Papi Steak
American Steak · South of Fifth, Miami
Restaurant in Miami, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
SoBe Steak Authority
Chef
Justin Woodward
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
A Pearl Recommended Restaurant for 2025, Papi Steak is a high-energy Miami Beach steakhouse from Groot Hospitality with a 275-bottle wine list and $$$-tier pricing. It earns its cost for celebration dinners and group occasions, but the theatrical atmosphere means it is not the room for quiet conversation. Book a week ahead for weekends; availability is generally easy to secure.
About Papi Steak
Verdict
This is a Groot Hospitality production (the group behind some of Miami's most theatrical dining rooms), which means the service and atmosphere are calibrated for celebration and spectacle. If you want a quiet dinner focused purely on the steak, look elsewhere. If you want a special-occasion night out in Miami Beach where the room is part of the experience, this is a strong booking.
About Papi Steak
Papi Steak sits at 736 1st St in Miami Beach, operated by Groot Hospitality; the group co-founded by David Grutman, whose properties are known for high-production environments with serious food credentials underneath the energy. The restaurant carries the name and co-ownership of David "Papi" Einhorn, with Chef Justin Woodward (listed as Chef in the venue record alongside David Einhorn) and General Manager Davide Imperioso running the floor. Wine Director Esteban Arce oversees a list of 275 selections across 1,560 bottles of inventory, with particular depth in France and California, a genuinely serious program for a room that could easily get away with something much thinner.
The atmosphere at Papi Steak runs loud and social, particularly as the evening progresses. This is a Miami Beach room: the energy is part of what you are paying for, the crowd dresses accordingly. If you arrive early in the dinner service you will find a more workable noise level; later in the evening the room fills and the volume climbs. For a business meal requiring quiet conversation, the room is not the right fit. For a birthday, an anniversary, or a group celebration where energy matters as much as the food, it works well.
Pearl has designated Papi Steak a Recommended Restaurant for 2025, a signal that the overall experience holds up to scrutiny at this price tier. The service philosophy here is aligned with the theatrical register of the room: attentive, polished enough for the $$$+ spend, but built around hospitality that matches the occasion rather than formal fine-dining protocol. That is not a flaw; it is a deliberate positioning choice, it works if your expectations are set correctly. Compare this to a room like L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami, where the service architecture is entirely different, you understand the distinction immediately.
The wine program deserves specific attention. A $50 corkage fee is on the higher end for Miami, which is worth knowing before you plan to bring a bottle. The list itself, $$$-priced, France and California-weighted, 275 selections, is deeper than most steakhouses at this level. For wine-focused diners, this is a meaningful differentiator. For comparison, the wine depth here is more serious than most of the city's high-energy dining rooms. If you are exploring Miami's broader dining and drinking scene, see our full Miami bars guide, our full Miami wineries guide, and our full Miami restaurants guide.
Dinner is the only service offered. Budget at the $$$ cuisine tier, meaning a typical two-course dinner per person runs $66 or more before beverages and tip. Wine adds meaningfully to that total given the list pricing. This is not a casual drop-in; plan the spend accordingly.
Practical Details
Reservations: Easy to book; advance planning recommended for weekends and large groups, but this is not a hard-to-secure table by Miami Beach standards. Booking difficulty: Low to moderate, book a few days to a week ahead for weeknight dinners, longer for Friday and Saturday. Budget: $$$+ per head for food; wine adds considerably given the $$$-tier list and $50 corkage. Meals served: Dinner only. Corkage: $50 per bottle. Dress: Miami Beach smart-casual to dressed-up; the room skews stylish, particularly later in the evening. Wine list: 275 selections, 1,560 bottles of inventory, France and California strengths. Address: 736 1st St, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
How It Compares
Pearl Picks, More Miami Dining
- ITAMAE, Peruvian, Miami
- Ariete, Modern American, Contemporary
- Boia De, Italian, Contemporary
- Cote Miami, Korean Steakhouse
- L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami, French
Explore more: Miami restaurants | Miami hotels | Miami bars | Miami experiences
Planning details
- Location
- 736 1st St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
- Reservations
- Book on SevenRooms
- Website
- papisteak.com
- Phone
- (305) 800-7274
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Papi Steak presents itself as South Beach's steakhouse on its own terms: a neighborhood counterpoint to the neon spectacle of mid‑SoBe. The room leans energetic without turning theatrical — it fills early and stays full rather than spiking into late‑night club territory — which gives the dining experience a familiar, lived‑in quality. The menu reads as a straightforward American steakhouse with surf‑and‑turf clarity, and the house’s placement in Groot Hospitality signals a polished, social room that attracts working locals, hospitality regulars, and return visitors who appreciate a refined but unpretentious night out.
Best For
Papi Steak is best for evenings when a celebratory, polished meal is the point: think date nights, special occasions and group dinners where you want a high‑end steakhouse energy without nightclub theatrics. The space suits business dinners and milestone dinners alike because it trades performative spectacle for consistent service and a room that stays active through traditional dining hours. Given its focus on substantial chops and shared plates, it’s a natural pick for groups that want to make an occasion of dinner rather than late‑night revelry.
Ordering Tips
Order with sharing in mind: the menu’s signature large cuts are designed to be split. Standouts listed include the 32‑ounce Tomahawk Papi Steak and the theatrical 55‑ounce Australian Wagyu Tomahawk in its briefcase presentation; both are obvious choices for a group. For variety, the Wagyu Pastrami shows the kitchen’s take on beef beyond steaks, and sides like Truffle Corn, Mac and Cheese, and Creamed Spinach are classic, sharable complements. The menu pairs seafood and steak, so consider mixing surf‑and‑turf elements across the table to let everyone sample the house specialties.
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Ariete; Modern American, Contemporary, $$$$
- Boia De; Italian, Contemporary, $$$
- Cote Miami; Korean Steakhouse, Korean, $$$
- Stubborn Seed; Progressive American, Contemporary, $$$$
- Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann; Argentinian, $$$$
Restaurant context
How It Compares
Against Miami's steakhouse and high-end American options, Papi Steak occupies a specific lane: serious wine program, celebration-oriented service, a room designed for energy. Cote Miami (Korean steakhouse, $$$) is the most direct alternative at the same price tier; it offers a more interactive format with tableside cooking and a different kind of theatre. If the format matters more to you than the beef program, Cote Miami is worth considering first. Papi Steak wins on wine depth; Cote Miami wins on novelty of format.
For diners choosing between $$$$ options, Ariete and Boia De both deliver tighter, more chef-focused experiences with less emphasis on room energy. Boia De (Italian, Contemporary, $$$) is particularly strong for two diners who want precise cooking without the noise level. Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann ($$$$ Argentinian) offers a different kind of spectacle; fire-driven cooking with its own strong identity; and is a better pick if the theatrical element is what you want but a Miami Beach steakhouse format is not essential.
The clearest decision rule: book Papi Steak when the group wants celebration energy, a serious wine list, a classic steakhouse format in Miami Beach. Book Ariete or Boia De when cooking quality and a quieter room matter more than the scene. Book Cote Miami when you want the interactive steakhouse experience at the same $$$-tier price point. Papi Steak is the easiest of the group to book, which counts for something when planning on shorter notice in Miami.
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Unlock the full Papi Steak guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Papi Steak
| Venue | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Papi Steak | 2025 Wine Spectator Award of ExcellencePearl Recommended Restaurants | |
| Ariete | $$$$ | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #12026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2026 James Beard Award SemifinalistsMichelin Guide Florida 20262025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #4642025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #3962024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended |
| Boia De | $$$ | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #69Star Wine Lists 2026Michelin Guide Florida 20262025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #412025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #462024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #95 |
| Cote Miami | $$$ | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #12026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #113Michelin Guide Florida 20262026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1632025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Michelin 1 Star2025 La Liste Top Restaurants |
| Stubborn Seed | $$$$ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America RecommendedMichelin Guide Florida 20262025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1932025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2072024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended |
| Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann | $$$$ | 2026 Forbes 4-Star2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America RecommendedMichelin Guide Florida 20262025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate2025 Forbes 4-Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #5592024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended |
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A quick look at how Papi Steak measures up.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Papi Steak accommodate groups?
Yes, Papi Steak works for groups, but book well ahead for anything larger than four; Miami Beach weekend demand fills this quickly. The $$$ cuisine pricing means group tabs add up fast, so factor that in before committing. For a more intimate, quieter group dinner, Cote Miami offers private room options that may suit a structured occasion better.
Can I eat at the bar at Papi Steak?
Bar seating is a realistic option if you haven't secured a reservation, though this is not a venue built around a quiet drinks-and-snacks bar format. Given the high-energy Groot Hospitality profile, expect the bar area to be as lively as the dining room. If bar dining is your preferred format for a steak meal, Cote Miami's bar counter is a more structured alternative.
What should I wear to Papi Steak?
Papi Steak is a Groot Hospitality venue on Miami Beach with $$$ pricing and a nightlife-adjacent energy, so dress on the sharper end; polished casual at minimum, going-out attire is common. You won't be turned away for a blazer, but you may feel overdressed relative to the room. Avoid anything too casual given the price point.
What are alternatives to Papi Steak in Miami?
For a more intimate, chef-driven dinner at a similar price point, Ariete in Coconut Grove or Boia De in Little Haiti are Pearl-recommended alternatives with stronger culinary focus. Cote Miami is the direct steakhouse comparison; more formal, Korean barbecue format, similarly priced. If the scene and energy of Papi Steak is what you're after, there isn't a close substitute in Miami Beach at this tier.
Is Papi Steak good for a special occasion?
Yes, with caveats. The $$$ pricing, 275-bottle wine list, Pearl-recommended status (2025) make it a credible special occasion choice if high energy suits your group. For a quieter, more intimate celebration, Stubborn Seed or Ariete will feel less like a night out and more like a considered dinner. Papi Steak is better suited to birthdays and group milestones than to anniversary dinners for two.
How far ahead should I book Papi Steak?
Book at least one week out for weeknight visits; two or more weeks for Fridays, Saturdays, or any holiday weekend. By Miami Beach standards this is not a difficult reservation, but Groot Hospitality venues fill on short notice once the weekend approaches. Mid-week bookings are generally easier to secure on shorter notice.
Is Papi Steak good for solo dining?
Solo dining here is possible but not the natural fit. The high-energy format is geared toward groups, the $$$ cuisine pricing makes a solo visit expensive relative to the experience. If you're dining alone and want serious food, Boia De's counter or a seat at Cote Miami's bar will deliver more culinary return on a solo spend.
