The hotspots of Miami: the ultimate Miami guide
Good one search in Miami remains a challenge. A shame, because it is wonderful. The American metropolis is touristy, but interesting. Not only for beach and club lovers, but also for everyone who enjoys good food and shopping.
Although we would prefer to go everywhere ourselves, (unfortunately) that is not always possible. That also applies to Miami. Jane, on the other hand, recently visited The Magic City and came back with a laundry list full of tips.
Prefer something closer to home? Then check our list of hotspots in Mallorca.
Coconut Grove, front locals The Grove, is Miami's most historic neighborhood. Art galleries, farmers markets, churches, it's all there. In addition to being historic, it is especially vibrant and cozy here, a kind of mix between LA and NYC West Village. It is chock full of nice coffee bars, shops and restaurants.
Shopping:
- The wardrobe & more for example, really the kind of store where you want everything. Books, bags, dresses and shirts. We want it all.
- The same goes for The Fashionista Consignment Boutique. In this second-hand store you will find designer dresses and Chanel items. Jane even scored her outfit for a wedding here.
To sleep:
You also sleep Mr C Miami Coconut Grove. This 5-star hotel from the Italian Cipriani brothers is not the cheapest, but then you have something. In addition to sleeping wonderfully, you can enjoy delicious Italian food (and drinks, because there are many good wines on the menu) here. Also the location, overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Buenos Aires from Coconut Grove, is great.
Eating in Coconut Grove:
- Like Mike: cute Italian restaurant. Of course, there are also American citizens on the map.
- Los Felix: according to the sticker on the window this is a wine bar, but actually it is just a nice Mexican restaurant with good food and good cocktails. Oh, and good music. You can request (vinyl) records yourself here.
- PLANTA Queen: vegan restaurant with a nice menu and great prices.
- Sadelle's (and Sadie's coffee bar): brunch American style? This is where you need to be! Pancakes, French toast, eggs Benedict. All classics. Excellent interior with nice garden.
- You can get it at Sadie's coffee bar, the bar that belongs to Sadelle's takeaway coffees and bagels.
- Salt & Straw: best ice cream in town! You can taste all flavors here… coffee & salted caramel is a favorite.
- Sweetgreen: After all the burgers, milkshakes and ice creams, do you need vitamins? Here you can eat delicious bowls and salads.
- Esme Miami Beach Hotel: This hotel is located in the middle of Miami Beach and has a nice rooftop bar. It is located next to the Spanish district in Miami Beach, very pleasant in the evening.
- Palihouse: very nice hotel (delicious breakfast!) close to the beach, in the slightly quieter part of Miami Beach. You can borrow bicycles here for free, but pay attention to the 'resort fees' which you pay at almost all hotels for things like the swimming pool, towels and water. Ultimately, the price you pay is about $25 to $50 higher than the price on Booking.com.
- Faena Hotel: 5 star hotel with fantastic interior. They describe it as modern Art Deco with colonial Mediterranean influences. Just like you're in a museum, we love it.
- The Goodtime Miami: We wrote a piece about it earlier The Goodtime Hotel. Owned by Pharrell Williams, that is happy you will be sure here.
- The Miami beach EDITION: beautifully serene and clean 5 star hotel with lots of plants.
Located at the very tip of South of Fifth Smith & Wollensky. Here you will have lunch with a good piece of meat and delicious chilled pinot noir. At this classic tent you sit on the water with a view of Fisher Island (the most expensive island in Miami) and the large cruise ships that sail into the harbor there. Good food and great people (and boat) watching. If all that luxury makes you want to throw money away, then go shopping at Kith. Very expensive, but very nice.
Wynwood is one of Miami's liveliest neighborhoods, south of it Design District. Nice boutiques, nice tents and lots of it street art. If you like culture and food (who doesn't), you will definitely enjoy yourself here.
- Aubi & Ramsa: great ice cream concept. Choose your favorite ice cream flavor (with alcohol) in a can and pour an espresso over it. Affogato, highly recommended (photo).
- Cult Gaia: really cool concept store from Cult Gaia. Another one where you would prefer to buy everything. The store is decorated by a local interior designer and she has done her job well, because even the furniture makes me greedy. We are a little less fan of the prices. Let's save up for that $1200 dress then.
- Doya: a real favorite in Miami. This is a Lebanese restaurant, you will find a lot of mezze on the menu. They have a lovely garden full of lights (although in high summer in Miami you would prefer to sit in the air conditioning). A bottle of Chablis costs only $66, so you've also come to the right place for an evening of wine. Wine & dine it is.
- Taco Coyo: There is always a long line here, but then you also have something. Top tacos, just like most taco places in Miami.
- Tacombi: once again a place with tasty tacos. Nice affordable tent, the ideal place for a quick lunch while shopping (photo left).
- Rubell Museum: you shouldn't skip this one. A museum full of beautiful pieces by Keith Harring, Jeff Koons and Yayoi Kusama, among others.
- ASTRA Rooftop: not too much fancy, just plain fun (especially during happy hour!) and with a great view.
- Swan: yet another gem from Pharrell. The ultimate place to end a day of shopping. Very cozy, a DJ in the garden and a good menu. Recommended? Brussels sprouts (photo right).
