7 haunted Miami restaurants and bars with spine-chilling histories

Savannah has its haunted mansions. New Orleans has its centuries-old ghost stories. Charleston has its cobblestone streets and restless spirits. But Miami? Surely a city better known for its beaches, nightlife, and perpetual sunshine has no business being haunted.

Think again.

Long before the glittering towers of Brickell, South Florida was a wild frontier of dangerous waters, smugglers, devastating fires, and violent encounters. Over the centuries, gangsters, bootleggers, eccentric millionaires, and a colorful cast of characters arrived.

Some, according to local legend, never quite left.

And in a city shaped by Cuban, Haitian, and Caribbean communities, conversations about the spiritual world are hardly foreign. From Santería to Haitian Vodou, Miami is home to living religious traditions that honor ancestors and maintain connections between the physical and spiritual worlds. They’re part of the cultural fabric that makes Miami unlike anywhere else.

Perhaps our ghosts aren’t as famous as those of New Orleans or Savannah. (Maybe they’re better at keeping a low profile.) Either way, some of Miami’s most fascinating ghost stories are surprisingly close to the dinner table. So pull up a chair, order a cocktail, and keep an eye on that empty seat beside you. Happy Halloween week.

Boater’s Grill, The Cleat, and Lighthouse Café, Key Biscayne

Today, Cape Florida is synonymous with turquoise waters and leisurely lunches overlooking Biscayne Bay. But nearly two centuries before anyone was sipping cocktails at No Name Harbor, the southern tip of Key Biscayne witnessed one of South Florida’s most harrowing episodes. During the Second Seminole War, in July 1836, Seminole attackers set the Cape Florida Lighthouse ablaze, trapping assistant lightkeeper John Thompson and an enslaved man, Aaron Carter, inside. Carter was killed, while Thompson survived despite suffering serious injuries. Long before the lighthouse was built in 1825, Cape Florida also served as a passage toward freedom for enslaved people escaping to the Bahamas. Today, Miami-Dade County’s oldest standing structure sits within a beautiful state park, where visitors can explore its remarkable history before heading to Boater’s Grill for seafood, The Cleat for waterfront cocktails, or Lighthouse Café for a casual bite. No resident ghost may be waiting for lunch, but few places offer such a haunting reminder of old Florida. 1200 Crandon Blvd., at No Name Harbor, Key Biscayne; 305-361-0080; boatersgrill.com.

Fontana Restaurant at the Biltmore, Coral Gables

Few places in Miami do old-world glamour quite like the Biltmore Hotel, but behind its grand architecture lies one of Coral Gables’ most notorious ghost stories. In March 1929, New York gangster Thomas “Fatty” Walsh was shot and killed inside the hotel during a gambling-related dispute. Over the decades, his death inspired stories of a cigar-smoking spirit lingering around the property, mysterious elevator activity, and unexplained encounters. The hotel’s history grew even more dramatic during World War II, when it served as a military hospital. Today, diners at Fontana can enjoy Italian cuisine in an elegant courtyard surrounded by lush greenery and Mediterranean arches, blissfully unaware of any possible supernatural company. As the Biltmore celebrates its centennial this year, in 2026, remember that some guests have had a hundred years to grow attached to the place.1200 Anastasia Ave., Ste. C, Coral Gables; 305-913-3189; biltmorehotel.com.

Gianni’s at the Former Versace Mansion, South Beach

No Miami ghost story would be complete without a little glamour, tragedy, and high fashion. The former home of Gianni Versace, now the Villa Casa Casuarina, remains one of Ocean Drive’s most recognizable landmarks. The legendary designer was murdered on the mansion’s front steps in July 1997, a tragedy forever etched into Miami Beach history. Today, guests can dine at Gianni’s amid elaborate mosaics, ornate architecture, and the property’s famous pool. But a strange tale is tied to the mansion. Local legend says a mysterious black cat occasionally appears around the property, leading some to speculate that Versace himself returned in feline form to keep watch over his beloved home. A former representative of the property previously dismissed the supernatural speculation, but the legend persists. And if an internationally celebrated fashion designer were to return from the afterlife as anything, a mysterious black cat patrolling an extravagant South Beach mansion seems almost appropriate. 1116 Ocean Drive, at The Villa Casa Casuarina, Miami Beach; 786-485-2200; vmmiamibeach.com.

Mac’s Club Deuce, South Beach

If there’s one place in Miami where the spirits might actually be drinking, it’s Mac’s Club Deuce. The legendary South Beach dive bar, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2026, has survived nearly every reinvention of Miami Beach. Naturally, a century of barstool confessions comes with a few ghost stories. Local paranormal lore says patrons have encountered mysterious strangers who vanish mid-conversation. They’ve also experienced unexplained faces in bathroom mirrors, and glasses that seemingly move on their own. One particularly outrageous legend claims that the ashes of deceased regulars have found their way into the bar, letting devoted customers stay at their favorite watering hole indefinitely. None of it has been substantiated, but the stories certainly fit a place that seems determined to outlive everything around it. Anthony Bourdain famously adored the Deuce, and with its neon lights, jukebox, and famously strong pours, it’s easy to understand why. Just remember to bring cash. Apparently, even ghosts can’t open a tab. 222 14th St., Miami Beach; 305-531-6200; macsclubdeuce.com.

River House Wine & Bar at Miami River Inn, Little Havana

The Miami River Inn feels undeniably romantic, with historic cottages and tropical gardens offering a charming escape from modern Miami. But local ghost lore says the former occupants of the city’s oldest operating hotel aren’t always quiet. One particularly unsettling story involves a series of sounds said to begin around 11 p.m.: a door opening, footsteps crossing a room, a rattling doorknob, and furniture apparently being dragged across an empty upstairs floor. Paranormal enthusiasts describe the phenomenon as a “residual haunting,” the belief that an event can somehow replay itself in a particular location. Whether it’s an echo of the past or simply the peculiar acoustics of an aging building, the tale has become part of the inn’s supernatural reputation. Today, River House Wine & Bar offers a considerably more pleasant reason to visit, with cocktails, wine, and wood-fired pizzas served amid the property’s lush surroundings. If you hear footsteps after your second glass of wine, perhaps let someone else investigate. 37 SW Second St., Miami; 786-644-8850; riverhousebar.com.

Sushi Sake at Hotel Redland, Homestead

In downtown Homestead, the historic Hotel Redland has been welcoming guests for more than a century. Some, according to local legend, have overstayed their reservations by several decades. A devastating 1913 fire destroyed the hotel’s original building, but its most persistent supernatural story centers on a mysterious woman and room 202. Depending on who’s telling the tale, the woman died in a fire, fell victim to a jealous lover, or became entangled with a bootlegger. The details vary, but the mystery has endured. In 2017, New Times accompanied paranormal investigators to the property as they searched for evidence of its alleged otherworldly occupants. Investigators later publicized recordings they believed captured unexplained voices. Today, Sushi Sake brings Japanese-inspired dishes and cocktails to the historic address. Whether the mysterious woman of room 202 has developed a taste for spicy tuna remains to be seen. 5 S. Flagler Ave., Homestead; instagram.com/sushisake.homestead.

The Tea Room at Cauley Square, Goulds

Hidden beneath towering trees in South Miami-Dade, Cauley Square feels like a little piece of Florida that time forgot. The historic village dates back to the early 1900s, when the surrounding community developed alongside Henry Flagler’s railroad expansion. Today, its cottages, antique shops, and winding pathways create a charming escape from Miami’s relentless pace. But according to longstanding local lore, the village’s former residents may still be wandering the grounds. Stories of mysterious figures, unexplained sounds, and unusual encounters have circulated for years, inspiring ghost tours that invite visitors to discover the property’s more mysterious side. The Tea Room, with its vintage furnishings and old-fashioned atmosphere, offers an elegant setting for afternoon tea before you explore the grounds. After all, a ghost hunt feels considerably more civilized following a proper cup of tea. 12310 SW 224th St., at Cauley Square Historic Village, Miami; 305-258-0044; tearoommiami.com.