Sunny's Steakhouse

Editor's Note: Sunny's Steakhouse is currently closed for renovations. We'll update this review when it's back open.

We can’t help but feel like we’re part of a covert steak society every time we step foot onto Lot 6, the once empty event space in Little River that’s now home to one of the most fun restaurants in Miami, Sunny’s. Every single dinner here still feels like being in on a secret, even though the pop-up-turned-outdoor-steakhouse is, by now, anything but.

Sunny’s is what would happen if a bunch of incredibly skilled bartenders, cooks, and servers broke into a vacant lot and started slowly building a restaurant. Because, well, that is what happened. The pandemic hit, the Jaguar Sun team needed somewhere other than their very small indoor space to operate, and here we are.

The pop-up went through a few iterations before landing on what it is today: a hybrid old school steakhouse and relentlessly fun cocktail bar. What once was a charmingly ragged space with wooden picnic benches is now a sprawling outdoor dining room with string lights, a DJ, and big round tables with white tablecloths. The current menu feels inspired by a classic steakhouse, with staples like caesar salad, Kansas City strip, and loaded fingerling potatoes. But it’s also exciting and fresh thanks to some phenomenal rotating crudos, a Rohan duck with crispy skin, and one of our favorite desserts in town: passionfruit mousse and macerated berries underneath a pile of finely-shaved foie gras.

And while all that food is really, really good (and the menu evolves deliciously with each visit), the biggest reason to book a table at Sunny’s is because you need a dinner that’s a f*cking blast. That’s what every meal here has in common, thanks to the stellar service, must-order martinis (which your server will refill with the enthusiasm of a puppy who just slurped down an energy drink), and an atmosphere that feels like one big wedding reception. Except you’re under no obligation to leave your table and speak to relatives you don’t really like.

It’s the kind of dinner perfect for celebrating, blowing off some steam, or just getting a little drunk with people you love. And, thankfully, you won’t have to keep it a secret. Everyone’s invited.

Food Rundown

Parker House Rolls

We ordered these every time we ate at Jaguar Sun, and we now order them at every meal we have at Sunny's. No other restaurant bread in Miami makes us more excited. The rolls are warm and fluffy inside, but have a thin crust that cracks when you bite into it. They also come with a honey butter you should use every last molecule of.

Crudo

Steak and martinis can get a little heavy, so it's a good idea to start things off with a crudo. Sunny's usually has two versions with rotating fish on the menu—both delicious—but we tend to prefer the version that comes with burnt serrano relish, which gives the fish a perfect little kick.

Caesar Salad

The lettuce is crisp, and every bite is coated with an ideal ratio of parmesan to anchovy. It’s one of the best caesars in town, and it should absolutely be on the table.

Loaded Fingerlings

The fingerlings are our favorite side here, and come with dollops of sour cream, chives, and melted cheddar. They're also showered in a delicious snowstorm of diced bacon. One time we asked for it on the side and then used it as a condiment on pretty much everything else. It was a great idea.

Kurobuta Pork Chop

If you’re not in a steak mood, but still want an impressive slab of meat, go for the pork chop. It’s served alongside the bone it was carved from, has a perfectly pink center, and is made even better with Sunny’s excellent Perigourdine, which can (and should) be yours for an extra $8.

Hanger Steak

You can't go wrong with any of the steaks here. But if there's only two of you (or you're not trying to drop $88 to $156 dollars on a huge ribeye or Kansas City Strip), the hanger steak is a great choice. It's the cheapest option at just over $30, and even though it's a thinner cut, they can still cook it to a perfect medium rare.