Art Basel descends on Miami Beach December 2 to 4, providing an opportunity to see cutting-edge art from more than 250 galleries spanning the world and attend red-hot parties ranging from pop-up clubs to VIP soirees. But it also offers a chance to take in fare from across one of the U.S.’s most vibrant food cities.
We partnered with Andiago, an app that recommends trending restaurants based on real experiences — community members share their favorite places in guides that can be shared and discovered by others to inspire new foodie adventures worldwide — to curate a dining itinerary full of hidden gems and extraordinary culinary experiences throughout Miami.
While in town for Art Basel, here’s where you should dine and drink:
DAY 1: MIAMI BEACH
Breakfast: Pura Vida
Get a healthy start at this all-day-breakfast spot featuring local, organic ingredients. The South of Fifth café provides a cheerful patio overlooking South Pointe Park.
What to order: The loaded açai bowls and superfood smoothies like the Welcome to Miami with passion fruit, mango, banana and honey.
Lunch: Abbalé TLV Kitchen
Sit on the leafy terrace’s pastel-pillow-laden banquettes for a flavorful fusion of Israeli, Turkish, Greek and Colombian fare. Sundays usher in an all-day brunch menu.
What to order: Freshly made falafel pita or the fire-roasted Jerusalem bagel with labneh, preserved lemon tapenade, arugula, cucumber, radish and pickled onions.
Drinks: Matador Bar
Cozy up in the low-lit bar in The Miami Beach EDITION, whose black-walnut-paneled walls are covered with colorful matador photos from French photographer Lucien Clergue.
What to order: The French 305. The beloved French 75 gets a Miami makeover with St-Germain, Bombay Sapphire, sauvignon blanc, lemon, grapefruit soda and Key lime.
Dinner: Casa Isola Osteria
Debuting in February 2021, this new restaurant from noted chef José Mendín and Brooklyn-born chef Santo Agnello celebrates Italian cuisine with family-style plates of comforting classics.
What to order: The Sunday sauce (made with short rib meatball, pork rib and Italian sausage, it simmers for eight hours) and the spicy rigatoni alla vodka.
DAY 2: DESIGN DISTRICT & WYNWOOD
Breakfast: OTL
This bright, minimalist café radiates cool vibes, making it a natural choice for hanging out with family and friends. Bonus: you don’t have to meet too early for breakfast, since it runs all day long.
What to order: The créme-anglaise-soaked brioche French toast and a matcha latte.
Lunch: Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Transport yourself to Greece at this restored 1940s bungalow bathed in white and blue. Relax in the popular garden-filled patio over grilled halloumi and Greek wine.
What to order: The hummus, house-cut fries with garlic Greek yogurt dipping sauce and traditional moussaka.
Drinks and dinner: Cervecería La Tropical
Cuba’s oldest brewery (it was built in 1888) found a home in Miami in February amid brilliant murals and a 10,000-square-foot botanical garden with shady 30-foot trees, beautiful orchids and exotic greenery.
What to order: La Original Ambar Lager, beer can bread served with whipped guava butter and Cuban sandwich empanadas.
Afterparty: Dante’s HiFi
Miami’s first record-listening bar takes notes from Japan’s vinyl listening rooms. Audiophiles should come to hear DJs spinning anything and everything on a top-notch sound system.
What to order: A highball featuring Japanese whiskey or the Strange Fruit (vodka, melon liqueur, watermelon rind, cardamom, Chartreuse, citrus and mint), which arrives in a glass boot.
DAY 3: UPPER BUENA VISTA, ALLAPATTAH & BRICKELL
Breakfast: Buena Vista Deli
You can savor a croque monsieur or quiche Lorraine at this French bakery and bistro, but opt to start your morning with some sweet decadence and order among the tempting pastries.
What to order: Buttery croissants and napoleons.
Lunch: Leku
Peruse the Rubell Museum’s contemporary art and then refuel at its fine-dining Basque restaurant. Enjoy staple Basque dishes in the art-dotted dining room, covered terrace or verdant courtyard.
What to order: Pulpo a la Gallega (or Galician-style octopus) and the Iberian pork tartare with mustard and capers.
Caffeine: Panther Coffee
Perk up at this Florida chain that crafts specialty coffee drinks. Panther does small-batch roasting in Wynwood and Little Haiti.
What to order: The chai latte is one of the best in the area.
Dinner: NAOE
This Japanese treasure is the only Five-Star restaurant in Miami. And it’s exclusive — there are only eight seats in the restaurant. Sidle up to the hinoki bar and watch chef/owner Kevin Cory craft exquisite sushi and other memorable dishes.
What to order: The omakase menu is the only option because dining here is a one-of-a-kind experience.
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