Where to Eat Before a Miami Heat Game

5 mins read
Bar Tulio's

Heading to a Miami Heat game at the Kaseya Center is an experience that starts well before tip-off! Get the night going with a bite at some of Miami’s top dining spots close to the action. From Brickell to Wynwood, here are some local favorites to hit up for a pre-game meal that’ll fuel you for the excitement ahead.

Barsecco 

Barsecco in Brickell sets the perfect pre-game tone with its mix of Miami glamor and charm. The indoor-outdoor hotspot radiates energy, serving up globally inspired dishes that hit all the right notes. Their truffle fries are a slam dunk, and the carbonara fried rice packs some serious flavor; there really are no wrong choices here. While you’re here, grab a craft cocktail like the tequila-based Release the Kraken and a spot on the patio—it’s prime territory for people-watching.

Bar Tulio’s

Where to Eat Before a Miami Heat Game - Bar Tulio's, Barsecco, Bunbury, Jrk!, PaperFish Sushi Bar, Primo's - December 2024

Bar Tulio’s brings Wynwood‘s lively energy to your pre-game ritual. This spot pulses with Miami vibes—think vibrant murals, great music, and some of the best Mexican food this side of the mainland. Their birria tacos are the stuff of local legend, and the street corn will have you plotting your return visit before halftime. The margaritas? Creative, smooth, and the perfect start to your evening.

Bunbury

Bunbury is home to some delicious Argentine food, cooking up some of the city’s most craveable empanadas—think braised lamb, four-cheese with smoked bacon, and savory skirt steak fillings that will take your taste buds on a trip. The picada Bunbury, loaded with premium cheeses and cured meats, is perfect for sharing with your game crew. 

Don’t miss the brie crocante—warm and almond-crusted—or the show stopping tablita malbec featuring a perfectly cooked flap steak, sausage and more with traditional chimichurri. Pair it all with one of the restaurant’s many excellent wines, and you might even find yourself skipping the game. 

Bunbury is located at  55 NE 14th St, Miami, FL 33132. For more information, visit their official website.

Jrk!

For those craving Caribbean flair, Jrk! delivers a game-changing take on Jamaican cuisine. The tasty handcrafted bowls at this fast-casual eatery are full of island flavors. Take the Classic Jerk, for example—a winning combo of jerk chicken, rice and peas, pineapple mango salsa, and more. If you want to take things into your own hands, their Build Your Own menu lets you call the plays, mixing bases like jerk fried rice with proteins such as curry goat or jerk shrimp.

Jrk! is located at 95 NW 1st St, Miami, FL 33128. For more information, visit their official website.

Paperfish Sushi

For the sushi lovers in the crowd, Paperfish Sushi in Brickell elevates the pre-game meal to an art form. From the group behind Barsecco, this sleek Peruvian-Japanese spot serves up rolls with championship-caliber precision. The Acevichado with shrimp katsu is a winner, and their hamachi jalapeno roll offers guests some nice heat. Drinks-wise, their wasabi martini is the perfect opener to your evening at the arena.

Primo’s

Where to Eat Before a Miami Heat Game - Bar Tulio's, Barsecco, Bunbury, Jrk!, PaperFish Sushi Bar, Primo's - December 2024

Looking for Italian comfort food that’ll fuel you through the whole game? Primo’s, set inside the DoubleTree Grand Hotel in Downtown Miami, is your spot. This cozy hideout dishes out the kind of hearty pasta and pizzas that’ll keep you energized through the final buzzer. Their lasagna bolognese is pure comfort on a plate and the margherita pizza? Equally exquisite. The best part is that you’re just minutes from the arena, making it ideal for those tight-schedule game nights.

Geoffrey Anderson

Geoffrey Anderson Jr. is a contributing/staff writer for Dish Miami. For over six years, he has covered the South Florida dining scene with his wife for the award-winning local food blog Miami Food Pug. When he's not writing about food, he's eating it—or attending rock concerts and traveling.

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