Here Are Our Top 3 Picks for the 25th Annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival
Plus, we have promo codes and a giveaway!
t’s officially the best time of year to be a food nerd in South Florida. The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is back for its 25th anniversary, and we’re especially hyped this year - because The Leftovers Miami is joining the party as an official media sponsor.
It’s wild to think I’ve been going to the festival for nearly two decades. Watching it grow from a handful of tents into what it is today has been incredible. One of the best things about the festival is that there is truly something for everyone. Whether you are craving ceviche, hunting for natural wine, or just need a really good burger, they have you covered. It’s also cool to see how far the footprint has expanded beyond South Beach, with events now taking over the Design District, Wynwood, and neighborhoods all over town.
There are over 150 events happening this year - and while all are great - we wanted to highlight three that we are particularly excited about. (And yes, we have tickets to give away).
Dinner hosted by Michael Schwartz, Gabrielle Hamilton and Gastón Yelicich
First up is a dinner at Amara with Michael Schwartz, Gabrielle Hamilton, and Gastón Yelicich. I’ve had the luck of attending a few different festival events at Amara, and this venue does such a good job. The space is so beautiful on the water that it is hard to have a bad meal there.
The lineup is full of powerhouses. You have Michael Schwartz, a beloved chef here in South Florida. Then there is Gabrielle Hamilton, a total rockstar in the culinary world - her NYC restaurant, Prune, was a boundary-pusher for decades. Rounding it out is Gastón Yelicich from Parador La Huella in Uruguay, a spot consistently named one of Latin America’s best. Guests can expect ingredient-driven dishes given Schwartz’s strong farm-to-table background. Plus, it is a rare opportunity to get some one-on-one time with this level of talent.
When: Friday, Feb. 20 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Amara at Paraiso (3101 NE 7th Ave)
Tickets: $345. Purchase here.
Masters of Fire hosted by Tyler Florence
Fun fact: Tyler Florence was my OG food world crush. Come to think of it 20 years later, he still is. And this year, he is throwing one hell of an event.
Tyler and his crew are taking over a tent on the beach Saturday night for a barbecue-themed event called “Masters of Fire,” and the lineup is stacked. You have local favorites like Sean Brasel from Meat Market and Adrianne Calvo serving alongside legends like Billy Durney from Hometown Barbecue and Chris Lilly. Overall, nearly 30 chefs will be serving different fire-cooked items right on the sand. It’s reminds me a lot of favorite ever SOBEWFF event Bubble Q (RIP) but with less bubbles more Q.
When: Saturday, Feb. 21 | 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Where: American Airlines North Venue (Beachside at 1 Lincoln Rd)
Tickets: $189-269. Purchase here.
Late Night Pizza Party Sponsored by Lucci Lambrusco
Seriously, if I could only eat one food for the rest of my life, it would be pizza. That is why this late-night party is so appealing. It is also perfect for those who want to skip the chaos of the beach traffic because it’s held at Bar Bucce in Little River.
The event features Michael Pirolo on the dough. If you know Pirolo, you know his Italian food is always a 12 out of 10 on the deliciousness scale. He’s joined by Marc Vetri, a James Beard winner and absolute legend in the world of wood-fired cooking. They are pairing the pies with Lambrusco, a varietal I am completely obsessed with. For those unfamiliar, it is a sparkling red wine that pairs perfectly with pizza. Plus, Ashley Graham is co-hosting the event, which makes it even more fun. The price point is $100, which is a steal considering it includes unlimited food and drinks.
When: Saturday, Feb. 21 | 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Where: Bar Bucce (7252 NW 2nd Ave)
Tickets: $100. Purchase here.
How To Score a Discount — And Even Free Tix!
Okay, here is the really good news. We didn’t just round up the events, we secured the goods to help you get there.
The Discount We scored an exclusive 25% off for two of our top picks. That drops the pizza party to just $75 (a total steal for unlimited food and drinks) and Masters of Fire to just over $100. No promo code needed, just book through the specific links below to unlock the deal.
(Note - the discount will be applied at checkout.)
The Giveaway Feeling lucky? We are giving away two pairs of tickets: one pair for Masters of Fire and one pair for the Late Night Pizza Party.
To enter: Just drop a comment below sharing your favorite SOBEWFF memory from the past 25 years. We will pick two winners at random on February 18. Good luck!
Hey, this is my first time seeing your content, but I already love it!
This is such great new source for me . I love to read The Leftovers. In terms of memory I attended the Burger Bash a couple of years ago which was a great event.