Miami
The Raleigh Hotel, South Beach
Miami Beach stretches from North Shore Open Space Park, past palm-lined Lummus Park, to South Pointe Park. South Beach is known for its international jet set cachet (as well as spring break revelers), and early-20th-century architecture in the Art Deco Historic District, which is filled with pastel-colored buildings, especially along Ocean Drive. Here is our travel guide to Miami Beach, Florida.
STAY
MR. C A member of the Leading Hotels of the World run by the fourth generation of the Cipriani family designed by AD100 designer Martin Brudnizki and inspired by the sleek yachts and the glamorous nautical lifestyle that Miami and Italy share. 2988 McFarlane Rd, Coconut Grove; mrchotels.com
FAENA HOTEL An impressive complex, The Faena Hotel (formerly the Saxony Hotel) by Argentine Hotelier Alan Faena designed by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin includes Los Fuegos restaurant by Francis Mallman and Damien Hirst's 'Gone but not Forgotten' — a three-meter tall gilded wooly mammoth skeleton on display in the garden. Ful; of pomp and circumstance, we especially love the iconic red and white striped beach cabanas. 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; faena.com
THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AT THE SURF CLUB What once played host to Elizabeth Taylor and the Rat Pack has received a new restoration by architect Richard Meier with interiors by designer Joseph Dirand and a restaurant by Chef Thomas Keller. 9011 Collins Ave, Surfside; fourseasons.com/surfside
MIAMI BEACH EDITION Formerly the 1955 Seville Hotel, the Miami Beach EDITION by hotelier Ian Schrager is a one-stop-shop for all things Miami. A palm-fringed lobby; sleek swimming pool; a restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and event an underground nightclub, which includes both an ice-skating rink and a bowling alley. 2901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; editionhotels.com/miami-beach
CASA TUA A hotel, restaurant, and private club, “your house” resembles a beautiful, intimate Mediterranean villa. The four-poster canopied beds are made up of silken white sheets, and the bathrooms have deep tubs for long soaks after days at the beach. The patio is perennially packed with locals enjoying bowls of rich, peppery truffle tagliatelle at tables illuminated by the Moroccan lanterns that drop from the surrounding trees. 1700 James Ave, Miami Beach; casatualife.com/miami
1 HOTEL Ahead of the trend in biophilic design, the 1 Hotel signature scented lobby is filled with greenery and living plant walls, which contrast against the minimalist whitewashed decor. Chef Jose Mendin serves up Latin American and Asian fusion cuisine at Habitat, while Planthouse offers light vegan plates and juices. In addition, there is a scenic pool, serene British Bamford Haybarn Spa, a SoulCycle, and a large gym. 2341 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; 1hotels.com/south-beach
SOHO BEACH HOUSE The Soho House “Mid-Beach” members-only property is located in an Art Deco layer-cake tower with a hotel, Cecconi’s Italian restaurant, plunge pool on the eighth-floor roof, and signature Cowshed Spa.
THE SETAI The 80-year-old Art Deco hotel (originally called the Dempsey-Vanderbilt for boxer Jack Dempsey) was designed and built in the 1930s and includes infinity pools oriented east to west for optimum-impact sunsets with varying temperatures: the lap pool is kept at 75 degrees, the lounge pool at 85 degrees, and the family pool at 95 degrees. 2001 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; thesetaihotels.com
THE STANDARD Located on Belle Isle on a wonderfully ’60s-style property with an emphasis on communal relaxation: outdoor soaking tubs, a ninety-degree hammam, a large infinity pool, a cedar sauna, and sunset standup paddleboarding. 40 Island Ave, Miami Beach; standardhotels.com/miami
FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL A neo-Baroque mega-structure over 60 years old with Old Hollywood lore featuring 11 pools with 30 cabanas just north of South Beach next to Soho Beach House. 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; fontainebleau.com
THE RALEIGH HOTEL Renowned for its iconic pool touted as “the most beautiful in America” by LIFE in 1947, this L. Murray Dixon–designed masterpiece has played host to everyone from Esther Williams, known as “America’s Mermaid,” for her acting roles involving elaborate synchronized swimming numbers to the 2008 Chanel Cruise Collection by the late Karl Lagerfeld. Most recently, the Raleigh Gardens by architect Peter Marino and landscape architect Peter Jungles were home to an exhibition of sculptures by Claude and Xavier Lalanne. **Currently closed for renovation** 1775 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; raleighhotel.com
THE DELANO A 1947 Art Deco gem by architect Robert Swarthburg with beveled-edged façades that follow Art Deco’s “rule of three” ending in a typical Deco finial. Restored by hotelier Ian Schrager with interiors designed by Philippe Starck featuring infinity pools and bungalows with rainfall showers. ** Currently closed for renovations** 1685 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; sbe.com/hotels/delano
ST. REGIS Located across from the Bal Harbour Shops designed by Yabu Pushelberg, this hybrid hotel and residential property occupies a prime stretch of oceanfront shoreline. 9703 Collins Avenue Bal Harbour; marriott.com
PALIHOUSE A casual hotel in an art deco building featuring colorful rooms with retro decor, an outdoor pool, and loaner bikes— perfect for exploring the nearby Miami Beach Boardwalk. 3101 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach; palisociety.com
THE GOODTIME HOTEL Pharrell Williams’ new hotel in South Beach promises to be a good time. Designed by Ken Fulk and reminiscent of a Wes Anderson movie set. 601 Washington Ave, Miami Beach; thegoodtimehotel.com
THE FREEHAND HOTEL Situated in a brightly colored art deco building, this casual hotel is just blocks away from the beach and Bass Museum of Art. We especially love the Broken Shaker outdoor terrace restaurant and bar. 2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach; freehandhotels.com/miami
LOEWS HOTEL An oceanfront hotel in the heart of the city's vibrant Art Deco District. 1601 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; loewshotels.com/miami-beach
MANDARIN ORIENTAL The Brickell outpost includes cocktail lounges and restaurants offering Peruvian and modern American cuisine as well as a poolside cafe, hot tub, luxe spa, fitness center, and a private beach. 500 Brickell Key Dr, Brickell; mandarinoriental.com/miami
THE BETSY Located in the former Carlton Hotel, this boutique property in South Beach honors its Art Deco heritage with its interiors. 1440 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach; thebetsyhotel.com
THE NATIONAL Designed by Roy France in 1939, this hotel features the city’s longest infinity-edged pool. 1677 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; nationalhotel.com
COMO METROPOLITAN Designed by Italian architect Paola Navone in a historic Art Deco building featuring blue and white decor, a sleek deck, and two pools— one located on the roof. 2445 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; comohotels.com
RITZ CARLTON SOUTH BEACH This 1953 property by iconic architect Morris Lapidus, known for pioneering the “Miami Modern” style, just unveiled a $90 million renovation that includes the addition of the Lapidus Bar, which evokes a glamorous bygone era. 1 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach; ritzcarlton.com
HYDE MIDTOWN HOTEL Designed by Rockwell Group, this colorful hotel is located near the Wynwood Walls and the Design District. 101 NE 34th St, Midtown; sbe.com
EAST
Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, this Brickell hotel includes balconies overlooking the bay and a rooftop terrace with 4 outdoor pools, a pool bar, and a cocktail lounge. 788 Brickell Plaza, Brickell; easthotels.com
FOUR SEASONS MIAMI Set in the financial district with a contemporary American restaurant featuring fire pits, a 2-acre outdoor pool area with cabanas, a hot tub, and a poolside bar. 1435 Brickell Ave, Brickell; fourseasons.com/miami
VILLA CASA CASUARINA (VERSACE MANSION) Gianni Versace’s former residence has been converted into an opulent hotel in South Beach at the center of the Art Deco District. The poolside restaurant with Italian marble is gloriously gaudy. 1116 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach; vmmiamibeach.com
LIFEHOUSE A boutique hotel with a South Beach and Little Havana location. lifehousehotels.com
EDEN ROC A 1950s building on the beach with four infinity pools and modern décor.The Eden Roc is on the beach—but you might not even know it given the hotel’s four infinity pools. The building itself dates back to the 1950s, though décor-wise, it’s modern, with neutral colors and floor-to-ceiling windows that not only suffuse the space in light but capture as much of the ocean as possible. Rooms are comfortable, with all the creature comforts you’d want: Nespresso machines, the softest robes, rainfall showerheads, and powerful blow-dryers. Evenings at the lobby bar see locals and visitors alike crowding in for the excellent cocktails whizzed up by expert mixologists. 4525 Collins Ave, South Beach; edenrochotelmiami.com
PRITKIN LONGEVITY CENTER Situated on a lavish estate outside downtown Miami, the Pritikin health center has all the comforts of a luxury hotel, which is good considering you’ll likely find yourself beat after a day packed with exercise classes, lectures, nutrition demonstrations, and spa visits. 8755 NW 36th St; pritikin.com
NOBU HOTEL Crafted and cultivated by world-famous Japanese chef, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Academy Award-winning actor, Robert De Niro, the Nobu Hotel concept brings both an illuminating and one-of-a-kind experience to the shores of Miami Beach. 4525 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; miamibeach.nobuhotels.com
CARILLON MIAMI WELLNESS RESORT The all-suite Carillon Miami Wellness Resort invites guests to experience a new generation of well-being with its serene North Beach location and matchless ocean views. Settle comfortably into spacious one- and two-bedroom suites on the beach. Each features an airy, spacious, fully-equipped kitchen, complete with granite counter tops and high-end appliances to make you feel right at home. Access to the Thermal Experience and more than 40 daily fitness classes, as well as four pools, an exclusive stretch of beach, and mindful contemporary American cuisine at The Strand Bar & Grill round out an enriching, all-encompassing luxury experience. 6801 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; carillonhotel.com
ACQUALINA RESORT & SPA Acqualina Resort & Residences is a place where the charm of a Mediterranean villa meets elegance on the beach. A seaside luxury haven located on 4.5 beachfront acres in pristine Sunny Isles Beach, Acqualina Resort & Residences features 98 impeccably appointed guest rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, world-class dining including Il Mulino New York, andthree oceanfront swimming pools. Acqualina Spa by ESPA, the first ESPA-branded spa in the United States, provides guests with an exquisite 20,000-square-foot, two-story tranquil sanctuary of excellence and relaxation. 17875 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles; acqualinaresort.com
FISHER ISLAND CLUB HOTEL Part of the onetime estate of William Vanderbilt, these Mediterranean-style cottages, villas and suites are on a private island in Biscayne Bay, accessible by a 24hour ferry. The cottages and villas, dating from the 1920s, are near the historic Vanderbilt Mansion and offer private courtyards with in-ground hot tubs. All lodging includes personal golf carts. The resort also offers a 9-hole golf course and 18 tennis courts, as well as a saltwater pool, a full-service spa and a fitness center. 1 Fisher Island Dr, Miami Beach; fisherislandclub.com
DINE | DRINK
BELLINI An Italian restaurannt on the terrace of the top floor of Mr. C Hotel by Cipriani in the heart of Coconut Grove. 2988 McFarlane Rd; mrchotels.com
THE SURF CLUB RESTAURANT First opened in 1930 as a getaway for a Hollywood crowd, The Surf Club reopened in 2017. Order a Mangreva cocktail from the Champagne Bar and dine at Thomas Keller’s restaurant. 9011 Collins Ave, Surfside; surfclubrestaurant.com
CASA TUA A charming Italian restaurant with a patio lit by twinkle lights and antique lanterns, set in a Tuscan style villa serving Northern Italian fare—burrata with organic tomatoes, tuna tartare, various risottos, grilled branzino, biscotti, and gelato. 1700 James Ave, Miami Beach; casatualife.com
JOE’S STONE CRAB A seasonal seafood restaurant in South Beach that is over 100-years-old, and still serves its famous stone crabs and key lime pie. 11 Washington Ave, Miami Beach; joesstonecrab.com
LOS FUEGOS The only stateside restaurant from famed Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann. The open-fire kitchen at the Faena Hotel serves up melt-in-your-mouth steak. 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; faena.com
MATADOR ROOM Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves Latin fare in a historic oval room with an atmospheric bar at the Miami Beach Edition hotel. The Miami Beach Edition, 2901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; matadorroom.com
BYBLOS Meze dishes and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine are served in a colorful room, served family-style in a convivial atmosphere. 1545 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; byblosmiami.com
SWAN Located in the heart of Miami’s Design District, this restaurant by Pharrell Williams is set in a garden-like interior. 90 NE 39th St, Miami; swanbevy.com
VERSAILLES The self-proclaimed “world’s most famous Cuban restaurant” serves traditional fare in a vintage dining room with chandeliers. 3555 SW 8th St, Little Havana; versaillesrestaurant.com
CECCONI’S Situated on the ground floor courtyard of the Soho Beach House with an outdoor patio, and open to non-guests. Order the truffle pizza to share! 4385 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; cecconismiamibeach.com
JUVIA The rooftop restaurant won a James Beard Award for restaurant design thanks to Venezuelan architect Alejandro Barrios-Carrero. The space also includes a vertical garden designed by botanist Patrick Blanc, and offers some of the best views of South Beach’s famed Art Deco district and the Atlantic Ocean. 1111 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach; juviamiami.com
THE BAZAAR Singapore meets Spain at this fusion restaurant by Chef José Andres in the SLS Hotel. 1701 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; thebazaar.com
BOULUD SUD A Mediterranean restaurant by famed French Chef Daniel Boulud in the JW Marriott Marquis in Brickell. 255 Biscayne Blvd Way, Brickell; bouludsud.com
MANDOLIN AEGEAN BISTRO Husband and wife Ahmet Erkaya and Anastasia Koutsioukis opened this warm, inviting restaurant in a restored 1940s bungalow in the Design District in 2009. In the years since, they've established themselves by serving up excellent, simple Mediterranean food. In addition to the property's garden, where they harvest their own seasonal ingredients, the 150-seat space boasts a beautiful outdoor dining area and a bakery. 4312 NE 2nd Ave, Design District; mandolinmiami.com
MICHAEL’S GENUINE FOOD & DRINK James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Schwartz’s namesake restaurant in the Miami Design District with outdoor courtyard patio tables. 130 NE 40th St, Design District; michaelsgenuine.com
ZUMA One of Miami’s many foreign imports, this edition of the London restaurant was designed, like many of its counterparts, by Japan’s Noriyoshi Muramatsu. Inside, Japanese rice paper and earth-tone granite adorn walls and floors, while outside, at one of the city's only boat-accessible eateries, lounge seating extends right to the edge of the Miami River. 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Downtown; zumarestaurant.com
ESTIATORIO MILOS The Greek restaurant that started in New York has a South Beach location that also serves fresh seafood flown in from the Mediterranean daily. 730 1st St, Miami Beach; estiatoriomilos.com
SEASPICE Overlooking the Miami River and the glimmering skyline, this former postindustrial warehouse has a nautical design linking its terrace, courtyard lounge, indoor dining room, and garden bar. 422 NW N River Dr, Overtown; seaspice.com
VERDE Part of Herzog & de Meuron’s Miami marvel, the Perez Art Museum Miami, this restaurant, also designed by the Swiss duo, is LEED-certified. 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Downtown; pamm.org/dining
THE BROKEN SHAKER At the corner of Indian Creek and 28th Street, tucked away behind the Roman & Williams–designed Freehand Hotel (a reimagining of a historic Art Deco building), you'll find the most charming bar in Miami. There’s a romantic, finished tiki-like space at the entrance, lined with vintage wallpaper and wood paneling. Beyond it, a brick patio sits in the middle of a tropical forest of plants and leaning trees, outfitted with mix-and-match chaise lounges and wicker chairs, strings of white lights crisscrossing overhead. A pool completes the picture-perfect scene. 2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach; brokenshaker.com
PANTHER COFFEE A Miami-based specialty coffee c ompany with locations in Wynwood, Sunset Harbour, and Coconut Grove. panthercoffee.com
PLANTA After years of adapting dishes for vegetarian or celiac diners, chef David Lee decided to create a welcoming space with dietary restrictions in mind. Thus planta is committed to 100 percent plant-based, environmentally conscious food. 850 Commerce St, Miami Beach; plantarestaurants.com
1-800 LUCKY A 10,000-square-foot Asian food hall with indoor and outdoor seating and a booming hip hop soundtrack. 143 NW 23rd St, Wynwood; 1800lucky.com
CHICA Designed by the Rockwell Group offering Latin American dishes including tropical Corvina ceviche and grilled Peruvian octopus. 5556 NE 4th Ct, Morningside; chicarestaurant.com
BALL & CHAIN A locals-only spot for live music and salsa dancing in Little Havana. 1513 SW 8th St, Little Havana; ballandchainmiami.com
LUNA PARK Sprawling Brickell City Centre destination for Italian fare, cocktails, coffee, and more. 601 S Miami Ave, Brickell; lunapark.life
KYU A James Beard Award-nominated barbecue restaurant in Wynwood. 251 NW 25th St, Wynwood; kyurestaurants.com
UCHI Translated from the Japanese word “house,” the original Uchi is located in a refurbished Austin, Texas bungalow. Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole’s signature non-traditional take on Japanese food has delighted Austin’s diverse dining crowd as well as visitors from across the country and around the world since 2003. The Wynwood outpost is located across from Kyu and serves some of the best Japanese food in Miami. Book in advance! 252 NW 25th St, Wynwood; uchimiami.com
MR. MANDOLIN Aegean street food by the team behind Mandolin Miami at The Vagabond Hotel. Mr. Mandolin will be your neighborhood gathering spot. 7301 Biscayne Blvd, Little River; mrmandolin.com
TIGRE Tigre is located next to a manatee sanctuary, steps off Biscayne Bay, and inspired by traditional Buenos Aires cafes, “parrillas” and neighborhood bistros or “bodegones.” 620 NE 78th St, Upper East Side; tigre.miami
NAOE Renowned Japanese eatery with a chef's menu of traditional fare in an intimate, minimalist space in Brickell Key. 661 Brickell Key Dr; naoemiami.com
CASA FLORIDA An outdoor bar and restaurant with an airstream and ping pong table. 437 SW 2nd St, Downtown; casafloridamiami.com
HIYAKAWA Hiyakawa is a contemporary Japanese restaurant rooted in tradition that blends an unwavering dedication to craft with a devotion to the world's finest ingredients. The focus is simplicity, seasonality, and kikubari, the Japanese art of caring for others by flawlessly anticipating their needs. The kitchen uses such traditional techniques as agemono, yakimono, nimono, and tsukemono to offer complete, balanced meals alongside omakase progressions tuned to seasonality. The minimalist, almost mystical space, by Bea Pernia Interiors features wood panels arranged in organically undulating concentric rings. 2700 N Miami Ave, Wynwood; hiyakawamiami.com
WABI SABI An authentic Japanese restaurant by the same owner as Hiyakawa. 851 NE 79th St, Wynwood; wabisabimiami.com
LUCALI Upscale brick-oven pizzas & salads are served up in this inviting, rustic-style eatery. 1930 Bay Rd; lucali.com
FORTE DEI MARMI A chic eatery offering handmade pasta, risotto and other Italian classics, plus an all-Italian wine list. 150 Ocean Dr; fdmmiami.com
CARBONE The Miami outpost of the New York Italian steakhouse, famous for the spicy rigatoni. 49 Collins Ave; carbonemiami.com
SAPORE DI MARE Coastal Italian seafood accompanied by fresh pastas and100+ wines in a nautical-chic setting. 3111 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove; saporedimaremiamifl.com
LA NATURAL Located in Little River, La Natural is a neighborhood restaurant serving sourdough pizza from a wood-fired oven, vegetables & natural wines in a relaxed indoor-outdoor space. 7289 NW 2nd Ave; lanaturalmiami.com
SADELLE’S Sadelle’s is a modern ode to New York’s classic tradition of all-day dining. Since opening its first location in the heart of SoHo in 2016, the brand has expanded to Las Vegas, Paris, Dallas, and now Coconut Grove, Miami. The restaurant is named after MFG Co-Founder Jeff Zalaznick’s great grandmother. 3321 Mary St, Coconut Grove; sadelles.com
LOS FÉLIX A new Colombian restaurant inspired by indigenous heritage. The name is a nod to the Founder’s grandmothers, Maria Felix. They support Milpa farming, an ancestral tradition of cultivating the soil with awareness of the sacred connection between self and land. Through Milpa, they shine a spotlight on fresh, time-honored native ingredients like heirloom corn, cacao, chiles, and squash. The homage continues with an in-house Molino where they cook and grind maiz daily to make tortillas from scratch, all in the living wisdom of Milpa to mesa, or farm to table. The wine selection showcases wines from the Americas, and is only sourced from small, family-owned farms that honor the land by using natural and biodynamic methods. 3413 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove; losfelixmiami.com
27 RESTAURANT The Freehand's restaurant is located in a historic 1930s house directly adjacent to the hotel, also designed by Roman and Williams. The colorful interior is complete with picnic tables, blue-and-white wallpaper, and tables lit with Virgin Mary candles. The menu is a hodgepodge of cuisines that's illustrative of Miami's melting pot—Caribbean, South American, and Middle Eastern flavors meld together in dishes like cheese bread made with cassava flour, banana bread French toast with Appleton rum, and arepas with ropa vieja and queso de mano. Tiki-bar-inspired cocktails are served with a garnish of orchids. 2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach; freehandhotels.com
ALTER Chef Bradley Kilgore's fine dining establishment in the heart of Wynwood. Serving a menu that focuses on locally sourced ingredients, each of the prix fixe menus finishes with a dessert from Kilgore's wife, pastry chef Soraya Kilgore. 223 NW 23rd St, Wynwood; altermiami.com
DRUNKEN DRAGON Look for the "market" sign to guide you into the space, which offers lofty ceilings, a long, dramatic bar, and sleek wooden mid-century chairs. Helmed by Xavier Torres, an alum of the Dutch, Nobu, and Zuma serves Korean-BBQ dishes including bok choy and a plate of raw cuts of meat that guests grill themselves over specially designed flames at the center of the table. The drink menu focuses on tiki-style rum cocktails. 1424 Alton Rd, Miami Beach; drunkendragon.com
COYO TACO Coyo serves Mexican street food, and as the name suggests, the focus is on tacos. There is also a secret bar in the back serving margaritas. 250 NW 23rd St, Wynwood; coyo-taco.com
EL CARAJO This 30 year old family business began as a liquor store run by a father and son—it's actually located inside a gas station. Now a full-service restaurant, El Carajo is home to one of the most extensive wine selections (over 2,000) in all of Florida. The menu specializes in unique Spanish tapas like bacon-wrapped chorizo-stuffed dates and Spanish omelettes. 2465 SW 17th Ave, el-carajo.com
PEACOCK GARDEN CAFE The large outdoor patio at this Coconut Grove restaurant is reminiscent of Charleston. The food is full of American classics like soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastas, and we recommend the guava martini! 2889 McFarlane Rd, Coconut Grove; peacockgardenrestobar.com
MISTER O1 Mister O1 (formerly Visa O1, named after the US visa given to people with extraordinary ability or achievement in their fields) serves Neapolitan-style thin-crust pies at its popular South Beach location. Known for a pie with a star-shaped crust topped with San Marzano sauce, ricotta, Calabrian salami, and fresh basil. There's also a Brickell location. mistero1.com
BACHOUR A popular breakfast and lunch spot opened by two star chefs: Antonio Bachour (sweets and pastries) and Henry Hané (savory dishes). Delicous dishes include a pepperoni pizza toast, tartines with ahi tuna and avocado, and a croissant patty melt. The bakery displays chocolates, bonbons, macarons, petit gateaux, and tartss. antoniobachour.com
B BISTRO + BAKERY Also from Chef Henry Hané, B Bistro + Bakery is a Brickell breakfast hotspot for freshly made morning pastries, including delicous charcoal croissants, kouig amanns, and macaron pastries. 600 Brickell Ave, Brickell; bbistromiami.com
ARIETE Ariete specializes in Cuban comfort food. Order the grilled oysters drenched in bone-marrow butter or the fritas (spiced burgers topped with crispy fried matchstick potatoes and wrapped in a Cuban roll), and sit out on the sunny patio. 540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove; arietecoconutgrove.com
CHOTTO MATTE The late 1800s was a time of mass migration from Japan to Peru. One of the unexpected results is what is now known as Nikkei cuisine. London transplant, Chotto Matte, may be the best example of it outside of Lima. Try the Nikkei-dressed sushi where traditional sushi like yellowtail tuna or scallops are “dressed” in Peruvian-style spicy sauces such as aji amarillo (a bright orange, almost fruity-tasting chili). Pair with branzino ceviche. 1666 Lenox Ave, Miami Beach; chotto-matte.com
SHERWOODS BISTRO An eclectic, colorful bistro with even more eclectic dishes like the St. Tropez grilled cheese (with bacon, Brie, and apricot preserve) or coq au vin soup served with coconut-sugar caramelized plantains to finish. 8281 NE 2nd Ave, Little River; sherwoodsmiami.com
HIDEN Hidden within a nondescript taco joint lies one of the best sushi restaurant in Miami. The roughly painted wall slides open to the big reveal: chef Tadashi Shiraishi searing tuna to perfection or slicing yellowtail snapper with the skill of an artist. Born in Brazil and raised on his grandmother’s traditional Japanese cooking, Shiraishi runs the kitchen, while his wife handles the front of house. Everything served at Hiden is true to traditional Japanese cuisine, like firefly squid or octopus blanched and tenderized in a dashi and sencha broth. The 16 course tasting menu changes daily, depending on what’s fresh and what fish has arrived from Japan, flown in twice a week. 313 NW 25th, Wynwood; hidenmiami.com
BODEGA TAQUERIA Y TEQUILA A popular taco spot in South Beach with a food truck parked on site. A winding staircase leads to an upper lounge that's perched above the bar. 1220 16th St, South Beach; bodegataqueria.com
GRAMPS This little Wynwood bar famously opened with gator wrestling during Art Basel. Owner Adam Gersten named the place after his grandfather. There's live music on a stage in the back and bocce courts on the patio. 176 NW 24th St, Wynwood; gramps.com
THE ANDERSON This bar, which took over the space formerly occupied by the beloved Magnum Lounge, has a few themes going on. It's part tropical, part '80s, and more than a little kitschy. Vibes aside, it's owned by a mashup of notable Miami restaurant alums from places like Broken Shaker, Workshop, and Vagabond, so the cocktails are excellent—pick up rum drinks at the tiki shack outside, or ’80s-esque cosmos and appletinis inside near the juke box. Food-wise, you can expect an adventurous menu of bar snacks like a Korean vegetable pancake with kale and kimchi, or a burger with aged Comté, caramelized onions, and horseradish crème fraîche—they also have nacho fries, if that's your jam. theandersonmiami.com
LE ZOO Stephen Starr has been opening Miami restaurants at a rapid-fire pace, and one of our favorites by far is the sunny, colorfully decorated Le Zoo in Bal Harbour. There's a lovely French-inspired menu, but we come for the gorgeous (and beautifully designed) drink list, which includes carefully selected wine and beer, plus a few tasteful, straightforward cocktails. It's the perfect place to stop in for a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz to break up a day of window-shopping at Bal Harbour's pristine boutiques. 9700 Collins Ave; lezoo.com
NO. 3 SOCIAL No. 3 Social is the only rooftop bar in Wynwood, which makes it a destination unto itself—and a favorite among locals. There’s no way to describe the interior other than loud, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Fuchsia velvet seating, a turquoise tiled bar, and rattan shades suspended above—but somehow it all works. Just like the drinks. In a truly Miami move, the Beauty Secret cocktail is infused with collagen and blueberry extract for its antioxidant properties. Thursday through Sunday, a solid music program makes the deck festive and lively. And the light, tropical bar snacks—zesty ceviche and conch fritters, for example—will keep you in your (bright pink) seat late into the night. no3social.com
SWEET LIBERTY Despite Sweet Liberty's being ranked one of the best bars in the world, locals actually drink here, and tourists, for the most part, do not. The space is a little too big to feel intimate, and the best seats are at the bar. No matter how well-versed you are, you can’t help but be impressed by the selection of premium spirits, and watching the mixologists at work is true theater. Come for happy hour: The drinks are, of course, excellent, and the fresh oysters (under $1 each) go down just as easy. The rest of the bar menu is all tasty, salty bites that pair so well with the drinks—the swordfish tacos with mango pico and Asian-style tater tots with crunchy seaweed and sesame are the standouts. 237 20th St, Miami Beach; mysweetliberty.com
ZAK THE BAKER Zak Stern (aka Zak the Baker) serves up his famous baked goods as well as delicatessen standards like kosher corned beef and gravlax sandwiches and potato kugels. 295 NW 26th St, Wywood; zakthebaker.com
AZUCAR ICE CREAM This Little Hava ice cream shop serves fresh, artisanal flavors like café con leche and guarapiña (sugarcane and pineapple) in homemade waffle cones. 1503 SW 8th St, Little Havana; azucaricecream.com
BIANCO GELATO Bianco Gelato uses 100% organic ingredients, and they also have dairy-free, low-fat, and low-sugar options, as well as specialty coffee and almond milk lattes. 3137 Commodore Plaza, Bal Harbour; biancogelato.com
DR. SMOOD Danish businessman René Sindlev (founder of the jewelry company Pandora) and his Italian wife Patrizia Manici Sindlev are the forces behind this health chain, which only serves only organic, kosher, and non-GMO juices, snacks, and coffee. They also offer cleanses. drsmood.com
OTL From the founders of the poular The Smile cafe in New York, comes OTL, a casual breakfast, lunch or coffee spot. Order the avocado toast, egg and cheddar cheese sandwich with tomato jam, or kale salad with cashew vinaigrette, and homemade pastries for dessert. 160 NE 40th St, Design District; otlmia.com
LAGNIAPPE A New Orleans style outdoor patio with cocktails and live music nightly. 3425 NE 2nd Ave, Wynwood; lagniappehouse.com
ELLA A pop-up café in the Design District. Sit outside in the Palm Court and try the smoked salmon roll with cream cheese, buttermilk pancakes, chicken tartine with hemp seed pesto, or vegetable tacos. They also serve Panther Coffee. 140 NE 39th St, Design District
MIAMI JUICE Part natural grocer, part sit-down restaurant, part healthy takeout joint, Miami Juice has been a staple for Miami's detoxing, juice-drinking, yoga-practicing set for years. The grocery section is a great place to find locally grown produce, plus a solid selection of wine, beer, and specialty health foods. The sit-down restaurant features a long wood bar where you can sample made-to-order vegetable and fruit juices. 18660 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach; miamijuice.com
LILIKOI Run by a couple from Maui, specializizing in locally sourced organic health food. The menu is full of vegetarian and allergy-friendly dishes, with smoothies and acai bowls in the morning and buckwheat ramen and gluten-free pizza in the afternoon. 500 South Pointe Dr; Miami Beach; lilikoiorganicliving.com
ABBALE TELAVIVIAN KITCHEN A Mediterranean restaurant with a charming patio specializing in dishes from Tel Aviv, plus Sunday brunch. 864 Commerce St, Miami Beach; abbatlvkitchen.com
AUBI & RAMSA Aubi & Ramsa specializes in alcohol infused ice cream, mainly whisky. The orange chocolate cheesecake is infused with Glenlivet Scotch Whisky, citrusy Cointreau, and silky mascarpone cheese, while the chocolate Azteca has hints of mezcal and cinnamon. 172 NE 41st St, Design District; aubiramsa.com
SUGAR A cocktail bar atop the EAST Miami hotel featuring craft cocktails and a tropical rooftop deck. 788 Brickell Plaza, Brickell; easthotels.com
TAQUIZA A traditional Mexican taqueria and ‘local’s only’ spot specializing in authentic tacos and street fare. Blue masa is used to create their homemade gluten-free tortillas and chips. taquizatacos.com
DOYA Mediterranean and mezze style offerings, all made over a charcoal grill or wood-fired oven. 347 NW 24th St, Wynwood; doyarestaurant.com
GHEE
The gluten free and vegetarian Indian menu here changes daily depending on which ingredients have been freshly harvested from the restaurant-owned farm, Rancho Patel. Spring for the tasting menu with organic wine. 3620 NE 2nd Ave, Design District; gheemiami.com
KIKI ON THE RIVER A waterfront venue serving traditional Greek cuisine. 450 NW N River Dr, Downtown; kikiontheriver.com
CÔTE The Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse from NY has landed in Miami’s Design District. cotemiami.com
HARRY’S PIZZERIA Creative, wood-oven pies and craft beer is offered in urban-rustic digs with floor-to-ceiling windows by Chef Michael Schwartz. 3918 N Miami Ave, Design District; harryspizzeria.com
LOKAL A popular spot for burgers made from local, sustainable ingredients, plus craft beers. 3190 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove; kushhospitality.com
FIREMEN’S DEREK’S BAKE SHOP Former Miami firefighter and Division-1 football player, Derek Kaplan, founded this beloved bakery/cafe specializing in pies & cheesecakes. Try the Key Lime! 2545 N Miami Ave Bay 1, Edgewater; firemandereks.com
GREENSTREET CAFE Patio seating, pancakes, and some of Miami's best Bloody Marys have made this spot a favorite for Coconut Grove locals. 3468 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove; greenstreetcafe.net
PINCH KITCHEN New American cuisine with an eclectic bent is paired with craft beers & wines. Order the ceviche and roast chicken with vegetables. 8601 Biscayne Blvd, Upper Eastside; pinchmiami.com
EL TUCÁN Asian-inspired dinners plus cocktails in a sophisticated jungle-themed setting with dance parties. The new-wave supper club evokes Cuba in the 1940s with Afro-Cuban music, late-night DJs, and murals by Happy Menocal. 1111 SW 1st Ave, Brickell; eltucanmiami.com
SOCIALISTA A Caribbean-inspired social club with a garden and live music. 465 Brickell Ave, Brickell; socialistalounge.com
BAKAN A Mexican restaurant serving tacos, tostadas and an array of mezcals and margaritas. 2801 NW 2nd Ave, Wynwood; bakanwynwood.com
GLASS & VINE A lush indoor/outdoor oasis within Peacock Park. 2820 McFarlane Rd, Coconut Grove; glassandvine.com
SAXONY BAR With its own dedicated entrance, Saxony sits beneath the Faena Hotel, and features classic cocktails and live music. 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; faena.com
MILA A Mediterranean and Japanese fustion rooftop restaurant. 1636 Meridian Avenue Rooftop, Miami Beach; milarestaurant.com
JOIA BEACH A beachfront bar and restaurant on Jungle Island. 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Jungle Island; joiabeachmiami.com
GIANNI’S For those who can’t get enough of “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” on Netflix— book at table at the restaurant named after Gianni Versace within his former mansion. The space is decked out in frescoes, mosaics, and overlooks a gold-lined pool. 1116 Ocean Dr, South Beach; vmmiamibeach.com/giannis
PRIME 112 Order the bone-in filet at this contemporary steakhouse. 112 Ocean Dr, South Beach
YARDBIRD The South Beach version of the Los Angeles/Las Vegas chain, and still serving the same delicious fried chicken and biscuits. 1600 Lenox Ave, Miami Beach; runchickenrun.com
ARIETE Progressive American fare & classic cocktails in a modern farmhouse-style setting. 3540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove; arietecoconutgrove.com
PEACOCK GARDEN An eclectic menu offered in a cheery interior with historical photographs or on a lush terrace. 2889 McFarlane Rd, Coconut Grove; peacockgardenrestobar.com
PAO BY PAUL QUI Drawing from a range of international cuisines including Filipino, Spanish, Japanese & French, Pao in the Faena Hotel serves modern Asian fusion cuisine and excellent cocktails. 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; faena.com
BOMBAY DARBAR A classic Indian Restaurant with the best Indian food in Miami! 2901 Florida Ave, Coconut Grove; bombaydarbar.com
LE BOUCHON An enduring, pint-sized bistro serving traditional French food in a charming space. order the mussels! 3430 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove; lebouchondugrove.com
SUSHI GARAGE A sushi restaurant set in a former auto body shop serving Japanese classics, inventive nigiri, cocktails. There is also a Coconut Grove location. sushigarage.com
SANGUICH DE MIAMI A walk up window serving authentic Cuban sandwiches and cafecitos in Little Havana. 2057 SW 8th St, Little Havana; sanguich.com
JAGUAR SUN Jaguar Sun group operates two restaurants: Jaguar Sun x Gilda’s is a small tapas and cocktail bar downtown and Sunny’s Steakhouse is a large outdoor steakhouse in Little River. At the latter, you can dine under a banyan tree and the food is cooked over an open fire. There is usually disco playing on vinyl as well. Jaguar Sun (230 NE 4th St, Downtown); Sunny’s Steakhouse (7357 NW Miami Ct, Little Havana); jaguarsunmia.com
MELINDA’S Sitting within an orchid garden downtown, Melinda’s is great local spot for cocktails and live music including Javier & Friends. 1306 N Miami Ave, Overtown; melindasmiami.com
DANTE’S HIFI Order an Old Fashioned and listen to vinyl records at this record bar and listening room. 519 NW 26th St, Wynwood; danteshifi.com
ART | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES
VIZCAYA MUSEUM & GARDENS The former home and palatial villa of James Deering, now a National Historic Landmark, served as Deering’s subtropical winter home in the 1910s and today operates as a museum and garden. 3251 S Miami Ave, Coconut Grove; vizcaya.org
BASS MUSEUM Founded in 1964, the Bass is contemporary art museum set in a historic art deco space featuring diverse art, artifacts & sculpture garden, plus films & lectures. 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; thebass.org
RUBELL MUSEUM Designed by Annabelle Selldorf to house the ever-growing collection of the Rubell family, which includes blue-chip pieces by Keith Haring, Damian Hirst, Jeff Koons, Kehinde Wiley, and Yayoi Kusama. 1100 NW 23rd St, Wynwood; rubellmuseum.org
WYNWOOD WALLS Open-air murals that recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. Originally painted by Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf, and Futura, the area surrounding the Walls has blossomed into a thriving neighborhood full of shops, restaurants, and bars. 266 NW 26th St, Wynwood; thewynwoodwalls.com
PÉREZ ART MUSEUM PAMM is a modern and contemporary art museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting international art of the 20th and 21st century, spotlighting work by Latin American, the Caribbean, and local artists in a sleek building by Herzog & de Meuron that blurs the line between inside and outside. 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Downtown; www.pamm.org
DE LA CRUZ COLLECTION An art museum owned by the Cuban-born American businessman Carlos de la Cruz and his wife Rosa to house their art collection, open to the public and free of charge. 23 NE 41st St, Design District; delacruzcollection.org
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART The ICA is a contemporary art museum located in the Miami Design District. 61 NE 41st St, Design District; icamiami.org
THE WOLFSONIAN The Wolfsonian–Florida International University or The Wolfsonian-FIU is located in the heart of the Art Deco District of Miami Beach, and operates as a museum, library and research center that uses its collection to illustrate the persuasive power of art and design. 1001 Washington Ave, Miami Beach; wolfsonian.org
MARGULIES WAREHOUSE The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse is a nonprofit institution located in a 50, 000 square foot retro-fitted warehouse in the Wynwood Arts District of Miami. 591 NW 27th St, Wynwood; margulieswarehouse.com
LOCUST PROJECTS Locust Projects is a non-profit art exhibition space created in 1998 by three artists Westen Charles, COOPER, and Elizabeth Withstandley to serve as a place for contemporary artists to create site-specific works outside of the commercial gallery system. 3852 N Miami Ave, Design District; locustprojects.org
DESIGN DISTRICT The LEED-certified Design District conceived by Craig Robins and produced by the executive architect, SB Architects, in collaboration with Dacra. miamidesigndistrict.net
DEERING ESTATE AT CUTLER The 444-acre former estate of businessman Charles Deering located on the edge of Biscayne Bay and features two historic homes, the Richmond Cottage and Stone House, to house his collection of artworks by Spanish masters, such as El Greco and Diego Velázquez. Today the site can be explored via tours that include canoe excursions, butterfly walks, and guided nature hikes. 16701 SW 72nd Ave; deeringestate.org
VENETIAN POOL Designed by Denman Fink and Phineas Paist, this Coral Gables pool was built in 1923 from a coral rock quarry. The only public pool listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it boasts two large lookout towers, Mediterranean-inspired loggias and porticoes, and palm trees. 2701 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables; coralgables.com
ANCIENT SPANISH MONASTERY This medieval cloister was built in Segovia, Spain, in the 12th century. Following a social revolution in the 1830s, the monastery was seized, sold, and converted to a granary, until publisher William Randolph Hearst purchased the property and had its outbuildings shipped to the U.S. Dismantled and transported overseas in 11,000 wood crates, the cloister was reconstructed in Miami following Hearst’s death in 1952. spanishmonastery.com
KAMPONG NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN The Kampong is a 9-acre botanical garden in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami. 4013 Douglas Rd; ntbg.org
EMERSON DORSCH GALLERY A contemporary art gallery founded by former engineer Brook Dorsch and his curator wife, Tyler Emerson. The pioneering gallery represents select South Florida-based artists. 5900 NW 2nd Ave, Little Haiti; emersondorsch.com
THE BARNACLE HISTORIC STATE PARK A historical park, which includes the oldest house in Miami-Dade County standing in its original location (1891). 3485 Main Hwy; floridastateparks.org
NINA JOHNSON GALLERY A pillar of Miami's contemporary art community since 2007. 6315 NW 2nd Ave, Little Haiti; ninajohnson.com
THE CENTER FOR SUBTROPICAL AFFAIRS Located in Little River with a beautiful Botanical garden, and cultural programming including Jazz on Thursday’s. 7145 NW 1st Ct; cstamiami.org
SHOP
THE WEBSTER The South Beach flagship, founded by Laure Hériard-Dubreuil, is a 20,000-square-foot, three-level store in South Beach’s Art Deco District. 1220 Collins Ave
Miami Beach; thewebster.us
CURIO AT FAENA BAZAAR Housed in the historic Atlantic Beach Hotel designed by Rem Koolhaas/OMA, Faena Bazaar is a modern incarnation of the ancient souk— a treasure trove of well-loved, hard-to-find, and emerging designers. 3400 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; shopatcurio.com
THE BAZAAR PROJECT Founded by Yeliz Titiz, The Bazaar Project combines curated décor pieces, fine jewelry, and apparel with a one of a kind café for clients to shop while tasting a carefully crafted menu. With a family background in one of the most successful retail businesses in Turkey, a love of travel and different cultures, and experience in the fashion industry sourcing fabrics and clothing for Perry Ellis enabled Yeliz to see what different parts of the world had to offer. She decided to share her findings with the Miami market. Located in Coconut Grove neighboring the Mr. C hotel. 2990 McFarlane Rd, Coconut Grove; thebazaarproject.com
BAL HARBOUR SHOPS An exquisite collection of designer boutiques, department stores, and restaurants in a tropical garden setting. 9700 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour; balharbourshops.com
MRS. MANDOLIN An extension of Mandolin Aegean Bistro comes a Design District lifestyle boutique from Anastasia Koutsioukis, inspired by Mediterranean & Coastal living. 4312 NE 2nd Ave, Design District; mrsmandolin.com
CAROLINA K Influenced by the people, markets and cultures she encountered on her travels, Argentinian fashion designer Carolina Kleinman created the texture-rich line, Carolina K in 2004. The unique prints and hand-embroidered details are authentically crafted using Mexican, Peruvian, and Indian ancestral techniques. Collections are created by artisans in a slow, sustainable way to ensure each timeless piece remains a wearable work of art for the free-spirited traveler. Visit her design district shop for a cup of matcha green tea and shop the latest collection. 7924 NE 2nd Ave, Little River; carolinak.com
TASCHEN The Miami outpost is bright with an array of oversize books on art, pop culture, photography, fashion, architecture, film, and more. For a different spread of books, after Taschen, walk a couple blocks west on Lincoln to the indie Books & Books. 1117 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach; taschen.com
PLANT THE FUTURE Living plants arguably make better gifts than run-of-the-mill floral arrangements. Plant the Future is the place to go for beautiful, lively, inspired living-plant arrangements, from vibrant flowering cacti to moss art to actual works of art with plants in them. 8484 NE 2nd Ave, Little River; plantthefuture.com
COCONUT GROVE FARMERS MARKET A Saturday open-air farmer’s market, which provides a variety of organic fruits, vegetables, and raw vegan foods. 3300 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove; glaserorganicfarms.com
PURA VIDA A healthy stop for smoothie bowls, salads, soups, and juices with multiple locations. puravidamiami.com
ROBERT IS HERE This quirky fruit stand is the perfect pit stop on the way to the Keys. The family-owned operation imports rare and exotic fruits and vegetables, like apple bananas, Key limes, star fruit, dragon fruit, lychee, jackfruit, passion fruit, and even Monstera deliciosa (a giant green fruit that looks like an ear of corn and tastes like a pineapple). 19200 SW 344th St, Homestead; robertishere.com
THE SHOWROOM An exceptionally curated collection of home accessories from all over the world. 3133 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove; theshowroom-miami.com
SUPPLY AND ADVISE A specialty menswear shop downtown carrying brands including Drake’s and RRL. 223 SE 1st St, Downtown; supplyandadvise.com
SPA | BEAUTY | WELLNESS
BĒATALA AT MR. C A wellness suite at the Mr. C Hotel in Coconut Grove featuring bespoke services including facials, massages, treatments using endosphères technology, and luxury products including Pietro Simone. Mr. C Hotel, Floor 4, 2988 McFarlane Rd, Coconut Grove; beatala.com
THE STANDARD
The hydrotherapy spa has a hot tub with a waterfall, a cold plunge, and mud baths. Classes include pilates, yoga, and stand-up paddleboarding, along with an infinity pool. 40 Island Ave, Miami Beach; standardhotels.com/miami
TIERRA SANTA HEALING HOUSE The Faena Hotel's Tierra Santa is inspired by an array of South American (and some South Asian) healing traditions. A Turkish-style hammam offers a full wet spa experience (waterfall shower, herbal steam room, wet scrub, sauna, and ice parlor). Led by two doctors, Tierra Santa also has a holistic, preventive medicine program that includes digestion-focused health therapies. 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; faena.com
BAMFORD WELLNESS SPA The first U.S. Bamford Wellness Spa is located at the 1 Hotel South Beach, and includes a selection of holistic treatments, services, and classes meant to nurture the mind, body, and spirit, based on a heartfelt connection with nature. 2341 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; 1hotels.com
SERGE RENARD A beauty salon with a Parisian and Los Angeles outpost providing haircuts and styling in a refined Coconut Grove space. Ask for Lijia! 3141 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove.
DAY & WEEKEND TRIPS
KEY WEST Take the Overseas Highway, a 113-mile highway on U.S. Route 1 (US 1), from the Florida Keys to Key West. Key West is the Southernmost Point in the U.S. and a bustling town that feels more Caribbean than American. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is a must-visit as is the Hemingway-frequented dive bar Sloppy Joes for a mojito or daiquiri. Have dinner and watch the famous sunset from the deck of Louie’s Backyard and stay at the new Lighthouse Hotel by the Kimpton group.
Text: Veronica H. Speck Photo: © The Raleigh Hotel