Thousands of art collectors, gallerists, curators, and scenesters descend on Miami this week for Art Basel, Design Miami and a host of satellite fairs like NADA and the SCOPE Art Show. And while the event list is heavier than ever, visitors to the Magic City and Basel would be remiss in not taking advantage of Miami’s foodie scene, burgeoning local art community and some of the most picturesque spots from beaches to pools to sit back and unwind — even if you have just an hour to spare.
Wanting the inside scoop on where to do just that, we asked Art Basel regulars — from Paul Kasmin gallerist Nick Olney to Whitewall Magazine‘s founder Michael Klug to our very own Cristina Miller — to weigh in with their not-to-be-missed Miami go-tos. Given how much there is to see and do, we wouldn’t blame you for needing a few extra days in Florida’s cultural hub.
Wynwood Art District.
The Editor: Michael Klug
Publisher and editor-at-large, Whitewall Magazine
Dinner Scene: Mr. Chow. “[This] is always a favorite for the ambiance and the quality of the food, and the people that gather here all year round, but it’s especially great during Basel week,” Klug says. W South Beach, 2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, mrchow.com.
Cultural Cache: Wynwood Art District. “The De La Cruz Collection and the Rubell Family Foundation are always places I look forward to visiting when I am in Miami, but this year I think that the Wynwood Art District will be particularly interesting to visit with the No Commission fair created by Swizz Beatz,” Klug shares.
New Pride of the City: Faena. “I can’t wait to discover the newly opened Faena District including the hotel and the art center,” Klug says. “I’m especially looking forward to seeing the Penthouse envisioned by Perrier-Jouët for the week. It is named: L’Eden.” 3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, faena.com.
Casa Tua.
The Gatekeeper: Marlies Verhoeven
Co-Founder and CEO, The Cultivist
Art Treasures: Pérez Art Museum. “This museum is always a treat, ” Verhoeven says. “Right now they have a mid-career survey of Nari Ward’s work which will be fabulous.” 1103 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, pamm.org.
Dream Pasta: Casa Tua. “[This restaurant] is beautiful and has the most delicious truffle mushroom fettuccini — sometimes, the only cure to exhaustion is consuming more calories,” Verhoeven says jokingly of her strategy for surviving Basel fatigue. “The bar is also really fun.” 1700 James Avenue, Miami Beach, casatualifestyle.com.
Relaxation Corner: The Raleigh Miami Beach. “Its central and the relaxed garden setting is a perfect break from the art week craziness,” Verhoeven says of her top spot to unwind when she has the chance. 1775 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, raleighhotel.com.
The Rubell Family Collection.
The Executive: Cristina Miller
Head of North American Dealer Relations, 1stdibs
Mix business with pleasure: The Shore Club. “This week, we’re teaming up with Staley-Wise Gallery to exhibit the work of fashion photographer Pamela Hanson. Check out her glamorous shots of 1990s supermodels, then head through the lobby to one of the hotel’s ocean-front cabanas.” 1901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, morganshotelgroup.com.
Masterful Connoisseurship: The Rubell Family Collection. “Don and Mera Rubell helped pioneer “the Miami model,” by which private collectors develop and fund public institutions. It’s a truly inspirational space. I can’t wait to see this year’s show, No Man’s Land, which focuses entirely on work by female artists.” 95 NW 29th Street, Miami, rfc.museum.
Dine on the Beach: Mandolin Beach at Soho Beach House. “A longtime Arts District-favorite, Mandolin is now running the kitchen at the Soho Beach House. Go for an amazing Mediterranean lunch and then head down to the tents on the beach, which are opened specially for Basel. It’s the perfect spot to do a bit of people watching while you get a breather from the hustle of the fairs!” 4385 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, sohobeachhouse.com
Joe’s Stone Crabs.
The Gallerist: Nick Olney
Senior Director, Paul Kasmin Gallery
Caffeine Fix: Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop. “I always look forward to Cuban coffee every morning [when I’m in Miami],” Olney says. “Sadly my favorite Cuban coffee windows on the beach have closed, so now my favorite place in Miami is Enriqueta’s — it’s a classic.” 186 NE 29th St, Miami.
Give Back: The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse. “Martin [Margulies’] shows never disappoint,” Olney shares. “And 100 percent of the proceeds from your $10 entrance fee to the warehouse is donated to the local homeless shelter.” 591 NW 27th St., Miami, margulieswarehouse.com.
Destination Crab: Joe’s Stone Crab. “[This is a great] place to splurge,” Olney says of this Miami institution. “The jumbo stone crab claws are a must-order.” 11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, joesstonecrab.com.
Bridge Red Studios.
The Curator: Bonnie Clearwater
Director and Chief Curator, NSU Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale
Breakfast of Champions: Buena Vista Deli. “[This is where I go] for breakfast near the Design District,” Clearwater says. “It’s a great French bakery with the best croissants in Miami.” 4590 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, buenavistadeli.com.
Local Art Scene: Bridge Red Studios. “Bridge Red Studios and Under the Bridge in North Miami [are great] for their focus on Miami artists,” Clearwater says of these artist occupied studio warehouse spaces that also host shows for local artists. 12425 NE 13th Avenue, North Miami, bridgeredstudios.com.
Small Plates: Matador Room. “[This Jean Georges restaurant] in The Miami Beach Edition Hotel has a small plates selection that changes daily,” Clearwater shares of her go-to Miami restaurant. 2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, matadorroom.com.
The pool at the Setai.
The Art Advisor: Lara Björk
Founder, Von Rudebeck Art Advisory
Juice Cravings: Juice & Java. “Every morning I order a few fresh pressed vegetable juices for the day from Juice & Java in South Beach,” Björk says. “They deliver, which is perfect when I’m trying to get work done before the fair opens, and veggie juices are light and perfect for keeping yourself going during a crazy day in the heat.” 1346 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, juiceandjavasouthbeach.com.
Gallery Go-To: Bill Brady Gallery. “[This gallery] shows emerging contemporary artists that are not just locally, but internationally known, and are exhibited at major international art fairs,” Björk says. 7200 NW Miami Court, Miami, billbradygallery.com.
Hangover Cure: The Setai. “I am a firm believer that sunshine heals all,” Björk says. “After a long, successful week in Miami, there’s nothing better than a glass of champagne in the sunshine at pool at the Setai.” 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, thesetaihotel.com.
1 Hotel South Beach.
The Auction Boss: Lisa Dennison
Chairman, Sotheby’s North and South America
The “It” Hotel: 1 Hotel South Beach. “The pictures are breathtaking, and the buzz is great so far,” Dennison says, describing this newly opened hotel. “Sotheby’s is planning events here that run the gamut from an outdoor dinner for our clients and friends, to a fabulous party in a space that will eventually be the dance club attached to the hotel.” 2341 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, 1hotels.com.
Rooftop Drinks: Juvia. “I like a view with my drink, so the rooftop at Juvia is a great option on Lincoln Road,” Dennison says. “I go for a saketini, with a sushi roll on the side.” Lincoln Road Mall, 111 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, juviamiami.com.
Off the Beaten Path: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens. “If I can get away from the madness of the art scene, I love Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Coral Gables, one of the premier botanical sites in the country,” Dennison says. “They often incorporate changing installations of contemporary sculpture into the gardens, which is an added bonus.” 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, fairchildgarden.org.
