A Curious Guide To Miami

Take: sparkling waters and sandy beaches. Add: drool-worthy dining and a renowned nightlife. Oh, and don’t forget: unique national parks, an ever-evolving art and music scene, endless shopping and the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world. Ah, Miami. It’s hard to believe that the bustling city was once a mangrove swamp …

Now a dazzling cosmopolitan, Miami is on many travellers’ bucket lists. Which means I get a lot of emails asking for recos! So, with Miami Beach turning 100 in a few months, I thought it would be a great time to share some tips and highlights. This isn’t a “must-see” or “best of” list: that’s for you to determine. These are just a few things I enjoy in the Magic City. You know, the list of recos I send friends when they ask.

Where To Stay…

With hundreds of hotels, including the largest concentration of boutique hotels in the world, there’s no shortage of accommodation options in Miami. Whether you’re going for an ultra-luxe or a budget-friendly vacay, I’d recommend snagging a room somewhere in South Beach (affectionately known as SoBe). But if you’re in town for business, stick to the hotels in the financial district (the Venetian Causeway – which links Miami mainland and beach can be a painful drive during traffic). We loved our stay at Loews Miami Beach Hotel: the service was solid, the pool and beach were dreamy and the view from our room was spectacular…

Other options:

• Budget-friendly (well, as budget-friendly as SoBe gets): The Freehand (hostel), Hotel Shelley, various Airbnb properties
• Mid-range: Fontainebleau, The Tides South Beach
• Luxury: St Regis Bal Harbour, SLS, Delano, The Betsy-South Beach

What To Eat… 

From food trucks to gourmet restaurants, Miami has a diverse and rapidly evolving culinary scene. With latin flavour profiles, fresh produce and plenty of seafood, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Here’s what tantalized our taste buds on our trip:

Joe’s Stone Crab – the Killer King Crab Claws and Joe’s Famous Key Lime Pie are a must!

EDGE Steak & Bar – if you’re looking for a great steak in Miami, look no further than EDGE. Located at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami (bonus: check out their beautiful Boteros when you visit), the chef blew us away with his perfectly seasoned and grilled cuts (full review here).

My Ceviche – order a bowl with aji amarillo and shrimp. The charred corn on the cob is a tasty side.

YUCA – we loved the Ropa Vieja (slow braised Angus beef, sweet plantain fufu and crispy red onions) at the upscale Cuban restaurant.

Nove Sushi & Bar – with countless sushi joints to choose from in Miami, I had to reach out to local foodies for some advice. Nove came highly recommended, so I headed there with my hubby to give them a shot. One thing is certain: you will not leave this resto hungry (their portions are mammoth). Go for their innovative rolls, spicy edemame and tuna tataki (full review here).

Casa Tua – if you’re looking to splurge on a restaurant, I highly recommend this gem. The ambiance is out of this world, the service is spot on and the Northern Italian cuisine is spectacular. Sit outside in the garden (it’s a magical oasis that draws the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Jaz-Z, Katy Perry etc.) Oh, and save room for their heavenly tiramisu…

Other options:

• Budget-friendly: La Camaronera, Dim Ssam a Go-Go (food truck), Chef Creole, Tap Tap
• Mid-range: Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, La Mar, SUSHISAMBA
• Luxury: The Bazaar by José Andrés, Hakkasan, Il Gabiano, Prime 112, Azul

What To Do…

Go pool hopping: No trip to Miami is complete without visiting a few of the beautiful pool bars in SoBe. Your only dilemma will be deciding which ones to hit up! Everyone has their faves depending on mood/budget/scene/day. Popular spots: Delano Hotel, Surfcomber Hotel, Hyde Beach at the SLS Hotel, The Raleigh Hotel, The Shore Club, Dream South Beach and The Standard. Some pools are reserved for hotel guests only: call ahead as many do offer passes. Or try your luck and just walk in like we did…

Experience the Latin culture: Although you’ll feel the Latino vibes pretty much everywhere in Miami, Little Havana is the place to go if you want to immerse yourself in Cuban cuisine and beats. Take a walk down Calle Ocho: visit the open-air fruit and coffee stands, admire the art in the Agustín Gaínza gallery, indulge in Azucar Ice Cream Company, watch old men play domino games at Máximo Gómez Park and have a late night feast at Versailles.

Explore the Art Deco District: With more than 800 buildings from the 1930s and 1940s in the historic district, you can’t miss the beautiful pastel buildings with their streamlined symmetry and sleek curves when you stroll down Ocean Drive. Make sure you stop at: Park Central, The Tides hotel, Esplendor Hotel Breakwater, Casa Casuarina, Cardozo Hotel, and The Clevelander Hotel. You can grab a map or sign up for a guided tour at the Art Deco Welcome Centre.

Wander through Wynwood Arts District: Home to more than 100 galleries, the area is an art-lover’s dream. And if you’re into street art, Wynwood Walls will entertain you for hours on end. Although there are guided tours, I recommend exploring the warehouse district on your own.

Gawk at the waterfront mansions: take a boat ride on Biscayne Bay for a glimpse of Millionaire’s Row (there are some breathtaking homes in the area). We weren’t huge fans of the celeb creeping, but enjoyed admiring the Miami skyline from afar…

Dance, dance, dance: I’m a huge electronic music fan so I naturally love Miami’s nightlife. Home to Ultra Music Festival and WMC, the city attracts the best DJs in the world all year round. My fave spots? Nikki Beach, LIV, Story and poolside sessions at SLS.

Take a long walk on the beach: Lummus Park Beach is super entertaining (you’ll see all kinds of models, athletes and sun-worshipers). But if you’re looking for a quieter, less crowded experience, head to 85th Street Beach. Nothing like sinking into the soft sand as the sun warms your skin. Sigh, beach walks are my fave!

That wraps up my mini Miami guide. If you have any recos please do share – I’d love to try them the next time I visit!