Rusty Pelican Reviews

3.75
An iconic spot in Miami. No wonder it is packed, one of the best views in Miami, which you can experience both indoor and outdoor. We made a reservation via phone, but nobody picked up for 30 minutes. We got the table fast once we arrived, and the service was so NICE, and they check up on you frequently, which I appreciate. The reason why it is not 4 or 5 stars is that I was expecting more from the food. It was decent, but you expect a little more from a seafood restaurant with such a price. I have to mention they give you complementary corn bread before the appetizer, which is always nice. Our octopus was bit too dry. Surprisingly, the steak was tasting great, but everything else you see on the photos was average. If you are looking for fantastic seafood, look for the next place, but if you are looking for decent food with a nice view go and try it for yourself.

Views were great! The music was very loud inside and we could barely hear each other talk. Wait staff was not great either and we had to wait a long time for our food. The food however was very good!

An amazing spot! Great food, drinks, service and view!

Food is good, the environment is amazing. The presentation is unpecable. Didn't seem to have many options for: food with no dairy; celiacs; nor vegetarians, though.

Love this place ,have come for years. The bar area great views of Miami. Emily a great server in that area makes this place a staple in our family and enjoying Miami the way it should be.

I visit this restaurant often with my boyfriend. I always order the Atlantic salmon and it always tastes amazing ! I also ordered the crab cake for my appetizer which was to die for. I would definitely recommend if you want great tasting food with a nice view.

The Rusty Pelican is indeed the spot...A place where u can experience ultimate in fine dining..I promise u will enjoy the food, the location, and the fine staff it entails...Make it your experience....

The food here is amazing and comes out very quickly; I was surprised at how fast it came out. It's also one of THE BEST views you can find in all of Miami (Downtown, South Beach, etc.) The only critisism I have is that our server could have made the dining experience a bit more personal. I work in the same industry at a similar restaurant in South Beach and seeing how personal we make the whole experience for those who dine with us, I wish I could see it everywhere. Yet even this critisism can be overlooked thanks to the great food and amazing view. I would recommend to any and everybody that can dine here. Thank you!

The food and service at the rusty pelican was amazing. The view overlooking downtown miami is literally second to none. I recommend this place to anyone visiting miami for a nice seafood dinner or specal occasion.

Lovely place on the water with nice people working there. My most favorite thing was octopus from appetizer section, so fresh, so good.

The rudest service ever! You would think that such a reputable restaurant that have been in the island for years would provide excellent service but the truth is I've never felt so uncomfortable in my life. Me and my husband had to stand up and leave after waiting like idiots for 15 mins. The staff in the lounge area completely ignored us , they attended immediately 2 other parties that came in after me & my husband. . The bartenders and the rest of staff that work in the lounge area are rude. I will not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

We made a reservation for a Saturday two days in advance and upon arrival we had to wait 45 minutes.

My son planned on his wedding reception taking place at rusty pelican on 9/27/20. He signed a contract in January and gave his deposit. In March when COVID restrictions went in place he called to discuss it and spoke to the director. She said they were processing refunds but at that time was for weddings taking place in Apr-Jun. at this time my son is now married (in our backyard) and My son has kept calling and emailing and they still haven t answered him or given his money back. Super disappointing, not what we came to expect from rusty pelican.

The Rusty Pelican "like so many restaurants" isn't what it used to be! Within the last seven months the menu has changed and so has their atrocious prices. Great view, great service but this would be the only reason to go. The food is now mediocre and the portion size is ridiculous. The menu is limited in my opinion and they removed the steak tartare from the appetizer menu. This was a key factor in going to the Rusty Pelican because they were famous for their fresh quail egg over the steak tartare appetizer. My chicken was as tough as shoe leather and for almost $26.00 I would have expected a much bigger meal. This was an hors d'oeuvre!!!

Oh and don't bother asking for a window seat during your reservation as they act like it's a huge inconvenience and you're unlikely to get it anyway when you arrive. This is such a shame! I've been coming here for most of my life and to see it spiral down like this is sickening.

Save your money and your appetite for someplace else.

Rusty Pelican has some excellent dishes from lobster crab strips. These are seafood restaurants, and this is the most high quality. Excellent food, the service is also very good. More importantly, you can from your office to see the Miami skyline. A separate opinion deserves to come here, where I recommend evening/night. However, this place is very expensive, so it loses the star. Beautiful sea nights on the sea. We chose outdoors because it was the most beautiful night. We ordered a list of sushi and a bunch of french fries, freshly mashed potatoes, a big part.

My wife and I had family in from out of town, and wanted to take them somewhere nice.
We had visited the Rusty Pelican a year ago and were very happy with everything, so we took them there Christmas Eve or a nice dinner and drinks.
It was pretty bad!
Started in the bar area 1st to watch the sunset on the Miami skyline, every drink took 10+ minuets to get and 2 of 5 were wrong. (Only two other couples in the area, so they were not busy) The waitress was clueless for a bar area, we had to repeat everything several times and point to what we wanted on the drink menu before she maybe got a clue.
Then we went to dinner and the waiter could not have been less concerned for our dining experience. Several quick, abrupt responses to any questions. An example of many would be: When I asked about a steak special they had, he ignored any feedback and quickly asked "how do you want that cooked" and then turned and walked away. Drinks were empty, and I still wanted to include a few appetizers for the table, I had to go chase him down to complete my order, and ask for drinks. The service was equally as bad thru the entire meal.
We skipped deserts after we asked to see the desert menus and he dropped 5 menus on the corner of our table and walked away.
Not the service I expect for a $450. dining experience (5 people and no desert)
That also includes a (as they call it) "small" 18% gratuity which I think they added before tax was calculated.

Best view in Miami. Have been for dinner and also for happy hour. Happy hour is a great value and vibrant. Really nice facility

To start off the view on the patio is where it's at the inside is beautiful as well it gives off an amazing feel and vibe so peaceful and relaxing!!! The food was so tasty, hit all the right taste buds, the prices are kind of high be ready, but not to bad for where your at and the atmosphere you pay for what you get and it was awesome!! The serves and all the workers were very polite and will bend backwards so you can enjoy your night out. We are so going back next time we come to Miami.

The worth experience ever
I made reservations, when I arrived, they said I have to wait 25 min, but often one hour waiting they did not have table for me and they were very very Rude. I just left

The name was a bit of an undersell for some very hungry travelers. Walked in expecting a dive. Instead it was a SUPER high class joint with a menu full of nothing but seafood and a price that would make most blush when you consider the name. To be fair we were treated well but we left shortly after arriving because there was nothing for us there. We would have paid the price if they actually had something everyone in our party could enjoy.

This is an average restaurant in disguise of fine dining. The hosts are not polite or welcoming, the service is rather slow and the food quality could be much much better for the price.

The restaurant has a great view, great food and staff. However, they need a better valet service company as they are understaffed and do not seem to have a sense of urgency. After a great meal and experience inside the restaurant, the valet service is very disappointing and over shadows the experience. Be ready to wait an unreasonable amount of time for your car or just Uber there. And by the way my wife is pregnant!

Beautiful views and location. Had the surf and turf. Mac and cheese definitely unique was not a fan. Braised short rib was phenomenal and the lobster. We had calamari and the mussels as apps. Very good. Overall experience great. Staff friendly and easy on the eyes l

Nice place nice atmosphere the worst service I've ever had in this tier of a restaurant I spent almost 80$ for a dish that wasn't what I ordered my wife was eating from the sides of the dish the waiter was going to take it from the table that's unheard I'm never coming back to this place ever again I think they don't like Arabic people here didn't know they were discriminative wish I can give a 0 stars

It's a good restaurant, the food is tasty and the view on Miami is just beautiful.

Great food & service. Beautiful views of Downtown Miami...

The food was amazing, the view breathtaking. The service excellent, and the cocktails very satisfying. We were too late for happy hour, but I heard even more enticing. Highly recommend. I would definitely visit again.

Spectacular Miami sunset with excellent cocktails and great food.
Been here several times with large groups and only with a partner and service is on point.

Rusty Pelican has the best view of Miami. The food was amazing and the flan with coconut was to die for. Beautiful ballroom for events.

First I have to say that the scenery and food are great, what was displeasing was the service displayed by our waitress. We were there on the 1st of March and were eating outside by the water. One of the first tables by the door and stairway, and our waitress was blunt, non conversational and didn t even ask if we wanted anything, WE had to ask her for coffee and items to accommodate the children of 2 and younger at our table. I get having a bad day, but we are paying for food and great service, not a rude waitress that is not being hospitable. I was so close to ask for another waiter, she was horrible. If I ever go back I would never want her to wait my table ever again.

Today, I came to Rusty Pelican to celebrate my granddaughters birthday. I want to take this moment to compliment our server Ryan who has excellent professional customer service skills. I would also like to commend the manager Rafael, who came by our table several times to ask if there was anything that they could do to make my granddaughter s time in the restaurant extra special. Thank you

Went fishing by the Rickenbacher Causeway and then decided to visit the Rusty Pelican restaurant. The staff was great, the hostess was polite. The restaurant was busy but yet there was no wait to be seated. Everything was clean and the entire restaurant had a delicious aroma that made you want to order everything on the menu. The waiter was polite and attentive. Even though I had water, my cup was never empty. Will definitely come back!

Great experience! It was our first time there. The staff was friendly and welcoming. The food was AMAZING! Great view of the city.
Do recommend!

What a tremendous expertise, the grounds, food, service, employees and atmosphere were all prime notch. thanks to the complete team for creating our day thus unforgettable.

I made a reservation for New Year s Eve in advance even I gave my credit card info to make the reservation. We got there 5 minutes early, and they sat us pretty fast. Our table had a beautiful view. 20 minutes pass and no one comes - 30 minutes we got water and we order some drinks that never came. After waiting for 56 minutes we decided it was enough and we walked to address the manager. To what the manager just responded I am sorry. WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!!!!

It's all about the view...and the food...and the 5 star service.

Great view, just had appetizers and drinks with friends

Best ambience, view, and sea breeze in Miami! Awesome menu, excellent service! Rarely say it, but these people starting with management go the extra step.

Amazing food, amazing service, phenomenal view. I had my first wedding here. We ended up divorced shortly after. However, that does not take away from the fact that this place stands above the rest of seafood restaurants in Miami.

Great service and food. Skyline view especially on the terrace. Last time we also saw Dolphins swimming by. $$$ but worth it.

They wont let you sit unless you are spending big money on the table. I will not recommended!!!

We are grateful that we have reserved here. The food was really very good ... The view is not incredible to describe in words or emotions. We find the price - performance ratio to be incredibly fair and very moderate even for such a view. The service was very friendly and attentive. This is also a praiseworthy word to the whole team ... Thank you very much for letting us be your guest

It is a beautiful place with very good food in Miami

I loved. Excellent service and a very personalized treatment. Keep in that way!

I ve been eating at the Rusty Pelican since I was a kid and this is my favorite restaurant in Miami! The food is great, the service is always spot on and the views of downtown Miami are spectacular. If you are in the downtown Miami area and you want a romantic dinner, than there is no better restaurant than the Rusty Pelican. If you do plan on going I would also recommend checking out Hobie Beach for a romantic stroll

Wonderful restaurant I recommend it very good service and spectacular food

Horrible experience they have a huge business in the completely empty parking lot when the restaurant parking lot is full they have a car outside that will put boots on the wheels they are not even able to put you a ticket of a wretch in the day I do not recommend it

Went for my father's birthday, his dish came out wrong and it was explained to him that is just how they make it now. If he wanted fish sticks we would buy Gordon not spend $50. Also, music was insanely loud we had to yell at each other. Let me finish by saying we have been going there for over 30 years. We won't be back.

Best view in Miami! Iconic skyline, with amazing food! A little pricey but well worth the experience. If visiting from out of town, would highly recommend.

First, the wonderful view of the skyscrapers of Miami, a special place to share a business lunch or a romantic dinner, the very complete menu and the varied wine list, the delicious cocktails, the customer service was very good, we recommend 100% it is very calm and elegant the atmosphere. First of all, the wonderful view of the Miami skyscrapers, a special place to share a business lunch or a romantic dinner, the very complete menu and the very varied wine list, the delicious cocktails, the customer service was very good, we recommend it 100% the atmosphere is very quiet and elegant.

View was fantastic but service was horrible. Drinks took almost 2 hours, we also paid for 5 course tasting menu and never got our desert. Go for the view, not the service.

Always amazing. The view is gorgeous and the services is very good! Highly recommend this place for a nice dinner or a special occasion.

Best brunch in Miami.

My wife loves this place. Mimosa all the time

Love this restaurant 100% views.service.food outstanding. Salmon beautiful plated taste great parking limited.will be going back

Rudest staff ever put me in the wrong table food is over priced if i could give it 0 stars i would worst experience!!!!!!!

Absolutely freaking awesome!!! One of the best meals I ve ever enjoyed.

great food, Superb view of Brickell Bay + buildings skyline

Ok so we got here a party of 8 and there was no availability for 8 and Devin Manager of Rusty Pelican in Key biscane made it happen he accommodated us. While we were waiting they gave all us a glass of champagne. He underpromise and over deliver. Great service

The 1 star is definitely because the view deserve it. But if you planning to go an enjoy the view and a meal at the rusty pelican, just go for the view, and go somewhere else for the meal. My family and I when today, and it was the biggest regret ever. The food looks good. But is tasteless, sooooo over price, service is kind of ok.
But if you have a restaurant with such a great view, with so much people working in it. At least I hope for a good chef. Im so disappointed by this place.
I guest once was good and thats when it turn into a well know place in miami, but now days is not.
Sooooooo expensive and really bad food

Great service, awesome ocean view and the food is delicious. Great experience.

We've been here twice and both times we found hair in our food. Should've stopped coming after the first time but we decided to give them another try. The location is nice and you have a view of the ocean but who needs a good view when the hygiene is disgusting?

Really nice ambience and views at night. Average food.