Raise your glass for the long-awaited arrival of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) this February. In anticipation of the star-studded four-day event filled with indulgent sips and bites, here is the ultimate SOBEWFF weekend guide of where to eat and sleep in Miami throughout the festivities.
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club
Located just along the Miami Beach boardwalk and near all of the SOBEWFF fun is Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection, a 357-room oceanfront resort in the heart of Miami Beach’s Mid-Beach neighborhood at 39th Street and Collins Avenue. The art deco property, originally opened in 1940, was designed by renowned architect Roy F. France. It was remodeled in 2018 by interior design firm Bill Rooney Studio, which drew inspiration from the glamour and sophistication of the 1940s European Riviera. The modern resort has a preserved art deco aesthetic with original terrazzo floors in the lobby area, lush greenery and a wraparound mezzanine balcony overlooking the check-in and lounge area. Just beyond the lobby, guests will find The Lobby Bar and Riviera, a flexible-use public and meeting space leading to a grand terrace overlooking the expansive pool deck featuring two pools (an adults-only pool and a family pool) and private beachside service. Visiting guests can stop by for a glass of wine at Bungalow by the Sea, the hotel’s charming beachside bar, settle in for an authentic Italian meal at its signature restaurant, Donna Mare, or grab a quick snack at Il Merkato, the Italian market, coffee bar and gelateria.
Winter Haven Miami Beach
Winter Haven Miami Beach, Autograph Collection beautifully combines South Beach’s glamorous history with modern luxury. With direct access to the iconic Ocean Drive, visitors who stay at the Winter Haven are within walking distance of the SOBEWFF Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village. Designed by acclaimed architect Albert Anis, the hotel first opened in 1939 in the heart of the Miami Art Deco District. The building’s elegant façade overlooking Lummus Park gives way to a sophisticated, thoughtfully designed retreat that provides the perfect hideaway from the buzz outside. There is no shortage of exquisite details and convenient amenities; each of the 71 stylish guest rooms is appointed with modern comforts and historic touches. Diners can savor oysters and cocktails at the lobby’s artfully styled martini bar or relax on the rooftop sun deck. In the evening, they can enjoy classic Italian fare at Il Bolognese, the hotel’s refined restaurant.
The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel South Beach is a boutique property centrally located on Ocean Drive directly across from South Beach’s Lummus Park. The 132-room hotel comprises four buildings and blends midcentury modernism with quintessential Floridian style, creating an oasis-like vibe. The Gabriel South Beach embodies the chic flair of Miami’’s Art Deco District through immersive atmospheres and a 21st-century reimagination. Featuring a lush landscape, the courtyard pool adjacent to the hotel’s outdoor eatery offers a tranquil retreat amid the bustling SOBEWFF events. Guests can also lounge by the showstopping glass-bottom pool situated six stories above the open atrium for a bird’s-eye view of all the action. Ideally located across from the main events, this hotel is perfect for those who don’t want to worry about transportation to/from the Grand Tasting Village and other events along South Beach. The luxe, tranquil escape offers a breakfast credit of $30 per adult or child under 5 per night as a delightful perk to enhance the weekend’s festivities and is available to book HERE.
The Balfour Hotel
Just a few blocks from the hustle and bustle of SOBEWFF, The Balfour Hotel is a charming, historic art deco property with 82 guest rooms and suites spread out over two buildings connected by an enchanting courtyard. It was designed in 1940 by Anton Skislewicz (an important architect in Miami Beach’s art deco movement) and continues to cater to design-conscious visitors with a unique style and undeniably timeless appeal. An elevated plunge pool with an underwater window provides the perfect Instagram shot of swimmers behind the glass wall. Terra-cotta mosaic tiles, chaise lounges and rattan lounge seating invite guests to sunbathe and enjoy seasonal refreshers and a menu of delectable bites by Executive Chef Antony Awak.
The Gates Hotel South Beach
The Gates Hotel South Beach is a tranquil retreat located along the Indian Creek Canal on beautiful Collins Avenue in the heart of Miami Beach, where the timeless allure of South Beach meets a sanctuary for wellness and sustainability enthusiasts. The 235-room hotel is an oasis of luxury, relaxation and leisure, with an expansive midcentury-modern lobby juxtaposed with art deco-inspired architecture. The hotel offers locals and discerning travelers an immersive Miami Beach experience with pristine beach access and programming catered to those who appreciate art, culture, design and self-care. The expansive first-floor deck overlooks the hotel’s pool and the Collins Waterway with custom double-sided cabanas perfect for guests to relax under the sun. Steps from the hotel are cultural destinations such as Lincoln Road, the Bass Museum and the Miami Beach Convention Center. It is also in proximity to many exciting SOBEWFF events.
The Elser Hotel Miami
The Elser Hotel & Residences is a 49-story luxury tower in Downtown Miami featuring 646 residential-style rooms, including studios, one-bedrooms, and spectacular two-and three-bedroom suites, all with gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows, unobstructed bay views, walkout balconies, luxurious bathrooms for every bedroom, fully equipped kitchens, and washers and dryers. Amenities include a 19,000-square-foot rooftop pool deck and event lawn overlooking Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay; a 132-foot resort-style pool with a 16-foot poolside LED screen, private lounge areas and a full bar; a massive hot tub offering panoramic skyline views; co-working and meeting spaces; and a comprehensive two-level gym that rivals any private fitness facility for guests to work off any extra calories consumed throughout the weekend.
The Gabriel Miami Downtown
The Gabriel Miami Downtown is a 129-room lifestyle hotel in Downtown Miami offering spacious and stylish rooms and suites with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay, perfect for watching the sunrise over the Miami skyline. The Gabriel Miami boasts two pools on the 14th-floor pool deck: a serene resort-style rooftop pool and an infinity lap pool with sublime views of the Intracoastal, Miami Beach, PortMiami and Biscayne Bay. The ultimate venue for relaxation in the city’s cultural epicenter, The Gabriel features 28 cabana rooms, which offer seating surrounding the resort-style pool. Centrally located near multiple cultural institutions and museums, The Gabriel Miami is an ideal gathering place with a chic design crafted for open interaction and enlightened conversations. The hotel also features three restaurants: Gabriel Restaurant, open for breakfast; Bella’s Bar for poolside lunch; and G Bar (dinner only), a vibrant and expansive restaurant splashed with green and navy tones for an earthy ambiance.
THesis Hotel Miami
Landing on the New York Times’ “36 Hours in Miami” guide, THesis Hotel Miami is a modern property that serves as a cultural hub in Coral Gables with 245 contemporary guest rooms and suites in a strikingly designed building. THesis is a culinary-driven property with luxury amenities that include a sun-filled rooftop pool with tropical views, a poolside bar perfect for soaking up the Florida sun and an open-air paseo. With a robust year-round calendar of programming and events – all open to the public – THesis is not only a hotel but a destination where curious, like-minded individuals exchange ideas, celebrate art, discover new cultural experiences and engage with the community.
G Bar at The Gabriel Miami
Located on the first floor of The Gabriel Miami, G Bar is an expansive restaurant splashed with green and navy tones for an earthy ambiance. Upon entry, guests are greeted by a vibrant column of green mosaic tiles, with the rectangular bar right behind it adorned with navy blue wood panels and plush leather stools. G Bar features telescopic sliding doors that open up to a covered terrace, allowing for open-air dining. The menu includes shareable plates, flatbreads, sandwiches, entrées, desserts and a wide selection of craft cocktails and mocktails.
Verde at PAMM
Located at Pérez Art Museum Miami, Verde offers sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and boasts an elevated menu of seasonal-inspired dishes with locally sourced produce. The modern-casual restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, featuring an expansive terrace with lush vegetation cascading from the canopy’s overhang. The patio, which leads to the entrance to the museum’s sculpture garden and Maurice A. Ferré Park, is a scenic outdoor experience for diners looking to bask in the South Florida weather and immerse themselves in the city’s cultural offerings and views of Downtown Miami.
Teatro at the Adrienne Arsht Center
Teatro is an immersive dining experience on the second floor of the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Ziff Ballet Opera House. It is the ultimate dinner showcasing the destination for pre-show meals and celebrations. The striking 2,500-square-foot dining room, designed by Johanna Dilone, creative director of Miami’s prestigious Gilded Group Decor, sets the stage for an immersive dining experience. The restaurant offers a provocative and avant-garde ambiance with a rich red color palette, a nod to the curtains on theater stages. Teatro creates an immersive vibe, enchanting theatergoers with pre-show dinners, craft cocktails and an expansive wine selection. The chef-driven culinary concept features a New American menu from Executive Chef Jose Danger with creative European and Latin influences. The prix-fixe menu includes a choice of one appetizer and entrée or one entrée and dessert, along with a tempting lineup of sides and à la carte offerings.
Food@Science Café at Frost Museum of Science
Come for the science; stay for the food. Visit Food@Science at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science for a science-inspired lunch while enjoying Downtown Miami’s Maurice A. Ferré Park. After exploring the showstopping oculus lens aquarium, watching an eye-opening show at the planetarium or digging for dinosaur bones at the Dino Explorers Mini-Camp, aspiring scientists can munch on some brain food to power through the day. The café elevates the Frost Science experience by offering themed menu items related to the museum exhibitions.
Mamey at THesis Hotel
Indulge in a gastronomic journey at Mamey, the signature restaurant at THesis Hotel Miami, led by Executive Chef Nicolas Mazier. Renowned for its exotic flavors and global fusion of island cuisine, Mamey has unveiled new menus for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner and welcomes guests to immerse themselves in the lush ambiance recognized by Food & Wine’s Global Tastemaker Awards. New menu highlights include the Croq Mamey ($18), a brunch favorite made with Sullivan Street Bakery sourdough, Chihuahua cheese, guava jam and ham; Fried Arepas ($10), with sofrito dip and chives; and Sancocho Verde ($12), a delicious blend of aji relish, corn, vegetables, avocado, calabaza and rice. After all the SOBEWFF festivities, guests can savor flavorful dinner options like Jerk Chicken ($32), prepared with rice and peas, mango pineapple relish and roasted carrots, or the Hanger Steak ($36), served with pimiento chimichurri, yucca fries and frisée salad. Complete the dining experience with delightful desserts such as Key Lime Trifle and Chocolate Tres Leches. Mamey stands at the forefront of Miami’s culinary scene and is a must-visit during South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
