Miami is experiencing a dining moment with its 11 Michelin-starred restaurants, renowned wine and food festival, multiple James Beard Award semi-finalists, and an average of one new restaurant opening every 15 seconds.
Now, another celebration is in order! Miami has been hailed as the “food city of the year” by Bon Appétit magazine in its most recent issue.
While editors toured the nation in search of daring new restaurants, they agreed that Miami was the one city they kept wanting to visit, according to editor-in-chief Dawn Davis.
According to Davis, “The always-evolving city is buzzing with opportunity, and a wave of creative chefs and restaurateurs have picked up on that air of possibility. It’s led to a spate of daring, exciting restaurants that are contributing to the city’s rich culinary history while bringing entirely new dimensions to the dining scene.”
Numerous popular eateries in Miami have been singled out by the magazine as “restaurants we fell for.” Itamae, a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant in Miami’s Design District that was recognized by the Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand (a restaurant that offers exceptional value) last year, came in first place on the list. The restaurant, which began as a seller in the previous St. Roch food hall, was where the magazine’s cover photo of seafood was taken which is now called MIA Market.
Other establishments applauded by Bon Appétit writers include Suite Habana Café in Wynwood, El Turco Turkish Restaurant in Upper Buena Vista, Rosie’s in Little River, a favorite for Southern brunch, Zak the Baker in Wynwood, Broken Shaker cocktail bar at the Freehand Hotel in Miami Beach, which was named one of the 50 best North American bars in 2022, Paradis Books & Bread wine bar and pizza restaurant in North Miami Beach, and Jaguar Sun in Miami.
In 2022, the Michelin guide also named El Turco and Zak the Baker as Bib Gourmands.
The magazine also gives Chef Sebastian Vargas accolades for opening Krüs Kitchen, a Bib Gourmand restaurant, and Los Félix, a Michelin-starred establishment, under one roof in Coconut Grove.
Thousands of people will visit Miami Beach from February 23 to 26 to eat, drink, and celebrate the South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s 22nd anniversary. All proceeds from the event will go to the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. More than $34 million has already been raised, ensuring the hospitality sector’s future through educating the next generation.
The festival is well-known for its signature activities like the Grand Tasting Village, the Burger Bash hosted this year by Emeril Lagasse, and a gala tribute dinner with this year’s honorees, chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Pernod Ricard’s Alexandre Ricard, with Bobby Flay serving as master of ceremonies. However, every year also brings new activities and a few surprises.
According to Lee Brian Schrager, the secret to success is that blend of the old and new. According to the founder of SOBEWFF, he’s constantly searching for fresh brands and activations.
A Sunday afternoon tea dance and drag show with a special appearance by disco queen Thelma Houston are new attractions this year. Schrager is also looking forward to Sunday afternoon’s Overtown EatUp, which will be hosted by Marcus Samuelsson. The celebration, which draws inspiration from Harlem EatUp, will celebrate Overtown’s vibrant culture. The participating eateries and musical acts will be chosen by Samuelsson. Also, Overtown EatUp revenue will be used to finance scholarships for Overtown students enrolling in FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.
The festival will, according to the founder of SOBEWFF, this year more than ever showcase diversity in the hospitality sector with activities like a cookout with JJ Johnson and Dwyane Wade and a Sunday brunch with James Beard Award winner Mashama Bailey. For one delectable day, Bailey will bring the Grey, a restaurant she owns in Savannah, to Miami Beach.
The SOBEWFF, according to Schrager, is primarily intended for people to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves. And it appears that the formula works.
The 2023 South Beach Wine and Food Festival will take place from Thursday, February 23, to Sunday, February 26. The price of tickets are $35 with pre-sale tickets available for Capital One Cardholders. For more information on the schedule of events, click here.
Today begins the long-awaited Food Network & Cooking Channel Sobe Wine & Food Festival. This national 4-day event, located in South Beach, showcases the world’s top culinary geniuses including chefs, wine connoisseurs, spirit producers, and notables taking you on a delicious tour of local and international cuisines.
This festival is a 21-year-old tradition that began as a small local event to showcase southern wines and spirits and now it has evolved into an event that brings 60,000+ people to Miami from all over the world. The Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management hosts the event and brings in more than $31 million to cover scholarships, programs, and future events.
The festival itself features 70+ events and we have broken down the Top 5 Must-Visit shows for this year’s festival.
Coke Zero Sugar presents Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives LIVE with Guy Fieri
Thursday, February 24th, 7 pm-10 pmat North Venue Beachside at Delano– Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, your favorite Food Network show, is heading to the dunes of South Beach for a one-night-only appearance. Guy Fieri, the iconic chef, restaurateur, New York Times Best Selling book, Emmy Award-winning TV personality, and now 2022 Tribute Dinner recipient, will take you on a gastronomic journey that will leave your tastebuds screaming for more
All foodies are invited to sample Guy Fieri’s journeys around America in pursuit of some of the greatest “greasy spoon” eateries featured on his hit program. Fieri is no stranger to organizing the Festival’s most memorable festivities, and to commemorate the 21st year, he’ll be returning on the beach with some of America’s finest local food places to establish a collective of 25+ eateries to produce their mouth-watering concoctions on the sand.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach presents Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best Friday
Friday, February 25th, 7:30 pm-10:30 pm at Fontainebleau– Gathering 50+ of the nation’s greatest chefs to exhibit their most gourmet samplings to pair with over 60 wines. The Fontainebleau Miami Beach sets the perfect stage for this grand walk-around affair, which will feature a lineup of critically acclaimed chefs, James Beard Award nominees, and finalists, and Food & Wine Best New Chefs.
Only the founders and winemakers from each winery are asked to serve their finest varietals so you can learn how some of the world’s best vino is selected. There will also be a Wine Wall raffle entering you for a chance to take the Best of the Best experience home with you. Following its record-breaking success at last year’s event, the Wine Wall is returning to provide participants the opportunity to experience the appeal of Best of the Best for themselves at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach!
Foodventure at Citizens MiamiCentral Culinary Market hosted by Dwyane Wade
Saturday, February 26th, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Citizen MiamiCentral Culinary Market – Downtown’s newest food hub awaits with a three-time NBA Champion and one of the most successful and legendary players in Miami Heat history, Dwyane Wade, during this walk-around eating experience. Citizens Miami, opened this winter by Sam Nazarian and his team at C3 by sbe, features a 26,000 square foot, 16-stall culinary market featuring C3’s popular culinary brands such as EllaMia, Umami Burger, Sam’s Crispy Chicken, and many more.
With delectable bites, trendy pop-ups, and wines from Wade Cellars, as well as delectable cocktails from the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits portfolio, this early evening soirée will feature culinary creations perfectly executed by chefs from around the world, as well as local stars from South Florida. During the event, restaurants featured at Citizens Miami will exhibit new menus inspired by renowned chefs such as ‘Chef’s Table’ star Dario Cecchini, ‘Iron Chef’ Masaharu Morimoto, Umami Burger’s Chef Alvin Cailan, and Ella Mia’s pastry chef and babka king Shimi Aaron.
King St. Vodka presents Peace Love Yoga: A Soulful Yoga Experience at Nikki Beach with special guest Kate Hudson
Sunday, February 27th, 10 am-11:30 am at Nikki Beach – Practice self-care at this deeply nourishing yoga experience sponsored by celebrated actress and businesswoman Kate Hudson and King St. Vodka, an ultra-premium spirit inspired by her old home on King Street in New York City.
This DARLEE production is the brainchild of two of Miami’s most accomplished women (and yogis): philanthropist and marketing maven Arlene Chaplin, and the soulful Dawn B, who will lead the morning’s practice with her encouraging words and invigorating attitude. Nikki Beach will be transformed into a soothing pop-up yoga class, replete with a well-deserved post-session selection of healthy snacks, tunes by DJ Taz Rashid, King St. Vodka beverages, and Barton & Guestier wines that will respect both your practice and your palette.
Bacardi Carnival
Sunday, February 27, 2022, 6 pm-9 pm – Beachside at The Ritz-Carlton of South Beach – Join the celebration at The Ritz-Carlton of South Beach to wrap up the 21st anniversary of the Sobe Food and Wine Festival which will be hosted by James Beard Award-winning TV personality Andrew Zimmern, who also works as a chef, food writer, and teacher.
Zimmern is widely recognized as one of the food world’s most varied, knowledgeable, and “bizarre” characters, and he’s ready to add his vivacity and enthusiasm to this sand feast. The name of the game is free-flowing spirits, as BACARDI creates delightful cocktails with spirits from their extensive collection, including Bombay Sapphire, Tequila Cazadores, Dewar’s, D’ussé, Grey Goose, and Patrón.
The vibrant and colorful environment will be enhanced by live music, creating the perfect beach carnival to close up your Sunday Funday at the Festival!
