The Rusty Pelican, Key Biscayne
15 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/Miami, r/florida25 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Many people praise the view, especially the sunset and the city skyline across the water. A few diners say the food is good, but many find it mediocre or say it has declined. A few say service has been poor or has slipped, and a few find it pricey. Overall, people recommend it, mostly for the scenery.
Address
Rusty Pelican Miami, 3201 Rickenbacker Cwy, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
At a glance
- Price
- Premium
- Best for
- Groups
- Opinions divided
- Yes
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to The Rusty Pelican, Key Biscayne, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Mixedu/zorinlynx in r/Miami · Jun 2024value
Praises the view but says food quality has dropped relative to the cost.
- Recommendsu/Jonathank92 in r/Miami · Mar 2025ambience
Recommends Rusty Pelican outright and calls its skyline view the best.
- Recommendsu/Express-Highway7804 in r/Miami · Nov 2024ambience
Recommends it as easy for a 15-person group ordering off the menu, and praises the view.
- Recommendsu/Doom0nyou in r/Miami · Apr 2024ambience
Calls Rusty Pelican good, praising its view across the water toward the city.
- Caveatu/Brad_Beat in r/Miami · Nov 2024taste
Says the food was mediocre and the service poor, based on a visit with only two people.
- Caveatu/Niaaal in r/Miami · Aug 2026taste
Calls the food mediocre and overpriced; says it's really for the view.
- Caveatu/JellyfishCivil3320 in r/Miami · Mar 2025taste
Says Rusty's food is worse than mediocre and calls it trash.
- Caveatu/Massive_Squash7938 in r/Miami · Nov 2024service
Agrees with the critique and says service there is very bad.
Show all 25 cited comments
- Recommendsu/TheFantasticPenguin in r/Miami · Nov 2025
Says it is consistently nice, with good food and strong views, including the sunset skyline.
- Mixedu/Harryr0483 in r/Miami · Nov 2024taste
Likes the view but calls the food mediocre.
- Mixedu/Artful_Dodger_1832 in r/Miami · Oct 2024
Says the setting is the strongest feature, food and service have declined, yet still enjoys visits.
- Recommendsu/PicklesGalore20 in r/Miami · Oct 2024ambience
Plans to try it and praises how good the location is.
- Mixedu/pjw418 in r/Miami · Aug 2026taste
Loves the view but calls the food mediocre and overpriced even on its best days.
- Recommendsu/phatbrasil in r/Miami · Aug 2026ambience
Fond memories of the place from the 1990s; calls it a cool spot.
- Caveatu/kawklee in r/Miami · Oct 2024taste
Says food slipped after COVID; two bad anniversary dinners, so they won't go back.
- Recommendsu/chantillylace9 in r/Miami · Jun 2024
Recommends Rusty Pelican for brunch and advises making a reservation.
- Recommendsu/mrfollicle in r/Miami · Aug 2026ambience
Points to it as the best-known restaurant offering a sunset view.
- Recommendsu/Sabrina_Roses in r/Miami · Mar 2025
Calls Rusty Pelican essential to visit.
- Recommendsu/ComfortableCurrent56 in r/florida · Feb 2024ambience
Suggests a meal at Rusty Pelican, valued for its scenic outlook toward downtown and the water on Key Biscayne.
- Recommendsu/ruinrunner in r/Miami · Mar 2025ambience
Calls Rusty's view impressive and food and drinks very good, though there is no beach.
- Recommendsu/BKallDAY24 in r/Miami · Mar 2025ambience
Says they love Rusty's view and had not heard of Gramps before.
- Recommendsu/Nomad_AE in r/Miami · Jan 2025
Suggests Rusty Pelican as a place to eat.
- Mixedu/La_croix_addict in r/Miami · Oct 2024
Calls the place beautiful but says the meals never satisfy; suggests a drink and appetizer.
- Recommendsu/do_you_know_IDK in r/Miami · Aug 2024ambience
Suggests it for lunch near budget and calls its sunset views among the best.
- Recommendsu/magicalbean420 in r/Miami · Aug 2026taste
Recommends Rusty Pelican as a great food spot with city views, though it sits farther south.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.