David Grutman Discusses His Favorite Spots in Miami, Cherished Family Travel Experiences, and the Unexpected Location of One of His 'Top Restaurants'

In every aspect, David Grutman embraces life to the fullest.

A true Floridian, Grutman is affectionately dubbed “Mr. Miami” for his vibrant hospitality, culinary innovations, and his authentic connections. On any given day, you might see him dining with Tom Brady, socializing with David and Victoria Beckham, or cheering for Lionel Messi at Inter Miami matches.

He is the founder of Groot Hospitality, which includes Miami Beach's premier nightclub, LIV at the Fontainebleau, the vibrant The Goodtime Hotel (created in partnership with Pharrell Williams), and sought-after dining spots like Gekkō (developed with Bad Bunny), Papi Steak, Komodo, and Casadonna.

Despite his deep affection for Miami, Grutman’s business growth has recently required more travel. He told Dinogo that Las Vegas and Dallas are among his favorite business destinations. "I used to think Las Vegas wasn’t ideal for leisure trips, but now I understand its allure," he shared with T+L. "With four businesses there, I’m energized by the competitive market. While many people say they can only handle two days, I could easily stay for two weeks because I love the business scene in Las Vegas.” In April 2023, Groot Hospitality launched a Dallas location of Komodo, and between late 2023 and early 2024, they opened Komodo, Papi Steak, LIV, and LIV Beach at the new 3,600-plus room Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

When it comes to leisure travel, the father of two often enjoys trips with his family and his nightlife counterpart, Noah Tepperberg, co-CEO of TAO Group. He reminisced about a recent family vacation to Corsica. "We chartered an 80-foot Sunreef catamaran and ended up at Domaine de Murtoli," Grutman recalled. "With three restaurants on site, I was amazed by the culinary experiences; it was the most incredible atmosphere I’ve ever encountered.”

Other favorite travel spots for Grutman include Alula in Saudi Arabia, Florence in Italy, and a unique gem at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport — the Air France La Première Lounge, featuring a menu curated by the renowned multi-Michelin-star chef, Alain Ducasse.

"It's my top dining spot in all of Paris... they serve this chicken that they carve right in front of you, along with bowtie pasta tossed with truffle and ham," he shared. "I visit solely for the experience... it’s incredible.” Reflecting on a recent trip to Florence, where he stayed at the Four Seasons, he mentioned, “I typically go, check out the Duomo, and leave. But this time, I spent four days at the Florence Four Seasons... I might not have even seen the Duomo because I was so captivated by the hotel.”

What constitutes an ideal vacation for him? "Family, luxury, and aesthetics all combined.”

"I just want to ensure my two daughters have a great time and are entertained during our trips. I also want to find time to relax myself," he shared.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle while traveling and managing his nightlife ventures, Grutman told T+L that he strives to stay disciplined, finding energy through his love for tennis. "I make it a point to plan my meals, sleep schedule, and as soon as I land, I hit the tennis court with my Prince racquets," he explained. "I always ask the hotel concierge to reserve a court and trainer for me each day I'm away. I do my best to arrange for a trainer in the weight room, but with my racquets in tow, I know I'm getting my cardio in." Grutman is a devoted tennis fan and has been closely associated with Prince since 2019, now serving as the brand's creative director and co-owner.

"I enjoy things that evoke childhood memories," he reminisced. "In middle and high school, I was a big fan of Andre Agassi and that iconic rock ‘n roll tennis era. Prince was a huge part of that for me. Everyone was using Prince gear; it was the rebellious brand. It wasn’t pretentious; it was fun. Being able to revitalize Prince, honor its legacy, and bring it into the present has been fantastic.”

As the saying goes, there’s no place like home, and that rings true for Grutman. His preferred dining spots include the Miami Slice pizza shop and the charming Boia De Italian restaurant. On returning to Magic City, he expresses joy, saying, "The best part about living in Miami is that there's always excitement in coming home."