MILA — Restaurant in Miami Beach

Our first visit to Mila was on Thursday (6/19) but it will not be our last. I discovered Mila during my search for fine dining in Miami and specifically for a tasting experience. I must admit, I wasn't sure of what to expect of Mediterranean and Japanese fusion but it works and works very well together. The chefs have created a very thoughtful menu and that thoughtfulness continues with the design and ambiance of the restaurant.

The restaurant itself is beautifully designed (which is a stark contrast to the exterior) and creates a feeling of elegance and naturally makes you feel luxurious. The decor and the music are a vibe all on their own. It's something you have to see and feel for yourself.

When it comes to the food, I am almost at a loss for words. My husband and I love to dine and try new places and as mentioned earlier, we love tasting menus. That said, when we arrived at Mila, we were unsure on whether we were going to do the tasting menu because there was so much that we wanted to try. Thankfully, Cameron (the absolute best server) gave great recommendations and answered our questions in a way that made the decision very easy. We decided on the tasting menu because it gives a great representation of the entire menu. Every single dish was absolutely amazing and the food was more delicious with each course.  (Note: We chose the signature tasting and there is a lot of food so think very carefully before choosing the premium tasting. If you have a larger group, the premium may be ok).

The service here is really good. As mentioned earlier, Cameron is EXCEPTIONAL. She's patient, friendly, and has the most genuine smile. She's extremely knowledgeable and knows the menu very well. In the instances where we couldn't hear the description of the dishes that has been brought to the table from another staff member, she would come over and give a summary of the dish. She's also not afraid to make recommendations and will steer you in the right direction. She's a highlight of Mila. We also have to acknowledge the bar staff who were also really great. That said, the experience with the staff inside the dining room was a little different than when we first entered the restaurant. The young lady at the hostess stand was not as friendly and created a feeling of pretentiousness that does not match the vibe of the restaurant or the staff. It could be personality but could be perceived another way. Thankfully, the experience with the rest of the staff exceeded our expectations.

Overall, we had a wonderful evening and look forward to the next opportunity to visit Mila. Our compliments to the Chef(s) and...

Can’t say enough about this place. MILA’s lounge was amazing— the atmosphere was elegant, intimate, and visually stunning. The ambiance in the lounge is worlds apart from the rooftop party vibe. The rooftop is definitely busier but lots of fun. But the lounge was perfection. It’s moody, romantic, and classy, with beautiful, African-inspired décor that sets the tone for a refined, luxurious experience.

The attention to detail was unmatched. Our server, Vanessa, went above and beyond—she wasn’t just attentive, she was warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about her job and the food at Mika. She took the time to get to know us, made us laugh, and expertly guided us through the menu, suggesting dishes that ended up being some of the best we’ve ever had. Vanessa deserves all the praise in the world—if promotions are based on heart and excellence, she’s long overdue.

The cocktails were art in a glass. I had the “Heir of the God” mocktail, which was sweet, refreshing, and beautifully presented. My husband had the “Margarita Verde” with just the right touch of spice—easily one of the best cocktails we’ve ever tasted.

We dined on a variety of dishes: • Truffle Hamachi – delicate and rich • Avocado Truffle Maki – every bite a burst of flavor • Spicy Tuna Maki – perfectly balanced • Hamachi Maki – citrusy and refreshing • Truffle Pasta – creamy, and absolutely divine • Beef Tenderloin – cooked medium well to perfection, juicy and flavorful • Crispy Brussels Sprouts – a surprisingly delightful side

To finish, we shared the Chocolate Fondant—a rich, decadent end to an exquisite meal.

While it is definitely a fine dining experience, and the pricing reflects that, we felt it was more than worth it for the level of quality, creativity, and service we received. Every plate felt intentional—crafted to delight and surprise. Portions are intentionally modest to highlight quality over quantity. We spent more than a couple hundred dollars (not including taxes, and the service charge) for two, but it was worth every dollar.

Service was prompt—we had a 6:45 pm reservation and were seated right on time. A note to future guests: the dress code is enforced, and reservations are strict. Arrive on time and dress elegant chic—it’s part of maintaining the elevated atmosphere.

There is simply nothing like MILA. It’s more than a meal; it’s an experience. Thank you, Vanessa, for making our evening truly special. We can’t...

I used to be a big fan of coming to Mila (and MediterAgean in Orlando), taking pretty much all my friends whenever they come to visit, coming for special occasions, or coming for a nice weeknight dinner/lounge experience. However, my most recent visit for a friend’s birthday made me less of a fan.

First of all, cocktails here are running for $30+ now. They’re decent cocktails, classics using top shelf, but not that special, particularly strong, or creative otherwise. That aside, I’ve never really had a nice experience at the bar itself, the bartenders are always a little standoffish for whatever reason. I think their entrees also all went up in price and to be honest, the food is fine but not enough to justify the prices, the small portion sizes aside. As an example, mid-size oysters from Florida (not even imported from Northeast or Pacific) we’re going for $4 an oyster pre-tax & tip. I have not been to their omakase service, but the sushi menu offered was pretty standard and you can get better rolls around the city for less.

The music for dinner service was also so loud in the outdoor dining terrace that it was nearly impossible to have a conversation without yelling. The service was good from a superficial standpoint (attentive, clean, timely), but when we asked the server basic questions about the menu they didn’t seem to know much to answer, which for a restaurant aiming to be a high-end experience, I expected more.

I understand part of the prices is paying for the ambience, which is basically the only draw to this place left. Beautiful interior design and they have a fire dancer come out about once per hour (starting around 9pm), when everyone comes out to the outdoor terrace to record, making it a pretty obnoxious experience for people dining near the entrance to the terrace. Nonetheless, the fire dancer does add a nice touch to the ambience. A DJ for dinner service is a bit unnecessary but music is good anyway.

The door is also overly intimidating these days for a place that isn’t really a club. I used to genuinely enjoy coming to Mila, but now I’m afraid its becoming more of a typical shiny Miami tourist trap feigning exclusivity vs. actually delivering food and drink that is truly special. Lots of frills, but basics and actual vibe of the people need work, if that...