ADRIFT MARE — Restaurant in Miami

My experience at Adrift Mare was the worst dining experience I’ve ever had. Please do yourself a favor and avoid this place at all costs, as all the negative reviews are absolutely true.

My boyfriend and I chose this restaurant for our New Year’s Eve dinner. We were both excited to try it, especially since it’s just a block away from our home and is advertised as being helmed by Michelin-starred chef David Myers (though there is absolutely nothing Michelin-star about it).

Our reservation, which cost approximately $400 for two, was set for 10 PM on December 31, 2024. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the host and seated promptly. About 10 minutes later, our waiter came to take our drink order and ask about our water preferences. We also placed our meal orders right away, as it was a “prix fixe” menu, meaning everyone was essentially ordering the same dishes.

Since neither of us drink alcohol, my boyfriend ordered iced tea, and I opted for a mocktail. While I understand that making drinks can take time, how about water for the table? It took our waiter a good 15 minutes just to bring water, and even then, it wasn’t until we asked the host, ‘can we have some water for the table, please?’

Shortly after, our drinks and water arrived, followed by ‘the snacks’ for the table. These were finger-sized portions of three different small dishes, along with bread and truffle butter. While the bread and truffle butter were the highlight, the rest of the snacks were bland.

Now, moving on to the courses: it took over 45 minutes for us to receive our second course, which consisted of grilled prawns and octopus carpaccio. I had to get up and find the waiter to ask why our food was taking so long. I noticed that everyone else around us had either finished their second course or was already waiting for their plates to be cleared. There was a woman and her son seated next to us. They had arrived after us, ordered after us, and yet received their food before us. Even though, they ordered the same dishes.

At this point, if we hadn’t already prepaid for our meal, we would have left and gone elsewhere.

After an incredibly long wait, our second course finally arrived. However, the main course took even longer. It was past 1 AM by the time we received our final dish and the worst part was that my boyfriend’s steak was overcooked. He had ordered it medium-rare but received a steak that was completely overdone. He immediately notified the waiter, who apologized and assured us they would prepare a new one.

Another 15 minutes passed, and there was no sign of our waiter. Finally, the manager, Steve, came over and informed us that they had run out of steak. The overcooked steak they had sent out was the last one. At this point, we just wanted to eat and go home, so my boyfriend reluctantly ordered a hamburger instead. Unfortunately, even the hamburger was overcooked.

Overall, this was the longest and worst dining experience my boyfriend and I have ever had. This wasn’t even a true tasting menu. Our reservation was at 10 PM, we didn’t receive our main course until after 1 AM, and we left the restaurant at 1:45 AM as one of the last guests to leave.

To compensate, the manager refunded my boyfriend’s portion of the bill, but it’s still difficult to comprehend how this happened. I will definitely not be returning to...

Let me start by saying congrats to Farah for organizing this fabulous dinner. I didn't know what to expect but it was an actual sit-down dinner in a gorgeous restaurant called Adrift Mare located on the 25th floor of the Hotel AKA Brickell. This place features stunning views of the Biscayne Bay. I've been here 2x before when it was the Conrad Hotel but this updated dining area is more sophisticated and luxurious. Just what I expected since it's run by Michelin-starred Chef David Myers.

For this event, they reserved the private dining area for the lukcy Yelp Elites. Started with appetizers, mainly plant-based which I was all about it. For me the Heirloom Tomatoes with Burrata was the winner but Feta Salad and Falafel & Kale were also outstanding. Even just the Hummus was amazing. You can taste the freshness on every bite no matter which one you prefer but I would order the Heirloom Tomatoes again when I come back. For the main course, we all shared Arugula Pesto, Half Roasted Chicken and Beef Shish Kebab with sides of Saffron Rice, Green Beans, and Broccolini. I loved the past and chicken but I didn't try the kabab because I can't eat red meat but I heard it was very juicy and cooked just right. I also enjoyed the green beans and rice. Both are very tasty indeed. Love me some greens and this place does it right! For dessert, I just had a bite of each. Dark Chocolate Tart was my favorite cause I just love anything chocolate :) The Lemon tart and Basque cheesecake were delicious as well but a little too sweet for me. While we were all devouring the scrumptious, we offered the signature Strawberry Kush. It was light and refreshing. And of course, red and white wine were flowing the whole night.

Loved this event. So elegant, and well organized and the food was excellent. Thanks to the wonderful staff for the hospitality and amazing service. Good to see everyone at the event and hopefully we'll have more sit-down dinners...

Had an incredible dinner at ADRIFT Mare in Brickell, located on the 25th floor of Hotel AKA. From the moment we walked in, the view absolutely blew us away — floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline make it one of the most beautiful spots in the city. The ambiance is elegant but comfortable, with warm lighting, wood details, and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe.

The service was excellent — friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable about the menu. Our server explained each dish perfectly and made sure everything flowed smoothly throughout the night. It’s a great spot for a date night or special dinner, and the staff really makes you feel taken care of.

The food was outstanding. We started with the charred eggplant spread and whipped cod roe — both were light, flavorful, and beautifully presented. For mains, we shared the whole grilled sea bass with harissa aioli and the king prawns with Fresno chili and lobster oil — perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. For dessert, the deconstructed baklava with pistachio sponge and walnut ice cream was the perfect sweet finish.

The cocktails were creative and refreshing — mine had gin and green apple shrub, and it paired so well with the meal. Prices are definitely on the higher end, but totally worth it for the quality, the view, and the overall experience. There’s also a happy hour from 5–8 PM that’s a great way to try their drinks and small plates at a better value.

Getting there is easy, though give yourself a few minutes for valet or elevator access since it’s inside the hotel.

Overall, ADRIFT Mare is one of the most beautiful and memorable restaurants in Miami — amazing views, flawless service, and incredible Mediterranean-inspired food. Definitely recommend and can’t...