Miami pours with verve not vice

Explore the iconic Florida city’s top spots for food, wine and cocktails during Vinexpo Americas, with insider picks that capture the waves of energy, warmth and style.

Welcome to the Magic City. Long celebrated for its sunshine, beaches and talent for throwing a great party, Miami has now become one of the most exciting places in the world for food and wine lovers.

Whether it’s a high-energy cocktail bar where the music spills into the street or a homey neighbourhood spot where regulars greet each other by name, a rooftop restaurant offering a dose of Miami glamour or bottle shops where collectors gather to open something special — the seaside city is full of places to remember.

This guide brings you a local perspective on Miami’s most vibrant, welcoming and delicious spots. Whether you’re looking to unwind, explore the city’s diverse wine culture, or simply raise a glass somewhere that feels unmistakably “Miami,” these places are sure to make you smile.

Sarah Phillips McCartan

Restaurant – Mila, South Beach (@milagroup_miami)

If you want to let your hair down after a day at the fair, MILA’s glamorous rooftop restaurant is the place to do it. Expect high energy, great vibes, and a well-heeled crowd. The menu blends Mediterranean and Asian influences: delicious sushi platters, crispy rice, caviar, plus seafood, steak and pasta. The wine list includes plenty of well-respected labels, but also carefully selected hidden gems and value finds from Europe and the U.S., along with a strong by-the-glass offering. The beautifully designed space is part indoors, part open-air — a perfect setup for making the most of Miami’s balmy evenings. MILA is where good food meets good energy, all with that unmistakable Miami flair.

Wine Bar – Water Lion Wine + Alchemy, South Beach (@water_lion)

Water Lion is a tranquil haven amid the chaos of South Beach. Tucked inside the Sagamore Hotel in the heart of the Art Deco District, it offers calm where you’d least expect it. The wine list is seriously eclectic and regularly updated, making it a favourite among the South Beach wine community. Expect unusual — and delicious — gems from lesser-known corners of the wine world, best enjoyed with its light snacks such as devilled eggs. There’s also a small but thoughtful cocktail selection. Just a ten-minute walk from the fair, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and relax.

Cocktail Bar – Presidente, Wynwood (@presidentebar.miami)

The team at Presidente knows exactly how to make a beautiful cocktail. This stylish yet laid-back Buenos Aires transplant has been turning heads since opening its doors to Miami in June. The bar’s elegant design sets the tone — think high ceilings, an airy layout, dim lighting and chandeliers that cast a golden glow. There’s often live music, always attentive service, and a cocktail list that spans perfectly executed classics to creative, modern twists. Stylish without feeling stuffy, Presidente brings a touch of Argentine elegance to Wynwood’s vibrant bar scene.

Wine Shop – Maison Mura, Downtown (@maisonmura.wine)

Maison Mura is an impressive high-end wine shop in Downtown Miami, known for its smart selection of collectible bottles, with particular strength in Burgundy and Champagne. The shop has become an important gathering place for many of the city’s serious wine collectors, who stop by to pop corks, swap tasting notes and discover new finds — sometimes well into the night. Winemakers from around the world often drop in to share bottles with the shop’s loyal local crowd. Maison Mura is proof that a luxury wine shop can be great fun and a place to meet new wine-loving friends.

About Sarah Phillips McCartan:

Sarah Phillips McCartan (@whatsarahdrinks) is a communications consultant based in Miami, Florida since 2019. She is also the founder of Wine Talks Miami, South Florida’s wine trade network. Find her on Instagram @whatsarahdrinks.

Henrique Castillo

Restaurant – Michael’s Genuine, Design District (@michaelsgenuine)

Michael’s Genuine has long been a cornerstone of Miami’s dining scene. In the heart of the Design District, it feels both refined and friendly. The menu invites sharing, with dishes like falafel mezze, crispy pig’s ears, and fresh pastas showcasing Chef-Owner Michael Schwartz’s focus on quality ingredients. From lunch through the ever-popular happy hour and into dinner, the atmosphere is always buzzing. Wine Director Amanda Fraga curates a thoughtful, evolving list that keeps enthusiasts coming back, making Michael’s Genuine a favourite hangout for the city’s wine community. Relaxed yet impeccably executed, it remains one of Miami’s most beloved neighbourhood fixtures — a true classic.

Wine Bar – ViceVersa, Downtown (@viceversamiami)

ViceVersa is a vibrant Italian-style aperitivo bar that instantly brings a smile, with its bold graphics and lively, welcoming energy. The bar serves artfully crafted cocktails — especially within the Negroni family — with sherry and vermouth taking center stage. While not a traditional wine bar, it features a small but thoughtful mix of boutique producers and a page devoted to sherry. The food leans Italian, with favourites like mortadella pizza with pistachios, fennel salad, and fresh crudos. A talented, friendly team and great energy have earned it a loyal local following.

Cocktail bar – Dante’s HiFi, Wynwood (@danteshifi)

Dante’s HiFi is a listening bar for true music lovers — intimate, low-lit, and home to one of the best sound systems in Miami. DJs spin everything from house and hip-hop to soul and funk, keeping the energy fresh each night. Early evenings invite quiet listening sessions in comfy chairs; later, the space becomes alive. Behind the bar, experienced bartenders mix standout cocktails like the tequila-based Purple Haze and aromatic Negronis. With its eclectic crowd and magnetic energy, Dante’s HiFi captures the rare magic of a bar built entirely around sound and soul.

Wine Shop – Backbone Wine Co, Downtown (@backbonewineco)

Backbone Wine Co is a cosy, well-curated wine shop in Downtown Miami. Owner Hannah Stroud brings the warmth of her New Orleans roots, while her time in New York’s leading wine bars and shops informs a smart, thoughtful selection. Her focus leans towards artisanal producers and everyday drinkability — soulful wines that wine lovers genuinely want to drink. Beyond the bottles, speciality pantry items line the vintage shelves, adding a homey charm. If you visit, be sure to say hello to Ricky, the shop’s loveable pup and unofficial mascot.

About Henrique Castillo:

Henrique Castillo (@kike_transeunte) is Head Sommelier at Michelin-starred Le Jardinier and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. A Florida native with Venezuelan roots, he brings two decades of global wine and hospitality experience to his thoughtful, guest-driven approach.

Jacqueline Pirolo

Restaurant – Los Felix, Coconut Grove (@losfelixmiami)

Los Félix is a neighbourhood eatery that’s also decidedly elevated. Inspired by Mexico’s regional cuisines, Chef Sebastián Vargas has crafted an exciting menu of thoughtful, shareable dishes. Highlights include duck and totopos, along with a changing selection of crudos. Behind the bar, cocktails are beautifully balanced and inventive, often featuring off-the-beaten-track vermouths. With a team whose warmth can turn a quick bite into a three-hour feast, Los Félix offers one of Miami’s most quietly refined dining experiences. Regulars know: the best seats are at the bar.

Wine Bar – Magie, Little River (@magiewinebar)

Magie in Little River is the sort of wine bar that makes everyone feel at home — whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast, or someone who just wants to have a good time. On any given evening, you might find couples on a date night, a knitting circle deep in conversation, or a lively group of friends sharing dinosaur nuggets topped with caviar. The focus is on low-intervention wines and accessibility, with something for every palate and price point. In the kitchen, chef-partner Ivan Barros brings a creative touch. It’s a true local hub that thrives on bringing people together through good wine, great food, and plenty of fun.

Cocktail Bar – Scapegoat, Miami Beach (@scapegoatmiami)

Scapegoat is a neighbourhood haunt that knows exactly what it wants to be. There are no DJs or gimmicks, just a focus on great drinks, genuine hospitality, and a space where locals can unwind. Mixologist Tom Lasher-Walker brings deep cocktail expertise — honed through years behind some of the world’s best bars — yet his approach remains refreshingly unpretentious. While he’s passionate about educating the bar community, and crafting serious cocktails, he’s just as happy to pour you a chilled beer. It’s the kind of bar that Miami could use more of.

Wine Shop – Sobremesa, Miami Shores (@sobremesamia_)

Sobremesa is an eclectic local bottle shop with a precisely curated wine selection. Its thoughtful range and community-driven programming has earned it a devoted following of locals who love great wine without any pretension. It’s the sort of place where you might pop open a bottle of Premier Cru Burgundy and pair it with a packet of crisps. The focus leans toward Old World producers and boutique wineries, highlighting low-intervention wines that remain impeccably clean and expressive. Insiders know to ask about the reserve list — a secret fridge of special bottles for those in the know.

About Jacqueline Pirolo:

Jacqueline Pirolo (@lambrusco574) is Partner and Beverage Director at Macchialina in South Beach and Bar Bucce in Little River – two much-loved local favourites. A champion of thoughtfully made Italian wines from indigenous varieties, she was named the Michelin Guide Florida Sommelier of the Year in 2025.

Lisbet Lopez

Restaurant – Macchialina, South Beach (@macchialina)

Macchialina is a true South Beach standout — a soulful Italian spot that balances authenticity, creativity and charm. Chef Michael Pirolo’s house-made pastas are consistently excellent, and the signature gnocco fritto is the perfect start to any meal, ideally paired with bubbles or one of its bite-sized ‘bambinitinis’. The wine programme is among the city’s most distinctive, offering an Italian-focused list with the rare flexibility of half-bottle carafes. With its lively bar, warm and attentive service, and effortlessly cool playlist, Macchialina has become an important fixture of Miami’s dining scene.

Wine Bar – Happy Wine Calle Ocho, West Miami (@happywinecalle8)

Happy Wine Calle Ocho is pure joy. At its heart, it’s a lively, unpretentious wine bar where every guest feels like part of the family. Owners JC and Joanna Restrepo have built a space that celebrates wine in all its forms, from value finds to collectible bottles. The by-the-glass programme is one of the best deals in town — even the Champagne — and its Spanish-style tapas are the perfect pairing for a long, laughter-filled evening. As the evening goes on, the live music picks up, and it’s not long before guests are on their feet dancing salsa between tables. The atmosphere is as warm and genuine as the couple behind it, radiating the kind of energy that keeps you coming back again and again.

Cocktail Bar – Café La Trova, Little Havana (@cafelatrovamiami)

Café La Trova captures the beating heart of Miami’s Cuban soul. It’s a place where world-class cocktails meet irresistible rhythm. It’s impossible to leave without a smile after an evening of dancing, music and genuine hospitality. The bar’s cantineros mix delicious cocktails throughout the night, while a live band keeps the energy high. The stellar Cuban-inspired menu offers plenty to savour. And as the night goes on, the space transforms: the hidden 80s bar, called the 305 Bar, turns into a lively, late-night hangout soundtracked by hits from U.S. and Latin America. Café La Trova is Miami at its most joyful — full of flavour, rhythm, and soul.

Wine Shop – Vinonueva, MiMo District (@vinonueva)

Vinonueva is a bright, welcoming wine shop where curiosity is rewarded. Owner Bernardo Villanueva brings both warmth and expertise, guiding guests towards hidden treasures that balance quality and value. The shelves are thoughtfully organised, showcasing a mix of timeless classics and exciting new producers. There’s also a dedicated room for high-end bottles, perfect for collectors or celebratory splurges. What sets Vinonueva apart is its approachable spirit: you’ll always walk out having learnt something new and discovered a producer you didn’t know you needed.

About Lisbet Lopez

Lisbet Lopez (@lisbetvioleta) is the Food and Beverage Director at The Balfour Hotel, showcasing her love of wine in the heart of South Beach. Previously she was the Head Sommelier at Amara at Paraiso, where she became known for her warm hospitality and expertise on South American wine.