Let’s be honest: South Beach isn’t usually where you go when you’re craving an elevated experience set in a quiet sanctuary. A few blocks over, Ocean Drive’s bumper-to-bumper traffic is crawling, subwoofers are thumping up and down Collins Avenue, and oversized neon cocktails are found at every turn.
But tucked away on 21st Street, inside the hidden Art Deco gem, The Plymouth Hotel, lies a rare anomaly… a little pocket of glistening beauty. Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill has been holding court in this serene corner for nearly a decade, growing from a neighborhood favorite into a beloved institution.
Walking through the doors of this oasis feels like slipping through a portal into an effortlessly cool era. It’s a total vibe: the lobby pulls you in with earth-toned furniture, lush tropical greenery, mood lighting, and dramatic murals that channel an unmistakable touch of Gatsby-era grandeur and glamour.
Cross through the oversized doors of Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill itself, and the room instantly embraces you. A cheerful chorus of "Irasshaimase!" welcomes you in. Warm colors wrap the space, anchored by low-backed banquettes dressed in striking prints. All eyes gravitate toward the sushi bar, where expert itamae handcraft plates with flawless precision. And when the weather is lovely, guests opt to sit in the canopy-covered poolside patio for dreamy alfresco dining.
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill is already well-known for its hot kitchen staples, aka lip-smacking comfort food. There’s the famous Fried Chicken (deliciously crunchy, seasoned to perfection, and served with that addictive signature wasabi honey) and the scrumptious Oxtail Fried Rice that has long achieved legendary status.
But on this visit, we decided to go beyond the fan-favorites. Sit with us at the table, and let’s start the show.
Begin the evening with two exceptional, palate-prepping pours. The 2023 Gérard Bertrand ‘Domaine de l’Aigle’ Chardonnay is elegant and luminous, pairing fragrant white peach with a crisp, mineral-smooth finish. The 2025 Vanidade Albariño from Rías Baixas offers a zesty, sea-salted splash of citrus that leaves a vibrant, lingering impression.
Pristine crudos arrive. The Hamachi Blood Orange magnificence is buttery yellowtail with zesty ginger, fresh blood orange wedges, a velvety drizzle of olive oil, snips of fresh chives, and delicate soy. This was a harmony of refreshing, citrus-kissed flavor and umami elegance. The Kanpachi Usuzukuri is equally impressive: sliced amberjack that melts on the tongue is instantly lifted by the fragrant heat of yuzu-pepper and the punchy kick of yuzu-ponzu.
Now onto the mouth-watering appetizers. A plateful of plump Wagyu Gyozas land, pan-seared to a golden brown and bursting with savory richness, these are balanced by the spicy complexity of tobanjan. The Crispy Rice is pure texture, featuring seared rice cakes topped with luscious spicy tuna, a velvety avocado emulsion, and the gloss of unagi eel sauce.
Next comes sushi and sashimi. The Blue Ribbon Maki is a work of art featuring a generous portion of succulent lobster wrapped with masago and aromatic shiso topped with lavish black caviar. The Unagi is sashimi indulgence, as melt-in-your-mouth fresh water eel is glazed to caramelized perfection. Showstoppers.
Finally, the Fried Rice Tobanyaki we devoured was Duck Fried Rice. This culinary goodness is touched with jujube sauce and crowned with a soft poached egg. Tableside, the egg is gently broken and folded into the rice right before your eyes. It’s almost too good to eat. Almost.
The grand finale is Mochi Ice Cream. A colorful trio of chewy, bite-sized mochi filled with silky coconut, bright passionfruit, and earthy matcha green tea is truly the most delightful way to close such a sensational feast.
What makes Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill so magical is watching the stars align: excellent hospitality meets world-class dishes set in an intimate, upscale atmosphere. Behind Blue Ribbon are brothers, chefs, and co-owners Bruce and Eric Bromberg. From childhood trips in the South of France to Paris’s Le Cordon Bleu, these visionaries launched the original NYC Blue Ribbon in 1992. But it was a serendipitous encounter in 1995 with sushi master Toshi Ueki that changed everything, launching Blue Ribbon Sushi and sparking a coast-to-coast empire. Over three decades later, the footprint spans NYC, Vegas, LA, Boston, and right here in SoBe.
Whether you’re stopping in for a sashimi fix, sharing delicacies under the stars, or celebrating a quiet night out away from the neighborhood madness, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill remains a timeless favorite. Almost ten years in, this Plymouth Hotel staple is the gold standard. Cheers to the next decade!
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, 336 21st Street, The Plymouth Hotel, Miami Beach, FL 33139 https://www.eatblueribbonmiami.com/
