Following a lost year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miami Art Week and Art Basel return to Miami to light-up the city and kick off the 2021 holiday season. Starting November 30th and running through the first week of December, Miami Art Week attracts millions of visitors from across the globe to Miami’s sunny beach’s and luxurious enclaves for a celebration of art, design, fashion, style and culture. Miami Art Week brings together some of the world’s best artists, galleries, art collectors, designers and cultural icons for a week of art shows, installations, events and lavish parties. PROFILEmiami is bringing our readers and in-depth Insiders Guide to Miami Art Week and Art Basel 2021 with a curated list of must-attend art shows, installations and events throughout the week.

PROFILEmiami has teamed up with Foodgod, whose new self-titled show Foodgod just went live on Discovery+, to bring you the Top 10 restaurants to score a reservation at during Miami Art Week 2021. 2021 has seen Miami’s restaurant and dining scene dramatically change, giving visitors and locals alike a plethora of new options to choose from with everything from lavish fine-dining to high-energy dinner parties you will not want to miss. Major Food Group entered Miami earlier this year, opening a Miami outpost of the NYC Michelin Star-winning Italian American concept Carbone and later ZZ’s Club and HaSalon, both of which made our list. Miami-based restauranteur David Grutman’s high-energy, celeb-studded concepts Komodo and Papi Steak, both Miami-staples, made the cut as well as A-Lister-staples Cipriani and Mr. Chow. Casual outposts such as the iconic Miami pizza joint Steve’s Pizza and the newly opened Oasis Wynwood offer incredible food without the need to dress-up or race for a reservation between hitting all the art shows and events. One thing is for sure, make sure to make your reservations early as the energy for Miami Art Week has never been higher. Our Insiders Guide will help you plan your week so you don’t miss out on anything.

1. HaSalon (Miami Beach)

Address: 404 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

Just in time for Miami Art Week Major Food Group opened a Miami Beach outpost of HaSalon, the renowned Israeli restaurant originally founded in Tel Aviv. The Miami location will showcase the theatrics and widely acclaimed Israeli cuisine that have come to define the HaSalon brand at its outposts in Tel Aviv, New York City, and Ibiza. The HaSalon team works from an open kitchen decorated with a bounty of ingredients—a HaSalon signature, where they prepare bright salads, vibrant vegetable dishes, satisfying pastas, as well as show-stopping courses meant for sharing, such as many whole fish preparations, giant lamb kebabs, and steaks. Menu selections will change according to the seasons and the restaurant’s restless creativity, but their famous emphasis on generosity and bold flavors will remain constant. HaSalon is an extremely high-energy, vibrant dinner party you do not want to miss.

2. Papi Steak (South Beach)

Address: 736 1st Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139

David Grutman’s Papi Steak concept fuses Golden Era Hollywood swagger with modern day Miami energy to create an entirely new steakhouse experience. The restaurant, which is located in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood, serves elevated contemporary twists on classic chophouse dishes. This includes its namesake: the Papi Steak, which is a Tomahawk-cut named in honor of David “Papi” Einhorn, a partner in the restaurant with David Grutman and Groot Hospitality. Einhorn is a grilling fanatic, and his special preparation (secret sauce included) is the restaurant’s flagship plate. The Papi Steak can also be ordered in a Beef Case: Inquire within. At only 93 seats, Papi Steak is an intimate but high-octane destination. A full bar and custom cocktail program are also included, while DJ’s spin until the early hours. With Grutman’s eye for unique experiences that fuse dining and design and Einhorn’s penchant for great steak, and equally great indulgence, Papi Steak promises the ultimate in a hedonistic night out.

3. Cipriani Downtown Miami (Brickell)

Address: Icon Brickell, 465 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131

Located on the south side of the Miami river in Downtown northern Financial District, the restaurant offers panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and a chic nautical aesthetic inspired by the waterfront setting. Since opening in 2013, Cipriani has been one of the hottest restaurants in Miami, helping transform Brickell from “no man’s land” to a cultural hotspot. On any given night you will find Cirpriani bustling with action, full of high-energy and high-fashion. Meals are served family style and the staff’s attention to detail is unmatched. Must-try dishes include the Rigatoni Bolognese, Veal Milanese and obviously you must order their signature Bellini.

4. Mr. Chow (South Beach)

Address: W South Beach, 2201 Collins Ave. Miami Beach

Located in W South Beach, which is one of the hottest hotels during Miami Art Week, Mr. Chow is a staple in Miami for high-end dining. The high-energy restaurant caters to a high-end international clientele and features a 123’ gold-leaf and Swarovski crystal chandelier designed by Michael Chow. Opened in 2009, Mr. Chow continues to remain one of the city’s hottest restaurants. Mr. Chow’s menu is a combination of old authentic Beijing & Original Recipes. Staples include the Chicken Satay, Mr. Chow Noodles & Ma Mignon and the world-famous Beijing Duck.

5. COTE (Miami Design District)

Address: Miami Design District, 3900 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137

COTE, the Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated Korean Steakhouse™ by Chef Simon Kim, is located in Miami Design District and has been a hotspot since opening earlier this year. COTE’s menu includes 45-day, dry-aged beef which is prepared at the table on the smokeless grills. The menu also includes the highest grade of prime cuts and American wagyu that is dry-aged in the restaurant’s on-site red light dry-aging room. Meats are seasoned with COTE’s Signature Gastronome’s Salt, a proprietary salt blend composed of British Maldon salt, Himalayan pink salt, and Korean thousand-day sea salt. COTE also offers two tasting menus, The Butcher’s Feast® and a 10-course Steak Omakase™. COTE also offers an award winning beverage program curated by James Beard Award-nominated beverage director Victoria James and master sommelier Mia van de Water.

6. Komodo (Brickell)

Address: 801 Brickell Ave Miami, FL 33131

From local hospitality entrepreneur David Grutman, Komodo is one of the most high-energy and most popular restaurants in Miami. Komodo connects the heart of Miami’s vibrant Brickell neighborhood with the regional flavors⁠ and flair⁠ of Southeast Asia. With an inviting indoor-outdoor flow—which carries patrons from a sleek wood-paneled interior to a lush and tropical covered terrace—the restaurant spans 3 stories and features 300 tabletop, booth, and bar seats. Outside, floating aeries provide additional intimate dining spaces. Komodo’s menu offers delicious takes on Southeast Asian dishes, all of which have been developed and interpreted with a global approach. The result is a unique dining experience, ranging from regularly rotating specials to house favorites such as Salmon Tacos, Miso Chilean Seabass Skewers, Peking Duck, and Daring Plant Based Kung Pao Chicken. A full sushi bar is also included, while bespoke custom cocktails—such as the Szechuan Old Fashioned or the Shizo Fly—bring lively and exclusive beverage options. Celebrities and A-Listers such as Dwayne Wade and other Miami Heat players frequent Komodo, which is sucre to be a high-energy and unforgettable experience.

7. ZZ’s Club (Miami Design District)

Address: Miami Design District, 151 NE 41st St., Miami

Coming off the heels of the opening of Carbone Miami in the South of Fifth neighborhood, critically acclaimed global restaurant company, Major Food Group, is continuing to grow their presence in Miami with the recent opening of ZZ’s Club this past April. Located in the heart of the Miami Design District, ZZ’s Club is a Japanese restaurant and membership club, presided over by Masa Ito and Kevin Kim, two of New York City's most revered and beloved sushi chefs.

While the intimate counter offers a traditional omakase experience, the adjacent dining room is a modern Japanese restaurant with an extended à la carte offering. The menu in these spaces features a range of raw and cooked dishes, highlighting seafood sourced from Tokyo, and the largest offering of Wagyu beef in South Florida, if not the entire United States. ZZ’s is licensed to carry true Kobe beef, which the restaurant presents in a variety of styles, from steaks cooked over custom-built charcoal grills to an indulgent Wagyu Katsu Sando with truffles. Behind the restaurant’s staple sushi counter, Ito and Kim prepare inventive rolls, signature Caviar Temaki, and nigiri and sashimi by the piece. The menu also spotlights a selection of ZZ’s classics—from the brioche toast topped with trout roe and truffle honey to the tuna carpaccio with foie gras and scallop—as well as dishes developed specifically for Miami: Steamed Lobster Dumplings; Stone Crab Sunomono; Chilled Yuzu Asparagus; Line-Caught Crispy Snapper; and Teppan-fried rice. John Slover’s wine list is geared equally towards sushi and meat: an ample cellar of champagne, white Burgundy, and Spanish whites, as well as robust reds from Bordeaux and California. One particular highlight is a program of large-format bottles. And the dessert menu from celebrated pastry chef Stephanie Prida features Japanese Ice Cream Sandwiches, Chocolate Matcha Bombs, and a stellar Key Lime Pie. ZZ’s Club offers cuisine of the highest caliber, personalized hospitality, and unmatched amenities.

8. Sexy Fish (Brickell)

Address: 736 1st Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Brickell is getting another celebrity-magnet hotspot as the London-based Sexy Fish from restauranteur Richard Caring is gearing up to open their first US location in Brickell Flatiron. The lavish restaurant was designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio and will feature ten artworks by Damien Hirst valued at over $20 million and an installation by Frank Gehry featuring of 26 fish lamps, a ceiling adorned with gold, and a fish tank filled with live coral and a colorful tropical fish. The high-octane restaurant will bring a signature program of entertainment to Brickell including world-class performers, dancers and DJs. Sexy Fish will serve a Japanese-influenced menu created by chef Bjoern Weissgerber, as well as offer the largest selection of Dom Perignon in the United States. Popular dishes from Sexy Fish’s original location include duck salad, vegetarian sushi, smoked tuna belly, crispy eringi mushroom, black cod, king crab, bone marrow and cheesecake.

9. Steve’s Pizza

Address: 12101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33181

Steve’s Pizza is one of those places that you need to be a true Miami local to know. The traditional counter-service joint serves saucy NYC-style pizza and Italian basics in tiny digs with graffitied wooden booths, polaroids of customers on the walls and a vintage arcade game in the corner. Established in 1974, the family owned and operated pizzeria is located US-1 near North Miami Beach and Bal Harbour. Steve’s Pizza serves New York style pizza by the pie or as fresh slices, hoagies, chicken wings, and is open late as well as offers delivery. If you are looking for some of the best pizza in Miami or an incredible fast-casual meal, Steve’s Pizza is a can’t miss Miami staple.

10. Oasis Wynwood (Wynwood)

Address: 2335 N Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33127

The recently opened Oasis Wynwood is a casual indoor/outdoor hotspot to check-out if you are in the mood for a casual meal in an energetic setting with true Wynwood vibes. Oasis Wynwood offers six restaurants to choose from and an iconic 75’ tall “Tower Bar” made out of shipping containers featuring a mural by Antonio Marest. The restaurants include Mr. Mandolin (Mediterranean), Prince Street Pizza, Los Buenos (taqueria), Alidoro (Italian), Buya Dumplings + Buns (Asian street food), and Chikin (crispy chicken concept). There is also be an indoor/outdoor cocktail lounge and nightclub named Huacachina inspired by Huacachina, Peru. The Oasis also features a selection of retail space, art studios, cafes and an outdoor stage for live performance. Whether you want to enjoy a fast-casual meal, a relaxing drink or just immerse yourself in the Wynwood lifestyle, check-out Oasis Wynwood.

About Foodgod:

Foodgod is a lifelong foodie who has gained 11 million followers for his unique celebration of all things food on social media and in his self-titled discovery+ series, he takes his obsession to the next level in search of the boldest, craziest and most exclusive restaurants and dishes, along with the creative geniuses behind them. In the four-episode season of Foodgod, he visits hotspots in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas and Miami accompanied by celebrity pals, including series executive producer Kris Jenner. The full season of Foodgod went live Sunday, November 14th on discovery+.

TV personality and social media star Foodgod got his name from his A-list palate of all things culinary and boasts an Instagram following of millions that track his food adventures around the globe. Widely known for his recurring roles on television, particularly Keeping Up with The Kardashians, Foodgod is now the biggest food influencer and has the decadent diet to prove it. Recently honored for the second time, Foodgod was named the 2021 “Food Influencer Of The Year” (Monaco) and also “Most Influential Name in Food” by Food & Beverage Magazine. He hasappeared on the cover of The Los Angeles Times announcing his rise to a dining deity. Known on the Dr. Oz show as their “food contributor,” Foodgod is the first to find the latest and greatest in food trends across the world. His delicious snaps of favorite foodie spots from New York and Los Angeles to Iceland and beyond garner major attention as he dines, drinks and globe trots with celebrities, chefs and restaurant entrepreneurs. He even has his notorious moniker inked on his arm. He has also appeared on hit TV shows like The Spin Crowd and Celebrity Big Brother and is a regular personality in the media for his international taste and style.

On social platforms, use hashtag #Foodgod to go behind the scenes with Foodgod and his guests, and relive the most hilarious, most shocking moments from his epic travels.

By FoodGod, Demetri Demascus & Katya Demina