December is filled with holiday cheer. There are both Christmas and New Year’s Eve plans to be made, and we’re making it a little easier for you to choose a venue with a curated list of the best places in the 305 for a jolly good time.
Holidays aren’t all that this month has in store, though. Read on to find out where to witness some Miami Art Week x food collaborations, new restaurant opening parties with giant sake barrels for the patrons, and flavorous new menus.
Sushi Bar Miami Beach Collaborates with Mixed Media Artist Sara Schroeder During Miami Art Week
Through December 10, Sushi Bar Miami Beach, an innovative omakase restaurant, will be collaborating with Miami-based abstract painter and mixed media artist Sara Schroeder during Miami Art Week.
Step into the intimate omakase joint and prepare to indulge in a limited-time creative interpretation of one of the restaurant’s popular desserts, representing both the artist’s personal style and the sushi bar’s culinary ethos. The dessert, baring an eponymous name of Shroeder’s artwork “Pulp and Panel Poesie no. 84”, includes an equally tempting and delicious color palate with sapid flavors of sweet dulce de leche, strawberries, coconuts, matcha, and Meyer lemons melange-ing into one sweet delight. Furthermore, guests will receive a signed print of “Pulp and Panel Poesie no. 84”. Schroeder’s artwork will also be on display and for sale at the restaurant with 30% of all sales going towards Feeding South Florida. Reservations are exclusively available via Tock here.
Sushi Bar Miami Beach is located at the Esmé Miami Beach Hotel at 1438 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
Balan’s Brickell Presents a Festive Treat: A Quintessentially British Afternoon Tea Sparking Holiday Cheer
A quintessentially British Afternoon Tea experience is coming to Miami to celebrate the holidays. On Saturday, December 9, and Saturday, December 16, guests are cordially invited to Balan’s Brickell, where tea will be served from 2 to 5 p.m. The experience will feature essential British tea delights with a holiday twist—gingerbread macaroons, scones, finger sandwiches, tea, and champagne. It’s the perfect occasion to engage in holiday cheer with an elegant afternoon over tea with friends and loved ones. Reserve your spot here for this exceptional holiday treat and indulge in a British-inspired afternoon delight.
Balan’s Brickell is located at 901 S Miami Ave Suite 108, Miami, FL 33130. For more information, visit their official website.
Shots for Tots Holiday Party at Batch Gastropub in Brickell
Batch Gastropub is kicking off its annual Shots for Tots Toy Drive, bringing some holiday cheer to The Miami Children’s Hospital and Patches PPEC. On Thursday, December 14, at 7 p.m., guests are invited to come dressed in their ugliest Christmas sweaters and bring unwrapped toys for the kiddos. There will be a festive mood at the party, and the gastropub will be giving out free shots to everyone who contributes a toy for the cause. While you’re there, indulge in some of the gastropub’s most delectable finger foods, like their buffalo chicken nachos, pork belly potstickers, or tequila-lime BBQ shrimp.
Batch Gastropub in Brickell is located at 30 SW 12th St. Miami, FL 33130. For more information, visit their official website.
Tanuki River Landing Grand Opening
Tanuki River Landing has been open for a few months now and has already won over the hearts of Miami epicureans looking for fire Asian fusion cuisine. On Saturday, December 16th, Tanuki River Landing will be having its official grand opening in celebration of its newly acquired liquor license. It will be a night to remember featuring canapés, a DJ, and live entertainment. The star of the show will be a giant sake barrel at the bar for guests to enjoy. While you’re there, indulge in the restaurant’s usual crowd-pleasers like scallops in a black truffle vinaigrette or the spicy tuna crispy rice.
Make your reservations beforehand here.
Seasonal Drinks await at Crema Gourmet
Everyone’s favorite coffee shop, Crema Gourmet, is whisking up some festive beverages for you to enjoy this holiday season. One sip of the limited-edition peppermint mocha cappuccino will send you straight to heaven. The Christmasy espresso-based beverage includes a delightful blend of mocha and those nostalgic peppermint flavors. The drink comes topped with peppermint sprinkles for some extra holiday cheer. The peppermint mocha cappuccino can be served both hot and cold if you’re looking for something more refreshing during the warm Miami days.
Crema Gourmet has multiple locations. For more information, visit their official website.
The Commodore Presents Cookies & Coquito
Step into the ambient Ritz-Carlton cocktail lounge, the Commodore, where you’ll be instantaneously greeted by soothing live music and craft cocktails that will knock your socks off. This holiday season the Commodore has something exceptionally special in store for us—the Cookies & Coquito special menu created in collaboration with local influencer @chatchowtv’s Gio Gutierrez. For $39 guests can savor the entire cocktail menu flight featuring four festive cocktails and gourmet cookie pairings. There’s the Mexican Rompope cocktail, a nod to America’s eggnog, which comes paired with Mexican wedding cookies; the Cuban Crema de Vie paired with Torticas de moron cookies; an American Eggnog classic served with aromatic gingerbread; and finally, the quintessential Puerto Rican Coquito accompanied by mantecaditos cookies. Guests can also order each cocktail and cookie pairing separately for $18 each.
The Commodore is located inside the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove at 3300 SW 27th Ave, Miami, Florida 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Casa Isola’s New Menu
Chef Jose Mendin, the mastermind behind the beloved Miami Beach osteria, Casa Isola, has gone back to the roots. Mendin revamped the Casa Isola menu infusing it with inspiration from his original Pubbelly Noodle Bar while still keeping tried and trusted crowd favorites. Come one come all to try the new Asian-inspired dishes like the udon carbonara made with pork belly, the corn gyoza “agnolotti” in a beef soy broth, and the Italian “ramen” in a minestrone broth with meatballs. We’re drooling just from the thought. Don’t worry, though, Isola classics like the taleggio arancini and spicy Rigatoni Alla Vodka aren’t going anywhere any time soon!
Where to Celebrate Christmas
Kuba Cabana
On Christmas Eve, Step into the rollicking Kuba Cabana for a jolly good time. The Noche Buena Dinner Party Celebration will be going for $45 per person and will offer foodies a journey through Cuban flavortown. Not-to-be-missed specialties as part of the grand feast will include appetizers like tuna toston, ropa vieja croquetas, and tamalitos. For the grand act, expect traditional Cuban lechon served with a variety of authentic Cuban Christmas sides. No Christmas feast is complete without dessert—the restaurant will be dishing out a delightful Copa Lolita dessert composed of vanilla custard and ice cream. The entire experience will be rounded off with cheery live music and cocktails to keep you on your toes. Make your reservations beforehand.
Kuba Cabana is located at 3450 NW 83rd Ave #140, Doral, FL 33122. For more information, visit their official website.
Fox’s Lounge
During the entire month of December, watch Fox’s Lounge, the cozy American eatery, transform into a winter wonderland of joy. Glistening Christmas lights, a Christmas tree, a radiant menorah, a festive garland, and a cheery playlist will liven the space up, ensuring all your holiday dreams come true. Throughout the month, indulge in a specially-curated holiday-themed menu with seasonal cocktails. Stop by for Holiday Trivia Night on Tuesday, December 19th, or Holiday-themed Yacht Rock with a Santa DJ on Thursday, December 21. Or, go straight for the Christmas three-course prix-fixe dinner served on December 23 and 24. For $65 per person, surrender your taste buds to specialties like spicy deviled eggs, glazed ham with tropical sauce, au gratin potatoes, and a decadent white chocolate coquito mousse.
Fox’s Lounge is located at 6030 S Dixie Hwy, Miami. For more information, visit their official website.
Toscana Divino
Toscana Divino, Brickell’s high-end Tuscan restaurant, always comes through with sumptuous holiday offerings with a dash of Italian flare. The a-la-carte speciali di natale includes x-mas tagliere, an Italian charcuterie board of fine cold cuts, artichokes, dried figs, truffle honey, candied hazelnuts, and warm cheese focaccia. There will also be a hot and comforting zuppetta—a luscious seasonal vegetable soup; tortellini di carne with winter black truffles; and a prime rib roast with chianti wine sauce. Finally, for dessert, get pampered with a traditional Italian Christmas panettone with Bronte pistachio cream. Make your reservations beforehand.
Celebrate NYE at Noma Beach
For an extravagant New Year’s celebration of your dream, make sure to make reservations beforehand at Noma Beach. The waterfront restaurant is going all out this year with an unforgettable menu curated by former Iron Chef Judge and Celebrity Chef James Beard Nominee, Donatella Arpaia. Trust there’s going to be a private firework show, a live DJ, complimentary champagne service, an open bar, a photo booth, and oh so much more! The restaurant offers two seating options: one from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. going for $175 per person, and another from 9:15 to 10:30 p.m. going for $225, including a private firework show, with an option to add an open bar for an extra $95. The buffet-style menu boasts marine delicacies like oysters, shrimp cocktail, tuna and salmon crudo, lobster bisque, and more. Furthermore, expect truffle risotto, prime ribs, and king salmon. For dessert, there’s a variety of handmade desserts and ice cream. You surely don’t want to be missing out on this one, folks, so make your reservations beforehand.
Noma Beach is located at 9610 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33156. For more information, visit their official website.
