Miami during Art Basel moves fast: There are fairs to hit, parties to survive, and just enough time between the two to remember you haven’t eaten since breakfast. Amidst it all, it’s tempting to fall back on the usual suspects or file into whatever line looks shortest. But there’s far more to eat in this city than whatever is within a five-block radius of the Convention Center.
To prove the point, we asked three of Miami’s most distinctive voices—Nando Chang of Itamae; Luciana Giangrandi, the co-owner of Michelin-starred Boia De; and André Bienvenu, the old-school executive chef behind Catch & Cut—to map their Miami for us. The ventanitas they swear by. The pastries worth crossing town for. The dive bars, the splurges, the hangover cures, and the places they go when they absolutely do not want to be seen.
Consider this our chef-edited guide to eating your way through ABMB.
Best Pastry Shop
Nando Chang: “True Loaf. For me, it’s all about the Kouign Amanns and croissants.”
Luciana Giangrandi: “Facade or Madruga Bakery.”
André Bienvenu: “Mojo Donuts. They do an incredible job—just really great donuts, made right.
Best Cortadito
Chang: “Suite Habana. Great coffee, great space, great people, and especially great chairs.”
Giangrandi: “Part of a good cortadito experience is enjoying it from a ventanita. Versailles is one of the best—they pump out a million a day and are true pros. Latin Café 2000 by the airport is great if you’re grabbing one on your way out of town. Tinta y Café is a go-to if you’re in Miami Shores or Coral Gables.”
Best Quick Bite
Chang: “Tacos Atarantado. Some of my favorite al pastor tacos right now. Great sauces and a great selection of Latin oldies.”
Giangrandi: “Proper Sausages. It may be a butcher shop, but they make some of Miami’s best sandwiches to go.”
Bienvenu: “Coconuts. Simple, well-executed food with waterfront dining and a true local vibe. It’s an easy go-to.”
Best Wine List
Chang: “Macchialina. Jackie Pirolo!! That’s it, that’s the tweet.”
Giangrandi: “I’m biased, but Boia De. Gaby, our wine director, makes one hell of a wine list, and has a real talent for guessing pours people will love.”
Bienvenu: “Casa D’Angelo, for the size and variety of the wine list, and for the staff’s deep knowledge of every bottle.”
Best Place to Make a Good Impression
Chang: “Sunny’s. If you want to make a good impression… take them to the best place in town.”
Giangrandi: “Recoveco. It’s off the beaten path, so you’re likely to surprise whoever you take. The menu changes regularly, everything is delicious, and the wine selection is top-notch.”
Bienvenu: “Anthony’s Runway 84. They do a great job of making you feel like you are someone. The team goes above and beyond and gives you a real reason to come back.”
Best Splurge
Chang: “The Surf Club. It’s a complete experience, magical in so many ways.”
Giangrandi: “Omakase at Shingo. The sushi is first-rate, the wine and sake list beautifully curated, even the florals are stunning. I’ve loved every visit.”
Bienvenu: “Joe’s Stone Crab. It’s the perfect combination of simplicity, consistency, quality, and history.”
Best Place to See and Be Seen
Chang: “Gekko.”
Giangrandi: “Sunny’s or Cote!”
Bienvenu: “Tropical Acres. Family-owned since 1949 and incredibly consistent. It’s one of my favorite restaurants with genuine old-school hospitality.”
Best Place to NOT Be Seen
Chang: “Lung Yai Thai Tapas. IYKYK.”
Giangrandi: “Billy’s Pub Too.”
Bienvenu: “Luigi’s Coal Oven Pizza. Fast, simple, low-profile.”
Best Solo Dining Spot
Chang: “Pasta in Wynwood. I love hitting the counter for a couple of pastas. I crush a bowl of the corn cappellacci and the pici cacio e pepe.”
Giangrandi: “The bar at Sunny’s. I feel like I’m in an episode of Cheers where everybody knows my name.”
Bienvenu: “McDonald’s. To me, it’s the world’s best restaurant. It’s clean, consistent, organized, and pleasant. And nothing beats a morning Coke.”
Best Date-Night Spot
Chang: “Gabose for Charcoal-grilled Korean BBQ, beer, and banchan if we want to be laid back. Ariete in Coconut Grove if we want to celebrate a little more.”
Giangrandi: “The Surf Club. The building is stunning and gives you a reason to dress up. The service and food are spot-on. There’s a champagne cart. And they have great live music in the bar room on certain nights.”
Bienvenu: “Lobster Bar Las Olas. There’s an elegance that makes you feel special the moment you walk in.”
Best Late-Night Bite
Chang: “Pan con bistec at Mary’s Coin Laundry. Add huevo frito and make it bien tostado, please.”
Giangrandi: “Cote or Katana. Both kitchens are open until midnight, and although they’re totally different in food and price point, each has a fun, unique vibe.”
Bienvenu: “Mister O1 Pizza. A great pie and good energy. Sometimes I’ll meet my daughter there late at night; it’s our little spot.”
Best Dive Bar
Chang: “Brother’s Keeper on South Beach.”
Giangrandi: “On the Rocks. Beer-and-shot specials, check. Pool table, check. Bartenders with just the right amount of ‘no fucks given’ attitude, check.”
Best Hangover Cure
Chang: “Leche de tigre in any form. Locura Marina by North Beach has a variety of ceviches for lunch.
Giangrandi: “A toasted, everything bagel B.E.C, and a Mexican Coke from El Bagel.”
Best South Beach Spot
Chang: “Macchialina. The outside patio at 7 or 7:30 p.m., table for two. Who says no?”
Giangrandi: “Bettant Bakery for breakfast, Macchialina for dinner, and Mac’s Club Deuce for everything in between.”
Bienvenu: “Catch. They bring a different perspective to South Beach. Great menu, great energy, great location.”
Best Design District Spot
Chang: “Nami Nori. It offers great and fun Japanese food.”
Giangrandi: “Sushi Yasu Tanaka. Despite its food hall location, it’s some of the best sushi in the city.”
Bienvenu: “Michael’s Genuine.”
Best Caribbean Spot
Chang: “King Jerk. It’s a great Jamaican barbecue spot. If you’re from Miami, you know the ribs and the chicken.”
Giangrandi: “B&M Rhoti.”
Bienvenu: “Calypso Restaurant & Raw Bar.”
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