There’s no shortage of flashy, scene-stealing restaurants in Miami, but one rooftop stunner just lapped the entire country. MILA, the “MediterrAsian” hotspot set above Lincoln Road, has officially been named the highest-grossing independent restaurant in America, topping Restaurant Business’s Top 100 independents 2025 list with a staggering $51.1 million in annual sales.
If that number made your jaw clench, you’re not alone. Since debuting five years ago, MILA has been a magnet for Miami Beach glamour and has fueled a thousand Instagram dumps. But hitting the top is a leap even by Miami standards. The restaurant previously held the number five slot in 2022 and 2023, climbed to number two last year with $49 million in reported sales and now claims the top spot, edging out heavy hitters like Pastis in New York City, Le Diplomate in D.C. and Miami’s own Joe’s Stone Crab.
Part of MILA’s secret sauce is that it isn’t just a restaurant: it’s now a whole universe. The flagship space has spun off into a four-part ecosystem: MILA Omakase, a 10-seat jewel box that’s earning a reputation as one of Miami’s most luxe sushi counters; MILA Lounge, a nightlife den where the tables turn into dance floors; and MILA MM, a members-only hideaway that has expanded to four locations across Riviera Dining Group’s portfolio.
“Miami is an incredibly competitive market, but MILA stands out because we offer something holistic,” said Gregory Galy, the founder and CEO of Riviera Dining Group, in an official statement. “It’s not just about food; it’s the full sensory journey: the design, the music, the service rhythm, the brand aura. We are proof that creativity and discipline can coexist beautifully.”
The operation is also backed by serious culinary and design talent. Chef Michaël Michaelidis, who’s worked in the kitchens of Alain Ducasse and Joël Robuchon, leads the food program, and designers Olya Volkova and Lázaro Rosa-Violan shaped the wabi-sabi-meets-Miami interior that’s become part of the restaurant’s mythology.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, MILA’s parent company, Riviera Dining Group, is already plotting further expansion into New York, Las Vegas and Dubai. But, for now, Miami gets bragging rights: its homegrown rooftop powerhouse is officially the biggest independent restaurant in the U.S.—and the vibes, apparently, are worth $51 million.
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