What to Do in Miami This Week [Dec 23-29]

Welcome to our weekly roundup of the hottest events in the 305! We bring you the must-attend happenings and top spots in Miami to see and be seen. Discover the latest buzz, from trending restaurants to the most coveted bars, where you’ll want to secure a reservation ASAP. Stay in the loop with our curated guide to Miami’s vibrant and ever-evolving scene!

Looking for more? Check out the newest restaurants in Miami and the food and drink specials this month. 

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas To-go at Primo’s 

If you’re thinking of celebrating Christmas at home this year we recommend taking it easy on the cooking and grabbing Primo’s Christmas to-go special. Available for pick-up at Primo’s Downtown location on December 24 and 25, this holiday spread is loaded with enough goodness to feed 10 hungry revelers—for just $450.

If you’ve been to Primo’s before, you know they don’t skimp on the love in their cooking and make incredible Italian comfort food that tastes like a Michelin meal. This year’s Christmas menu includes an array of scrumptious side dishes like an umami-rich broccoli salad full of olives and anchovies for the extra oomph, crispy bacon-laced Brussel sprouts, baked eggplant parmigiana, rustic escarole pie with pine nuts, and beef meatballs doused in marinara sauce. For the main course, diners can choose between the restaurant’s Neapolitan lasagna, stuffed roasted turkey, or honey-baked ham. Then, for dessert, an irresistible pecan and blueberry ricotta pie. Make sure to get your reservations in beforehand, uncork that wine you’ve been saving, and enjoy a relaxing time with friends and family, minus the holiday drama.

Wednesday, December 25: Christmas Dinner at ADRIFT Mare

On Christmas Day, find us on the 25th floor of Hotel AKA Brickell, where we’ll be indulging in a Mediterranean feast crafted by Michelin-starred “Gypsy Chef” David Myers at ADRIFT Mare. For just $75 per person, it’s a culinary escape with Biscayne Bay views to match.

We’ll be starting with entrées like the garlic-and-pine-nut-stuffed porchetta served with velvety hummus and crisp greens or the luxurious dover sole swimming in white clams and smoked pil pil sauce. Then, rounding it out with shareable sides like crispy potatoes, charred grilled broccolini, and golden saffron rice — a meal worthy of royalty. For dessert, there’s the indulgent chocolate tart crowned with raspberry cream or the Mare baklava, complete with pistachio sponge and walnut ice cream. Oof. Available from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., it’s a festive celebration without the kitchen mess. See you on the rooftop!

Adrift Mare is located at 395 Brickell Ave., Miami, FL 33131. For more information, please visit their official website. 

Thursday, December 26: Lunch at Ironside Pizza

The few days after Christmas and before New Year’s are the only time we have to unload a bit after the Christmas feasts and prepare for the upcoming New Year’s banquets and celebrations. Join us for lunch in the garden over at Upper East Side’s Ironside Pizza, where we’ll be indulging in delicious Neapolitan food minus the guilt. Ironside Pizza serves up incredible Mediterranean fare that’s also kind on the body, thanks to using only the best ingredients, fermented pizza dough, and following traditional Italian cooking methods that won’t give you a food coma.

For a lighter lunch, we’ll be starting with the caprese salad featuring beefsteak tomatoes and creamy artisan burrata, then moving on to the pizza. Thankfully, the restaurant offers both gluten-free and vegan options if you want to keep things light. One of our go-to’s is the funghi pizza filled with vegan mozzarella, portobello mushrooms, and organic basil. Pair the meal with Ironside’s homemade lemonade for the perfect afternoon out in the fresh air. 

Saturday, December 28: Music on the Terrace at Barsecco

This Saturday, December 28, make sure to wear your dancing shoes and step onto the terrace at Brickell’s most poppin’ hotspot —Barsecco, for a night filled with beats that will have you on the dancefloor till 3 a.m. Markem will be bringing the heat starting at 11 p.m., and to make things all the more lit, Barsecco has its late-night specials menu going from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. 

Whether you’re getting a bottle for the table to split between the besties or sticking to the bar’s now-infamous craft cocktails, you’re going to want some bites to keep the energy flowing through the night. Barsecco has you covered with crispy grana Padano truffle fries, golden fried calamari with aji amarillo aioli, and pizzas like margherita or prosciutto di parma, all for under $20. Cheers to one last party before the New Year’s celebrations start!