Amara at Paraiso is one of those places where brunch doesn’t try to reinvent anything – it just does the classics really well, in a setting that makes you want to stay a little longer than planned. The wide terrace, the steady breeze off Biscayne Bay, and the easygoing Sunday rhythm all work together before the food even enters the picture.
And now, with its updated Bayside Brunch, Amara has settled into a version of brunch that feels generous without being overwhelming. The format is simple: a two-hour, multi-course buffet priced at $89 per person, with children under twelve at $48. It’s structured enough to feel organized but relaxed enough to let you wander through stations at your own pace. You begin with salads and appetizers – artisan breads and bagels, seasonal vegetables, cured meats and cheeses, smoked salmon. It’s the kind of opening spread that leans refreshing and light, almost like Amara is encouraging you to warm up before committing fully.
The real momentum builds at the raw bar, which is easily the star of the room. Oysters, chilled shrimp, ceviche, causa, octopus salad, mussels escabeche, crab, tuna tartare – bright, cold, and unapologetically Miami.
From there, the buffet shifts into breakfast comfort. Soft scrambled eggs, Spanish tortilla, a breakfast burrito, quiche, bacon, sausage, and fresh fruits anchor the morning side of brunch. Nearby, a carving station offers salt-baked salmon and charcoal-grilled steak sliced to order, a small but welcome touch that adds a bit of ceremony to the experience.
The entrées lean Latin-inspired: Brazilian moqueca with coconut and peppers, Peruvian roasted chicken with that slow-building heat, a vegetable paella, and a creamy truffle rigatoni that somehow fits right in despite being the outlier. It’s rich, velvety, and the sort of dish people end up going back for even after claiming they’re “just taking a small bite.”
Dessert is handled by Pastry Chef Maite Zarrabeitia, and the table reflects a clear point of view: unfussy, homemade, and genuinely appealing. The offerings include crème brûlée custard tart, alfajores, strawberry scones, cookies, coconut cake, and my personal favorite – an ice cream bar. It’s a sweet finish that doesn’t tip into excess.
Beverage packages add another layer. Sip ($35) offers unlimited Lallier Champagne, Albariño, rosé, Malbec, mimosas, Bellinis, and Bloody Marys. Savor ($60) builds on that with espresso martinis, Aperol Spritzes, signature cocktails, and house spirits. Soirée ($200) goes all in: Dom Pérignon, premium wine selections, tropical coconut cocktails, and an upgraded list of spirits. For those skipping alcohol, the brunch includes fresh juices, elixirs, smoothies, and coffee, which keeps the experience feeling whole.
The atmosphere is unpretentious but lively – a DJ sets the backdrop without overpowering the terrace, and the bay itself does the rest. It’s a brunch that feels celebratory without demanding an occasion. And that’s ultimately its strength: Amara offers a familiar format, executed with care, in one of the most pleasant spots to spend a Sunday in Miami.
