‘Tis the season for art enthusiasts and Instagram aficionados to descend upon Miami for the spectacle that is Art Basel/Miami Art Week. As the Magic City bursts with creativity (and the unavoidable traffic chaos—just ask the locals), it transforms into a playground not only for contemporary art lovers but also for foodies on the prowl for the latest culinary thrills. From celeb-studded restaurants to quick-bite eateries, Miami’s got a smorgasbord of hotspots to dive into during this cultural circus.
Here’s a Baller Alert-approved list of the newest and most exciting dining destinations where you can indulge during Art Basel/Miami Art Week.
Casadonna
Opened in October 2023, Casadonna, a Coastal Italian-inspired restaurant born from the collaboration between Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, resides in Miami’s historic Women’s Club building in Edgewater. The name, “Casadonna,” reflects its setting, translating to “house of the woman” in Italian. With a foundation in Riviera-style Italian cooking, the menu showcases handcrafted dishes inspired by traditional recipes from coastal towns like Naples, Taormina, Bari, Positano, and Gaeta. Since opening, stars like Serena Williams, Quavo and Drake have already been spotted here.
Rao’s Miami Beach
The iconic New York Italian restaurant, notorious for its exclusive entry requirements, opened its Miami Beach location within the St. Moritz Tower at the Loews Hotel in October 2023. Renowned for its 127-year history and Southern Neapolitan Italian dishes, the East-Harlem restaurant stopped accepting reservations from non-regulars in the ’70s after receiving a three-star review from the New York Times. However, the Miami outpost welcomes all, offering a range of traditional Rao’s classics such as the legendary Rao’s Traditional Meatballs and Uncle Vincent’s Lemon Chicken, along with new offerings tailored to the location.
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TALA Beach
The tropical beachfront venue, formerly known as 1 Beach Club, has undergone a transformation into Tala Beach. This 50,000-square-foot outdoor oasis, focused on Mediterranean-inspired shared plates, meticulously crafted cocktails, and curated entertainment, opened its doors on October 19, 2023, following a redesign and rebrand. Tala Beach features sprawling daybeds, an outdoor bar and restaurant serving a new menu and crafted cocktails, and a VIP lounge for an extravagant experience. Nestled beneath swaying palms, Tala Beach offers a unique South Beach experience, capturing 1 Hotel’s ethos of mindfulness and wellness.
Casa Ya’ax
Just in time for Art Week, Casa Ya’ax, a Tulum-inspired restaurant by chef/owner Omar Montero, has opened its doors. The menu showcases coastal Mexican cuisine, featuring delectable dishes like pork belly served with white corn, red quinoa, and rock shrimp, tiger shrimp with garlic, and an assortment of raw bar and grill items, including A5 Wagyu and prime cuts.
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Barcelona Wine Bar
Opened just a few weeks ago in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, this tapas restaurant and wine bar combines more than 40 dishes and nearly 400 wines. The ever-changing menu is focused on clean flavors, seasonal ingredients, specialties from Spain and the Mediterranean, and rustic small plate presentations created by chefs with tremendous talent.
Skinny Louie Burgers
For those looking for a quick bite in the midst of the art scene, check out Wynwood’s Skinny Louie Burgers for an original smash burger. The burger joint opened in late November, and its simple menu offers fries, milkshakes, and three burgers you can order as a single, double, or triple.
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