The sun-soaked cityscape of Miami, renowned for its vibrant cultural blend and sizzling culinary prowess, has been stealing the global spotlight. The Greater Miami and Miami Beach area was awarded ‘2023 Food City of the Year’ and named among TIME Magazine’s ‘World’s Greatest Places,’ and continues to bloom with innovations in cuisine, culture, tourism, and more.

Miami: From Tourism Triumph to Culinary Capital

According to the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Miami’s tourism industry continues to blossom. Over 26.5 million people visited Miami in 2022, boosting the local economy by an estimated $20.8 billion, an 8% increase from 2021. The GMCVB’s annual State of the Tourism and Travel Industry event revealed that international visitor numbers soared, with UK visitors witnessing a 423% growth since 2021.

With hotel room sales reaching a remarkable 17.1 million – a 12.7% surge from the previous year – Miami’s allure as a global destination only strengthens. The GMCVB continues to chronicle Miami’s tourism growth here.

New Flight Paths Boost Miami’s Accessibility

Miami is set to become more accessible for international visitors. Norse Atlantic Airways announced it would shift its flights from Gatwick to Miami instead of Fort Lauderdale from September 18, with Aer Lingus also reinstating its seasonal flights. Also, Brightline’s Orlando Station, opening on September 1, will connect Orlando to Miami, with fares starting at just $79.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Miami Steps Up

Miami’s impressive global recognition was further highlighted with the launch of the FIFA World Cup 2026’s official brand, #WeAre26, and the Miami Host City logo. Miami is committed to providing a world-class experience for athletes, officials, and fans attending the event, emphasizing its reputation as an international football hub.

The Rise of Miami as the Food City of the Year

Miami’s recent crowning as the ‘2023 Food City of the Year’ by decent food and beverage publication Bon Appétit spotlights the city’s burgeoning culinary scene. A Greater Miami and Miami Beach Visitor Industry Report, showed a 50% surge in food and gastro-tourism in 2021, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers, fueled by an influx of top-tier culinary talent and new dining concepts.

International chefs, including Colombian-born Juan Manuel, French-born Daniel Boulud, and Australian-born Aaron Brooks, are redefining Miami’s culinary landscape. World-class restaurants such as London’s Sexy Fish, Toronto’s Sofia, and New York’s Pastis choose Miami as their expansion frontier, further cementing Miami as a global culinary powerhouse.

MICHELIN Stars Light Up Miami

Miami’s culinary accolades didn’t stop with the ‘Food City’ title. The 2023 MICHELIN Guide awarded stars to four Florida-based restaurants, elevating Miami’s reputation as the state’s epicurean epicentre. Miami is the only Florida city housing a two-Michelin-star restaurant, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. You can explore all the MICHELIN star recipients here.

Miami’s New Dining Experiences

Miami continues to captivate food enthusiasts with exciting new dining spots. Abbale Telavivian Kitchen will open a second location in Aventura, featuring an expanded menu. Avra Estiatorio brings Greek dining to Sunny Isles Beach, while Brasserie Laurel introduces French-inspired Miami cuisine in Downtown Miami World Center.

Further, there’s Joliet, an all-day restaurant in Lost Boy at Co. venues, and Jaguar Sun, an intimate downtown Miami cocktail bar that recently won a Bib Gourmand award. Other not-to-be-missed dining spots include Rosie’s in Little River, Tablé by Antonio Bachour, Tambourine Room in the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, Zeru Miami in the Brickell neighbourhood, and Rum Room Restaurant, which fuses Latin American and Caribbean flavours with contemporary flair.

A special mention goes to LEKU, a Miami favourite known for its Côte Basque cuisine. After receiving recognition from the 2022 MICHELIN Guide and winning Wine Spectator’s 2022 Award of Excellence, LEKU welcomed Carlos García as its Executive Chef and introduced a new menu. You can explore these and other exciting dining options on the GMCVB’s website.

Miami’s vibrant blend of cultures, energetic tourism scene, thriving culinary landscape, and upcoming world-class events drive its journey from a sun-kissed vacation spot to a global destination that commands international attention. Miami, it seems, is only just warming up.

Written by: Matthew Thomas

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