Looking for a unique restaurant and bar dining experience in Miami?
Glass & Vine may be your answer.
This Coconut Grove staple is located inside Peacock Park among a series of oak trees and, yes, peacocks roaming free.
Cool, right?
But is the dining experience actually worth all of this? And more importantly… is it the best restaurant in Coconut Grove?
Table of Contents
What We’ll Cover:
- What Sets Glass & Vine Apart
- Menu
- Ambiance & Vibe
- Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Visit
- Wrap Up: Our Final Verdict
What Sets Glass & Vine Apart
Outdoor dining… and then there’s Glass & Vine.
The Glass & Vine dining experience separates itself from every other restaurant and bar dining experience in Miami for one main reason. It’s the only restaurant in Miami that’s actually located inside of a park.
The 150-seat venue overlooks Peacock Park with views of Biscayne Bay in the distance. Tables dot every nook and cranny on multiple levels beneath a canopy of oak trees. The floor is uneven like cobblestones but easy enough to navigate.
And speaking of peacocks…
According to Toast research, 70% of diners are more willing to wait for outdoor seating when the weather is nice. Glass & Vine delivers on exactly what people want. There are no claustrophobic indoor tables, and you don’t have to fight with other guests for a patio spot.
It’s outdoor dining done right.
The bar occupies the highest level with great vantage points of the park. Live music occurs Thursday through Sunday evenings to keep the atmosphere energized without feeling overdone.
Menu
James Beard nominated Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli oversees operations here.
His menu references Florida classics with Latin and European influences. Guests will see four simple sections – Snacks, Garden, Sea, and Land.
Signature dishes:
- Branzino crudo and tuna tartare (raw bar)
- Brick roasted half chicken
- Spicy rigatoni with Italian sausage
- Cornflake-crusted French toast (brunch)
- Chicken and Belgian waffles
The gnocchi with black truffle, bacon, and parmesan is a huge hit with guests. One diner raved “out of this world delicious” on their review.
The brunch menu expands with breakfast sandwiches, benedicts, and avocado toast with salmon.
Note something else here…
Portions for some entrées are on the smaller side. The brick roasted chicken is full of flavor but may not be enough to fill someone up on its own. Consider ordering a starter or sharing plates to enhance your meal
The cocktail program gets some love too. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 3 PM to 7 PM with 50% off bottles of wine every Monday and Tuesday.
Desserts like the mile-high chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries should be shared. And don’t take our word for it… the serving is absurdly huge.
Ambiance & Vibe
If there’s one aspect of Glass & Vine that truly excels, it’s the atmosphere.
The vibe in this venue is unlike any other restaurant in Miami. Natural shade from oak trees and string lights casting a romantic vibe after dark. The playground across the street even allows kids to run off energy while parents enjoy cocktails.
Bonus – dogs are welcome too.
Recent US Foods data shows that 55% of Americans opt to eat at restaurants over ordering takeout or delivery. Atmosphere is the top reason for dining out, followed by the desire to socialize. Glass & Vine nails both of these things.
Pros:
- Pet-friendly throughout the entire restaurant
- Kid-friendly with playground across street
- Live music adds a pulse without drowning out conversation
- Variety of seating levels to choose from
- Valet parking available at park entrance
Cons:
- Service isn’t always great at peak hours
- No inside seating available
- Weather dependent (of course)
- Some diners noted automatic 20% gratuity
The demographic skews toward families around brunch hours. Date nights and groups of friends looking for a chill bar scene come in the evenings. Weekends mornings draw in dog owners and the exercise crowd post-yoga and spin classes.
Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Visit
Glass & Vine works best for:
- Date nights looking for more atmosphere than formality
- Families with young children
- Dog owners searching for a pet-friendly venue
- Brunch enthusiasts that enjoy outdoor seating
- Groups that want to celebrate a special occasion
It might not be the right fit for:
- Guests seeking formal fine dining
- Travelers during rainy season (no backup plan here)
- Diners that expect speedy service during peak hours
- Budget diners (entrées fall between moderate to upcharge)
The restaurant also hosts a number of events each year. The annual Bark in the Park Brunch features a costume contest with its own doggie menu. Easter egg hunts and Mother’s Day brunches bookend those events.
Competitors in Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove doesn’t lack for choice when it comes to great restaurants.
MiamiFood and Drink previously ranked these 8 restaurants as top-notch. The dining scene has shifted and changed over the years. New restaurants open each month while old favorites continue to churn out guests.
Ariete has a Michelin star with its innovative Cuban dishes. Chug’s Diner recaptures nostalgia with comfort food and creative surprises. Sadelle’s brings New York brunch culture to the neighborhood with their signature bagel towers.
But none of these restaurants check the same unique boxes as Glass & Vine.
The atmosphere of dining under century-old oak trees while peacocks roam about creates an experience unlike any other restaurant in the Grove.
OpenTable diners have given Glass & Vine 4.6 stars from nearly 3,000 reviews. Those numbers are solid for a restaurant that’s constantly turning tables.
Our Final Verdict: Is It The Best Restaurant In Coconut Grove?
Does Glass & Vine hold the top spot as the best restaurant in Coconut Grove?
Well, it depends on your preferences.
For culinary ingenuity, Ariete likely takes that title. Cuban comfort food? Chug’s would win. Brunch chaos and bagel towers? Sadelle’s has that market cornered.
But for the best overall restaurant and bar dining experience? For the atmosphere that makes a Tuesday dinner special? For a place where kids can play, dogs can join, and adults can sit and chat over cocktails under the trees?
Glass & Vine has no real competitor.
The food is a combination of solid to excellent. The ambiance is genuinely one-of-a-kind. The vibe hits that sweet spot between laid back and upscale.
Make a reservation for brunch or early in the day to catch the light filtering through the oak trees. Don’t have too high of expectations for service – be ready to share your server during peak times. Order the gnocchi and enjoy the peacocks.
That’s the Glass & Vine experience at its best.