Brickell's Amazonico Is A Jaw-Dropping Immersion In The Jungle
All the foliage, none of the pythons
In some cities, green space in the heart of the urban core means a public park, or maybe a tree-lined walking path. In Miami, it’s a three-story restaurant from Milan by way of Dubai and Monaco with valet parking and $27 cocktails.
You want a park? Move to Portland.
This particular swath of urban nature is Amazonico, a stunning new restaurant designed to immerse guests in the Amazon rainforest, serving food with influences from the countries that surround it. It brings the natural jungle to the concrete jungle, creating without question Miami’s most beautiful and transportive new restaurant. It’s as much a spectacle as it is a place to grab dinner, and it’s going to be blowing up your Instagram feed all weekend.
So is this, like, Rainforest Café for the one percent?
No. Rainforest Café wouldn’t have locations in Dubai and Monaco, or really anywhere that doesn’t end in “Mills.” And unlike Rainforest Café’s Chuck-e-Cheese meets Hearts of Darkness motif, Amazonico’s meticulous decor is dripping with class. Yes, there’s still piped-in jungle noises when you walk back to the bathroom. And yes, the cocktail glasses come in fun jungle shapes. But there’s no St. Louis Style ribs or Korean Fried chicken on this rainforest-themed restaurant’s menu. And there’s no gift shop.
The Space: The attention to detail in the we-spent-the-GDP-of-Paraguay buildout is painstaking. Real rattan beams curve around the bar, palm fronts fill nearly every empty space, and a canopy of ferns and banana plants covers the outdoor patio. It all feels like an oasis of luxury buried deep in the rainforest, as a live lounge singer croons bossa nova and twinkling lights hang above. The second floor is a dark, swanky lounge with live drummer and a DJ, and the third floor is a rooftop. Stay here long enough, and you’ll completely forget you’re in Brickell.
What to eat and drink: First thing to understand about Amazonico: Everything on the menu is sweet. So pack your insulin and your wallet. The Ensalada Amazonica is a light mix of tropical fruits and avocado, an ideal starter to leave room for the rest. The rollito samosa is like a teqeno with chicken, ideal for a heartier appetizer. You may see some servers roaming around skewers of picanha, but this ain’t Fogo de Chao, pal. Your order comes with one tableside slicing, and you’ll look a little like Homer Simpson if you try and chase them down for another one. The chimichurri-marinated skirt steak is probably tops on the menu anyway.
Drinks come in colorful , jungle-shaped ceramic cocktail glasses, like the Peacock Spritz with Ketel One, Aperol, maracuya, lemon and champage, served in a glass that looks like it should be crossing Old Cutler Road. Pro tip, Amazonico: Search every purse walking out of the place.
Perfect for: Impressing people. Between the detailed tropical décor and the creative menu, it’s unlike any restaurant you’ve eaten in before.
Expect to pay: $125-$150 per person. You ever try building a jungle inside an office building? It ain’t cheap.
Pro tip: Make sure you look up Amazonico, with an O, not Amazonica, with an A. Easy mistake, but the latter is a fast-casual crepes place that’ll have you saying, “That guy at the Leftovers was full of shit.”
How’s the parking: Valet is available out front for $25. Otherwise, you are at the mercy of the Brickell parking gods.
@amazonico.mia // 800 Brickell Ave., Brickell