Nestled on a quiet side street in the heart of Miami’s vibrant South Beach sits a simple three-story Mediterranean-style building with red ceramic roof tiles and striped awnings to match. It’s a breath from all the trendy surrounding art deco architecture yet could easily go unnoticed if you weren’t looking out for it.
Walk through the double French doors on the ground floor, however, and the wow-factor hits another level. Welcome to Villa Azur, a France-inspired restaurant and lounge, and one of this Miami native’s new favorite spots for luxury dining in the Magic City.
From the expansive windows and grand piano in the foyer to the plush and richly detailed furniture, this place exudes European elegance. The restaurant’s co-founder Michael Martin is a native of northern France so it comes as no surprise the vibe here is on point.
What’s even more of a treat: the delicious, authentically French-inspired menu that if had to be described in one word would be fresh. In fact, the restaurant recently released several brand-new menu items to celebrate its seventh anniversary.
Before I take you through my culinary journey at Villa Azur, it’s worth mentioning that the bar here is an experience in itself. If time permits, I highly recommend grabbing a cocktail before dinner and taking in the views of the restaurant’s lush interior courtyard.
At the Bar
Vodka lovers should try the St. Barth, made with Beluga cucumber-infused vodka, Pavan liquor, lime juice, mint and fresh cucumber. If whiskey is more your style, go for the Old Fashioned, made with Bullet rye, amaro, orange bitters and demerara syrup.
