A Guide to Culinary Offerings for Every Budget to Help Plan the Perfect Menu of Events
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is set to light up Miami and its environs with epicurean excitement February 19-22 as more than 500 culinary stars, memorable flavors and world-class wines take center stage. Every year, serious culinary connoisseurs flock to the event for highly anticipated elevated dining experiences in ultra-exclusive settings prepared by world class chefs. Others come for creative themed menus, walk-around tastings, entertainment and a liberal helping of fun.
Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, this year’s festival will not disappoint. Part of its magic has always been how effortlessly the event welcomes every kind of food lover–a rare blend of star power and inclusivity. For all its glamourous trappings, the festival also hosts numerous approachable, affordable tastings and other happenings, making it a celebration anyone can enjoy, whatever their budget and epicurean expectations.
There’s always something for everyone. Just keep an open mind and review the schedule carefully to see what whets your appetite.
Also look for special Capital One Cardholder discounts and special access, and discounts military personnel.
Below is overview at some of this year’s events in every price range, many with tickets still available as of this is writing:
Within Easy Reach: Priced @ $100 or less
Themed tasting and small plate events reign supreme at this price point. Even on a limited budget, attendees can enjoy music, meet notable personalities and mix and mingle with stylish guests, while indulging in memorable food and drinks flavors.
Eats & Beats Hosted by Mr. Eats 305 / $100
Presided over by iconic Miami food and hospitality influencer Mr. Eats 305, this special happy hour event combines great food, music and community at Zey Zey, Miami’s hip outdoor venue in Little River. Drawing on his wealth of local eating experience, the vibrant Miami personality curates a combination of flavors from favorite local eateries. The restaurant’s verdant outdoor backdrop and DJ beats also carefully curated by Mr. Eats will add to the fun.
FoodieCon® Presented by The Islands of The Bahamas, Hosted by Andaz Miami Beach / $100
Guests can munch, mingle and mix it up with a curated group of everyone’s favorite food content creators at this fan-favorite event. This year’s rendition unites the internet’s most influential culinary voices for a full‑throttle day-long celebration of food culture and its digital community. Guests dive into cooking demos, creator‑led panels, brand activations, photo ops, book signings and more. Ticket-holders enjoy creator- and restaurant-provided bites and drinks throughout the day.
Late Night Pizza Party Sponsored by Lucci Lambrusco, Hosted by Ashley Graham, Michael Pirolo, and Marc Vetri / $100
Another Festival first, for late night eaters the evening comes alive until well after midnight at Miami hotspot Bar Bucce with dining, DJ, mingling and dancing—and unlimited pizza. Chef Michael Pirolo of Miami’s beloved Macchialina eaterie is joined by the James Beard Award–winning chef Marc Vetri Cucina to present the pizza in all of its tempting and varied forms—thin and crispy, thick and chewy, cheesy and bubbling. Co-host Ashley Graham, super model, entrepreneur and body-positivity ambassador adds a special luster to the evening, as guests sip Lucci Lambrusco, the night’s official pour.
Naughty Bites, Hosted by The Naughty Fork / $75
New this year at the Festival, this event takes its cue from host Samantha of The Naughty Fork, an internet personality known for her creative and indulgent take on everyday dishes. Top local restaurants will present their own sultry reinvention of familiar comfort foods to create naughty over-the-top small plates. Think shawarma fries, crispy taro & potato shrimp dumplings, potato-crusts topped with golden goat and caviar. Wine and cocktails flow throughout the four-hour event as culinary indulgence is turned into a new and delicious art form.
Stretch a Little Higher: Priced @ Less than $200
Are you willing to help cook a sit-down meal yourself? Then book a class and dine table-side with new friends to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Looking for a seated restaurant experience without the dinner price tag—think lunch or brunch. Or look carefully for an adventurous discount special event that others may miss.
BBQ-Making Master Class & Lunch, Hosted by Apocalypse BBQ / $175
Step into the world of bold smoke and serious barbecue know-how as the crew from Apocalypse BBQ pulls back the curtain on their craft. They will walk participants through choosing standout cuts, building flavor with thoughtful seasoning and mastering the slow-smoke process that sets great BBQ apart. With hands-on instruction from experts, barbecue aficionados will learn how to elevate any backyard gathering into an unforgettable event. The sit down with new friends and feast on the expertly smoked meats, savory sauces and mouthwatering sides that the group has made themselves.
Lunch Hosted by Tyson Cole and Diego / $199
Take your seat and forget the challenge of balancing wine glasses and plates without the premium sit-down dinner price. Guests can experience a midday feast at Uchiko, the award‑winning restaurant presided over by James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole. Known for modern Japanese cuisine, Cole celebrates bold imagination and thoughtful technique. He joins forces with Diego Oka, a Peruvian native and celebrated Executive Chef of La Mar by Gastón Acurio at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Together, they craft a menu that highlights pristine sushi and sashimi, wood‑grilled specialties, and inventive small plates with global influences.
3 to 5 on Ocean Drive at Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village, Featuring the David Grutman Experience with Live Performance by DJ Khaled / $150
Yes, Dorothy, click your heels, and you can experience the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village for less than you might imagine. The popular 3 to 5 on Ocean Drive event combines top-drawer entertainment in the Courtyard of the Village with Grand Tasting access beginning at 3 PM on Sunday. Cultural icon DJ Khaled joins forces with Groot Hospitality founder David Grutman to create a mini-music festival in the Village entry. The afternoon features signature cocktails and tastings courtesy of 40 highly acclaimed Miami restaurants, while unlocking the entire Village to guests.
BACARDÍ presents 25 Years of Legendary Bites & Iconic Sips , Hosted by Andrew Zimmern with a Special Performance by DJ Cassidy / $165
As a grand finale, the festival offers a beachfront celebration honoring a quarter‑century of unforgettable moments. The event gathers standout chefs, time-tested flavors and the festival’s most iconic memories for one vibrant evening by the ocean. Andrew Zimmern, the James Beard Award–winning chef and television personality, leads the festivities, while celebrity DJ Cassidy brings Grammy‑nominated sound and flair, as guests savor unlimited bites, premium cocktails and the company of those who helped shape festival into a national culinary institution.
Easily Within Reach: Priced @ less than $300
With a slightly higher budget, you can enjoy more—much more–especially if walk-around tastings are your taste. There are plenty to choose from, and plenty of choices at every tasting. Also look for special brunches and lunches in this category. And don’t forget about perennial favorite Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash, which needs no explanation, at $299.
A Taste of Italy presented by Pasta Rummo ,Hosted by The Pasta Queen Nadia Caterina Munno and Scott Conant / $225
Set outdoors in Jungle Plaza, this tasting immerses guests in a celebration of Italian cuisine hosted by Pasta Rummo with culinary luminaries Nadia Caterina Munno (@The_PastaQueen) and chef Scott Conant. Nadia’s vibrant personality and devotion to authentic Italian cooking blends seamlessly with Scott’s refined culinary style for an exceptional walk‑around tasting featuring a distinguished lineup of local chefs.
Steak and Whiskey, Presented by Florida Beef Council, Hosted by Michael Symon / $225
Hosted by chef, TV personality and undisputed King of Carnivores Michael Symon this event honors two great American obsessions. Presented by the Florida Beef Council, this sizzling walk‑around celebration brings together more than 20 of the nation’s top chefs, each serving their most decadent, high‑quality steak creations alongside perfectly paired whiskey cocktails. As the evening unfolds, chefs fire up their grills and showcase their signature talents.
Delilah Miami Presents Jazz Brunch, Hosted by Brad Kilgore and Mitchell Hesse / $259
Experience a captivating blend of smooth jazz and exceptional cuisine at Delilah Miami, Brickell’s chic destination celebrated for its supper‑club energy and elevated dining. This special brunch showcases the talents of two of Miami’s most exciting culinary forces: Brad Kilgore, a James Beard Award nominee and Food & Wine Best New Chef, and Mitchell Hesse, the creative mind behind several of the city’s most talked‑about concepts.
Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village, Featuring Publix Culinary Demonstrations sponsored by Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove / $279 on Sunday
This year hosted by Sofia and Manolo Vergara, for five hours Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting turns the stretch of sand at 14th Street and Ocean Drive into a sprawling open‑air feast. Standout South Florida restaurants offer signature bites, while fine wines and handcrafted cocktails flow throughout the event. Live music, immersive brand experiences, and gourmet showcases fill three vibrant blocks. Festival attendees can also catch interactive cooking demonstrations led by Food Network personalities and acclaimed chefs in one of Miami’s most iconic seaside settings. Enjoy the reduced price on Sunday plus significant discount with the Capital One card.
You Deserve It: Priced @ less than $400
Those prepared to splurge a little will enjoy sit-down dinners featuring haute cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs in some of Miami’s most iconic settings.
Dinner hosted by Jonathan Waxman, Sarah Grueneberg and Valeri Fuentes / $399
Three powerhouse chefs come together for an extraordinary culinary evening. As the visionary behind New York City’s iconic Barbuto Jonathan Waxman, James Beard Award–winning chef and pioneer of California cuisine, has long been revered for his ingredient‑driven approach and simplicity. Joining him is Sarah Grueneberg, the Top Chef alum, Iron Chef champion, and James Beard Award winner. Adding a new Miami perspective is Valeri Fuentes, one of the city’s rising culinary stars. Expect an exceptional evening.
Dinner hosted by Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio, Brooke Williamson, Zac Young and Jose Danger / $399
At Miami landmark the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, five standout culinary personalities converge for an evening that promises as much artistry as flavor. Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio, Brooke Williamson, Zac Young, and Peyton Leffing will bring their distinct perspectives to a single table. Guests experience a creative menu that blends these notable chefs’ individual styles for an evening of culinary artistry with cultural sophistication.
Dinner hosted by Michael Schwartz, Gabrielle Hamilton and Gastón Yelicich / $345
Attendees will be welcomed into an evening shaped by a dynamic trio whose combined talents create a journey of bold, intertwining flavors. The menu highlights ingredient‑forward plates influenced by Schwartz’s Miami upbringing, imaginative and heartfelt dishes from Hamilton and the refined seaside style characteristic of Yelicich’s Uruguayan roots. Staged at Amara at Paraiso overlooking Biscayne Bay, this is an event that delights all, showcasing the mastery of three remarkable in one remarkable setting.
The Serious Splurge: When budget is no object
For an evening to be remembered and talked about for years, consider these options.
Joe’s Stone Crab Lunch ,Hosted by Martha Stewart and Sacha Lichine / $569
At Miami’s iconic Joe’s Stone Crab, a memorable afternoon unfolds as two major forces in food, wine, and lifestyle come together. Martha Stewart, long celebrated for her polished taste and flair, meets Sacha Lichine, the trailblazer who transformed rosé culture worldwide. As guests settle into Joe’s vibrant Miami setting, the restaurant’s beloved seafood classics take center stage, from famed stone crabs to traditional sides. Paired with Lichine’s standout rosés and Stewart’s unmistakable aesthetic, the event evolves into a tribute to flavor, heritage and style.
Other ultra-opulent event options include: Tribute Dinner honoring Michelle Bernstein , Hosted by Master of Ceremonies Bobby Flay, priced at $569, and the perennial favorite Fontainebleau Miami Beach presents Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best , sponsored by Cunard, priced at $509.
With something for everyone and tickets for many events still available, what are you waiting for? Join in the flavors and fun.
Written with assistance from Warren Jervey