★★★★★
Best Italian in Miami. The tagliolini finished in the Parmesan wheel is unreal, and our server treated us like family. The bay view at sunset sealed it.
Italian Restaurants · Downtown Miami · Miami
Il
Gabbiano
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The place
Il Gabbiano is an upscale Northern Italian restaurant at 335 S Biscayne Blvd in Downtown Miami, set on the Biscayne Bay waterfront beside Bayfront Park. The dining room is formal, with white tablecloths and a large open terrace overlooking the bay. The kitchen specializes in house-made pastas, fresh seafood, and classic Italian preparations such as vitello tonnato, beef carpaccio, and whole branzino. Service is traditional, with complimentary antipasti and a Parmesan wheel pasta preparation tableside. Reservations are strongly recommended and business-casual to dressy attire is expected. Valet parking is available at the entrance. Il Gabbiano is open for lunch and dinner Monday–Friday, dinner only on Saturday, and closed Sunday, and is part of the same family-run group as Il Mulino and Il Ristorante.
Il Gabbiano holds one of Downtown Miami's best waterfront dining addresses, sitting at the southern tip of Biscayne Boulevard with sweeping views of the bay, cruise ships, and the MacArthur Causeway. The mood is classic Italian fine dining — jacketed servers, white linens, hushed conversation — paired with a sprawling terrace that catches the breeze off the water. It's a longtime favorite for power lunches, anniversary dinners, and pre-show meals before the nearby Adrienne Arsht Center or Kaseya Center. The kitchen serves lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner only on Saturday, and is closed Sunday.
Order generously and start with the parade of complimentary antipasti the kitchen sends out, then the carpaccio di manzo or vitello tonnato. House-made pastas are the headline — the spaghetti alla chitarra with lobster, tagliolini al tartufo finished tableside in a Parmesan wheel, and the pappardelle Bolognese are signatures. For mains, the whole branzino, osso buco Milanese, and veal chop Milanese draw repeat orders. Finish with tiramisu or the warm chocolate soufflé.
Reservations are essential and best made a week or two ahead for weekend dinner; OpenTable is the easiest route. Valet parking is available directly at the entrance, with garage options nearby. The waterfront terrace seats large parties and is the most requested section — ask when booking. Dress is business-casual to dressy; the restaurant is not dog-friendly inside but small dogs are sometimes accommodated on the terrace at the manager's discretion. Takeout is available; delivery is not the focus.
Biscayne Bay waterfront terrace
House-made pastas
Tableside Parmesan-wheel pasta service
Complimentary antipasti spread
What to expect
Polished Northern Italian fine dining on the Biscayne Bay waterfront. Expect tableside service, a long antipasti parade, fresh house-made pastas, and a check that reflects the $$$$ price tier. Open for lunch and dinner Monday–Friday, dinner only on Saturday, and closed Sunday. Reservations are essential and dress is business-casual to dressy.
Then come for the photos
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The shop, in frames
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What people are saying
★★★★★
Came for an anniversary. Complimentary antipasti kept coming, the branzino was perfect, and the osso buco was the best I've had outside Milan. Worth the splurge.
★★★★★
Old-school fine dining done right. White tablecloths, attentive service, and a terrace right on Biscayne Bay. Pricey but you get what you pay for.
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Frequently asked
Does Il Gabbiano take reservations?
Yes — reservations are strongly recommended and can be booked through OpenTable or by calling (305) 373-0063. Weekend dinner and terrace seating book up a week or more in advance.
Is Il Gabbiano dog/pet friendly?
The indoor dining room is not pet friendly. Small, well-behaved dogs are sometimes accommodated on the outdoor waterfront terrace at the manager's discretion — call ahead to confirm.
Where do I park near Il Gabbiano?
Valet parking is available directly at the entrance on S Biscayne Blvd. Several public parking garages are within a short walk, including the Bayfront Park garage and Whole Foods garage.
What are the most popular dishes at Il Gabbiano?
Signature orders include the tagliolini al tartufo finished in a Parmesan wheel, spaghetti alla chitarra with lobster, vitello tonnato, whole branzino, osso buco Milanese, and the warm chocolate soufflé for dessert.
What are Il Gabbiano's hours?
Il Gabbiano is open Monday–Friday 12pm–11pm and Saturday 3pm–11pm. The restaurant is closed on Sunday. Hours can vary on holidays — call (305) 373-0063 to confirm.
Does Il Gabbiano offer takeout or delivery?
Takeout is available by calling the restaurant. Delivery is not a focus of the kitchen — Il Gabbiano is primarily a dine-in fine-dining experience.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Il Gabbiano.
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From Instagram
@ilgabbianomiami