Nation’s top-earning restaurant is in Miami Beach. It made over $51M in 2024
A luxury rooftop restaurant and nightlife destination in Miami Beach is the top-grossing independent restaurant in the country.
Each year, Restaurant Business Magazine ranks the Top 100 Independents, and for its latest list, the biggest earner is the Mediterranean spot Mila on Meridian Avenue just off Lincoln Road.
The glamorous restaurant from the Riviera Dining Group earned $51,115,747 to assure its spot atop the new list (last year, it was no. 2). According to Restaurant Business Magazine, the restaurant served 271,461 meals, with an average check of $188. The magazine rankings are based on gross 2024 food and beverage sales, and only restaurant concepts with no more than five locations are considered independents.
Riviera founder and CEO Gregory Galy said Mila made a name for itself in the competitive Miami market because “we offer something holistic.”
“It’s not just about food; it’s the full sensory journey: the design, the music, the service rhythm, the brand aura,” he said. “We are proof that creativity and discipline can coexist beautifully.”
Speaking of beautiful: Mila, which Riviera calls a “MediterrAsian” restaurant, was named one of the most beautiful restaurants in the country in 2024 by People magazine. Another draw is well-known chef Michaël Michaelidis, who leads Mila’s culinary program.
The restaurant, which opened in 2020 amid the pandemic, is a multi-venue destination. The property is also home to a 10-seat omakase counter; Mila Lounge, a space for nightlife and cocktails; and Mila MM, a members-only club. The Riviera Dining Group is also the force behind Casa Neos on the Miami River, Claudie in Brickell and the recently opened Ava MediterrAegean in Coconut Grove.
There were plenty of other Miami-area restaurants on the list as well, including the historic and ever-popular Joe’s Stone Crab on Miami Beach, which was ranked no. 3 with sales of $47,688,425.
Also on the list: Rusty Pelican on Key Biscayne (no. 21); Komodo Miami in Brickell (26); Casadonna in Edgewater (27); Mayami in Wynwood (29); Delilah Miami in Brickell (38); Pastis in Wynwood (45); Gekko Miami in Brickell (52); Papi Steak on Miami Beach, which just reopened after a renovation (64); and Bayshore Club in Coconut Grove (83).
Several Fort Lauderdale restaurants also made the list: Anthony’s Runway 84 (71); 15th St. Fisheries (81); and Lona Cocina & Tequileria (94).
The rankings come at a time when costs rose dramatically for restaurant operators, including the price of food, rent, utilities, labor and tech, according to Restaurant Business Magazine.
But consumer spending also rose steadily throughout 2024, the magazine reports, and the National Restaurant Association predicts the industry will reach sales of $1.5 trillion and a labor force of 15.9 million by the end of 2025.