Party in the city where the heat is on…and the wine is flowing! This list of South Florida hot spots are keeping us on our toes with their rotating wine lists, extensive menus, and various vibes. Wine lovers in the sunshine state, listen up!
1. Michael's Genuine
This new American eatery in Miami is a wine lover’s dream! In addition to being added to the Michelin Guide in 2022, this neighborhood restaurant in the Design District offers a myriad of different dining styles. Keep things casual with Happy Hour at the bar with snacks like chicken liver crostini and felafel plus a weekly biodynamic wine special by the glass, thanks to Coravin’s Timeless system. Kick things up a notch with the Miami Spice menu, a three course curation with customizable options, or the Genuine Tasting menu with by-the-glass wine pairing made possible thanks to the Coravin Sparkling & Coravin Pivot.
2. Papa's Raw Bar
This hidden gem in Lighthouse Point has a huge local following and options to keep you well fed and entertained every day of the week. It doesn’t get much fresher than the day’s catch, and the oyster bar boasts favorites like shrimp, shellfish, and sushi. Despite the elevated cuisine and extensive fine wine list, the team at Papa’s encourages guests to come as they are – it’s casual and friendly instead of stuffy and stiff. Join for live music every Wednesday thru Sunday on the patio, and stay for the Barrel Room cocktails and wines by the glass, thanks to Coravin. Need space for a private event? Ask about the Bimini room and how you can craft your own wine-driven seafood event.
3. Okeechobee Steakhouse
This Florida staple is actually the oldest steakhouse in the state, and West Palm Beach locals have been enjoying superior food and drinks for over 75 years! With an extensive wine list offering half- (thanks to Coravin) and full bottle selections spanning decades of vintages and countless regions, there is bound to be a wine for everyone. Meat lovers, rejoice! This menu has an entire dry-aged section to pair with your hearty California Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux blends. Don’t sleep on the appetizer list though! Choose the Famous ‘old Florida’ Crab Cake or Lobster Mac & Cheese with a Champagne Jeeper Grande Réserve Brut from Riems or a Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs Brut from Napa, and you’ll understand why the Okeechobee Steakhouse has reined for this long.
4. Lewis Steakhouse
This Jupiter steakhouse may have just opened, but it’s already become a favorite. No surprise here – Lewis Steakhouse joins Okeechobee Steakhouse as the newest addition to the family of exceptionally well-reviewed restaurants. Join the VIP club for a free Sirloin dinner on your birthday, and celebrate with one of the many wines by the glass on offer thanks to Coravin. A daily Happy Hour from 4-6pm includes small bites and wine.
5. Tony's off Third
This special spot in Naples boasts a cafe with patio seating and a fine wine shop. The wine shop has thousands of bottles on offer, including large format and hard to find varietals. Wine experts will help you find exactly what you’re looking for by taking time to understand what you like. Mark your calendar for the annual Champagne and sparkling wine tasting in December, and keep an eye out for a regular slate of seasonal tastings. If you’re the kind of person who drinks coffee until it’s time for wine, this is a place you can stay all day. Enjoy a variety of baked goods and custom coffees before it’s time to have a glass of something new – likely poured by the Coravin Timeless, Coravin Sparkling, or Coravin Pivot devices on hand.
Have other favorite watering holes or restaurants you’d like to see added to this list? Send us note and let us know. Want the wine by the glass experience at home? Explore our lineup of Coravin systems to determine which system(s) are right for you!
Brielle Buckler (she/her), founder of Viva la Vino (on Instagram as @vivalavino_nyc) , is a wine enthusiast who loves rare varietals, busting wine myths, and making the world of wine more approachable. While Brielle is typically based in the NYC area, she has been traveling the country by car for the past year, hosting virtual wine tastings from the road (check out her brick background – it’s a backdrop she brings with her!). The philosophy of Viva la Vino is that wine is only good if you like it, and Brielle is passionate about helping wine drinkers of all levels understand what qualities they prefer in wine and why. She wants to help others be more confident ordering wine in a restaurant or asking for recommendations in a wine shop. Brielle currently holds her WSET II certification and is waiting to sit for her WSET III exam.