Hello!
I am passing along my notes, which means you are in for some pretty cool insights on the best things to do on your next Miami vacation.
The intention of this list is to push you outside your travel boundaries and expose you to unique experiences and places that are trending in the Miami community.
Buckle up and keep scrolling!
Little Havana
... cause this is the obvious place to start
And it is obvious because of the impact that the Cuban culture and community has in Miami. This strip of 10 blocks is just a small example of what the streets of Havana, Cuba feel like.
Salsa Dancing Fix: Ball and Chain on Thursdays are the best days to get your salsa lessons while avoiding large crowds. There are free beginner classes at around 9pm and the open floor begins at 11pm. This is also a fun place to visit on Saturdays for live music in the back yard, which is also the house of a picturesque stage in the shape of a pineapple.
Thai food fix: Lung Yai Thai Tapas - (they are open for take out and dine in!) this is my favorite Thai restaurant and yes! it's in Little Havana. Guests are seated on a first-come first-serve basis, so check google before you venture out there.
Culture fix: All the museums around this area offer a ton of historical insights about the local Cuban culture and Cuba’s influence on Miami. Here is also where you can see old Cuban people playing domino in the afternoons.
Coral Gables
For an "old-Miami" feel
This neighborhood welcomes visitors with Mediterranean-style buildings, pretty banyan-lined streets, and a walkable village-like center, dotted with shops, cafes and restaurants. Coral Gables feels like a world removed from other parts of Miami.
Culture Fix: Vizcaya Museum a must for a fantastic architecture and Miami history lesson, afternoon tea, and an other-worldly tour of the gardens. The Biltmore Hotel and Coral Gables neighborhood with tree-lined streets is a great area to drive by in general. Palm D’Ore is a stellar restaurant inside of the Biltmore and if anyone enjoys afternoon tea (Sundays only), the Biltmore does it English style. This is an insta-worthy location. Giralda Street most recently became pedestrian-only and features local events / concerts/ markets. Check out Threefold Cafe for a yummy brunch or Cafe Grumpy to satisfy your inner coffee snob!
Best Eateries: Peacock Garden Café my all time favorite little gem in "the Grove" and perfect for a date, a girls night out, or brunch, this place never fails. Lokal great organic burgers where you can cross-off alligator bites from your bucket-list. Sushi Garage in Coconut Grove is a great place for either a family dinner night out or a date as it is located in the heart of “cocowalk”, a newly upgraded shopping center. This is also the home of Mr 01 Extraordinary Pizza which will lure you in with delicious woodfired oven pizza scents (my favorite is the Fabio with truffle oil). For a taste of authentic Mexican food and to be transported to Mexico City and Oaxaca with every bite, check out Los Felix (highly recommend making a reservation in advance)
Newest restaurants to keep a look out for:
Chuggs - noted on the 2022 Michelling Guide and offering a cuban breakfast menu all day
The Key Club - an all American fare restaurant with luxe tropical view, fantastic for happy hour or a great early dinner.
Planta Queen - a local’s favorite for delicious Asian inspired vegan dishes.
Amal - modern lebanese restaurant offering traditional Lebanese dishes with a nod to old-world arabesque charm. Great for a fancy date night or treat-yourself meal.
Wynwood
Where Soho and Brooklyn meet ... with a Miami flair
This area has been getting massive attention for the art and design it has attracted from local and international artists. Pick any day of the week to explore colorful walls, underground studios and cool restaurants.
Culture Fix: Wynwood walls are probably the most "touristy" activity I will suggest, but definitely worth walking around this neighborhood to take a million selfies with amazing graffiti. The walls change every year during Art Basel in December, so you will see something original every time you visit.
Coffee fix: Panther Coffee this is a must for a solid cup of joe! This is the first and original location of what has become one of the most influential local businesses in Miami and is house to their main roaster. Ask the head roaster to explain the process (they are friendly! Believe me, I worked here for a year and we would nerd out when people asked technical questions about coffee).
Taco fix: Coyo Taco, located next door to Panther.
Pro-Note: There is a tequila speakeasy bar in the back of this restaurant. Go to the restroom and keep walking down the hall to see what I mean.
For a more sophisticated but still casual taco, check out the newly open La Tiendita Taqueria (their shrimp and quinoa tacos or the slow cooked brisket tacos are extremely delicious and unique!)
For mouth watering and satisfyingly juicy tacos, make a stop at the Taco Stand.
Brewery fix: J Wakefield Brewing , and Veza Sur are fantastic and offer yards with table games. If you want a taste of a renown cuban Brewery that recently made its mark in the Wynwood scene check out Cerveceria La Tropical.
Sweet tooth fix: Salty Donut is a donut shop which has grown exponentially during the past years and they are delicious! (I used to stand in line for an hour to buy a box when they were only a pop-up). They have locally inspired flavors so you can't go wrong with any of their options. If you are also looking for a cool down snack - check out Cielito for an artisan mexican paleta (popsickle).
Bakery Fix: Zak the Baker is a good place for a simple lunch or brunch, everything is kosher, and they have amazing pastries. They offer challah bread on Friday’s after 12. Be prepared to make a long line.
Ramen Fix: Momosan Miami by Chef Makimoto offers hardy ramen options, hot sake and a beautiful setting in the less crowded side of Wynwood. Great spot to hit after a long day at the beach!
Happy Hour Fix: (and likely the best value you will get in Wynwood), Uchi. make sure to arrive at 5:00pm sharp and grab a seat at the bar for one of the best happy hours in town where drinks run for $10-$15 and you can sample the menu at discounted rates.
Rooftop Fix: The rooftop scene in Wynwood has slowly but surely been growing over the past couple of years. If you are looking to watch the sunset in style with loungy tunes in the background, I recommend checking out Astra.
🌟BONUS🌟: If you are looking to impress your out of town friends or are looking for a unique experience on a night out, my go to places lately have been Dante’s HiFi (speakeasy vinil bar) and The Sylvester for some groovy dancing.
All other great local eateries:
Fireman Derek's Pies (fantastic cheesecake, brownies, pies and desserts) - and yes it is own by a fireman!
Beaker and Gray - I suggest grabbing cocktails here before heading out for dinner.
KUSH (local organic burgers) – don’t be frightened by the location! It’s a hole in the wall but totally amazing.
Design District, Midtown/Edgewater
the 5th avenue of Miami
This is a great area to walk around on a Sunday afternoon if you are out with family or simply want to feel fancy. The architecture and art around is also a perfect setting for some beautiful pictures.
Best eateries: Michael’s Genuine Restaurant is one of my all-time favorite places to grab brunch on a Saturday or a casual lunch during the week; this is chef/owner Michael Schwartz’s flagship. Mandolin Aegean Bistro is a true hidden gem that will transport you to a Greek island with a sophisticated but laid-back feel. This is the only greek restaurant I actually enjoy with a group of friends! Salumeria 104 is the go-to when looking to scratch your "itch" for authentic Italian cuisine and it is located in the midtown shopping center. If you are looking for a scene (we are talking about possibly running into Pharrel Williams here), make a reservation at SWAN . Additionally, The Little Hen in Midtown is a perfect spot for either afternoon tea or a contemporary brunch. Lastly, for a more intimate setting with breathtaking ocean views and serving Latin American flavors in a high-end setting, consider Amara at Paraiso.
Wine Fix: Lagniappe House is a refurbished house with mis-matched furniture in the backyard, this gem is home to a wine bar, a barbecue bar and a ton of space to simply hang out. There are nightly performances by indy artists who will make you feel like you are somewhere in the south.
Brickell
the business district of Miami
Brickell City Center is a state-of-the-art shopping center is one one of the newest centers of entertainment and shopping in the city. Take a walk through the open air mall and snap a couple of insta-pics of the colorful metropolitan settings around.
Rooftop Fix: The newest rooftop you will see on social media is Rosa Sky, but if you are looking for something a bit less flashy, Sugar will make you feel like you are in a concrete/jungle paradise. Happy Hours are fantastic here!
Pro-Note: There is a hidden back room called the "Tea Room" that also serves great cocktails and unparalleled views of the city.
Bar Fix: Blackbird visit this bar for a little old-school throwbacks, mixed drinks and casual turn ups, this bar is a staple for Miamians. They typically have live performances in the back yard before 10:30pm on Saturdays. If you enjoy dive bars or disco-esque vibes and really want to mingle with the locals, consider the following bars near Blackbird:
Food Fix: CVI.Che 105 is raved by Peruvians as the best place to get ceviche in Miami. Located in downtown Miami, visit them for lunch or dinner.
Excercise Fix: For beautiful views of the bay and spacious grounds to roller skate, run or exercise, Museum Park next to the Perez Art Museum and the Frost Science Museum is a perfect spot. You may catch a dolphin or two swimming by!
South Beach
Where the catch-phrase "Bienvenido a Miami" really gets its meaning
Sun tanning, beach volleyball, drag brunch, loud music, vivacious locals, and beautiful settings, South Beach is exactly what you imagine when you think of a tropical jungle. Watch the cruise ships depart the port of Miami from the Southern most point and grab dinner at one of the many restaurants in the area.
Food Fix: Joe’s Stone Crab offers lobster, stone crab legs, and other fish options, this is a local's favorite and a great place to celebrate special occasions. Twenty Seven Restaurant, next to the Broken Shaker bar is rated the best motel bar in the U.S. by Conde Nast. Grab a drink and sit by the pool for great conversations and music. Call Me Gaby is also in South Point and offers a sophisticated and delicious Italian al fresco experience - great place to pamper yourself with a drink, appetizers and a pizza after a long day at the beach.
Hotel Fix: Edition Hotel Miami is one of the most centric hotels in Miami Beach and a perfect place to see and be seen. Wednesdays are ladies nights, which means girls get free slushies and rounds at the ice skating rink, located on the hotel's basement. Faena Hotel is absolutely breathtaking and design oriented. Check out the gold mammoth in the backyard and either one of their restaurants for some of the best high-end cuisine in Miami. Pro-Note: There is a private theater in the hotel that has cabaret-style shows every night. Check out their website for more info!
Speakeasy Fix: Bodega feels like a hole in the wall with fantastic tacos up front on what looks like a street food truck.
Pro-Note: Go through the porta-potty door, and keep walking through the next door for a surprise. Fridays and Saturdays get packed so get there before 10pm.
Ice Cream Fix: Down on Lincoln Roady there is an ice cream parlor called The Frieze Ice Cream Factory that serves unique and seasonal flavors. Grab a cone and then walk through this pedestrian street for great shopping and people watching. There is also a farmers market every Saturday that features local produce.
Exercise Fix: The boardwalk is my favorite to go running or for a nice walk. I suggest starting on 5th and Ocean Drive for the touristy side or around 17th going north for a more tame environment.
I hope these notes help guide your visit to Miami and that they have given you a snapshot of all the activities, places, restaurants and bars you can explore even during quarantine.
Now that you have my notes, feel free to pass them along to other friends and refer them to my blog for more recommendations.
Thanks for reading along!
xoxo
Nikol