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South Beach Wine & Food Festival Returns for Its Most Star-Studded Year Yet

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Pop the Cork and Pass the Plate: SOBEWFF Uncorks a Weekend of Star Power and Seaside Indulgence.

February 4th, 2026

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival returns February 19–22, 2026, bringing four days of celebrity chef showcases, beachfront tastings, late-night celebrations and once-a-year culinary experiences to Miami Beach. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the nationally recognized festival continues to blend food, wine, entertainment and education into one of South Florida’s most anticipated annual events. With more than 105 events scheduled and hundreds of culinary personalities participating, the festival once again transforms the sands of South Beach into a food lover’s playground. Follow festival updates, chef reveals and live coverage via the official SOBEWFF Instagram.

1. A Celebrity Chef Lineup Unlike Any Other

One of the festival’s defining elements is its unmatched culinary star power. Each year, more than 500 chefs, restaurateurs and beverage experts participate across the festival’s programming. Guests don’t just watch from a distance. They taste dishes, attend demos and interact directly with the talent shaping today’s culinary landscape. Among this year’s headline names are Guy Fieri, Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown. From live cooking showcases to hosted dinners and competitions, the chef access alone makes the festival feel like a live culinary network.

2. Signature Events That Define the Weekend

Transitioning from talent to programming, the festival’s tentpole events remain its backbone. Burger Bash returns as one of the most sought-after tickets, bringing elite chefs together for a fan-voted burger showdown. The Grand Tasting Village anchors the beachfront footprint, featuring expansive walk-around tastings from top restaurants, wineries and spirit brands. Luxury tastings, curated pairings and chef throwdowns round out the large-scale experiences that consistently sell out first, helping define the rhythm of the entire weekend.

3. The Beachfront Setting Elevates Everything

Location plays a major role in what separates SOBEWFF from other culinary festivals. Signature white tasting tents stretch across the sands of Miami Beach, creating an open-air culinary village framed by ocean views. Guests sample gourmet bites, sip premium wines and watch live demonstrations just steps from the Atlantic. It is equal parts food festival and South Beach lifestyle immersion.

4. Music, Nightlife, and Entertainment Collide

As the sun sets, the festival transitions from culinary showcase to nightlife celebration. Select events blend food with live entertainment, celebrity DJs and music performances. This year’s entertainment lineup includes appearances by Bert Kresicher, Diplo, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, DJ Cassidy and Rev Run. The crossover energy creates a festival atmosphere where food culture and music culture share the same stage.

5. More Than 105 Events to Curate Your Perfect Weekend

Zooming out to scale, the festival’s programming depth remains one of its strongest draws. Across four days, guests can choose from more than 105 events spanning tastings, brunches, chef dinners, seminars, master classes, and late-night celebrations. Some experiences are intimate and educational, while others are high-energy social gatherings. That range allows attendees to customize their own culinary itinerary based on taste and budget. No two festival schedules look alike.

6. A Platform for South Florida’s Culinary Scene

While global celebrities headline the festival, local chefs and restaurants remain deeply woven into its fabric. South Florida culinary talent is featured throughout tastings and showcase events, offering guests the chance to experience the region’s evolving dining scene alongside internationally recognized names. It reinforces the festival’s identity as both a global stage and a hometown celebration.

7. A Festival That Gives Back

Closing on impact, the festival’s mission extends well beyond indulgence. All net proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. To date, the festival has raised more than $45 million supporting hospitality education, scholarships and student training. Each year, more than 1,500 students gain hands-on experience working the festival, learning directly from industry leaders in real time.

Final Pour

From celebrity chef encounters and beachfront tastings to live entertainment and charitable impact, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival continues to set the national benchmark for culinary events. Four days. Hundreds of chefs. Endless flavors. For South Florida food lovers, it remains the most delicious weekend of the year.

Coach is South Florida Insider's Owner, President, Webmaster, as well as a Reporter and Photographer covering events all over the world. Born in West Palm Beach, Coach continues to call the sunny Florida area home. He received his Associate degree from the University of South Florida, then transferred to the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism & Communications. During his journalistic career, which has been featured in local newspapers and magazines as well as national publications, Coach has also continued his love of being an educator. It’s through both endeavors that he’s actively got students interested in following in the field of journalism. Coach loves sharing the world of entertainment with others and giving people the opportunity to step out of the everyday life.

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Takay Omakase Miami Opening on Coral Way Brings an Intimate 10 Seat Dining Experience

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This 10-seat omakase opening in Miami is about to be one of the hardest reservations to get. Takay on Coral Way combines high-level sushi, intentional design, and a guest experience that feels personal from start to finish.


March 17, 2026

Miami, if you love a beautifully done omakase, this is one to have on your radar.

There is a new omakase concept opening this spring on Coral Way, and it already feels like the kind of place people will be trying to get into early. Takay is an intimate 10-seat experience created by founders Glen Kotlyarski and Yoni Matz, bringing together serious culinary pedigree with a very intentional, guest-focused vision.

Let’s start with the people behind it, because that is really what defines this concept.

Chef Glen Kotlyarski leads the culinary experience, bringing more than 2 decades of fine-dining expertise. His background includes the Jean Georges group and Miami’s Michelin-starred Hidden, and that level of precision and discipline is felt in every course. His approach draws from traditional Edomae sushi techniques, while staying grounded in seasonality and balance.

Alongside him, co-founder Yoni Matz brings a strong hospitality perspective shaped by years of building and operating restaurant concepts. His influence is clear in the overall experience, which is designed to feel warm, welcoming, and engaging rather than overly formal or intimidating.

And you feel that from the moment you arrive.

The space, designed by Japan based architecture firm KTX, is quietly stunning. Guests enter through a Japanese Zen garden, setting a calm and intentional tone before stepping inside. The interior blends traditional Japanese craftsmanship with subtle Miami influence, featuring natural materials, soft lighting, and a sculptural wooden wave installation inspired by The Great Wave off Kanagawa. The entire room is designed to slow you down and bring your attention fully into the experience.

Takay’s omakase follows a classic Edomae style, with two nightly seatings, each centered on a 17- or 20-course progression. Seafood is flown in from Japan and paired with seasonal ingredients from local farms, allowing the menu to evolve continuously.

The experience moves through sashimi, nigiri, and composed dishes, with each course prepared directly in front of guests and thoughtfully explained. It feels interactive, personal, and immersive, making the entire evening feel intentional.

It strikes that rare balance where the experience feels polished and high-level, but still comfortable enough to fully enjoy without overthinking it.

When it opens, Takay will offer a 17-course signature omakase at $225 per person and a 20-course extended omakase at $275. Each seating includes a welcome beverage, with optional sake, champagne, and wine pairings available.

Takay is located at 2296 Coral Way in Miami and will be open Tuesday through Saturday with seatings at 6 pm and 9 pm.

In a city known for large, high-energy dining scenes, Takay introduces something a little more intimate and intentional. It is the kind of place that focuses on the details, and those are usually the ones that stand out the most.

Reservations are expected to be limited. Learn more HERE

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La Birra Bar Keeps Raising the Buns with Championship Burgers

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Inside Gabriella’s Modern Italian, Delray Beach’s Most Glamorous Dining Experience

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Inside Tartuflanghe Loft, Where Italian Truffle Heritage Meets Wynwood Creativity

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Hereford Grill Miami: Where Venezuelan Flair Meets World-Class Steaks

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If You Want Brownie Points, Start Here

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Semilla Eatery Satisfies

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For 13 Years, This Miami Beach Five-Star Family Restaurant Has Mastered French Cuisine with a Spanish Soul.

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