From April 30 until May 25, the highly esteemed restaurant led by chef Grant Achatz will call Miami home for a second time following a successful 2016 residency at the same hotel. "We had to look for people who were into creating an experience, not just dinner," explained chef Achatz at the time when deciding on a location for its first residency.
The residency is all part of a series of a national tour, where Alinea will partake in a total of three residences in honor of its 20th anniversary. The two other locations selected for the pop-ups are Beverly Hills and Brooklyn.
From Chicagoland to South Beach
Alinea, a staple in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, has earned three Michelin stars for its boundary-pushing cuisine that combines flavors from across the globe with cutting-edge cooking techniques. Achatz, a French Laundry alum whose approach was shaped by time at Ferran Adrià's legendary El Bulli, has built Alinea into a destination known for its theatrical dining style.As first reported by Robb Report, the upcoming Miami Beach residency is part of a national tour celebrating Alinea's 20th anniversary. Stops are also planned in Brooklyn and Beverly Hills. Each location's menu will blend Alinea's signature innovative style with local ingredients and regionally inspired dishes.
"We have had the privilege of working with an incredible team, building strong relationships with farmers, purveyors, and winemakers," Achatz said about the anniversary tour. The Miami Beach stint also conveniently aligns with the F1 Miami Grand Prix, which runs from May 1 through May 4.
Return Engagement
This isn't Alinea's first Miami rodeo. In 2016, Achatz brought his team to Faena Hotel Miami Beach while their Chicago restaurant underwent renovations. That pop-up featured an 18-course tasting menu incorporating Cuban and South American flavors into some of their top dishes.During that first Miami visit, then-business partner Nick Kokonas explained the appeal of bringing Alinea here. "They expected me to say, 'There's no way we're going to do this in Miami when we could choose Paris or London or New York,'" Kokonas said at the time. Kokonas left Alinea in 2024 after nearly two decades with the restaurant.
The 2016 pop-up proved incredibly popular, with some seatings bought out by private groups before individual tickets even went on sale.
What Makes Alinea Special
What separates Alinea from other fine dining establishments is its theatrical approach to food — known as a pioneer for the movement dating way back to 2005. Signature dishes include the "Black Truffle Explosion," a single raviolo filled with truffle stock that bursts in your mouth, and the "Hot Potato, Cold Potato," which plays with temperature contrasts in a single bite.Perhaps most famous is the edible helium balloon made from green apple, which allows diners to suck out the gas, speak in high-pitched voices, and then eat the entire thing — string and all. The dessert course often involves chefs painting directly onto the table, creating an abstract artwork with various sauces and ingredients that doubles as the final course.
For the upcoming residency, the Alinea team plans to draw inspiration from local producers and Miami's culinary landscape. Alinea's sister establishments, the cocktail bars Aviary and the Office, may also make appearances during the tour.
Pricing and ticket details for the Miami Beach residency haven't been announced yet, but if history repeats itself, reservations will disappear very quickly once released. Based on the 2016 pop-up, diners can expect multiple courses and optional wine pairings at wallet-busting prices.
Alinea Residency. April 30 through May 25, at Faena Hotel Miami Beach, 3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; thealineagroup.com.
