This year’s Miami Art Week takes place from Dec. 6-10 and culminates with Art Basel, Dec. 8-10. To paraphrase the Bible, “Man does not live on art alone.” So make your dining experiences as memorable as the art you’re viewing. So here’s a guide to some of the hottest restaurants and bars to check out during Art Week, neighborhood by neighborhood.
Like many cities, Miami’s Downtown is home to great restaurants and bars, many located in hotels. Freddy’s, at the InterContinental Miami accessible only by prior arrangement. Every Friday and Saturday guests can have an exclusive experience showcasing the secret cocktail club’s intimate atmosphere, historic ambiance and meticulously crafted libations. Upon reserving, guests will be provided with instructions on how to access Freddys and will be escorted to the hidden location, where a secret knock will ensure admission. Due to Freddys’ intimate setting, the maximum room capacity is 12 persons. 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, icmiamihotel.com/freddys. Petite Comité, is run by husband-and-wife powerhouse culinary couple Cesar Olivo and Adriana Perez Benatar. It features an eclectic mélange of Scandinavian, French and Asian cuisines. 2929 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, petitecomite.com.
Brickell is a foodie’s paradise. Adrift Mare, on the 25th floor of Hotel AKA Brickell, melds the elegance of the French Riviera and the relaxed vibe of the Balearic Islands with the spirited lifestyle along the Mediterranean coastline. Situated in the heart of Miami’s Brickell neighborhood, 1395 Brickell Ave., Miami, adriftmare.com. Quinto is a South American restaurant overlooking the Miami skyline 788 Brickell Plaza at EAST Miami. Validation for valet parking is available. Telephone: (786) 805-4646. For more information, visit www.quintomiami.us.
Miami Beach’s boasts several dining options. Abbale Telavivian Kitchen, is a chic, Israeli-inspired restaurant where Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors have a Latin influence. 864 Commerce St., Miami Beach, abbatlv.com. And just around the corner, Gianni’s at Villa Casa Casuarina, the acclaimed Mediterranean restaurant at the former Versace Mansion is unapologetically opulent. The restaurant boasts several extravagant dining areas. 1116 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, vmmiamibeach.com/gianni.
Farther north in Miami Beach, Setai is home to three distinct dining venues: Jaya, a modern Asian restaurant, the Courtyard is a tranquil outdoor venue, and home to a Sunday jazz brunch buffet of culinary delights, and Ocean Grill, which offers an oceanfront setting with a menu with flavors of the Mediterranean. 4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, edenrochotelmiami.com.
Wynwood is one of Miami’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods, R House is a contemporary restaurant & bar heralded for its soulful dinner offerings, as well as its bustling weekend brunch scene with extravagant drag performances. The menu is nothing short of a love letter to Miami – mixing the flavors of the Magic City’s Latin flair, with global cuisine. 2727 NW 2nd Ave., Miami, rhousewynwood.com.
Doya, from chef offers a meze-focused menu filled exclusively with small plates meant to be shared with a group. Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors fuse to create sharing dishes such as pastrami hummus. 347 NW 24th St, Miami, doyarestaurant.com. For a touch of India, visit Rishtedar, where Chilean-Indian chef Vikram Thadani, showcases Indian cuisine with Portuguese, Persian, and English influences. 232 NW 24th St., Miami, rishtedar.com.
The Miami Design District offers a vast array of dining options. Tablé by Bachour is the latest restaurant and café concept from celebrated chef Antonio Bachour. It’s a modern Parisian-style brasserie with a full bar and menu showcasing the classic technique and French flavors with cuisine that is deeply tied to Bachour’s Lebanese roots and the style of cooking he first learned growing up in Puerto Rico. 180 NE 40th St., Miami, tablebachour.com. Cote offers an elevated take on a Korean barbecue steakhouse. For a real indulgence, order the 10-course steak omakase. 3900 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, cotemiami.com.
Coconut Grove and Coral Gables are also home to many exciting culinary adventures. Ariete was one of the first restaurants in Florida to receive a Michelin star. It features a contemporary menu of New American cuisine with robust Cuban influences and is well-known for its weekend brunch, the monthly chef’s tasting series and Duck Press Experience. 3540 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove, arietecoconutgrove.com.
Sushi By Scratch offers a non-traditional omakase, serving 17 courses for only 10 guests at a time in a counter setting. 3242 Charles St., Coconut Grove, sushibyscratchrestaurants.com. Vinya Table is the perfect spot to drink and dine while browsing top-tier wines. The New American restaurant has a menu that offers something for every palate, and an extensive by-the-glass wine list. 266 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, vinyawine.com.
