Paradis Books & Bread is blissfully stuck in the past. From the natural wines that line its shelves and the naturally leavened sourdough it churns out daily to the books it stocks—real, tangible paperbacks!—there’s a true sense of nostalgia and reverence for the way things were. But simple and wholesome doesn’t necessarily mean easy: Owners Audrey Wright, Ben Yen, Bianca Sanon, Brian Wright and Sef Chesson—most of whom met in New York City and share a background in hospitality—have been working toward this goal for years. Eventually, moving down to Miami to launch the concept togther.
Paradis operates as a hybrid retail shop for both books and bottles, a wine bar and café for sipping and dining from breakfast to evening, a bakery doling out wholesome bread and an urban garden adjacent to a charming patio with seating. Sanon, the lead wine sommelier for the project, presents a tightly edited selection of low-intervention wines (hand-harvested organic grapes and small-production vineyards are among the steadfast guidelines she follows), while Yen puts out wine-friendly bites, including various spreads and slices of sourdough pizza. The cheese-less onion is a phenomenally delicious example of Paradis’ rudimentary approach to food and drink.
Collectively, the group curated an assortment of new and used books spanning salient subjects, such as Black studies and queer identity, plus zines and novels from small publishers. There’s also a modest library program, where folks can check out books to read. Ultimately, the selection is there to browse, buy and inspire thought-provoking conversations—all while drinking damn good wine, of course.