Joia Beach
Restaurant · Seybold ·
Mediterranean-inspired mains, small plates, and bottle service
Mediterranean-inspired mains, small plates, and bottle service
"Technically a private beach club in an isolated enclave, this spot feels like a hidden secret despite being only 3.5 miles from downtown; dining at the beachfront restaurant and lounging on the sand both require reservations and an admission fee. Guests are instructed to take an Uber across the MacArthur Causeway to Watson Island and be dropped off at the resort on Parrot Jungle Trail (there is no parking), and beach guests get to use the club's loungers—'don't drive—there's no parking—but go ahead and take a yacht if you have one.'" - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"It’s hard to feel any more “Miami’ than when you’re kicking back on the beach at Joia, the exclusive beach club adjacent to Parrot Jungle. Mingle with folks tendering in from their yachts at the breezy outdoor dining room, or grab a lounge chair and soak up your front-row seat to Biscayne Bay and the Venetian Isles. The setting begs for the Que Mona, a mix of Zacapa No. 23 Rum, banana liqueur, lime, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clarified milk — mixed up by their lead bartender, Andrea Velarde." - Matthew Meltzer
"Cleary’s year-old hit down the street is preparing to open a twice-as-large Glover Park location in late March, and she tells Eater there are plans to franchise in the future." - Tierney Plumb
"You’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re somewhere along the French Riviera when you wander past Jungle Island and into Joia Beach. Yacht tenders are the preferred mode of transportation for a sun-soaked lunch at this beachfront dayclub. Grab a dozen of your friends and commandeer one of Joia’s long tables, nibbling on seafood towers and fresh hummus as you gaze out at the city skyline. Pair your food with a round of Pornstar martinis made with Ketel One vodka, passion fruit, and vanilla prosecco." - Matthew Meltzer
"Joia Beach should just donate its menus to a recycling plant because the food here is that most unfortunate of combinations: very bad and very expensive. But we’ll admit that the space is interesting. This place occupies a small slice of beach on Watson Island with a nice waterfront view. That’s about the only good thing we have to say about Joia Beach, but if you want to engage in some sceney Tulum cosplay around other folks who’re mindlessly swaying to house music while sipping awful cocktails, make a reservation." - ryan pfeffer
