One Of America’s Biggest Food Festivals Is Coming To Miami

One of America's biggest food festivals, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival is coming to Miami.

The South Beach Wine and Food Festival has been on my bucket list for years, and this year I have the opportunity to be in attendance. It's all happening in Miami February 23-26. When I say it's one of America's biggest, I mean it. There's over 60,000 people expected to attend this years event. There are over 90 events throughout the weekend and over 450 culinary and industry experts.

If you watch the Food Network, you'll recognize a lot of the names of those that will be there later this month. Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri, Robert Irvine, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis and Jeff Mauro just to name a few. Other celebrities will be there as well like Danny Trejo, Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval of Vanderpump Rules, Rev Run, DJ Khaled, Andrew Zimmern and more.

A lot of the events are already sold out, however there are tickets still available for some of them and for the Grand Tasting as well. I'll be attending Foodie Con and also The Cookout with Chef JJ Johnson. After watching coverage of this event on TV for years, I'm so excited to experience this in person.

And while this festival offers dinners, parties, brunches, fitness and walk-around tastings, it also raises money for a great cause. All net proceeds from the festival benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. To date, over $34 million has been raised for the school.

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Living in Florida, we know we have a ton of choices when it comes to good food.  Especially here in Southwest Florida.  Think of all of the delicious restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva islands, in Downtown Ft. Myers, on 5th Avenue in Naples or in many of the malls in the area like Gulf Coast Town Center and Bell Tower. Although many of the island restaurants are still recovering from Hurricane Ian, many have reopened. But, have you tried any of these places Guy Fieri went to on his popular Food Network show, Diners Drive-Ins and Dives? If not, you should.

I'm not a big cook, however I'm obsessed with the Food Network and one of my favorite shows is Guy Fieri's “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." Not only has it given me some great ideas on places to try, but it's also fun to see what each place offers. And my list keeps getting longer especially since 67 Florida restaurants have been featured. Guy obviously loves being down here in Florida.

If you want to see a list of ALL the restaurants featured on the show, TVFoodmaps.com has a full list.  But, out of the 67 in Florida, not all of them are still open. Let's take a local angle for those of us in the Fort Myers/Naples area. So, here are 20 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' restaurants closest to us in SWFL (in order by mileage).

Known for turducken, this meat market/deli/eatery hybrid with retro decor also offers German dishes. I love a steakhouse that's also a butcher shop. Great combo.

Japanese small plates & ramen, plus many whiskey options. Try the duck ramen.

Here's a throwback, Ted's is a cash only spot. They feature house-smoked fish, sandwiches & draft beer. If the building looks old, it is. Ted's has been in business since 1947.

An amazing family restaurant atmosphere. Enjoy tacos, ceviche & empanadas in a little space with shaded patio tables. Being on the coast, they source their fish locally.

Way before the food truck trend started, Taco Bus was serving tacos in Tampa from a retrofitted school bus. Taco Bus has been serving up delicious food since 1996.

Now with 2 locations, Tampa Bay Brewing Company brews flavorful and hop-centric IPAs, APAs, expressive sours, and juicy, fruit-forward Florida-weisse. A must stop in Ybor City

Along with it's bar, The Parched Pig, Chef Tim Lipman started off as a dishwasher and worked his way up the kitchen ranks while developing his talent. The focus is on seasonal ingredients and local farming.

Enjoy a a seafood-heavy menu in a funky little spot. It's been a local favorite for over 35 years and the location - right across from the beach.

A Caribbean-Mediterranean menu, live music & weeknight happy hour. What did Guy eat while he was there? SEAFOOD MOQUECA & WHOLE SNAPPER with ESCOVITCH.

Another old school spot on this list. Sonny's is a cash-only sandwich shop turning out scratch-made hoagies, pastas & salads. On the show, Guy had a steak hoagie.

Here you'll find Indonesian fare such as noodle & rice dishes, plus soups.This is real Indonesian Cuisine, so be ready for the authentic spices and flavors.

When you see the name "sandwich bar" you may not be expecting Peruvian sandwiches & rice bowls with unique sauces. This place is always in the news and talked about.

A fantastic fish house on North Miami Beach. That $2 beer during Happy Hour is not something you'll likely find on the other end of the beach.

Caribbean-Asian cuisine and really, just an amazing name. So what does Caribbean-Asian cuisine mean. Try the Seafood Miso Hot Pot soup. Japanese Miso soup filled with seafood.

70's inspired spot located in The Biscayne Hotel. Comfort food and veggies.

A snack shop combining two of my favorite things. Not sure what to get? Try the Guava and Cheese Gourmet Donut, Slutty Brownie Gourmet Donut, or Oreo Speedwagon Gourmet.

Peruvian empanadas, sandwiches, soups & other comfort fare. This place has a true Miami feel.

Latin bites & beer located in the heart of Miami's Little Havana. They make an amazing mojito.

A little seafood spot on Flagler St founded by a family of Cuban fisherman. Guy learned that every lobster, shrimp and green plantain gets coated in golden batter and fried.