Natural Gourmet Cuisine
At The Palms Hotel & Spa

Diner's Choice 2019

BEST MEDITERRANEAN

a group of mushrooms in a wooden box

Mindfully
Sourced,
Healthfully
Crafted

Essensia Restaurant & Bar welcomes you to natural gourmet dining at its finest. A freshly crafted selection of mindfully sourced and seasonally inspired cuisine with Asian and Mediterranean influences, healthfully prepared with premium and local ingredients to please your body, mind and soul.

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Hours of
Operation

Breakfast
Daily 7:00 am - 11:00 am

Lunch
11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Brunch
Saturday & Sunday 11:30 am - 3:00 pm

Dinner
Daily 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Bar
Daily 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Happy Hour, Sunday - Thursday 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

a man and woman sitting on a couch

Craft Cocktails
& Sustainable Wines

Our tropical Essensia Bar features a mindful beverage menu, including handcrafted "Essential Cocktails" made with premium organic or artisanal spirits, fresh fruits and herbs, local beers and a unique wine list that highlights conscious, organic and wholly sustainable wines. A tasty gourmet bar menu is also available.

View Bar Menu

Four Ways
We Raise
the Bar

  1. Tropical
    Outdoor Settings
  2. Romantic Dining
  3. Mindfully Sourced Cuisine
  4. Handcrafted Cocktails
    & Sustainable Wines + Spirits
a bowl of pink dip and vegetables on a plate

Sustainable
Partnerships

Since 2011 Essensia Restaurant has been recognized for its commitment to quality, authenticity and sustainability as a Snail of Approval honoree by Slow Food Miami. We are also a proud member of the Surfrider Foundation's Ocean Friendly Restaurants program, committed to sourcing seafood from fisheries or farms that minimize harmful environmental impacts. eliminating Styrofoam and plastic straws, and ensuring proper recycling practices as part of this Earth-saving program. See the full list of current farm and specialty ingredient partners here.

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View Essential Partners

Chef Diana wearing a chef's jacket with a garden background

Meet The Chef

Introducing Essensia Restaurant's culinary maestro, Chef Diana Tandia. Born in Mauritania and shaped by her Northern and West African heritage, Chef Tandia's journey has been a fusion of her roots and global experiences. Trained at the French Culinary Institute and mentored by luminaries like Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Daniel Boulud, she artfully blends African, French, and Asian influences in her cuisine.

A Taste of Excellence

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Always a pleasure to visit Essensia/The Palms. The staff are so welcoming! The food is always superb. I had the 4-course menu, which was perfect.
- LondonLover,
OpenTable, February 2024
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I honestly have to say that Essensia is back. The service was better than ever and the food was delicious. Oh, and for the parents that read this: they offer the best kids menu in the city (it really shows that they care about the nutrition we give to our children). We had an incredible evening. Thank you to everyone that took care of us.
- Sebastian J.,
Yelp Diner, October 2023
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A beautiful restaurant with a romantic and quiet vibe. The gnochi with a braised ragu was incredible as were the salads. Salmon was very good but could have used more of a sauce. The arisanal bread with olive tapenade and herbed butter was delicious. Service was attentive and leisurely, leaving time for drinks and conversation between offerings. Strongly recommend this restaurant and would definitely return.
- Linda M,
OpenTable Diner, September 2023
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Essensia continues to be one of my favorite restaurants in Miami. The food and drinks are delicious and the atmosphere is relaxing and beautiful.
- OpenTable Diner,
February 2024
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Great location and ambiance. Food was excellent. Service was too. A nice, memorable evening.
- JohnGR,
OpenTable, January 2024
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When in Miami Beach, it is always such a pleasure to visit Essensia. The welcome is always warm. The food is always exquisite. The service is always impeccable. The novelty is that they now offer a 4-course menu, to introduce you to their culinary specialties. The portions are perfectly sized. And you get to choose from 2 to 3 items for each course (except the soup). The new dining room is absolutely gorgeous! But dining on the patio is also very pleasant when the weather allows it. I absolutely love this place!
- PrincessAurore,
TripAdvisor, February 2024
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The staff was great (we have a 4yo and they were adorable to her), the food was very good (delicious burger and cheesecake), the prices very decent for the area - and the space is lovely. We'll be back!
- Clarance B.
Yelp, September 2023
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The service was great. Everyone was on top of it with a smile. I had the chicken and it was fantastic. Atmosphere was nice. There was a wedding reception next to us, so we even got to listen to some of their jams as well.
- James C.,
OpenTable, February 2024
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This was our first experience at Essensia and we were very pleased. The restaurant had Florida "old plantation" vibes. The atmosphere was pleasant. The fool was excellent. We loved the "farm to table" concept - and the menu listed where some of the food items were sourced from. The food presentation was great! Our server was attentive and friendly. Definitely a good experience!
- CindyT
OpenTable, January 2024

outdoor eating area

Farm-to-table
Dining on
Collins Ave

For natural gourmet dining that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach, Essensia is a welcoming tropical oasis at The Palms Hotels & Spa, just steps from the Atlantic Ocean

Essensia indoor dining table with a plate of food and wine glasses

Essensia In the News

Discover why Essensia Restaurant is making waves in the culinary world! Our innovative dishes, sustainable practices, and exceptional dining experience have earned us glowing reviews and features in top culinary and lifestyle publications. Visit our Press page to explore the latest media coverage and see why critics and food lovers are raving about our commitment to farm-to-table excellence and unforgettable flavors.

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