Stiltsville Fish Bar — Restaurant in Miami Beach

By the time dinner at Stiltsville Fish Bar concluded, I felt optimistic and a little nostalgic too.

This new Sunset Harbour resident, who took over the (old favorite) PB Steak spot, means business. Opening a seafood restaurant in Miami is not necessarily the most novel of concepts, right? But chefs Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth are all hands on deck with this one. And it shows.

Nautical-inspired motifs throughout the space anchor the theme. I especially love the playful #manmaid brass purse hooks: Poseidon meets mermaid. The open dining room includes an inviting bar and lounge area in sandy beige shades with sprays of sea greens and blues. Drop-in shoppers are encouraged to ring the large brass bell for service, at the strategically placed blink-and-you-miss-it charming retail area. Talk about constant good “ding” chi: Feng Shui 101!

TIP: If possible, visit with a large group so you can sample the most items possible, as I did.

What I tried:

Buffalo Fish Wings Striped Bass Smoked Fish Dip Sweet Corn Spoon Bread Smokin' Havana Scallops Golden Tile Black Grouper Crispy Coconut Shrimp Sour Orange & Snapper Ceviche Green Eggs & Ham Gooey Chocolate Cobbler Sticky Meyer Lemon Cake Wood Grilled Oysters

HIT:

Under a cloud of smoked rosemary, hidden inside a glass dome, the Smokin’ Havana Scallop arrived causing quite an aromatic stir. Nearby diners rubbernecked to see just what was going on at my table #truestory. Combined with Cuban tobacco smoked plantains and crispy ham chips, the exquisite scallops deserved all the hoopla. The sweet. . . The salty. . . The crunch. . . The oohs and ahhs. Sold! Another stellar dish, for me, was the Buffalo Fish Wings and accompanying chili lime hot sauce. Think of it as fried chicken- of the sea. Do not attempt to eat these with a fork and knife. Put that pinky down, the elbows up on the table, and have at it. Really. It’s all edible too, right down to the wings.

Deceivingly listed under ‘Small Plates,’ the Sweet Corn Spoon Bread was the gift that kept on giving. Especially with the Butter Poached Lobster supplement. Slowly, I repeatedly scooped out sinful spoonfuls of the tender chunks of lobster, layered over the hot and creamy corn. Order one to share or keep it all to yourself; I know what I will be having next time.

Now, here’s a confession. Although I love to eat fish, I’ve stopped ordering it. Even at the most upscale restaurants. Too often, I’m disappointed with its execution: too dry, too fishy, or too bony, and usually saved only by a great sauce. Needless to say, I really wasn’t expecting much this time either. The Daily Catch menu specials featured the Cast Iron Seared Black Grouper, Golden Tile, and the Grilled Striped Bass. One bite and I knew I’d entered a new dimension. When they said “simply prepared and fresh," they meant it. Sauce? What sauce? I’m pretty sure several containers out of their ten available sauces sat somewhere on the table, but I didn’t care to try any of them. Of the three specials, I enjoyed the bass the best. I also loved the sides of each course (sweet plantain “mofongo” bacon & garlic sofrito, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, and ground local grits with grilled sweet corn).

With its warm decor, laid-back vibe, reasonably-priced and varied menu, Stiltsville Fish Bar (named after Miami’s unique historic structures) has that oomph needed to succeed in the very tough market that is Miami. As a Browardite, I’m truly jealous I don’t have anything resembling this restaurant nearby. If I did, I would be there every single week!

I plan to navigate the rest of the menu soon: the Surf N’ Turf Burger, Lobster Risotto, Pimento Cheese Croquette, and of course the Bayleaf & Citrus Crusted Fried Chicken. Additional motivation to return? The promise of magnificent harbor and sunset views once the upstairs deck is completed in 2018. Anchors aweigh, friends....

WHY I LEFT BEFORE EVEN EATING I noticed that the quality of Stiltsville had declined since first opening but a friend pushed me to give it another try - we didn't get very far. There was a line to sit even though there were easily 5 or 6 empty tables. We instructed the girl behind the bar that we wished for her to reserve for us a fish we picked from the ice bath next to the bar. She agreed. So we ordered a couple glasses of wine and waited for room to empty at the bar.. When two seats freed up, we grabbed them and reminded the girl behind the bar of the fish we had earlier picked. She had given it away. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal but in this particular case it was the only fish in the tub with non-cloudy eyes which is the first sign of a "fresh" fish. Meaning there was no way we were picking another fish. Not even an I'm sorry from the girl behind the bar. So then I went to use their restroom. And have attached pictures of their nasty men's bathroom. A restaurant charging the prices they do should have a clean bathroom. It was disgusting. Only makes me think of the worst of their kitchen. Filthy place, bad fish, umm - next move was no brainer... Upon my return, quickly finished the glass of wine and went elsewhere. Good luck.

IN RESPONSE TO STILLTSVILLE'S RESPONSE No one is interested in the vacuous statement: "We are always looking to improve and value your feedback." If one or a company is serious, he/she/it responds with how one/it actually plans to improve. An empty response in the guise of a serious response all-the-more affirming there is a serious...

We had an absolutely unforgettable dining experience at Stiltsville Fish Bar in Miami Beach. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance captured that perfect blend of laid-back coastal charm and elevated culinary excellence.

The star of the evening, beyond the incredible food, was our waiter Orlando. His service was truly top-notch—friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without ever being intrusive. He made thoughtful, spot-on recommendations throughout the night that elevated our entire meal. It's rare to find someone who so clearly enjoys what they do and takes pride in creating a memorable experience for guests. Orlando is a gem, and Stiltsville is lucky to have him.

Now let’s talk about the food—every bite was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The seafood was impeccably sourced and prepared, with standout dishes that showcased both creativity and respect for coastal traditions. It’s clear that the kitchen takes serious pride in their craft.

A fun and unexpected highlight? The signature hand scrub in the bathroom! It was so good we actually ended up buying some to take home. It’s little thoughtful touches like that that show how Stiltsville goes above and beyond, even in the smallest details.

We’ll absolutely be back, and we’ll be telling all our friends to ask for Orlando when they go. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Miami Beach, Stiltsville Fish Bar is a must-visit for anyone who loves seafood, stellar service, and a true...