Miami’s Ultra Music Festival is not only a global phenomenon for electronic music enthusiasts but also a celebration of vibrant culture, energy, and, of course, delicious cuisine. As festival-goers immerse themselves in the beats and rhythms, it’s essential to refuel with the diverse culinary offerings Miami has to offer. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best dining options to complement your Ultra Music Festival experience.
Best Restaurants to Dine During Miami’s Ultra Music Festival
Miami has a thriving culinary scene, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Toro Toro
Take a quick step away from the main stage at Bayfront Park and indulge in a culinary fiesta at Toro Toro Miami, the hottest steakhouse in town! Toro Toro is chef-restaurateur Richard Sandoval’s Pan-Latin steakhouse located inside the InterContinental Miami hotel. Executive chef Armando Jose Febles, who worked previously at Papi Steak as executive sous chef and at BLT Prime as chef de partie, brings his energetic and family-inspired cooking style to the restaurant. Savor dry-aged steaks, explore vibrant Latin flavors, recharge with delectable dishes, and immerse yourself in a sexy ambiance with pulsating music and Latin-inspired cocktails. Located conveniently downtown, Toro Toro is the perfect escape for a memorable dining experience during Ultra.
The Henry
Globally-inspired new American cuisine meets everyday vibes at The Henry. Don’t miss their mouthwatering menu and daily breakfast. Located on the first level of Brickell City Centre on the northeast corner of Miami Avenue and 8th Street, no detail was spared in the Smith Hanes-designed 260-seat restaurant with 8,914 square feet of indoor and outdoor seating, creating a welcoming atmosphere perfect for a pre or post Ultra Miami gathering. Immerse yourself in the well-rounded experience, where culinary excellence meets exquisite design, making The Henry Miami the ideal spot to celebrate and savor unforgettable moments.
Boulud Sud
Boulud Sud is chef Daniel Boulud’s coastal Mediterranean restaurant, drawing inspirations from regional flavors with an abundance of vegetables, seafood, grains and herbs. Born and raised in Miami, executive chef Michael Hernandez worked in kitchens in New York and Chicago (where he staged at Eleven Madison and The Alinea Group respectively) to Washington DC (where he was chef de cuisine at Xiquet and executive chef at Fig & Olive) before joining Boulud’s Dinex Group in 2022.
Zuma Miami
If you’re a fan of sushi, you won’t want to miss Zuma. The internationally acclaimed celebrity hotspot first launched into the American market with the opening of Zuma Miami in 2010 bringing Zuma’s signature style of contemporary Japanese izakaya dining, and promptly setting the stage for the Magic City’s extravagant culinary scene. The famed waterfront terrace, which overlooks the Miami River is the perfect place for a night out with friends.
Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish opened its first U.S. outpost in Brickell Miami this fall. The restaurant serves a Japanese-influenced menu created by chef Bjoern Weissgerber, who helped lead the kitchen at Zuma Miami when it first opened in 2010. The restaurant features plenty of its popular dishes from its original location such as duck salad, vegetarian sushi, smoked tuna belly, black cod, King crab, and cheesecake.
Smorgasburg Miami
Smorgasburg Miami, the 50,000 square-foot food market adjacent to the Wynwood Walls and what the Miami Herald dubbed as “Disneyland for food”. Open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 7PM, the market, located in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District at 2600 NW Second Avenue, draws thousands of visitors every weekend in search of a great afternoon of eating, drinking, and meeting up with friends.
The Deck at Island Gardens
The Deck at Island Gardens is Miami’s most treasured waterfront restaurant. From innovative brunch bites to a weekday Sunset Happy Hour, private cabana service, special events and more, this unparalleled setting is the perfect space to dine and dance the day – or night – away. Guests can sit comfortably at reservable full-size dining tables or cabana lounges while enjoying a decadent menu of fresh seafood, brick-oven pizzetta, pastas, meats, large plates, desserts and more and taking in the mega views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay.
Hells Kitchen Miami
Located a block from the water in Downtown’s Met Square complex, Hells Kitchen Miami, the two-story restaurant has ample space for diners to indulge in all of the restaurant’s iconic menu items, spearheaded by one of the most talented chefs. The 16,736 square foot space includes a ground-floor patio and second-floor dining terrace, as well as a beautiful interior dining room. The interior design is set to emulate the hit television show’s set, with an open kitchen and contemporary bar, where diners can watch the iconic red and blue teams from their seat. The bar serves a selection of both classic and signature cocktails; from a traditional Negroni and Old Fashioned to the innovative Smoke on the Water, served in a smoke-filled lantern, or the Notes from Gordon, complete with a personalized message from Chef Ramsay himself.
MILA Restaurant
Located on a rooftop above Meridian Ave, MILA Restaurant is a swanky upgrade to the Lincoln Road dining scene. It has a sexy vibe and is a place to see and be seen. The outdoor area features a koi pond, a small bar perfect for enjoying the view, and retractable awnings for unpredictable Miami beach weather. The interior is designed to create a luxe lounge atmosphere. Mila’s cuisine is “MediterrAsian”, a Japanese and Mediterranean menu with dishes meant to be shared.
La Mar Miami
La Mar by Gaston Acurio is a beautiful indoor and outdoor restaurant with an atmospheric setting overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. The restaurant’s contemporary design provides the perfect backdrop for La Mar’s signature cebiches, freshly grilled anticuchos and specialty cocktails. Listed on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ Discovery series and recommended by the Michelin Guide, La Mar Miami consistently draws in crowds for its Peruvian seafood dishes and views of the Miami skyline. Lima-born executive chef Diego Oka incorporates a myriad of influences into his cuisine: his Peruvian Japanese descent; his early years spent in his grandmother’s kitchen; and his extensive travels across South and Central America.
Motek
MOTEK brings the authentic flavors of the Mediterranean to Miami with a focus on freshness and thoughtful cuisine. With locations in Aventura, Coral Gables and a brand new location in Brickell, the restaurant offers convenience in a luxury setting.
Hutong
Hutong, located in the heart of Brickell, Hutong serves occasionally fiery Northern Chinese dishes in a chic space inspired by the vibrant Miami art scene. Hutong seamlessly integrates traditional Chinese cuisine with contemporary entertainment by providing a large selection of dishes and handmade cocktails. Hutong is ideal for group dining with dishes perfect for sharing like the Dim Sum Dumpling Platters or Peking Duck. Take advantage of the private dining room for an intimate group dining experience. Best Dishes to Share: Dim Sum Dumpling Platters, Peking Duck
Watr
WATR, located at 1 Hotel South Beach and sitting 18 stories in the sky, offers Japanese-influenced cuisine with a moody atmosphere for a day to night experience.
Joia Beach
Joia Beach invites guests to share fresh plates and spreads while enjoying breathtaking views of Miami Beach as the busy city lights up the night. Upgrade your dining experience and treat your friends to Joia Nights, where weekends become legendary and nights are unforgettable. Exciting entertainment includes aerial performers, fire dancers, and electrifying DJs- all are sure to be a crowd favorite. Best Dishes to Share: Hummus Masabacha, Truffle Pide, Joia Beach Golden Dessert Platter
Casa Tua Cucina
Located in the bustling heart of Brickell, Casa Tua Cucina is a culinary paradise that brings the essence of Italy to Miami. This upscale Italian food hall offers a unique dining experience with various food stations showcasing a wide selection of Italian delicacies. From freshly made pastas to delectable risottos, guests can explore a variety of flavors under one roof. The elegant and stylish ambiance, combined with the mouthwatering dishes, makes Casa Tua Cucina a must-visit for Italian food enthusiasts.
Baia Beach Club
Inspired by the bohemian energy and welcoming multi-cultural spirit of the Mediterranean, Baia Beach Club evokes the laid-back sophistication of international coastal living. Located at the iconic Mondrian South Beach, the waterfront oasis is perfectly situated on Miami’s Biscayne Bay and enveloped by breathtaking views from every seat. Taking cues from the flavors of the Mediterranean, Baia Beach Club features a unique, coastal-inspired menu and delightful cocktail blends curated from only the freshest ingredients.
LPM Miami
Elevate your holiday celebration at the chic and playful LPM Miami. Inspired by the French-Riviera, LPM Miami is known for their light, imaginative menus using Mediterranean ingredients, laid-back and friendly service style, open and airy dining rooms with striking art and Belle Epoque influences. Enjoy flavorful, signature crowd-pleasing dishes such as Escargots de Bourgogne and Crevettes Tièdes À L’huile D’olive. LPM Miami offers a menu made to be shared amongst a group in a refined, tasteful setting.
Mayami
What Makes it Stand Out for Group Dining: The ultimate entertainment destination, Mayami is located in the heart of Wynwood. Perfect for any occasion, the establishment transports guests to ancient Mayan Civilization, serving elevated cuisine, uniquely crafted cocktails, and a late-night party atmosphere with aerialists and fire dancers. The restaurant also included daily programming/dinner parties Monday through Sundays.
ASTRA Rooftop
ASTRA is the ideal open-air rooftop restaurant and lounge for spectacular sunsets, Greek-emphasized Mediterranean cuisine, live entertainment and more. The sky garden has been designed to create an open and vibrant place of leisure, showcasing overstuffed sofas, wooden accents and Mediterranean plant species such as olive and lemon citrus trees. Sip on fine wine and handcrafted cocktails while making new friends and taking in sweeping 360-degree views of Wynwood, the most Instagrammable spot in the area. Must-try dishes include the Paidakia, charcoal-grilled baby lamb chops, Swiss chard and gremolata, and Kotopoulo, marinated organic grilled chicken skewers on pita bread with homemade fries and tzatziki sauce. Come for Sunset Hour and Happy Hour to taste $10 cocktails and wines by the glass and $14 bar bites, including a Greek take on calamari and homemade lamb meatballs with tzatziki sauce and pita.
Red Rooster Overtown
Located in the heart of Overtown, Red Rooster serves comfort food celebrating the roots of American cuisine and the diverse culinary traditions of the neighborhood. At Red Rooster we want to share the story of Overtown with our guests, and offer a platform to celebrate local artists, musicians, and culinary talents. We embrace today’s Overtown with the spirit of inclusiveness and community by hiring our family of staff from within the community; inspiring better eating through buying from local purveyors.
Ultra Music Festival is one of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world, and the lineup is always packed with the biggest names in the industry. But the festival is more than just the music; it’s a full sensory experience. From the laser shows to the pyrotechnics, every moment of Ultra Music Festival is designed to transport you to another world.
In conclusion, Miami’s Ultra Music Festival is an event that should be on every music lover’s bucket list. From the accommodation options to the restaurants and the festival itself, Miami offers a full package that is hard to beat. So pack your bags, put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to eat, sleep, rave, and repeat.
