Where To Dine Near Art Basel Miami Beach

Whether you’re staying in Miami Beach or on mainland Miami, you’re bound to work up an appetite while enjoying the massive art exhibits at Art Basel Miami Beach. After you’ve enjoyed all of the art, these are some of the top restaurants you’re going to want to check out. And as bonus, they are all fairly close to the Miami Beach Convention Center in South Beach, where the show takes place.

A Taste of Israel at AVIV

Head to 1 Hotel South Beach, where James Beard Award-winning chef Mike Solomonov has made his return to Miami at AVIV. The menu is filled with dishes that blend Israeli tradition with the modern flavors of Tel Aviv and Miami style. To make the most of your experience, opt for the Tayim tasting menu. You’ll start with the salatim (an array of dips and pickled veggies) and a mezze selection before moving on to your choice of entree with rice and salad and then dessert. It’s great for large groups who are hungry after a rewarding day of enjoying art.

Food Meets Art at Japón

Art lovers who dine at Japón, located at The Setai Miami Beach hotel, and choose to eat inside can enjoy the aesthetically pleasing design that seamlessly intertwines traditional Japanese artmaking techniques with rich, muted color palettes and authentic symbolism. Or sit in the courtyard, where you’ll find hand-painted murals. The menu of contemporary Japanese cuisine features sushi, dry-aged steaks – including a Wagyu striploin – and the must-order miso black cod with pickled ginger. There’s also live entertainment on some nights.

MICHELIN-Starred Steak at COTE Miami

If you’re staying on the mainland – or just want to enjoy some great steaks – head to COTE Miami in the Miami Design District. This MICHELIN-starred Korean steakhouse has a dramatic, stylish entrance lit in hot-pink neon that leads to a an elegant, intimate dining room. The Butcher’s Feast is always a solid order. It features ban-chan pickled veggies, egg souffles, two rice stews and a selection of top-quality beef along with Korean sides. There’s also a steak omakase for $225 per person. Plus, there are often special menu items available only during Art Basel Miami Beach.

The Iconic Miami Dinner at Joe’s

No visit to Miami is complete without a trip to Joe’s Stone Crab, the destination’s most-iconic and oldest restaurant. At this South Beach institution, you’ll sit at a white tablecloth-covered table while being doted on by experienced servers who can help you make the perfect order (which is usually stone crabs with sides of hashed brown potatoes and creamed spinach and, for dessert, Key lime pie). The fried chicken is one of the most delicious and best bargains you’ll find anywhere, and since you’re visiting during Art Basel Miami Beach, you’re in luck: Stone crab season is well underway. More good news: After years of being walk-in only, Joe’s is now accepting reservations up to 14 days in advance.

The Art Basel Experience at MILA

A rooftop hot spot on Lincoln Road in South Beach, MILA is one of the destination’s see-and-be-seen restaurants, and that gets amped up even more during Art Basel Miami Beach. MILA often hosts special collaboration dinners and artist residencies and always features live entertainment, such as fire dancers and DJs. Twice nightly during Miami Art Week, December 1-7, MILA Omakase will offer a 12-course omakase menu by MICHELIN-starred chef Michaël Michaelidis for $280 per person. After dinner, head to the sleek second-floor lounge that’s perfect for a nightcap and dancing the night away.

Culinary Works of Art at Le Jardinier

If you’re looking for a meal that’s plated so perfectly, it could be a work of art on its own, make your way to Le Jardinier in the Miami Design District. Although this MICHELIN-starred restaurant is vegetable-focused, there are plenty of meat, fish and chicken options to keep everyone satisfied. Each plate is colorful and meticulously presented, right down to the seasonal microgreens used to garnish various dishes. From a cobia ceviche to a green pea veloute with asparagus, toasted pistachios and a magical citrus creme fraiche, the experience at Le Jardinier is special from start to finish.

Creative Sushi at Uchiko Miami Beach

Located in South Beach’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood, Uchiko Miami Beach is the little sister of James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole’s Uchi Miami. Serving creative takes on sushi (make sure to check out the daily specials that are works of art in their own right), Uchiko has cozy booths perfect for date night post-art dining and a long bar where you can pop in for the happy hour omakase: a seven-course tasting menu for two. The menu also features takeout sushi boxes that are ideal for anyone wanting fine dining to-go.

Mediterranean Dining at Motek

While it has several locations throughout Miami, the Motek in the heart of Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood is conveniently less than a few miles from the Miami Beach Convention Center. With large tables and a beautiful outdoor patio, this Mediterranean-style restaurant is great for big groups and family-style dining. Start with cold and hot mezzes, like babaganoush, spicy Greek feta and harissa spare ribs, before moving on to larger plates, like lamb chops, chicken schnitzel and whole branzino. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, Motek is a delicious choice any time of day. The Mid Beach location at 2701 Collins Avenue is even closer to Art Basel.

Rare Culinary Pleasures at Pao by Paul Qui

You’ll see a lot of gorgeous art inside Faena Miami Beach hotel on your way to Pao by Paul Qui, but when you step inside the restaurant, your eye will go straight to the life-sized statue of a unicorn in the center of the dining room. The food at this Mid Beach beauty is also a work of art. The Asian fusion menu blends Filipino, Spanish, Japanese and French flavors, with unique dishes like fried chicken with sweet chili sauce, roasted banana ketchup, jalapeño and Thai herbs and tiger prawns with eggplant and salsa macha.

Discover more great places to eat throughout Miami Beach.