Where to Eat During Miami Art Week and Art Basel

COTE Miami brings Korean precision and Miami flair to the Design District. The MICHELIN-starred steakhouse glows with pink neon at the entrance before opening into a sleek, moody dining room where tabletop grills and marbled beef take center stage. The Butcher’s Feast, a multi-course tasting with banchan and sides, is always a crowd favorite, but the $225 steak omakase is the true Basel indulgence. Expect a chic, art-world crowd and plenty of wine-fueled table talk. There are usually a few menu specials available only during Art Basel.

Some traditions never fade, and Joe’s Stone Crab is one of them. The 111-year-old South Beach institution channels pure old-school glamour with white tablecloths, bow-tied servers, and its famous claws served with mustard sauce. Stone crab season is in full swing during Art Basel, making it the ideal time to indulge. Order the classic sides—hashed browns, creamed spinach, Key lime pie—and raise a glass to Miami’s timeless charm.

Hidden away in Little River, Sunny’s Steakhouse feels like a backyard dinner party where everyone just happens to be impossibly cool. Set inside Lot 6, the Palm Beach–glam space is lined with string lights, vintage décor, and the aroma of wood-fired steaks. The vibe is easygoing but elevated, with big pours of natural wine, ice-cold martinis, throwback playlists, and a crowd that looks like they just stepped out of an opening-night reception.

For rooftop dining with a sense of spectacle, MILA on Lincoln Road is a Basel must. The MediterAsian hot spot pairs artful plates with fire dancers, DJs, and sweeping skyline views. During Art Week, MILA Omakase hosts twice-nightly 12-course dinners by chef Michaël Michaelidis ($280 per person), offering an indulgent escape above the crowds. Slip down a level for a nightcap in the lounge, where the real afterparty starts.

For something more serene, Nami Nori brings its acclaimed open-style temaki rolls from New York to the Miami Design District, offering a breezy, minimalist space to pause between fairs. Favorites like the X.O. Scallop and Spicy Crab Dynamite hand rolls are musts, and the patio is perfect for a glass of sake and a little people-watching. Upstairs, Matsuyoi offers an intimate 10-seat chef’s counter where Chef Taka Sakaeda crafts elegant omakase experiences. Inspired by artist Kawase Hasui’s woodblock landscapes, the room feels like a moonlit escape on the coast of Japan. The adjoining cocktail lounge is equally inviting, serving balanced drinks made with Japanese spirits and seasonal ingredients.

If Art Basel had a steakhouse, it would be Maple & Ash. This decadent, wood-fired temple is all about indulgence with just the right amount of irreverence. The Chicago import, helmed by Chef Danny Grant, blends theatrical dining with serious culinary chops. Go for the “I Don’t Give a F*@k” tasting menu, the fire-roasted seafood tower, and the espresso martini tower. Downstairs, Eight Bar offers a more laid-back bistro vibe without losing any of the polish. Expect fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and a lively crowd that mirrors the energy of Miami Worldcenter during Basel week.

Sexy Fish is a full-throttle, maximalist fever dream of Japanese-inspired dining. Designed by Martin Brudnizki for Caprice Holdings’ Richard Caring, it’s an underwater fantasy of Damien Hirst sculptures, Frank Gehry fish lamps, and shimmering mosaic walls. Even the bathrooms feel like an art installation (you’ll likely see a line for photos). Beyond the spectacle, the food and cocktails deliver, from show-stopping sushi platters to creative takes on Japanese classics.

Few places capture the art-meets-design spirit quite like Japón at The Setai. Named one of the World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants by Prix Versailles, the dining room, designed by Saladino Design Studios, pairs Japanese minimalism with Art Deco sophistication. Chefs Vijayudu Veena and Iván Monzón deliver a refined menu that moves from sushi and sashimi to Chilean sea bass with charred tomato miso. Every dish and every detail feels meticulously composed, like dining inside a gallery.

Inside the historic Paris Theater, Queen Miami Beach is all drama and allure. The two-story showpiece reimagines the landmark as a Japanese-inspired grill and entertainment venue with the glitz of old Hollywood. It’s where models, artists, and collectors rub shoulders over wagyu and martinis beneath a glittering dome ceiling. Queen is less a dinner reservation and more a full production, making it a perfect fit for Art Basel’s high-energy week.

New to Brickell, Amazónico is Miami’s jungle fantasy come to life. With lush interiors by Lázaro Rosa Violán, tropical greenery, and pulsating energy, it’s one of the city’s most vibrant dining destinations. The menu celebrates Latin American flavors, from ceviches and grilled meats to cocktails that practically double as art pieces. Don’t skip the new rooftop lounge, where the music is as layered as the flavors.

For something slower and more soulful, San Lorenzo in Little River delivers an artful approach to dining. Opened in May 2025, the waterfront restaurant offers a no-menu experience crafted daily by Executive Chef Giulio Rossi. Guests simply choose meat or fish, and each course arrives as a small surprise built around the freshest ingredients and the chef’s mood that day. Paired with natural wines and views of the river, it’s the kind of place that feels like a deep breath amid Art Week’s chaos.