You’re standing on Ocean Drive, the neon hum of Miami Beach buzzing in your ears, staring at those heavy, wrought-iron gates. Everyone does it. It’s the most photographed house in America, or so the legend goes. But once you slip past the velvet rope and into Gianni’s—the restaurant housed within the former Versace Mansion—the vibe shifts. It’s quiet. Or, at least, it’s a different kind of loud. The kind of loud that comes from a million 24-karat gold mosaic tiles shimmering at the bottom of a pool. Honestly, most people come for the photos, but you're probably wondering about the Versace mansion restaurant menu and whether the food actually holds a candle to the architecture.
It’s a fair question. Usually, when a place is this famous for its former owner, the kitchen gets lazy. Not here.
The menu at Gianni’s is a weird, beautiful, and wildly expensive blend of Mediterranean tradition and South Beach flash. It’s curated by Executive Chef Valter Mancini, and while the setting is pure 90s maximalism, the food is surprisingly refined. We're talking about a place where you can eat Octopus Carpaccio while sitting ten feet away from where Gianni Versace used to host Princess Diana. It’s surreal. It’s also $35 for an appetizer.
What’s Actually on the Versace Mansion Restaurant Menu?
If you’re looking for a casual burger, you’re in the wrong zip code. The Versace mansion restaurant menu is unapologetically Italian-Mediterranean. It leans heavily into seafood—which makes sense given you can smell the Atlantic salt from the courtyard—and high-end pastas.
The lunch and dinner menus differ significantly in price, but the "Gianni’s Favorites" usually stick around for both. One of the heavy hitters is the Lobster Spaghetti. It’s served with home-made pasta, cherry tomatoes, and a chili kick that isn't too aggressive. It’s basically the "safe" luxury choice. Then you have the Chilean Sea Bass. At Gianni’s, they serve it with a spinach crust and a white wine sauce that is so rich it feels like a tax bracket upgrade.
The Famous Lunch Prix Fixe
For the savvy traveler—or just someone who doesn't want to drop $400 on a Tuesday—the lunch prix fixe is the move. It’s usually around $38 to $45, depending on the season and "Miami math." This is where you get a three-course glimpse into the lifestyle without the full commitment. You usually get to choose between a few starters (the burrata is the standard play), a main like the Branzino or a Filet Mignon, and a dessert.
Eating lunch by the Million Mosaic Pool is peak Miami. The sun hits the gold tiles. The water sparkles. You feel like a minor royal. The food is good, but the atmosphere is the real seasoning.
Dinner: The Big Leagues
When the sun goes down, the menu expands. This is when the "Gianni’s Seafood Tower" makes its appearance. It’s a mountain of lobster, stone crab claws (in season), shrimp, and oysters. It’s a statement piece. If you’re ordering this, you’re telling the table—and everyone within earshot—that the bill is not your concern.
The meat options are robust too. The Australian Lamb Chops are a sleeper hit, served with a red wine reduction. But honestly? People are here for the pasta. The Gnocchi with Gorgonzola and walnuts is heavy, creamy, and deeply satisfying, even in the Miami heat.
The Architecture of a Meal in a Masterpiece
You aren't just paying for calories. You’re paying for the fact that the dining room was Gianni’s actual dining room. The "Pebble Mosaic" walls were hand-laid. The ceiling is a work of art.
The Versace mansion restaurant menu reflects this complexity. Take the "Burrata Pugliese." In a normal restaurant, it’s just cheese and tomatoes. Here, it’s served with aged balsamic and often accompanied by micro-greens that look like they were placed with tweezers. Because they probably were.
Why the Wine List Matters
You can’t talk about the menu without the wine. The cellar at The Villa Casa Casuarina is extensive. It focuses heavily on Italian reds—Barolo, Amarone, Tignanello. If you want a bottle of Cristal, they’ll bring it out with the kind of ceremony usually reserved for a coronation. But if you’re looking for value, look toward the Sicilian whites. They cut through the richness of the seafood perfectly.
Surprising Details Most People Miss
Here’s something most tourists don't realize: the menu changes. Not the whole thing, but Mancini swaps out ingredients based on what’s actually fresh in Florida. The stone crabs aren't there year-round. The truffles come and go.
Another "secret"? The bread service. It sounds mundane, but the focaccia at Gianni’s is legitimately some of the best in the city. It’s salty, airy, and served with high-grade olive oil. Sometimes, the simplest things on the Versace mansion restaurant menu are the ones that actually stick in your memory.
- The Dress Code: It’s "Elegant Chic." Don't show up in flip-flops. They will turn you away at the gate, and it’s a long, sad walk back to your Uber.
- The Caviar: They have a dedicated caviar section. It starts with Royal Ossetra. If you have to ask the price, well, you know the saying.
- Reservations: You need them. Months in advance for dinner. For lunch, you might get lucky with a week's notice.
Misconceptions About Dining at the Villa
Is it a tourist trap? Kinda. But it’s a high-end one. People think the food is secondary, but the kitchen actually works hard. They aren't just resting on the Versace name. The pasta is handmade daily. The sauces take hours to reduce.
Another misconception: you can just walk in and look around. Nope. Unless you have a reservation for a meal or a room at the hotel (which only has 10 suites), those gates stay shut. Your meal is your ticket into the inner sanctum.
The service is also a bit polarizing. Some find it "stuffy." Others find it "attentive." In reality, it’s classic European service. They aren't going to be your best friend. They are there to pour your wine and disappear into the background. It’s professional. It’s fast. It’s Miami.
Making the Most of the Versace Mansion Restaurant Menu
If you’re going to do it, do it right. Don't go there and order a salad. That’s a waste of a seat.
Order the things that feel "Versace." Order the Lobster Spaghetti. Order the Octopus. Get the Tiramisu for dessert—it’s served in a way that’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
Real Talk on the Pricing
Let's be real for a second. You're going to spend money. A dinner for two with a bottle of wine will easily clear $400. If you start hitting the Wagyu or the Seafood Tower, you're looking at $700+.
Is the food $700 good? That’s subjective. But is the experience of eating 24-karat gold-adjacent pasta in the most opulent house in Florida worth it? For most, the answer is a resounding yes. It’s a bucket list item. It’s a "I was there" moment.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To ensure you actually enjoy the Versace mansion restaurant menu without the stress of the South Beach chaos, follow these steps:
- Book via OpenTable or their website exactly 30 days out. If you're looking for a weekend dinner, they vanish instantly.
- Request a table by the pool. The indoor dining room is beautiful, but the "Million Mosaic Pool" area is the iconic experience. Note: they can't always guarantee it, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
- Check the weather. The courtyard is open-air. If a Miami thunderstorm rolls in, they move everyone inside, and it gets cramped fast.
- Arrive 15 minutes early. The security check at the gate takes a second, and you’ll want a few minutes to just gawk at the courtyard before you sit down.
- Budget for the "Service Charge." Like most places in Miami Beach, an 18-20% tip is often automatically included in the bill. Look at your receipt before you add extra.
The Versace Mansion isn't just a restaurant; it’s a time capsule of a specific era of glamour. The menu reflects that—bold, expensive, and unapologetically extra. Whether you’re there for the history or the hand-rolled pasta, it’s a meal you won't forget anytime soon.
Next Steps for Your Trip Planning:
- Review the current seasonal menu on the official Villa Casa Casuarina website, as they frequently update the "Chef’s Specials" based on market availability.
- Check the dress code specifics for the season; during peak winter months, "Elegant Chic" is strictly enforced, meaning jackets for men are often preferred though not always mandatory.
- Coordinate transportation. Parking on Ocean Drive is a nightmare; use a ride-share service to be dropped off directly at the 1116 Ocean Drive entrance.