Brasserie Laurel — Restaurant in Miami

My husband and I came to Brasserie Laurel for a quick happy hour for the first time before a show at the Kaseya. What an amazing experience! Coming in, you’re immediately impressed by the beautiful and sophisticated decor - beautiful color combos of navy and gold with marble and wood accents. Yovi warmly greeted us and gave us a great orientation to Brasserie Laurel, including her very helpful recommendations. She was friendly and knowledgeable and helped make our first experience here amazing.

We were pleasantly surprised although we were there for happy hour to receive an amuse bouche and a warm, complimentary biscuit. What a nice touch! Both were absolutely delicious and got us excited about the dishes to come. The biscuit especially was absolutely amazing - warm and rich with incredible flavor.

We started with some oysters, which were served beautifully and had great flavor. Very easy also to remove from the shell. We also had the shrimp cocktail, which you wouldn’t think would be anything special, but really impressed us in the size and quality of the shrimp. The beet and watermelon salad was maybe one of my favorites - tangy, refreshing and great blending of flavors. The tartine and frog legs came out next and were also amazing. You cannot miss the frog legs (unless maybe you really have something against eating frogs) - crispy, flavorful and the green goddess sauce pairing is phenomenal. It was my husband’s first time having frog legs and he loved them. Lastly, we got the short rib pappardelle to share - the pasta was clearly fresh and the sauce was rich and flavorful. A very good portion to share after having a few other apps, as Yovi recommended to us.

Beyond just the amazing food, the service was exceptional - especially again considering we were there for happy hour but even just as a standard. The pacing of service was smart and well-executed. Although we ordered all our dishes together, they brought them out in a very logical order based on temperature and size - smaller cold dishes first and warm and more substantial last. And we never had any come out too quickly or too late. Our table was cleaned in between dishes and new silverware was given when needed without asking. Empty dishes disappeared from the table quickly and efficiently, but always when we were actually finished. My husband and I particularly both noticed one moment of great attention to detail with this that really impressed us. The shared shrimp cocktail plate was empty and someone came to take it away but then had a subtle glance at my plate and saw I had a shrimp on my plate and left it to let me have the sauce with my last remaining shrimp. A small but impressive moment of excellent service.

Yovi of course made up a big part of our great experience - she knew we had a show to catch and was very kind to be mindful of this for us by checking in to see if there were other things we wanted to order (which is good, because my husband and I could have ended up sitting there all night!). She did this in a pleasant and friendly way that did not rush us at all and clearly was for our benefit.

We will definitely need to come back for a full meal experience too, although highly recommend the happy hour as one of the best in Miami and a must-try. I think the cherry on top is that Brasserie Laurel is one of the very few restaurants at Miami World Center of local origin. I understand they are owned by the Ariete group, which also has the Michelin-starred restaurant Ariete in the Grove in its portfolio. So you know you’re in good hands here. Chug’s I understand is also part of the same group so I believe that and Brasserie are the only two restaurants at Miami World Center actually from Miami, all the other places maybe nice but they’re transplants - so please...

Brasserie Laurel is one of those rare restaurants that not only meets expectations but elevates them in every possible way. From the moment you step through the doors, you’re greeted with an atmosphere that is both polished and inviting—classic brasserie charm blended seamlessly with modern Miami sophistication. The lighting is warm, the décor thoughtful and elegant, and the energy in the room feels lively without ever being overwhelming. It’s the kind of place that makes any meal—whether a casual dinner or a special celebration—feel elevated.

The food at Brasserie Laurel is absolutely spectacular. Every dish showcases exceptional technique, seasonal ingredients, and an artistic attention to detail that makes each plate as beautiful as it is delicious. The flavors are bold yet refined, with surprising elements that never overpower but instead complement the heart of the dish. From perfectly seared meats to delicate seafood preparations, to rich sauces and vibrant vegetable sides, everything feels meticulously crafted. The bread service alone sets the tone—warm, fragrant, and paired with butter so good it deserves its own mention.

One of the standout qualities of Brasserie Laurel is the harmony between classic French brasserie staples and contemporary twists. Traditional favorites are treated with respect but reimagined in a fresh, exciting way. Whether you’re enjoying a velvety soup, a perfectly cooked steak, or a beautifully composed entrée, every bite feels luxurious and full of intention. And be sure to save room for dessert—their pastry program is exceptional, offering indulgent, elegant sweets that finish the meal on a perfect high note.

The cocktails and wine list are equally impressive. Each drink is thoughtfully crafted, balanced, and presented with finesse. The cocktail menu shows creativity without gimmicks, and the wine selection features bottles that pair brilliantly with the richness and depth of the cuisine. The staff is wonderful at guiding you toward options that match your tastes and your meal.

Speaking of the staff—the service here is truly outstanding. Every team member is attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in creating an exceptional dining experience. They’re quick without rushing, present without hovering, and professional without losing warmth. You can tell they take pride in the restaurant and in ensuring guests have a flawless experience. Their recommendations are sincere and spot-on, adding a personal layer to the meal that makes you feel valued and welcomed.

The overall ambiance is refined yet comfortable, making it a perfect spot for romantic dinners, business meals, or evenings when you simply want to treat yourself to something extraordinary. It’s the kind of restaurant where the details matter—and Brasserie Laurel gets every detail right.

Brasserie Laurel is a true standout in Miami’s dining scene. With incredible food, top-tier service, and a beautiful atmosphere, it delivers a five-star experience from start to finish. A must-visit for anyone who loves exceptional cuisine and...

In the gleaming glass canyons of Miami's newest mixed-use development, Brasserie Laurel manages to do something remarkable: transport diners to a Parisian evening while remaining distinctly, beautifully Floridian. The restaurant, recently awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, deftly navigates the space between special occasion destination and sophisticated neighborhood haunt.

The soaring dining room, with its dramatic chandelier installations and brass pendant lights, sets an immediate tone of considered luxury. Curved leather banquettes and terrazzo floors speak to Miami modernism, while the floor-to-ceiling windows frame swaying palms strung with twinkling lights – a reminder that this isn't the 7th arrondissement, but something altogether more tropical.

During happy hour, the bar area hums with young professionals sharing plates of pristine PEI Savage Blonde oysters, a steal at $2 each. These briny gems arrive perfectly shucked on beds of ice, accompanied by classic mignonette and plump lemon wedges. It's a scene that could feel precious but instead strikes a note of accessible sophistication.

The kitchen demonstrates its technical prowess across the menu. A perfectly seared steak arrives sliced to reveal a textbook medium-rare interior, accompanied by herb-dusted fries that would make any Parisian bistro proud. Classic French preparations like escargot and foie gras share menu space with more ambitious plates like lobster with veal sweetbreads – a combination that epitomizes the restaurant's balance of tradition and innovation.

The expansive patio, lined with French bistro chairs and potted citrus, offers an ideal setting for Miami's temperate evenings. Inside, the interplay of dark accent walls, warm lighting, and reflective surfaces creates an atmosphere that transitions seamlessly from power lunch to romantic dinner service.

Service maintains the delicate balance between attentiveness and restraint that defines great French restaurants. The wine list, while not exhaustive, is thoughtfully curated and fairly priced.

Brasserie Laurel's achievement lies not just in its excellent execution of French classics or its striking design, but in its creation of a space that feels both special and accessible. It's equally suited to marking life's big moments or simply enjoying a dozen oysters and a glass of Chablis after work. In Miami's rapidly evolving dining landscape, it manages to feel both of-the-moment and built to last.

Price: $$$ (Appetizers $18-29, Entrees $32-65) Noise Level: Moderate Recommended Dishes: PEI Savage Blonde oysters, steak frites, lobster with veal sweetbreads Open: Dinner daily; happy hour Monday through Friday Reservations: Recommended, especially for weekend dinner service Next: head next door for...