When it comes to planning travel through South Florida, most people envision year-round boating weather, endless beach time, and a Piña Colada in hand. Though still very much a cocktail destination, it’s safe to say Miami has more and more to offer with regards to a maturing food and wine scene as it grows into a cosmopolitan city that sits at the crux of the Americas.
For wine lovers traveling through the Magic City from around the world, here are some of the best restaurants to see and be seen drinking wine in Miami.
Brickell
KOMODO Miami
801 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131
If flashy, attractive people, nightclub vibes, and Southeastern Asian cuisine sound like the evening of your dreams, KOMODO Miami offers all three on a nightly basis in its multistory Brickell location. Celebrity sightings are normal here, and the feel is totally a “scene,” but one worth experiencing for the quality of the menu and the most unique dining atmosphere. From Peking Duck to dumplings and sushi, KOMODO is the place you want to eat your heart out, and then wash it all down with a bottle from the 20-page wine list.
The By-the-Glass menu contains classics such as Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and a Cakebread Cabernet. If you’re into Sake, there’s a whole page dedicated to a variety of types, same with Champagne and sparkling wines. The remaining list is comprehensive with a significant number of choices for lesser known grapes such as Chenin Blanc and there’s even a spot for an Italian Aglianico and Liatiko from Greece. With plenty of choices at hand, it’s easy to see why KOMODO is a wine-lover’s paradise in the middle of Miami’s financial district.
Downtown Miami
Jaguar Sun
230 NE 4th St, Miami, FL 33132
Almost the opposite of KOMODO, Jaguar Sun is a speakeasy-style restaurant with a humble, but powerful wine list. Situated in the back corner of the lobby of Downtown’s newest X Miami apartments, Jaguar Sun’s vibe is boho-chill, with funky fresh beats emanating throughout the small dining space. Don’t be disappointed by the size of the wine list with only three whites, three rosés, and four reds to choose from by the glass, as you’re guaranteed not to pick the wrong one.
Though it is small, the wine list contains exotic choices like Txakolina rosé, a Grillo from Sicily, and Pinot Noir from Germany. Try the Schloss Goblesburg rosé from Austria! With a touch of residual sugar, it’s a great pairing for the spicy pork Rigatoni pasta.
Coconut Grove
Glass & Vine
2820 McFarlane Rd, Miami, FL 33133
Venture further south to Miami’s original arts enclave, the neighborhood of Coconut Grove. There, you’ll find Glass & Vine. A laid-back outdoor restaurant and bar in the middle of a park, a project by the famed Miami chef, Giorgio Rapicavoli. While you breathe in the fresh ocean breeze from the Bay just a stones throw away, sip on a refreshing glass of the Massaya Rosé from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, or a chilled down Lageder Pinot Grigio from the northern Italian region of Alto Adige. On the red side, check out bottles like the Renegade Syrah blend from Ancient Peaks winery in Paso Robles, California, or one of the several Oregon Pinot Noirs.
If you come by on a Monday through Wednesday, all bottles of wine are half-off, and enjoy half-off all glasses of wine during Glass & Vine’s “happier hour” Monday through Friday, 3PM-7PM. With a name like Glass & Vine, you expect to be impressed with the wine, combined with Rapicavoli’s menu and the casual-chic outdoor atmosphere, this is a must-sip spot for wine drinkers in Miami.
Coral Gables
Zucca Miami
162 Alcazar Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
If you’re traveling through Miami on business or happen to stumble into the charming downtown Miracle Mile area of the “City Beautiful,” or Coral Gables, take the evening to wine and dine at Zucca in the historic Hotel St. Michel.
Zucca offers a sophisticated-chic Italian dining and bar experience with creative plates such as zucchini blossoms lightly fried and stuffed with cheese, alongside gourmet versions of your pasta favorites. Perhaps what is most impressive about Zucca is the over 2,000 bottle wine cellar with labels handpicked from Italy and around the globe. The list is exhaustive, with sections dedicated to almost every Italian region and style, including a section devoted to Franciacorta, the Italian sparkling wine made in the traditional method, which is a rarity on the average wine list.
Stop by for happy hour every Monday through Friday from 4PM to 7PM and enjoy specialty pricing on wines like the Malbec Reserve from Piattelli Vineyards in the remote Argentine province of Salta, or the refreshing Gavi Villa Sparina from Piemonte.
The restaurant also offers a new “Get on Board” option during special during happy hour, where guests can compose their own three-ingredient salumeria board. Options include prosciutto, mortadella, and other cold cuts sliced to order, as well as cheese selections such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Asiago and Taleggio.
Miami Beach
Milos Estiatorio by Costas Spiliadis
One of the best restaurants on Miami Beach and arguably in the world, Estiatorio Milos, or “Milos” for short, offers an elegant Mediterranean dining experience in the heart of Miami Beach’s swanky South of Fifth neighborhood. On the menu, you’ll find classic Greek and Mediterranean dishes offered alongside suggested wine pairings. The wine menu at Milos may be hard to read with traditional Greek wines such as Moschofilero, Assyrtiko, and Agiorgitiko sitting proudly on the list, but it’s worth asking the sommelier for his pick.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can always order the “unknown varietal” Rosé from Ktima Biblia Chora or stay safe with a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Tegea region. Regardless of what you order at Milos, it will be an adventure; one where you want to be seen sipping the best bottle of wine as you dine on beautiful Miami Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Restaurants in Miami
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