordfish

Seared Tuna Sandwich

Salmon BLT
Brunchy Type of Things

Crab Cake Benedict

Smoked Salmon Benedict

Maine Lobster Benedict

Sausage Flat Bread

Pancakes

Breakfast Burrito

Scottish Smoked Salmon

French Toast

Egg and Bacon Sandwich

Lobster Thermidor

The Brittany Crepe and Foie

Day Boat Scallops and Eggs

Crab Cake Benedict

Smoked Salmon Benedict

Maine Lobster Benedict

Sausage Flat Bread

Pancakes

Breakfast Burrito

Scottish Smoked Salmon

French Toast

Egg and Bacon Sandwich

Lobster Thermidor

The Brittany Crepe and Foie

Day Boat Scallops and Eggs
For Bloody Mary Lovers Only

Wasabi & Yuzu

Yellow Tomato & Apple Cider

Tomatillo & Jalapeno

RP Signature Recipe

Wasabi & Yuzu

Yellow Tomato & Apple Cider

Tomatillo & Jalapeno

RP Signature Recipe
Steak 'N' Eggs

Niman Ranch Bone-In 20oz Pork Chop

8 oz. Filet Mignon

12 oz. New York Strip

16 oz. Bone In Rib Eye

Niman Ranch Bone-In 20oz Pork Chop

8 oz. Filet Mignon

12 oz. New York Strip

16 oz. Bone In Rib Eye
Sides

Bacon

Chicken Apple Sausage

Potato Hash

Two Eggs

Mash Potatoes

Rusty Fries

Jumbo Asparagus

Bacon

Chicken Apple Sausage

Potato Hash

Two Eggs

Mash Potatoes

Rusty Fries

Jumbo Asparagus

Healthy Meal suggestions for Rusty Pelican - Miami

Beginnings

Crab Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ahi Tuna and Fennel [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corvina Ceviche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Tiered Seafood Tower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sea Bass and Salmon Bunuelos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mediterranean Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Short Rib Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Charcuterie and Cheese Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ahi Tuna and Fennel [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corvina Ceviche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Tiered Seafood Tower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sea Bass and Salmon Bunuelos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mediterranean Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Short Rib Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Charcuterie and Cheese Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushi & Salads

Deco Maki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nikkei [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spider Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Tuna Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Pelican [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deco Maki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nikkei [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spider Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Tuna Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Pelican [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Raw Bar

Daily Oyster Selection [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raw Bar Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alaskan Snow Crab Claws [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

King Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Tail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Daily Oyster Selection [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raw Bar Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alaskan Snow Crab Claws [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

King Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Tail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Lunch

Crispy Whole Local Snapper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Atlantic Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Maine Lobster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oven Roasted Patagonian Toothfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Salad Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Biscayne Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Swordfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Tuna Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Whole Local Snapper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Atlantic Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Maine Lobster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oven Roasted Patagonian Toothfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Salad Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Biscayne Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Swordfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Tuna Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Brunchy Type of Things

Crab Cake Benedict [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon Benedict [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maine Lobster Benedict [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage Flat Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breakfast Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scottish Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egg and Bacon Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Thermidor [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Brittany Crepe and Foie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Day Boat Scallops and Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Cake Benedict [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon Benedict [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maine Lobster Benedict [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage Flat Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breakfast Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scottish Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egg and Bacon Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Thermidor [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Brittany Crepe and Foie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Day Boat Scallops and Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
For Bloody Mary Lovers Only

Wasabi & Yuzu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yellow Tomato & Apple Cider [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomatillo & Jalapeno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

RP Signature Recipe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wasabi & Yuzu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yellow Tomato & Apple Cider [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomatillo & Jalapeno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

RP Signature Recipe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Steak 'N' Eggs

Niman Ranch Bone-In 20oz Pork Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 oz. Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12 oz. New York Strip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

16 oz. Bone In Rib Eye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Niman Ranch Bone-In 20oz Pork Chop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 oz. Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12 oz. New York Strip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

16 oz. Bone In Rib Eye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Apple Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Two Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mash Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rusty Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Apple Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Two Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mash Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rusty Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Jason K.

Crab cake and wahoo were both very good
(5)
Mario R.

I've never had a bad experience here. If you want a romantic night out, get a table by the water. I'd also suggest going on a winter night(not too cold of course). The Sunday brunch is fantastic and features a wide variety of items. Dinner is always top notch as well! Granted, I usually stick with the lobster dishes, so it's hard to go wrong.
(5)
Gessica D.

Been there for a special occasion, the place is really beautiful and it can look fancy but when you get there you feel absolutely comfortable. And no white cloth table, by the way (strange but true). Food was good, not WOW but good. Some mistakes during serving but overall we enjoyed a lot the evening.
(4)
Liz H.

Such amazing service. Wanda you are so fabulous! Thank you so much for this beautiful surprise. Love love love this place!
(5)
A P.

Mediocre Food and over priced. I'm visiting from out of town and couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the menu given. My server was nice. but The food was awful. The Ceviche was okay, nothing amazing. The Shrimp tempura couldn't even be defined at tempura. The tempura was soggy and wet. not crunchy or crisp. we ordered both the key lime pie and tres leche. horrible. in conclusion great view of downtown Miami and they are milking on that. really disappointed more dissatisfied that we spent SO much money for nothing. I was expecting a nice meal ended up with something else... I would come here for the view. that's it.
(1)
stephen N.

I love The Rusty Pelican. My most recent stop was over New Years for brunch and it was just as awesome as ever! It an be pricey, and some things can be hit or miss, but I don't care! The view is spectacular and it is a must try for anyone living or visiting!! I had the crepes with blue cheese and foie gras, my friends had the crab cake Benedict...all were great. If you want the best view, I suggest hanging by the bar and stealing one of the couches against the window facing Brickell!
(4)
Mike C.

Came back to the Rusty Pelican where I had my wedding reception This time with family and enjoying the view of Miami. We started off with salmon Tatar bresuto, and sea bass salmon BuÃ±uelos which we great. Dinner was amazing. I had the New York strip with two side lemon Asian beans and wild mushrooms and sautÃ©ed onions Ina Demi glaze. The steak can perfect. Other at the table had lamb shank and it was huge and great. Crab cake was awesome. The service was world class and it was a great evening to reconnect where I had my first meal as a married man.
(4)
Anne J.

This place Is All about the location and views, The menu and food are good, don't get me wrong ( a bit overprice ) but what is going on with the music ??? ( way to loud and you can t play electro music !!! Come on !!! Play some lounge music! You have people trying to have a romantic dinner here !!! I won't epilogue about the service, it s just bad, everytime we go. This place is great, just need a real good management.
(2)
Helena R.

It's not good, it's not bad. Maybe it is better during a summer day when you can actually enjoy outside. Went with my friend for lunch, it was not busy. Order a drink and the glass seemed a little dirty, maybe it was the washing machine; but it definitely made me not wanted to drink. The food was somehow ok, but not anything special for the price I had to pay. A lot of family and older crowd, maybe it wasn't my day or maybe it was a slow day. But it will take me a while to come back again.
(3)
Susel D.

The worst experience ever!!!!! We came today afternoon to eat something and ordered an empanadas but never our plates arrived.. no bread until we asked for it... and when finally came our ribeye it was really salty, the salad was old, and after 5 min I had to ask 3 servers for our knives!!!! I will never come back.. never!!!!
(1)
Jennifer G.

Rafael at the Rusty Pelican was truly an amazing server that made our evening and dinner at the Rusty Pelican a memorable one.
(5)
Andy K.

Service is impeccable, from both our server and the manager! We were celebrating a birthday and the staff of Rusty Pelican went above and beyond for customer satisfaction. Mauro, the manager, was extremely friendly and definitely made our day and meal very special! I haven't been here since the renovation but I must say they did a great job on doing so. I always loved the view but the whole experience and the ambiance made it far greater than what I anticipated. I had the organic chicken and every part of the chicken was tender and juicy! My wife had the Steak n Frites and also a great dish! Overall, the whole experience was very satisfying! Everyone (party of five) was extremely happy with the service! If you haven't been here yet, you're missing out so hurry up and pay Rusty Pelican a visit. If you haven't been here in a while or had a bad experience in the past, give this place another chance and go back. Thank you again to Mauro and the staff!
(5)
Jackie H.

I was there last Saturday. My husband ordered Ocean Fare entrÃ©e and we were disappointed by the amount of food that was given considering the high price of $49. The presentation was horrible. It brought an almost tailless lobster and four shrimps with the heads cut off on the plate as well as one clam with some made up paste. It also had a whole mess of mash potatoes overlaying the dish to make the dish seem it was loaded with food. That is what the "ocean fare" was! My dish was the lamb shank and they also served a bunch of instant mash potatoes under a I sufficiently seasoned lamb leg with like a few thinned sliced carrots. Also very expensive. Very disappointing! The place was updated since I got married there however the food was downgraded. The menu prices were outrageous for the amount of food. Never going there again!
(1)
D T.

Went here a month ago when we were here for a meeting. The restaurant is just gorgeous and the views are incredible. I was worried that the food wouldn't be so good because it's kind of a touristy popular place, but I needed not fear. All of the food we had was delicious. I had the steak and mashed potatoes. Husband got an entire fish that was out of this world. Even desserts were great. This is a fabulous place for happy hour too. The bar is just beautiful, and they have nice little tables all around it or you can enjoy the view of the bay. It might also be a wonderful place to take out-of-towners.
(5)
Carlos S.

I don't know how well run the restaurant portion of this place runs but the lounge/bar lent me some of the worst service I have experienced. Slow reaction time to new customers Our table took 25 minutes to be cleaned We weren't addressed by staff until we beckoned them. Relief came when our server told us it was happy hour and drinks were at $5. JUST KIDDING, it's Saturday there is no happy hour, he let us know this after they were poured. OOPS I'm a born and raised Miamian and this impression of a landmark classic really saddens me.
(2)
Brittany L.

The best views in all of Miami! Great for seafood and a romantic evening out! I tried the tempura shrimp with coconut sticky rice and it was delicious!
(5)
Max S.

Let me do this review my way by adding and subtracting stars as it goes on. -1 star: lots of tourists doing panoramas and getting others in the picture who never gave consent (ahem some annoying people would bring this crap to court) -1 star: I am 15 so I am sitting on yelp looking at pictures and reviews but instead I'm not even considered a human being, they dont give me a menu and cup! +1 star: The skyline just turned on and it looks great! Nothing else really happened and the food was decent
(4)
Letizaida M.

It's a beautiful place to enjoy the bay view. great for a romantic date, delicious and very fresh seafood and have an extensive wine list. Brunch is varied, contemporary and with options for all tastes.
(5)
Jeff H.

Just average. You go here for the view and the food is just ok. But what is annoying is the valet service. They should add it to your bill since you have to valet. And then pay the company a percentage. It's a process! The manager is so great. We loved her! Sorry but I can't give the place more than 3 stars. I got sick off of the scallops. I have been throwing up all night.
(3)
Jay F.

A View of Heaven from a Seat In Hell I just attended an awards ceremony at the Rusty Pelican. Between business and other activities in my life, I'm no stranger to the rubber chicken often found in events like this. But I must say, this was a dreadful meal beyond anything I've ever experienced. A couple of asides - valet parking only. Cocktails were $15 and they were small. As to the meal - one small piece of bread, a very small salad with a thin strip is cucumber, lettuce, a tiny tomato cut in half and a teaspoon of salad dressing. The main entrÃ©e was a thin slice of skinless chicken breast a trust me when I say it would compete against a roll of generic paper towels for lack of flavor. I couldn't eat it. It just sat in my mouth getting chewed on. Couldn't swallow it. I had two bites and left the rest. Then there were the lumpy mashed potatoes with perhaps a tablespoon of dressing (and if ever a meal begged for dressing, this one did. If ever a meal needed to be rescued by the dressing, it was this one. But the tablespoon of dressing didn't touch what was needed). For a vegetable there were three and a half string beans. I counted them. 3 1/2. I even looked under the chicken to see if there were more but nothing doing. To drink... Water. Service was good. Valet took about 20 minutes. All this nonsense for $60. Plus $10 for valet and $15 for the drink. Pollo Tropical, and I'm not touting them, tastes one hundred times better for about eight bucks. Nice view.
(1)
Amanda F.

Awesome view. Impeccable service. Bangin' food. What more can you ask for? I highly recommend the short rib empanadas and the rum tres leche!
(5)
Cristina E.

I love Rusty Pelican... for so many reasons! I used to come as a child with my parents on special occasions and have always had wonderful memories of the restaurant. Now as an adult, I enjoy it just as much, and come as often as possible with my boyfriend, and with friends - most often for their AMAZING happy hour. My latest experience could have been my first negative one, but thanks to the manager Paul - I will continue to frequent this iconic Miami restaurant and enjoy its spectacular view! My boyfriend and I sat at a booth in the bar area to enjoy their happy hour deals. We had been waiting for almost 20 minutes and we had not gotten a menu, nor had anyone even greeted us. Finally, someone walked past us, and I asked if we would be receiving any service at that table. He came back with some menus and we asked if he could take our drink order since the "happy hour" was coming to a close in 30 minutes, and we had already wasted 20. We ordered our Agave Sunset drinks (they are SO delicious!!) and 3 appetizers. To our disappointment, the appetizers came out before even our drinks, due to some technical issues with the ticket printer at the bar. Fortunately, the manager - Paul, happened to pass by and casually ask if all was ok. At this point we were extremely frustrated with the slow service, and the fact that we had not gotten our drinks. We expressed our irritation and he was incredibly understanding and accommodating. He made sure that we received the happy hour price on several more drinks (since the time for the deal had expired) and offered a complimentary appetizer for the inconvenience. We were very pleased with the service after speaking to Paul, and he made our experience a wonderful one. As a retail manager, I appreciate very much how our situation was handled - especially since we are locals and frequent the Rusty Pelican as often as we can. Thank you Paul, for your hospitality and attention. We will be back soon!
(5)
Ning B.

Beautiful view and location. I came in for brunch with my friends . Food was amazing, service was a little bit slow . We had the bottomless mimosa and quite a few times our glasses were empty and we had to ask for refill. I'd give it another try as I truly enjoyed my food .
(3)
Rozanne D.

Spectacular view!!! Food was just so so. My husband got the Scallops - it was sweet. I got the seafood papardelle and it was not bad. I would go there once more for brunch to check it out but that would prolly be it. Wait staff were ok too - not super friendly.
(3)
Denise L.

This is officially my fave seafood restaurant in Miami. Besides the wonderful view, their food and drinks are also superior. We had an amazing server who was full of suggestions and right about each of them! I dined during Miami vice week which allowed me the option of an appetizer, entree Ns dessert. My date ordered from the tapas menu. We ended up with clams, rockfish, pork belly skewers, ham croquettes and crab cakes! Needless to say we left feeling fat and happy. All of the food turned out great. The crab cakes were heavenly (and I'm from Maryland), the clams were fresh and flavorful (also heavenly), ham croquettes - great, pork belly skewers were tasty and perfectly portioned. I must also mention the strawberry cocktail made with fresh sweet strawberry chunks! Of you are considering this place, you should absolutely go. Great food, service and view...you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Ja R.

So, let me starby saying we first dined here in 2012 and we had the most amazing expeience. Went back in 2013 ,was still good. We recommended a lot of our friends from in town and out of town to visit. Everytime after 2013 the service, professionalism, ettiquettes of staff, atmosphere has degraded significantly. I would like to add that each visit we had reservations much in advance (almost 4-8 weeks). The last experience was the worst and we will not return or recommend this place any further. We went for a special occasion and took our entire family who were visiting from all parts of the world. I had multiple conversations over the phone months prior to the dinner to make sure everything went smoothly. FINALLY, We get there and our seating is not ready. Waited for 20minutes. When we arrived to our seating they tried to squeeze 12 of us around 3 square tiny tables joined together. The chair were touching each other and absolutely no elbow space. The food would have to jump to your mouth itself as you couldn't move your arms. And you wont be able to sit even with yr arms inwards without touching the adjacent person. When I pointed this out, the staff made a face and threw his hands up in the air and brought in a service table that was in the hallway and 'shoved' it next to the others. Now we are 30minutes waiting. The extra table made the space but that table had layers of dust that we could see from a distance of 12 - 15 feet. Our evening was already unpleasant by this time but I couldnt overlook the dust. So I mentioned it politely. The staff again got agitated and said something in Spanish in a condescending manner. If it was only a few of us we would have walked out of there at that point. However, with a group that large we were stuck. It was early in the evening and the bright summer Florida sun would start to descend soon. So common sense and advance planning (which they didnt do inspite of advance reservations) would dictate not to seat half of your guests facing As close to the direct descending sun as possible. And if you do be courteous enough to draw the sun blocking shades. REALLY!!! We had elderly people in our party too. Everyone facing the sun had to hold their hands up to even look you. It was annoying to the utmost extreme. Our guests had seen the agitation that was caused in the first hour that we had been there, so they advised we just eat our food and get out of there. They staff refused to pull down they sun blocking screen, which still allowed you to see the view. It didnt end here? They mixed up drinks, didnt get water, didnt refill water, apptizers were wrong. It just kept getting worse........so if you want to spend your money and be treated with least amount of respect, choose a better restaurant. The location of the restaurant is the only thing that can't be changed and the view will always be great. All I want to say is they lost a regular customer and all the referrals by us.
(1)
Sam P.

We came here for our 5 year anniversary and had a wonderful time! First off, we checked in with our Yelp Apps and received free champagne. Then we had the best service all evening, the views were absolutely gorgeous, and food was amazing--we had the scallops, and the swordfish. We also had the mussels as an appetizer and they were delish! We didn't order dessert, but the staff brought us some yummy fruit with cream, and chocolate drizzle on the plate wishing us a happy anniversary. The Rusty Pelican is our new favorite spot for special occasions!
(5)
Elissa H.

Well......that was weirdest dining experience ever. First of all, I know we're in Miami but not ONE employee besides two bartenders and the hostess spoke English. When we arrived they asked if our party was here yet....isn't that their job?? I told them I wasn't sure and a strange gentlemen asked what they look like! What???? We asked the hostess if there was a bar where we could grab a drink while we waited, she said "the bar is closed." I walked inside and found a gorgeous bar with two bartenders and ordered two drinks...that's strange! Then it turned out our party was there the entire time...waiting for us. I guess the strange gentlemen doesn't have a photographic memory. Once we sat down we were given ONE menu (table of four people) and told they are short on menus. There were only three tables seated at the time. The buffet wasn't even horrible, it was disgusting. The waiter at the buffet said "yes" to everything. I asked what each item was, since there were no signs. He said "yes" to everything...so I ended up eating a bunch of horrible fishy items. The entire meal was below average and NOBODY spoke English. At the dessert buffet, we asked "is this red velvet cake? Is this cheesecake?" Of course we were told "yes" to everything and it was neither red velvet or cheesecake. We asked for a cracking tool for the shellfish and we were told "I no understand". Welcome to America, Rusty Pelican. Many people are searching for jobs and are over qualified for these positions. Instead you decided to have no organization skills whatsoever and employ people that are nowhere near qualified to be serving or working at a fine dining restaurant. Our waiter was the kindest boy ever, he did a wonderful job and was very polite...but the entire experience was horrible and we will never dine here again or recommend this restaurant to anyone we know. Worst experience ever.
(1)
Daisha A.

We came here for Mother's Day Brunch and we were extremely disappointed! First there was no parking and we had to park in an abandoned area and take a shuttle to the restaurant. That would be fine except the shuttle would come and just leave people behind. The food was pretty good however the sushi was horrible. Then for an $80 pre fix menu orange juice nor mimosas were included. The waiters were walking around just pouring mimosas as if they were included in the price! Let's just say that when we received our bill we were very surprised to see all of this on our bill. We feel cheated and taken advantage of because of course tip is included and added on top of the extra you pay for drinks. You could say we are extremely disappointed and our Mothers Day ended on a bad note. We will not be coming back and will definitely deter people from coming.
(1)
Joe G.

The location is amazing! At night the views of Miami and unreal. We had two appetizers. The Seabass and Salmon Buneelos. This dish is a must have. We also had the Ahi Tuna Tacos which we also excellent. For entrees I had the Oven Roasted Patagonian Toothfish with Smoked Sweet Plaintain Mash and Mango - Papaya Salsa. By far one of the top 5 Fish Dishes. The other entree was the Whole Crispy Local Snapper with Coconut Curry Lime Orzo. This was an equally unique dish. This is not inexpensive but it is worth the experience
(4)
Vlady T.

Rusty Pelican is all about the view. The skyline of Miami downtown is great at any time, day or night. The place was remodelled a couple of years ago and looks nice, but... Still has some old wood smell in it. And here come the problems! The food is overly expensive with no flavor. The arrangements in the plate have some artistic intentions, but... what an unsuccessful attempt. We've been with a group of about 12-15 people on a wednesday evening. The place was quite populated. The service was quite ok, but... Paying it took a little while... i wondered why... About four days later I learned that they stole my credit card information!!!! What a shame! This place has such a potential, but the quality of food is very low (you can't find any passion of the chef in it), and the personnel is not trustful at all. Bottom line: people, be aware!,, Try to avoid it if you care about your money!!!
(1)
Lis T.

Came to the RP by uber from Eden Roc based on a recommendation from a friend. Travel time was roughly an hr during the 5:00 hr and price was surprisingly super cheap. Very easy and relaxing ride through the city. We made our reservation for 7 and arrived on time. Sat outside by the water and it was an extraordinary view. Wow. The waiter was full of recommendations which was helpful. My husband took his advice and ordered one of the cocktails which had barley beer in it. I was jealous I did not take this advice. They served a jalapeÃ±o cornbread to start which was fantastic. I had a caesar salad and the tempura shrimp which both were excellent. Service was excellent as well. We had Mike who was very attentive and personable. Quick to notice when we needed a refill or wanted to order something. We moved to a couple of Adirondack chairs next to a fire pit. Absolutely beautiful and had a great night.
(5)
Dan T.

Excellent view, excellent view, excellent waiter Mike! Next time we are in Miami my wife and I would most definitely come back. The Lobster risotto was delicious, would highly recommend. The starter jalapeÃ±o corn bread glazed with honey was also a pleasant surprise!! Overall 5 stars amazing.
(5)
Tammy P.

If you're in Miami you have to drive over to Rusty Pelican and try them out. The view is spectacular! I gave four stars for the view that you see and the appetizers. My entree wasn't the best I had but it was def better then some places. It stated "pan seared" I had asked them to lightly seared it but it came out fully cooked. I hate my salmon fully cooked it was dry. Good thing they had sauce over it. Apps were amazing. We ordered the raw oysters, baked oysters, seared scallops, crab claws, and their delicious spicy tuna roll. The side sauces were really good. Our server was awesome. I didn't give them 5 stars because the hostess were unfriendly. We approached the hostess counter to let them know we had a reservation and both of their responses was really dry. There were a lot of other customer standing around and the two hostess was bickering at each other. Maybe that was why their faces looked so miserable. Besides that I had a good time there. I recommend for you to check it out at least once.
(4)
Mary P.

What a fantastic dinner. Incredible attention to detail and the flavors were just fantastic. We had the Patagonian Toothfish (Chilean Sea Bass) with mashed plantains and mango papaya salsa. Out. Of. This. World. My brother in law had a surf and turf dinner and the strip steak was just perfectly cooked. We also has a side of asparagus and it was just fantastic. From the starters to the desserts everything was just top notch. Every single item is presented in such a way that it is a work of art. Highly HIGHLY recommend. Also, our waiter Christop (Fox!) was perfection. He explained everything so well and was just on point for everything. His suggestions allowed us to have a perfect meal. And he even called us a cab :0)
(5)
Shae U.

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! The views were breathtaking!!! We sat outside with AMAZING panoramic view overlooking he city of Miami! The calamari and crab cakes were delicious and our waiter Julio was awesome with impeccable suggestions!!! Ya got try the Rusty Pelican for yourself!
(5)
Lindsay B.

I went to rusty pelican yesterday for the first time in years and I must say, I was impressed. The restaurant has been renovated and has a new modern feel. The outdoor seating is just to die for. You get a lovely view of downtown Miami and the ocean. Truly a relaxing spot to enjoy your meal. Along with the restaurant renovation they also changed their menu which is now more geared toward seafood. To start we had bluepoint oysters which came with some type of vinegar sauce and cocktail sauce. Then we transitioned to sandwiches as it was lunch time. I had the seared tuna sandwich and my boyfriend has the short rib sandwich. Both sandwiches were equally good, just vastly different. The service was great and the drinks were good. Can't wait to return!
(5)
Michael E.

Our favorite restaurant in the State of Florida. I'll explain the 4 stars in. Minute. First the view of Miami is awesome, especially at night. The hostess make you feel like they've been waiting for you to arrive. The food is wonderful. We've never been disappointed. Now the 4 stars instead of 5. Although the location and view are amazing, you have to drive through an unsightly marina to get there. Can't see how this can be changed. Lastly, while going to the ladies room my wife encounters an attendant that appeared homeless and on drugs. This can be corrected.
(4)
Stephanie S.

Our friendly, attentive and non-intrusive server, Martinique was absolutely wonderful from beginning to end. The scenic view of the Miami skyline is beautiful to watch at dusk (bring sunglasses). We had a generous portion of well seasoned scallops, a ribeye which was cooked to perfection and the pasta pomodora. The pasta was not as good as the other two dishes but then again pasta is not their specialty and I understand that. Contemporary and yet inviting for a romantic evening or a birthday celebration with friends.
(4)
Francheska H.

Sunday brunch should be a pleasant relaxing experience... At the rusty Pelican you will only find yourself Frustrated and disappointed. I made reservations for my family 2 days prior to us showing up, since we were a big party. You would think they had everything set when we get there right?... WRONG! The table was not ready, and when they finally put it together, they put us in a corner under the hot sun with no shade. I had two elderly ladies with me, my grandmother and Aunt which are 80 years old. They cant be under that miami sun for so long... When i decided to speak to a Manager, you would tink things got better right?... Wrong again! Wanda was her name and she was careless and rude! As a manager you would think she would try to fix the issue knowing we made reservations days ahead. She told us nothing in life was guaranteed basically. Since i had my wedding there the year prior and delt with the GM there, i asked to speak with him. Of course understandably on a sunday he was not there, but as soon as we mentioned his name, all of a sudden everyone started doing their best to get a table ready for us. This is not how i wanted to start my sunday with my family. The only good part of this entire experience was the waiter... His name was Mauricio and he was so nice, polite, accommodating and helpful!! He turned our day around :) The food was pretty good to be honest. I had the french toast and had no complaints. Mimosa's were much needed and also very good. All in all upper management needs to do something about their staff, and need to organize better. Food was good, and our waiter was awesome!! Definitely not a priority on my list of restaurants to go back to.
(2)
Anhara M.

Went for drinks and appetizer on Sunday and although service was not the best the ambience was worth it. The view was beautiful. Ordered oysters and stone crabs both excellent. Looking forward for going back for dinner.
(4)
Juan E.

On July 31st, I sent my parents to celebrate their 50th Anniversary to Rusty Pellican. The staff was very accommodating, providing them with the best seat on the house, to start. Then, everyone was very attentive to every detail. Every staff member who passed by their table, gave their congrats and best wishes on their anniversary. Of course, the food could not have been better. This was truly a very memorable experience for such an important milestone date. Thank You!
(5)
Andre S.

Breathtaking view that raises one's hopes of a good meal before the courses have even come out. The cornbread to start was surprisingly tasty, the seafood was a bit pricey for the taste, and the pasta was absolutely terrible. The lamb, however, was out of this world (extremely tender as well). If I ever come again I would try to fish that hopefully is as good as it looks.
(3)
Vanessa L.

I went with my partner to this restaurant and we had amazing service. Food was great and no complaints. Awesome waiter by the name of Paolo!
(5)
Pedro C.

THIS is the way to run a business! After my prior review, I received a response from the manager who apologized for the Yelp reservation mix-up. Mauro asked if we would return and we decided to go with friends and give it another try. We were welcomed by Mauro and seated immediately at a great table with an absolutely AMAZING view! We were introduced to our server, Alex M. and we knew this was going to be a great evening! Mauro served us a bottle of champagne and Alex quickly made suggestions for appetizers to get us going. Both Mauro and Alex were very professional yet so friendly, it felt as though we had been friends for a long time. Our appetizers began to arrive and they were all delicious! We shared the short rib empanadas, croquetas, tuna tacos and the Deco Maki sushi roll. Our main courses were the Patagonian Toothfish (commonly known as Chilean Seabass), the seared Wahoo on crispy tostones and the pan seared grouper. Each of these was very good and my wife, being a vegetarian, had asked for a special request and Alex accommodated everything she asked for. THAT is an automatic PLUS for any restaurant and he even went so far as to offer further suggestions that the chef could do. Needless to say, she was very pleased! By the end of this meal, we were stuffed but Mauro insisted on bringing out "The Chocolate Sabotage" for dessert. This was HUGE and we did not finish it amongst four people. It consisted of passion fruit marshmallow chunks, chocolate truffle lollipops, a chocolate lava cake, a chocolate mouse "bomb" and several chocolate candies. This was accompanied by several different dipping sauces including, chocolate and raspberry. My suggestion would be to stick with the Key Biscayne Key Lime Pie which we had on our previous visit and enjoyed. After dinner we moved to the bar area for after dinner drinks and continued to take in the beautiful view. We're definitely looking forward to the weather getting cooler so we can enjoy dining out on the terrace. The changes made to the restaurant are beautiful, the ambiance can't be beat and the staff makes you want to go back very soon!
(5)
Connie K.

came here for brunch on Sunday. they must have everyone in your party in order to be seated, even if 5/6 are there. the place is ritzy and trendy, with a gorgeous Miami skyline view. the food on the other hand is just not good and overpriced. I ordered the breakfast burrito and husband ordered the crab Benedict. we also ordered mimosa. the mimosa was refilled quickly. the burrito was not very flavorful and the crab Benedict was too small a portion for a $16 brunch meal. I gave this place two stars for the view and mimosa service, but the food is just not worth the money.
(2)
Colleen C.

The only thing that out did the view was the service. Raphael was amazing! He was so nice and attentive. Such great customer service...I will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Otty B.

Celebrating my Engagement with my Babe! So Excited! Am still in shock!! Amazing service , Food Delicious & Great Weather to be here & Celebrate!
(5)
Sweet A.

The view of the restaurant is amazing but the quality of the food was not that great. Good thing I was just visiting from out of town but they really need to step up their game and start cooking better food.
(1)
Lacey C.

My friends Josh and Stacey need to get married more often. OK, so, every week might get a little old. But come on... can't you guys do this like once a month? How about quarterly? I won't give up on this. My hubs and our gaggle of sorted (and sordid) friendsies rolled up on this place after a #struggle parking. Seriously? Not only are the spots Euro-sized (read: miniscule) but we were thirty minutes early and there was absolutely one space in the lot. Even in my Enzo Anglioni's, we all had to bail out so our driver could stressfully park to one side. But I digress. The rest went sublimely. Stacey walked down the aisle with a bouquet of red roses and Josh looked resplendent in his 007-worthy tux. They kissed, we crooned. "Outstanding," I said. "Now the party can start." I can't five star it since I've only been to a wedding--not to the restaurant itself. But the four I have thrown in here go to the service and the view. I cannot attest to the restaurant staff, but the catering staff were attentive, indulging, even, at times, funny. Our admittedly (completely) rambunctuous group were greeted by prim, well-groomed people holding trays of wine and hors d'oerves as well as an official-looking man in a suit who greeted every guest with a kind smile and attentive eye. A well-stocked bar was on the right, staffed by two members. We all had... maybe three glasses of wine in ten minutes. We chased them with bruschetta, mini-tacos, sausage-crackers, positively glorious empanadas, the best shrimp cocktail I've EVER had (and I don't even like them). Then the boys discovered the lady-bartender made absolutely amazing mojitos. The game was afoot. Once they opened the ballroom to the guests, my breath was absolutely taken away by the city skyline. This view cannot be over-estimated and likely, whatever million dollars they paid to have their wedding here--every cent was for this. Lights dazzled and dark water stretched between us on Key Biscayne, and Brickell--a world away. Yachts sailed quietly across the water. All of us paused in front of the giant windows for what is likely the best picture of our group we will ever have. Byron and my husband started ordering shots. I figured out that champagne service actually continued after the toast. My friend Jesus started playing with the centerpieces. I remember dinner being good, but the cake being absolute heaven (it was amaretto flavored, and apparently I ate not only my own, but the four pieces left at the table, unattended, for my friends). By the time the DJ played Love Shack, we were all good, drunk, and completely nuts. I must have photobombed a million people. Byron literally--with no exaggeration--drank all the tequila in both bars (with the help of Dennis, Mikey, and maybe 3 other people). With a smile, that lady-bartender must have made (easily) more than 70 mojitos that night. She was the picture of grace itself. Us? We were completely crazed in a champagne-mojito-tequila-chardonnay dance-floor rampage. Let's do it again. If the Rusty Pelican will let us.
(4)
Meredith A.

Great place to eat in Miami! Wonderful view of Biscayne Bay, excellent staff/service, and exceptional food. I got the Salmon BLT with sweet pot fries and loved every bite. $18 bottomless mimosas... Not the best deal on these in town, but if you're going to be drinking more than two, it's a pretty good deal. The view would keep me coming back even if the food and service sucked, but it doesn't! Highly recommend. Reservations needed. Pictured: boyfriend's Biscayne Burger.
(5)
Megan C.

Great food, great view, great service, great time!!! Thank you to our awesome server Rafael!
(5)
Kyle M.

It had been quite a while since I had been to Miami's famous Rusty Pelican. I had been for the brunch several years ago but this was just to be a nice meal for two as we were out celebrating a new job. The weather was rainy & we were running a few minutes late for our reservation so I called ahead. A very polite hostess told me "Don't worry, we will still be here, drive safe!" When we arrived we were greeted quickly & led through a beautiful wine display & shown to a nice table overlooking a very wet Biscayne Bay. The hostess asked if it we were celebrating anything & when I replied she told us congratulations. She seemed as genuine as she did on the phone which was nice. The rain had stopped so the view was starting to get it's luster back. We started off with some appetizers & some drinks from the bar. When the appetizers came we dug in. I went with the Rusty Slider which was served in a tiny old school burger box with fries. We also had the duck & goat cheese empenadas. Everything was great so far. Time for the main course, I went with the Filet Mignon & Bacon Potatos drizzled in Guava BBQ & my girlfriend ordered the Chicken with Mashed Potatos & Vegetables. My filet was very good & her chicken was excellent! The service was top notch with one exception. They never brought us bread until we noticed it on everyone elses table & mentioned it. No big deal though. Overall, it was a terrific experience. Would I return? YES!
(5)
Ryan D.

Amazing food, views and service. Martinique was fantastic and very attentive. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Felipe V.

Went with my wife to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and everything was fantastic. The food was delicious and served within minutes. Our server Benjamin was awesome!! He gave us great brunch options and took good care of us. Really good experience.
(5)
Myghty O.

Great food, Miami what else do you expect, had a great time with friends and family would definitely return when I return to south beach.
(4)
Patty T.

My high expectations probably ruined it for me. For ambiance and location and service, five stars. Food was 3 stars. The food was good but not $38 good for a grouper that could have had more flavor and better sides. A must try is the empanadas appetizer, the lamb was very tasty. Next time I go I will do meats. The ceviche and fried calamari are yummy as well. Again, I expected more.
(3)
Manuel S.

So the food is regularly spectacular. The Steak Tartar DIY is a must for me every single visit. Their cocktails are delicious and very well poured. Be warned, if you sit outside next to the water, your table might get swamped with people trying to take pictures with the sunset in the background. And service can be a tad bit slow but then again it is Miami Spice so I cut them some slack.
(4)
Ziad T.

Nice view, very elegant. I ordered red snapper with orzo and arugula, out of this world and it's priced right.if you are in Miami it's a must go
(5)
Carlos C.

Great breakfast, if not to hot sit outside so you can see the boats go by. Very romantic setting great view of Miami and the cruise boats from a distance. The food is amazing, this place is where all your hard work during week making the big money is well spent here. If you have a date and she is great to you, return the favor and take her to nice place like here. Keep in mind if you do not like seafood this not the place for you.
(5)
Anamaria P.

Such a lie!! We paid for bottomless mimosas and they limit the group after 3 mimosas they actually kicked a group of 6 out!!! We had a designated driver that did not have a single mimosa in the group! Awful lie don't come here
(1)
melanie r.

I hadn't visited the Rusty Pelican in years but decided to finally visit to see the the new renovations. Everything was amazing! We went in a Saturday afternoon, and were seated right away. The new renovations really made a huge differnce. The restaurant got the TLC ut needed. Our waiters Chris and Rafael were so helpful and made great recommendations. Even the GM Gideon passed by to check on us. We ended up ordering the shrimp cocktail which was so fresh and HUGE! For our entres we had the filet mignon and Maine lobster. The steak was cooked to perfection and the lobster practically melted in my mouth. Lastly we had the key lime pie for dessert, yum. The view was beautiful, the food was great I will be visiting again soon.
(5)
Gabriella R.

Went here for my cousins birthday on a Tuesday night. It was four of us and our first time going to this restaurant, I have to say amazing ! We sat outside overlooking the entire miami strip, honestly the nicest and most amazing restaurant I have been to, out waiter a Russian guy was extremely helpful with the menu. We ordered 3 appetizers, croquettes which were out of this world, calamari and a steak tar tar in which I have never had and was out of this world. For our main dish we all enjoyed seafood I would hands down recommend the lobster and risotto flavors were exploding in my mouth! Overall this restaurant and the service and the view were all perfect ! A hands down for any occasion, it is pricey but extremely worth it ;)
(5)
Laura M.

I visited the Rusty Pelican today for the first time in my 5 years of living in Miami, and it was a fantastic experience. I came here for a luncheon, so although the menu was pre-selected, the food was delightful. The appetizer I chose was the ceviche, which was spicy, salty, sweet, and sour simultaneously and was truly delicious. The other appetizers looked great as well, including the charcuterie platter. I chose the seared swordfish sandwich, and it was outstanding. The bun was toasted to perfection, and the fish had the right amount of seasoning. The herb French fries were also delicious. Finally, we had key lime meringue for dessert, which was mouthwateringly good. I could only eat half of it because it was so rich and full of flavor. The waiting service was exceptional throughout the reception, and the view was absolutely breathtaking of Biscayne Bay. I'd recommend this restaurant to my family and friends, and I hope to visit again.
(5)
Cipo G.

Best experience in Miami so far! Amazing happy hour with the most beautiful view of the bay and skyline of downtown Miami. The food is A++++ and the service too. Out waiter Brian a pro. Going back before we head back to NYC. Try the key lime pie the best I have had in a long time!
(5)
Sunshine L.

The Rusty Pelican.... there is nothing rusty about it. The renovations have totally transformed the space. The menu is awesome. Presentation though could be worked on. As in tea presentation etc small things do matter. But overall the food is wonderful and the view of the Miami Skyline is unique. If you have desert a must have is the Key lime pie.
(4)
Florida Review D.

Went here on a recent trip to Miami. The view is fantastic and a great location overall. The food, drinks, and service were great. I will defiantly be coming back when I'm in Miami again.
(5)
Rachel C.

Went for the most romantic and special brunch on Sunday afternoon. After reading some of the reviews, I actually was a bit apprehensive but knew that with great company and great bloody mary's it was going to be fine. To our most delightful surprise, everything was actually more than perfect. We had the best 2 tables (because we had to move because of the rain) and great waiters. Even after we switched tables, our old waiter was always checking on us. The food was also amazing. Our favorite thing was the breakfast pizza. We even waned to order another one to go to have the next morning! We will definitely be returning.
(5)
Jorge A.

One of my favorite places in the city of Miami; exceptional food quality and waiter service, make this restaurant, maybe one of the best in the State of Florida. They offer a diverse range of starters and main courses are also diverse; all prepared with quality and care. Surely you will find that most of their dishes are unique and not found in other restaurants.
(4)
Mariam A.

Amazing views, good food and great service. The mussels and the scallops were delicious. We received awesome service from Rafael.
(4)
Pepe Z.

The lunch we had included two towers of seafood, calamari, painkillers, and the best darn server in Miami. Thank you, Paolo, for making the graduation celebration so fabulous.
(5)
Toni F.

If anything is "rusty" about this place it's the service! I went here with my family for lunch today (1/30/15) and have never felt so unwelcome in a restaurant in my 40 years of life. The second we walked up to the hostess (who looked like a frog) you could tell she was instantly annoyed. She obviously was very put out by the fact that my cousin is in a wheelchair. Don't know why she would friggin care, we certainly didn't need anything from here other than a table! When we asked for a table for 6 she mumbled stuff under her breath with the other boob at the desk for about 10 minutes while thinking of every excuse in the book NOT to seat us... We are booked SOLID, we have NO tables (lies, there were tons of empty tables), it's too windy to sit outside, blah, blah, BLAH! She finally decided to sets us and we had to walk through the parking lot to get to an outdoor table. She then sits us in the shade unhappily... We ask if she could put 2 tables together for us to sit in the sun & she was so annoyed! She called the manager to ask if this is ok... WTF! Why? You can't put 2 empty table together you Pelican brain without approval?!?! Gimme a friggin break. We move to the table after the go ahead and she argues with the waiter right in front of us over his disapproval. Are these people for real? We order, we are annoyed and uncomfortable, but their not gonna ruin our lunch. It takes forever for our drinks. They bring 5 out of the 6 dishes out. The last dish comes out twenty minutes after the fact. In a nutshell I will NEVER eat here again. Shove a rusty pelican up your a$$ frog face we'll go to Whiskey Joe's!
(1)
Sandy L.

I called the Rusty Pelican to make a reservation for my daughter's birthday. I had the pleasure of speaking to a young lady named Juliana. I explained to Juliana that my daughter was turning 21, and I needed to make reservations for 14 for dinner. I had a lot of questions for Juliana. Her professionalism and desire to help was what influenced me to make the reservation at the Rusty Pelican. I was considering other restaurants as well . She not only answered all of my questions but also told me that if I had any further questions to call her. My daughter told me that her birthday was the best. She said the food was delicious and the service was great. Let us not forget the amazing view. I would highly recommend this restaurant. If you need help with your reservations, I highly recommend Juliana. Thank you Juliana and the Rusty Pelican for making my daughter's birthday so special. Mercy
(5)
David T.

My first visit to RP. The staff could not be more polite and accommodating and it was a Friday night. Already I was impressed. I had the prosciutto and melon salad. Huge. Then I ordered the wahoo. It was described as cooked medium rare like a sushi-grade tuna but came out overlooked. I picked at it and our waiter took notice, came over and insisted I give my opinion, then insisted he bring me something else. I accepted the salmon dinner and it was perfect. The whole staff is very attentive without hovering, but this was exceptional in my experience. If you want a special dinner experience in the Miami area please come here and enjoy the best views if the downtown Miami skyline.
(5)
Mitchell G.

We arrived on time and despite my having received both e-mails and texts for my reservation, they had no record of it. The view is great, there was a soft breeze so we sat outside to watch the sunset. Once the sun went down the breeze ended and those around us started to smoke, while they ate (disgusting). There was nothing the restaurant could or would do, so be warned about sitting outside. The food was ok, nothing special for the price, but the smell of tobacco was heavy in the air.
(2)
Joseph T.

Rafael and Wanda were the most excellent of servers. The managers had to come and kick us out because we did not want to leave. They were above an beyond the call of serving. Can't wait to come back for Mother's Day and sit in their section.
(5)
Misha M.

Yes, the view is fabulous, but this is a restaurant, so one is expected to eat too, right? Wrong! Have a drink at the bar and leave! Food is blah at best, service is tepid at best. I hope they manage to cater to a lot of weddings because I cannot figure out how they would survive as just a restaurant
(1)
Mariana R.

Im giving 2 stars because we went with a child and the children's menu had good variety, great presentation and taste. Dessert and bread was also good. Service was TERRIBLE and slowwww. Avoid the lobster bisque. Worst Ive ever had. Its sad because it had great potential but lacking at this time.
(2)
Roxana R.

Came here after work. The views are fantastic! We ate at the bar. The appetizers are great prices and delicious. Alexis is a great waiter, he comes and checks on you a lot. He also made great recommendations when I was indecisive. And who can forget his nice smile :)
(5)
Jensen E.

This is the perfect boozy brunch destination. I drunk-texted my mother afterwards to profess my love for the Rusty Pelican. Turns out she frequented the spot when she was my age. With that said the Rusty Pelican seems like nothing short of a local institution. The decor is lovely and current, the service impeccable, but it's the views that will take your breath away. We are bringing our wedding guests here for that very reason.The prices are a little high but you're paying for an experience that I think is well worth it. I expected the food to fall short because everything else was so fantastic- but it didn't! I ordered a tomato mozzarella sandwich with a fried egg on top and the fellow had the short rib benedict. Both were rich, creamy, crumbly, and delicious! I can't wait to come back with our family and friends.
(5)
Michelle R.

I was very disappointed! I got married here 9 years ago and decided to go back to experience the new change! I can describe it in one word, "Yuck! ". This place is a gold mind......so why can't they find a good chef that makes great food! The menu needs to be better quality and they need to add a lot more to it, Why would they add sushi is beyond me! I had the crab cake which was ok. The lobster bisque was discussing and I should have sent it back! My husband hand the lamb chops and said it was just ok. My girlfriend had the Pistachio Crusted Scallops and they were just ok. Another girlfriend has the a Spider roll and it was not that great! Another girlfriend had the ceviche and said it was ok. The last girlfriend had the seafood past which said it wasn't that great! Come on!!!!!!! The prices are also way too high and the food once again SUCKS!!! A cocktail $15 really! Deserts $15 Really! I can see $7 but not $15, The remodeling is ok a bit too modern for me but at least it looks a little better! But please do something about the food! It can't be that hard to find a chef in Miami that has delicious food. I don't mind paying for good food but when it sucks and it pricy that is a Big Problem! My party of 6 won't be back! Everyone in my party was disappointed! This is such a shame for such a beautiful property view!
(1)
Encarnita G.

love the place, the view! great drink, great prices on the happy hour! and delicious apetizers!
(5)
Dan d.

A vast improvement from the last time I ate at this establishment eight years ago! Remodeled within the past two years, the ambience is now both upscale and romantic. The service was flawless, the imaginative dishes were served promptly and were delicious. The only reason this restaurant did not get five stars is because it was a bit on the pricey side. Still, for a special night out, you could do far worse.
(4)
Diana R.

The view at this restaurant is AMAZING!!!! And the plates we ordered for brunch were also pretty good! Will be back to enjoy a delicious meal with an unbeatable scenic view of Miami!
(4)
Jason A.

The food is absolutely amazing and delicious. Kudos to them for getting the culinary experience down packed. Food is certainly a major part of a restaurant but the overall experience can hinder any meal. As stated by my fellow reviewers, The Rusty Pelican has updated their venue and provides breathtaking views. Upon arrival, valet is the most common option which is fine, $6. Upon entering the venue, the hostess checked us in. If no reservations were made, no chance of getting in today. 2+ hours wait time although only a few people in the waiting area. As we were waiting for the hostess to walk us over, several people came up to the hostess to complain on wait times and lack of service. To top it off, several drunk people were crawling to their car. Very awkward 5 minutes as you are about to dish out lots of money on a meal. Eventually we made it to your table and sat there for a good 20 minutes before being acknowledged. Fine, k had plenty of time to review all the menu's and enjoy the view but a glass of water would have been helpful. Upon the server introducing himself, he quickly encouraged us to order our drink, appetizer and entree menu...and I'm sure would have taken the dessert order by then as well. In the meantime, as we wait for our food, the table in the back calls over the manager to complain on the wait time and lack of service. I would only agree on the latter half of their complaint as we didn't have to wait much. The food was absolutely delicious. Shrimp cocktail was extremely fresh. Lobster bisque is not quite the expected pink look but more like a crab bisque. Very good flavor although a piece of mystery meat was fished out. For main entree, the salmon and scallops were delectable...and extremely filling. During our culinary experience, several other tables complained on the wait times. I did not hearing the complaints of many tables going around, especially since this place can make a dent on your wallet. As we exited the venue, we came across a screaming hostess trying to find the next party. I understand it's imperative to find your next client but we aren't at Chili's fighting with people coming in. If there aren't that many people waiting, less than 6, and 3 hostess, I would think they could find "Danny" without screaming. Certainly not welcomed. Upon approaching the valet, the icing on top of the cake were the two drunks passed out by the valet waiting area clearly visible for anyone wishing to take pictures of a man who half of his belly is coming out of his shirt while he and his wife snore away! I couldn't give this place a 5 star cause it's more disorganized than a 12 year olds closet. The Rusty Pelican certainly has the potential but lacks organization which I believe starts at the top. Go for the food and sit back for the show. Who knew entertainment, views and a delectable culinary experience can be enjoyed!
(3)
Lord Paul C.

I live on Key Biscayne this faboulous place is a little paradise on the Key. Great food. Great views. But best of all World Class service always feel like a VIP especially from Akosh. Paulo and the charming manager. Wanda.
(5)
Mark C.

Went there for a Sunday brunch, was not disappointed. I haven't been there since the renovations, my sister and I were impressed. She had the salmon sushi roll and I had the short rib inspired empanadas for starters, fantastic. I'm normally a crab cake person but I had the pan seared scallops with hash browns and poached eggs with brussel sprouts with a mandarin orange sauce and bacon. My sister loved her salmon as well. If you can get past the parking situation this is a great place to have a great meal and a great view.
(4)
Jim M.

Well.... At least they have a really kick ass view! The biscayne bay view of Miami is pretty stellar. Unfortunately, that seems to be all they have going for them. I came this morning for Brunch for a friends birthday. We had a party of about 14 people. When we arrived, we were forced to hang out in the lobby area because we didn't have a majority of our party there yet. Maybe not, but the people that were there wouldn't have minded sitting down and getting some bloody's or mimosas going. Then once seated, the service was quite slow to get things going. I ordered a burger and while it's not there specialty I'm sure, it was pretty average. I guess I just expect a $15 burger to be better. The server didn't seem to find it important to keep my drink full and I kept having to ask him to do it. A few of us in the party needed to take off before everyone else had finished. My friend nicely asked the server to bring the bill for 2 of us. His response was that there was cake coming and he'll bring it with everyone elses. Really?! You won't bring our bill so we can leave? From the time we decided to leave until the time we finally were able to get a check and credit cards ran was 45 minutes. Once I made it clear to the server I needed the bill, he did bring it ahead of the rest of the party. I wouldn't go back here. Pretty overpriced for the food and the service.
(2)
Randy F.

One star for view. One for, well, kid's meals, I guess. All the stuff in the kid's menu was great! Salmon, fruit, fries, PB&J sliders, and do it yourself sundaes! I, however, ordered the most expensive thing on the menu. For $175, we got the 3 tiered seafood tower. The sashimi had the pale, dead color and ocean soaked flavor you might associate with food poisoning. The roll portion was dripping in sweet sauce, and was full of soggy lettuce. None f it was fresh. The lobster wasn't BAD tasting, but it was partially still frozen from coming out of the freezer or ice or whatever they might claim. The ceviche was anything but bold flavored, and was accented with pine nuts that were soft and soggy instead of crunchy. The King Crab was more like a pauper, and the oysters were tiny enough to have been scraped off the bottom of someone's boat. But the mignonette sauce with them was epic. The shrimp cocktail portion fine but nothing special, and the ice was quickly melting off the plate into the table. There was no bowl for shellfish refuse. The waitress was gone for extended periods but was pleasant enough when she took orders and brought the check and circled twice the part about recommended tip. Maybe this would be okay if you've never had fresh seafood before, or at half the price. But instead, this Pelican's rust shone through.
(2)
Kaylee H.

This is our second visit to the Rusty Pelican and both have been spectacular. The view is absolutely breathtaking. Chris was our server, he has a great personality and knowledge of the restaurant. The lamb shank is fall of the bone delicious and the cornbread just melts in your mouth. This restaurant is a must try!
(5)
Jacqueline C.

If you want a spectacular view and delicious food, the rusty pelican is your place! Try the fried calamari and the toothfish - both are phenomenal!! You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Albert L.

We tried ceviche, pomodoro spaghetti with chicken and many other dishes. All of them very good. Deserts were excellent too. Our waitress was very nice and detail oriented. As we guess the ambience and views were beautiful. Thanks. We will come back ASAP
(5)
Patricia B.

The location is beautiful, and the service is great. The food was pretty good. The only reason why I'm giving it 4 stars is because their chocolate savage dessert wasn't good, especially for the price ($30). I am a huge fan of dessert and that one was definitely a disappointment.
(4)
Janet G.

Good food. Service not so great. Watch your bill. Sandwich came with sweet potato fries. Our bill had them as an additional $6.00 charge. When asked, they had to get the manager involved. We were told they've been having "system" problems. Took 20 minutes to correct. The whole thing was stupid. If they know they have charging problems, how come the costumer has to notice the error?
(2)
Irishka M.

Went here for a birthday dinner with my boo.. No need to say the view was outstanding! We were lucky to have seats by the window (outside was pretty cold that time) The drinks are delicious! Our server messed time our order twice, but we were in an awesome mood and didn't mind to wait for them to change it. Food was amazing! And they did really nice surprise - desert! Definitely will come again!
(4)
Izabella Z.

First off the view is breathtaking! We sat outside and had the view of the city in front of us. Our waiter was phenomenal. He really knew the menu and was quick and efficient.
(5)
Susu Love S.

First time at Rusty Pelicans!! Upon arrival we were greeted by RUDE hostess. She did not offer us a seat in the lobby or bar. When she seemed very uninterested in her job. Not a good way to start. The restaurant appeared hectic and staff looked a bit frumpy. Nonetheless we are finally seated and here is where the experience goes downhill. Table and floors were dirty, carpeted resto's are very 1980's and DO NOT belong on a waterfront upscale dining establishment. You can smell the musk from the entry way, the floors had crumbs, food and drink stains that were very visible to the naked eye. SERVICE: Waitress was uninformed, didn't know specials, didn't offer suggestions nor take our order correctly. She checked on us once but most other times we had to waive her down (btw she was not busy) besides that I couldn't stop from noticing her dirt/food stained clothing as well as the many other waiters. Most looked like they pulled an all nighter then showed up to work on Sunday half hung over. FOOD: Bland and plain. Nothing about the food said upscale or fine dining. Salad came out missing most of it's ingredients. Main course had (fish)bones and a weird odor.. ALL IN ALL, I would never ever make the drive from Broward to this place. BUT, I will give Kudos to the lovely valet crew who provided us with umbrellas and after hearing of our experience refused to charge us. GEORGE in VALET saved our day and gave us hope for humanity all over again. Thanks George! You and your team are the best thing Rusty Pelicans has!
(1)
Milagros A.

THis place is a great, but a waiter mad because we did not drink alcohol, we just wanted 2 cups of tea. The view is the best in Miami
(5)
Tery T.

My fiancÃ© had been driving me crazy to come here for brunch. Had not been here in years, and it was very worth it. Delicious food, wonderful service.
(5)
Lauren C.

I hadn't eaten here since before they remodeled many years ago because aside from the beautiful water view, I just wasn't impressed. After having brunch here recently, I can't wait to visit again! I tried the ceviche, short rib empanadas and a chicken salad wrap. The food was good and not crazy expensive either. The brunch ambiance is fun and the endless mimosas were an unexpected plus. People get up, drinks in hand, and visit the outdoor patio to admire the water view where jetskis, yachts and a local tour company flies their water plane in and out of this watery runway. We celebrated a birthday here and the manager makes it a point to stop in and say hello. In addition waiter service was EXCELLENT and my glass was never empty. Looking forward to my next visit.
(5)
Dahi G.

Excellent place. This restaurant is amazing and the food is delicious
(5)
Keith G.

What a glorious experience. Rafael, our waiter, was genuinely gracious, humorous and attentive. We have eaten here multiple times and every time we have a grand experience. The food, view, ambiance are terrific. Thank you again, Rafael.
(5)
Vicky H.

If you like a 2 to 3-hour meal, then you may disagree with this review... But the service is ultra-slow.... 2 hours last night, 3 hours for lunch on a different occasion. The food is hit or miss -- you'll eat a to-die-for dish followed by a so-so one. Meat is usually overcooked. They'll fix it and apologize, but that adds to the wait time. The waiters are spread too thin... took a good 15 - 20 min. just to get our drink order. Just go to the bar, get a cocktail, and sit outside to enjoy the view. The restaurant.... bring a sweater and plan to spend the day.
(1)
Jazmin L.

Decided to check out the new and renovated Rusty Pelican. I found out about this establishment after reading and researching restaurants through the Miami Spice listings. Once, I checked out the website, and read some recommendations from fellow yelpers. I was sold, since I was planning a romantic date night with my husband. Sitting outdoors watching the sunset and enjoying a three course meal, it doesn't get any better. I really enjoyed making the reservation, once we arrived we were quickly seated. Our server Antonio was very welcoming and greeted us. I'm all about quality and customer service, and I recognize those who provide that so thank you Antonio! If you sit outdoors , definitely ask for him, he's a nice guy, and you can talk to him in Spanish/English Spanglish . Lol They also have fireplaces outdoors. So after you're done eating, you can just relax sit and look at the Miami skyline. Some tips to consider: Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. indoors If you check in on yelp you might get a complimentary, glass of champagne! ;) If you sit outside, just be prepared you might get some mosquitoes visiting you! but it's totally worth it for the view. The complimentary cornbread is amazing. Overall, a great find!
(4)
Amanda C.

Do not go here!!!!!! Horrible service and food.The manager is a jerk !!!! Especially if it's your bday !!! Better places to go !!!! Ps/ found some hair in the food
(1)
Jiten S.

Headed here for the Miami spice special. This restaurant blew my mind! The perfect spot for a romantic evening. Located on the coastal edge of Key Biscayne, the gorgeous view is breathtaking. Nothing better than a three-course meal in an outdoor setting to watch the sun set. Cozy fireplaces outside to sit on and enjoy the neon-bright downtown Miami skyline view. Was definitely thrown off a bit by the horrible impression left by the hostess, as she lacked the professional amicability, one normally first encounters. That being said, our server, Tony, totally made up for her errors and offered us five-star quality service. Service was a bit relaxed that evening (really enjoyed savoring the lovely coastal atmosphere). Graciously met our requests and helped recommend the dishes that would align with our tastes. Ended up trying theshort rib empanadas and ceviche, which were DELCIOUS! Be sure to REQUEST OUTDOOR SEATING!!!
(4)
Adry G.

I have yet to be back after they had remodeled this place, but the last time I was here I was extremely disappointed. We ALWAYS make reservations here but the wait is always over 30 minutes, the people at the front desk always stare me down (which is one of my biggest pet peeves) and they act as if their clients are charity cases. The food yes is delicious but after being here so many times they have lost their allure. One of the reasons that we haven't been back is because we hear from other friends and family members that this place has been getting progressively worse. My search for my family's Sunday brunch has begun =/
(2)
Alain T.

It was my brother and his wife anniversary. So we decided to have dinner at rusty pelican. From the beginning our server Brian went above and beyond our expectations. He made sure he knew whos anniversary it was. Impeccable service thats what i have to say about Brian who after our dinner, kindly moved us to the outside patio for a more romantic feel in front of the fireplace overlooking the water and city skyline. To top it all of Brian brought the anniversary couple a custom desert thats read happy anniversary! Thank you Brian.
(5)
Derek H.

This place kicks butt. What an awesome setting for a restaurant. It's located on Key Biscayne, just after you cross over the Rickenbacker Causeway. Be careful or you'll drive right past the entrance. The views from this restaurant are unparalleled. If you eat outside, you'll have a gorgeous view of the downtown Miami skyline, as well as the ocean, and Miami Beach in the distance. I could just sit out here for hours and enjoy the view. So, be sure to request outdoor seating. I guess I would classify this as a seafood restaurant, but they did have several other options. I would also put this in the category of an expensive restaurant, but the views, ambiance, and the food make it worth it, in my opinion. They started us off with some complimentary jalapeno cornbread. This stuff is great, so be careful not to get too full on it. For our meals, I ordered the lobster risotto, while my wife got the wahoo. The lobster risotto is an interesting presentation, as a whole lobster, sans the claws, is placed on top of the risotto. It took a little work to get the lobster meat out of the tail, but once I did it was excellent. I would order that dish again for sure. My wife loved her fish. We had no room for dessert, so we just sat and enjoyed the view while the sun went down. It was a perfect dinner. I hope to come back here again the next time we visit Miami.
(5)
Jessica T.

Perfect for brunch after a morning workout! The best part of the whole experience of dining at Rusty Pelican is definitely the Miami scenery. It was wonderful sitting by the water and having the Miami skyline right next to us while we were sipping mimosas and having brunch. We ordered the Ahi Tuna tacos, crab cake Benedict, and the swordfish sandwich. For drinks we had the unlimited brunch mimosas (for $18!) and a strawberry daquiri. The whole meal was great, everything was cooked to perfection and every bite was amazing until the end. For dessert, our server recommended the cafe con leche which was out of this world! I am not a huge fan of sweets but the dessert was not too sweet and paired really well with the cookies & creme ice cream on the side. Overall it was a great brunch experience, I'll definitely try to come back and have dinner next to the Miami night view! Shout out to our awesome server Benjamin who kept our glasses filled with mimosa and left a rocking message on our dessert!
(4)
Nico C.

I came here with all my coworkers and had a great time. The scenery is amazing from every spot of the restaurant. Great ambiance and very romantic. But the food is not great and is very high priced for what you get. I ordered the snapper which I did not enjoy as much as I thought I would. For an appetizer I ordered the empanadas which were decent. The only reason I would recommend this restaurant is for the view. There are far too many great restaurants in Miami to waste your money on this one.
(3)
Casey A.

Stunning views of the bay! Outdoor seating can't be beat. We went for lunch in hopes of the acclaimed manatee and dolphin spotting... Unfortunately there were none to be seen. We were told by our waiter that had worked there a year and half he had only seen them twice. However... The food was great!!! I had the ceviche which was a nice light dish. It's uniquely prepared with sweet potato, giving it a sweet flavor. It's served on its own with any kind of chip. My better half, had the short rib sandwich with a side salad- described as a "sloppy joe for grownups", "very tasty". The portions were spot on as well as the price point! Lunch with non-alcoholic drinks for 2, under $40. Indoor atmosphere was great with a huge wine selection. Staff all around was terrific! This is a highly recommended place- great tasting food, beautiful views.
(5)
Dana L.

We have enjoyed this restaurant many times and the food and amazing view never disappoint. Our server, Alex went out of his way to provide great service and even took great photos for us. We will be going back again!
(5)
Bonnie E.

One of Key Biscayne's gems, the Rusty Pelican can be seen from the shoreline coming over the bridge, I had a glimpse driving by and thought just the view would make the foray worth it. Though a bit difficult to find, the restaurant has an impressive entrance way with a fountain and a colorful waterfall; Not to mention the huge bronze Pelican that sits in the entranceway. The place is massive, what I found the most impressive although I am not a drinker was the walk through glass case of different wines from around the world. We were seated a table with an amazing view of the Miami skyline, and RP has huge panoramic windows, so if you're out to dine and also admire your surroundings, this spot is for you. The food was good and there were sizable portions and the waitstaff was attentive considering that the place is massive and there were probably hundreds of people dining at the same time. Seemed like a good place for parties and gatherings. Something that I was absolutely stunned about when the dessert menu came out was that there was a delicacy on the menu that cost $35, almost as much as a one-course meal, I must admit, although the ingredients probably be both artery-clogging and heart- attack inducing. I'm looking forward to trying it next time I'm in Miami.
(5)
Juan S.

2.5 Found this place very below average. I had avoided this place for many years because I heard again and again that the views are great, but the food is just average. This was my experience before and my experience now. The food isn't bad, but nothing spectacular either. There is a wide range of prices. From reasonably priced sandwiches to way overpriced entrees...especially for lunch. Not much middle ground in pricing and disappointing. Service was decent if not a little overbearing. They are filling up your water glasses every 3-5 minutes.. It's a little much. But you go here for the views. They are very nice. Right on the water...very rare are Miami restaurants with water views and this place definitely fits the bill. I wouldn't take visitors from out of town here for a lunch or dinner, but only for drinks.
(2)
Tarole H.

Where to start.. I found this place by searching for attractions in Miami. I've never been here before and thankfully the boyfriend was here for business and I got to take advantage. I was really wanting a waterfront venue with an amazing view for dinner and when I saw the photos of The Rusty Pelican, I was sold. I made a reservation through open table and requested something as close to the water as possible. I didn't know there was outside seating or else I would've requested that. I was a little bummed when we didn't get an outside table, but let me tell you, we still had an amazing view of the skyline and our server is what really made the experience incredible. Tex (Scott ) was amazing. He was so knowledgable about the menu. I had my heart set on the swordfish or salmon, but only because I was familiar with those dishes. I had two different wines in mind and when I asked his opinion on which wines go better with which fish, he totally changed my direction to a completely unknown dish. He really went into detail on every entree and appetizer we ordered, including the complimentary jalepeno cornbread. His suggestions were on point, he was very personable, the kind of person I could be friends with. I was very impressed. He really made the evening out with my boyfriend extra special. I can't go on enough about how amazing his service was, thank you Tex! I'm removing a star from what would've been a 5 star review because (1) the first hostess we talked to seemed overwhelmed and disinterested and (2) the valet. For paying for valet, I expect to have our car out front when we were ready to leave. Instead, while we were waiting at the bar for change (to pay the valet) he came up to us, gave us our key and told us "it's close, you'll see it" when we asked if our car was out front... What's the point of valet if we still have to walk through the parking lot to find our car. Unprofessional, bottom line. Overall.. Food was good, view was great, but TEX really made the experience. Again, thank you Tex!
(4)
Juan N.

Excellent seafood, good sea view and good place for special days like valentines Or anniversary
(5)
Tatiana F.

Love this place, food is good And the view is beautiful. Great place to celebrate your anniversary or even go out for brunch
(4)
Lam P.

One of the few restaurants in Miami that I really enjoy! Food was great and the view was AMAZING!! - Crab cake - Lobster Risotto - Oven Roasted Patagonian Toothfish All above dishes were delicious!! Super flavorful, especially the toothfish with the mango salsa, very interesting tasting. Worth the $$$
(5)
Dione C.

Five Stars because of the amazing service we received! Seriously. I was shocked, too. Our waitress even came outside to take a picture of us in front of the skyline at night. I would rate the food four stars max. For a party of two, we spent around $170- This included two appetizers, two entrÃ©es, and one dessert. Everything was pleasing to the eye, but there isn't anything that's going to resonate with me when I make it back home to Texas. All in all, I would go here again for some drinks, dessert, and a lovely view!
(5)
Laura M.

I had heard so much about the Rusty Pelican that I told my boyfriend last week, let's try it! We made reservations for 8pm but arrived about 30mins earlier. I thought the food was excellent, a bit pricey for our taste but we knew that already. Service was just ok. The hostess seemed a bit disturbed by a question I asked in regards to the table location. She responded with a "..soo you haven't been here before?". To what I responded no we have not it is our first time. Her tone was absolutely out of line. At some point we were confused because it looked like we had two servers. One took our appetizer order and then the other one came back to ask for the order because he did not know we had spoken to someone else. On a positive note The server did recomend a strawberry cocktail that was delicious. The view is breathtaking and we enjoyed the Sunset while sitting inside. I would like to go back for their famous Sunday brunch.
(4)
Glenda C.

My favorite thing about this restaurant is the view.......If you want to have a relaxing brunch with a beautiful waterfront view, this is a great place to go. I found it so relaxing that we were there for hours......definitely took our time to enjoy our meal and company. I noticed other diners also were there for a long time also, some were there before us and we left and they were still enjoying themselves. You could sit there all day long, relaxing. At nighttime this is a great place for a romantic dinner. You still enjoy the water view with the city lights. I like to have dinner inside and then go outside in the terrace for a drink next to one of the bonfires. I also like the way the outside is lit up. Now on to the food. The food here is pretty good...depending on what you get. My favorite for brunch is the French toast and steak and eggs. For lunch I like the Biscayne Burger and for dinner, I like the oven roasted Patagonian toothfish with the smoked sweet plantain mash and the mango papaya salsa. For desert I like the key lime pie and the flan. Definetely a nice place to celebrate something special or treat yourself just because.
(4)
Samuel D.

Alright, this place is fancy by my standards. It's a staple of Miami and I had never been. I expected a sports bar because of the name, but this place is everything BUT. The food was pricey, but delicious. No craft beer here, which was disappointing but they do have ample selection of spirits and wines. Sitting by the window allows you to watch the sunset, and if you don't mind sweating a little in Miami's summer heat, you can enjoy your dinner outside on the patio and smell the ocean while you dine. I'm not into expensive restaurants with their high prices and small dishes but if you want to surprise or impress your signficant other, this might be the place to do so. Just be sure to take your piggy bank!
(5)
Cassandra C.

It's time to update my review! Finally had the pleasure of going back for brunch.. And wow! First of all, the view is still incredible. You can sit in the AC but see the beautiful skyline, watch the birds, see the boats... it's just beautiful. Second, bottomless mimosas and bloody Mary's! I had the mimosas, and they are delicious. Approximately 3/4 Champagne and 1/4 OJ, you can't beat them. And the waiters are very attentive, you don't have to wait 15 minutes for another drink. The food was much better this time around. I ate the seared tuna sandwich with fries. Tuna Perfectly cooked and sandwich perfectly toasted. I can't say enough good things about it, I'd highly recommend! Overall, a fantastic experience. I will be back for brunch again!
(5)
Kristin C.

The name Rusty Pelican evokes a quaint, casual hangout, but quaint and casual fail to describe the Rusty Pelican. To get here, you go over the causeway onto Key Biscayne, and there is a conglomeration of buildings and parking lots on your left. There is a large parking lot which is mostly filled shared by all of these businesses. Rusty Pelican is way back to the left. When you walk up, it is VERY flashy. We are talking stylish. It is a gorgeous location, view, and the decoration of the building classy. They have inside and outside dining. However, in the summer, it might be a little hot outside. Inside has nice windows although sometimes the shades are down if the sun is blaring through. The service was slightly below average unless you have lots of money. Then, the "suits" and people with ear pieces are often seen by your table making sure everything is okay. Since we apparently didn't look like money, we got the less than average service. It took a long time for anyone to come by our table. When they did finally ask for our drinks, it took a long time to bring them. Unlike our favorite Thai restaurant, there was not the extra nod of service of pouring your beer for you. The table nearby had an unhappy child who caused havoc during a very long meal (they were there when we got there and there when we left, and we eat slow). I can't blame the restaurant so much for that...it happens. To the food--this is another place where they shined. First they brought out their signature cornbread. It was beautifully placed with a salt/spice mix and a butter spread. Delightful. We ordered the Pan Seared Grouper, which oddly came out super quick. We were barely cutting into our bread, and poof there it was. The presentation was superb and artistic. The fish was okay, although I'd say slightly overdone. The roasted or stir fried sweet potatoes and other vegetables with bacon were the star oddly enough. They were so yummy. Overall, I kept thinking, this is truly a work of art, that is only appreciated by the culinary connoisseur. The only thing is the prices were exorbitant. Where else can you go for that view, though? If you know of a place, please message me! ;) 3.5 star average sums it up, but I'll round up.
(4)
Nestor M.

It is amazing how the Rusty Pelican has reinvented itself. As a kid my parents would take me on special treats. They have a great happy hour that spilled over into dinner. My gal had the whole fried snapper and I enjoyed the grouper special which was superb.
(5)
Hernani A.

Not too impressed.... View is awesome location so pretty but food is not so great... Service is ok and prices a little high as the food isn't that good... Is a nice place to take a date though (if you're not a picky eater)
(3)
Jason T.

The food and atmosphere was amazing. I would give a nod to the view over the food, but not a disappointment. A great place to have a celebration or romantic dinner. Go around sunset to enjoy an gorgeous view.
(4)
Caitrin C.

My brother and sister in law took the family here for dinner immediately after their small beach wedding. Everyone's only complaint was that each course meant that the last course had to end. The portions are tremendously huge and we all found whatever we had chosen to be amazing. (Grilled chicken, sea bass and salmon for dinner choices). The drinks were magnificent. Service was attentive without being over bearing. Dessert was just plain insane- I could eat that every day (and be 900 lbs- but I could eat it every day). Rusty Pelican was great for the event. It was a fantastic meal for a fantastic and memorable event and I'm so pleased it was amazingly executed and will be remembered so favorably by my entire family forever!
(5)
Sarah X.

Okay, I'll admit, I was there for about 20 minutes, and we didn't even get a chance to look at the menu, or prices. We were just stopping into meet up with friends that were finishing dinner, and then we went somewhere else. So... I don't know what the food or drinks tasted like... BUT.. if you're going for atmosphere.... they got it. (and I'm super picky about atmosphere)
(5)
Amanda T.

I hadn't been to Rusty in years and to my surprise it has greatly improved. We arrived for an early fourth of july dinner/friends proposal and everything was perfect. The view from this restaurant is amazing, very romantic setting. Since I had only been here for brunch I must say I like the dinner menu way more. We tried several of the appetizers but my favorite was the calamri. Entree serving sizes were big and drinks were made decent. I was extremely impressed with management and how helpful they were. Everything went off without a hitch and if you're wondering she said yes! Just wish the firework show lasted longer considering that this was rated one of the best spots in Miami to watch them.
(4)
Fredy Y.

The Rusty Pelican has a awesome 5 star view of the Miami skyline. Tucked in Key Biscayne this elegant contemporary dining room and bar with al fresco option offers fresh seafood and steaks. To be fair I only tried the happy hour menu (4-7) which is decently priced but the food somewhat lacked flavor and authenticity but just the breath taking view is worth a cold $3 beer after a day at the beach. If you come here at least you can take a couple selfies to compensate for everything else.
(4)
Nicolas L.

One of my 3 favorite restaurants of any city I've been to. Reasonably priced for 5 star food, the risotto is amazing but the fried red snapper is king!
(5)
Intrepid S.

Went here for lunch, the bonus it was miami spice month. $23 3 course prix fixed menu, I had the ceviche to start, sushi for my entree and key lime pie for dessert. Everything was delicious and our waitress was on point. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Jen J.

Ambiance: 5 Food: 3 Service: 3 The view is what you come here for. It's on an island, and you can see water, sun, even Dolphins. That said, the food was average. Not bad, but nothing too notable. We came for brunch, and I got the salmon roll and grilled asparagus. The salmon roll will pass--spice from peppers was good--but again nothing memorable; the asparagus (if you're an asparagus person) was actually the right tenderness (tough parts begone) and seasoned just right. As for sweets, I ordered the the bacon cheesecake, but the bacon wasn't crispy like I was hoping...really it was chewy like bacon that has been sitting for too long. My friends ordered the rum tres leches cake with meringue on top. Now that was good! The meringue helped it feel light. Sweet with spicy cinnamon to balance.
(3)
Stephen K.

Had a late lunch.. 'Miami Spice' trio was the spotlight for the month. Food was good.. service a little slow at first. Great view of downtown Miami!!
(3)
Mirielle C.

Amazing view and service. Came here on a Saturday to celebrate a birthday. We almost didn't come bc we had an even larger party and they wanted a credit card on file to charge us 25 bucks if we didn't all arrive. That seemed a little extreme. We figured out definitively it would just be ten people and came out. I had the tuna and crab sampler thing for an appetizer which was good, I had the lamb for dinner which was good, and a dessert sampler of some sort. The lamb was good but not WOW for me. Valet took a little long to get our car, turns out they hadn't even sent anyone out to get our car. I would stick to their seafood next time. Looking forward to possibly coming back for Miami Spice or brunch, the view can't be beat. Overall a great time was had by all.
(5)
Dan M.

So i boat by this place all the time. I saw it go through its transformation from and old has been to a wooo where have you been....My wife and I have been rekindling our date nights since the kids are older and we hit this place up with the help of UBER. We made reservations last minute and arrived right on time. We were greeted by the hostess who asked if we wanted a window table. We said "aaa yeah!"" So we waited patiently at a couch by the bar with a great view of Key Biscayne Bridge and Brickell area. The waiter took excellent care of us until our table was ready. At the table we had a great waiter who really knew what to do with intrusion and service. The food was amazing! My wife says she was shocked that I found nothing wrong with the NEW & Improved Rusty Pelican.
(5)
Karla T.

I loved it! Service was great, it wasn't busy so our food came out fast too. The view is incredible, just make sure to put on a lot of insect repellent if you get a table outside. Food was great, the ceviche was delicious and I will definitely recommend the tempura shrimp. They also have good wine specials
(5)
Hilda H.

We are locals but have not visited Rustic Pelican in nearly 10 years. Yesterday we decided to have advantage of one of the most beautiful view of Miami Skyline and requested outside sitting for 2. We were told the waiting time was 35-40 mins so we sat at the bar for a few drinks.I went with my mom since she was celebrating her 47th year anniversary at her company and was given a gift card to come to this iconic restaurant in Key Biscayne Let me begin by saying ...The total glass wall showcased the fabulous view of the Miami skyline. It is by far the best attribute of this restaurant and what saves it. Not to mention their impressive Wine towers Unfortunately when you come to a restaurant you come to eat. And the view and glass towers are just not a part of the menu.If you want a good ambiance with service, you really wont get that here either. My mom and I drove to spend a nice dinner with a relaxing atmosphere, afterall I have been studying all day and my wife was home not wanting to come out. We made our first ever visit to Key Biscayne, and saw the Rusty Pelican from the bridge... and it looked great, as it always does. We were able to land one of the few non-valet parking spots and made our way to the restaurant. There was a 45 minute wait, but the lounge and fire-pit areas were self-seating. We decided to sit at a fire-pit along the waterfront, with a beautiful view of Miami. We sat for 15-20 minutes to wait for at least a menu. We did finally get a menu, from a waiter who didn't know we existed, wanted to refill cups that were there before we sat... SMH He then did not return for over 10 minutes. As we were leaving, we saw him being scolded by his manager for lack of doing his job, and felt, "so we're not the only ones". After speaking to the manager, he personally took care of our order, and we were then served at a respectable pace. We were fortunate enough to see a pod of dolphins swim by, which added to the already great view and compensated for all the lacking. We chose to just have calamari and a drink each at first, since we already waited so long. I had a glass of wine and mom her regular Cuba Libre. The calamari was way too oily, and tasted gristly, drowned in cooking grease, and we got a bonus sweet potato fry with our calamari to boot. Check was over $40 for 2 drinks and an appetizer. For dinner my mom has their baby churrasco and I ordered the giant seared scallops. The food was not fabulous but i did have a nice presentation on my plate and the scallops weren't bad tasting. My moms steak was on the other hand boring and tasteless. If you come here come for a couple of drinks and have a nice deserving meal elsewhere this place is for the vie and a glass of wine. The price you pay does not match the quality of food or service. Bring lots of cash to burn. Like I said earlier over forty dollars in two drinks and a appetizer. Might as well get your wallet and throw it in one of their fire-pits, it truly is the same thing as coming here and expecting a nice meal.
(2)
Don G.

This review is for Sunday Brunch. Outstanding in every way. Unlimited Mimosa or unlimited Bloody Mary - superb quality. Excellent service. Beautiful atmosphere. Great for couples or groups - this place has it all. I had the Lobster Eggs Benedict. Delightful. Beautiful presentation and food tastes amazing. I was really surprised and I didn't expect this - but I will definitely come back.
(5)
Rain M.

Besides the great service provided by our server Paulo, the most amazing Tuna Tacos I have tried. Come and enjoy their local beers. Ask to be seated under the awning patio, relax and enjoy.
(5)
fernando r.

The potential of this place is incredible. The venue, the views, an innovative cuisine. When you arrive, you smell a scent of tourist trap due to the amazing location and the views. Will it be bad? Au contraire. You immediately feel the warmth of the servers. Unpretentious, pleasing. Unpretentious in Miami? Yes. The locale is big. Very big. An ordeal for the most experienced restaurant manager. Will the quality of the food be tainted? And then, the food arrives. And all your false expectations go down the drain. Lavish presentation. Good quality, and attentive servers. (Shout out to Alexis). The fish selections are scrumptious. The Neiman ranch beef will leave you wanting more. But as one of the very few restaurant gems in South Florida, I have to suggest something: lowering the price of the wine selections would promote a better enjoyment of the delectably amazing experience.
(5)
David L.

Stopped in for happy hour. Had a mojito, agave sunset and a caipirinha. The cocktails were all really good and reasonably priced. Really cool view of downtown from the bar area.
(5)
Maria G.

This review is for the Happy Hour menu only. Pretty good selection at a good price. The Rusty Mickey D Sliders were good and so was the Rum Cake with Merengue and Berries.
(4)
Nina B.

While visiting home last Thursday, I escaped to the Rusty Pelican for a quiet dinner. I hadn't been to the restaurant since well before the 2012 renovation. I was happily surprised to find the sensational views of downtown Miami's skyline matched by the fantastic service, setting and food. The new interior is chic and romantic, and the outdoor seating area is cozy with its fire pits. The impeccable service was friendly and attentive. In particular, the manager, Gideon, and our waiter, Brian, were exceptional. Gideon was warm and welcoming. Brian was charming, attentive and thoroughly knowledgeable about the food and wine lists. We followed Brian's wonderful customized recommendations for each course and were not disappointed, particularly with regards to the impressive fresh seafood entrees' multidimensional flavors. I especially loved the Spider Roll and the oven-roasted Patagonian Toothfish. In a final act of gluttony, we indulged in the Chocolate Sabotage, which consisted of a surprisingly delectable collection of chocolate delights. I'm looking forward to inviting friends and family to join me during my next visit home.
(5)
Soph Q.

I loved the happy hour ! Great prices And the piÃ±a colada was amazing !!! They made it without alcohol without any problem which is amazing because I don't drink!!! Fresh caught fish tasted great! Wonderful atmosphere !
(5)
Heidi M.

I want to preface this by stating that I hosted my wedding at the RP quite a few years ago. The restaurant has a large banquet space and amazing views of the Miami skyline and the Bay. Today, I attended a luncheon so was in the banquet area and not the main restaurant. RP recently underwent a large renovation and it beautifully shows! The redesign of the main floor has a modern gray neutral design that will complement all events. The food was great for a large event. Cocktail hour mimosas were delicious and plentiful. Lunch was a fresh salad topped with a fried plantain strip, which left you feeling justified in your fried pleasure. Main course was a grilled chicken breast with a mango and papaya chutney, white rice and green beans. The chicken had all the flavor on the dish. Chicken was succulent and the chutney was very flavorful. However, the rice and beans didn't even taste as if they had been salted. Dessert was a key lime tart with meringue topping. It was a very sweet end to the meal. Service during the banquet was good. Servers were all very polite but I did have to request wine as they stopped filling the glasses half way around the table. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could :) In all, I would definitely be happy to both attend another event and host one again at the RP!
(4)
Joby B.

The wait to get in was quick. Then we waited for someone to come take our order....10 or so minutes. We placed our orders of 2 Cesar salads and one order of shrimp cocktail. We have been waiting for 35 minutes and counting. Ridiculous! Also the music is so loud in the background that we are having to shout to one another. This was our first time giving the restaurant a try. The food...for what we ordered, tasted ok but was NOT worth the long wait.
(1)
Julia K.

Loved everything. The beef empanadas were my favorite, but the ceviche also was great. The crab cake wasn't anything special, but that's ok. Sitting outside on the water was amazing. I think the food was a 3.5 stars and the location was 5 stars, so I gave it 4 stars. The service was also very good.
(4)
John G.

I have to agree with the negative reviews. I had a real bad experience here last Thanksgiving's day brunch. My friend and I brought her 1 year old and weren't even offered seating acommendations for her but yet we were charged $25.00 for her eating a partial muffin as we took turns juggling her in our laps. I paid the bill with out complaining because they were pretty busy. I wrote a couple emails and made some phone calls to speak to the management but they remained unanswered. I did some research and found their corporate office's email address and wrote them about my situation. It's funny because I got a phone from the manager at the RP in Miami that same day. She was very apologetic but way too late. Long story short it's not a good place for small children and they don't care about customer service.
(1)
Andy B.

Don't go on a Sunday. I will never go again. First time here and hated it. Crowd noise left my ears ringing coupled with the constant two note drum beat left me with a killer headache. We ordered shrimp fried and cease at salad. It took 30 minutes after placing the order to see the shrimp and fries. Our waiter never checked in one us. It took another 10 mins till we got our salads. After I flagged down one of the hostess Salad shrimp and fries. How hard can it be?
(1)
Tobias S.

Its Sunday, it's brunch time. I arrive at The Rusty Pelican the property beautiful, the weather mediocre(Tropical Storm Erica). There are tons of Parking spaces available BUT you can only Valet. I absolutely don't understand that. There is an upstairs event going on upstairs. Charity for Children I believe(amazing). The view FANTASTIC even with the weather. The Hostess stand completely filled with very nice helpful employees. I'm walked to the table nice spot it's lovely. The dinning room is packed. The decor & ambiance reminds me of grandmothers living quarters(yikes). Then a very polite , smiling female server approaches me. OMG she was amazing. Sarah is her name. What a doll, so appropriate & well spoken. I could talk to her throughout my entire meal. I bet your wondering why my stars are so low huh, just wait for it........ I place my order. I order the pancakes, & the breakfast burrito. The burrito I sub scrambled whole eggs for egg whites. The pancakes I add whip cream & powdered sugar. When the items come to the table they are what I asked for. Thing is my pancakes are BURNT!!!! Thing is my egg whites are Yellow & greasy. They gave me powdered sugar straight out of the box not sifted on(powdered sugar needs to be sifted(I almost end choked twice). The breakfast burrito was terrible. Hands down it was like something from one of those dirty little food trucks that construction guys eat from. My pancakes had a hair on them. Next round of food comes out..... Short Rib Empanadas(sounds SO damn good) the inside is dry, the components that come with the dish do not blend well they were actually FIGHTING in my mouth(Literally). Oh they also had a hair on them. Crab cake...... Hmmmm so much crab meet yummy, but AGAIN the components do not go to well & that breading uncalled for its juvenile, & Betty homemaker type. The drinks were good. The service 4.5/ Ambiance 3(thanks to the view NOT the decor/ The Experience 2.5/ The Food 1.5(Pancakes we're good under the burn spots). As an American style restaurant I would expect some of these dishes executed Precisely, because we have restaurants like Cecconi's doing it 500% better for less money. I'm kind of scared to come for Miami Spice or dinner now.
(2)
Vikram N.

Usually a 4-star for us, did a 3-star tonight. Miami spice menu of ceviche, salmon tartare was good. The Branzino and Lamb shank were disappointing, as were the Key Lime pie and Tres Leches. Service could have been more attentive, though they responded when requested. Can't beat the views, but could have easily beat the experience tonight. Small tip to restaurant: when it is 86 degrees F outside, you don't need a fireplace, you need fans!!!
(3)
Eleonora M.

Nice environment, stunning view and pleasant service. The food we had was very delicious, a little pricey but well spent! Try the salmon roll and the warm cafÃ¨ con leche dessert! ;) the best!
(4)
Guillermo T.

Really nice place, beautiful view and the food spectacular. The service in the other really bad, waiters don't show up to your table and really slow. The food did not come out all together and waiters seam to lost and no motivated. Not a nice experience
(3)
Kazuna A.

Fantastic view . Very good customer service. Almost all apetizers are DELICIOUS! So pls , put some more effort on entry. Its over price and very bland.
(4)
Dwain P.

My wife and I were here to celebrate her birthday on Aug. 16, and this place was absolutely amazing. The food was terrific, the service was fabulous, and the view of downtown Miami nestled off the glistening waters of Key Biscayne was iconic. You need to put this restaurant on your bucket list. -- Dwain
(5)
Alex D.

I took my mom here while she was visiting Miami. The restaurant is beautiful and the view is amazing so it seemed like a good choice. I made a reservation online, but when we arrived they said it would be 20 more minutes. Luckily we were seated within 5. The service was great at first. The sun was setting and the view is GORGEOUS so we had fun drinking wine. We ordered a few appetizers but were pressured over and over to order a meal right away - definitely felt like they were trying to get us out of there. We asked for some bread to dip the appetizers in, but were ignored by three different bus boys before finally getting it. We also asked for water refills twice and never got it. It seems like there's tons of people running around outside clearing plates and refilling water but somehow they miss you every time. Our server was very nice, but she was unreasonably busy for a sunday night. The food took a long time and was okay - nothing really special and very overpriced. When the bill came, she had charged us $13 for the bread! We barely ate any of it because we were full by the time it actually came and certainly did not order it as an appetizer. Overall it was a disappointing experience.
(2)
Genesis R.

This place disappointed me, from all the reviews and comments i was expecting some amazing service and great food. The place was beautiful, the food was alright, but the services was awful. We had to wait far to long for our food, i had to ask for things twice and to different servers because they would forget to bring what o asked for. So all i can really say is that costumer service is a little pathetic.
(1)
Elena A.

Amazing view and seafood but it's way over priced. I've been there before they remodeled it and changed the menu, i do miss the lobster bisque from the old menu but now i only go there for brunch. The brunch is amazing, huge selection of sea food, salads , appetizers, desserts and breakfast foods ..The view is breathtaking if you sit outside or by the window. The seafood is very fresh and an absolute delicatesse. It's a perfect spot to celebrate your birthday or as a romantic date...the view of the ocean is just mesmerizing as you sit there and enjoy your meal.
(4)
Michael H.

Just had amazing meal and experience. Probably the best view of all Miami. Spectacular sunset view. Service was superb food fantastic. Living in Washington, D.C. We experience fine dining. This was great recommend 100 percent.
(5)
Jeff L.

Similar to walking along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade to catch some really great views of Manhattan, sitting down to eat at the Rusty Pelican provides some of the best views of Miami for which one could hope. I understand that the restaurant underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2011 and, while this was my first visit, damn they did a good job. AMBIANCE - Wood paneled (modern look) with floor to ceiling windows, the ambiance during the day was casual and resort-like with an air of sophistication. I could see it being an almost lounge-like atmosphere at night with the city lights in view. It was windy on this particular day, so we sat inside next to the windows. On a calmer day, I'd opt for outside. SERVICE - Our server was highly attentive without being smothering. This led to an extremely well-paced meal. Water glasses were filled at just the right time. DRINKS - I only had one, but it was special. Named the "Strawberry Mule," it was muddled fresh strawberries, mixed with vodka, simple syrup, and ginger beer. Totally refreshing and highly recommended. FOOD - All of my dining companions enjoyed their food. The dishes chosen included the caesar salad; RP Sliders (the grilled onions were a great contrast against the blue cheese); Lox plate; crab cake (super fresh, and very little, if any, "filler"); and the crab cake benedict. The last dish was mine and it was nothing short of delectable; a perfectly poached egg sitting atop the crab cake and then on top of a circle piece of toasted brioche. It also came with a sweet potato hash (delicious) and I added a side of well done bacon (thick cut...mmmmmm...bacon). This place is great on so many levels. I will be back.
(5)
Theresa R.

I absolutely love this restaurant. The food and service is always fantastic. However my review is 1 start because my sister got married here a few weeks ago and the sales staff is HORRENDOUS. For the amount of money you pay for the venue, the staff is rude, does not return your phone calls and are extremely unprofessional. I could go on and on with all of the issues. Do yourself a favor and look at other venues for your wedding. The view here is amazing and the patio is really nice but I'm sure you can find better service that won't ADD stress to your big day.
(1)
Rene L.

Been to the Rusty so many times and always has been great! The view is amazing! Was trying for 2 days to get reservations because I had family in town and I really wanted them to experience the food and to enjoy the view. Called one more time at the last minute and I got LUCKY!!! They had a table for us! Needless to say my family LOVED The Rusty! Can't wait to go back again.
(5)
Yira T.

I am a sucker for a great view so I had been wanting to try this place for a while. I read about some renovations so I decided to go check it out. Not sure where the renovations took place because the restaurant dining room as a 1979 cruise ship look. The tables and chairs are Horrible looking and uncomfortable. The food was mediocre. I had the Seabass and salmon buÃ±uelos with aioli, it sounded much better than it tasted. My entree was pretty good, I had the Oven Roasted Patagonian toothfish. It came with a sweet plantain mash, not bad. Dessert (which was incredibly over priced $13 for a small slice of flan) was good, but there is really nothing overwhelmingly creative in a flan so that may be why it was good. I did enjoy the view and took this restaurant off my "to eat" list. I may check it out for happy hour one day but doubt I will return for dinner.
(3)
Michelle Z.

We were looking for an extra nice restaurant to show our out of town family members a bit of miami. We really wanted a spectacular experience and figured that Rusty Pelican would provide that, especially with the view. I mean how much more miami can you get? When we arrived there was a long line to the door. We had reservations but still had to wait about 10 minutes just to let them know we had arrived. I thought that line was a bit odd. We requested outdoor seating which again, the view was amazing. It was a bit chilly outside which put a bit of a damper on the night, but that does not reflect the two star rating as they can not control the weather and we requested outside. However, it took an hour and a half after we ordered to get our food. Our waiter was rarely around. When the food did come, it was all incredibly cold. My mother in law, who absolutely never complains, had to send her risotto back because it was ice cold. After 90 minutes of waiting, over two hours after we had arrived, the rest of us were too hungry to wait any longer. When the waiter returned he made a joke about throwing it in the microwave for her...classy. Speaking of which, this restaurant demands a pretty penny for below average food. We were prepared to pay a lot of money for a spectacular experience and this was quite disappointing. Furthermore, I think a restaurant that charges this much (for the view because they can't be charging for the sub average food), should require their waiters/staff to dress up. Again, we were looking for a classy nice night out and the waiters were dressed in khakis, orange polos, and visors. Not the night we had been expecting at all. Pretty disappointed and ultimately embarrassed with our out of town guests. Oh and when sharing my experience with friends, colleagues, etc they all said it was a hit or miss experience and the majority of a time a miss...so if this is the general sentiment, you would think they would work on it...especially the food! I'm just not sure what type of restaurant they are trying to be. If it's an orange polo, average kind of food place, lower your prices.
(2)
Marlye M.

The worst food and absurdly over prized!!!! Never ever going there again!!! There food selection was worst then checkers. Mother's Day brunch was so terrible that my i had to make sure this experience doesn't happen to others. It's a shame the food and service was so poor because the view is amazing.
(1)
Belinda B.

NEVER MADE IT INTO RESTAURANT! Called to make reservations for party of 12 for Sunday at 11 am. So many rules..1. Put down a credit card...2. Pre-order food for my guest? WHAT??...Spent 16 minutes trying to make this work but it's clear that the Rusty Pelican is just rusty...disappointing because this place was referred to me by a friend. SERVICE - via telephone was my first indicator of low quality. No thank you...my eleven guests and I can find another restaurant that will appreciate a large party. Interestingly, the manager blamed the rules on the Chef..wonder who the Chef will blame..
(1)
Meredith M.

Incredible views of Miami. Came here for a corporate event andl oved the raw bar & cocktail hour outside. The dining room was set up so nicely it could have been for a wedding. The steak was a little rough and the opening salad a little bland but the dessert options were outstanding and the service was very good. All in all a nice space to host a private event- especially around sunset. I just think I would order the fish next time!
(4)
Jana A.

Came in for dinner on a whim after walking the Bay; wasn't dressed appropriately for the restaurant but still felt welcomed. Ended up ordering from the Miami spice menu, which was not only delicious but generous portions and our waiter Chris Fox was outstanding. He meet our every need and was relaxed and professional. Not to mention the view was incredible, my boyfriend and I will definitely be coming back soon!
(5)
K O.

guys...SKIP THIS PLACE. Food= Cheesecake factory with design district prices. Had to send back warm wine 2xs until I got a drinkable glass. From appetizer, to dinner, to desert, lame. Wahoo was dry, Key Lime pie was bitter, crab cakes were right from Cheesecake Factory. Ambience was noisy with speakers imbedded in the ceiling about every 10 ft. View was brilliant! Drop in to see the view, then RUNNNNnnnNNNnn!
(1)
nunya b.

Wow, I have not been here in about 15 years. & I guess I have been missing out. Went for brunch today and had the most amazing fresh selection, paired with a most wonderful attentive service ever. Rafael was spectacular and an asset to the restaurant.. He was ultra attentive and super friendly. As well as the rest of the staff. The food itself was super fresh, great quality, with a wonderful selection!! I would highly recommend!!!
(5)
Viktoriya G.

My first experience at Rusty Pelican exceeded my expectations! Me and my sister decided to go and check the place out on Monday night, as we heard a lot about it. The view was breathtaking, one of the best in Miami for sure! The welcoming staff and great setting definitely created our mood from the very beginning. We chose to sit in the lounge for a cocktail before going outside for a dinner. It felt like being on a big cruise ship due to the French door windows all around. We ordered Agave sunset cocktail and Passionfruit Mojito, which were definitely showing Andres's, the bartender, crafty skills. The band was playing some Latin music which I absolutely adore. Our server Tex was on top of it. From the moment he showed up at the table till the last minute he was putting smiles on our faces by constantly telling jokes and sharing his life experiences. Needless to say, that the food quality was exquisite. We enjoyed our time to the full! Coming back, no doubt!:)
(5)
Eva S.

Had great time there :)
(5)
Melanie A.

We came here for lunch yesterday, not expecting too much and were a little surprised. We were greeted by an extremely friendly hostess who took us to a nice table overlooking the water. It was a rainy day so I won't say that the view was spectacular but we will have to come back when it's nice and sunny out. The food was okay. It wasn't amazingly spectacular but it wasn't bad by any means. We had the lobster crudo, tuna roll, crab & avocado roll, and the shrimp with noodles. I was expecting the noodles to be cooked but nope, they are raw. The shrimp on the other hand are cooked. To be honest, we expected more of a variety of fish on the menu for a restaurant that's literally on the water and amongst fish companies. Crab, calamari, and shrimp...really? The staff was amazing. We had two waiters per one table and they were very attentive. For Miami, I was very surprised. Don't expect extreme fine dining but if you want a nice Floridian restaurant with a view, then this is the place to come for lunch or dinner.
(4)
Bill N.

Came to The Rusty Pelican for an anniversary dinner with my wife and had a memorable meal with a great view of Miami across the bay. Staff were helpful and attentive, food well prepared and delicious (Lamb Shank for her and Pantagonian Toothfish for me), good wine list and appetizers. Will request "Tex" as our waiter when we return which will be soon. Well done Rusty Pelican!
(5)
Helen C.

This is a very special restaurant to my family and I. This is where my dad proposed to my mom. My family comes to eat here at least once a year to celebrate my parents anniversary. I love coming here to watch the sunset. The service is good here to.
(5)
Janexis R.

The dining oversea view was breathtaking I love you have the option to sit outside or inside . The pork belly appetizer beat the actually Alfredo pasta I had but over all a good experience . Very clean too :)
(4)
Nathalie B.

I went to dinner not too long ago with my boyfriend and the reservations we made were for outside - definitely recommend their outdoor dining! The views are amazing, and it's never too hot since it's right on the water. Our server was Benjamin, but he liked to go by Benji. He was very helpful - very knowledgeable about all the dishes, but also very nice and easy to talk to. It felt like we left the restaurant with a friend. If you make it out there, try to ask for him!
(5)
Bryan Z.

This place was mount saint helen's fire flames good.
(5)
Victor R.

I came here and saw the administrator coming to the table all the time to I directly trying to get is out so they can go home . The food was not got for $75 per person. Only the seafood was good . I felt like teu wanted is to pay and leave and not ask for more drinks because you could drink all you wanted .
(2)
Marissa S.

What a view! Amazing service, amazing food, amazing restaurant. A little tricky to find but any cabbie should know where it is located. My group started with sushi, oysters and shrimp cocktail - all were delicious. I ordered the shrimp tempura and my coworkers had the lamb shank - again, all very tasty. The drinks are also to die for - one word: Painkiller. Best.Drink.Ever!
(5)
J Y.

I have never had a bad experience at the Pelican! Great ambience, wonderful seafood and delicious desserts not to mention the view is priceless!!!!
(5)
Mate O.

One of my favorite!! This restaurant has the most incredible view in Miami the risotto is stunning and the sea food is always fresh and delicious. Always highly recommended.
(5)
Melissa F.

Go figure this restaurant had to open a second yelp page because the reviews on this original one started to decline. Rusty Pelican has a pretty awesome piece of property. Their food is nothing higher of level than a dennys vs a red lobster. Frozen tasting seafood, bad service, clueless waiters and management and on top of it all, try and host an event at the venue for the sole purpose of the views they own. They charge ridiculous deposits that not even KATSUYA at the SLS charged us, they claim they are unable to accomodate a simple bridal shower event without a 2100 deposit which is probably 4 times what the amount of the bill with be and claim this ridiculous behavior based on " we are on very high demand" and " a party is not as profitable to us than turnover walk in guests. Cocky, arrogant and quite honestly outrageous behavior for such shitty food. The end! Never again will me or the other 15 potential guests recommend this location to anyone.
(1)
Nikki S.

Amazing food and gorgeous views (if you sit on the back patio). Service is hit or miss. I've had servers that completely ignore my table and others that are ok. Only a couple of good ones. But last Thursday, I had Rebeca and she was absolutely AMAZING!!! Request her section if you can. Extremely attentive, great recommendations, and very nice. I moved to Miami a year ago and have been going to Rusty Pelican since I moved on the recommendation of a co-worker. I go at least twice a month and not once in the last 12 months had any of the servers told me about their loyalty program. But last week, Rebeca told me about it and got me signed up. To think of all the money I've spent with them that I haven't gotten credit for. So if you go, I'd highly recommend that you request Rebeca!
(4)
Mike R.

View was great! We just had appetizers and drinks, but wasn't blown away with the appetizers.
(3)
Nicole S.

We arrived without a reservation, hoping to sit outside (very pretty night time view of Miami). We were not able to sit outside, as it was Full. The manager brought us complimentary champaign as an "apology", which I felt was thoughtful. The service was fantastic & the food was amazing! Although it's a larger room, very intimate atmosphere. We love it.
(5)
Nicole R.

Amazing food and a breathtaking view. JalapeÃ±o cornbread to start is delicious especially since I love bread. Tacos are recommended as well as the empanadas, and lobster risotto. I had the lobster bisque but it wasn't that good, it was missing something which made is taste a little bland. Have dinner here in the evening to see a beautiful view of the city and water. Great for dates and special occasions.
(5)
John H.

Came here for my gf bday about a month ago and it was very good. Filling? No shot but good. We made the mistake of sitting outside at around 8pm tho and got eaten alive by Mosquitos.. Not gonna make that mistake again. It's expensive as hell and you're not gonna be full when u leave so throw a pb&j in the glove box. More for taste I guess than satisfaction. Atmosphere was great too tho. Awesome inside and out.
(4)
Paula V.

Oh boy! Miami spice is the best time of the year!!! I get to go to places I've never been and enjoy the prices! $23 for a 3 course meal is amazing! After looking online for a menu that would fill me up The Rusty Pelican wins! The appetizers were amazing! ( short rib empanadas and smoked tomato salad ) the entrees ( steak n' frites and Salmon ) really kept us full and satisfied, as I write this review I'm waiting for the final course. DESSERT! The first 2 courses were AMAZING! Perfectly cooked and decorated! And I'm sure the 3rd course will finish this amazing experience like the way is supposed to be every time someone goes out to dine!! The service is the best part. Our waiter Grant described every dish with passion and excellence, I literally pictured everything in my head before food was even ordered! I'm definitely coming back, next time I'm bringing the entire family and friends!! Cheers to an unforgettable lunch date and to Miami Spice 2014
(5)
Darien R.

Excellent place with great food and cocktails. Must try the Cuban mojito also good service and gorgeous view
(5)
Alfredo T.

Had an amazing time for brunch im visiting from NY and believe me they have unlimited mimosas everywhere in the city. I think this place beats ny brunch when i saw them open the champagne bottle in front of me i was amazed of how many we finished in our table for a great price $20 dollars is priceless. Julia and julio were superb excellent waiters and hospitality was great as well!!!!
(5)
Ellie L.

Been there once with my husband and we will not be going back... Don't get me wrong the place is beautiful great view and the service was really good I cannot complain about that but is highly expensive AND your plate comes almost empty! And it was not that impressive. I mean I've NEVER ever left a restaurant hungry. Ridiculous.
(1)
Ana N.

Had lunch today. The new decor (2 years old) is really trendy so different from what I remembered when we last came We where taken to our table. The place is sooo loud we couldn't have a conversation. The music wasn't appropriated, it sounded like a disco! Not for lunch on Saturday! The food is new age, you find sushi and Peruvian ceviche and shrimp cocktail. No the to die for. It's a regular restaurant! Too noisy and crowded the new guest keep passing next to our table. Our waiter was nice.... But a less than regular experience.
(3)
Joe P.

This place is awesome. Been there for an event and once for a dinner with some work managers. The outside views are unbelievable. Right on the water overlooking the city skyline, the port, and South Beach. Classy establishment. Went during Miami Spice and got a great deal. VIP parking is a must in a busy night.
(4)
Ada M.

Went there to celebrate a major birthday milestone. Food quality was excellent, the view if the Miami skyline is beautiful, but the service was poor and rushed. Three separate waiter came and introduce themselves as our waiter, two we never saw again, nor they had the courtesy to come back to let us know who was really our waiter. Did not feel our waiter (the one who finally served us) was really paying attention to our table.
(2)
Daniel M.

Went yesterday to the Rusty Pelican. Was seated right away because of a reservation at opentable, but we wanted to sit self seating at the bar area with a better view since outside was closed due to too much wind. The ambiance of the bar lounge and the scenic view was amazing. A view of the sunset, key biscayne bridge, and clear view of downtown and the water was supurb! The food was exquisite. The bar lighting setting and candle at our tabel was sultry and seductive to match the food. We had the atlantic salmon and cesar salad. The sauce on the salmon was ammmazzing! We also started off with the short rib empanadas which were really good texture and the sauce accented it very well (well made it all taste better). To end the end the evening we had the KeyLimePie. I am not a key lime person, and I fell in love with this flavor/taste. I am in awe over it. I keep looking at my picture and reminisce the moment. It was soooo good! The place is a bit pricey, but for location,view, and quality of food--it matches and is reasonable.
(4)
Brian S.

still our favorite
(5)
Emma F.

Beautiful view. I recommend this place to go on a chilly day and sit by the fireplace / bonfire type with appetizers and wine . Yummm . The food am not a big fan of but of this I am :)
(4)
Pablo S.

I went there for frog legs and they were pretty good....
(4)
Jacquie A.

Beautiful views , Food was excellent ! It was great I loved everything about this restaurant. We were able to get a table looking straight at Miami DT .
(5)
Stacy G.

We had our wedding ceremony and reception here-AMAZING! Throughout the event several times the employees and management would ask is everything ok or if anything else was needed. It was perfect! The view, the customer service and the food was perfect. They were a breeze to deal with! We've already made plans to come to the restaurant for our 1 year anniversary and I can not wait!!! :)
(5)
Marena R.

Me and my co-worker came here for a celebratory dinner and I'm so glad he introduced me to this place! It has an amazing view and the most attentive staff! Even though the food took a very long time to come out, the overall experience was fantastic! Highly recommend this place
(4)
Lazaro E.

I have been going here since I was a kid. Now I go for drinks very often. However, I hate their new dinner/lunch menu. They removed my much loved grouper blt. The new dishes are bland and dry like the salmon blt.
(3)
John M.

We were in town on biz and met an old friend at the Rusty Pelican. The view of Miami and the cruise ships was incredible. We had a bunch of apps and mojitos. The sushi and lobster were fresh and very tasty. Staff was friendly too. Ill be back next time I'm in town.
(5)
Katerina S.

First of all, if the night is beautiful, be sure to sit outside for an amazing view of Miami. Secondly, ask for Michael Tavera to be your server! Very attentive and gives great recommendations. Per his recommendations, we ordered the crabcake and tuna tacos as appetizers. The crabcake is quite large and very meaty with fresh crab meat. Just delicious! The tuna tacos are also extremely fresh with a good amount of tuna in them. I had the Toothfish (tasty like a seabass) and it was very flaky and delicious. came with a side of a plantain mash that was absolutely wonderful! My boyfriend ordered the whole fried snapper - wow!!! I think that was the star plate of the night. Has tons of fish meat and so fresh!! We skipped dessert because we were so full, but a wonderful frangelico ended the dinner. (Posted pictures of everything).
(5)
Elizabeth R.

EXTREME MAKEOVER. The skyline as viewed through Rusty Pelican's enormous picture windows has changed drastically over the last few years. The view of the skyscrapers sparkling and glittering above the waves of Biscayne Bay is more impressive than ever, and now the interior of this favorite Key Biscayne gathering place has been updated to match. The menu has been completely redone as well. It still showcases local fresh seafood, but today's meals are much tastier, prettier, and more eclectic. I visited specifically to try the Miami Spice menu ($33/person 3-course Prixe Fixe offered August--September.) It was a great value, but I think if we had been ordering from the regular menu, I would have had the opposite impression. Highlights of the meal were the appetizers, the Seafood en Papillote, and the Cafe con Leche dessert. For starters we tried "The Rusty" salad and the Miami Caprese salad. Both featured absolutely amazing stupendous succulent heirloom tomatoes. If I had to choose one salad or the other, I'd recommend the Rusty because the presentation was not to be missed. There's also a duck confit appetizer that looked really interesting. The seafood entree was a generous bowl of clams, mussels, and shrimps in an amazing fragrant broth. And the cafe con leche dessert? Trust me! It's everything you want from dessert: cake 'n ice cream, gooey carmelly chocolaty yumminess! Why no 5th star? When the Miami Spice promotion has ended, and prices soar back up to normal levels, I'm not sure we'll go back again unless it's a very, very special occasion. Also, the service protocol is a bit weird. We counted not one, not two, but THREE suits scouting around, bossing the busy waiters, and making themselves otherwise superfluous. Maybe I'm culturally an alien on Key Biscayne, but it irks me when I see someone say, "Pick up that crumb!" to someone else when they could just as easily pick up the crumb themselves. Note to boaters: Rusty Pelican doesn't have it's own dock, but if you tie up and go to Whiskey Joe's (formerly Rickenbacker Fish Company) for a cocktail first, you can walk around the corner to Rusty Pelican.
(4)
Celine C.

Be aware that you have to pay $6 for Valet Parking for Rusty Pelican. There so called "self parking" contains about 10 spots, which is obviously not meant to be for their customers. I wasn't so happy about that. Anyway, the inside of the restaurant is absolutely breathtaking. The restaurant faces the city of Miami with the bay view. The windows are gigantic and they make the restaurant very bright. I believe they just finished renovating few months back. I was disappointed to wait almost 10 minutes for our waitress Andrea come to greet us. I wasn't disappointed at her, but the other servers/busboys/manager who all walked by and looked at our empty table and didn't say anything. Finally, one server decided to say something to Andrea and she came and apologized to us for the wait. She was very attentive and friendly the whole time. I like her very much. Onto the food, the food was good overall. It wasn't a wow factor. My favorite part was the miami cheesecake. That's worth getting. The food is a bit on the pricey side, but it is a good place to take someone on a romantic date. Afterwards, you can sit outside and enjoy the wind. I see that they have a very nice lounge/bar side. It can be a great place to hang out with friends.
(3)
Gwendolyn P.

The restaurant did a wonderful job on the remodel. I visited Miami for a short vacation. As a tourist I think that it is critical to the success of the trip to do some exploring. Heading over the bridge to Key Biscayne is certainly one grand way to do that. The views of the Miami skyline from the Rusty Pelican are fantastic! It does not take a genius to realize that you need to leave Miami to see the Miami skyline. The service that we had was phenomenal which is not always the case in Miami - - - a place where often times gratuity is added directly to the bill. The servers were very accommodating towards my friend and I and did not raise their eyebrows when we let them know that we wanted to share a number of small plates. I would definitely go back here. Try to get a reservation - - particularly if you are going to attend when the Sony Open is going on! In short, Fantastic service, excellent drinks, great presentation and tasty food. A little pricey but hey - - your paying for that expensive remodel and the view!
(4)
Daniela S.

I highly recommend the Rusty Pelican for all events! My sister had her wedding there last month and all I can say is WOW! I worked with Alejandra Gallo in planning all the details and she was really great. She was so nice and helpful throughout the planning process. The food was SO good! It was a highlight of the wedding, especially all the hors d'oeuvres. We had several guests tell us they were planning on going to the restaurant soon to try out more food. The staff was so professional and attentive, especially Mario. We had such a great time, and of course the views are amazing there. The evening was really lovely, thanks to everyone at the Rusty Pelican. I can't recommend this place enough!!
(5)
Carolina A.

Benjamin is the best!! Come on in & ask for him. Thank you, Rusty.... For giving me Ben! The food is always amazing & so is the service!! Thanks rusty pelican!
(5)
Hugo B.

Quality food, great service and location. Over priced.
(4)
Juan M.

Just had an amazing culinary experience here. Ask for Brittany as your server. She is extremely knowledgable but most importantly super service oriented. She recommended the Toothfish, crab cakes and some other appetizers. Great choices. We also had the opportunity of meeting the manager, Cesar. We were not expecting this. He came out to see how everything was which was really nice. The view is spectacular. Ask to sit looking at the water. We came here on a Monday and it was very relaxing and enjoyable. If you are in Miami and are looking for an epic dining experience, look no further.
(5)
Lucy C.

I really enjoyed my meal at the Rusty Pelican. While I'm aware that there has been major changes, most of which my party had a complaint about, I have nothing to compare it to and loved it. The place was trendy, like a hunting lodge but high-class. Great lighting and amazing view of the water. The place had a very new york vibe to it. It was a bit rowdy actually and was extremely packed. Servers were friendly and menus were very chic. Great variety in seating. Was disappointed I couldn't get outdoor seating. Beautiful view, with white couches and campfires. I ordered scallops and loved it. I could not say that about all the other dishes though. Really wish I could;ve tried their famous cheese bread. But I can't complain about the new bread basket. It was very delicious! Dessert was good too. Great chocolate mousse!
(4)
Nilda G.

I was looking for a place to celebrate my mother's birthday and Rusty Pelican has always been one of my favorite restaurants in Miami. No other restaurant can beat their view of the Miami skyline. After I made my reservation I read the bad reviews from TripAdvisor and was hesitant about keeping my reservation being that it has been years since I have been there for dinner. I am glad I kept my reservation. I have nothing but good things to say about the staff and our server Fabian. Fabian was great! He was very friendly and knowledgeable in the menu and very attentive with anything we needed. The only negative thing I could say is for the price you are paying the portions are very small! You will definitely not leave there feeling stuffed but the food itself is very good and the view is amazing!
(4)
Keith P.

I remember the last time before last time i went to Rusty Pelican was maybe five years ago for a high school banquet, so I was very shocked when I came a few weekends ago and saw the renovations. The place was just beautiful, and you get a perfect view of the water and Downtown Miami skyline. Just gorgeous! I had a few appetizers with a couple of friends and really enjoyed the skewers and dumplings. Really good-- not too heavy. Just perfect. Coming here again!
(4)
Cassie G.

Oh Rusty Pelican. It's one of those places where memories are made... Or is that just me? As college kids, it was the place we took our parents to treat us (and 7 or so friends) to an indulgent meal away from the dining hall. It's where me and my boyfriend met at a Greek function in one of their banquet rooms. And finally, it was where me and my five best friends hosted our families for our graduation banquet. There's just something about that view that creates instant magic. I knew I wanted to go back and see the renovations so thought Miami Spice would be the perfect chance. Well, I somehow missed it wasn't offered on Saturdays so we had to settle for the regular menu. Was I bitter? Yes. But is that why I was disappointed in the food? I don't think so. When paying over 100 bucks for a meal for two, you expect high quality dishes and I just did not get that. The goat cheese and duck empanadas were probably the highlight of the meal but the entrees were anything but. The seafood en papillote was mushy and my date's steak was overcooked and tiny. The mango cheesecake was delicious but a whole meal be saved by a tiny dessert. I'll give the servers and staff credit for their professionalism and attentiveness from the moment we walked through the door until we left. Of course, the window seat made the experience a little better but I have to admit, I'll be looking at other waterfront properties with better food for my next night out.
(3)
Abiel O.

The food and view was amazing but the service provided by our waiter, Benjamin, was spectacular. Definitely ask to be waited by him when you visit.
(5)
Saraih T.

It was my anniversary. Our server Brian was attentive, polite, and helpful. He really went beyond as far as customer service. It was my first time there and i can honestly say it was an amazing experience.
(5)
Arnoud T.

Wonderful restaurant! We did not book a table in advance so we had to wait Some time before a table was free. In the meantime we had some drinks outside while enjoying the beautiful view.(photo 118). The decor of the restaurant is very new and trendy. The food was good and the personnel was very helpful and answered all our questions about the menu. The filet mignon tasted good and was exactly the way I like it. If you want a dessert I can highly recommend the cheesecake! If I ever visit miami again I'll make sure to visit the Rusty Pelican again!
(4)
Eric M.

The much needed facelift to the restaurant is a breath of fresh air. It looks nicer, much cleaner and updated, not to mention that bad musty smell is now gone. Of course the restaurant has always and still holds the crown for best views of Miami. That being said, the food hasn't gotten that much better. They can still use some work on paying attention to details.
(3)
Mark A.

My first time at Rusty Pelican....and it was the lunch from hell. Chasing and pleading with bar tenders to take my drink order....and then my lunch order. They were understaffed and the bar staff are very good at avoiding eye contact so you can't ask them for anything...while they focus on filling drink orders for the rest of the restaurant. The kindest thing I can say about the service...is they tolerate you at the bar. 30 minutes after ordering a lobster wrap, it still had not come. So I asked my bar tender if he thought it would be much longer. He said he would check on it. Then he proceeded to keep mixing drinks at the bar. After about the 10th drink mixed...I could take it no more...and said to him..."Where is the kitchen, I will go check on my order". At that, he said, "I got it." and he went running to the kitchen. Warning....the first priority of bar staff is to keep filling drinks fast for the rest of the restaurant. People sitting at bar are a very distance second priority. As luck would have it...my wrap finally arrived but with the wrong fries. (I had ordered sweet potato fries). He wanted to take the order back....but I said...NO, let me keep the wrap at least and can you please bring me the correct fries. He said sure. He set my regular fries down..and went back to mixing drinks. After about seven drinks mixed...he took my fries back to the kitchen to replace them. As I was eating the last few bites of my wrap....the correct fries arrived. Not even an apology was offered. He just set it down and rushed back to the bar to mix more drinks with his head down. The food was actually quite good. I just had an upset stomach from the service. They just plain DO NOT CARE...and it shows. They have one of the best waterfront locations in all of Miami. So I guess they do not care about repeat business. I had been scouting nautical related restaurants for a monthly luncheon location for Maritime Academy Alumni living in SW Florida. Boy are they off the list. I spoke to the manager on my way out...just to vent my frustrations...and she was gracious and apologized profusely and explained that they were short staffed. They should train their bar staff...to at least pretend to care about the customers sitting in front off them at the bar. With so many great restaurants to choose from in Miami....this is the last place that I plan to come back to.
(1)
Dara B.

I dined here for brunch on Sunday. Its worth the drive from Broward. I sat at the bar area and still had a great view of Miami. I ordered the sausage flatbread which was very good. The portion size was great. The wait staff were very friendly and attentive. Valet parking is $6 or you can try to find parking alot the entrance strip. The toll to get onto the Rickenbacker Causeway is 1.75.
(5)
Frank H.

Great location! Good food. Great beer prices but poor beer selection. I think you get your money's worth for sure!
(3)
Francis A.

food sucks here , sorry not sorry, I took my mom on her bday hoping for the best, but we all agreed it was way over rated and luckily shes my moms so she appreciated my effort and its the thought that counted service is good and view is gorgeous but I can get better food at a buffet when I went on the buffet day it was good but for dinner, no way
(2)
Danielle S.

Amazing just simply amazing came here for my 23rd birthday elias was our server and manager ceasar were just so pleasant
(5)
Alex L.

Let's be clear about why its worth going to the Rusty Pelican -- The view. One of the most breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and the Downtown Miami skyline you're going to find. We got lucky that it was a clear night and had a perfect view. There are even some fun fire pits on the patio you can sit near and have a drink to appreciate the view. As for the rest, honestly, it's a bit overblown. Unfortunately this restaurant has rested on it's previous accolades and kept the quality of its service and food at an average level. Really nothing I had here that blew my mind, and the waiter often forgot about our very large group and getting us drinks water. Stop by, get a drink, enjoy the view, then hop out!
(3)
Harvey D.

We made reservations for a Sunday afternoon before visiting Vizcaya and this was the perfect place to do so. We sat outside and had a fantastic view of the water and al of the boats that were taking in the sunshine on the water. I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes with a side of the tostones. The only reason why this place didn't get five stars was the tostones. The waiter really described them well and said they are really good and one of the best side dishes. Not having these before, I decided to try them and they were awful. They had no taste and I had to dip them in the syrup and the chocolate chips to be able to eat them. The pancakes were very good although I did tell the waiter not to put butter on the pancakes and what comes on top of the dish? A heaping portion of butter. I did manage to push it to the side of my plate but I do think that in a nice restaurant such as this, little details are important and they failed on this one. Other than that, the waiter was pretty good. He did forget a couple of things here and there but overall, he wasn't terrible. The bread is very tasty as well. I did really like the pancakes and the fact that they give you a side of chocolate chips in addition to the ones in the pancakes is nice; however, the tostones sort of ruined the meal and I was very disappointed since I could have ordered another side instead. I'm not faulting the waiter for liking the tostones; I just wish he would have described them more like how they really came out. Parking is a little tough if you don't want to valet but if you drive around long enough, you will find a space. Decent service, better than average pancakes, horrible tostones with a fantastic view.
(4)
Jaclyn G.

If I could add 5 more stars I would, this place is incredible! I went here for dinner last night with my family. It had such a welcoming atmosphere and everyone was extremely nice. The restaurant is exquisite and the view is remarkable! Best view of Miami you will find. We had a waiter named Fabio. It was our first time going to the Rusty Pelican so he was very patient and accommodating. He recommended delicious appetizers and entres that were well-prepared; everyone was really satisfied with their meal. He also showed us the half off wine menu, my favorite part. I loved how attentive he was, which is why the next time I go I will request him as my server.
(5)
Gabrielle H.

There are several reasons for my rating so please read further. The new renovations for of this venue are amazing, elegant and fabulous with a breathtaking view of downtown Miami. I recently attended a wedding for a family member and friend with whom I assisted in the planning. On the day of the rehearsal I arrived to find a gentleman reviewing the space layout and run through of the day, which i assumed was the event manager or such, I later realized he was the hired DJ and was simply being helpful and doing the most professional job I had ever experience from a DJ service (ie go to DJClassikMiami.com ). To give a brief background the original wedding venue fell through two weeks prior so rusty pelican was great in accommodating us last minute, however they were not booked so really we were doing each a favor. They needed a booking and we needed a venue so of course they worked within our budget. On the day of the rehearsal the wedding coordinator who sneered when I introduced myself (not as a coordinator or planner) but just my name since I knew I would be doing a lot of the communication with her on the day of. During the rehersal she took notes, helped with the processional and recessional and guaranteed several times she would be around to help with anything and everything to make this a great event. On the day of the wedding we arrived at 2pm to setup for the 5pm wedding. We brough an array of simple props (picture frames for the tables, wine bottles, place cards and card box..normal wedding things). I also brought the flowers to create the arrangements which was a bunch of orchids submerged in water in cylinder vases, not messy or excessive. I also created the bouquet, outside. This coordinator, Stacey Gershon, upon our arrival first was no where to be found then instead of lending a hand or providing a cart she watch and commented "your going to have a lot to clean up after..." not exactly the best way to start the day off. Her comments continued throughout the setup, when my mother asked her where her friend was with was retrieving scissors she exclaimed "shes not my friend, shes my associate" with the utmost rudeness. Other comments referring to time limits and giving us constant time updates instead of helping stressed us all out and then she said, "well you did get a discount", which was the last straw. A discount or not we were paying customers and you took our business. She stuck around for the ceremony and nagged us about time during the photos and then was not to be seen again. We were glad however it was not the service promised. Two other gentlemen, the captain and another, jumped into action to help with some items which was very nice. Overall the food was delicious and all of the other staff was great which is unfortunate that Stacey Gershon put such a bad taste in my mouth that i'm not sure I would consider recommending the location again for another one of my own events as a planner because as a planner their work and comments are a reflection of me and the undue stress is bad for business and the sanity of my clients. Thanks to those who helped to finish this day on a good note.
(3)
AshleyMarie O.

For the first time I've been after the BIG 'OL renovation I must say I was impressed- As we sat down for lunch we were surprised to be greeted with a Miami Spice menu, Bonus! Tuna Tacos and Seabass Ceviche to start followed by Grouper Sandwich and Miami Spice Burger YUM! Probably one of the best burgers I've had in Miami!!! Finishing with the Cheesecake (as amazing as everyone claims) ad the Cafe con leche dessert also fantastic but the Cheesecake was the clear winner. Service was a bit lack luster- the server was obviously too busy and management continued to walk around and "not notice" that we hadn't even been given drinks.. it wasn't too bad of a wait but during lunch people tend to be a little more in and out mode than sit back and relax. He was very nice & handled himself well
(4)
Food G.

Sat outside and the ambiance was amazing. Have a full view of downtown Miami and got to see all the boats and jet skis cruising along. Great place to have a drink and enjoy the view. Calamari and Moscow mule was great. Wasn't impressed with other appetizers. Would definitely come back for the view and drinks.
(3)
Debbie C.

From the outside this place looked mediocre. It's not Capital Grille, but it's not a strip plaza restaurant either. I came here without expectations, which I was glad I did. Our reservation took a little time, but it wasn't that bad of a wait because we got a chance to enjoy their front and foyer. It has an elegant touch without being too uptight! The view of the Miami Beach skyline is AMAZING. Their huge windows really bring in the Miami atmosphere minus the humidity and mosquitos. The mood is romantic. And for those who enjoy a quiet evening with their special someone, this is the place to be! The dining area is not too energetic, but it's not an awkward silence like Morton's (if you know what I mean). So....first here's the first score. Atmosphere 4/5 Now on to the menu...to be honest, I was not blown away by their food. It's good, but not special. They provide a good variety, but they seem to miss a signature to their food. When I ordered dessert, I was giddy with excitement because it sounded divine. When brought to our table, I was pleasantly surprised by the plating--it was fun; however, again, I didn't feel something special. Food 3/5 Lastly, service. I have to say, their staff is charming. I really enjoyed our wait service. They were warm and cheerful. It always makes a meal better knowing the people providing it are happy. Service 4/5 Food is very near and dear to me...so because their food did not "wow" me, I have to stick with a 3 even though I could round up to a 4. Would I go back? There is a chance because their view is SPECTACULAR. I cannot stress that enough. I'm open to exploring more of the menu. :]
(3)
Megan L.

Went tonight for a date with my husband and we had an amazing experience. Our waitresses name was Monica. The wine was great, she recommended it to us. The food was great, my husband had the Patagonia Bass and I had the New York strip. And dessert was amazing, Miami Cheesecake. The service was amazing. She was really attentive, polite, informative, and she was all around very sweet. The food came out quickly and was full of flavor and good quality. Portions were filling, and I don't eat like a bird, that was my biggest concern. It was a good experience all around.
(5)
Sue W.

Thank you for the Best Mother's Day event ever in my life! I usually don't write reviews however I want to spread the word that GM"Ryan" has completely turned this place around. I have lived in Miami all my life and have attended there for work events, etc.. and its always been," Ho Hum". This Sunday my boyfriend made reservations for myself and my mom for , Mother's Day". Where do I begin? High speed valet with virtually no wait to retrieve the car or park the car. Beautiful bus for those who wanted a shuttle to get to the restaurant since so many people reserved. Doors opened with smiles on everyone's faces. Even those working in the outdoor seating with upper high temps. The ENTIRE staff from the water pour people to the Managers were not only super helpful, friendly they literally made you feel like you were "the only one in the restaurant "but the food was spectacular! The most sumptuous buffet with local fish crab and a variety of well seasoned meats and did I say dessert SHELVES with all things sweet. I am a psychologist by profession but two years ago graduated from Johnson and Wales Culinary School. Believe me I know what a fine dining experience is and folks THIS IS IT! ! The minute you arrive there were cookies and lemon water for those that had to wait on such a busy day. Lemon and cloths to wash your hands after you ate in Miami is so not the norm here it was part of the detail. A great authentic Cuban band played dockside ... You would have thought Gloria Estefan would be singing any minute with that Conga beat. Thank you Jo Anna the Waitress who had the comportment of a professional ,Rafael, Marina, Brian who knew the entire history of the establishment and the new fella Cabreses who said, " This is my first day but I want this to be the best time you ever had". Like where in Miami can you have a 5 star experience and actually walk out knowing the names of the employee's when there was well over Twelve hundred people there? Guaranteed you will love this place! Run don't walk before the word gets out for a grand time!
(5)
David S.

A tourist trap! My partner and I took my snow fleeing houseguest to brunch at The Rusty Pelican 2 Sunday's ago hoping to show off Miami's blue water and skyline with good food and service. The views are terrific but not much else was. We arrived on time for our reservation but our request for a table next to the window was declined without explanation. The table they gave us was well situated with an excellent view but the tables we preferred remained unoccupied until we were almost ready to leave. Although the place was far from full, the din made it impossible to converse without raising our voices. There are times and places where noise can add "energy" and enhance the experience. At the Rusty Pelican, at least for brunch, it was just plain irritating. If there was an acoustical engineer hired in the restaurant's design, they should get their money back. Our waiter was either poorly trained or just plain out of it. Despite our entreaties, he seemed unwilling or unable to speak up over the din, so we had to ask him over and over again to repeat himself. We ordered bloody Mary's, which were good, not great, After that, the experience was plagued by a lack of efficiency and anticipation. After bringing the food, our waiter disappeared without asking us if we needed salt-and-pepper. (It was only then we realized that there was no salt-and-pepper on the table) The order of banana cinnamon French toast was delicious and served with real maple syrup. But the Eggs Benedicts came with a single, small, over-poached egg, inexcusable at those prices, which were either eaten or cold before any salt and pepper reached the table. After waiting so long to get salt and pepper, it was extraordinary how quickly a bus boy came to retrieve them as if there was a shortage of miniature salt-and-pepper shakers or perhaps they were afraid they would disappear. The waiter failed to ask us if we wanted coffee after we were finished eating and the plates had long been cleared away. When the waiter brought the coffees, he brought neither cream nor sweetener nor asked us if we wanted any before he turned and disappeared. We asked a passing busboy to bring us some cream and sugar and to let the waiter know we asked for it. The busboy brought the cream immediately but he forgot the sugar and had to make another trip. Our waiter appeared a minute or two later with warmed cream for our coffee, a nice touch, but too late as we had already used the cream brought to us by the busboy. Our coffees were long finished without our waiter returning to see if we wanted a warm-up or refill. When we caught his eye and motioned at our coffee cups, he appeared to not understand the internationally recognized hand gesture for "coffee refill please". A manager stopped by our table to see how our brunch went and we let him have it. His response to our litany of complaints, although initially a bit defensive, ultimately made us feel that our complaints were understood and would be followed up on. We were also comped a $30 dessert of truffles, beignets, ice cream and marshmallows, (which was easily dessert for four) which was spectacular and turned out to be the best part of the meal. In showbiz they say they'll forgive you anything if you give them a big finish. The dessert was certainly a big finish but, with the exception of the desert and the view, we could have had a better meal with better service at a local diner at half the cost, no causeway toll, and no valet parking. I suggest this place for drinks only. Enjoy the view, but eat elsewhere. Just one more thing. If it's true that there is no salt and pepper on the tables at the insistence of the chef because he believes that his cuisine is already perfectly seasoned, as indicated by management, he should at least learn to properly poach an egg. If there is no salt and pepper on the table due to some trendy new (misguided) notion of operational efficiency, which is what I suspect, they should GET OVER IT. That's a cost of doing business. I don't mind paying those prices when you get your moneys worth, but I didn't think the food or experience came anywhere near to justifying the price. Given the scarcity of places to eat on the water, it was a big disappointment!
(2)
Jessi T.

Excellent place! Excellent service! Excellent food! Excellent bartenders! I really loved this place and hope to go back again soon... I just wish it wasn't so far. I've heard that this place was renovated recently and it's absolutely beautiful! The views are amazing, the ambiance is enchanting and trendy, the parking is ample, everything is just lovely. The only reason that I give this place one less star is because it was so hot when I came and the AC wasn't suffice... otherwise, it was perfect. Again, I really hope to come here soon!
(4)
Tom F.

Bad service. Forgot about us multiple times,poor understanding of gluten free options, served two in party with meals more than ten minutes before other two meals arrived.Asked to speak to manager at front desk, waited, finally gave up. Avoid.
(1)
Lenny Z.

I feel the need to write this review because I am so disappointed in the customer service, that I wanted to warn others so their special events don't get spoiled. My wife and I were married there 5 years ago today. I made a reservation over a week ago, making a point to have them note that on the reservation, so they know it is a special evening for us. I just received a call from their concierge, letting me know that they have overbooked for the evening, and any reservations would be waiting when they arrived. Being in the restaurant business I asked if what she meant was just a warning that there could be a small wait as they were very busy? Her response was no, you'll just be put higher up on the wait list and it is expected to be a long wait tonight, they were calling to just warn me. She then proceed with a happy sound in her voice to ask if I would like to cancel our reservation! Wow, it must be so nice that their sales are booming so much that they want to tell people to go somewhere else, especially with a reservation on their anniversary. Believe me, the concierge definitely knew it was our anniversary. She knew we had been married there years ago, I made it a point to express my disappointment in her happiness to cancel our reservation. With a smile she said I will cancel for you. I then asked for the General Manager, she said he was very busy and she could take a note or have him call me back. I cancelled the reservation and told her I felt the need to warn others of this experience so their events aren't ruined.
(1)
Andy D.

The Rusty Pelican, has been around for as long as I have, actually I'm a little bit older, but the things I remember about the Pelican was the salad they made you in front of your table, I think that was one of the unique things I remember as a child that turned me to popular culinary foodism. There were no pastors, tithing or any foolish religious rituals, just look at the pretty plate and eat it. The Pelican, I think became Rusty right about the time my senior prom rolled by. I took Dierdra Fitzgibbon's there and we both got food poisoning, a night to remember, instead of step-en out on the dance floor, it was blowen chunks on the dance floor. As the years progressed they dropped the salad, and the Rusty Pelican got Rustier. I heard a few years back that they had a great Sunday Brunch, and headed that way. It was ok, not a Biltmore or a Ritz, but it was ok, and had great views. I kinda let the Rusty Pelican go it's course, and heard in passing that they were closing for a remodel. I'm back at the New Rusty Pelican and all I can say is I don't see any old Pelican in it. It has modern sleek lines a bitchen bar, and swift service. I felt as if I were in a totally different restaurant. I sat at the bar and just looking at the menu, was love at first sight. They had Duck Confit, Foie Gras & Goat Cheese Empanadas, who makes that, well a real chef does. So I ordered it a BAM a party in my mouth, it was time to order more. I then got the seafood tower, wow, it was excellent. It was fresh, cold and delicious. On the down size it's got prices like Oceanaire Restaurant at Mary Brickell Village. I was excited for Rusty Pelican, same great views, great bar, efficient service, but ugly carpet! :o( can't have everything!
(4)
Fritz G.

Bad waitress, raw fish sandwich, cold fries, weak drinks. Overpriced. Great location but food isn't worth it.
(2)
Maria V.

My family and I had an awsome dinning experience. The restaurant has amazing views and it is so romantic! Also great for the family. The service was on point! Our server Maricio was amazing very attentive and knowledgeable. Ask for him whenever you go! I will totally done here again
(5)
Melissa S.

This place is as good as it gets!!!!!! I absolutely love this restaurant, I will recommend it to anyone, is a must have experience. I went last weekend with my husband and we were really happy with the food and service. The restaurant has a great energy and has a beautiful view. Our server was the best!!!!! we had so much fun! He explained every single plate on the menu because it was our first time in the restaurant and he recommended delicious plates. I will definitely be going back soon, I know some people say is expensive but the service, the food and the abmbience makes it completely worth it!!!
(5)
Alexia E.

Food is horrible. ...smh ...view and renovations I give a five star but the food?? Was expecting something completely different! Hopefully if I decide to go again I will be pleased. ...
(3)
Rachel S.

Having been newly renovated, my date and I decided to check out Rusty Pelican once again. We thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance, and the service was impeccable. The surrounding water views were breathtaking. We tried the whole fish, lamb with pasta, and guava cheesecake dessert. All were presented beautifully. After dinner we sat outside near the floating candles and enjoyed the view.
(4)
Ute L.

Bad service, stuck up waiter and overpriced contrived food. The menu is a confusing mess of Asian-French-Latin fusion. The six people in our dinner party literally stared at our menus for a good 30 minutes and simply could not decide what to order. The food combinations are strange and the descriptions downright scary (tooth fish anyone?). Two thumbs down for a single vegetarian option: fettuccine. Why even bother putting white pasta on the menu? Just skip the veg option altogether. Portions are small and the quality of the food is less than mediocre. - Overcooked salmon and tuna. The BF left half of his 4 oz $36 salmon serving on his plate because it was dry and in desperate need of a sauce. What a waste. - Caprese salad came with unripe mango that was so hard a knife couldn't cut through it and a strange green dressing that no one liked. - Special maki roll of the day had a lot going on and sounded good in theory but I've had better sushi at all-you-can-eat Japanese buffets. The roll was falling apart and loaded with mayo, but otherwise bland. - Salmon sashimi was spoiled by an oily sauce. The menu describes it as a tamari yuzu sauce and makes no mention of crappy oil added to an already fatty fish. - I asked for a side of steamed vegetables and ended up with oily sautÃ©ed vegetables. - $18 gratuity automatically added to our bill although we had to ask for silverware and ice multiple times. At a place with $35 entrees and $15 side salads these mistakes simply must not happen.
(1)
Jennifer B.

Being in the service industry, I have always been a little anti-yelp and do look at Yelp reviews but take them with a grain of salt. However after my horrible experience at Rusty Pelican, I decided to start a Yelp account, as I consider myself a pretty understanding person and this experience was too much. Myself and two friends came here on a Sunday brunch. We waited over an hour for a table in the bar area, no problem. Hostesses werent friendly but seemed to be organized. Sat at table about 25 mins before an unenthusiastic and seemingly inconvenienced server came over with first words being "you ready to order?" We ordered drinks, appetizers, and food all at once. She brought coffee drinks after 20 minutes and forgot a few espressos. 10 minutes later, she shows up with the rest. Food took forever. Oysters and calamari were good, but then we waited another 30 or so minutes for some cold eggs and bacon. "poached" eggs were fully hard-boiled.. When I sheepishly sent them back, they came out poached but still cold. Dennys has a better breakfast than this place! In between meals they forgot to set us up with new silverware so we spent 5-10 mins getting our servers attention, who, when she saw us told a busboy to go see what we wanted. Empanadas, tacos that I have tried before are very mediocre. The service was even slow when we came on a not-busy week day. Leaving the restaurant after over 3 hours left us with a bad taste in our mouth and the unfriendly lady server did not help the situation. The view here is sadly the ONLY thing this restaurant has going for them I am sad to say :(
(1)
David W.

Great food, service anf views.Try the corvina ceviche and passion fruit semifreddo....awesome!
(5)
Ariadna P.

Delicious!!!! I am still savoring my Columbia river Salmon, with delicious mashed potatoes and well...basmati rice (my favorite!!). To drink, I tried their Strawberry Mule, which is Russian Standard Vodka, fresh Strawberries, Lime Juice and Ginger Beer...Delicious! Not too sweet and strong enough to have just one! The view is amazing! Definitely a really nice place for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner!! The service is also great, and very fast. The portion sizes are just right so don't expect to take home any leftovers! Unfortunately I did not have enough room for dessert but sure hope to next time!
(5)
Bogdan M.

where to start. First I have been a constant visitor to this place, I loved the attention and view the variety of food. unfortunately that has changed this past weekend (Father's day) I really liked the remodeling, but I think that did raise prices and change the variety of food. if you give me the opportunity to separate the services, I would say that the price of the variety does not work. attention was good, I think it is always so. the dessert table leave much to be desired, and definitely the price for mimosa (outrageous price). I wish them luck because they will not last long with these conditions.
(2)
Cassandra L.

On a recent spring break trip to Miami, I arrived at Rusty Pelican with 3 girlfriends and a male friend who was showing us around town for the weekend. Having heard of the amazing views that the restaurant offers, we arrived at 9:30PM without reservations. The hostess alerted us it was pretty busy but we were offered a table inside overlooking the water within 15 minutes. Usually, it's best to sit on the desk right next to the water but since it was late and cold, we were perfectly fine sitting inside. The views were certainly spectacular! But the food? Not so much. In short, Rusty Pelican is a restaurant you'd go to just for a nice dinner with a view, not a nice dinner with particularly unique or amazing food. Everything was rather average and underwhelming, but if you go in expecting to pay for a nice ambience and amazing city view, you can temper your disappointment in the food. FOOD TO SHARE: Eel and fois gras - the tiniest bit of fois gras arrived on the plate under a piece of eel and drenched in dark eel sauce. Lots of sauce, so much so that I could not make out whether the fois gras was on top or below the eel. The eel and its sauce overpowered the fois gras completely, which disappointed me since I care for the richness of fois gras. I wish fois gras had been more of the focal point instead of the background complement to the eel. Steak tartare DIY - The raw steak arrives at the center of the plate with 5 spoons, 1 of each filled with salt, diced white onion, minced garlic, some green thing I couldn't discern (parsley? cilantro? not sure), and 1 other ingredient. It is meant to be mixed by the diner and so we did. Unfortunately there was way too much garlic, salt, and onion for the small amount of steak on the plate so our tartare ended up being too strongly onion-y. I would have preferred having the tartare arrive premade, but the DIY concept was kind of cool. Crabcake - Nothing out of the ordinary. The sauce it comes with is good but it's not better than other crabcakes I've had. ENTREES: Local sea bass - The dish arrived with sea bass, basmati rice, and green/white asparagus. Though the fish was well cooked, there was nothing special about it that I could not have found easily elsewhere. My asparagus was slightly overcooked too. Seared sea scallop - My friend ordered this and having watched many Gordon Ramsay cooking shows, I have a good idea of how a good sear on a sea scallop ought to look. These were not done up to Ramsay's standards. In fact, he would probably throw these out. The sear was underdone on 2 of the 4 scallops you get. Lamp shank - Probably the best entree out of all the ones at the table. Cooked very well and extremely good flavors! The goat cheese mashed potatoes were interesting as well. IN SHORT - Rusty Pelican has forgettable food but an unforgettable view.
(3)
Diana M.

The view here is amazing! The food on the other hand is not. It's mediocre at best. I had the shrimp tempura, they were very bland and had more tempura than shrimp. Disappointing. My husband had the very over cooked Lamb. We didn't bother with dessert but did go outside and sit by the fire and gaze at the city lights. Go here for the view and drinks, maybe and appetizer. The view was so worth a mediocre meal.
(3)
Katherine C.

Great food but even better view of the Miami river and skyline. My bf had the short ribs risotto and I had the pasta and they were both divine! Price well worth the experience!
(4)
Guy In The 30 5.

Love this place. Great food. Upscale Fabulous bar. Great place to have appetizers and cocktails. We started with a round of Mojitos. Followed by a delicious crab cake and short rob Empanadas. The portions are good to share with one other person but they are not huge. The crab cake was enormous, but they only give you one of them. A real crab cake - FULL of crab meat! The drinks are strong and tasty. The views of Biscayne Bay are unique and like no other. It really is the best place to view the emerging skyline of Miami. Gorgeous.
(4)
Jonathan C.

Nice brunch spot in key biscayne where you have a nice view of the water and nearby beaches while having the chance to enjoy some good food! I had the Benedict. Good place to relax on that lazy Sunday, and you can go down to the beach of vizcaya afterward.
(4)
Constantine S.

Definitely the best place with a view. You can sit outside. They have a fire pit and the best views of brickell and downtown Miami. Food is quite good as well. Come and check it out
(5)
Geraldine A.

What a view!! I had been wanting to check this place out for a while and finally got to do so last month. Perfect time to go is during sunset, the view is breathtaking. I tried a variety of items on the happy hour menu: Ahi tacos, Spicy Tuna Roll, Baked Crab cake, Calamari and strawberry mule. Everything was on point, particularly the tacos and the calamari. Very fresh, very affordable and delicious. I had a problem with the second strawberry mule, didn't taste well. Asked the bartender to remake it and it wasn't a problem. Service is a little on the slow side but not complaining. Looking forward to come back and share it with family and friends.
(5)
Kristel C.

This restaurant has one of the best views in Miami, the food is great but the dishes were very dirty. Hopefully they can improve that because i really like the place.
(3)
Susan S.

Nice view but.... Overpriced. Ambiance is faux chic. Very touristy. Subpar service. Food is barely edible. Did you know that wine cannot be sweet? I learned this from my high school age waiter who proceeded to upsell me on a nasty glass of $16 chardonnay. Initially seated sandwiched in a corner next to a baby carriage. Told that husband and I could fit if we sat on same side of table. Then when given a nice table, told that actually we couldn't have it because it was reserved. When we refused to leave at least they didn't dump us out of our chairs. Will not be back. Also, Miami Spice is only on weekdays. There are enough dumb tourists to fill tables on weekends.
(2)
Miriana M.

So I decided to give Rusty Pelican a second chance because it was a beautiful clear day and I'm a sucker for outside seating and a nice view! Cocktails are still pretty solid, but service and food, TERRIBLE!!! I ordered the Seared Tuna Sandwich, nothing too fancy or difficult. Besides it taking forever to get to the table, (understandable for busy weekends), the sandwich was the saddest thing I've seen or tasted in a long time. The tuna steak had no color nor flavor AT ALL, tasted as if it had been frozen for a long long time. Needless to say, I decided to stop eating my sandwich after two bites and just fill up on the decent sweet potato fries. I stand by my original post, just stick to drinks.
(2)
Benazhir M.

I've been to the Rusty Pelican more than a few times. The food was never my cup of tea, but the view and the atmosphere is why I keep coming back. I was there recently for happy hour. Some drinks were OK, but others were plain BAD. Prices are good, I give them that, just choose carefully. I had a bad experience with the Pineapple Caipirinha, but the Margaritas were good.
(3)
Bhumin P.

Excellent service with a stellar view! Come out at happy hour and enjoy a mojito at the corner sofa. No tourists around.
(5)
Lilian A.

Service sucked. SLOW!! Received cold soup and unattentive server
(3)
Layda C.

Well, I was really looking forward to this dinner and it turned out to be just average. Perhaps I'm too picky, but when you go out to a nice restaurant, you have certain expectations and things kept happening to knock those expectations down. Service was impeccable - our servers included a trainee but you couldn't tell - they worked well together and customer service was their number one priority. What disappointed? Being rushed - the appetizer dishes were still on the table and the entrees arrived. Asking for lobster tail and getting the whole thing instead - it's not appetizing to some people - they offered to correct this, but I was expecting a one pound tail, not a one pound lobster - there's a serious difference in the amount food. There would have been a large difference in price, but I never asked, didn't care - I just wanted a lobster tail at a seafood restaurant. The manager visited our table for small talk, too long a visit, we went to dinner with each other, not to make new friends - shouldn't he have commented on the misunderstanding regarding the lobster? He didn't and the conversation was awkward. Dessert was not finished and we were given the check. Really? Half the restaurant was empty, it was 2 hours till closing, what's the hurry? Finally, sign at the drive way said valet parking only - sorry for the inconvenience - then, inconvenience me further by charging me for the parking when I get the car back - not cool. Now that I have your attention - rusty pelican is a good place and I will probably return - here's why: Party of 4, snapper was awesome, salmon excellent - order the shrimp cocktail, crab cake, mozzarella tomato salad, key lime pie - all excellent The location and view? Wow!
(3)
Plamen B.

We photographed the wedding of Paulynn & Stephan this past weekend at The Rusty Pelican. It was the perfect location. Having the Miami Skyline as a background contributed to the wonderful pictures that we captured that day. The staff was very professional and the food was great.
(5)
Freddy P.

The restaurant has one of the best views of Miami. It's right on the bay, and you are able to feel the wind and smell the ocean from your table. The restaurant is a little pricey, but the food is very tasty. I don't give this restaurant 5 stars because our waiter was horrible.
(4)
Alex V.

The view is unbelievable gorgeous. The food amazing but a little bit pricey though is worth it. The attention was so so and when I got the check they gave me mine ($116) and when I got the receipt they charged me that amount plus$856 more which belonged to the table right next to us that had like 15 people... So you can imagine how upset that was. They allegedly fixed it bit up until today the charge keeps appearing in my account so I have to go there again and make a claim.
(5)
Oscar S.

My favorite restaurant in Miami! The food and service is always EXCELLENT in addition to the ambiance and view! Last night I took relatives from out of town and they were impressed with the new renovations. Our server Rafael got out of his way to ensure our experience was superb and recommended specific dishes based on our tastes. Even the general manager Wanda passed by to ensure we were receiving the best possible service! Everything we ordered was delicious- all of it recommended by our server Rafael - Corvina ceviche, shrimp bisque and crabcakes as appetizers and halibut, scallops and toothfish as the main entrees. For dessert I always order the Chocolate Sabotage, an assortment of chocolate cakes, mousse, ice cream and dips that is too big for four people! I truly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Gabby S.

We came here for a wedding lunch celebration. Our waiter Rafael made us feel so special and took such good care of us. The whole staff including Wanda who allowed us to take many photos outside and helped make the whole afternoon the most special! We were so lucky to celebrate the couple in such a beautiful place with the most delicious food and excellent service. I absolutely recommend it for large parties!
(5)
David R.

As a restaurant, Rusty Pelican gets 3 deserved stars! 2 for a gorgeous Miami view and 1 for food. When we got there, they were hosting a party that was soooooo loud, it totally damaged the experience for the rest of the restaurant; this they had on the second floor on their "event" section... not well thought from a restaurant stand point. I tried blocking the situation, by focusing on the skyline of this gorgeous city, Miami. The services was good but it could have been better. You know when you get a server that seems like he is working really hard, yet, slowly getting things accomplished? That is how it felt. The server had the best intentions, but intentions are not the same as results. Another thing I found a little awkward, was what seemed to be a manager walking back and forth interacting with tables... like I said, the intentions are there but some people prefer a little bit of privacy. The food was good, it was not amazing. I ordered the fried snapper, and it was good. I also enjoyed the appetizer, which was a variety of cold meats and cheese, as well as cornbread. Honestly, I just feel that this restaurant, because of its location and how they are really eager to help, has so much potential that is not being used... they are definitely going in the right direction, with great staff and a great location... But they are just not there yet.
(3)
Stephanie S.

This is one of my favorite places. The view of downtown Miami makes for an amazing backdrop to an excellent meal. I have gone here with friends and family for lunch and romantic evenings and it has been the perfect choice each time. The braised lamb with goat cheese mashed potatoes is unbelievable. The spicy tuna roll, caesar salad, and croquettes are very good as well. Their bread is addicting. I highly recommend this venue.
(5)
Raquel S.

100% Recommended the Rusty Pelican! Our daughter got married there last week. Stacey Gershon the Catering Sales Manager was outstanding! Everything was perfect! No surprises. No glitches. Excellent service. The food was delicious. The view is the best in Miami. I would definitely have another event here!!!!
(5)
Yasmyn P.

We came in for a friends birthday (Party of 12). It was 10:30 and they close at 11pm (I felt horrible) and they took us in with open arms. This speaks volumes for an establishment!!! The dishes here are beautiful, creative,and delicious!! I had the lobster risotto (delicious) and the 900 grapes Sauvignon blanc. I enjoyed both, only thing is they serve very little wine. I took a bite of tempura shrimp my best friend was having and it was a bit under seasoned for me. I also took a bite of the pistachio crusted scallops and while it was good, although the hash browns and pistachio crust overpowered the scallops. Another friend got the fried snapper and it was amazing!! Very expensive place but the super fresh ingredients and view that is out of this world it's all worth it!! It's a wonderful dining experience I will definitely be returning!!
(5)
Holly H.

I wanted to pack this place up and bring it home with me... I loved everything about it! Located on the northern edge of Key Biscayne, the backdrop is the ocean and downtown Miami skyline. It was stunning! I believe the restaurant itself went through a recent renovation and it is simply gorgeous. My husband and I sat on the large outdoor patio to fully take in the view. It was a very inviting space with white lights hanging overhead and even a few fire pits scattered around. Our server was very knowledgeable with the menu and helpful with recommendations. However, I already had my heart set on one thing... WAHOO!!! This is my favorite type of fish and it's nearly impossible to find in my hometown of St. Louis. The fish was served as four separate medallions, each set on top of a fried tostone. I swear, nothing could wipe the smile off my face during this dinner. I need more wahoo in my life. My husband ordered the lobster risotto, which was presented in such a unique way with the whole lobster set on top of the creamy rice. I stole more than one bite of his dish. It was divine. We unfortunately had no room to try dessert since both of us practically licked our plates clean. We also devoured a loaf of jalapeÃ±o cornbread that was brought out before the entrees. If I were lucky enough to live in this beautiful area, Rusty Pelican would probably be the place I would pick for my birthday, anniversary, or any special occasion meal year after year. It's a truly special place.
(5)
Brenda A.

Great service by Ricky, Ricardo, polite, knowledgable, and so important, he was on top of things, always replenish our mimosas, water etc. His service was second to none! Food as usual a delight.
(5)
Claudia M.

I believe the waiters name is Pablo, but after a few drinks it's a little hard to remember. We had an amazing time. The food, ambience, drinks and view were all the best of Miami. Ask for a window table and you won't be disappointed. You can also dine outside but in a hot Miami day it will be a little warmer. Overall, a great place to eat.
(5)
Divine A.

Has a nice view but food is ok. Very pricey definitely going only for special occasions.
(3)
Amanda R.

My boyfriend surprised me with a Rusty Pelican Brunch and it completely surpassed my expectations! Brunch was at 11, so we got there a little earlier to get a good spot outside. We sat underneath the Orange tarp and ate the crab cake egg Benedict and the sausage flat bread. We absolutely loved both dishes! Our waiter, Julio truly made the experience. He was helpful and attentive... He made sure our bottomless mimosa glasses were never empty! Haha We will definitely be coming back and requesting julio's service :) Make sure to sit outside if the weather permits because the view is absolutely beautiful!!
(5)
EJ P.

If you like to be treated like you are a piece of shit, then, congrats: You have found the perfect restaurant for you. If you don't like to be treated like you are a piece of shit, then stay far, far away from the Rusty Pelican. My advice: DO NOT GO HERE. AVOID THIS RESTAURANT AT ALL COSTS. I have been to a gazillion restaurants all over the world. My experience at this restaurant was THE WORST EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD IN A RESTAURANT IN MY 42 YEARS ON THIS EARTH. I booked this place because I was in town to take my relatives out for a nice lunch, and I had read that this place had nice views. In fact this place does have nice views. But everything else about it is an absolute nightmare. The food is terrible and not cheap by any means. The service is like being in a torture chamber. We were there for three-plus hours because our waiter was so incompetent. But not only was this man incompetent, he was also evil. As soon as we showed our displeasure with the service, he started taking even longer to bring us water, napkins, the check, etc. In other words, he was retaliating against us for speaking up about his horrible service. The wait staff, servers and managers are all incompetent, rude and extremely nasty to guests. They all should be fired. Horrific restaurant. Unless you like to be abused, tortured and humiliated. Oh and did I mention that the Valet Parking guy gave the keys to our car and our car to someone else? As in, we were standing there, waiting for our car, and a stranger drove by driving our car? Yeah. AVOID.
(1)
Kate B.

Views were amazing both of the inter-coastal and downtown Miami. The patio is large and can accommodate many people, but if you prefer to sit inside, you don't have to lose the view with their many tables positioned in front of the massive windows. The food was well prepared and well presented and the wine selection by the bottle was stellar. The selections by the glass, however, were limited. Outside there are comfortable chairs, fire pits, and atmospheric lighting which keep the party going all night. It's a great place to take out of town people who want good food and a good view.
(4)
Jenne E.

Delicious food, very reasonable priced! Very friendly waiters and beautiful scenery. We went with a big group 10 ppl and had a wonderful time
(4)
Andi P.

What. A. View. The Rusty Pelican has had many incarnations over the years (burning down on more than one occasion if I'm not mistaken), but one thing it will always have is a killer location right on the water. I got a free glass of champagne from their Yelp Check-In Offer (heck. yeah.) and was able to choose through their list of bubblies, finally settling on a Prosecco. Luckily I was also able to try their Strawberry Mule which was phenomenal!! I don't usually like sweet mixed drinks but this one had muddled strawberries, tons of lime, and ginger beer- all leading to a wonderfully acidic drink (we ordered a few....). I also tried the mojito which, from the looks of the drinks being served at the bar, was a fan favorite! We also ordered the Corvina Ceviche, which included the traditional sweet potatoes, choclo (giant corn kernels!), lime juice, Aji Amarillo, and cilantro of course. The dish was almost pure perfection. It seems like they added a lot of salt to the lime mixture which kept it from being a full 5 star dish. But let's be real. This place is all about the view. It is the perfect spot in Miami to sit by the water, watch the yachts go by, and sip of a classic mojito, while not entirely breaking the bank. And with the Yelp check-in deal, they seem to know that once you step foot inside, you'll be back many more times!
(4)
Tyler S.

Happy Birthday Stacey ! Came here on a Saturday for brunch. Started off with my free yelp champagne in the bar area watching dolphins and sea planes while waiting for the rest of the party to arrive. Shortly after moved to a big table right by the window. Eating outside would have been amazing but a 9 month pregnant birthday girl requires A/C. To start a I had a great cup of coffee with a side of an amazing Bloody Mary and a piece of their delish cornbread to keep me from getting too tipsy on an empty stomach. The Bloody Mary was absolutely saturated in horseradish ( which I love) without being too chunky or woody ( which I hate ). Others at the table had unlimited mimosas at $18 for the day. For apps I tried one of the ahi tuna tacos, I've had this 100 times before and this one was very well done. For my entree: shirt rib Benedict with tostones instead of potato hash. Spicy , saucy , juicy , delish. Everyone seemed to enjoy their dish, most plates were cleared completely empty. Then came dessert. I don't even remember the name but for $30 they brought out a display that basically was a dessert table at a wedding : doughnuts , ice cream, cake pops , chocolates , marshmallows , sauces , sprinkles. We split it 9 ways and still didn't even come close to finishing it. Overall a great meal for a special occasion.
(5)
Annie L.

I am a teacher and I was looking at the venue to host an end of the year breakfast banquet. I contact the Sales department requesting prices. Stacey Gershon sent me back the menu, and there were three options. I was super excited when I saw the prices because two of them fit into my school's budget, the $20 and $26 menu. I decided on the $26.00 option to provided my students with more options. So I picked a date and decided to set the head count at 30 people, the minimum on the menu to be safe. Stacey even sent me an email confirming this number. When I reviewed the contract that Stacey sent me, I noticed that it was made for 40 people and the price was $1,200.00 ( which came to $30 a head.) I emailed Stacey hoping that this was an error and she told me that it was not. That the minimum cost for the room was $1,200. That if I did(their advertised minimum ) 30 at (the advertised price) $26.00 it would only be $780, which wouldn't cover the people they need to work the room. So why does The Rusty Pelican advertise something they can not accommodate? Why does the menu say $26 with the minimum of 30 people if it can not be done? Doesn't the additional 22% service charge cover the staff? And why did Stacey send that menu to me through email?
(1)
Dorothea P.

The view was incredible but I wasn't please with the food at all. I went for lunch on Saturday and the best thing I had were the mimosas
(3)
Maria I.

Amazing food. I came for the Father's Day brunch and it was incredible! The food was fresh and there was so much to choose from. The bottomless mimosas are a great add To all the food that they had. The sea food was fresh! The mini deserts were all great choices. I have yet to be disappointed when I've come here.
(5)
Amanda N.

I fell in love with the entire experience. Gorgeous views. Fantastic food. Ask for Raul he made our night so special.
(5)
Giovanna H.

Overrated. Beautiful views. Great for events and socializing. Don't really care for the food. Brunch is a must though! And happy hour as well. Go for happy hour or brunch.
(4)
Karin S.

My husband brought me here as a birthday dinner surprise. I had been here for baby showers more than 10 yrs ago. So to my surprise, the whole place had been gutted to a nice swanky style. Loved the entrance of the restaurant with the glass wine casing, nice touch. They sat us at a window table facing the inter-coastal, just an all around nice and romantic touch. We started off with drinks - Rusty Pelican Pain Killer and Pelican Harvest, they were GREAT!!! For appetizers, we started off with the crab cake and short rib empanadas....delicious. For dinner I had a Seafood fare, which had 2 lobster tails, 2 huge shrimp prawns and one yummy stuffed clam served on top of creamed cauliflower...who would have thought it would have tasted so delicious! Besides the fact that I was on a Romantic date with my #1 guy, he did a great job in picking this place. 2 thumbs up!
(5)
Boris M.

First I want to mention... yes.. I looooove food.. and good food. I travel A LOT and I go to great Restaurants and not so great. I have to say, I was actually impressed with Rusty Pelican. I went for brunch first with my partner and we loved it so much we decided to bring the whole family the following week. The food is just amazing.... I'm a fan of good crab cakes.. so they got me right there. To tell you the truth never thought Sushi there.. but WOW. Delicious.. and beautify. The presentation was so good that it took me a second to eat it. UNLIMITED MIMOSAS for $18... YESSS... Everything I tried there was good. Please.. try the rum tres leches desert... you will remember it forever. Now... THE VIEW... there are no words to describe the beautiful view from this Restaurant. You have the whole Miami/Brickell skyline and Bay. Service : WOW WOW WOW.. I'll give you 10 stars if I could. Thank you all, especially Rafael for making me feel like home as well as my family. Wanda, the Restaurant Manager also AMAZING, one professional and caring woman that came several time to our table to see how we were doing. If you are visiting Miami or just a local.. YOU HAVE to come and try The Rusty Pelican... amazing experience with amazing food and atmosphere. Great Happy hour during the week as well. THANK YOU. :-) I will definitely come back.. and soon.
(5)
Sahara B.

Save room for dessert... The cafe con leche is a must try!!! Crab cakes were amazing as well!!! Great service!
(5)
Raymond M.

I just want to say that first I love this place. I have been here many times and the service and the food just keeps getting better. My favorite waiter is Akos he always goes out of his way to make sure everything is just perfect..this last time even the manger Wanda Tamayo came to our table to make sure my husband was having a great birthday experience and had a special desert sent to our table... I give Wanda, Akos and the whole staff a big thumbs up... Thanks again Raymond Molinary
(5)
Adrian S.

Problem 1: 9 listings of Sauvignon blanc on the menu. Zero available. Problem 2: The sushi was amongst the worst I've ever had. It shouldn't have been labelled sushi. Not sure of the appropriate name. We haven't had main course yet but at this stage expecting the worst.
(1)
Emily F.

Rusty Pelican: great views, terrible service, mediocre food. It's really difficult to mess up a restaurant where you have the best views in Miami, along with a decent chef. The Rusty Pelican somehow manages to mess up spectacularly. I came here on vacation with four friends, and we all left feeling cheated. This review deals specifically with the Gilt City voucher that promises four tasting dishes and two drinks. There are two compelling reasons to come to the Rusty Pelican. They are: - The views. They're incredible. Ask for a table outside on the patio or one near the window. If you sit in the back of the restaurant, you could be at any TGI Friday's. - The crab cake is easily the largest crab cake I've ever had, and it was delicious. Our other favorite was the ceviche. On to the bad! The Gilt voucher was $39. It included four small plates and two drinks. By the time we left, each of us had paid $61. The voucher was supposed to be 51% off. We were not able to pick our own tasting plates and we were automatically charged 20% gratuity for terrible service. I would have rather paid full price for items that I could select myself and tipped for the service I received. This isn't clear on the voucher. It seems that neither Gilt City nor the restaurant had any specifics about what the voucher entailed. - When we first arrived at the restaurant, the four hostesses present didn't say anything to us for five minutes. When one finally decided to pay attention to us she angrily told us to just give her a minute. Okay ... - We requested a patio table when we made the reservation, but when we arrived, we were told that we would need to wait 30-40 minutes for a table outside. We ended up waiting over an hour. - We couldn't find anyone who had heard of the Gilt voucher or who could tell us who we should give it to for redemption. Eventually we found a floor manager (the only person with whom we had a good experience) who had heard of the deal but she never explained any of the details to us or the waiters. She handed a packet to the waiter while we were ordering our four plates. The waiter read the packet then informed us we didn't get to choose the plates. - While we were waiting for our table by the bar, we were handed menus and told that we could each select four small plates. When we were finally seated at our table, we were told by the waiter that the small plates would be selected by the chef. We were not told what the four plates were going to be before they were brought to our table or asked about food allergies/preferences. Before the second course, the waiter told us we were about to get a salad. We received roast pork. - When our plates came out, ingredients were missing from a few of the plates. For instance, one dish was supposed to come with avocado but only one out of five salads actually had that ingredient. Similar things happened in the other courses as well. - The meal took about three hours. We were at the restaurant for a total of 5 hours including the wait for our table, despite the fact that the tasting menu had been presumably selected in advance by the chef. - When the bill arrived, we were charged 20% gratuity (for a party of five, for a meal that had truly terrible service) and tax for about $100. They itemized the pre-selected small plates and drinks and charged a percentage of that for tax and tip. - One of our friends forgot her ID and couldn't order the two drinks that were part of the package. The bar manager said that she could order an additional plate or two as a substitute. When we were seated and actually tried to do this, our waiter told us that we couldn't substitute the drinks for food. He encouraged us to drink her cocktails instead, since we had "already paid for them." Of course, the charge of the drinks increased the tax and the automatic 20% gratuity. Any one of these things in isolation would have been totally understandable and fine, but the entire dinner was a service disaster. No one informed us at any point what was going to happen or what we were going to be charged for. Luckily, the views are incredible. Otherwise, we would have left feeling even more annoyed than we already were. We've sent an email to Gilt City asking them to be more specific on their voucher. Definitely do NOT recommend this experience.
(2)
C Z.

I thought this place was better then what others reviewed it at, maybe because we sat in the bar/lounge area. Our server, Andres, answered all my questions about the sushi selection...and his suggestions were right on. The drinks were fantastic. FANTASTIC! This ambiance of this place was just as fantastic. Right on the water, views of the city, it can't be beat. I did not except a place like this with a name of 'the rusty pelican'.
(5)
Megan M.

Views are great! There were lipstick stains on my husbands glass and the service was less than desirable.. Food was ok. I would go back but only for the view..
(2)
Donald W.

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary and the waiters and the rest of the staff was outstanding!!!!
(5)
Ann T.

We went to Rusty Pelican last Friday night to attend a Quince party. We arrive early so we went to the bar for some drinks. Our waitress was Judy Garcia and she was a excellent one at that. She recommend the Pelican Caipirinha which was a excellent drink, so I had to have two. She also recommended the Serrano ham croquetas and they were delicious also. She was a very attentive waitress which is hard to find at some restaurants. Since we had such good service and food we will be returning.
(5)
Claudia J.

Place has been remodeled, great views, ok service, great views. Came to this palce for a reception dinner with a large group. Staff overall is ok. Food was a ok, I don't know if it was because it was a large group, food came out cold. The view is to die for, but the food... ok, no big deal.
(3)
Scott W.

This place has always been good and still is. The food was excellent and we had a great time. They do a really good job catering to large groups.
(5)
Maria G.

We gave a Rehearsal Dinner party to honor our son and his fiancÃ© on June 5, 2015. We had 90 guests. The party turned out great. The view was spectacular. The food was very good including the shot glass-desserts. We had paella and carved meat. The service was excellent. Stacey Gershon, marketing sales manager and Mario and his staff worked arduously to make our party a success. We definitely recommend the Rusty Pelican for any of your future venues.
(5)
JoAnna L.

I thought the service was pretty good, for a packed Saturday night. Without reservations we only waited about 20 minutes to be seated at like 7:30. We sat at the bar and listened to the bartenders recommendations on food and drink. We ordered the mojito (very good) and the rusty spice (Amazing!!!!). It had flavors of watermelon, lime, ginger, cucumber, and spiciness from Sirarcha (sp?). It was comparable to the delicious Auntie Ox at Mercaditos. The Bar staff was very friendly and attentive, even though they were busy. I noticed a lot of "suits" walking around and telling people what to do. As soon as I pulled out my credit card at the bar a "suit" appeared out of nowhere, "Hello, how are you, do you need to cash out?" and then swiftly grabbed a bartender to give me my check. Interesting....I saw the "suits" throughout the night schmoozing with some of the regulars. I guess it was fun to watch. So we got to the table and were greeted in a timely manner by our waiter who was very courteous and polite. Throughout the night we had a few people helping us with things like drink orders, water refills, and I think there were food-runners. But it was clear who our actual waiter was. For appetizer we ordered the pork belly. It was just ok. It kind of needed salt, or a smoky flavor that I'm used to. Going off my waiter's recommendation I had the sea bass (toothfish?) entree with smokey mashed plantains, mango salsa and like a micro greens salad. It was OUTSTANDING! I gobbled it up so fast that I finished my entree before my husband! That NEVER happens! My husband had the NY Strip with fries and sauteed veggies. It was cooked exactly how he asked, however, he asked the waiter if they had like a chimmichurri sauce (God Bless him and his strange taste buds). The waiter said that they didn't have chimmichurri, but he'd figure something out. About 2 minutes later he came to the rescue with a guava-bbq sauce that they usually put on their filet. My husband was very happy. Our waiter seemed super busy, but never flustered. He was very accommodating. We were happy with our overall visit and will definitely be back to try out some more food and for those dangerously good Rusty Spice's. Too bad it was too cold to sit outside :-(
(4)
Holden M.

My girlfriend and I have been talking about going here, because we heard it had an amazing view, and excellent seafood. The view was amazing, even despite the extremely heavy rain outside, and the atmosphere was perfect for a date, because the tables have a lot of privacy despite the openness of the space. The service of the waiters was what you would expect at a classy place like The Rusty Pelican, but nothing extraordinary. They were doing their jobs adequately, but without too much sincerity, which is fine. I ordered a wild mushroom cappuccino to start, because it is my duty to try all weird coffee beverages despite how absolutely unsure of it I was, and I was impressed when our waitress took my wild mushroom cappuccino off the bill after I couldn't finish it. That said, it really was not a cappuccino. It was soup. Soup with espresso and chunks of mushroom and some foam on top. Not what I signed up for. My grouper sandwich was excellent though, and the fries were great as well. I was extremely satisfied with the meal, and it wasn't nearly as expensive as I thought it would be. I'd recommend it for a nice date. I'd suggest dressing up a bit. It's not really a casual place.
(4)
Patricio V.

Made reservations for 8:30 pm. Waited 45 minutes to be seated... 1 hour to get the entree... 45 minutes to get dessert and I'm still waiting for my coffee... Food is good but service has been the worse tonight.
(2)
Nick M.

I feel like the Rusty Pelican deserves a second chance with a new Yelp page to represent the NEWLY RENOVATED Rusty Pelican! :) I went to the old Rusty Pelican years ago and was never really impressed by their food. The only thing they had to offer that would make it worth the visit was the view. The newly renovated Rusty Pelican is a completely different story. The minute you walk up to the front door you can see this is not the old Rusty restaurant it used to be. This place did a complete 180 and you can taste, smell and feel the 7 million dollar renovation! The food is very good and the drinks are well prepared. The staff has to be the friendliest I have yet to see in Miami so far. I plan to come back for dinner soon.
(5)
Gloria C.

Came here to celebrate my Mom's 60th birthday and we loved it!!!! The place is beautiful, great views, great food. Wonderful place for a nice dinner or for a celebration. The atmosphere is great & location is just prime. The staff was very attentive. Thank you for making this a memorable visit. I will definitely be back all the way from Boston, MA...
(5)
Abby C.

Came here for my boyfriend and I anniversary. The waiters at first seemed friendly. We ordered fried calamari, empanadas and the ceviche for appetizer. For our actual meal we got the steak. $51 per person. The food was amazing and the view was even better that's the only reason why I have it 3 stars. After we got our steak it was like we were invisible to our waiters. But the service was horrible. Everyone but our waiters (there was 2) came to our table. Our drinks were always empty and one of our waiters kept passing by back and forth never asking if everything was ok. I'm a server myself and understand you can't always be at the table but never coming by? Not seeing our drinks are completely empty? And we would try to call them and stop them by our table but they would continue walking.... Not a fan and if I got there again I will request not to have these servers. We came here for a special occasion and the service should have been a lot better.
(3)
Whitney K.

If it looks like a Holiday Inn restaurant, and tastes like a Holiday Inn restaurant ... you can bet I'm not impressed. Sorry, guys - I know the Pelican tried to scrape some of that rust off, but I think they missed a spot. Although it's one of the (surprisingly) few places in Miami with seating on the water, the experience is generally lacking for the price. Aside from the fact that I don't really want to eat anywhere with industrial grade carpets, service was appalling. We had two waiters, neither of whom could remember or place our order in a timely fashion. When our food finally did come (after we gave the order twice to one server and once to the other), we were hurried through our meal and out the door. Don't worry, I didn't let it hit my ass on the way out.
(2)
Andrew S.

Wow, really upped the ante. Brunch is fantastic, and the ocean-side restaurant has really matched food with view. New design, new chef (at least since I was last hear, years ago). Very excited about this redo. I went for brunch, again, and had the Crab Cake Benedict, and really enjoyed it. Have I had better food? Yes. Have I had this CALIBER of food with such a Miami view? NO. Sitting at the edge of Key Biscayne, driving through the boat docks, everything about it screams 'escape' but at least we are still in the US! Just an amazing experience -- treat yourself.
(5)
Mirta E.

I want the old Rusty pelican back!!! The rustic charm is gone replaced by a pretentious atmosphere . The menu ha been replaced with overpriced bland food. The service attitude leaves much to be desired. If you are considering dinner here, save your money and eat elsewhere. If you want Miami beach price and attitude , you go to the beach. They should have spent some of the eight mil on buying and serving more food this is not an art gallery it's a restaurant !!!!
(1)
Mathew M.

Stopped here on my visit from NY. This place had a great view as its right on the water and the food and drinks were great too! I had the crab cake benedict and it was delicious! Great place overall.
(4)
Carrie B.

Awesome brunch spot on the water! Sitting in the bar area was a little more private and I was digging the 70s-ish decor. The service was decent, though we had to really look for her at the end when we were trying to get out of there for the airport. That with the jacked up prices docked the 1 star. Food was touch-and-go, half was great, half decent, though the portions were good. I'd likely go back just for the bar and view.
(4)
Adianys M.

Horrible customer service for their $$$. McDonalds drive thru offers better service! I was very dissatisfied with their service and decided to even write to the Company, that was 2 months ago and I never heard from anyone. Goes to Show you customers don't come first there! They need to stop spending $ renovating and invest a little more on costumer service training for their staff. Everything before their renovation was so much better! Probably new everything!
(1)
Katy S.

Mother's Day Disaster! Let me start off by saying I've been going to "The Pelican" since I was little. We've even had our family's Thanksgiving dinner there. So when this happened I was extremely disappointed! Went for Mother's Day brunch this time around. Got my plate, made the line for eggs, bacon, etc....What's the first thing I see? A long dark black hair in the eggs! YUCK. I decided to let that go since it was MD. Then, the air conditioning was off. We had to ask THREE times to turn on the ceiling fan or make it colder in there. Other people in other tables were even fanning themselves with their napkins. Ridiculous. Lastly, I asked for a shucker for the crab legs. The waiter brings me a dirty, dirty, dirty shucker he had just taken from the table he had just finished cleaning. I told him it was dirty and asked to have a new one. He disappears around the corner for literally 5 second and came back with the same one!!! Are you serious, Abbott? (the waiter. ) F this, I'm out. We left after that. For the first time in my life, ladies and gentleman, I do *not* recommend this place to anyone. This place has gone to crap. I guess the Pelican truly has gotten Rusty. LOL (cheesy, I know.)
(1)
Sharon M.

A true classic for Miami! Breathtaking view of the city, great service and out of this world fish dishes. Try the Wahoo fish and the crab cakes.
(4)
Nicole P.

First the view is beautiful so just for that alone it's a great place. Besides that the food was delicious, I had the whole fried fish and it was cooked to perfection. We also had the lamb shank which I saw for all of a minute because my boyfriend quickly devoured it which has to mean it was scrumptious! Seriously the best thing was the cafe con leche molten cake with Oreo ice cream, yeaaaaa it was so incredible I'd go back to sit outside with this dessert in front of me and relax with a great view.
(4)
John T.

I had been here back in 2009. It was fine, especially since Key Biscayne lacks many places that aren't in a strip mall. I came back this week and the place seems better in all ways. The seating outside is wonderful for eating, or just have a drink by your personal fire pit. Happy Hour has discounted drinks (Martini's, Margarita's, Mojito's, etc)...at a better price than at most dive bars. A $7 martini, really? Awesome. The food is great and diversified. The prices are a little high for most visiting from out of town, but for this standard for the area. Go to this place for a nice night out while on KB, trust me its a good time!
(4)
Alex H.

I've been to the Rusty several times, but more recently for special occasions (a retirement and wedding/reception). The Rusty is a very unique restaurant. I don't think I've actually been able to sit and eat during a regular night. I can't justify it. When I go out I like to be able to "do something" besides just eat, even if it's walking around. Unfortunately, the Rusty isn't setup for that type of experience. Service is spot on. I can almost dare you to try to find an unpleasant person working there! They, to me, subscribe to "the customer is always right". How can you lose with that kind of policy? Food is always good. It's never been over the top. For the retirement party, we had a buffet serving for about 400 people in their banquet hall on the second floor. Fish, meat, pasta, pies... It was very good. Can't complain. For the wedding, it was surf and turf on a bed of pilaf rice. The fish was a little under, but not by much. The salad was "ok", but if you read my other reviews, I'm not a fan of salads. Bottom Line: Great for larger parties for special occasions.
(4)
John B.

Great food, even better service. Ask for Tex, he knows what he's doing!
(5)
Angelo R.

I took a fellow Yelp member here for lunch before the Marlins game. It was his first time here however, this was probably my 10th visit cause I love this place. Love the views and they did a great job on the renovation. We were greeted and sat right away close to the water view window. Our server greeted me by my first name..nice touch cause I felt welcomed right away. We ordered Sea Bass & Salmon Croquetas to start and my goodness...they melt in your mouth! We should have ordered a second one but I know the sandwiches here are huge portions. My friend had the Miami Spice burger (Buffalo Mozzarella, Grilled Jalapenos, Arugula, Roasted Pepper Aioli) and I got the GLT (Beer Battered Grouper, Lettuce, Tomato, Caper-Lime Remoulade, Brioche Bun). Yup...there were big yummy sandwiches and even came with fries. So much for dieting, but chowing down w/ a killer water view, well..can't beat it :) Service was top notch and the cleanliness of the restaurant was "A+". Next visit will be for dinner to take in the view of the Magic City skyline at night!
(5)
Laura D.

Wow! This place has really changed over the years. Although they no longer have their brunch buffets, they made up for it with their renovations, spectacular glass wine cellars, and great food. It's also a great place to watch the sunsets outside on their patio that oversees the bay. After going to a Yelp Elite event there, and taking a tour, I realized that they can also accommodate large and small weddings. My friends are getting married here soon, and I look forward to experiencing Rusty Pelican once again. During this Yelp Elite event, the restaurant was extremely generous with the amount of food and drinks they served all of us (over 100 people). I could tell that they have really stepped it up with their customer service as well. Good job Rusty Pelican at updating to meet Miami's high standards.
(4)
Luis P.

The attention is gentle and precise. The entrÃ©es are well presented and delicious. The coconut flan is breath taking. ENJOY!
(5)
Matt B.

Incredible view. Overpriced- even mediocre at times- food. I love to go here once every 4 or five months. Just long enough to forget about the food always being a disappointment. I will say this though, the renovation is very well done, a d it was a bit better last time. So maybe things are on their way up. They're missing some obvious prime dishes there, and it doesn't make sense to me. Lobster tail dinner wasnt there. Weak offering for a seafood restaraunt. But then again you up there for the view, the view, the view. Did I mention the view's the best damn image of miami you'll ever see. MB
(3)
Bianca E.

You truly feel like youre getting the perfect Miami fine dinning experience here. Best view in Miami and delicious food.
(5)
Beth Z.

Very disappointing. Go check out the view and skip dinner. The food was fair for the very high prices, and the staff was incompetent. It took us 2 hours to be served, and that was after we ordered!
(1)
Jun S.

After 9 million dollar renovation, the place became gorgeous with the established Miami skyline view. But the food (even with all new menu items) remains decent. You basically pay for scenery.
(4)
Erudito C.

After having reservations for 1 week in advance we went to dinner saturday night before mothers day. It was a horrible experience first they told us there was an hour wait to go to the bar area and we were given this alarm system that lights up when your table is ready just like the cheesecake factory.How can this place charge this prices treating people like this?Sorry but thats not my idea of Fine Dining ,also The Menu!!!! no one knew what to order ,it was horrible! asian,latin all mixed together ,small plate ,large plate ,sorry this place is not for me and the background music ROCK ,is that music appropriate for dinner at 10:30 at night ?I think 1star is enough but since the view is beautiful I give 2 stars .
(2)
Monica A.

So my mom had her 40th birthday party here.. 16 years ago. The renovation is VERY impressive. There's a cool lounge/bar area with an unparalleled view, a glass walk-through wine cellar, and cozy outdoor seating area. I could definitely see hosting an engagement party, graduation party, or other classy event here. The food was good - not anything to alert the press about - but good..as food should be! The service was also renovated from the last time I was here -- we had a very attentive server. I can tell the staff has undergone intense customer service training. There were managers at every corner ushering people to bathrooms/opening doors, etc. This place is not luxurious and it is not decadent. It is elegant, classy, and simple.
(4)
Ken And Betty F.

Calamari Small Plate appetizer is the BEST we have had in South Florida, bar none! Absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The ambience was spectacular - with the view of the Miami skyline as the sun is setting how could it not be? The staff was more than gracious from the charming hostesses to Dario and our waitress, Ashley, we could not have been more pleased. Entrees of Ahi Tuna with the INCREDIBLE GRILLED WATERMELON !!!! and the Bone-in 16 oz Rib-eye were EXTRAORDINARY. Desserts pf Chocolate Sabotage and Coco Panna Cotta were the PERFECT ending! We will return from Broward very soon - worth the trip!
(4)
Iletuno E.

Cool spot with good views. This was my second visit since remodel. I'd like to like this place. Sat in bar area and waited several minutes for a server to come by. Didn't happen, so we left. They weren't busy.
(2)
Madile D.

Went for Easter Brunch yesterday and it was HORRIBLE !!!! Very few food choices, cold food, bad service...and a check of 197 $ !!!
(1)
Veronica J.

One word to describe this place....awful! The only thing that was good here was the bottle of Cab Franc and the view. My friend and I started off with the foie gras and eel on a tostone. The tostone was so hard and tough it almost flew off my plate when I tried cutting into it. Sent it back and ordered one without the tostone. It had so much eel sauce you could not tell there was anything else on the plate. We also ordered the pork belly. It was dry and tasteless. For our main course my friend ordered the duck and I ordered the lamb. Yuck and Yuck. The skin of the duck was not crispy at all...the lamb was unappetizing. It was wrapped in phyllo and put on top of some very spiced mashed sweet potatoes so the phyllo was soggy. The waitress was great and very apologetic. She said that since we were not happy with anything she was going to tell the manager. A man in a suit came to clear our plates and he was about to walk away when we asked him if he was the manager he said he was. I asked him if he knew we were not happy with our meal he said yes....I let him know that I was now really upset because he was just going to walk away with our plates without even addressing the situation. He tried to apologize, they comped the meal and gave dessert which was not very good either. They call it cafe con leche and it is pretty much a lava cake and ice cream...the cake had a burnt taste to it... A real shame that such a beautiful restaurant can produce awful food like that..will not be going back again.
(1)
Bent B.

It's like walking into a bad scene on Miami Vice, I'm excited! They have great views! But you kinda get the feeling thats... the only scene everyone else is counting on too, including the staff, runners in charge of food, management, bewildered patrons: " But look at the scene... he said! " Im just saying....I've been to McDonalds after one of those Pelican Scenes, but, Who's gonna pass on a little Miami Vice tonight? Thats why we love ya Rusty, you should be in Pictures! Just dont get hungry....
(4)
Nicole K.

This was my first visit to Rusty Pelican since they remodeled and I was not impressed. I took my friends who were visiting from out of town expecting a nice dinner and was incredibly disappointed. I chose this restaurant for the views. They are amazing. Too bad nothing here lives up to the view anymore. The food was so disappointing. My friends and I ordered several appetizers and then entrees and everything tasted like it was straight out of a Sysco truck. The prices (expensive) did not match up with the quality of food at all. The crab cake was substantial but did not taste fresh, the tuna tacos were decent but tiny, my foie gras and eel was such a disappointment. The sauce was way too heavy and the foie gras was overcooked!!! So sad... My friend said her salad was not that great and the avocado "fries" were fatty and icky. My entre was a fried snapper and it was horrible. There was no seasoning on the fish, not sauce on the plate or even salt on the table to make it palatable. The soba noodles it came with were not good, either. The service is not good. While our waiter was not rude, he was definitely not properly trained. Neither was the rest of the waitstaff. When I am paying over $120 a person for dinner I expect a certain level of service and it just was not there. Our waiter did not know the very limited cocktail menu at all and was no help in ordering drinks. Once we did order they took forever to arrive. Our plates were also not cleared when we were done and instead were pushed to the side of the table when our entrees came and still not picked up. We also had one of our appetizers fail to arrive until after we were done eating. Things like that annoy me at an Outback let alone somewhere that is supposed to be "nice." The final straw was when my friend's steak came out with the wrong sides and she had to send it back. The busser WIPED HIS NOSE WITH HIS HAND THEN PICKED UP HER PLATE. I am sorry but that is DISGUSTING and UNHEALTHY. I was to grossed out to eat after I saw that. So yeah, while Rusty Pelican easily has one of the nicest views in Miami I will not be going back. I will stick to Red Fish Grill where I have yet to have have a bad experience and the views are just as nice.
(1)
Kadi H.

Great good but atrocious service. First, they lost our reservation and didn't offer so much as an apology for doing so. When they sent us to the bar to wait on a table with a view, it took 20 minutes to get service. Upon finally getting a table, it took another 15 minutes before being greeted. Our server showed up only to take our order, fill our glasses once, and the hand over the bill. The food and view were both great but the service was bad enough to stop me from recommending the place to anyone.
(1)
Jim C.

Horrible parking, service and out of the 2 beers we ordered. Stay away. Tourist trap
(1)
Nathan H.

The quality of the food and service do not correspond to the $$$ price range. The view was great but was not enough to overcome the average service and food. I had a $38 filet. It was tender and was cooked properly but it lacked flavor. To compensate, it was topped with a tangy BBQ sauce. I was not a fan of the sauce and believe that a proper filet shouldn't need to be drenched in sauce. Regarding the service, the parts of the dining experience that should move quickly were slow, and the parts that should be savored were rushed.
(2)
Steph D.

I went a school trip with my students here today for a breakfast banquet event. The venue is beautiful- the view, interior and exterior. The service was prompt and friendly. The banquet food was cold, boring and blah. I was sitting at one of the first tables served and the meal was almost too cold to eat. The plating design for breakfast was a huge pile in the middle of the plate including eggs, potatoes, bacon and a pancake. Overall, beautiful venue and efficient service, but below average BANQUET food.
(3)
Juan L.

Felt upon parking that I was entering an amusement park. I had to park over a two minute walk away from the restaurant and there was a huge gate and sign welcoming me to the restaurant. I then almost got run over by a gold cart zipping through the parking lot. Was met warmly by the hostesses. I was told that this place has undergone a big change as it was recently remodeled. It was described to me initially as having been a Tiki Bar/Trader Vic's type of establishment, which I would have been ok with . I get there and it was very modern, clean look. Very nice interior. Huge wine fridges, small little cigar humidor. Good looking and professional staff. Food was very good. The California roll appetizer was pretty good, although not great. Really wanted to get the ceviche but I did not see anyone else get it in the restaurant. Ordered the red snapper. It was fried. It came whole. It was delicious. The glaze that came on the dish was just the right amount as it did not overpower or compromise the taste of the fish. The udon noodles that came with the dish were tasty and flavorful, albeit a bit lukewarm and the small, on it's side takeout box that was on the plate that held the noodles was a bit weird. Cafe con leche dessert was super good. (I noticed that they love using oreo cookies in their desserts as it is the base of at least two of them) Wait service was great. And followed their recommendations to a tee. I don't regret it at all. Very kind folks... and I think the pastry chef came out to describe the dessert. Will go back there again for sure. Next time, I will go there and have drinks before hand.
(4)
Joanne L.

We just came back from eating one of the best meals I've had at the rusty pelican. The place was recommended by a friend but after reading other yelp reviews we were torn, but then decided to go. I'm so glad we did. The food was phenomenal and our servers were awesome. We were even gifted with dolphins and manatees swimming off the deck as we ate. The views are to die for and I am so glad we went. Can't recommend this place enough. We will definitely go back when we are in Miami again. We've been here for a
(5)
Selena B.

We stopped in here for their "happy hour" menu, and it did not disappoint. The bartender served us in the lounge and he was EXCELLENT. He knew the menu inside out - and we got exactly what we wanted, sometimes before we even knew what we wanted ourselves. His service was TOP NOTCH. The food was also very good. I had the slider (which comes with fries) for five bucks (best deal), and a cesar salad which was pretty heavy on the cheese for my taste, but nonetheless, a great generous portion and good overall. The food came out pretty quickly too. Parking was easy, but seeing we were there for "happy hour", it would be, wouldn't it? The view was incredible. The place was clean, fun, and a great ambiance to it. We went to Key Biscayne to check it out and have a meal - and after not finding anything that appealed to us whatsoever (it seemed like all of the restaurants were in strip malls), we headed back to the bridge and tried the Rusty Pelican. It's the first thing you see when you cross into Key Biscayne from the bridge we took therefore, we tried to go into the island deeper to experience it more, but I'm glad we found nothing to our liking and headed back to this place - a happy surprise!!!
(5)
Edward L.

Food - 9/10 Service - 9/10 Atmosphere - 10/10 Used to be my favorite date spot a couple years back, now they've gone and revamped the entire restaurant and menu, but the glorious view of the Miami skyline is still the same. The old menu would be classified as Seafood/Steak with a Miami twist, but now they've added some Asian fusion into their new menu with an assortment of sushi and udon. Unfortunately, they've also eliminated their pastas (lobster ravioli was a hit back then). You can sit inside or outside, there's a dock nearby for boats, and a cute little pond at the entrance. Service is very attentive. FREE CHEESY TOAST BREAD IS AMAZING. Now for the new menu - Recommend: Calamari Raw Bar Selections (3-Tiered Seafood Platter is not worth the $175 price, just order separate things from the raw bar) Surf & Turf Whole Fried Red Snapper (my favorite, definitely an eye-catcher when they plate it) G.L.T. (from their brunch/lunch menu - Grouper, lettuce, tomato)
(5)
Laura S.

An absolutely dissapointing experience. We left feeling insulted after paying such an expensive bill for such a terrible meal. The good: The renovated restaurant is beautiful. Views from the dining area are incredible and the outdoor area is really lovely. The staff was very polite and friendly. The bad: Food prices were outrageousand the food quality poor. Everyone out of our party of 7 had a tasteless dish...served cold."Roasted vegetables" on the side were steamed and had no flavor, not even salt. Grilled jumbo shrimp were gooey and seemed to have been steamed, not grilled. For the first time in my life, my dad sent back his ceviche. Filet mignon came overcooked and bland. Bagel roll was the only saving grace. The old Rusty Pelican used to be a family favorite, but I will not bother returning to the new one.
(1)
Tina D.

New Year's Eve was the biggest rip off! The owners really don't care anymore! They are just looking to rip people off because of their location! Very sad. The founder must be turning in his grave.
(1)
Kurt L.

Wow! After so much hype we were left disappointed. Couldn't get a waiter to take our drink order (had to flag down a manager) placed an appetizer order and the waiter left before we could finish our order. After another hour had to find another manager to take our entree order. No one checked on us or even asked if we needed another drink. The terrible service really ruined Christmas dinner with my family. The only reason I gave two stars was that the food was good but we certainly won't be coming back for another meal.
(2)
Anne M.

The view is absolutely amazing. The food is delicious. However, the service, not great at all. I have dined twice is the last 6 months and both times had to wait to try and flag down my waiter. This past weekend our bread basket arrived after our entrees, which we had to ask for 3 times. Mind you we had appetizers as well so it took about 20 mins. There is no reason why it wasn't placed on the table when the bus boy arrived with our water. Thats another terrible part of their service. They have 2 bus boys for 15-20 tables, neither which were on top of things. At 84 degrees you would think to keep an eye out. One walked by holding the water pitcher, glanced at our almost empty glasses, and proceeded to the next table. The only reason I will go back is for the view & the food. They must work on the service.
(3)
Spectacular views can be seen from the Rusty Pelican of Downtown Miami, awesome at night looks magical with all the lights reflecting over the water. The crab and lobster are delicious dishes, smart dress code here Valet parking at the entrance, high class establishment next to a marina situated on Key Biscayne Rickenbacker Causeway 913, easy to reach from Miami Downtown
(5)
Andrew R.

Started with the escargot, and it was my first time eating it. It definitely made me a fan, with the flakey pastry bottom, the buttery cheesy sauce, and the (what I assume) nicely cooked snail. The only problem is my escargot bar is now set very high. Next up was the crab and lobster pasta. It wasn't spicy at all, but I wasn't complaining. Big and plentiful chunks of crab and lobster and a creamy sauce made this dish awesome. Maybe TOO creamy of a sauce...but maybe that's just a personal preference. The portion size was big, too, so you definitely get your money's worth. Dinner was had with the sangria. It was pretty good, nice and fruity and used a decent wine too.
(4)
Rich S.

I loved this place before the renovation and I love it after. The menu before was just ok and the food wasn't that great but the view is what this place is all about. I love to go for early lunch before it gets busy. The new menu includes spicey tuna sushi which is awesome and the GLT (grouper sandwich) is really great too. The food is great now, but the menu should be expanded a little.
(4)
John L.

Great ambiance and service. Add the view of Miami and you have a place worth a visit. Interesting menu, well prepared food. Perhaps a bit pricey but considering the entire package, worth it for a special event or person occasionally.
(4)
Lynn P.

Incompetent wait staff managed to spoil what seemed unspoilable. The view off the back terrace is gorgeous and the money they have thrown into the much-needed renovation is obvious. But when you come for a drink at sunset and the sun goes down while you wait thirty minutes for four drinks, it's not so lovely. After hunting down the waiter (there were five of them for fifteen tables, so it didn't seem like serving us promptly would be such a challenge) to ask where our drinks were, he was unapologetic bordering on rude. When the alcohol finally arrived, the bottle of water we ordered did not. So we explained the situation to another waiter who got the S Pelligrino but didn't include an "I'm sorry about that," either. I described the service to the management before we left, because it is a shame that they would spend so much attention to detail on the makeover and no attention to the quality of the staff. She was apologetic but never asked where we were sitting, so I felt I had been appeased and sent packing. The guy at the table across from us had nearly had a meltdown over something wrong with his order and the woman at another table near ours got her food but no place setting. Bummer, because there are so few places you can go in Miami that are on the water.
(1)
Tony P.

The Rusty P Brunch is one of the best !! took the whole family there on Sunday it was one of the best time i had have there so far grate food :)
(4)
Leslie G.

The most fantastic view of Downtown Miami!!!! Food is pretty good. Love the New York Strip!!!! I have to say the desserts were awesome. Must try the Apple walnut upside down cake!
(3)
Samantha M.

Fantastic place... The last restaurant I went to in Florida before flying 6 hours back home to San Francisco.... Gorgeous views of Miami, great ambience, great service, wonderful food and wine! The servers were really friendly and personable, One of them saw that I had a Bjork Ipad case and she mentioned that she also loved Bjork and we had a nice time discussing where we had last seen the aforementioned goddess in concert. I told the beau to tip her extra, just for that! LOL. But seriously this place is so gorgeous, especially the outdoor area! sit outside on a nice day and it's just the most amazing atmosphere in the world! Peaceful, quiet, (Aside for an occasional plane or jet ski) And the dessert was to DIE for, literally melt in your mouth amazing! I'm not exactly sure what it was, as another member of our party ordered it, I just tasted it, but it was a little chocolate cake with amazing white creme. I can still taste it! Everything was amazing and I would totally want to go back when next in the Miami area.
(5)
Amie K.

Very nicely re-done. The food was fantastic and the view was amazing (as usual). Service was great - our waitress knew the menu well and made good suggestions. The lunch menu provided nice portions and good prices. I'll definitely be coming back for dinner.
(4)
Shenika T.

I went here for dinner and I must say I was loving the scenery! Very elegant. My date went previously and said the place looks completely different from his last visit. We had a reservation and the young lady who was getting our table seemed confused and distracted. There were 3 ladies behind the desk and only one doing the checking in. The other 3 were either talking to each other or looking equally confused. We finally got checked in and halfway to our table, the hostess said we needed to go back to the front b/c that table was taken. So halfway back to the front another hostess took our and said they had another table and apologized for the back and forth. To start we ordered 3 small plates: Baked Crab Cake, The Rusty Spider Roll and Sea Bass Ceviche. All there were delicious! I loved that the ceviche came in a fish tin, very interested. I also tried their Biscayne Julep cocktail and it was OK. Nothing I would order again. For my entree I ordered the Pan Seared Day Boat Sea Scallop and ugh, I did not enjoy this at all. Everything on this plate lacked flavor (Saffron Risotto Cakes, Sweet Eggplant, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and the Scallops). I felt sick and couldn't bother to eat anymore of it. My date ordered the Crispy Fried Whole Local Red Snapper and it was very delicious. I loved that the noodles came in a little Chinese take out box. His fish was very moist and flavorful. It taste like the fish was marinated in oatmeal, lol. Idk it had a distinct taste that I've never had before with fish. Overall the experience and view was amazing. I would love to return and try other items. But this time, I wold like outdoor seating.
(3)
sandra v.

I went for our anniversary dinner on Monday. We had an amazing time!!! this the moment you walk in you feel so welcomed. Everyone was so nice to us. Our view was the ocean and downtown Miami. It was breathe taking. Our waiter was great. Everyone the worked their came to our table to congratulate us on out wedding anniversary and asking if we were enjoying ourselves. The food was great! At the end of the night our waiter showed up with a plate of yummy desserts and a happy anniversary message written on the plate with chocolate. I would recommend this experience to every couple out there.
(5)
Katie P.

I've celebrated my birthday over here. It was a Woohoo! experience indeed. Polite service, elegant and welcoming atmosphere, superb food and overall fabulous impression. I work in hospitality industry, so this description I've just written means a world. There are not so many places, which can boast a spectacular location, fantastic food and impeccable service. Our waiters Maurizio and Kelly together with their assistant Mike, made this dinner not just a regular dinner, but a fantastic holiday. The menu was versatile but condensed, you have a lot of choices, but you're not getting crazy with overwhelming amount of food. You've got several appetizers, several seafood dishes and several meat choices. Salads and sides...Everyone got to try a little bit of everything and was not unhappy or disappointed. Great job, Chef and kitchen staff! Highly recommend this place if you are looking for an amazing time to spend with your dearest.
(5)
Lily S.

Absolutely Love this place and their staff! From the hostess to the waiters. Everyone was very accommodating and the food and was delicious! Oh let not forget about the wonderful view!! I always recommend this place!!
(5)
Stephen F.

After hearing many friends talk about their unbelievable Sunday brunch, my partner and I decided to check it out. This has now become our go to place for Sunday. I've been many many times and finally decided to give a review. I've never had anything but superb service, professional, and personal from all of the staff. Each time we've dined here the manager has come over and greeted us, and she actually remembered us and reference previous conversations! The food is amazing, but for me, I always get the crab eggs benedict. It is amazing, served with an overly generous portion of crab that is how crab should be served... pure and left alone! The bacon strips are thick and always cooked to perfection, crisp but still has a lite chew. Although not the cheapest place, I wouldn't say its expensive either, moderately priced for the portions and quality I would say. I just love this place and wish you all the best of luck in the new year!
(5)
Patty ..

Popped in for drinks, a bit on the expensive side so I cannot tell you much about the food and not many people where eating. Views are pretty nice if they offered drinks specials it would be worth going more.
(3)
Rebecca C.

Ugh yuck! Keep this in mind as a forewarning but like all the reviews here - it's only ONE experience of the millions. I came here for a training of about 30 people and ... we all got food poisoning. Why? Because the water was shut down for the day, who knows why? But after our visits to the bathroom, we figured it out when the water wasn't working... and then.... they served us lunch. We should have taken that as a sign to not eat the food, but who would of thought that a well-established, well-known place like this would have unsanitary eating conditions? What a disappointment & never been back. I wish I could enjoy what some of you all experienced there but I doubt I'll ever go again.
(1)
Mark W.

This place has been totally redone. Everything from top to bottom, including the parking lot has is new. The only the thing they kept was the building shell and basic structure. The old Rusty was getting a little too rusty. You won't get that complaint now!
(4)
Bobby M.

How many long reviews can any place have before it just gets repetitive? Hence why I will be reviewing the Rusty Pelican in Japanese Haiku form. Pretty good service Name is a sex position Awesome Sunday brunch
(4)
Billy B.

Came here the other day to check the newly renovated place and i was impressed! The place looked really good, plus the breath taking view of the Miami skyline adds a lot to it! As you walk in, the hostess welcomes you and writes your name in a small card. I was lucky enough to get one of the best seats facing the water and the MIami view, then the Manager comes by and greets you, ( I was wondering how did he know my name? Now i realized why the hostess writes your name down, she gives the card to the manager, so he could call you by your last name when he makes his visit on each table...I think that's a great idea! ) I had a glass of Chardonnay.. they seemed to have a variety of choices for wine but i got the one recommended by our waiter and it was ok . The food was awesome. I ordered from the Miami Spice Lunch menu and got the GLT. The grouper was good, just a little oily.. I started with Ceviche which was really good and ended with Cafe con leche for dessert... wow! That dessert was great, i enjoyed it to the last bite, highly recommended if you choose the Miami Spice menu!! Service was outstanding! From the hostess, to our waitress, and the manager who welcomes every guest! I give them a thumbs up for doing that! Friendly, and just a relax environment to enjoy your meal! So would i recommend this place? Yes. Give it a try and enjoy the food, the view, the place, the great service, and have a wonderful experience!
(4)
Lisa B.

Love it! The view is nonetheless breathtaking. The service is knowledgeable and fast. The food is pretty tasty! The drinks are goooooood. I love this place and cant wait to go back! Love the new modernized 70's style decor. The location is prime! Definitely give it a shot. A bit pricey but don't worry about it. Just have fun and enjoy the scenery!
(5)
Alaina L.

Went here last month. My husbands family has a condo in Key Biscaynne, and come here quite often, but it was my first time. Apparently it has recently been renovated, well they did a great job. The restaurant was just beautiful. The huge wine coolers in the entrance were amazing, and the view was jaw-dropping. What a gorgeous skyline, and what an amazing location this restaurant has. We had to wait about 40 minutes for a table, but we went to the bar and got fast service there, so it was not an issue. The drinks are pricey, but that is not a surprise for the area. And they were quite yummy. They didn't skimp on the alcohol either, which is always a plus when you are paying an arm and a leg for a drink. We got seated before they had estimated - bonus! The waiter was really great, he was funny, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The food was excellent - nobody had any complaints and everyone had room for desert - which was also delicious. After dinner we all went outside and took pictures with the beautiful skyline. It was really a great night. Minus one star for the prices. That really was the only downfall.
(4)
Jessica E.

Excellent view! Delicious food!! Amazing service!!!
(5)
Sabrina Anna C.

Dear Rusty Pelican... I come here for lunch often, being that its a great escape from the Key itself, where I work, but yet not over the bridge, which by then is deemed too far for lunch. Now I've never had any major service issues when I've been here during the day. Maybe its because the place is so empty that it's literally impossible not to be attended on with 5-star service. But overall, every time I've come I've had decent service. Not GREAT or EXCELLENT service. Just decent. Anyhow, I decided to try something new last Friday - this Ahi Tuna & Crab appetizer that was very tasty. It was chunks of wonderfully-flavored raw tuna with a crab and cream cheese spread on top and then a layer of caviar to top it all off. It was such an amazing blend of flavors and textures. Very yum and something I will want to have again. This was a definite win. My coworker and I also shared the calamari, which was good (and it came with tempura veggies that were very crisp and tasty), and the Oysters Rockefeller, which I discovered I do not like. Maybe it was part of the same bad batch of Oysters that Adriana had? Fail. So, over the years, you have become just OK. Your reputation is dwindling, as is your prestige. There is this old and stale feeling to the inside of the restaurant. When was the last time you cleaned and dusted? So perhaps some renovations or just revamping is in order. Either way, I suggest you try to fix it. Sincerely, Sabrina*
(3)
Bette C.

Great location and views, i was there mid-afternoon and it was fairly quiet. The service was friendly and well intended,but very slow. It took 20 minutes for two glasses of wine. We had the small plates and yes they were! If your not in a hurry and want something light to eat, this place is worth the views, just make dinner reservations for after drinks.
(3)
Annamarie R.

This place is incredible. From the moment we walked in The service was beyond impressive! The host staff asked me my name and if I've ever been here before, and when I stated it was my first visit we were welcomed with a generously enthusiastic hello. When sat at our table our waiter had addressed me by first name as if I was an old friend followed by the manager (who also knew my name and that it was our first visit). Besides the enthusiastic cheerful staff the food was truly delicious and fresh! Not to mention the beautiful almost art-like presentation the creative chefs provided.Its surprising the prices were fairly low for such a quality establishment. We will definitely be returning!
(5)
dee g.

Worst experience of my life. Terrible food and terrible wine service. Managers do not care about you - staff does not care about you. Derek was hanging all over his girlfriend Nicole giving her free wine and it was embarrassing as a patron. The view is excellent and parking is available. Go for the view. My fish was overcooked and bland but the garnish was tasty. Nice wine room when you walk into the restaurant.
(1)
P T.

Drinks and snacks at the bar was both pricey and underwhelming. The view is muddled by an elaborately lit bar. Valet is just about required which also adds to the frustration. I would pass. If you are there now just order a beer and sit outside and enjoy the view.
(2)
Ivonne G.

What a mediocre experience! I was excited to have a great day with the family and the view and service was great but the food was so blah.. What a disappointment. I use to come here back in the day when they had a huge buffet style brunch and now it's a small menu of brunch items and assortment of small plate items. We ordered the croquettas as an appetizer which were yummy but a bit on the salty side and the order was small which is why we ended up ordering 2. Most of the table ordered the crab benedict. Great presentation but no taste at all.. Super bland. The plate had a side of the most tasteless tomato and potatoes that seemed boiled at best - it was terrible!! The orange juice was really tasty- that is all that stood out. I'm totally disappointed that this will probably be the last time I do brunch at the Rusty Pelican.. Unless they go back to their famous brunch buffet. I think that the renovations to the Rusty Pelican was needed but they should have never changed what worked for them.. The brunch!
(2)
Anya R.

I went here a couple years ago when I was visiting Miami, FL for the first time and all I can say is the view in the back patio of this place if breath taking. I tried to capture it with my camera but it does it no justice. The food was fancy schmancy and good but I enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant, how it was near water, etc. I went for dinner and I can see this being a great spot for brunch and lunch too. I went with someone that was really picky about their food and they kept messing that up but they were really nice about all of it so customer service is big. Very good date place.
(4)
Philip S.

I must say that this restaurant has one (if not ) the best view of Miami. The great layout of the place allows almost everyone in the restaurant to have a view of the city. The service there has always been great and the food and the quality has always been great.
(4)
M P.

This place is amazing!!! Wasn't sure what to expect after the renovation but we were blown away by the remodel and ambiance, very clean and modern. The lounge is super sheik, with really nice wine cases at the entry with a wine list to match delicious new food and great service! I also like that there is self parking or $6 valet unlike South Beach where I paid $20 to park on a Tuesday night in an empty restaurant... * The Pelican Caipirinha, delicous! not too sweet, plenty of Brazilian Rum all hand muddled * Sea Bass Ceviche!! super yummy with a cool presentation with a tin on ice, kept it cold as we took our time and enjoyed our wine, server recommended Pali Pinot which matched perfectly * Whole Red Snapper, crispy, hot and superb!!!! * Dessert was incredible too, Cafe con leche!! oozing hot, server said homeade & baked to order After reading other reviews its fair to say the old rusty is gone, the new one is here to stay, just think about going and relaxing with a loved one and friends and enjoying the view and food~ M.
(5)
Ron S.

I've read through the other reviews and am quite surprised at many of the comments and disappointments people experienced. Yes I recall the tired old stinky landmark from my youth... Loved it and hated it then, but now - WOW! Perhaps the finest restaurant meal I've enjoyed this year. From the hostess to the waiter to the stewards to Chef Michael Gilligan - true genius! We started with a beautiful light white wine (recommended by the chef), then came our ceviche - PERFECT, made with Chilean sea bass, which stands up to the lime juice perfectly. Next up, an amazing preparation of toothfish (sea bass), unlike anything I've experienced before. A new bottle of delicious red wine to accompany an amazing braised lamb shank- never had one better. You definitely want to indulge in a dessert, enjoy the Miami skyline and linger a while. This renovation, the new chef and his amazing team have transformed The Rusty Pelican to better than its best ever! Go - Say hello to chef Mike and let him know I sent you. Heartily recommended and worth saving all month for!
(5)
Ivy O.

What a magnificent view of Miami! I have only had a chance to eat here once- it was a Sunday brunch and I was very impressed as well as my stomach also. For about $40 per person you get UNLIMITED mimosas and free reign of a buffet. There were so many different types of food- from breakfast type to lunch. Everything that I tasted was great and delicious. The dessert table was the death of me... I tried, I'm pretty sure, everything that was given. I gave a totally different meaning to sugar rush. All the waiters were very polite and on top of their serving game. I know that 40 dollars is not the cheapest way to have your Sunday brunch but I encourage you to try it once (anniversary, birthday treat), and I don't see you would get disappointed.
(5)
Pat M.

I've never eaten at this place, but as someone who worked there my advice is to go, sit where you can enjoy the view of the skyline, have a drink, and leave. Whatever you do, don't eat anything that comes out of that kitchen. Let's just leave it at that.
(1)
Stephanie S.

My Pelican Harvest drink is one of the best drinks I've ever had and I'm a bartender. Grey goose poire w cider and cinnamon on the rocks? I'm not quite sure how they got the perfect amount of cinnamon but it's amazing. We started out with the calamari. It comes with a creamy buffalo dip which was the main reason for me ordering it. The calamari practically melted in my mouth. Perfect crispy-ness, the dip has a great spicy flavor, delicious! It was served with about equal amounts of the round ones and the tentacle ones. Then I ordered the Patagonian Toothfish which they actually labeled as such and not as sea bass. It was cooked perfectly and it too melted in my mouth. It was served with mango salsa over creamy sweet potato mash all on top of a smoky pepper. I ate half of it for lunch today and I still can't wait to go back! My boyfriend ordered the scallops and he said it was great. The presentation was neat with each scallop topped with an orange wedge. For dessert we ordered the key lime pie which they decorated the plate to spell out happy birthday which was an awesome touch. The pie was great, a perfect finish. Our server Jason was superb, the bussers were always on top of us to take away every crumb, manager Dario checked on us to make sure everything was ok, over all a great, great experience! I can't wait to return!
(5)
PJ S.

This place is the original "Chum Bucket." We booked a 2 PM seating for Sunday brunch after a recommendation from a local as the best place in Key Biscayne for lunch. We never got to try the crabby patties or the view, aside from the view from the dark waiting area. We went to the maitre d' station after arriving ten minutes early for our 2 PM reservation. A confused man with a really bad toupee wrote our names on one of several crumpled sheets of yellow legal paper he kept fumbling with. We were then deposited in a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd of folks standing in the waiting area. While the toupee fumbled papers and called names, various waiters and management staff would swing by and randomly pluck parties from the line to direct them to a table. The toupee would read names and numbers of parties from his crumpled legal paper. At least two thirds of the names he called out did not respond. In all likelihood, they had already been seated by someone else. This went on for a while until we were almost the last people waiting. It seemed strange, now well after our 2 PM reservation, that so many people who entered after us had been seated. We checked with the toupee, whom, it turns out, had long ago scratched our name from his sheets. He never called us. We were eight feet from him the whole time and would have heard him call us if he had ever tried. Nobody ever checked the online reservation system. What a circus! We left. Fortunately, from what I see in the other reviews here, we were lucky. We had a reasonably nice lunch at Novecento (900) further down the road. No view, other than golf carts in a strip mall, but better food. All in all, Key Biscayne in general is a must-pass. If you are studying suburban environments in the US, you may find it interesting. We did not.
(1)
Shay J.

I finally got the chance to experience the newly and improved Rusty Pelican and I must say that I was truly disappointed big time! Its all expensive for NO reason at all, my family and I went here for Easter Brunch. It was just the 3 of us, two adults and one child. The bill was a total of $242.00, which had to be pre-paid online for the all you can eat Easter buffet. The last time we dined here for Easter the experience was a lot way better, they had more of a selection to chose from. They mostly had breakfast food and a lil bit of heavy meals. I really don't care to go back anymore , I think it should have just stayed the way it was before. Okay maybe it was dated on the way it looked but at least the food was better and affordable. The last time we went there, there were more ppl and also there was an Easter Bunny passing out candies for the kids , there was none of that this time except for this clown that did face painting and balloon animals for the kids. Even the music was better. The place has just gotten to fancy for my liking and just ridiculous, I had to confirm my reservation through email they sent me which I then filled out a form with my credit card info and then 2 weeks later got another email saying that they apologized for the inconvenience but they miscalculated and needed to charge me more money. My husband was just over the whole Easter Brunch thing at this point, he didn't even wanna go anymore...Anyway save ya money unless you just wanna go to experience the new look and feel like I wanted too, keep in mind its not worth it though.
(2)
Eddy M.

Great crab cakes! Too bad no more Sunday brunch tho!
(3)
Gretel P.

Well first of all i want to say ignore whatever bad reviews there are here about this place. I went with my bf for my birthday which he made reservations online, and our experience was great!! The host set us up in a very nice table next to the window with an amazing view since my bf had requested it in the reservation. As soon as i sat down the waiter greeted me with a happy birthday which i was very pleased and impressed because they did exactly what my bf had asked. The service is incredible when we ran out of soda our waiter would imediately come witthout asking to refill. The food was beyond amazing i highly recomend the filet migon WOW! at the end they sang me happy birthday and brought me a nice firework lighted dessert in a glass. This place is amazing I cant wait to go back the only reason i gave 4 stars is because of its location kind of far from my where i live but so worth the drive!
(4)
Rick Z.

The view is the Excellent ! The wine selection right up there with the view. Poor food.
(2)
Jason P.

Came here for brunch. Overpriced. Small plates were ok, seafood salad dishes were not that impressive. But atmosphere was excellent with a great view of Miami.
(2)
Diana A.

2 stars for the view. It's a shame that such a beautiful restaurant has such ugly treatment of its customers. Nothing pretty about being overcharged $60 on your bill because the bartender "forgot" to credit what members of your group had already paid. Even worse when the MANAGER does not believe you until your mom texts you a picture of her receipt for the amount she'd paid as proof. Rusty Pelican: where the customer is always wrong, even when they're really right. Never. Coming. Back.
(2)
Kevin Z.

The Rusty Pelican has been around forever. My mother remembers it from when I was born in Miami. Since I have moved back, a lot of people tell me this is a great place to go for a special occasion. That thought was in mind when we made reservations for 10 on Mothers day. I know mothers day is a busy time for any restaurant, so we made reservations well in advance. The reservation turned out to not mean a thing when we showed up. The place was unorganized, unprepared and packed to the limit. (maybe beyond) When we arrived, and told them about our reservation, we were asked how many in the party and that we would be put on the list. If I had know this was how we were going to be treated, I would have gone elsewhere. We were eventually seated in a back room by a window that was annoyingly hot. It seemed that they didn't have the temperature set correctly, or maybe some window shades would have worked. The back room was also cramped to packed, like the rest of the restaurant... On Mothers Day, the food was in a brunch buffet. There was an OK variety of food that seemed to take too long to get refilled. The quality was good though and everyone that was in our party seemed satisfied. Of course this is after a couple rounds of Mimosas! I was generally let down from the hype people had created for this place. I will, of course, go back when it isn't a holiday. Their reputation deserves a second, and maybe a third, look before dismissing them. I'll make sure to update if I feel different.
(2)
Vadim B.

Best service, best food so far I have seen in Miami! Would love to go there again!!!
(5)
Elizabeth M.

I am incredibly disappointed with Rusty Pelican. I have been coming here for as long as I can remember. I hate to admit it, but it was time for a renovation. So I made my reservation to check out the renovated Rusty Pelican and was excited to see what a 9 million dollar renovation looked like. DECOR: The place is nice! The cheesy nautical/fishing theme was replaced by a chic Key West feel. Walking through the new doors I was excited! The gorgeous view we came here for was still there and I was happy! This place kind of reminded me of the Houstons in Aventura with a much better view. If you're visiting Miami for the first time, I would recommend you come in the evening whether for dinner or drinks or just simply for the view. EXPERIENCE: One of my dinner guests had a arrived about 10 minutes earlier than our reservation time. They kindly asked him to wait for the entire party to arrive. Fine. When the rest of the party arrived, I walked up to the hostess to be seated. She could not find my reservation. What??? I had reconfirmed just hours before with an employee no one knew. I checked my phone. Yup, I had called the right number. They were rude and unprepared and rude. They just had us standing there for another 10 minutes while they figured out what had happened. In the mean time, another lady possibly a manager yells at another employee about checking on the bathrooms. It was pretty embarassing for him and made us really uncomfortable. What a way to start the evening! Anyway, when we finally got seated I looked around and noticed several empty tables (10 or more). What on earth was all of the fuss about? FOOD: I had read in the Miami Herald that the Rusty Pelican had hired the chef from the W South Beach - Chef Michael Gilligan. Yes! Another reason to be excited. So we looked at the menu and decided to order all of the small plates we desired to start. Ugh. Disappointed. Nothing great, just really small fancy plates. The kind you find in South Beach for people who don't really eat. We were so turned off we decided to go somewhere else for a meal and by this time, we were hungry! In fact, it was way past midnight and we all looked at eachother and said, "Casolas?" That's right, we left and went for pizza! RATING: I give it 1 star for it's incredible job with the renovation. The place looks nice! I give it another star because of the view. It's beautiful and impressive. Where else can you marvel at the Miami skyline unless by boat? I just hope the hostesses and chef get thier act together! They are making the place look bad. Oh and btw they aren't serving brunch either! Booooo!
(2)
Mark G.

Worst place I have ever been. Ever. As in ever. Horrific food and service. Food cold. Service disinterested. Manager defensive about issues brought to his attention. How many different ways can I say horrible? I would rather drink the salt water from Biscayne Bay than eat here again.
(1)
Joanna P.

New place looks so good, they may need to change the name away from "Rusty". One of the top views around. Crab cakes were amazing, avocado fries sounded great (how can avocado and fried not be fantastic) but didn't match the sauce they were served with. Once paired with garlic aioli, they tasted a lot better. Scallops weren't cooked properly but asked to be improved and the new ones were much better. We were with a large group and they did a stellar job of serving us all at once.
(3)
Veronica J.

Waited 20 minutes to park--whereas you have to pay and park with their valet! Made a reservation and they were telling people "everyone" has a reservation and just putting people on the same list as those without, poor host. Waited over an hour in spite of having reservation, went to the bar to get mimosa in the meantime and the bartender tried to charge us for it and then said he had to give us a different glass. When finally seated, inside, even though we requested outside, we had to ask for extra napkins, crab crackers, crab fork, and everything else! Server was pleasant but inefficient. Food was good but not great for price and they need to improve the Service. $40 is the cost for the brunch on Sunday but wide variety, rating would have been hire if any semblance of efficiency of customer service was in place.
(2)
Cate M.

This used to be our favorite brunch place. Last fall, we were told it was closed for renovations. The renovations are beautiful, but they no longer do Sunday brunch. The view is gorgeous, the building is nice, but we will never go there again. This place was famous for brunch - now it's just another mediocre over-priced restaurant catering to tourists.
(1)
Rolo T.

Great views of the Miami skyline and solid food. This is a terrific place to take guests from out of town. They have a really nice bar as well.
(5)
Joanne M.

The only reason I'm giving them two stars, is because of the view. The food was awful and overpriced. The service although okay, was nothing exceptional. I'd only recommend this place for drinks and even then only when you can drink them outside. The inside smells of bathroom cleaner. I hope someone new buys it.
(2)
Jay W.

My wife and I were at te Rusty Pelican twice n the same week in mid-december. The new facility very nice indeed. the food was below average and very pricey for the quality and quantity. The Service was the bottom of the fsh tank, terrible. e had guests with us and they could not believe the below poor the service was. we ate in the bar and the server person, the barman, continued to lie to us about our order. Sppoke to the m,arketing person and she kept apologizing and giving us sorries but as I told her that is for funerals. The experience was reminiscent of the olf RP of yester year. Shame on Specialty and bigger shame on Compass Group. Jay Weinstein
(1)
Christina V.

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god!! I had the BEST time here this morning! I brought my boyfriend here for the brunch and it was absolutely gorgeous. I made sure to make a reservation, I really reccomend this because you're already expected... it makes for no wait time and a table by the windows. The variety of food is very wide.... you could even have an omlet made to your liking. We got there right when it starts (10:30) and had the advantage of first dibs as a result. Non stop mimosa's mean literally... non-stop... I dont think you can take three sips without someone coming by to pour some champagne into your glass. The view is breathtaking, its a really great way to start a Sunday. Great food, amazing service, and a beautiful view. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Brittney W.

MEHH... Rusty Pelican is waaayyyy different from what i remember as a kid. i remember when it was a classy establishment on the water with a breathtaking view and equally enjoyable food. for years i'd never forgotten about the amazing sunday buffets i'd been to. so i was excited to come back to RP years later for Miami Spice 2010. they really let this place go. for one of miami's legendary places, they sure didn't do much to keep it looking nice. it was true to it's name....rusty! first of all, i was with a party of about 50 people and of all the places in the restaurant (and there were plenty it was 11:00am and totally empty) they sat us under the table where the roof was leaking on four of us seated! it was only until the manager saw the four wet ones moving to a nearby table when he decides it would be best to move us out of that room and into another. but since there were so many of us and the waiters had already taken our orders in the order that we were seated, we stayed in the wet room. i mean, really, you're the manager! you knew that the roof was leaking...why would you even seat us there to begin with?!? the food took forever to come and not just the entrees but EVERYTHING. plus there was way too long of a pause in between the three courses. also for a party of 50, there were only three servers assisting us...if you could even call it assisting. you could tell they were having a horrible morning and didn't want to be there. i did enjoy my food, though. i had the pelican salad, churrassco steak, and key lime pie. at the bottom of the menu, it says that coffee and tea were included. at the very beginning of placing my order i told the waiter that i wanted coffee. throughout the meal i asked for it four times. when the pie came, i asked for it one last time...the proper time to actually HAVE coffee. and with the key lime pie being as sweet as it was i really needed the coffee to balance it out. needless to say, i ate my pie slowly and finished it without coffee. once the waiter saw me finishing my pie, THAT'S when he decides to apologize and had the nerve to ask me if i still wanted it!! i told him to forget it and just bring the check. food was good but the place needs a complete upgrade before i'll be back.
(2)
Roselis D.

I have been a customer to this restaurant for over 30 years. Yesterday, I took some friends for lunch , and I was very disappointed!. The place has been remodeled and has lost completely the ambience it once had. It looks like any fast food restaurant with stainless steel wine canyons. The lunch menu was very limited . The table cloth was gone together with the special touch of vases with orchids . The manager was very defensive and told me ''it is now looking for the new generation''. I did not quite appreciate the comment being a retired person and a woman. (do not need to be reminded of my age) The experience was saved by the attentive waitress and the view, of course. I shall not return or recommend it to anyone.
(1)
Vanessa L.

The restaurant has a new menu and look. The menu is a bit small but everything I tried was great and tasted very fresh. I had the crab cake which was amazing, the ahi tuna tacos, and the "Rusty Salad" with grilled shrimp that had chunks of fresh heirloom tomatoes, avocado, hearts of palm and a vanilla jalapeno dressing. Really great! The only thing I didn't love was the sushi. The restaurant has a great view, perfect for lunch on a beautiful day or a sunset happy hour!
(4)
Vanessa C.

Came here for Valentine's Day brunch and REALLY regretted it. $39.95 was WAY too much for the quality and variety of the food. The ahi tuna and the shrimp were not fresh. The waffles were so hard my knife couldn't cut into them. Not kidding. The champagne mimosas were extremely weak (though I must admit tasty). I'm a sweets person, but I didn't like any of the desserts. They looked & tasted like they were bought from elsewhere days before. Some things I tried were okay, but okay doesn't cut it when you're expecting something worth $40. The hostess looked beyond miserable as she barely glanced at us and walked us over to our table on the second floor. Granted, the view is gorgeous, but I live in Miami, I can see that view from several restaurants with better tasting food. The atmosphere of the restaurant took away from the view as well, I just couldn't get into it. I have NO idea what all the hype is about this place for Sunday brunch. Needless to say I'm never coming back and I don't recommend you do either.
(1)
Rachel K.

I rarely write bad reviews, but my experience here was really bad and I think it's fair to warn others. To be fair, 'll start with the good: The Rusty Pelican is a beautiful restaurant with a beautiful location. The view is amazing, right on the water. The staff is courteous, very friendly and pleasant. And that's it for the good. The menu was extremely limited in terms of entree selection. I went with a large party and we ordered across the menu "from the land" and "from the sea". Portion sizes were TIIIIIIINNNNYYY. It seriously looked like they had to spread the food out over the plate to make it look full. In addition, the food was bland. Not a spice or flavor to be found. For $30-$40 a plate I really expected more. I paid $35 for a plate that included 5 jumbo shrimp that had no other preparation than perhaps being broiled, eight pieces of dry, unflavored vegetables, and a spoonful of mashed potatoes. I'm a smaller female who can't eat very much and I finished off my plate within ten minutes, still hungry. As for the rest of my party, the experience was the same. Other orders: the filet mignon was totally dry, the fish was full of bones and comes in its skin, the lobster comes in its shell so you're basically doing the work of the kitchen staff, and the scallops came in three small pieces, with once again, no flavor. Literally no flavoring. Vegetables and potatoes were dry and undercooked, etc. I really felt like we got ripped off. If you're paying for anything here, I think it's the view and perhaps to fund the restaurant's recent renovation. But certainly not the flavor or quality of the food, and definitely not the portion sizes. Really disappointing experience. I would not recommend.
(1)
C R.

Overall my experiences are always great at Rusty Pelican since their big renovation.Food is better than it was years back, thank to their newer chef. Ahi tuna tacos (ask for them spicy) are excellent. Crab cake is lump with almost all crab instead of breading. Their grouper sandwich on the lunch menu is really excellent, and it's big too. As for cocktails, their Virginia Key Punch is awesome, one of the best specialty cocktails I've had in years. Check it out on their cocktial menu. Also, the views are damn near perfect day or night. I go there a couple times a month, reliable and friendly service.
(5)
Eve C.

Rusty Pelican is a great place to take any visitors, but especially those in Miami for the first time. It offers a great view of the bay, and of Downtown Miami in all it's glory. It's a view that only gets better at night, with all the buildings in downtown lit up. The food is pretty good. They have some good seafood dishes, as well as selections for the non-fish eaters. I've heard about their brunch, but haven't had the opportunity to check it out myself. The restaurant itself is huge, and I've never seen it very crowded. There's a private party room upstairs in the back. They also have some outdoor tables that are right on the water - great for al fresco dining on those cool summer evenings. They offer valet parking, but there's also self-parking in the lot (it's just a little farther away).
(4)
Albert M.

The view from the windows is amazing. The Miami skyline is a sight of beauty with the lights and the buildings. The decor of the resturant was good also but not my style. It was a touch of marina and class whic can make it feel very stuffy and relaxing at the same tme. I started the night with the cheese bread that they server in every table. This circle of chessy goodness is full of favor and it is really hard to just eat two basket per table. My group were a bunch of foodies this night. As we were craving some spice for our tastebuds. Most of us ordered the spicy lobster and crab pasta, i must say that the seafood is the freshest I have ever had. However, the disk wasn't as spicy as expected and the pasta was ok. For the price with view of the Miami skyline, I don't really think it is worth it.
(3)
Robyn C.

It's true! Rusty Pelican has a great view of the Miami Skyline, some prefer it in the daytime and others at night. Word of caution: if you go in the morning, it's a lot less stuffy because people will often enter after having been at the beach or on the boat. Regardless, it's not bad and pictures definitely won't do it justice. The space upstairs makes a great choice for hosting events such as a wedding reception. There's enough room to eat, dance and even take a stroll outside to really enjoy the view. Probably my only qualm and word of advice are for those unfamiliar with the Rusty Pelican. It can be a bit of a hassle to get here (miss the turn and you'll have to go back through the toll plaza) so drive slowly and pay attention.
(4)
Kristen C.

Rusty Pelican is perfect. I love the ambiance, the delicious seafood andits great calming water views (In my opinion, better views than Azul Restaurant). The scallop appetizer and corn chowder were incredibly delicious. The mahi-mahi, swordfish, and snapper dishes were also great. RP also has one of my favorite little breads of any restaurant -- they are thinly sliced pieces of french bread toast with butter, and crispy cheese. YUM. I really can't complain about anything here. I've never had a bad experience.
(5)
Annabelle B.

I had been looking forward to trying the new and improved Rusty Pelican - I had gone a few years ago for a Chamber event and had thought that, despite the beautiful location, it was in desperate need of revamping. So I was very happy to hear that someone was taking it over, refurbishing it and making it all that it can be. Dinner last night was part of a large group with about 40 people. When I arrived I was very impressed with the work that was done, it really looks very nice, true to its Key West-inspired architecture, I like the water-feature by the entrance, though not a big fan of the very fake rocks... As soon as you enter the building there is a spacious lobby with the hostess waiting for you at the end of the hall, right in front of the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling glass wine cellar, striking. You have to go "through" the wine cellar maze to get to the dining room (right) or to the bar (left) which was cool. And as soon as you step out you are right there on the water with views of Miami's beautiful shores from Downtown to Brickell. And you have a first row experience pretty much anywhere you sit inside the Rusty Pelican with the expansive windows. Onto the food: we had a selection of appetizers including the crab cake with chipotle sauce (deliciously crusty on the outside, fluffy and all crab on the inside), the ceviche (it was good and fresh) and the avocado fries. The latter were tasty but a little too rich. I am a HUGE fan of avocado but with its rich consistency and I don't think that preparing it tempura style was the best way to approach this fruit (yes, it is a fruit and in Brazil they make smoothies with it). I felt like it ignored the potential to brighten the flavors and balance it out. The entree choices consisted of seared scallops on saffron risotto patties, filet mignon with tiny potatoes and, at last but not least, the mushroom ravioli with shaved truffles. My guest chose the scallops and wasn't impressed, she was pretty sure they were under cooked. And from where I was sitting the saffron risotto looked undercooked as well... Rule of thumb when dining with a large group (like a wedding), the seafood will most likely not be cooked right. Simple explanation: seafood is very sensitive to its cooking time and can easily be over or under cooked. When a chef has many mouths to feed at the same time, it's just not physically possible to get it right. Meats on the other hand are much more forgiving. Hence, I chose the filet mignon and it was delicious! I asked for medium and it was, tender enough to melt in my mouth. Perfect! With a little steak sauce to keep it all about the meat. And I heard from several people that the ravioli was very very good. I must mention that the serving timing was off and we had tables around us done while we were still waiting for our entrees, not cool. Desserts were good: a Key Biscayne-lime pie topped with meringue and a coffee cake filled with dulce de leche (I think) served with cookies and cream ice-cream. It was ok. So, overall, the experience was nice, the space is gorgeous but the food wasn't 100%. I'll try it again without the large group pressure on the kitchen, and with a bit more freedom in the choices. I need to try their lobster - that could make or break my final opinion.
(3)
Aimee B.

Coming here in the late afternoon when the sun is getting ready to set over the skyline is definitely my favorite time. The dress is anywhere from casual to suits, though I like to strike a happy medium of the two. It is definitely pricey, but you get what you pay for. Portions are generous, and the ingredients used are clearly high quality and, subsequently, delicious. My particular favorite is the lobster ravioli. That being said, the parking isn't exactly the most ideal. The valet tends to be slow or inattentive (we've had to stand waiting for someone to help us several times). I was also disappointed in their mixed drinks, though their sangria was absolutely spot on. I have also been here as a part of a wedding, and will say the ballroom and service for the event was great as well. I don't know pricing or the planning process that went into it, but the execution was flawless!
(4)
Miguel M.

Not worth commenting but I must. If you like bland food and small over priced portions served cold, then this is the place to come to. Don't say I did not warn you eat at your own risk.
(1)
Jessica A.

My lovely friend's decided to take me here for brunch as a birthday celebration. I had heard alot about their famous "unlimited mimosas" brunch and when we got there apparently so did most of Miami. Just to park valet took over 10 min (Sundays is valet parking only). My friend was unable to make reservations so we had to place our name on the list and were told it would be a 30 min wait which was fine until then it become over 1 hour. We noticed many people who had came after us and in bigger parties being seated first. As it appeared parties of 3 were too unaccommodating for them. After numerous complaints to the host and finally noticing that he was placing people out of order on his list (I guess there was a VIP list that we weren't told about). Once we got to our table and were at this point starving we ran to the buffet and were nothing but satisfied by their huge selection. Their omelets and pasta were the best! And yes the unlimited mimosas were never-ending...I don't think our waiter ever let the glass get half- empty before refilling it each time. The view was another added bonus. Even though most of our time was cut short from waiting to be seated (Brunch ends at 4p) I can say it was a great time spent with great friends. Next time we will have to arrive an hour before or find out how to get on that VIP list.
(3)
Nydia M.

This review is for their banquet facilities, not the restaurant. Although, I've had food there before and it's damn good. And I've heard nothing but great things about their Sunday brunch. I had my wedding reception at the Rusty Pelican in one of their upstairs ballrooms. These people are event planning machines. They have so many events there that they do seem a little careless at first, but then I just realized that they knew what they were doing better than I did. Everything I wanted, they were able to accomplish. Everything from the exact spot I wanted the tables at, to a mini doughnut station set up (Yes, like at the fair. Yes, it was a HUGE hit. Yes, my wedding reception was AWESOME). They are a bit on the pricey side, but that's what my parents were for, right? Kidding. But it was worth every penny. The service was fantastic. We had our own waiter that night, Raul. He was the best! Dinner was great. Not that crap-tastic wedding food most people dread. And the view from the upstairs ballrooms cannot be beat.
(5)
Ed O.

We went today for my wife's birthday, we had not visited since the new renovations I was very skeptical at first since I had read the reviews saying that the portions were small and very expensive, well, lets just say the reviews were spot on, The place is really nice throughout they really did do a nice job but, I prefer the old Rusty Pelican it was cozy romantic and it was the reason me and the Mr's kept going back, not only for the good food but the ambiance as well, the new place it is nice but it does not have that cozy romantic feel about it, I feel as if I am dinning in the lobby of a luxury hotel or something like that, well on to the food, for appetizers we ordered the sea bass ceviche, it came in a very small tuna can with two quarter sized pieces of sweet potato and about 6 pieces of the toasted Peruvian corn and it had maybe 8 little nickle sized pieces of ceviche RIPOFF! i have eaten REALLY GOOD PERUVIAN CEVICHE A WHOLE PLATE OF IT AND ALL i HAVE PAID WAS ABOUT $13.00 THIS WAS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO IT. this tasted more like fish in pure lime juice than anything else, we then ordered the Salmon and crab croquettes, again they were small meatball sized croquettes all that for a whopping $12.00, $4 a bite, really? oh and BTW i had ordered a Johnnie Walker Black on the rocks and got hit with a $17 bill, $17? REALLY? My wife ordered the Sauteed Sea Bass which according to the menu came with some weird rice, asparagus and it said in a cinnamon broth? I tried it and the rice was just plain flat white rice with no taste, it lacked salt, the fish, was served with the skin still on it and it tasted really fishy, not like the sea-bass that I am used to eating I will definitely tell you that, as for me I played it safe and went with a 16 oz bone in rib eye, the steak was well cooked and it did taste great but at $44, i really do not think it is worth that price, for desert we ordered this dessert called Cafe Con Leche which was a small tiny cake about 31/2 inches in diameter filled with chocolate infused with coffee and ice cream on the side, it was really good that I will admit, but again $10, not worth it, all in all it is safe to say that I wont be coming back to eat here unless its for the steak and even with that I can always go to Fleming s or Capital Grill, also the service was okay but not the service you would expect from a place that charges so much. My recommendation is until they change and overhaul their menu and reduce the prices you are way better off going to Chart House if a waterfront view is what your looking for.
(2)
Michael B.

Very nice decor, I understand it was recently updated. the view was very nice. I came for happy-hour and sat at the bar. The service was good and the cocktails were well made with fresh fruit. and you could taste the alcohol, which I like. The food was just ok but very well presented. If your looking for a fantastic view and decent food this is a good place.
(4)
George H.

We brought the Atmospheric Science Club from University of Miami facebook.com/group.php?gâ€¦ and had our first successful end of semester banquet in years, we were not dissapointed. We arrived just before sunset and saw the view of the Miami skyline as the sun set. Food was good and plentiful! Our waiter was a helpful and prepared man. The room is rather dark and he provided a mini pocket light so the bill could be seen and explained. Very thoughtful and well planed out. Food is good, bartender (gruff talking woman like in the movies) was excellent! View of the city at night is the perfect setting!
(5)
Theo H.

Came here for lunch yesterday and it wasn't packed, but the valet parking lot made it so there were only a couple free spots available. The GF had been raving about the spicy crab/lobster pasta for months and so we finally made it. While it wasn't on the menu, we had a variation of the original, which she said was almost as delicious (minus the lobster). The cheesy baguette slices that came before the meal might have fallen from heaven. They reminded me of eating at a place like Ola where you fear the actual meal might not stack up to the rolls. As others have mentioned, the view is gorgeous (we overlooked a wedding ceremony). The waiter was very engaging and entertaining - to the point of having the GF remark about him. I felt their pricing was interesting (high on some items and low on others), but I'll definitely come back for the service and quality of food.
(4)
Brian P.

I went with my family for lunch at the Rusty Pelican for Miami Spice and had a good time. As it has been stated many times before in the previous reviews, get a table by the window and request one in advance when you make the reservation. The interior was OK, however could use some renovation. The staff was very courteous and were happy to attend to our every need. The food was good, but not outstanding. This is a place to check out at least once. When you're done, take the time to check out the scenery by the water in back and the fish pond in front. I would recommend coming in a group setting, instead of for two.
(4)
Kristy K.

The view is the best part of the Rusty Pelican. The food isn't bad either. We got several different lunch items including a Miami Spice menu. The food was good, cooked well, nice portions but would have to say their pina colada was very delicious. Service was good in the beginning but once the lunch crowd was in full swing our waiter wasn't as attentive. It took FOREVER to get our check and actually leave. Since it is a wedding spot there are people in tuxedos and wedding gowns mingling with the guys in camo shorts and t-shirts, an interesting spot to say the least. It was overall a good experience. Parking there is interesting- if you can't find one right away I just suggest valeting it's only 5 bucks.
(3)
Sumit D.

Went here when I visited Miami last summer. I had a wonderful time especially with the hilarious bartender who sounded like Gerald Butler.
(4)
Bart P.

Used to eat at Rusty Pelican a lot . casual atmosphere: fish sandwiches , wings , oysters , etc. Just went back for the first time after their renovation. It went from a cool place to a tourist trap . Brunch for four cost $100 and it consisted of following my .... wife had ONE egg ( not two eggs ) Benedict, I had a lox and bagel plate, my two kids had the smallest salads I have ever seen . If you really want to throw your money away , they have a crab lobster and shrimp appetizer for $175 Yes I said $175 My advice avoid the new Rusty Pelican like the Plague.
(1)
Tough C.

I first went to the Rusty Pelican 25 years ago for their Sunday brunch and I was very impressed and pleased. Since then I have been back several times for the brunches on Sunday. However, recently I visited during the week for lunch, and their regular menu was disappointing. I recommend their Sunday brunch.
(3)
Marie P.

We went to have dinner to Rusty pelican and they treated us very well. We had made reservations for 7pm. They took us in inmediately. This restaurant is all new now. New menu, new everything...! I loved the selections they have for wine. My husband has the pan seared ahi tuna and i had sauteed black sea bass. WOW !!! we also had some crab cakes...best in my life ! Very nice decor, I understand it was recently updated. the view was very nice. I came for happy-hour the following day and sat at the bar. The service was good and the cocktails were well made with fresh fruit. and you could taste the alcohol, which I like. The food was just ok but very well presented. If your looking for a fantastic view and decent food this is a good place.Great food and service.....that now, goes along with the view! our waitress knew the menu well and made good suggestions! I'll definitely be coming back for dinner.
(5)
Pedro P.

Rusty Pelican is a 5-star spot--especially during the day. The word icon comes to mind when I think about this place. It's been here and been good forever. I would recommend you come on a Saturday or Sunday for lunch when you can take advantage of all the great things this place has to offer without the annoying dinner crowds. Awesome things about Rusty Pelican 1. Location 2. Views 3. Design 4. The fish! 5. Cheap and tasty wine 6. The bread 7. History 'Whatever' things about Rusty Pelican 1. Price 2. Annoying touristy yuppie-types. 3. Service/Atmosphere (can get a little snobby at times) Overall, the history and location overcome any stupid stuff. 5 stars.
(5)
Franco T.

Originally we wanted to sit outside, but there was going to be over an hour wait. We dined inside which was fine, but the views are AMAZING, so next time we might well be inclined to wait for a table outside. The food was phenomenal. I had the duck in stuffed puff pastry that was delicious. Service was fine, but the server seemed a bit off. My wife had a tuna that was excellent. The ambiance was also good. All around, this is a great spot. Just be prepared to pay for the quality you receive. $$$ Amazing wine refrigerators made of glass displaying their wine selection. These people are serious about their wine!
(3)
Sebastian E.

Went back to the rusty pelican today and things have really not changed. This is the single best place in Miami to watch the Miami downtown skyline change from day to night. The lights coming on and transforming the landscape from boring towers to bright illuminated icons is simply amazing. As for the food and the other stuff, the Pelican is a good place for festivities, like weddings or other events of this caliber. The most memorable thing will be the view. Food, service and location are ok, but not much more... It remains a default destination for the view, for any visitor that is coming to Miami...
(3)
Jimmie H.

Fantastic view of Biscayne Bay. Wonderful fresh food. Make sure you sit outside by the fire pit.
(4)
Natalie C.

We were there for the first time after the renovation. Everything has changed for the worst. It used to be our family's favorite restaurant. The restaurant looks absolutely beautiful, but everything else is horrible. When we arrived we asked to be seated by the window and they didn't. There was several tables available and we were denied. It started off with our drinks. The water was hot, there was no ice. The waiter never asked if we wanted mineral water. I ordered a beer along with other drinks. Beer was hot. Then, we ordered a civeche as our entree. It came in a sardine can and also tasted like it came from a can. We had to return it. We ordered a lobster bisque soup. The presentation was very nice, but the soup was cold and had no flavor. we ordered the Lamb chops as one of our main courses. I sliced them open and they were raw and had no flavor at all. We also had a black sea bass witch had skin on and it was dry. They have taken away many delicious entrees from the menu such as oyster Rockefeller, Stuffed mushrooms, es-cargoes, and the famous bread with parmesan cheese. Everything was awful! I will not go back until there is improvement. We spent more than $300 dollars and had the worst experience. In addition, there is no light. I had to use my phones flash light to view the menu.
(1)
Joaquin R.

Loved the new outdoor and indoor decor. Service was okay at best. Food wasnt great for the price you pay. Great place to go for happy hour and enjoy the scene.
(3)
Destin D.

I am sorry to judge, but I thought that this was going to be big failure of a restaurant. It looked way too touristy. The name didn't help either. The nautically themed decorations on the inside and white tablecloths made me even more apprehensive, but boy was I wrong. It's that classic don't-judge-a-book-by-its-cover situation. The view of downtown Miami is pretty awesome and unlike Salty's on Alki in Seattle, you're not paying for the view. The menu was reasonably priced for the most part. We went for lunch and after ordering drinks, we were given a basket of baked cheese covered french bread. Different, but tasty. For an appetizer, we started with the fried calamari. Very good. There were also some peppers and onions and a complementary dipping sauce. For lunch, I ordered the grouper sandwich and I asked for a blackened, Cajun preparation. I got the yucca fries on the side and they were covered in a garlic sauce. My meal was very good. The mahi-mahi wrap was the only other entree at the table and it got a thumbs up too. No desserts or alcohol, so can't comment on those, but the service was pretty good. It seemed like an atmosphere that was family-friendly and the place was huge so it could accommodate big groups. It was kinda hard to find since you have to go into the marina and drive around back, but I am glad we decided to find it. It was definitely a pleasant surprise.
(4)
Eddy A.

Despite the fact that this place is a very nicely designed restaurant placed in a PRIME location..The Rusty Pelican should rename itself as the Crappy Pelican. Food is equal to that of a 2-star chain that's by the numbers and not by the taste. Service is hella slow (expect dinner to last at least 2-3 hours). AND it's way overpriced for what they offer. I went for valentine's and even though we paid way too much for so-so food, the service stunk like dead fish in the sea. It wasn't like the waiter was BAD it was more like the waiter disappeared. We even noticed other patrons come..wait..and leave. Something we should've done once the bill was handed to us. :)
(2)
Ashley D.

Define annoyance. Annoyance is driving up and down Rickenbacker Causeway 3 times, having to pay the same toll booth lady ALL 3 times, who CLEARLY recognizes you from less than 5 minutes ago. We were in search of the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne, an off-the-beaten-path seafood restaurant that we had read rave reviews about, but at this time cursed it's location and dismal signage. Our bellyaching ceased once we entered the main dining room... we were immediately enthralled by the sparkling panoramic view of Miami. The Rusty Pelican is to Miami what the Waters Edge is to Manhattan, an amazing restaurant located adjacent to the city skyline. When not eating, we were captivated by the shimmering neon skyline backdrop. The city felt grand, a perspective of Miami that I had not experienced before. After ordering our drinks, the waiter brought us the most addicting breadbasket ever: thinly sliced pieces of Italian bread, toasted with butter and sprinkled with melted cheddar cheese, flavors perfectly melding together. Just like Pringles, "once you pop, you can't stop"... and we didn't... until the fried calamari appetizer was served. The fried calamari was cooked PERFECTLY... tender, not chewy, the batter crisp and light, and served with a chipotle mayo, slightly spicy and beautifully complementing. My only suggestion would be to make the dip spicier, but that is a personal preference. Needless to say, we had already nominated this restaurant our favorite before the main courses had even arrived. The wine was flowing when our main courses made it to the scene... I admit that I expected lower quality than what was served. Many restaurants in New York with great locations skimp on quality, but this was not the case. My two friends ordered Lobster Tails stuffed with crab meat... perfectly cooked, ample portions, deliciously seasoned, there was not one complaint about the dish from any of us... Perfect! I ordered the Spicy Lobster and Crab Pasta - Lobster and Crab sauteed in a spicy lobster brandy sauce with prosciutto and parmesan cheese, over penne rigate. The dish was delicious as well, topped with shredded real crab meat, chunks of lobster blended into the pasta. Enticing, spiced beautifully, and again an oversized portion. My other friend, who ached for scallops the entire weekend, satisfied her craving with the Shrimp and Scallop Scampi, served over a bed of fettuccine. A basic dish that is somewhat difficult to ruin, the scallops and shrimp were a good size and seasoned well. This restaurant was truly amazing, the ambiance unparalleled. For the hours we were there, we felt like we were in a different world. There is nothing I appreciate more in a dining experience than feeling like I am on a journey, far from the everyday norm. The Rusty Pelican is definitely in my top 5 favorites of Miami restaurants.
(5)
Anne L.

I love this restaurant for its view of Miami. Yes, the food is not memorable, and I even found a piece of glass in my drink one night... BUT I don't care, I continue to come here to sit around the fire near the water and have a couple of drinks---because isn't that what you want to do on a hot summer day in Miami, sit around fire? I don't know why but I love it. I'll keep drinking glass for it.
(4)
Adriana D.

I hate to give it just two stars but I think I really just HAVE to. Maybe my perception of the Rusty Pelican was ruined by the fact that I grew up in Miami and this was the spot my family and I used to go to for nice dinners. Maybe my history with this spot, and the fact that I hadn't been here in so many years, set me up for disappointment. Either way, this place certainly ain't what it used to be. (I actually might have given it one star were it not for the previous good experiences I've had there) First off, we went for an early dinner and they were not open - even though it was more than half an hour after their posted opening time - so we had to wait for about 15 minutes. The one thing about this place that has actually gotten better is the view...by far one of the most impressive of the brickell/downtown skyline making coming here almost (almost) worthwhile. Now this might just be my personal opinion, but I found the staff to be sub-par and fairly unprofessional - again, perhaps just a difference from what I expected and what the actuality is - but I still thought this was supposed to be a "nice" place where people have wedding receptions, baby showers, and all other sorts of events...I was not impressed. Anyway, on to the true source of my disappointment. We ended up not being hungry enough (or impressed enough with the selection) to have dinner so we decided on splitting some appetizers. The calamari, while excellent in quality of freshness and size, was kind of bland and tasteless. Then, what I had been most looking forward to, the oysters. We ordered a dozen, 1/2 for each of us, and of the three that I ate I managed to swallow one but had to spit out the other two - that's how BAD they were. I sent them back and the waiter explained that it wasn't a problem because we weren't the first to complain about them. Then, not five minutes later, the very same waiter walked by our table with another platter of oysters for a group seated a few tables away!! I was horrified!!!! If multiple people complain about an item being bad, if the staff and the kitchen know it, if it is a food that is know to be particularly susceptible to making people sick, doesn't a restaurant have some sort of responsibility to the customers to NOT continue to serve it? Maybe it was an off night. Maybe I expected to much and was too critical. Maybe a lot of things that I would just let go of and give this place a second chance. But for me, serving questionable food is really the ultimate in irresponsible and unprofessional service and I'd really have a hard time giving this place another go.
(2)
Miguel B.

My friend brought me here for Sunday brunch this past weekend. The view was one of the best that Miami has to offer. There was an initial mix up with the reservation. The reservation was for 3 but the server only left utensils for two. The waffle guy was comical. I asked him for one demi waffle since I wanted to take tiny portions of everything. He asked me if I was sure because his waffles are the best. He was right! I ended up returning for more. He then smiled and said "told you." The omelets were tasty but it would of helped if the cook knew if the sausage was pork or not. I ended up getting a veggie omelet. There was a server that was attempting to take away one of out seats but we informed him that the seat was taken. He gave us a very puzzled look. The dessert table was not impressive at all!
(4)
Geno T.

Just got back from yet another trip to Miami (yes, I'm in love with the place!) and I'm glad to say, after being highly recommended by friends in the area, I dined at the Rusty Pelican. As I was seated, my immediate impression was you would be hard-pressed finding another restaurant with such a spectacular view of the bay. Whether for an afternoon lunch or sunset dinner, RP offers excellent vista-enhanced dining. My dinner guest and I had a bottle of white wine with our pelican salads, combo platter, escargot served with blue cheese (mouth-watering buttery deliciousness), and maine lobster. My taste buds were pleased, and my stomach satisfied. Surprisingly, I'm seeing a few reviews saying the food isn't that great. I'm not sure what those reviewers had (maybe the fish??), and I can only speak to what I ordered. I will say, however, that what my friend and I ate left us with no complaints, and I settled the check feeling that we had gotten more than our money's worth in both quantity and quality. My Recommendation: Great place to dine. Try the lobster and share an order of the hot combo platter (generous serving of shrimp, oysters, calamari, and conch) with your dinner mate. And of course, as with all fine seafood dining, you must cleanse the palate after each delicious bite with a sip of white wine. mmmm... *NOTE: Expect to pay around $50-$80 per person for 3-course meal.
(4)
Mercy Q.

the Rusty Rip Off! Went to see what the newly renovated Rusty Pelican had to offer and all I could think of was look at the view, thats what you are paying for. We ordered the Ahi Tuna and it was NOT FRESH made my husband sick! The Maine Lobster tail at $35 was barely visibilbe on my plate, we left feeling we overpaid for mediocre food, the only good thing was the view. Then there was the new decor of danish modern, not pretty. Again, we paid for the view. Next time, a picnic by the beach!
(1)
Marco S.

This place is very nice not only for the view, which is remarkable having the downtown-brickell-plus-the-sea view - just beatiful. The food is well prepared and very fresh. Go there for lunch, if you want to relax and have a good meal or for dinner and enjoy a nice view with your friends, wife or girldfriend, you will be pleased.
(3)
Denise R.

Best Sunday brunch. Better get there early or you will wait. Worth the price.
(4)
Jee C.

the restaurant building itself looks aged but if you go outside patio where fire pits going on, u get to see the view of miami downtown skyline. * drinks are cheaper than at the clubs. :)
(4)
Carlos R.

Your location and view is top 5 in Miami. You have so much potential. 1. You need to be refurbished, lighten up the restaurant, everything looks and feels old and dirty. Like you're visiting a grandfather who doesn't like to shower... 2. Bring in a consultant or new chef, your dishes are subpar. They just don't taste good. And for the price, they are a ripoff 3. Good job on the sunday brunch 4. I don't like being forced to valet The following quote is a good description of your situation: "Yeah, man just kinda... you know, you got these claws and you're staring at these claws and your thinking to yourself, and with these claws you're thinking, "How am I supposed to kill this bunny, how am I supposed to kill this bunny?"" The potential is there.
(2)
Mike K.

We stopped here for dinner after a day at the beaches on Key Biscayne. The parking is a little tough but you can valet for $5 which is fairly cheap. This place is a little outdated inside but once you see the view of Miami you forget about the 80's dÃ©cor; I suggest requesting a table by the window or outside for the views. It seems to be a tourist hot spot for dinner on the weekends. The waiter was very efficient in getting our order and checking back on us often. We started off with an appetizer of seared tuna which was very good. We had the Mahi-Mahi and Yellowtail Snapper in a lemon caper butter which were both beyond excellent!!! Yes I know you are stuffed at this point...but don't forget about dessert you won't be disappointed.
(4)
S M.

Took my parents there for mommy's bday and it was a great dining experience. Feared the renovations I'd heard about might have changed the place and they did, but in a positive more modern, sharp way. The Lounge was beautiful, too. Plenty of parking outside or you can valet for like six bucks. We had everything from Caipirinhas to Ceviche to tasty dessert and it was all to die for :D
(5)
C S.

As always best view in Miami. Nice re-do, looks modern, fresh, un-cluttered. Lovely service, waitress was new but extremely gracious and attentive. Food was good, this is a place serving lots of dinners at reasonable prices, it is not extra fancy gourmet fare, but we had a nice meal with great service (that alone deserves 5 stars in this city), tasty cocktails and a stellar view. We left happy.
(4)
Lindsay G.

I come here every week for Rotary. The food is the same crap every week. The only reason it gets two stars is the view is incredible and I think I once had a non-rotary meal here which was good. Coffee is good but the chicken and fish is fine but unimpressive despite all the good reviews in Frommers and other places.
(2)
Kate D.

I love it there! as Eve C. wrote it is a great place to take someone who is visiting Miami. It has a nice view where you can see the ocean, beautiful light on the building.... After you eat you can go by the ocean where they have fire places and have a nice drink. It is not noisy and the decor is very nice (mainly with wood). The food is excellent twice i went. The last time was to take a good friend of mine out for her birthday and she is very very picky when it comes to food and she loved it there as well. Rusty Pelican is a good place to recommend. The service was good as well both time i went.
(5)
Violet A.

Hadn't' been here since brunch with the fam for my 21st birthday... 7 years later it's modern, eclectic menu and LOVE the fire pits overlooking the bay. The Ricky martini was yummy! I don't like sweet drinks and this hit the mark somewhere in between savory and sweet. The oysters assortment was delicious - the quail egg tartar was fresh and good, the avocado fries was something entirely new to me - and I enjoy new ways to try foods. Had a side of mash potatoes for our son but he spit it right out - lol. when I tasted it - had an instant quality to it. Service was nice - had a girl who was knowledgeable and somewhat of forced English accent but regardless, she was as pleasant as could be.
(5)
El G.

I went here for Sunday brunch. Maybe it was Saturday... Anyway, it was definitely the weekend. First, the view: Fantastic, beautiful, perfect. If you can, sit outside by the water. You get a view of all the magical high rise buildings that are half sold. Second, the brunch: Have you ever been to Denny's? How about I-Hop? No? Cracker Barrel? No? Well, you're missing out if you haven't been to Denny's, but that's not the point. The food here is like eating at a knockoff Denny's, but paying 10 times the price. Third, the service: Good service. They kept the champagne coming. I like that. Fourth, valet parking. Really? Valet parking? The parking lot is the size of Guatemala. You don't need valet parking. I can park my own car. I rather just give you the $5 and have you slap me on the ass. So, go there for the view.
(3)
Melissa V.

3.75 stars I was here for my cousin's wedding. There were about 150 people. The room had a nice setting; both ceremony and reception were in there. It was upstairs and you can also enjoy the views of the water. After the ceremony, everyone went outside at the patio for the cocktail hour, which started out with the cheese and fruit pairing. The curry chicken they had on a stick was tasty, along with other horsdouvers they were passing around, but this one was what I remember liked best. The salad came with the raspberry vinaigrette. My choice of meal consisted a chicken stuffed with spinach (?) and other stuff was okay, but wasn't really into it. They had two wedding cakes, one being a police car (chocolate) and the other being the taller wedding cake with the theme flowers. The chocolate was my fave. The service wasn't really that perfect.. somewhat great but okay, and the lady server that was picking things up didn't have a happy face on. What's up with that?
(4)
Allicia T.

For the view it offers, it is worth trying it no matter what. The food is not great, kind of bland, nothing special. The view of the balcony is where one should be when going there. It is pricy but worth drinking a glass of wine outside. Miami can never look as great as from here. In fact Miami downtown is kind of crappy when there but looks beautiful from this restaurant. Don't go there during big holidays. We tried July 4th last year and even though we had reservations we could not really entered. Waited in the car for about three hours ( no exaggeration), could not back up or move forward. Totally stuck, waiting to enter but none could enter even with a reservation. Not sure why they did not say no to people on the phone though.
(3)
Sabrina L.

I have been to this restaurant too many times and each time has been a complete delight. Starting from the location and the view.....it's such a romantic place to be with your significant other. The food is outstanding and the overall feel is great!.
(4)
Torrey R.

Spanking the wallet at the Rusty Pelican Sunday brunch buffet never tasted so good. With bottomless mimosas, three cook to order tables, darn tasty buffet food and a fantastic view of Miami this place is worth the wallet pain at least once. Hats off to the well trained and eager to please wait staff too. They have tables outside with fire pits that looks like it would be a very romantic setting for a date if we ever have a cool night. Just a little forewarning; don't wait until the very end of the brunch to get your car back from valet unless you enjoy that ever so fun "Line Ride" that is found at almost every amusement park. I should have known better. Other then that this place is Spanktastic!
(4)
KaLee A.

We brought out of town guests here and were disappointed. The restaurant itself and the menu descriptions of the food were modern and interesting. However, there was a real disconnect between the beautiful menu descriptions and the actual food. The food was, for some portions of the meal, completely inedible. First, the "still" water we chose had a peculiar metallic taste, which I suspect was regular Miami tap water. We started with sushi and caesar salads. The sushi was remarkable dry, cold and the rice unseasoned, completely inedible. The salads were enormous; a head of romaine lettuce quartered and sprinkled with cheese; tasteless. Who wants to eat an entire head of lettuce anyway? We ordered seafood for our entrees, the diver scallops and the seafood en papillote. The scallops were unremarkable and the seafood en papillote again, had no flavor. It had a strange presentation in a plastic bag and the rice became a gummy mess during the process. Desserts which we were informed were all made at the restaurant, were unremarkable as well. The chocolate sabotage for $14 was forgettable. The chocolatte panna cotta tasted like chocolate jello and the "lava bite" was a pre packaged brownie. I would highly encourage the waitstaff and management to try the food they are serving. We spent $400 for an very disappointing, inedible meal. I suspect most, if not all people are drawn to this restaurant due to the views of Miami. I encourage everyone to reconsider your options for this restaurant. A boat tour with a box lunch is a less expensive consideration.
(1)
Maria A.

I've been to many an event at The Rusty Pelican and it never disappoints. The Rusty Pelican sits on the edge of Key Biscayne. It is a favorite for brides as numerous wedding receptions are held here every month. I've been to weddings here and they are a lot of fun, and the second floor deck is perfect for getting fresh air after doing the Electric Slide, Asereje, or some other wedding dance. (I do draw the line at the Macarena) I've also been there for brunch and loved it, especially when going with the whole family la Abuela, los primitos, todo el mundo... plus it's a lavish spread and the best brunch buffet deal in town. And the view, the view is what postcards are made of, as there is a beautiful view of downtown Miami. When you go, depending on weather of course ask for a table on the water to be able to take in the view, no dessert could be sweeter.
(5)
Renee D.

You really can't beat the view here. I've been here to eat, for a baby shower, and for a wedding reception. I can say by far - this is a place to take people who are from out of town. The food is so-so, and kinda overpriced for so-so. But for a wedding reception - on the 2nd floor - it was aweeessoomee!!! I was about 8.5 months preggers at this wedding, and I still had a blast - enormous space, an outdoor patio overlooking this area downstairs and waterfront that would probably be awesome to sip a nice red wine by in the winter b/c they have those little fireplaces :) Very Romantic. We have a boat and always wished there was a place to dock when we spend the night on the boat. I can't really comment on the wine list b/c I think I've been preggers every time I've gone there!!
(3)
Stephen M.

The view of the city is beautiful. The oysters were very good as well. The Caribbean mahi is above average. The decor of the restaurant is very old fashioned. It was difficult to find as my Magellan was confused. Lol it took us two poll passages but we got there on the second chance. I would go back there.
(3)
Michael S.

One of the worst meals we have ever had! We went to their brunch buffet and the food was disgusting. The chef used the same knife to carve turkey, ham and prime rib. They did not have any stuffing or cranberry sauce to go with the turkey, which was undercooked and repulsive. The tuna dish was nauseating. There is absolutely nothing good to say about their food. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO ELSEWHERE. On a positive note, the setting is nice, the views are amazing and their staff is very friendly and caring. The restaurant is in dire need of renovation.
(1)
Mike S.

The view was great. That's all I can say. They start you off with thinly sliced stale italian bread microwaved with some form of imitation cheddar cheese. They were soggy and unappetizing. The shrimp tasted "fishy" but the lobster penne was edible. This restaurant obviously does not use fresh ingredients. It's a shame...
(2)
Paola T.

My boyfriend took me here for the Sunday brunch this past weekend and it was amazing. I believe valet was $5. We had a seat by the window with a view of the boats docked. There is a huge variety of food- you can have ceviche with your waffles. :) I was all about the all-you-can-drink mimosas. The glass was definitely never empty. The servers are very attentive- and make sure that everything is to your liking. Our server overheard my boyfriend say that he had forgotten sour cream for his omelet so he brought the sour cream to us (without us asking) so that we didn't have to get up again. After the brunch we walked to the outside to see the view and it truly is something you have to see yourself. Come here hungry.
(5)
Vito F.

We enjoyed our experience at the Rusty Pelican. The service made a great impression. The hostess gave us a warm welcome, and the manager came over to the table and introduced himself as soon as we were seated. He kept an eye on our table for our entire stay. We went at night and the view was spectacular. There really are no bad tables here, as they all have a view of downtown through the huge floor- to-celing windows. The food was very good. Classics are on the menu and unique selections like the seabass entree (Oven Roasted Patagonian Toothfish) and the duck were delicious. We noticed the Three-Tiered Seafood Platter (Oysters, Shrimp, Lobster, Alaskan King Crab Legs,Sushi Roll, Sashimi, Snow Crab Claws & Ceviche) on our neighbors' table. It looked very tempting and at $175 it should be. Overall, This is a great place for a special occastion, a romantic evening, or to impress the out-of-towners. At any another location, I would consider the new Rusty Pelican a bit overpriced, but you are also paying for the atmosphere, good service, and of course, the view. So it's well worth it.
(4)
Tamara O.

We were not impressed with the food or the service.the stone crabs were $12 a piece and were at least a week old,we had to send them back,the meat was stuck to the shell and smelled old...just terrible.There is no sign at the front saying one has to be seated by a server,so after making our way to the front of the building via the outside and sitting down,we were told that we'd have to get back up and go all the way to the back of the building just to be seated...and it was 75% empty!needless to say, we did not do so. Food in general, apart from the stone crab fiasco, was ok, but the best thing this place has going for it always has been and always will be it's location.They better do something about their food,which has been horrible since I first stepped foot on it in 1999...one would think that after such an expensive renovation, the food would have also been upgraded. The waiters were also mostly clueless and during our meal we were subjected to really loud noise from a pressure washer on the top deck.Little details but very important.
(2)
Nikki R.

I went here for the first time with friends today. The brunch was amazing!! The unlimited mimosa's were definitely a plus. We had the best waitress and everyone was just in a great mood. This is a place that you have to come with a empty stomach. There's so much food to choose from you don't know where to begin.
(5)
Jenny A.

This restaurant has a Beautiful Miami backdrop view. I used to love the food and i went recently to check it out and I'd say it's still as good. It's some of the best seafood around served in a really nice ambience. The service was good and quick.
(4)
Ruth F.

I used to be a regular, even having spent a couple of wonderful New Year eves here. Nothing surpasses the view of our Magic City so I always brought out of towners too. That being said after the fortune that was spent on the update the food has become atrocious!One must ask Does'nt the management ever read Yelp reviews?? Fire the Chef (if you can call him that). This place deserves better. I was so disappointed that after they completely remodeled it they paid no attention to the food. However wonderful the view is people need to eat!!
(2)
Maira O.

Truly disappointed! I'm an author of one of your previous very positive reviews in yelp. I'm also someone who has been to your restaurant many times, I've brought corporate groups and my personal friends. As a fan of your view and previous fan of your service I have recommended your restaurant countless times, but today you have lost my admiration and I left your restaurant sad. There is no view worth the service I received today and with that you have been awarded my first negative review on yelp. This was my sisters surprise birthday party and I wanted to give the best experience to her and her friends who are visiting Miami, so I reserved a table for 11 and expected nothing more than the great view and good service you have offered me in the past (your waiters would call me by name and your manager always stopped to see how I was doing). Not today. It took 15 minutes for the waiter to acknowledge us. I ordered coffee and juices, it took at least another 15 mins (and 3 friendly reminders) to receive all of our drinks. Refills were late and few in between. We asked for extra sugar 3 times and it finally arrived when the coffee was already cold. For each time the waiter came to our table, we had to call him two or three times. It was as if no one in the wait stuff acklowledged this table of 11 people in the middle of the restaurant. After this rough 30 minutes and after apologizing to the table a few times and letting them know that this is not how service usually happens there, I was able to get the attention of one of your managers and explained we were having a nontraditional bad service. She told me she would get what needed at that time, which I think it was more sugar. Then we ordered our meals and thought surely the bad service was just a phase and things were bound to get better. Food was served and we had to remind the waiter about my husband's burger, since it didn't arrive with everyone else's. 20 minutes later the burger was served. Embarrassed that I chose this place for such an important event (I live away from my sister and hardly ever get to enjoy her birthday with her) I decided to go ahead and ask for the bill. Again I thought things could only get better now, we will pay and leave and start to enjoy the day. But what comes next is the determining factor that made me write this review. After all, althought the service was really bad, this was the first time to receive such service there, I wasnt yet compelled on telling the world about it. But then I went to pay the bill. When paying the bill the waiter noting that everyone in the table spoke a different language, asked me if I lived in Miami and even after my positive answer he proceeded to explain to me about the tipping concept, making it clear to me that our bad experience really wasn't because there was suddenly less waiters that day, or even because he had a bad day yesterday, or other excuses i was telling myself, no, it maybe was more connected to the fact that he saw a table of Brazilians and thought he wouldn't get enough tip. That hurt me. I have always tipped at least 20%. Waiters who remember me, fight to get my table. This is not because I like to waste money or because I'm super rich, this is because I was a waitress myself. I understand the importance of tips and how sometimes a waiter can't control the service because management has failed to schedule enough wait stuff and other reasons. As a matter of fact, out of the whole table and with this very bad service I was the only one who before this last interaction was still coming up with excuses to pay the waiter his full 20%. This last interaction broke my heart and my admiration for this place. Still then, I paid his full 20%, not because he deserved, not because the service was even close to be acceptable, but because I wanted him to know to not ever judge anyone like this again. I understand that many foreigners are not used to the optional tipping, again, I was a waitress before, but the solution is far from providing a class b service to this people, the solution, if this is a problem, could be simply to add the tip to the bill. The time I spent there trying to celebrate this special day is passed, but I hope you are able to improve, not because I intend to ever go back (nor my family nor my coworkers), but because whoever is who enters your door deserves to be treated correctly.
(1)
Michael C.

After checking in, my friend asked me a question: do I like the new look, or prefer the old campy version. I prefer the old campy version of my youth. I remember many of my formative years coming to the Rusty Pelican. I loved the old sea shanty vibe you got from the interior and exterior decor. I loved the huge, varied menu. And I loved the food and service. The good news is the food and service are still top notch. The rest, however, has been relegated to generic Miami Trendy. Gone is the wood paneling and nautical motifs, replaced with pastels and glass. Gone is the varied menu with strictly a seafood menu, including sushi. Because in Miami everyone now sells sushi. Going back to the food, my swordfish sandwich was delicious. Huge swordfish steak, decently priced, and the brioche bun survived until the end. I was happy. But gone is the experience you used to get from going to the Rusty Pelican. It has "Rusty" in the title! Now it is no different from any restaurant you could find on Brickell or South Beach, save maybe more water views.
(3)
Alma H.

First of all, this has been a Miami institution since I can remember. Many milestones have been celebrated by my family at this place for at least 25 years, including my high school graduation (don't count backward!!!). Nevertheless, what you are paying for is location, location, location. The food is nothing to rave about for what you pay. This is the kind of place that you go on the first couple of dates, where you order a bunch of appetizers, and drinks, and enjoy the view - This is the ONLY way I imagine justifying the tab...THE VIEW! Super romantic, might get you a second date or third date...She might even forget that you're short, and have skinny calves...WERK it! Service...not impressed, and I am not very demanding, but I don't want to have to remind you to bring coffee creamer and shop sticks 3 times in half hour.
(3)
Scott R.

The food is mediocre at best. Unfortunately I have given this place at least 8 tries to redeem themselves simply because of the view I get during eating. They failed every time. Overpriced... I just can't really figure out what is so off for me. The menu is limited too. I just love the scenery..
(3)
April P.

Great place to have a appetizer and your favorite drink. The best part was view of Miami bay cityscape, cruise ships, and avid boaters. Service was excellent!!
(4)
Neelu S.

This review is about the valet service which is a direct reflection of the restaurant. Self service was full so I had to give my car to the valet staff. Biggest mistake ever. I saw the valet driver trying to get my car up the small incline. He could not make it and the car kept rolling back almost hitting the car behind him. I ran up to see if I could take over. He handed me the keys without fully engaging the emergency brake so my car started rolling without anyone in it. My friend had to jump in and engage the emergency brake. Worst experience ever and I am still having nightmares. Onlookers started applauding me when it took me 2 seconds to drive my car up the small incline. I called the restaurant and spoke to a manager named Oscar. I told him about my experience and he told me it would never happen again and would reach out to the valet manager. It has been over a week and I have yet to hear from the valet manager. How do you become a valet driver and are not able to drive a stick? I wish he would have been honest and told me he couldn't drive my car or gotten another valet driver that knew how to drive a stick. I drive a Mazda 3 series. It's not rocket science. If I can drive it any guy should be able to. I take many out of town guests to this restaurant because I love the food, the restaurant staff, and the view but now I am afraid to return due to my nightmare valet experience.
(1)
Aaron E.

The view of the restaurant overlooking the city on the water was awesome. The service was excellent, the food was spectacular. Will go back again!
(4)
Kenzie N.

We just stopped in to get some key lime pie to cross it off a friend's bucket list. We were pleasantly surprised. The service was great. The view was great. The pie was great. I would love go come back here for Sunday brunch soon and give the real food a try.
(4)
Jacob M.

I'm writing this review because I recently ate at a big competitor of the Rusty Pelican, and all I could think of was how much better the Rusty Pelican is! I've eaten there numerous times and always been very impressed. The entrees, appetizers, and desserts are all amazing ( I never get the same thing)...I did not even mention the view, which is the best in Miami. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because the staff tends to be a bit too pretentious, but in every other regard it is wonderful. I STRONGLY recommend the sword fish...and they will bring you additional starter corn bread if you ask. You're welcome for that tied bit, I promise you'll thank me if you've never tried it! ;)
(4)
Conny F.

So there are some great things about this place, such as the fantastic view over downtown Miami and the good food. However they really need to improve their service which is slow, extremely unorganized, inattentive and forgetful. I still like the overall experience though.
(3)
Andrew S.

Honestly this Resteraunt has the worst service I've ever had. And that's actually sugar coating it. Pity it has a nice view.
(1)
Richard R.

Typical Miami - Loud and Soulless. This was the first time I had returned to the Rusty Pelican since the remodeling. What used to be cute and kitschy, is now mid-century barren. The food, which was never too spectacular, remains so, but at twice the price. The view of downtown Miami is spectacular , but the pounding cacophonous music was as loud as in a cheap nightclub, requiring us to virtually scream at each other to be heard. Food came out fast, but it took a while to order, and forever to get the check. Waiter was professional and helpful.
(2)
Russ T.

Had an awesome experience. The food was fresh, high quality and delicious. Never rushed, had a fabulous server named Raphael. The restaurant manager Wanda is a top notch professional. Drove all the way from Pembroke Pines and would definitely do it again and again. Bravo considering the lack of great restaurant experiences in South Florida.
(5)
Brenda P.

Oh Rusty. Renovations and all but you are still rusty I see. WINDOWGATE: Made reservations online and requested window table. There is a disclaimer on the reservation site clearly stating that they cannot guarantee this. I get it. I know how to read. I figured at least I would put in the request. Upon arrival, we checked and we were told it would not be a problem and they had one for us. I left to the restroom and as soon as I came back, we were escorted to a NON window table. Um, what just happened? Did you not just say it was not a problem? What happened between my bathroom trip and this? The hostess had no answer and it seemed I would have to apply Walter White tactics to get anything out of her. What made it worse? It was now almost 8pm and the blinds to "the view" were still down. The ultimate insult? the hostess seemed annoyed that we were annoyed with her "it will be another 30-40 minutes for a window seat" mumbled response. I considered leaving (why put up with attitude when there is a sea of amazing places to dine in Miami) but alas, the hubby convinced me to just stay. Sat there annoyed and looked around me. Where am I? Where is the fine dining vibe I expected? Why is that guy wearing a tank top? And that girl, are those flip flops and shorts she's wearing over her bathing suit? What?! I did not get the "wear your finest hot pink Adidas kicks" memo! Is business that bad that RP is afraid to enforce ANY kind of dress code for dinner? (insert a lot of eye rolling here) Was I wrong to imply that this would be a fine dining experience? The remodeling did not impress either. I recently attended an event on the bar side as well as outside and loved it. The main dining room, though, was clearly left behind. The decor looks right out of a 1986 cruise ship. A cheap one. They are clearly ALL about location. If you take the view out of RP you have absolutely nothing special when it comes to ambiance. 15 minutes after sitting there staring at each other, hungry and in a bad mood, the blinds finally went up, the gorgeous Miami skyline came into view (albeit far) and the seas parted. OK, OK not really but what did happen is that our awesome waiter finally showed up. He apologized for the delay and saved the night. Amazing what good service can do huh? He made us forget the initial unpleasantness. Almost. Our glasses were filled with water and our wine decanted. We tried the Miami Spice menu and with only a couple of exceptions, I have to say that it was really exceptional. Imagine that! CORVINA CEVICHE- this was wonderfully fresh, cold and citrusy. I was in love with this until I naively bit into the white corn. Was that ANISE topped corn? As in one of the top ingredients I absolutely despise? How did I miss that? Oh, wait, I probably did not notice it was listed on the menu. Checked the menu and no, it's not listed. This is not a spice that goes unnoticed. Anise overpowers anything you add it to and it should absolutely be listed on there. SMOKED "TOMATO" GREENS SALAD- the vinaigrette was good but it had exactly one small tomato cut in half and a whole lot of greens. OVEN ROASTED MAHI MAHI- Delicious and full of flavor. It comes with a smoked sweet plantain mash that I could not stop eating! BRANZINO A LA PLANCHA- Spectacular and you get the entire fish, skin and all. The accompanying manchego polenta was also very good. WARM CAFE CON LECHE- White chocolate, Cuban coffee alongside cookies and cream ice cream? Really? What's not to love here? This was quite fabulous. KEY BISCAYNE KEY LIME PIE- this was underwhelming for me and just OK. By the time we were done, we were finally happy and enjoying our experience. The darker it got, the more we were able to take in the view and the less we noticed our surroundings. There were several men walking around all night in full suit and tie gear overlooking the staff. I found it a little overbearing and overacted. Given the scene I initially described, they really seemed out of place and even comical. One of the men even had an earpiece which seemed unnecessary to me. At some point, one of the waiters dropped several glasses on the floor and it made a loud crash. All of the "suits" rushed over to assess the situation and harass the poor waiter. They stood over him as he picked everything up and put both arms out to "block" anyone from walking close to it. Imagine the 3 men, arms out, squatting, looking around like they were on some sort of stakeout. Again, comical and overly dramatic! Perhaps they should have less "suits" and more attention to other details like properly training hostesses, improving the decor and not being so harsh on the wait staff. Luckily for us, our waiter rocked and was attentive the entire night. The Miami Spice menu is really great and the portions are the same as if you ordered off the menu; large. The food, our waiter and the view are the reason I give it 3 stars. I, however, will not be back by choice.
(3)
Mallarie S.

Request Tex as your waiter and sit outside! Wonderful views and excellent service! This was my second time visiting here and I wasn't disappointed at all. The entrees are delicious and the appetizers never fail. Live a little and you'll definitely pay for what you get!
(5)
Valerie G.

The food is alright, if only slightly overpriced. Really what you're paying for is the view and the ambiance. However, with management as incompetent as this, it's incredible this place manages to stay open. They are clueless about every aspect of running a restaurant, including something as basic as wine and menu knowledge for starters, and they seem to be more concerned about showing off the "perfect picture" on social media than about competently running a fine dining establishment. They need to invest in new management if Rusty Pelican hopes to once again be the place to dine in Miami - and so Miamians will be spared the embarrassment when they bring out-of-town friends here.
(1)
Joanne R.

Went for lunch & it was fantastic. Unfortunately the day was not great so we could not sit outside but the view from our table was fantastic. Waiter was exceptional & very friendly. Recommend the crab cake & calamari for apps and the Salmon BLT for entrÃ©e. Will return here on my next visit.
(4)
Mrs. D M.

First off, this place is 100% better than the old place; formally "Crusty Rusty." It is very clean, updated. My review is just based on brunch and cocktails on 2 occasions. The eggs Benedict is pretty good. My guest had a more simple eggs/toast dish that was so so. The cocktails are pretty good, but not the strongest. The best part of the place is the view!! You cannot beat seating right by the water; amazing. We'll go back for cocktails and maybe appetizers outside.
(3)
Anne M.

On the water with amazing views of Miami. Good oyster selection. Delicious Ahi Tuna tacos. Great sushi rolls -- spicy spider roll and Neikkai roll were both great. The Patagonia Toothfish with smoked mashed plantains were out of this world!
(5)
Pirata D.

Our party of three attended Rusty Pelican on Christmas Day 2014, and I was pleasantly surprised. I have attended RP since I was very young, and our family always enjoyed their famous Thanksgiving and Christmas brunches with the non-stop champagne. Needless to say, I was very upset went they revamped the restaurant and did away with (not sure about this) those fabulous buffets with the flowing champagne. I'm glad I returned to experience the new RP. It has been freshened up and modernized considerably (although I'm not too crazy about the booths). To walk into the seating area, you have to walk through the floor-to-ceiling, glass encased wine "cellar." What a brilliant segue to the awaiting spectacular views of the bay and downtown skyline. The hostess was impeccably dressed; I told her so later on during our meal as she walked by. Prior to our dishes, we were treated to a much updated version of a regular bread basket (yawn), and had what tasted like corn bread (not sure) served with a delicious (chipotle?) aioli and what appeared to be a flavored course rock or crystal sea salt. My dining partner and I went for the Crispy Whole Local Snapper (the dressing on the arugula and corn salad was light and fabulous), and my aunt had the Biscayne Burger. We were all very happy with our choices. Last but not least, Antonio (Tony) was fabulous, as was Victoria. And of course, presentation is everything, as shown in my attached photos. Thank you, Rusty Pelican, for letting (what's left of our family) continue our holiday tradition over the decades.
(5)
Danny M.

Best view in Miami, amazing bar, especially after the remodel . Food is excellent .. Great atmosphere
(5)
Valerie A.

I took my family here for dinner after visiting Vizcaya Gardens. So convenient and we were seated outside--excellent view of skyline! I had made reservation thru Yelp and there was a discrepancy with the hostess--she said they only honor reservation thru Trip Advisor but the waitress confirmed that customers use Yelp so it was confusing. But we got an excellent table with no wait so not really a problem. We were seated and then waited for a bit to give our drink orders (we were told it was a shift change) but then Julia came to the rescue. She wasnt assigned to us but noticed we werent being attended to and immediately came to take our drink orders. She ended up seating us at a better table with a better view and was just wonderful for the rest of out meal. She recommended the patagonian toothfish--amazing! Soft and tender and baked perfectly. And the coconut flan was delicious and perfect with out coffee. It turned into a wonderful meal with amazing ambiance. Thank you to Rusty Pelican and to Julia for an excellent experience!!
(5)
S C.

Great view and good service! Food was pretty ok, too. I liked the seared swordfish sandwich - it was flavorful.
(4)
Yami R.

The view amazing. The service excellent. The food very good. I did not give it a 5 star because of the wait to be served, the wait to get a drink and the check. Maybe they are on island time. If you Re not in a hurry, it's a superb place!
(4)
Elise C.

I went here for my graduation dinner and the food was amazing. Our server, Gizelle, was wonderful and knowledgable about the food. Halibut was phenomenal. Great service, and view!
(5)
Travis M.

This is the first time I am ever writing a review... The greeting staff was very nice and prompt. Our server Rafael? Was horrendous! I worked in the restaurant industry for 7+ years, water and greeting service were prompt as to be expected. Then our waiter had to close out a big table (understandable that we had to wait a little longer than usual to order drinks) but watching the support staff fully clear the table, put all the tables away, watch our server count his tips, walk RIGHT next to our table to check on his other table and completely ignore us was a little off-putting to say the least. I eventually had to get up from our table after about a 20 minute wait to get a busser to flag our waiter down and order our drinks, appetizers and food all in one go... appetizers were served promptly but there was an hour gap between finishing our appetizers and getting our main course. I finished my margarita, and after it sat empty for about 30 minutes the server finally picked the glass up and didn't ask if I wanted a refill or anything else. My lobster risotto was served mildly warm... As icing on the proverbial cake, we were served a celebratory complimentary key lime pie which was phenomenal! Then surprise surprise we saw said complementary pie on our bill... I just paid for the damn thing to escape with what little sanity I had left... Overall, exceptionally shi**y restaurant, will never return.
(1)
Brittany J.

Although Brian wasn't our server, he ensured our mimosas and waters were always topped off. Very friendly and made our experience great! We will be asking him to serve us next time :)
(5)
Carmen L.

Had brunch on Sunday and it was delicious and what a view. Mimosa unlimited and the banana cinnamon french toast was amazing. The service was also spectacular. Will be going back real soon.
(5)
Ana C.

Best service with Benjamin! Come by & ask for him! Thank you Ben! We are always here. I will definitely be back again for Benjamin!
(5)
Miguel Q.

Celebrated after my son's first communion here. I didn't expect much other than great views since I had not been there for many years. I have to say I was greatly pleased with everything, from freshness of the food-had the local snapper, to the service-Rafael was our waiter and he was excellent, will ask for him when we go back. Thank you for a great experience. Will go back soon!
(5)
Ravi S.

Nice elegant quite place for romantic dinner, good suited for formal dinner with frnds and family. Amazing view of brickell skyline from outside seating area, they have nice fire place very cozy for cold evening. Food is good too though I didn't try much options here. Would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Bruce T.

Had a great lunch with friends. Excellent views. Helpful staff. Great drinks and apps. Order anything and you wont be disappointed. They have sushi to steaks. We did not get as far as dessert.
(4)
Chihi Y.

Love the view! The food is great and the staff members are very nice. Order the fried calamari as an appetizers - not your average fried calamari, these have a hint of lime and some spices that make it delicious and unique!
(5)
Maria C.

Great food and service!!! Exceptional view.. My family and I will definitely come back soon!!
(4)
Xiu L.

The pink sushi was refreshing and cute. I went with my fiancÃ© on a special occasion and they brought us out a desert. Thought that was nice. I didn't really get a chance to explore the menu being that we only ordered the shrimp cocktail and sushi rolls. Ordered a drink however and the taste made me sick. Overall would recommend.
(4)
Jorge M.

Incredible service. Brittany is an artist who paints a beautiful picture of the best selections in the menu. I've never experienced food before I saw it until today. Btw, the crab cakes were amazing and you definitely have to have the toothfish platter!
(5)
Konstantin T.

Great view, small, but interesting lunch menu, especially when it comes to seafood. Accommodating dietary restrictions. Friendly, but really slow service...
(4)
Olga M.

Beauty full what they did with the renovation ! But I guess we had bad luck that night because the service was to slow they had one poor girl waiting on to many tables , but the food & the ambient was very classy.
(4)
Jake W.

Alex was our server and he was outstanding. The food and drinks were prompt and delicious. Would recommend seating parties without kids farther away from parties with kids. Otherwise, very solid, Rusty Pelican. We'll be back.
(4)
Kristin G.

This place will always hold a special place in my heart. My husband and I got married here back in March 2012. This is a Miami staple. We come back here every so often and have lunch and just sit and stare at the beautiful view. That is one thing this place has over all the others: the magnificent view! Since the remodel, the ambience of the place has changed into a more formal, upscale, but inviting and comfortable establishment. You can come here with a few friends and sit by the bar in the lounge chairs and just have a few drinks. My husband and I did just that on a Sunday late afternoon right as the sun was setting. It was pleasant. Their drinks were really great! We then order appetizers: ahi tuna tacos, the oysters, shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, etc. all very light and fresh. We stayed here for a while waiting for our other friends to show up. And when they did we grabbed a table, and at this point the bar area became rather dark, and romantic. Not bad if you are alone with your husband, but not great when you are with friends. I ordered the spicy tuna roll as my entrÃ©e and it was perfect. Very good! For dessert, key lime pie was what my husband wanted since it was his birthday. Key lime was done just right, not too decadent. Love this place! If you've never been, do yourself a favor and go! Expect to valet park when you get there. It's only $6.
(5)
Lynne G.

We had a fabulous meal at the Rusty Pelican after a very rocky start. We went recently on a Sunday night around 6 pm. There was a wedding but the restaurant was not packed. We sat outside and was enjoying the beautiful view but after 30 minutes of sitting there with no acknowledgement by a waiter, we stopped a waiter and asked if we could have some water which was provided. Another 5 minutes passed and a maitre d passed by and we told them that we did not get any attention from a waiter. She promised attention but 10 minutes later, I was starving, other people were being served and I had it. My husband and I got up to leave and stopped by the desk to tell them we wanted our car and we did not intend to pay for the valet parking fee. As we were waiting for our car, the manager came out to us and begged us to come back in. She sat us back down at our original table, assigned us a waiter. ALEX, who was amazing and offered to picked up our entire bill. We didn't go crazy ordering. Appetizer was a delicious salad. My meal was the lamb that melted off the bone and my husband's meal was pistachio topoed scallops that was the best my husband ever tasted. We asked Alex about this and he explained that scallops at RP was always fresh and no use of preservatives. Desert was an incredible huge delicious key lime pie that we couldn't finish. We would have given RP 5 stars but the start was shaky. However, the management was true to their word and made it up to us and in the end, we really had an exceptional, memorable meal.
(4)
Marian S.

Waiter was horrible. Tried to rip off our corporate group. Kept things on the bill that were incorrect and when questioned said he was too "busy" to make sure it was right.
(2)
Chris S.

Food is great,location is beautiful, but service is hit or miss. If you get an actual waiter or waitress the service is typically a solid 4 star, but should a bar tender be assigned as a waiter...well let's just say service could be better.
(3)
Hesham E.

I came here for a tasting, as we're having our wedding in the ballroom next weekend. The mixed greens salad had a beautiful presentation and tasted just as great. The kaiser roll was a bit stale; I actually preferred the restaurant bread over they offer to ballroom events. The grilled churrasco was cooked medium to perfection. You can cut it with a butter knife; it's that tender! The mashed potatoes were nothing special so we're opting for the sweet plantain hash. The server was polite and checked in on us frequently. It was after lunch and the dining room was empty so I'm not sure if that service is held up during their busiest times. All in all, a great experience. I will update this review after the wedding.
(4)
Erick S.

Excellent Location, Great Miami Views, nice sunset BUT the food is not that Great, The Food in such a big Restaurant with beautiful views should be nothing less that exquisite. I tried: The oysters(not so great, not very fresh) Sushi ( Lacking flavor and freshness) The fish , acceptable. Just being Honest**
(2)
Javier P.

DO NOT COME TO UNLIMITED MIMOSAS ON SUNDAY!!!!! B.S. Me and my party were sitting in a table drinking mimosas and having a very good time. After 4 mimosas the manager came around and said we HAD TO LEAVE!!!!!!! She said we had too much to drink and we had to leave. 4 mimosas with too much orange juice!!!! PLEASE DO NOT COME HERE.!!! Go to peacock cafe, grennstreet cafe or Morgan's. DO NOT COME Here!!!. NOBODY ON OUR PARTY WAS OUT OF LINE!!!! they just decided to cut us off unlimited MIMOSAs. Please keep in mind we were responsible enough to have a designated driver who is an anesthesiologist at the biggest south Florida hospital and btw, all the people there are physicians so we were all responsible enough to make sure that if we did not had to much to drink. we had our designated driver. Please keep in mind, this people don't offer unlimited mimosas ; they just offer them until THEY think you've had enough!!!!! DO NOT VISIT RUSTY PELICAN IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME!!!!
(1)
Kellie A.

Delicious fresh seafood and gorgeous views of the city and bay. Good service and valet parking. Extensive wine list. Easy to get to from the main road. Came highly recommended from a friend, and I was so glad we made the effort to get over to Key Biscayne. Definitely a must do if you are in the Miami area!!
(4)
William L.

Where to start first amazing incredible view i understand it was very busy but beside the hostess being completely rude and the bartender seemed bother for our presence we were about to walk out until MARINA the manager came along she didn't have to apologize for someone else's unprofessionalism from there everything was perfect we were celebrating just got engaged our server Raul was very friendly and knowledgeable he recommended the Snapper (he filet my snapper on the table!!!)and my fiancÃ© got the organic chicken which both were delicious also the crab cake,buÃ±uelos and calamari were amazing raul recommended a great white wine flowers the manager served it which made us feel even more special i don't know much about wine but it complimented our dinner perfectly last detail was our dessert had a "congratulation "on the plate she loved it they truly made our dinner one of the best memories . Thank you to the chef for the great food thank you marina and raul for our incredible night!
(5)
Sergio T.

We came in last night for our anniversary dinner, and everything was flawless from beginning to end! The hostess quickly greeted us as we walked in and sat us at one of the best tables in the house. Our waiter was very attentive and professional, never did I see our glasses go empty. He brought in a complimentary yummy jalapeÃ±o buttercake with butter and spicy sea salt. We ordered a bottle of Syltvar Proseco as suggested to celebrate, and it was delicious! We ordered the Miami spice Menu, and I wish there was more room in my tummy to keep on going. By the time we got dessert we were simply too full. He brought our desserts with Happy Anniversary! written on the plate, a very nice touch, as well as offering to take pictures at the table and out in the patio! I wish I can remember our waiter's name, I think he said Arish or something like that, I know he referred to us as "his" VIPs for the night, either way thank you for making our anniversary dinner so much more special...we will definitely be coming back soon! :)
(5)
Michael A.

I thought this place would be a bit "rustier". I was scuba diving a mile away and this was the closest place on Yelp to get some lunch. I felt under-dressed for sure. The food and service was great, just pricey which isn't a shocker considering their location.
(4)
Savanna M.

Took a random Monday off of work and decided to head out and do the tourist thing - the weather was too good not to! Was interested in checking out the Rusty Pelican for lunch, mostly due to the water front location and the view. I didn't expect much from the menu, especially considering the 3 star yelp status, and was expecting to get a greasy mahi sandwich with a side of cole slaw. The bf and I were excited to see the menu was split up into lunch entrees and a "tapa" sized section. We ordered the salmon and sea bass croquetas (sp?) and definitely enjoyed them. I would describe these more as a fish cake than a croqueta however. We also got the duck confit, foie gras, goat cheese empanadas. I saw some meat like looking substance inside but these were definitely just goat cheese empanadas. Either way I really like goat cheese. Next we got the pork belly with apple on a skewer. This was ok, don't think the pork belly was perfectly cooked, and the portion (Even with my big mouth) was a little big for a supposedly "one-bite" skewer. Last but not least, we got the GLT sandwich to split. Thats grouper, lettuce and tomato. I loved it, it was slathered in mayo and I really like mayo. The bf hated it however so... I also had the Rusty Nail drink... can't say enough good things about this. The coolness of the watermelon and the spicyness of the sriracha paired well. A little bit pricey, but I would consider going back for the atmosphere.
(4)
Rachel L.

I cannot say enough good comments about the Rusty Pelican. Yesterday my fiancÃ© and I decided to have a date night and we chose The Rusty Pelican as our final destination. Our waiter Benjamim was so caring, attentive and welcoming. He gave us the chefs specials which we had. We ate a 5 lb lobster accompanied by potato wedges and a garden salad. Bejamim recommended a Merlot wine for me that was just perfect, not too sweet but sweet enough. My fiancÃ© had a piÃ±a colada on steroids, so delish. To finalize the night Bejamim, without disappointing, recommended a coffee and ice cream dessert, it was beyond delicious. Love this place so much we are going to go more often.
(5)
Frank M.

Over priced. Where to start. We were given a drink menu that had happy hour prices shown only to find out those prices were for the bar only. The ceviche came highly recommended but considering the small portion was mostly hominy I would not call it ceviche. The oysters we ordered were supposed to be the largest they had of three varieties only to be served the smallest I've ever seen. Very little local fish or sea food on the menu. What's up with featuring fish from Chile? Hasn't Rusty P heard of locally sourced? The service was on point but pretentious and pushy about insisting on overpriced course service. Bottom line, come for the view...once.
(1)
Abby K.

Eat here, if only for the fantastic views of the Miami Skyline! Plus the food is good and the service impeccable! Our server was extremely attentive as was our bust boy and both super nice and really friendly. Try to get an outdoor table (Tip from our waiter: ask to sit near/at the fire pit if they tell you all the tables are full) or if you sit inside (which we did) sit next to the window. We were happy sitting inside as it was a breezy evening. The drinks were good, nice beer with some Floridian beers and decent wine selection. The food was also great. Crab cakes were tasty as an appetizer. There was a nice sauce on the side, which added to the flavor. The main dishes we ordered were the lobster risotto and the sea bass. The risotto seemed small when it came out, but it was very filling and I didn't even finish it all. The sea bass was great too. Very fresh and almost melt in your mouth. Cooked perfectly. We ordered the key lime pie for dessert and even though our waiter recommended 2 chocolate dishes, this was a pleasure to eat. Not too sour, but not too sweet. It was almost like a key lime cheesecake, and for someone who doesn't love dessert, this was the perfect ending to our meal. Don't let the name "Rusty Pelican" steer you the wrong way. We weren't sure what to expect, but it's a great semi-fancy spot on Key Biscayne, just a 20 minute drive from the Ritz on Key Biscayne.
(4)
Matt M.

Surprisingly good, the renovation is beautiful, my wife really wanted to go and I was reticent given things Id heard in the past. Was very impressed with the food and service great fish a little on the pricey side but given the ambiance you don't feel like you are being ripped off.
(4)
Michael C.

It's been years since I visited the rusty pelican and unfortunately only now do I realize what I have been missing out on. First of all, the restaurant has undergone a much needed renovation since my last visit. Secondly, the service was impeccable. Rafael is truly a master of his craft. Lastly, the food was excellent. I strongly Recommend the scallops!
(4)
Julie A.

Although this place has a nice view it feels extremely corporate. On the second floor they have amazing place for private events and down stairs their carpeted restaurant area and bar. They left an outside corridor with tables and a few fire pits to chill in their adirondack chairs, surprisingly they did not budget to ventilate this area with fans. I ask why and their pathetic answer was that fans did not aesthetically serves the place! but on the other hand they invested on birds sound effects(like in Disney) on their entrance. the food is just ok, with a franchise feel.
(3)
Peter M.

While the views are great and the food is good, service was a problem for our lunch the day after Christmas. Our waiter did not ask us if we wanted appetizers when we finally (5 minutes after we were seated) ordered drinks. Then the drinks took 10 minutes to arrive! We finally ordered our entrees after another 10 minutes. The food was good - one person's steak was far overcooked. Again another round of drinks took 10 minutes - we were almost finished with our entrees! The manager visited our table and we expressed our displeasure with the delay in getting drinks and we were comped desserts. What could have been a great experience was somewhat ruined by slow service.
(3)
Golden G.

A friend living in Miami brought us here, and we were delighted... by the view! As for the food, it's kind of a pricey tapas-bar, so you can order a lot of small plates and share with your friends. Some were goods, some were okay... but the place is a little bit pricey for the overall quality of the food. The beer selection is great, though, and the staff welcoming and friendly. I recommend to come for the sunset, it's gorgeous.
(4)
Don B.

Today, five of us (4 adults, 1 6-year old child) had a late lunch and were waited on by a terrific server named Avash (?). He was very patient and accommodating to our somewhat fussy food requests. He went out of his way to provide us with excellent customer service. All of the food we ordered was very tasty and arrived fairly fast. Avash and the kitchen accommodated our special request for cucumber rolls for the 6 year old, who has numerous food allergies. Also, we enjoyed a great view of the Miami skyline even though the sky was overcast and it eventually rained. The manager came by to personally greet us and the other patrons, as well. Overall, we had a very enjoyable experience.
(5)
Kate B.

I have been going there for the last 4-5 years:before and after the renovation. Went there for my birthday few years ago, St.Valentines Day, and just for lunch. So 5 stars for the location and a view, that is what attracts their customers. Food is just ok. But they always mess up on service, I mean every single time. Last time we went there, they brought my wine, but forget my mom`s cocktail. So we waited for it only 30 minutes . One time came there for lunch, and knowing their "good" service, told the server that we were on a lunch break, and had around 1 hour, so of course she forget to fire a main course. So 30 minutes after finishing the appetizers we had to remind about it and ask to pack the main course to go so we ate it on the way back to work. Also service is usually very very slow. Only the hostess (the older lady), who has been there forever is always very nice and accommodating. It is a shame that with such an excellent location they can't train their staff and provide a decent service.
(2)
Ming P.

This restaurant left me SPEECHLESS, HAPPY and SATISFIED :). Our waiter Eric was awesome. I have to say their RIB EYE and SHORT RIB EMPANADAS were the best I've ever had. And the view is spectacular.
(5)
Erik G.

Great view! Lunch is great. Had the short rib empanadas for appetizer. The skirt steak as entree. It was so juicy! So good. Wife had the grilled cheese, also very good. Service a bit slow which is why the four stars.
(4)
Hayley W.

I came here two weeks ago for brunch with my girlfriends after a co-worker recommended it. the food was phenomenal and the service was excellent. We sat on the terrace overlooking the bay. I ordered the crab cakes Benedict and they were delicious. It's a bit pricey for a regular Sunday brunch but I would highly recommend if you want to treat yourself.
(4)
Selma F.

4 stars is for the view. Not a lot of places in Miami have this fantastic view on the skyline. I probably go once every three months, with out of town visitors. The food has gotten worse and last time was very disappointing. Hostess at the desk does not always have the best attitude; even when you have a reservation. Let's just say that if you want to have a gourmet experience this might not be the right place for you but to have a drink/dessert while looking at our beautiful Miami skyline; this is the place.
(4)
Jonathan M.

Place looks awesome after the renovation - stopped in for drinks at the bar and enjoyed the view. Service is a little eh bit makes up for it in other ways ;)
(3)
Chad J.

The Rusty Pelican is basically a Miami institution which I've always heard about growing up here but never frequented. I finally paid a visit last night and all the mixed reviews seem to be appropriate. We dealt with a rude hostess, waited over an hour for a table with a view (having had reservations), and then had a bus boy whisk away a glass of wine - spilling it all over the table and chair - and then getting upset at me for mentioning it to him, ignores it happened and didn't bother wiping down the table (had to ask three different people to get that job done.) I've only asked to speak to the manager of a restaurant once in my dining out experiences and last night was the second. Paulo, the manager, worked his hospitality skills well and sat with us at the table to learn our experience. He comped us a bottle of wine, and described how he expected the experience for his customers to be. We shared with him that our server was the only one on point. I truly feel this would have been a 5 star review and really wanted it to be one had we not encountered the employees we did. I'm on the fence about returning since the service wasn't great but the food was delicious and view was nice. Perhaps they deserve a second chance so I can update this review with an additional two stars. I'm chalking the mis-haps up to my Friday visit landing on the 13th ;-)
(3)
BF H.

Recently went with my niece to see about having her wedding reception there. The catering manager could not be more rude and disrespectful. On tp the next venue
(1)
Gina S.

I'll start with the positives... Sunday Brunch there is divine. The food selection and quality is outstanding, the view from anywhere in/outside the restaurant is beautiful, and the experience as a whole was excellent. This is not your everyday kind of place ($38/person), but certainly worth the splurge for a special occasion. Now onto the negative... PARKING!! There is only one option and that is to valet. I don't mind a mandatory $5 parking rate, however waiting in line for 20+ minutes to park is ludicrous. It would be nice to know about this ahead of time in order to make the reservation on time (my birthday guest of honor had to get out of the car & secure our reservation while I waited for the inefficient parking attendants)
(4)
Michelle S.

The food here isn't that great but what keeps me coming back is the breathtaking views. I had the swordfish and it was fresh but bland, served with bland rice and bland veggies. The service was good though and our server was extremely friendly. I came to their brunch too and enjoyed it despite the crowds and the slow mimosa refills. The waffles in their brunch are hands down the best I've ever had and the food is plentiful in the buffet. Again, most of it wasn't impressively good but it was solid for a brunch buffet style and they had plenty to choose from.
(3)
Julie C.

Worst experience at a restaurant EVER!!!! We had been looking forward to eating at the newly renovated restaurant. We had received a gift card as a gift. This was the first time we had ever been. Throughout our meal the waiter was extremely wierd and annoying. I have a peeve when I'm out eating that I don't like waiters that hover. He literally was at our table the entire time we were eating. Each time I put down my fork, he would rush over to take the plate away. Repeatedly, I had to tell him I was not done. When the bill came we explained we had a gift card and to please put the difference on our debit card. The imbecile took both cards and put ALL of the meal on our debit card. After we showed him his mistake, he said..."oh...oops" went back and recharged everything correctly. 6 days later, the full amount was STILL posted to my bank account, thus putting us in the red. I called the bank, and they explained to me that the charge was never voided out. What a mess. This has been the worst experience with what's supposed to be a "high end" restaurant. The food was less than mediocre. DO NOT waste your money here. Go somewhere else. You'll be thankful you did....
(1)
Orion S.

I love the Rusty Pelican. haha mostly because of the name. In college we named out wireless router "dirty pelican" so this is prolly where I get my love for the place. There is really nothing bad about the place. Good place to eat with a great view of downtown Miami. The inside is designed very nicely from the fans when you first walk in to the oversized ceiling balls covering the dining room. But the food is what matters right!? yea, so its a decent sea food joint and it delivers. A little lack of beer selection but i managed. Overall i enjoyed the evening with an excellent view.
(4)
Orlando D.

Ah, the Rusty Pelican. Anyone with a dirty mind and general knowledge of unique sexual positions will always get a giggle out of the name. I've been here a couple of times, for brunch and dinner. I'm not afraid to admit I've done brunch since metrosexuals have made it socially acceptable for a man to eat pancakes and roast beef at noon. Come to think of it, I should really thank metrosexuals for making so many things I enjoy acceptable for a heterosexual man. You know, things like dressing well, using pleasantly scented soaps and body sprays, having anal intercourse with men. The simple things. The brunch here contains the usual fare for that kind of meal; swine flesh of various types, un-American waffles, unfertilized eggs from oviparous avian species, fleshy seed-bearing plant structures, salads, seafood, and breads. I got lazy in expanding the description of the last three things. It's all well-prepared and quite good. The bacon is, in my opinion, too good. They say people have a pork taste. I'm not insinuating that Rusty Pelican uses human meat in place of pig for their bacon, but I've done some research aided by my good friend Glenn Beck and noticed a distinct increase in missing persons reports since Rusty Pelican began offering brunch. Coincidence? Maybe, but Rusty Pelican hasn't denied using human meat for bacon. I'm just asking questions here. Dinner at the Rusty Pelican "is what's up," as the urban youth would say. Their signature snapper? Made from a mermaid princess' left ass cheek. I don't like fried food, nor do I like snapper, but that combination was so damn good it made me want to fry everything I don't like in the hopes of acquiring a taste for it. I've fried everything now. Squash, asparagus, my neighbor's fucking annoying beagle, Sean Hannity, the cult of Scientology, and racism. My theory was incorrect, I still don't like any of that crap. The snapper came with rice and veggies. The rice did admittedly taste like it was made by white people, if you know what I mean. No offense to my white friends and creditors out there, but you need to add just a little bit more water and leave it in there for at least 2 minutes longer than you usually do. Ask the Chinese, those babymaking communists how how to steam a good bowl of rice. I didn't feel like drinking alcohol with my snapper, but my date had a piÃ±a colada. What a typical female. I had a lemonade and my waitress, apologetically as if she knew who I was, informed me they only had the pink variety. I pretended to be offended that she presumed I was threatened by a pink color because I'm not secure enough in my masculinity. She picked up on my jest and said something like "I'm only apologizing because the pink won't match your mauve shirt." She was awesome. As an appetizer we had the crab cake. I can't express how awesome it tasted. I'm going to try though, and I'm going to do so in a limerick. The crab cake we had was divine, So good that I made it all mine. My date then got pissed, So I showed her my fist, Ensuring the last time we dine. It didn't really go down that way. The way it truly went down is I went to the restroom just before the appetizer arrived and came back to less than one bite left, because the bitch ate it all while I was gone and gave me a coy little bullshit "sorry." If you've got the opportunity to dine at the Rusty Pelican, by all means do so, it's completely worth it. Just don't go with a girl named Christina Guerrero BECAUSE SHE WILL EAT ALL YOUR SHIT. PEOPLE WHO WOULD ENJOY IT: Christina Guerrero. PEOPLE WHO WOULD NOT ENJOY IT: Me if I'm with Christina Guerrero.
(5)
Jacqueline D.

This was my first adventure to Key Biscayne and I was not disappointed. The drive to Rusty Pelican can satisfy you alone. As a brunch lover this place is on the top of my list. After you valet your car and walk in you can become overwhelmed by the luscious desserts (fondue need I say more) just inches from the host stand. After seconds of being seated the unlimited mimosas flow and never stop. The waiters are excellent about keeping your glass full. After a 1st round of fresh made waffles, an egg white omelet, potatoes, bacon, muffins......the 2nd round consisted of lunch items, pasta, shrimp cocktail...Are you hungry yet? This is an all day experience so make sure you go early because brunch is only served till 3PM. Pretty sure this place was a flat fee of $35+ tip but can't remember due to leaving in a food coma. AMAZING.
(4)
Natalie M.

All I've got to say is BEST food, service, atmosphere EVER!!!!!
(5)
Brad B.

I will start off by saying I did not eat here...We came late one night from down the road at the Ritz to have a drink. It was a weeknight and they were closing in the next half hour or so. We were sat on the patio right next to a fireplace. The views of Miami were stunning, and the ambiance of the patio right by the water was all great. We had one round of cocktails and were presented the bill. No chance for a second, they were ready to close. I can't speak of the food but if you are in the area for a drink on the patio you wont be let down.
(4)
Judi Z.

Change isn't always good, such is the case here. We have been going to the Rusty Pellican for years and were married there. This was our first visit since the renovation and we were so disappointed. While it needed a facelift, they managed to lose their charm and ambiance. They have jacked up their prices, done away with their specials and the portions are tiny. While the food was good....not great....there was a hair in my food (oh, gross)....they were out of the wine I ordered. Service was ok, not great. Won't be going back, I'm afraid.
(2)
B Lauren S.

If you're into Sunday brunch, then this is the place for you! All you can eat and unlimited Mimosas! The food available is unbelievable.. anything from waffles, eggs, crablegs, peel and eat shrimp, oysters, tons of different salads.. There's so much to choose from, so go hungry (and thirsty).. I love taking any family who is visiting, and sitting outside on the water.. The only issue is the valet parking line.. it is LONG.. so.. plan on parking yourself if you don't want to wait in your car forever... But the staff has always been very friendly and professional. Always a good time!
(4)
Juan Jose D.

Pricey, rusty, old, slow, mediocre food, mediocre service, GREAT VIEW, dont really think it deserves a try just because of the view. May be the place experienced better times, but, really they passed their tipping point loooong time ago.
(2)
Mary e.

The best thing about the Rusty Pelican is the great view of the Miami skyline. So do ask for get a table by the windows. The food is not bad either and the service is fantastic. Ok, for the food; I ordered the planked mahi-mahi which was this huge, and I really mean huge, piece of fish, that came on top of some beige rice with steamed whole baby carrots and asparagus spears. Everything was cooked to perfection. I would have liked some lemon on my fish but it was so tasty it really didn't need more condiments. Appetizers were a platter of something battered but the only thing I could identify were strips of bell peppers, but I think there may have been some kind of seafood too (not sure, and hence, the 4 instead of 5 stars). We also had the oyster Rockefeller and it was really good but I have had better. My hubby got the steak with a lobster tail (the lobster tail was an additional $20). His steak was on the small side though, I didn't get to try it; my hubby threatened to bite my fingers off so I stayed away. But according to him it was perfectly cooked and very tasty and tender. My daughter had some kind of pasta with seafood that came in a huge dish so the portion looked rather small. I didn't get to try it either but it looked tasty (she also gave me the "don't you dare get near my little bowl of pasta"). They had these little toasted rounds of bread with cheese as the table bread and they were delicious. For desert I had the chocolate raspberry terrine which was ok but it was really like a mousse shaped like a slice of cake. I don't like mousse. Not sure where the raspberries were, but I did have a little pile of blueberries on my plate (I wonder if they got their berries confused). My husband had the cheesecake, which was a huge slab surrounded by sliced strawberries. Not bad! The servers were incredibly attentive (mind you, there 28 people in my party and we had 3 servers), not a moment passed that my water glass and wine glass weren't topped off immediately. A nice dinner experience and highly recommended. Parking is usually valet only and it is expensive (I think either $9 or $15, something like that). They do have a lot but it is very small and most of it is sectioned off for valet. I don't like that you have to wait forever in the valet line.
(4)
Maya R.

The three star rating mostly because of the nice setting by the water and attentive service. Food was not fresh. Had to chew on my ceviche quite a bit. The prices do not reflect the quality any more. It's sad.
(3)
Bill M.

Three stars for food, 4 stars for the view. The ride to the place is very nice, crossing water with the Miami skyline on your left. Once there, providing you sit at the window or outside, the view is very nice. Both make the experience worthwhile. This place is great for a semi-romantic date, especially seated outside as the tables are spaced nicely, but they are in plain view of those seated at the windows inside. As for the food, I was there for dinner. I had a dozen raw oysters to start. They were only ok, with some having been sitting, already shucked for a while (you know how the outer membrane starts to stick to the shell?). They were medium sized, fresh but somewhat sandy and lacking in flavor. I love oysters and eat them anywhere. This was a bit disappointing. I had the Pelican Salad. This would have been good except for the quart of salad dressing they put on it. The dressing was actually quite good, basically a honey-mustard, just way toooooo much. My main course was the grilled swordfish with rice as my side. The swordfish was good, but not great. It was a bit raw on the inside and a bit lacking in taste. The mango-corn chutney was tasty but not great. It didn't have enough to make up for the lack of taste in the swordfish. The rice was, well, rice. The service was excellent. You have both a valet and self-park option (at least on the Tuesday night that I was there). Plenty of parking. I should have dropped the $40+ for the lobster as this appears from the other reviews to be the answer here. Dining solo I didn't have the cold appetizer platter for two, but it did look good.
(4)
Tri P.

Food was terrific! Can't complain especially with old school hospitality service. The view is marvelous with the night lights looking over at the city towers and bridge. Definitely get a window seat if you decide to eat here.
(5)
Bjorn C.

I went with my girlfriend and her family for her birthday and had a great time. As everyone says the view is excellent. The service was quite good, I ordered a seafood pasta which was delicious. They do a good job with birthdays, too - after the main course a group of waiters came out to sing happy birthday, bringing with them a chocolate dish containing a the most epic birthday candle I've ever seen.
(4)
LJ M.

we came here for our christmas brunch this year. we arrived about 15 minutes late for our 11:30 a.m. seating and yet the hosts/hostesses were very accommodating. the setting is phenomenal; one of the best views of downtown miami - something that most tourists don't really get to see. we were seated on the outside patio and were very lucky to have a fabulous team of workers. our server was awesome - annette and so were all the busboys and food runners. we enjoyed everything that we ate because they were all made fresh - from the seafood to the meat carving stations to the wide array of hot dishes. what is more impressive is the value that you get for the price that you pay, not to mention great service (for miami, it's saying a lot) the employees seemed to have truly enjoyed what they were doing or at least showed a great front of it despite having to work on christmas day. they all seem to have great chemistry which is always good for us customers. after having only lived in miami for a year and a half, we've decided to try out different local establishments as we go. we will certainly be back and will definitely suggest this place for brunch to all of our friends/family who will be coming to visit in the near future.
(4)
sarah a.

The ambience is still there, but the food is lacking. We go for lunch on the weekends, but I feel the waiters are way too busy to give good service. We ordered a margarita and it came in a water glass, We asked for a margarita glass, but 15 minutes later the waiter came back and said they don't have them. We got a fish sandwich. The bread was so hard I ate the fish off the bread and it had american cheese slapped on top for some reason. I also had to ask for tartar sauce. It had no lettuce or tomato or any accompaniments . I complained on the way out, I know that the length it took for us to be waited on and complaining to them, it would have been a complete waste of time to say anything other than when we got the check. My advise is , stick with happy hour, and finger foods offered in the bar, and watch the sun go down. Thats it. The view is great though
(2)
Dave L.

Spicy crab and lobster pasta dish wasn't very spicy. Still good though.
(4)
Mike D.

As mentioned in the previous reviews, the Rusty Pelican provides stunning views of the bay and the skyline--provided you're seated near a window! I enjoy the nautical theme of the restaurant; while hanging buoys and nets can get tiresome really fast at some seafood restaurants, the wood paneling, low-lighting, and general sophistication of the Rusty Pelican make the decor enjoyable, if a bit tongue-in-cheek. In addition to table seating, there are old-fashioned wooden banquettes that allow you to look out on the room as you dine. To my mind, this is a five-star restaurant. The times I have been, the service has been incredibly attentive and the meal nicely paced. The bar makes a proper mixed drink, which is a relief. Everything I have eaten here has been top notch. The salads are fresh and inventive, the coconut shrimp are perfectly cooked. The tour de force of my Rusty Pelican experience was a dish whose name I can't recall, but featured a whole fish (bass, I believe), with fried with a lemon herb batter and served with a spicy fruit chutney. I'm STILL missing that fish today! All in all, a great experience. Yes, an expensive experience, but completely worth it.
(5)
Roxy R.

this is THE place to take out of town guests. The view of the bay is beautiful--especially at sunset. I had the lobster, which was great but not cheap. my friends all enjoyed their meals (and the wine) and we sat outside at the fire pitt after dinner to finish our drinks. Great place for the ambiance!
(4)
Carmen W.

The view is wonderful. I was escorted here by a date that was trying to impress me, and the cascading water at the entrance and the view did just that. They also had amazing candy mints. Don't ask why, but I have an obsession with peppermint, so I was pleased. Aside from that, I was not pleased with any part of the restaurant. The inside was stuffy and the decor made me feel like I was trapped in the house featured in "The Shining" but with less light, if that's imaginable. I don't care about how a place is designed, UNLESS I am forking over as much money as you do at this location for dinner. THEN, I care. The food: I was presented as a starter with sliced toasted bread with butter that reminded me of a take on the bread you get at the La Carreta on 8th Street but with less garlic. I love that bread, just again, not when I am paying that much money. Even the soda was expensive. Canned soda. The actual food? All the fish was of a stronger flavoring. I prefer light fish. They had one entree that suited me, which was the snapper. At the time I was a pescaterian but I still did not like to know that the fish I was eating was actually a fish. I asked several times if the poor fish would be brought out unspined or with the head still on it, and was assured it would not. Lies! The fish came out with it's little face actually STARING up at me due to the way it was positioned. Even when I got past that, the most important part was that the fish was INCREDIBLY fishy, it tasted so old. The sauce was disgusting. The mashed potatoes it came with were a less buttery version of what you get at KFC. My date was severly unimpressed with what he ordered as well. Neither of us finished our meals. I attempted to salvage the situation with dessert, which was nauseating. The waitstaff were so rude and unattentive it wasn't even funny. I have never felt DISRESPECTED at a "fine" restaurant. They ignored us for the entire meal, we waited forever for our terrible food, and when attempting to flag them down they would snicker and walk away. Literally snicker, I am serious. So you think it's because they were busy? We were the ONLY people there that night. When the tab comes out to $150 for 2 sodas, 2 entrees, a side dish and dessert you expect to at least be somewhat attended to and not leave nauseous, sad, slighted and in need of some alka-seltzer and real food. If you'd like to spend money on a nice restaurant this is NOT the place. If you're attempting to have a romantic night out, expect the eyes of your companion to be shooting daggers at you once they taste the food. Just get a glass of wine and admire the view until they get closed down.
(1)
Miami R.

So, my boyfriend tells me he's taking me out to lunch but doesn't tell me where. We head over the causeway and I figured out he's taking us to the Rusty Pelican. He's told me how good it was and so on. We get there about 2:45 and he immediately apologizes to me. It was old looking and run down, outdated would be an understatement. So, we sit down and about 5 minutes later a tall dark skinned gentleman with a mustache comes to greet us. I say hello and he replies back to me in spanish. My boyfriend orders drinks and again, the man responds in spanish when we have clearly ordered in English. Anyway, he brings my corona and my boyfriend's diet coke. we order mahi mahi and a grouper sandwich. the server goes over to the bartender trying to ask what we ordered. the bartender shows him on the menu what we were talking about. 20 minutes later, the food comes out. My boyfriend's diet coke is long gone and my corona could use a new friend. Well, the bartender steps away from the bar and comes to the table and asks if I'd like another corona, I say I do then my boyfriend says, and I would like another diet coke. he repeats it back to us. then goes behind the bar. a few minutes later, a different person brings the corona but no diet coke. my boyfriend is now done with his food and trying to make sense of the time warp we have walked into. I finish my mahi, someone comes by and takes away our plates but still nobody brings him a soda. we sat there another 15 minutes until finally he decided to just take 20 bucks out, throw it on the table and leave. at one point we spotted a floor manager who was teaching the bartender to make mojitos "their way" he said I'm sure you make the best mojito in miami, but we'd like you to make it this way that way all our people are making the same one. If the bartender had a better mojito, why not make them all do it that way. anyway. I have never been so shocked in a restaurant as I was in the Rusty pelican. The food was good, the view was great. but the ambiance and the service was repulsive. I'm sure the bill would have been somewhere near $50.00 had someone decided to stop by and give us a bill. they got more than they deserved that day.
(1)
Craig R.

This restaurant has pretty good food and a beautiful view right next to where I go wakeboarding and waterskiing with Gator Bait Wakeboard School. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Jorge U.

We went for Sunday brunch. It's a pretty extensive offering at a pretty reasonable price. Coffee, OJ, champagne & mimosas are included. Omelet station, carving station, shrimp, oysters, crab legs, chocolate fountain, 2 large tables of desserts, salads, pasta salads, seafood salads, smoked salmon, etc. Too much to list it all. The food was all OK, but nothing really stands out. My omelet had way too much cheese in it. Service was pretty attentive -- kept the drinks filled & the used plates cleared.
(3)
Melissa M.

I set up a dinner for my boss to have dinner there with some fellow employees that were visiting us from our Purchase, NY office. I had made the reservation for 7PM, and when the 6 attendees arrived at 6:45PM, they were advised the table was not ready. No problem, the attendees went to the outside area to have some drinks before being seated. Around 7:15-7:30PM, after no one had come to get them to seat them, my boss goes back inside to the hostess to check on the status. The hostess says it would be an additional half an hour. My boss asked if there was anything she could do, as they had guests from out of town and the reservation was in fact for 7PM. She then said it would be 10 minutes (please note, the restaurant was not packed at all, nor was there anyone waiting). The hostess told them to go back outside until they were ready. Around 15 minutes later, the guests were escorted to the table. They sat them at a table against a wall, with no view, for 5. When they noted it was 6 guests, the hostess said "we will add a chair to the side". My boss suggested if they could maybe join two tables of four, to give them a bit more room. No problem, they said. One of our guests, an Executive, mind you, then asked if they could get two tables facing the water, or maybe a longer table so it would be less work. A gentleman that was assisting with the set up (a server assistant, I believe), turned to her and just rudely says "NO". This gave a TERRIBLE impression to our guests- our company hosts many functions and dinners there, as we constantly have visitors from out of town coming and we like to take them somewhere nearby (our office is on Brickell). After this experience, it is safe to say I will think twice about selecting the Rusty Pelican due to its lack of regard for our guests.
(1)
Cheryll S.

I used to love this place, but lately it has been lacking that special treatment...... I do love sitting there for brunch, the view is fantastic, the ambience is great if only they would go back to the great food they used to have.......
(2)
Aimeet D.

We went to the Rusty Pelican this past Saturday to celebrate my birthday. It was myself, husband, and three girls. We were promptly seated and as soon as we were we knew that it was not going to be a good experience. Our waiter was one if not the worst waiters we've ever had. I mean for a restaurant that you're going to spend a good $40+ per dish you would expect the waiter to have half a clue. First off he kept coming back and forth didn't take our order for a while. We first ordered Oysters Rockefeller and Crab Cakes as appetizers, the cheese on the oysters tasted like Kraft American Cheese, the Crab cakes were just okay. For our entrees I got the Crab Claws which tasted as if they came out of a box, no flavor what's soever, thank God for that mustard sauce or else I would have not been able to eat them. My poor husband got a pound and a half lobster with crab stuffing. He didn't like it at all and he said that the tail measured more of a half pound lobster than a pound and a half. My oldest daughter got the Coconut Fried Shrimp, she seemed to enjoy it. We also ordered soups, a conch chowder and a tomato bisque, they both tasted as if they came right out of a can. My two little girls ordered from the kids menus. One ordered mac and cheese which she couldn't even eat and she loves mac and cheese and my other daughter ordered a cheeseburger. The cheeseburger was burnt. Needless to say, between the food and the waiter my entire birthday experience was shot. He would forget things, would come back like if nothing, we ask for it again would come back and nothing. We would end up having to get things from other waiters. Finally my daughter asked him if he can sing happy birthday to me. He came back with the check and didn't do so, my husband was so upset that he left him a really small tip and vowed that he would never step foot into the Rusty Pelican again.
(1)
Danna A.

The Rusty Pelican has a great view of the ocean and the city, the service is pretty good, food is ok, but the air conditioning system needs to improve a lot. I celebrated my wedding here on the Pelican Ballroom, I regret it because all my guests complained about the air conditioning system. The ballroom was literally like an oven. I do not recommend this place.
(2)
Karim R.

After a night of clubbing and celebrating my birthday in Miami. The Rusty Pelican was a nice change of pace to get away from the South Beach Area. The restaurant is really nice on the inside a great view of the bay and everything. In my opinion the food was quite good I would just avoid the eggs in the steamer and the so called waffles. The waffles were like thick hunks of cakes that you could put berries on. I'm not sure if the brunch menu changes every sunday but you have to try the smoke salmon, the ceviche, the seared ahi, and thats all I can think of for now. Oh you might like the complimentary momosas. I only had one I drank enough for the next 4 days the nights before. Overall I think anyone can enjoy a good meal here inside or outside on the deck. The valet service was pretty good as well. They brought car to us still running and all we had to do was get in.
(3)
Pukar R.

It was my first time at this restaurant and the view is simply spectacular! The food was very good (we had the Snapper and Australian Lobster). The Filet Mignon was O.K. Even if the food was terrible, the view alone is well worth the trip.
(4)
Jan D.

Would you eat again in a restaurant that looks like a Residence Inn bedroom? Na, I would not. Yes, the location is nice, although maybe they should reimburse the toll fees for the bridge (just an idea, lol). The restaurant is old fashioned to a degree, that I actually made a mental note to prepare my last will. I guess I am just not into their carpet. The view was cool but the food is sub par compared to other restaurants that try to lure us with similar standards. I can not remember the service any more, which I guess is a bad sign in itself, but the food was only as good as Outback steakhouse, just way more expensive. Sorry Rusty, and I am including the Newport Beach location as well, done it once, thats it, period.
(2)
Amy Jo A.

i know some think its touristy and it is but my husband had lots of fun here in the 80's and had really good times..friends weddings..graduation dinners and mothers day brunches here. hope the facelift makes it just that much better. the view is the best and we love it there.
(4)
Aysel L.

Went to dinner there the first night we got to Miami. The food was good & we were seated right by the window and we had the view of the Miami skyline and I loved it. For dessert, we went outside to sit by the water & the waiter came out with out dessert & coffee. I do not remember his name but he was great and didn't mind it when we went outside. The outside has a nice fountain and you hear the water splashing. There were not many people there when we went but still worth it even though we got lost getting there.
(4)
Justin P.

Amazing view, but the food was mediocre at best. The view might be the best in Miami, and it is so good that you can almost overlook the subpar cuisine. Worth trying for the view alone, but you might want to eat something good before you get there.
(2)
Zahira A.

Amazing. Worked with Ana De Castro on an event that I hosted here. She was very accommodating and followed through with our every request. Our event went off without a hitch in the lounge area. The view of Miami on the bay was beautiful!!! We had a slide show playing and we were able to use the bar's TV to display it. Service was great and friendly, everything was set up the way we discussed. Miguel and Juan (GM & Manager) were very helpful and professional. Everyone at the event had a wonderful time, the hors d'ouvres and dinner were great. Only thing is this: we had a carving station set up and they brought undercooked turkey to the station. My bf is a chef and noticed this right away - he mentioned something to the woman who brought it out and she seemed to think it was fine! It wasn't until my bf spoke to the manager that they had it removed. Be a little more careful! Otherwise, thank you Rusty Pelican for a memorable and stress-free event. I would recommend to anyone! *Note that they are closing soon for renovations... I can't wait to see what they do with the place!
(4)
S D.

I've been going to Rusty Pelican since before they burned down and rebuilt sometime in the late 80's or early 90s. You can't beat the view of the Miami skyline. The service is pretty good and the ambiance is really nice. I wouldn't go here on a first date but I would bring a longtime girlfriend or go here for a special family event like a birthday. The food is a little on the expensive side and the menu is stuck in time but that's actually one of the great things about the place. It's kind of the like the Italian red and white checker tablecloth style of seafood restaurants. If you stick with fish, calamari, escargot, you won't be disappointed. It's classic. With touches like washroom attendants and the manager working the room it feels more classy than it has a right to be. Supposedly they are closing soon to remodel so go now to experience some late 20th century Miami style elegance. Maybe you'll see Crockett or Tubbs.
(4)
Bella P.

Rusty Pelican has an awesome view of the Bay. I went to have dinner on my first visit to Miami! and I have to say it was a great experience. Its a kinda of fancy restaurant with the whole sea theme. Lamps made of sea shells and curtains made of sea shells and glass bottles. Also big round lamps covered with fish nets. The menu is not very extensive. But the service is awesome. Every 5 minutes the waiter comes around to fill ur glass with water. Even though they did take a noticeable amount of time to take our orders.... It gave us time to see the whole atmosphere and the bay view ! I had the Fresh Grouper (fish) burger with fries and tatar sauce. Never had a fish burger soo it was pretty good. We went around 1pm and it wasnt very packed which was great! Huge parking lot. Also we needed to charge out camera battery .. and well the owner allowed us to charge it in his office!! Overall the experience was GREAT!!
(4)
Sean B.

We went for the Sunday brunch, which had to be the biggest brunch we've ever seen. Full breakfast spread, omelette bar, waffle bar. On top of that, they offer a full salad bar, fruit, a pasta station, shrimp, and more. Fabulous view of the Miami skyline and the mimosas never stop flowing: save room for bananas foster. Our server Raully was very pleasant and capable. We had a great time and would definitely go back again. Be warned that there's only valet parking: but we got seated within just a few minutes at 10:30 AM.
(5)
Stephanie R.

If I were to give this place 3 stars it would be because I am including the view. Be forewarned on the prices now for the level of professionalism and service you won't receive. Just like the city of Miami - the quality has dropped tremendously! Aside from that, the decoration is extremely outdated. If Rusty Pelican didn't have the view I don't know what part of the establishment would keep them going. We were there for our engagement dinner and my mother asked for sauce that came with the filet to be warmed since it actually arrived cold. They brought her back something that looked clumpy and had a rubbery texture. To top it off for me a waiter was preparing a lobster for the guests next to us and put the shell on the chair next to him! Meanwhile out glasses were empty and when searching for our waiter I found him too busy on a cell phone! The service is garbage and needless to say, it sucks that another fine Miami dining spot has turned into crap.
(2)
Dan B.

Rusty Pelican's location on Biscayne Bay overlooking the beautiful, irreplicable, and sublime Downtown Miami skyline is something you can't take for granted. Living in Miami for a long time can desensitize you to the awe that such a skyline should evoke. Don't let that happen. I love going to Rusty Pelican, skipping the valet parking, then walking right past the hosts and straight into the bar. No waiting. Straight to the view. I grab a table overlooking the Bay and I'm in heaven. For years, I have been quite partial to Rusty Pelican's strawberry daquiris. It's a tradition I have with a close friend that we go to Rusty Pelican at dusk and enjoy the sunset with daquiris. Sometimes, we order the food. I think the food is very good. Their concentration is on steak and seafood, so don't expect a very diverse menu. I had the Prime Rib the other day, and the best way to describe it would be "very good" -- no more and no less. I'm somewhat spoiled because I just recently came back from eating at Lawry's Prime Rib in Beverly Hills, California...which was the best Prime Rib I've ever had. But, I can tell you that the Prime Rib experience here is very good. The horseradish was fresh and tasty, and it came with a side of baked potato and vegetables. The price was reasonable. It was a little over $20 for a monstrous prime rib with 2 sides. The only thing I don't like there are the mojitos. They charge you $11.50 for a very acidic beverage that feels like a battalion of mint leaves invading your throat. Stick with the daquiris, other fruity cocktails, or the scotch. To me, the easy accessibility of a restaurant with a breathtaking view makes Rusty Pelican very special. I try to avoid it on a Friday or Saturday night, which is when the quiet charms of Sunday - Thursday go out the window.
(5)
Rob C.

Restaurant on the water. Go here for the view, that's about it.
(2)
Kameelah R.

I love this place! It is reasonably priced and the food is good. The only thing lacking on the buffet is that if you aren't there early you cant get fresh waffles. Other than that the seafood bar, the omelet spot, and the pasta station are awesome. I take everyone here now. I love a good brunch
(4)
Baseemah R.

This is a nice place to go for brunch. If you decide to go; go early especially if you haven't made reservations. Very nice resturant with white table cloths and lovely table setting. Your server ask you if you want coffee, tea, orange or mimosa. The food is fresh and very tasty. I think my favorite have to be the seared tuna. You can have omelete made to order and waffles. The desert table is out of this world. You will find yourself going back to all the food tables a few times.
(4)
Philippe R.

do not go to the rusty pelican for brunch. i am a miami local and we went on sunday at 2pm and waited thirty minutes - no big deal....we got seated around 2:30 and asked if we would be ok with them not breaking the buffet down. then they began breaking it down even before 3. they ran out of tuna, prime rib, and then plain pasta at the pasta station. when i asked for more, they said they were out (the people working there dont speak very good english) i asked for a manager who said they were out of things, i then asked why should pay the same amount as someone who got all the food, when i am getting less....long story short dont go here..not worth it!!!!
(1)
Liz A.

Let me start by saying I'm a Miami native and had been to the Rusty Pelican many times for brunch. It had been many years since I'd been and decided to celebrate a friend's 50th by treating him to Sunday Brunch. I made a reservation days in advance. Once we arrived, there was no parking available and the valet line was 20 cars deep at least. We waited patiently, paid $5 to have the car parked and went in. I stepped up to the podium to give our name and the gentleman behind the podium barely looked up and asked "how many"? I responded and mentioned that we had a reservation. His response was " so does everybody else". He asked my name, scribbled it down without looking up and proceeded to look away. He never even bothered to check if we did indeed have a reservation. The waiting area was packed with people waiting. I peeked into the restaurant area and saw lines for the buffet that stretched out to the end of the other side of the restaurant. We decided to leave without eating. The valet refused to return the $5 which was no big deal, however, this clearly indicated the poor management of this restaurant. What a different experience from years ago. It made for a very disappointing birthday celebration. We ended up reserving at the BIltmore for next Sunday. I'm sure they will far exceed our expectations as they always do. We will never return to the Rusty Pelican.
(1)
Gustavo O.

Special place for a Sunday! Great food and service.
(5)
Larry B.

May 26th will never be forgotten. This was the day I came to Rusty Pelican's to celebrate one of my long, long, long time friend's (She's more like my sister) Birthday. We had reservations for 7:00 PM. Now, why would I never forget about this day? For starter's, I arrived 40 MINUTES LATE! No, it was not on purpose, no I did not want to be fashionably late (Although, I did get compliments on my attire). I simply lost track of time. However, luckily for me, Valet parking was a BREEZE and I expected for it to be like $10 or $20... but NO! IT WAS ONLY $6.00 #WINNING! So, I literally jumped out of my car, threw my keys to the valet guy, went around to the passenger's side and took out my friend's birthday gift.. a BEAUTIFUL EDIBLE ARRANGEMENT BOUQUET. People were looking at me like I was CRAZY! Ok... Well, I admit it. I AM CRAZY. BUT I HAD TO HURRY. A GROUP OF 12 PEOPLE WERE WAITING FOR ME AND I WAS 40 MINUTES LATE (UNACCEPTABLE)! As soon as I went in I was fairly impressed. It was very sophisticated yet. The wine storage they PROUDLY have on display is spectacular. That's the first thing you see when you walk in. I was in WINE heaven. I can keep on writing for ever detailing my entire night but... let me jump in to the FOOD! HUNGRY? We ordered various platters for appetizers: Fried Calamari, Crab Cakes, Sushi, Crab legs, Mahi Mahi, oysters, etc. I only tried the Crab cake, Sushi, Oyster, and Fried Calamari. THEY WERE EXQUISITE. Soon thereafter it was time to place our orders. I ordered the Filet Mignon with veggies and mashed potatoes. The veggies were great, the Filet Mignon had flavor it was tender but it wasn't "juicy" lol! The mashed potatoes were OK. Not bad... not great either. The birthday girl ordered Lamb (I don't know what sides she ordered). I did get to try a piece of the lamb and it was perfect! Juicy, flavorful and soft! The birthday girl's mom ordered Fish (I don't know what kind nor do I remember her sides). I tried the fish and it was blah! No flavor at all! Our waiter was superb! EXTREMELY ATTENTIVE, POLITE, and he would not let our wine glasses get empty (YOU MUST ALWAYS KEEP THE WINE FLOWING). I wish I remembered his name. Ohhh... yeah.... the bill was the talk of the night.... $1,400.00!!!! But... it was worth it. We all had fun, ate and drank well, and celebrated Jen Jen's Birthday! I would definitely recommend this place! You must come and experience it for yourself. ohhhhh! and the VIEW was AMAZING! :) So, that was a plus for me.
(5)
Lil A.

The food was amazing, the server was phenomenal and the location is stunning. Everything was great except upon arrival the front desk was overwhelmed and had no customer service training. If it wasn't for the amazing server we probably wouldn't go back
(5)
Alexandre H.

I was back at Rusty this past weekend, and I was very impressed by the great service and attention. From the manager, hostess, waiter, busboy ..everyone.. smiles and "thank you" galore. Food? Very good, I like it, although my previous comment still stands: portions are a bit small. Price? On the high end, but the view of the Miami skyline is just awesome. Service, taste, view: well worth it in the end. Cheers!
(4)
Danielle C.

Came for brunch. Bottomless mimosas for $18. How can you beat that!? The food was pretty good, but not the best. Poached egg was over cooked and the burrito was lacking flavor. Potatoes were pretty plain. The reason for the 5 star was Tex (James K). Our server. He was AWESOME! Friendliest most attentive server I have experienced in Miami. Its easy to find good food, but its impossible to find good service here. Thanks Tex! Awesome job! You completely made up for anything the food was lacking.
(5)
Quarter G.

Came the day before Mother's Day to beat the crows. Had my 57 year old mother and 92 year old grandmother in tow. First impressions weren't so good due to the issue that my reservation I made a week ago was not the log book. However the manager could taste my disgust in the air and came to solve the issue and sat. Server was great, food was expectedly good. View was amazing of course. And Didn't take as long as I had expected as I noticed a private party on the second deck.
(4)
Stephanie F.

My boyfriend and I were told to go here from a friend. This was our first time here and we sat outside. View was AMAZING! Our waiter was Paulo and he was fabulous! He gave great recommendations for everything drinks, apps, entrees, even dessert. Both our plates were empty after our meals including dessert! Service was also great, thanks to Paulo! When we come back to Miami we will definitely return to the Rusty Pelican!
(4)
Aida P.

Love this restaurant. Such a classic Miami staple. I have to say that my fav part has to be the view. It's gorgeous. The food is great as well. The only reason it didn't received 5 stars from me is the pricing and parking. You will have to do valet unless you are willing to walk far. And I feel it's a bit overpriced. But I guess you are paying for the experience.
(4)
Honest R.

This place has a great view and usually has great customer service from the manager and front desk. Half the bartenders and our waitress were terrible for the bill at the end of the night. The quality was on par with Longhorns or any other $20 a plate steak house. The meals were too expensive for the quantity and quality of food. I would say this place was 5 stars only if I was a female with a large trust fund who sailed from another island on the way to Miami. I would call myself the "Rusty C*nt."
(2)
Max T.

The valet was a disaster, the appetizers were amazing but the 50 minute wait for our mediocre entrees killed the entire dinner. Been here for brunch and it was great. It's a shame this dinner was so bad I expected better.
(2)
Sylvie T.

It's a shame that they want to charge valet on a Friday lunch time when the restaurant is empty. They told me there was a big event and therefore no self parking. The event was supposedly at 12:00. There was no one at 11:45. I mean NO ONE!!! And when you park in the marina, the valet tells you you will be towed away. Hummm. The valet would probably call the towing company. Thank you, but we'll have lunch somewhere else. It's not the first time that I experience their unfriendly, unhelpful valets.
(1)
KathyandFlorian D.

The Rusty Pelican, renovated: When my wife and I got married, we decided not to have a big party in Miami (we will have one in Belgium), but to have a wedding lunch at the Biltmore Hotel, and wanted to go for a less formal dinner at the Rusty Pelican as we had last gone there 2 years ago and I remember enjoying the food (that ceviche!) so much back then. The outside was a bit nasty, and the deck smelled like stale beer, but the food + view made it a memorable experience. We read that the place had gotten a makeover and were very excited to go have that delicious food in a better establishment. Our disappointment started before we even entered the restaurant. Parking is not free anymore, their entire parking lot is reserved for valet parking. To me this is a blatant ripoff, since there is no real alternative to park your car apart from their parking lot. Anyway, we got in, had to wait about 10 minutes on a Fridaynight (we had made reservations), and were seated at a sidewindow, so not facing the water (no problem here, we understand not everyone can get the nice view). Problem number 2: The music was extremely loud. I understand the new image, young, fresh, energetic, but there is a difference between that and me not being able to understand my father who was sitting 2 seats away from me, while I was yelling at him. I heard bells in my head by the time we left the restaurant. So we ordered our food and drinks, no problem, our waiter was nice and gave some information, not too much, just the way I like it. FOOD: As for the food, I will just limit myself to what I had, but let me say that my wife barely touched her food (spaghetti pomodoro, no idea how they messed it up, but it didn't taste good), which is a good indication of how most people in our group felt. I had the ceviche as appetizer, expecting the varied delicious type I had eaten here before the renovation, containing pieces of fishm seafood etc. What I got was a big pile of the same fish, which made it all too bland, with some side garnishes that were too overpowering in taste. I left 3/4th of my ceviche untouched, while I am a big fan of it, and I usually hate letting any food go to waste. I simply could not eat it. As entree I had the lamb, which was ok in taste, nothing super, and it was very little for the price of 32$. My mom had the same, and she is a tiny woman. She told me that she wasn't too impressed by the portion, so you can imagine what I thought of it, being 6ft5 with decent appetite. The food all looked great, but it failed to deliver based on the looks. SERVICE: Luckily the service was good, the only time our waiter slipped up was when he asked the ID of both me and my wife after we told him twice neither of us would be drinking any wine. But nothing we were bothered by. VIEW: The one thing that did not fail to deliver was the amazing view, but that isn't through the efforts of the Rusty Pelican itself. To sum up our evening: Amazing view, obnoxious music, bad to mediocre food, stupid parking system. It felt like they tried to made the place look fancier to be able to charge more for worse food. All in all, we won't be coming back here.
(1)
Michael K.

We ordered oysters that were served some 30 minutes later. They were microscopic in size. Then after 40 minutes of further waiting we asked for the bill and I told management that we were leaving to dine somewhere else since there was ZERO service in our section.
(1)
Joanna M.

Boyfriend took me a few months ago for lunch and it happened to be during Miami Restaurant week, score! We both ordered lunch specials. To start, we both ordered the ceviche to start. Uniquely presented, the served in a can on ice- very different and cool. Fish in ceviche tasted fresh and I loved the roasted jumbo corn addition. Main Course, I had Soy-Honey Roasted Duck Breast, Three Bean Salad, Pee Wee Potatoes which was pretty tasty: the duck was cooked perfectly and I definitely enjoyed the trio of tiny potatoes but the three bean salad kind of made me be like WHY are you here? Boyfriend ordered the Lobster Salad Roll which he said was pretty good but a tad overpowering with the mayo, hey tone done on the mayo RP, this is a Lobster roll not a mayo roll. For dessert, I ordered the Mango Cheesecake with oreo cookie crust covered in milk chocolate. Good in theory but just sweetness overload and I winded up eating most of boyfriend's dessert: Key Biscayne Pie which was a classic key lime pie with graham cracker crust, topped with cream. Not the best Key lime pie I've had but better than my choice of dessert. Our server was great. I recommend RP for a nice lunch/dinner on the water overlooking the Miami skyline.
(3)
Mark M.

The location of this restaurant, on a nice night, is very much five stars. You simply cannot criticize the location of, and view from, this restaurant. Incredible view of downtown Miami, and definitely worth a visit just for that. And don't get me wrong -- the food was quite good here. Not worth the price ( IMHO) without the location, but quite well done. My appetizer crab cake was extremely good -- nothing surprising, but very well executed, with a nice chipotle aioli that complemented the crab well. My grouper was quite good, but for whatever reason it just didn't grab me. That may have just be me, though. I was less enthusiastic about the mashed sweet potato base -- well over-sugared for my taste. The chocolate dessert combo was a good closer, and while not particularly creative, was very well done. If this restaurant was downtown, I wouldn't go out of my way, but you can swing a good table here on a nice night -- head on out!...
(4)
Stefanie C.

I spend one weekend a month in Miami and this is one of my favorite places to go, especially at sunset. It has such a beautiful view and is the perfect place to dine ocean side. The food is good, not great but good. I have a food allergy and the times I've gone they have catered well to my allergy needs. The staff isn't the friendliest but compared to the rest of Miami Id say they're decent. I noticed some people commented on the food being "pricey." Lets remember, this is Miami. Everything is pricy/over priced. They make McDonalds for a reason. Go there if you're looking for cheap food.
(4)
Stephanie L.

Sparkling blue waters, fresh seafood. Yes the Rusty Pelican may have undergone a major overhaul, but luckily the best aspects of the restaurant have remain unchanged. Just a disclaimer, we went for some drinks and apps., not the full meal experience (at least I haven't done the full meal since they made all the changes and I won't comment on what once was)! Post-renovation, the exterior is different but not necessarily in an uber-trendy or unique way. The building itself is unremarkable. It's painted a sunny yellow, with banisters, that I personally found to be a dead ringer for the office at the marina further down on Key Biscayne. The parking lot is still largely the same. The spots are tiny and cramped, with the first row available for self-parking and the remaining spaces (which is about 3/4 the remaining spots) being left for valet. The giant lush waterfall has been replaced with a smaller, more subdued version and a long rectangular pool leads you to the entry. However, the interior is a vast improvement over the old space! Bright, sleek, and they still have huge windows allowing for the real star to be the breathtaking view of the city. Definitely not so Rusty anymore! My friend and I went during happy hour to sit at the bar. I have to say despite the overhaul it still is less modern and more old world glam. It actually reminds me of a cross between the lounge in the Shining (minus the creepy ghosts) and an upscale seafood spot. The beer menu isn't too lengthy, but they do have a couple of craft options including Monk in the Trunk, Dogfish Minute 60 IPA, Cigar City Maduro Brown, and Avery White Rascal. In addition, they've got a nice assortment of wines and some delicious cocktails. I tried the Strawberry Mule (vodka, fresh strawberries, lime juice and ginger beer), while my friend chose the Biscayne Julep (Bourbon, syrup, mint and cucumber). Both were well made and very refreshing. A cautionary note so you're not surprised, even during happy hour the drinks aren't really that cheap (I think $9 for each cocktail), and many of the more unique beer options aren't included either. Also, the hh crowd tended to skew towards the more mature. My friend and I decided to split several of the appetizers. The baked crab cake with grilled corn was wonderful! First off, it wasn't so much a cake as more of a large and artfully prepared circle of fresh crab meat baked with panko on top for a bit of crunch. I love when places are generous with the crab rather than loading up on bready filling and luckily Rusty Pelican capitalized on this seafood generosity. It was a bit on the bland side though and could have used a bit more seasoning. Next up were the tuna tacos, which came three to the order. Each one was a very teensy little corn taco shell overflowing with fresh and tender rare tuna, topped with a huge mound of homemade guacamole. Since the shells were not big enough to support the bountiful amount of filling, they were a bit messy, but they were so tasty it didn't really faze us. Finally, we had the spicy tuna roll, which was fair, but probably my least favorite of the three. It was pretty much your traditional tuna roll, but each piece was topped with a giant dollop of spicy mayo and a dot of siracha sauce. It was melt-in-your-mouth quality tuna, but didn't need that much mayo and I would have preferred the spicy liquids to have been mixed in with the tuna inside the roll rather then thrown on top for presentation. We thought we might want an entree afterwards, but we were far too full. Instead we opted to split a dessert. The waitress recommended their Baked Alaska. Basically it was a spongy marble cake base, topped with cookies and cream ice cream and then topped with meringue. The ice cream and the cake itself was ok, but they were so cold temperature-wise that it was really tough to actually cut through with a spoon. Nothing exceptional flavor-wise for either rock-solid component. While the meringue was the best part, it was more similar in texture and taste to marshmallow fluff. Our server did a really great job and the ambiance was stunning (I mean that view really is utterly splendid). Overall, the food we tried was fresh and adequate, although not necessarily anything particularly creative or crave-worthy. I would recommend taking out-of-towners here to admire the city in all it's glory. Looking forward to returning to try some other items to see if the entrees taste as good as some of them sounded!
(3)
Mireya Y.

Delicious food, awesome view & great service!!!
(5)
P G.

Beautifuly, beautiful views but their service is a little slow. I expect more from a 4 star restaurant. The food is very good and their drinks are amazing. Wait staff were adequately attentive. But they do participate in Miami Spice which is just this area's version of Restaurant Week but the menu for it is very, very good.
(3)
The Feisty Bulldog I.

On a relaxing Sunday afternoon we decided to rent a scooter, get out of the scene and cruise over to Key Biscayne. On our way back we saw the sign just before the causeway in a marina area and decided to have an afternoon cocktail. What a great find (we're from NYC). The Columbia river salmon and heirloom tomato/hearts of palm salad was outstanding, but I have to bring special attention to the pork belly skewers. Perfectly prepared with caramelized apple and a blood orange/balsamic reduction, genius! Also, the food presentation was in competition with the amazing views. Whether you're in South Beach or downtown Miami, I highly recommend making the trip.
(5)
Randall O.

The restaurant it has the best view of Downtown, is a very romantic place. The food is ok, I recommend the crab cake and the caprese salad, this are awesome tapas to start. And I really didn't like the seabass ceviche, it was hard and very fishy. At the end we order the cafe con leche lava cake, that was outstanding!!!' In general, this place is awesome, beutiful view, and our server the best I ever had in Miami, his name was Cameron, the drinks were great too!!! definitely I'll go back!
(4)
Jose C.

in short, completely remodeled. tastefully modernized. the views of downtown Miami skyline somehow looks even better while a live jazz band is playing in the background... we came here to celebrate valentines day and the venue and the food did not disappoint... the serving staff was not to standards but then again, perhaps that was just the case for this particular event... I will have to come back and check out the main dining experience... the place is completely redesigned and I must say, very well done! we saw a glance of the main dining area and the waterfront views are just a thing of beauty... This is def a place you want to bring a date to impress and/or if you feeling romantic and hungry at the same time... Right behind the reception area is the all-glass wine display where the dessert table used to be located for the sunday brunch they used to have... so that's right folks, say goodbye to sunday brunch buffet and say hello to modern waterfront fine dining! The parking is still an issue esp. if the weather does not cooperate... we were there for a special event and so it made for things to be even more chaotic than the usual... be sure to bring an umbrella just in case and if you choose to go w self parking expect to park pretty far away as the parking spaces closer in are all reserved for valet usage... here's a tip for the self parking folks! park on the other side past valet because if not, you will be forever stuck trying to get out to leave since the traffic only flows one way!
(4)
Vanessa H.

Thanks to a major renovation and a chef change, Rusty Pelican is no longer reminiscent of a "stinky old boat" as I called it in my previous review! I would now happily visit Rusty Pelican and truly enjoy the beautiful setting.
(4)
Katheryn B.

I had my wedding here a month ago. From day one i knew i wanted a water view and a beautiful and modern venue. When i walked into the Rusty Pelican i was in love! They just renovated and spent millions on the place. The carpet in the venue upstairs is brand new and looks so nice and modern! The lights are also very beautiful and the whole room decoration really ties together the whole modern clean and elegant look! this place is so beautiful on its own that you don't need to go crazy with decorations! The whole back wall is glass so the view from your venue is the beautiful water, boats passing by and even dolphins if you get lucky! the skyline is also amazing! The prices are pretty reasonable and the service is excellent. I had Ana Maria Martinez as my wedding coordinator and she was amazing! she is so fast at answering any questions you have and so easy to get in touch with over emails or phone. She was extremely helpful! My wedding day was perfect! the cocktail hour room Is gorgeous also. the food was really good too! and i loved the fact that the cake was included! the sunset during my party was beyond amazing and my pictures almost look fake! The bridal suite is also really nice! They greeted me with champagne and an amazing attitude the day of the wedding. They were so helpful and helped me get my unorganized wedding party together! I would recommend them to anyone looking for a beautiful venue for their wedding!
(5)
Michelle T.

I took my mother here yesterday for her 75th birthday. We were greeted by a wonderful waiter that took very good care of us. We had a wonderful view and the restaurant was clean. The waiter mentioned grilled grouper and we both immediately ordered this with garlic mash potatoes. The food came and it tasted very good. The waiter was wonderful and even brought my mom a piece of cheesecake with a candle and the plate had Happy Birthday written in chocolate syrup. He sang Happy Birthday to her. It was really nice! The problem was the bill was $136.00 and he brought us fried grouper instead of grilled and regular mash potatoes instead of garlic. My mom didn't mind and we loved the food anyway. We were not going to wait for more food to be cooked, so we ate what was given to us. It is a good thing we liked the food and the waiter was so nice. We may have left otherwise. When you are spending this much money you should be getting what you ordered. All and all my mom thoroughly enjoyed her experience but it is doubtful that we would come back
(3)
Francisco M.

I will keep this short and to the point. Our server Orlando was excellent and we were very pleased with that aspect. We went for lunch and I was a bit surprised that they would charge $38.00 for 5 Jumbo Shrimp and some grilled veggies. I guess I shouldn't be considering it's the entrance to Key Biscayne where everything is overpriced. My wife ordered the Sea Bass and that was about the same price but the portion was larger. The lunch menu is very very limited so you really don't get a lot of options. You do get a great view of Miami and of the bay which is a plus.
(3)
Nina C.

I can't unfortunately comment on the food because I only came here to drink and hangout.. Although I did catch a couple glimpses of food going by and it smelled and looked really good.. On to the booze- they make one hell of a Bloody Mary and a pretty steller Margarita!! I will defiantly be back to eat sooner than later!!
(4)
Stephanie V.

My husband and I went to celebrate his birthday. We were visiting from out of town for another family celebration. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at The Rusty Pelican. Tex was our server and he did an outstanding job, as well as being quite entertaining. He is a very funny guy. Our meal was excellent! The view was fantastic! Looking forward to visiting again when we return to the South Beach area.
(5)
Christina J.

I came here for the Miami spice lunch. It was fantastic!!!! The food is every bit as great and tasty and everyone has told me. The service was great, the food was awesome, and you can't beat that view. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Jocelyn A.

The view is great. The atmosphere is great. The drinks were ok. My glass was leaking because there was a huge crack in it. The drink was weak. The food was like eating a salt lick. My husbands tuna had too many poppy seeds. Overall, I'd not come back. Just not worth it to us.
(1)
Mike B.

Maybe it's the view but I always feel like I'm on vacation here. May not be the best seafood in town but the ambiance makes up for it.
(4)
Ximena P.

Lovely place! Had a great time ! Went there for lunch on Saturday. Was a bit crowded so I thought, I wanted to sit outside they told me nothing was available so they say us at the lounge area until there was seating available so 30-40 minutes passed and nothing .. So I passed by the front desk to ask what was taking so long and I honestly think they forgot about my party bc he looked startled to see me he quickly sat me down to a completely empty outside area. Other than that the food was great. And had a good time
(3)
Michael B.

Went here while we were on vacation; it had been awhile since we last went. Renovations were nice and make the place more modern and bright. Our server Fabio was very nice and friendly, food was great and wonderful views of the city. Great place to spend a relaxing evening with good food and enjoying the sites.
(4)
Jorge R.

Eat here for the spectacular views of Miami's Skyline!! I went here with my girlfriend for an anniversary dinner solely on that fact and dinner was great. The food was mediocre for what you are paying for, however the service and location is the main reason why you come to this establishment. The new remodel restaurant does have a nice modern feel to it, but sometimes I wish they would have keep the old style of the restaurant. Definitely if you go try and grab a table outside or at least by the windows.
(3)

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Address : 3201 Rickenbacker Cwy
Key Biscayne, FL, 33149
Phone (305) 361-3818
Website https://www.therustypelican.com/home
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Rusty Pelican - Miami

3201 Rickenbacker Cwy, Key Biscayne, FL, 33149

Rusty Pelican - Miami Menu

Beginnings

Sushi & Salads

Raw Bar

Lunch

Brunchy Type of Things

For Bloody Mary Lovers Only

Steak 'N' Eggs

Sides

Healthy Meal suggestions for Rusty Pelican - Miami

Beginnings

Sushi & Salads

Raw Bar

Lunch

Brunchy Type of Things

For Bloody Mary Lovers Only

Steak 'N' Eggs

Sides

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