Places Where You're Most Likely To Spot Celebrities In Florida

Many dream of retiring to a beachside paradise, but celebrities don't have to wait that long. Superstars don't waste time picking out their dream homes in cities like states like Florida, where (in some cities) the sun is always shining, the clubs are always bumping, and the lifestyle is always sparkling. Just a few of the A-list celebrities who have made the Sunshine State their home include Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Hulk Hogan, Lenny Kravitz, Ricky Martin, Matt Damon, Shakira, Shaquille O'Neil, Sylvester Stallone ... and the list goes on.

Just like the rest of us, celebrities need to get out sometimes, even if they live in mansions with every amenity they could ever need. When celebrities want a meal out on the town or a night on the dance floor, here's where they head to in Florida — and where you're most likely to spot them. Besides celebrity spotting, here are some unique experiences you can only have in Florida, more fabulous reasons to head south this summer. 

The Prime 112 menu might feature your typical steakhouse fare like filet mignon, rack of lamb, and a Porterhouse for two (although we don't see too many spots with a $28 hot dog on the menu). However, celebrities just can't get enough of this Miami Beach restaurant, located inside Brown's Hotel. Pretty much every celebrity you can think of has been spotted there, including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Taraji P. Henson, Kelvin Hayden, Cameron Diaz, Alex Rodriguez, and many more. According to the Miami Herald, the brick-lined, elegant eatery is "where celebs go to be seen," stating that "when any couple wants major exposure, they don't call their publicists. They simply hit Prime 112, where privacy is as rare as your steak."

The restaurant's website even claims that the eatery, which features a bright ambiance contrary to most dark classic steakhouses, is "the most sought-after reservation in town." But for celebrities who don't want to get too close to the masses who manage to get a reservation, there's also Prime Private, a massive event venue available for private bookings featuring the same fare as Prime 112. Here, celebrities can enjoy a night without passersby sneaking iPhone photos, as well as dry-aged steaks and a bar that changes colors. A steakhouse might not immediately jump to mind as a hot Miami tourist attraction to add to your trip, but the stars know what they are doing.

When celebrities want a view of their homes on Biscayne Bay, their favorite high-end stores in downtown Miami, and their superyacht (that's a yacht over 80 feet long — raise your hand if you had to look that up), they go to The Deck at Island Gardens, a restaurant and event venue neighboring a superyacht marina in Miami. At this A-list spot with waterfront cabanas and Mediterranean fare, VIP parking is a cool $100 — but don't worry, Wi-Fi is free. Of course, instead of valet parking, you can also just pull your yacht into the harbor. Since the lounge opened in 2016, celebrities — including Patrick Schwarzenegger, Adriana Lima, Ivana Trump, and Dennis Rodman — have been flocking to the venue on breezy Miami nights and Sunday brunch alike.

According to OK! Magazine, even Tyson Beckford said the venue had an "amazing view of all the mega yachts, the sunset and the view of downtown Miami." The happening spot hosts a 1 p.m. brunch every Sunday (which Beckford enjoyed when complimenting the eatery) that mimics an Ibiza seaside party with live music, bottle service, and brunch buffet items like steak and chilled seafood. Brunch starts at a whopping $95, a price that includes one mimosa. High-rollers can make a day of it with the $175 brunch that includes bottomless Champagne and Rosé with Taittinger Brut and Whispering Angel.

We can only imagine what the homeowner's association of Star Island, an artificial island on Biscayne Bay in Miami Beach, is like. That's because its residents are only the mega-wealthy and mega-famous like Rick Ross, Gloria Estefan, and Jennifer Lopez. They are some of the lucky few to have snagged some of the just 30 homes on this ultra-private island, only accessible via a single causeway with a security team blocking the gate for unauthorized passersby. So no, you can't stroll down the road and gander at the homes of the rich and famous.

With so few homes — and so much privacy — it's a coveted spot for any big-name celebrity, but most home sales are off-market, word-of-mouth deals. One real estate expert told Architectural Digest that it's "close to impossible" to buy a home on the aptly-named Star Island, and he receives a call nearly every other day — at least — from buyers looking to settle on the island. To no surprise, home prices on 86-acre Star Island are astronomical. Healthcare entrepreneur Phillip Frost owns a home there valued at an astounding $142 million, while Ross bought his seven-bedroom Star Island abode for $35 million in 2023. But hey, at the very least, every island home sits right on the banks of the bay, no inland disappointment required. Of course, celebrity spotting isn't the only thing to do on the bay — it's also home to one of Florida's best national parks. 

Are you an uber-rich celebrity party animal just itching for some bottle service, private skyboxes, and tunes from a superstar DJ? There's nowhere better to go than LIV, the 18,000-square-foot nightclub with four bars at The Fontainebleau, the legendary Miami Beach hotel that has been the epicenter of glitz and glamour since 1954 when it was the hangout of famous personalities like Frank Sinatra and the setting of movies like "Goldfinger." In LIV, celebrities like George Clooney, Prince Harry, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sean Penn have spent their dollars, with some — like Mark Cuban, who spent $90,000 on one bottle of champagne here in 2011 — having no issue flashing their millions.

It has been that way within these walls for decades. When LIV was the La Ronde Room in the 1960s, legendary names like Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., and Tony Bennett partied here. Even the DJs are celebrities at LIV. A few to have spun tunes in this renowned spot are Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, and Tiesto, but it's not completely surprising considering the acclaim that LIV has garnered. It's considered one of the best dance clubs in the country, after all. For celebrities who want to see it all from above without accidentally bumping into the masses, the club has six private skyboxes and 50 banquette areas available for rent.

If you're a celebrity performer or DJ, there's a good chance that you've performed at E11EVEN, a 24-hour nightclub open five days a week. Some of the big names who have helped bring the amazing music scene to life here include Usher, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Big Sean, Steve Aoki, Skrillex, Miley Cyrus, Daddy Yankee, and Paris Hilton. We can see why — it doesn't get much more over-the-top and luxe than E11EVEN, and that's saying a lot in ever-lavish Miami. The nightclub has been named one of the top 10 on the planet by Nightclub & Bar, one of the top 50 clubs in the world by DJ Magazine, and the sixth-best place in the world to party on New Year's Eve by Yahoo! Travel.

To no surprise, celebrity guests have followed, including A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Sting, Kendall Jenner, Demi Lovato, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Dwyane Wade, and Vin Diesel. Here, celebrities can opt to enter through a VIP entrance or book a private VIP room to enjoy the nightclub's colossal 20,000-square-foot ambiance featuring aerialists, contortionists, acrobats, and exotic dancers to complement the booming music and cutting-edge sound and lighting. Plus, E11EVEN offers premium bottle service from its four bars, including its own award-winning vodka.

In Japan, an izakaya is a casual restaurant where people enjoy shareable plates and cans of beer, and Zuma has taken the laid-back concept to a new level with its international restaurant group serving upscale versions of the traditional establishment. Zuma has locations all over the world — including in cities like London and Dubai — but the Miami location of the izakaya-style upscale restaurant has celebrities buzzing. Located on the banks of the Miami River, the trendy spot offers creative dishes like seared wagyu striploin tataki with truffle ponzu and black cod marinated in saikyo miso and wrapped in hoba leaf, plates that seamlessly marry tradition and innovation.

Plus, unique to many Japanese restaurants, it also offers a brunch buffet ranging from $99 to $338, the latter featuring bottles of Dom Pérignon. And, even better for celebrities, you can enjoy them all privately in either the private dining room or the riverfront patio. Drake had his own private dinner at Zuma Miami in 2019, when he partied with 40 of his closest friends, as reported by the Miami Herald. The Canadian star enjoyed his evening surrounded by Zuma's private dining room's floor-to-ceiling windows and reclaimed monkey pod wooden tables. Drake is far from being the only celebrity itching for a reservation at Zuma — Will Smith was also seen having dinner at the hotspot in 2017, also reported by the Miami Herald.

Collins Avenue is a Miami Beach party destination but sat unexpectedly in the middle of the thoroughfare is The Setai, a luxe, Asian-inspired respite with stunning ocean views that takes its role as a place to relax seriously. It's one of the most beautiful beachside hotels in Florida and the perfect discreet locale to escape Miami Beach's bustle and paparazzi, which is why celebrities such as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Gisele Bündchen, Madonna, and Simon Cowell have all been seen here. It has one very special amenity that has attracted the likes of Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Chris Cornell, and Mary J. Blige — a recording studio attached to a two-floor penthouse suite designed by Lenny Kravitz. It combines the best of the elements of The Setai — breathtaking beach views, Asian design touches, and warm wood notes — with a personal deck and state-of-the-art recording equipment.

To no surprise, the least you'll pay at this grand hotel is $600 per night. It's the priciest building per square foot in the entire city. However, you will get plenty of amenities for that price, like a free luxury car to use, valet parking, and a tremendous breakfast buffet at Jaya, one of the minimalist hotel's three restaurants. But don't show up in a bikini and flip-flops here — even breakfast has a dress code that "encourages" (according to its website) men to wear blazers. All of Jaya's meals are set around the elegant pool.

Not only will you likely see celebrities at waterfront Jupiter restaurant 1000 NORTH, but the four-dining-room eatery is also owned by megastars. The chic spot with views of Jupiter Lighthouse and Intracoastal Waterway — as well as a 350-foot boat dock in case you would rather pull in via yacht rather than car — is co-owned by celebrities such as former New York Giant Tucker Frederickson, Michael Jordan, South African professional golfer Ernie Els, magazine publisher Marvin Shanken, and others. The public can choose from dining in the classy main dining room, the elegant bar area of The Tavern, or the outdoor terrace with the best views of the water.

For celebrities who require a bit more seclusion, there's the invite-only club lounge. If you're lucky enough to be asked to join, you'll enjoy club access, priority reservations, a chef's table, and better boat docking spots. Members can also choose bottles from a private wine list and reserve the club lounge's dining room for private events. Plus, special events are held throughout the year only for club members, so we can only imagine what that guest list is like. Members even receive their own special login to make online reservations.

If the only celebrities you're interested in appear more on golf greens than on green screens, then you have to score a reservation at The Woods, Tiger Woods' Jupiter restaurant that serves a mix of comfort food, steak, and seafood. You might even see Woods here among the servers decked out in Nike clothes and shoes, as the 15-time major champion has a home close to the restaurant and can sometimes be found here making small talk with customers.

Even if you don't see Woods, his restaurant has plenty of thoughtful, Tiger-friendly touches. For instance, checks are wrapped in scorecards from El Cardonal, the golf course in Mexico designed by the man himself. At the upscale yet unfussy restaurant, servers hand out hot towels after finger foods are served, and the space is surrounded by 42 televisions (presumably with golf on-screen). And, for Woods' celebrity and athlete friends, there are private booths surrounded by curtains for discreet eats as well as a private room perfect for parties. You can also finish out your meal with a cigar from the restaurant's extensive cigar list.

Polo might be played on horseback, but don't get it twisted — this is no day of Bud Lites and hot dogs at the races. This high-class sport is reserved for those with the dollars needed to maintain both horses and equipment. At the National Polo Center in Wellington (the home of American polo), the air is anything but pedestrian. The center has its own clubhouse, social club, pool, gym, and tennis courts, and visitors are expected to wear collared shirts and dresses and wedges (leave the heels at home; they're not good for the expensively-green grass). At this center, which dates back to 2003, the United States Polo Association helps to develop the sport in America by hosting tournaments and cultivating local talent.

Polo is most famously played by the English, and although Prince Harry is no longer a U.K. resident, he hasn't abandoned his favorite sport. In 2024, he was seen at the National Polo Center filming a Netflix series about professional polo, according to People. Harry is usually the star of the show, but he was part of the filming crew for production, providing polo expertise and a wealth of playing experience.

Celebrities with big wallets know where to spend their cash in Miami Beach — the Bal Harbour Shops, home to designer stores like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel, Fendi, Gucci, and more. When they get tired of lugging shopping bags around, they know where to go for elite food — Makoto, a Japanese restaurant owned by the legendary chef Makoto Okuwa, who serves Edomae-style sushi at the stunning eatery.

Celebrities have long loved this restaurant, adorned with subdued yellow and pink tones, 1930s-era chairs, and palm trees. The 244-seat spot also includes a 16-seat sushi bar and a colossal outdoor patio. The beauty, taste, and style of Makoto has attracted celebrities from all over the map, including Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian in 2012, who were frequently in Miami at the time due to their store, DASH, which has since closed. David and Victoria Beckham have also been seen at Makoto.

Nobu restaurants are known as celebrity hotspots, and its Malibu location is most definitely one such place. Just watch one episode of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians," and you'll see what we mean. Celebrity gawkers may be less aware that Nobu also has hotels that were co-founded by Robert De Niro. At these hotels, including the one in Miami Beach, celebrities and high-earning members of the public alike (rooms start at around $465) can enjoy the tranquil vibes of Nobu in a hotel, as well as the delectable flavors curated by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The namesake restaurant at the hotel combines Japanese and Latin American fare to create one-of-a-kind dishes served among cherry blossom-themed décor and Japanese lanterns.

It's attracted celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Mariah Carey, Bradley Cooper, Kate Hudson, and, of course, the Kardashian sisters. In 2020, before her big rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in Miami for Super Bowl LIV, Demi Lovato got some much-needed R and R by staying at Nobu Hotel's Asahi Villa for four nights, according to the Daily Mail. For most of us, Nobu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but there are plenty of other excellent chic beach getaway experiences at oceanfront Florida hotels waiting.