
Paya is a neighborhood restaurant and bar located on Miami’s South Beach founded by Mohamed “Mo” Alkassar and Chef Niven Patel, the duo behind FEAL Hospitality. It is a platform for Chef Niven Patel to pay homage to the insular cuisines of the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Spain’s islands, where he and Mo have either worked or visited extensively. Chef Niven’s dishes incorporate ingredients he grows at Rancho Patel, complemented by vibrant wines and tropical, farm to glass cocktails.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1209 17th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: (305) 397-8080
Website: https://www.payamiami.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
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Reviews
We seated on the terrace. During our visit it was very calm and quiet, which gave the evening a more intimate, relaxed mood.
Inside, the interior didn’t fully match our personal taste, but that didn’t take away from the quality of the food and the overall experience.
For the main course, the local fish of the day was recommended, and it did not disappoint — perfectly cooked, incredibly fresh, and beautifully presented. Each bite reminded me why Miami’s coastal flavors are unmatched.
To finish, the sorbet topped with caviar was pure perfection — a creative, elegant finale that tied the entire meal together in the most unexpected and luxurious way.
Everything from the presentation to the service was impeccable. Paya Miami is truly a gem — sophisticated yet warm, and easily one of my favorite dining experiences in the city
We ordered all the recommended dishes and yet this restaurant left me really disappointed. Even coming in starving after walking around Art Basel all day with minimal food couldn’t rescue the missteps.
Rack of lamb appetizer came very charred and overcooked with a skimpy amount of yoghurt sauce. Too much Jalapeño on the scallop crudo overpowered the delicate sweetness of the scallop. Despite the somewhat unique addition of passion fruit juice it was just in general very forgettable.
Mains really went downhill. The catch of the day in coconut curry was served over the rice which turned the rice mushy (and perhaps it was overcooked to begin with). I would definitely have served the rice on the side. There was no contrast in flavors or textures at all. Not even any garnish on top. I would have put a green onion curl on top and served with a lime wedge to cut the richness of the coconut sauce, plus work on the recipe for the curry a bit more.
How can a wagyu burger not taste good? We weren’t asked how we wanted our burger cooked and it arrived well done (who serves prime meat well done?) with no other toppings or garnish of any kind except a white cheddar, plus they forgot to add the ketchup (see empty white cup). Fries were also not great.
We were lingering and talking after our meal and our waiter asked if we wanted the check (likely because her shift was ending), so we felt rushed out even though the restaurant wasn’t full.
All in all, the dishes were one dimensional, showed a lack of attention to detail, and poor execution for the price point. When you look at the pictures, notice that there’s no garnish on anything. Save yourself from disappointment and go elsewhere.
Paya is a South Beach hidden treasure.. fusion spot combining Caribbean-Indian-Spanish islands vibes that hit like a sunny day
The Miami Spice dinner menu (~$60 pp) is a flat-out steal, one of the best in the city, delivering bold flavors and serious value. Would pay full price for everything we ate. Legit, so so good!
The hamachi crudo is a stunner—silky fish sliced thin, kissed with red plums, finger lime, and leche de tigre for a tart, sweet zing that wakes up your palate.. all sauces made in-house.. with a slightest hint of tamarind too
The daily catch, a perfectly seared golden tilefish (depends on the catch of the day/week), comes glazed with lemongrass, tender and flaky with a subtle citrus hum.. all swimming in a coconut curry and rich pool.. with caramelized veggies.. help!
Lamb chops, glazed with tamarind and paired with roasted plantains and jerk-spiced yogurt, are juicy, smoky, and just the right kind of spicy… the lamb is imported from somewhere far away and pretty much falls off the bone
The key lime pie dessert is a creamy, tangy dream, topped with lime zest and Marcona almonds for a nutty crunch that seals the deal. The Chantilly cream is not too sweet and literally feels like youre scooping in a cloud into your mouth
Our server, India, was a rockstar—knew every dish inside out, kept our table humming, and made us feel like VIPs
trying almost every dish on the menu and truly, every single one was incredible. The flavors are so clean, fresh, and beautifully balanced. Dish after dish was a “wow” moment.
The atmosphere is warm and elegant, the service is attentive, and the food… absolutely exceptional. This place is a total gem. Highly recommended.