Raise your glass – and your fork – as Miami’s most delicious annual affair, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, returns February 23-26! In anticipation of the star-studded culinary extravaganza, we’ve created the ultimate SOBEWFF guide featuring can’t-miss events, plus where to eat, stay and socialize in between festivities.
CAN’T-MISS SOBEWFF EVENTS
Kosushi Miami at Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best
Acclaimed Brazilian-inspired Japanese restaurant Kosushi Miami and five-time Michelin-starred Chef George Koshoji will be making an appearance at the swanky Best of the Best walk-around tasting at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Joining him is a special visitor from Brazil: four-time Michelin-starred Chef Jun Sakamoto, who will be in town to host an exclusive omakase experience at Kosushi on Tuesday, February 28, and Wednesday, March 1 – the first of a new guest chef series at the restaurant. Guests can email reservations@kosushimiami.com to book.
Our Sunday Table: Brunch with The Grey and Friends hosted by Mashama Bailey + Rosie’s: The Backyard
On Sunday, February 26, join Chef Akino West of Rosie’s: The Backyard at Loews Miami Beach Hotel for SOBEWFF’s Our Sunday Table: Brunch with The Grey and Friends. Hosted and curated by the two-time James Beard Award winner Mashama Bailey, the Sunday brunch will feature a lineup of chefs covering a far-reaching range of cultures, flavors and cooking styles while delivering their quintessentially American perspectives on traditional Sunday brunch fare.
Lunch hosted by Cédric Vongerichten and Tyson Cole at Uchi Miami
Uchi Miami is bringing the aromatic flavors of Asia to this SOBEWFF lunch headlined by Cédric Vongerichten and Tyson Cole, a James Beard Award winner whose unique approach is at the center of the splendid restaurant he originally opened in Austin in 2003. During this special event, Uchi’s chic Wynwood outpost will showcase both chefs’ finely honed techniques and layered approach to multicultural cuisine as they deliver an inventive menu that awakens the senses with fresh, exotic flavors of the East.
SGWS Wynwood
SGWS Wynwood is Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits’ multipurpose hospitality and education center in the heart of Miami’s most eclectic and creative arts and culture district. The 17,000-square-foot state-of-the-art center will be a SOBEWFF hub of culinary events, including Lunch hosted by Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, A Journey of Discovery: Learn About the Agricultural Gem of Suisun Valley and the Recently Opened Caymus-Suisun, Fried Chicken and Cocktail Master Class, Daiquiri-Making Master Class and Fiorella Pasta Bar Pop-Up hosted by Marc Vetri.
WHERE TO DINE
Miami Beach
Quanto Basta
Quanto Basta is a chic and quaint Italian culinary pop-up concept located inside Shelborne South Beach adjacent to the property’s iconic art deco pool deck. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the tropical oasis’s warm, welcoming ambiance complemented by beachy bohemian decor. Woven lamp fixtures and greenery hang throughout the space, while wooden accent chairs and plush cushions offer guests relaxed luxury.
Drawing Room Sushi Pop-Up
Perfect for moments of relaxation, The Drawing Room at Shelborne South Beach boasts the hotel’s legacy of sophistication. The restaurant’s new sushi pop-up serves traditional and contemporary sushi dishes, including raw, sashimi-style and tempura-fried rolls. Upon entry, guests are immediately welcomed into the restaurant’s speak-easy-style dining room with geometric statement chandeliers, eccentric zebra-print seating and wooden shelves stacked behind the bar. Just steps away, the bar’s lounge features walls lined with books and sexy red leather seating, where guests can catch intimate musical performances.
Casa Bufala
Located in the heart of Sunset Harbour in Miami Beach, the newly opened Casa Bufala offers a casual setting to savor Italian delicacies. The restaurant features a Neapolitan pizzeria and a first-class Italian kitchen. Casa Bufala’s decor and furniture pay tribute to the popular European peninsula with original and colorful artwork highlighting the country’s foodie landmarks in a fresh and spacious setting.
Downtown Miami & Brickell
Verde at Pérez Art Museum Miami
Verde, located within the Pérez Art Museum Miami, features sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and boasts an elevated menu of seasonal-inspired dishes with locally sourced produce. The modern casual restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating with an expansive patio with lush vegetation cascading from the canopy’s overhang. The patio leads out onto the entrance to Maurice A. Ferré park, a scenic outdoor experience for diners looking to bask in the South Florida weather and immerse themselves in the city’s cultural offerings with access to the museum’s sculpture garden and views of Downtown Miami.
The Deck at Island Gardens
The Deck at Island Gardens is Miami’s most treasured waterfront restaurant. This unparalleled setting offers live entertainment and late-night vibes to match the mega views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay. During SOBEWFF, relax and recline under a private cabana under the stars while savoring mouthwatering Mediterranean dishes and signature house cocktails. The decadent menu includes fresh seafood, brick-oven pizzettas, pastas, meats, large plates, desserts and more.
Sushi by Bou
Sushi by Bou is changing the sushi scene across America. With an ever-growing list of locations, Sushi by Bou brings a high-end omakase experience to a fun, speak-easy environment. The timed omakase (30- and 60-minute options) is served at intimate 4- to 12-seat counters and features the freshest fish, both locally sourced and brought in from all over the world. Seasoned sushi chefs serve guests directly, guiding them through the meal to provide a truly exclusive experience. The elegant cuisine is complemented by a selection of handmade cocktails, imported sake and rare Japanese whiskeys.
Wynwood
ASTRA Rooftop
ASTRA is the ideal rooftop restaurant and lounge for spectacular sunsets, Greek-emphasized Mediterranean cuisine, live entertainment and more. Sip on fine wine while making new friends and taking in sweeping 360-degree views of Wynwood, the most Instagrammable spot in the area. Must-try dishes include the Paidakia ($48), charcoal-grilled baby lamb chops, Swiss chard and gremolata, and Kotopoulo ($28), two skewers of marinated organic grilled chicken on pita bread with homemade fries and tzatziki sauce.
The MOON
Curated by the creator of ASTRA, The MOON in Wynwood is an oasis of warm colors, eclectic furniture and a laid-back vibe with nightly themed live entertainment, shows and DJs. The Mediterranean menu offers fresh ingredients that exceed all expectations, including Musaka ($34), Parmesan-crusted, oven-baked ground beef, potatoes and eggplant, and the signature The MOON cocktail ($18), mixed with Organika, St-Germain, lemon juice, lychee and buttery pea syrup.
Design District
Coco Miami
Chic and classy cuisine is served the European way at Coco Miami. Located in the heart of the Design District, Miami’s creative food and shopping destination known for luxury and innovation, Coco boasts a harmonious blend of Mediterranean and Asian fusion, featuring crudos, pastas, meats and shareables. With 10 years of Michelin-star restaurant experience that spans worldwide, Chef Jose Diaz treats each ingredient with the utmost respect, creating a luxuriously modern take on French food that transports guests from the shores of Miami to the South of France.
Midtown
Italica Midtown
Italica Midtown adds a modern and colorful twist to traditional Italian cuisine with a customized spritz bar, Mediterranean-inspired pizzas, pastas, risottos and more. Dozens of colorful bottles of Aperol line the interior walls, with the dining room surrounding large pizza ovens where guests have a front-row seat to the preparation. Happy hour is daily from 4-7 p.m., and guests can indulge in the Golden Hour experience of complimentary passed bites and select shots from 6-7 p.m. Weekend brunch offerings include 2-for-1 cocktails, $25 bottomless Gambino Prosecco and a rotating schedule of live entertainment.
Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar
Known as a favorite local hot spot in Midtown Miami, Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar is the first and only Miami location of the renowned brand from Latin America. With a menu of fusion dishes from Peru to Tokyo, Negroni presents a Nikkei sushi bar that offers a special variety of rolls, nigiri, tiraditos and ceviches. The overarching menu also features an array of diverse comfort fare, such as antipasti, salads and burgers. Guests are welcome to bring their furry friends (ask a server for the doggie menu!) to relax on the outdoor patio. Otherwise, check out the elegant indoor bar, an urban choice in the high-ceiling dining room, which serves deliciously crafted cocktails and homemade negronis, spritzes and tonics.
Coral Gables
Orno
Orno, a modern new-American neighborhood restaurant inside THēsis Hotel Miami, has a chic and sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere perfect for unwinding during a busy festival week. The restaurant artfully pairs wood-fired dishes with refined, handcrafted cocktails inspired by literary classics and a thoughtfully crafted wine list. Try the modern American menu of steakhouse favorites, high-end seafood and seasonal produce that creates an exquisite farm-to-table experience using only locally sourced ingredients.
Mamey
Located inside THēsis Hotel Miami, Mamey is inspired by Chef Nevin Patel’s travels throughout Asia, Polynesia and the Caribbean. The restaurant, which landed on the New York Times’ list of the 50 Best Restaurants in America for 2022, showcases the exotic, tropical flavors of the islands with farm-to-table ingredients sourced directly from the chef’s 2-acre farm, Rancho Patel, in Homestead, Florida. Searching for the perfect rooftop restaurant? Visit Mamey on 3rd, the vibrant island-minded alfresco extension of Mamey on the third floor of the hotel, for flavorful bites, live music and daily happy hour from 3-6 p.m.
Little River
Rosie’s: The Backyard
Rosie’s: The Backyard, located in Little River, was conceptualized and named by power couple Jamila and Akino West. The soul food concept is known for its Southern-inspired dishes with a nod to the couple’s formal culinary training in award-winning kitchens across the globe. With a quaint and uniquely beautiful dining and patio area, Rosie’s: The Backyard has an array of traditional brunch and breakfast food dishes with an elevated touch for all to enjoy.
WHERE TO STAY
Miami Beach
The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel South Beach is an elegant oceanfront oasis featuring four interconnecting buildings with 132 guest rooms on Ocean Drive with a distinctive Miami style and fresh minimalist aesthetic. The boutique art deco hotel has two pools – a showstopping glass-bottom pool on the roof overlooking South Beach’s pristine shoreline – and two signature restaurants. The four historic buildings were designed to create a lively yet functional space for guests while honoring Ocean Drive’s rich history, blending art deco modernism with tropical allure.
Shelborne South Beach
Originally built in 1940, the Shelborne was designed by famed art deco architects Igor Polevitsky and Thomas Triplett Russell and embellished in the 1950s by neo-baroque design master Morris Lapidus. The property houses an iconic art deco pool, David’s Café (for authentic Cuban coffee) and The Drawing Room bar. Head to the pool for a relaxed vibe and traditional South Beach nostalgia, or visit the amazing Oasis Garden, which offers various moon-watching events and fitness programming on weekends.
Sagamore South Beach
Sagamore South Beach, the historic art deco hotel known for its year-round art programming and museum-quality exhibitions, has been a destination for locals and tourists alike since the Art Deco District was created in the 1940s. The iconic property offers deluxe accommodations, an array of amenities and a unique glimpse into the art culture that embodies the very essence of the property. The 101-room hotel, with ample suites, boasts some of the largest standard rooms in the area. Each room offers the comforts of home while drawing inspiration from the art deco style of the region. Whether traveling for business or leisure, guests will love the spacious suites, breathtaking views and prime location.
Downtown Miami
The Elser Hotel
The Elser Hotel is an all-new luxury 49-story, 646-room hotel in Downtown Miami – with accommodations ranging from studios to 3-bedroom suites – offering sweeping views and direct proximity to world-class entertainment, arts and dining. Guests enjoy access to an abundance of well-appointed amenities, including a two-story fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and a 19,000-square-foot sun deck with a 132-foot-long pool offering pristine views of Biscayne Bay and South Beach. The sun deck features a showstopping 16-foot LED screen, eight electric grills, an outdoor bar and an expansive event lawn serving as the ultimate destination for outdoor celebrations with unparalleled waterfront views.
The Gabriel Miami
The Gabriel Miami is a 129-key lifestyle hotel in Downtown Miami offering spacious rooms and suites and views of Biscayne Bay. Adjacent to the hotel’s palm tree-lined sun deck on the 14th floor is a rectangular pool with views of the Intracoastal waterway, Miami Beach, PortMiami and Biscayne Bay, providing guests with the ultimate venue for relaxation and tranquility in the city’s cultural epicenter. Select rooms feature balconies with outdoor seating, perfect for watching the sunrise over the Miami skyline.
Wynwood
Arlo Wynwood
Arlo Wynwood is the first-ever hotel in the vibrant district of Wynwood. Arlo is the ideal home base for today’s explorers, delivering an imaginative platform for local experiences. Arlo creates an unplaceable – yet undeniable – sense of belonging, it is a haven for wanderers with purpose, a place to tuck away for a much-needed nap amidst your urban safari. Arlo Wynwood draws on the neighborhood’s bold and curated artistic nature while embracing an eclectic industrial aesthetic where organic meets modern.
Coral Gables
THesis Hotel Miami
Escape the hustle and bustle of SOBEWFF at THesis Hotel Miami, a chic, striking destination in Coral Gables. Retire to thoughtfully designed suites, relax by the fabulous rooftop pool, and refuel at the two on-site restaurants: local favorites Mamey and Orno, both helmed by Chef Niven Patel, four-time James Beard Award nominee and Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef of 2020.”
