Book these restaurants for Art Basel now
The restaurants you can get into during Miami's busiest art week & are worth it
Nov
02
2022
Book these restaurants for Art Basel now. Reservations are still available, but they will go soon!
On December 1st, the streets of Miami will feel a bit more jammed, and you’ll notice the influx of out-of-towners. The return of Art Basel is only a month away, and your NYC and LA friends expect you to figure out dinner.
Lucky for you, we’ve started our planning early. These are the restaurants you need to book NOW for Art Basel week. The list includes restaurants on the Beach, Wynwood, and Design District, with reservations available for parties of 4 for dinner. Don’t delay! Book NOW for Art Basel week, as these reservations will go quickly!
MACCHIALINA
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 820 Alton Road
Cuisine: Italian
Book your table: HERE
This Italian gem on 8th and Alton is one of Miami’s OG American Italian spots. While the interior evokes a West Village vibe (which your NYC friends will love), with its quaint bar and exposed brick, the restaurant now has an outdoor “Giardino” garden which is ideal for Miami “winter” dining al fresco. Chef Mike Pirolo is a pasta expert, and Jacqueline Pirolo runs an award-winning wine program.
Start your meal with the creamy polenta with wild mushroom ragu and charred scallions. We also recommend the spaghetti pomodoro, simply but superbly prepared with tomato and basil.
For dessert, don’t skip the most refreshing tiramisu you’ve had. It’s made with dulce de leche and an espresso granita giving it an additional texture that is not usual when eating tiramisu. Make sure you dive deep in with your spoon.
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TROPEZÓN
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 512 Española Way
Cuisine: Spanish
Book your table: HERE
There was a time when we would 100% stay away from anything on Española Way. However, that has changed, thanks to local restaurants like Tropezon.
The team behind Downtown neighborhood bar Lost Boy Dry Goods, opened Tropezon, their first restaurant concept in November 2021. This Andalusian gin and tapas restaurant inside the new Esmé Miami Beach hotel is located in the Mediterranean-like corridors of South Beach’s Española Way.
For those that love the vibe and drinks at Lost Boy as much as we do, get ready for a proper Gin & Tonic. Expect different variations, and a collection of more than 20 house-infused gins made with tea, seasonal fruits, nuts, and cured meats (WOW).
As far as the Spanish tapas menu goes, trust Chef Juan Garrido. His menu includes pan con tomate, boquerones fritos, Spanish tortilla. And as far as large plates go, they have a duck confit and chorizo paella as well as a cowboy ribeye with a Tropezon spice blend and brown butter piquillo.
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THE DREXEL
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 1436 Drexel Ave
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Book your table: HERE
From the creators of Mandolin, meet The Drexel, an airy and beige-toned restaurant that we could mood board into our dream home. This is another favorite on Española Way, also part of Esme Miami Beach Hotel.
Stop by for homemade pasta and pizza with an emphasis on locally sourced seafood and an extensive selection of vegetable dishes. Start your meal with the heirloom tomato salad with avocado, hearts of palm, and Nicoise olives; and the delicate tuna carpaccio with a caper vinaigrette. From the charcoal grill and wood oven section of the menu, order the whole sea bream. We also recommend the spaghetti cacio e pepe with limone. And since it’s Basel, order a round or two of the Greek Goddess cocktail.
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STUBBRON SEED
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 101 Washington Ave
Cuisine: American
Book your table: HERE
The attention to detail at Stubborn Seed reflects the passion of an incredibly talented Top Chef winner. The modern space has a large window facing the kitchen for a perfect view of Chef Jeremy Ford and his team hard at work. The decor is earthy and contemporary – no white tablecloths are needed.
The menu has a wide selection of raw dishes, snacks, meats, and fish. The dishes are beautifully plated and presented, with a focus on herbs and vegetables. For Art Basel weekend, Stubborn Seed is offering a tasting menu ($175 per person). This is a great option for your friends visiting with a larger budget. Tables over 5 guests will be served family-style and no-pre payment is necessary.
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BYBLOS
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 1545 Collins Ave
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Book your table: HERE
Located at the Royal Palm Hotel on South Beach, Byblos has been a longtime favorite. The interior is sexy and Mediterranean, with blue and gold accents. The outdoor patio is fantastic for dining al fresco. It’s also a great dinner spot if you’re planning a long night on the Beach.
The menu delivers on the food front with delicious Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. We love the Turkish kale salad, the hummus royale, the short rib kebab, and the Middle Eastern fried chicken.
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ORILLA BAR & GRILL
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 426 Euclid Ave
Cuisine: Argentinean Steakhouse
Book your table: HERE
Orilla is located inside the Urbanica Hotel on Euclid Street in Miami Beach. It’s a modern Argentinan Steakhouse led by renowned Chef Fernando Trocca. You’re coming here for a little mystery and a dimly-lit steakhouse experience.
This is a sexy, contemporary restaurant so we’d dress the part. Grab a table in their covered outdoor patio and go for the meats from the charcoal grill. The menu also includes Argentina empanadas; mollejas or sweetbreads; burrata with roasted leeks and salsa verde; chicken milanesa; and wagyu cheeseburger with crispy pork belly.
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MICHAEL’S GENUINE
Neighborhood: Design District
Address: 130 NE 40th St
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Book your table: HERE
The newly expanded Michael’s Genuine will be a hotspot for Art Week dining in the Design District.
This indoor space and outdoor terrace are bustling with guests and have a lively ambiance. We’d choose Michael’s if you’re looking for a place where you can try a little bit of everything and get more than one dessert. The menu has changed since we were last there, but we’d try the house-made bucatini with sun shrimp, Meyer lemon, Calabrian chili, parsley, and bread crumbs; and crispy duck confit. As far as desserts go, the cookies & confections are a must, with a scoop or two of their housemade seasonal sorbets and ice creams.
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UCHI
Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 252 NW 25th St
Cuisine: Japanese
Book your table: HERE
Uchi found its way from Austin, Texas to Miami and it’s one of our favorite reasons to stop by Wynwood. This modern Japanese restaurant with sophisticated design elements introduces you to exactly the dining experience you would expect. With a menu consisting of delicate flavors, modern techniques, and innovative dishes. You will be blown away by the simplest of dishes.
Some of our favorite dishes include the hama chili, ora king crudo with passion fruit zu, the kinmedai golden eye snapper, and the managatsuo pomfret.
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