Lionel Messi's Miami: A Culinary Tour Fit for Soccer Royalty
By Eric Barton | Feb. 21, 2025
As a Miami-based journalist who's spent years covering the city's food scene, I've seen my fair share of celebrity-driven restaurant hype. But when arguably the greatest soccer player of all time decided to make Miami his new home, suddenly every restaurateur in town was vying for a taste of that Lionel Messi magic.
So, in the spirit of journalistic duty (and, let's be honest, a healthy dose of curiosity), I set out to explore the spots where Messi's been spotted breaking bread. From laid-back pizzerias to swanky steakhouses, it seems the GOAT's got an appetite as diverse as his skill set. Join me as we eat our way through Messi's Miami, one star-studded meal at a time.
The Amalfi Llama
19505 Biscayne Blvd | Website | Instagram
Messi keeps it in the family at this Aventura eatery, which happens to be his family's restaurant. Combining Patagonian wood-fired cooking with Italian flavors, it's where Messi goes for a taste of home. He's been seen here with teammate Luis Suárez, probably reminiscing about their Barcelona days over a "MilaMessi" – his mother's personal recipe. Talk about a home-field advantage.
Papi Steak
736 1st St | Website | Instagram
Yes, Messi is among the celebrities who have graced the door of this Miami Beach steakhouse. But the real draw here for those with bottomless pockets is a thousand-dollar tomahawk that arrives to the table with an elaborate presentation that says you’ve either just cashed in some Bitcoins or you’re not going to make this month’s rent. If ordering the Tomahawk doesn't give you aim as precise as Messi's free kicks, at least it'll give you a story to tell – and probably a hefty credit card bill.
Sexy Fish
1001 S Miami Ave | Website | Instagram
This London export serves up sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes in an opulent setting that's as flashy as Messi's footwork. The restaurant's Instagram proudly announced hosting Messi and Busquets for an "unforgettable dinner." If dining here doesn't make us as sexy as a fish (whatever that means), at least we'll leave with our wallets significantly lighter.
Cafe Prima Pasta
414 71st St | Website | Instagram
If there's one place that's become Messi's home away from home, it's this North Beach Italian bistro. Owner Gerardo Cea has been serving up pasta to the soccer star and his family for over a decade, long before Inter Miami was even a twinkle in David Beckham's eye. The crab raviolotti here is so good, it might just give you Messi-level footwork – or at least a serious carb coma.
Gekkō
8 SE 8th St | Website | Instagram
When Messi wants to splurge, he heads to this Japanese-inspired steakhouse in Brickell. It’s owned by nightclub pro David Grutman and Bad Bunny, so the vibe is exactly the kind of club-slash-restaurant you’d expect. Messi was spotted dining with Beckham and Sergio Busquets shortly after his Miami arrival. Fun fact: Gekkō is named for the Japanese word for “moonlight,” not a spelled-slightly-different insurance-hawking lizard.
Cote Miami
3900 NE 2nd Ave | Website | Instagram
This modern Korean steakhouse in the Miami Design District is where Messi celebrates his wins. He brought his teammates here after Inter Miami's historic Leagues Cup trophy win. With its James Beard Award nomination and Michelin star, COTE is scoring as many accolades as Messi himself. While dining here won’t necessarily bring you all the awards, at least the Magic Happy Hour specials can make you feel like a champion.
Banchero
6995 Collins Ave | Website | Instagram
After Messi posted this picture of his pizza from this North Beach staple, business boomed faster than his sprint down the field. Specializing in fugazza, an Argentine take on pizza, Banchero now proudly claims to be "Leo Messi's favorite pizza" in its Instagram bio. The internets blew up over whether fugazza can even be called pizza, but I’ll testify Banchero’s pie is at the very least an authentic recreation of what you’ll find in Buenos Aires, where pizza takes as many lefts and rights at Messi driving down the pitch.
Café Ragazzi
9500 Harding Ave | Website | Instagram
Owned by Argentine-Venezuelan singer Ricardo Montaner, this intimate Surfside trattoria has been a Messi favorite since before his Miami move. With traditional Italian dishes like Osso Buco and wood-fired pizzas, it's no wonder Messi keeps coming back, even if he is mobbed by fans just trying to get into the place.
Carbone
49 Collins Ave | Website | Instagram
Messi made a scene when he showed up to Carbone in a Maybach, his security detail having to push through a throng of people just to get to the door. It’s not as hard to get a table here as it was when Carbone first cloned itself from the New York location, so you can see for yourself why Messi picked this spot. If you go, order the tableside Caesar and the spicy rigatoni, which has divided the world over its steep price—$34 for a decent-sized portion of solid vodka sauce.
Dior Café
162 NE 39th St | Website | Instagram
Perched atop the Dior women's boutique in the Miami Design District, this chic rooftop Design District oasis posted a photo of Messi in September 2024 posing with the staff. They stood in front of a white giraffe statue, because nothing says "I'm a world-class athlete" like sipping lattes next to oversized Toile de Jouy animals. The café doesn't take reservations, so you might have to elbow past a few influencers to snag a table. But hey, if you manage to score that coveted Dior latte with the logo stenciled in cocoa powder, you're practically Messi-adjacent. Just don't be surprised if your bank account feels a little lighter after indulging in some designer pastries – turns out, couture calories cost extra.
Hard Rock Cafe
ADDRESS | Website | Instagram
In 2022, Hard Rock Cafe launched the appropriately named "Messi Burger," featuring a double stack of beef, provolone, chorizo, caramelized onions, and a spicy, smoky sauce. Hard Rock claimed Messi liked it so much they followed up with a "Champion's Edition" with dipping sauces including aioli, Latin chili, and his personal fave, chimichurri. Look, I'm not saying Messi has ever actually eaten this burger, but if you want to taste what a soccer legend thinks a good burger should taste like, here it is. Plus, you can buy a Messi-branded hoodie while you're there, so you can rep the GOAT while you figure out how to fit your mouth around this thing.
