The view from our room.
I’m in Miami! I can hardly believe it. After a year of hard work, we are on a much-needed vacation. We’ve kind of been on overdrive for the past 11 months, so it feels really good to get away. Miami is one of my favorite places to visit. There are so many beaches and canals, you’re never too far away from the water. We try to make it out to Miami once every year or two, and it’s starting to feel like a second home to us. I love the people, the climate, the cultural diversity. This city never sleeps. I’m not exactly a night owl, but it is fun having late night dinners and taking walks down Ocean Drive, seeing all of the locals showing off their tricked-out cars to the tourists. The old art deco hotels have been renovated into beautiful boutique inns, and many of them have DJ’s that play music late into the night. Sure, there are mosquitos and the occasional humid tropical downpour. It doesn’t diminish my love for Miami. That’s why God created umbrellas and bug repellant. 🙂
Española Way, Miami Beach
We’ve got a few local places that we’ve come to know and love… News Cafe, Española Way, Sushi Samba on Lincoln Road… but I feel like there is so much more to explore here. I’d love to hear your recommendations, including favorite restaurants, attractions, etc. I’m sure those of you who know Miami will have some fun suggestions. Restaurants don’t need to be kosher… I have a kosher section on my site out of respect for my Jewish readers, but I do not keep kosher personally. Please share your favorite places in the comments section below!
Sushi Samba – Yellowtail Taquitos and a martini.
Also, I will be stopping by the BlogHer Food closing night party next weekend to say hi, so if you’re a food blogger and you’re going, please let me know!
Anthony says
May 23, 2014 at 4:44 amDolores, but you can call me Lolita.
Yes that’s the name!
Michael says
May 20, 2014 at 6:21 amDesign district
-Michael’s Genuine
-Panther coffee
-Sugar Cane
-Mandolin
Mid or North Miami Beach
-Hakkasan
-Josh’s Deli
-Makoto
-Bourbon Steak
South Beach
-BLT.Steak
-Joe’s
-Prime
-Pubbelly empire(pub belly, pb steak, sushi, Macchialina, barceloneta
SUNDAY BRUNCH
Biltmore
Four Seasons
Bruno Goldstein says
May 20, 2014 at 4:54 amJugo Fresh for the finest cold-pressed juices and delicious raw creations. One should be opening any day now south of 5th in Beach, but the Wynwood Walls location is spectacular.
MC Kitchen in the Design District is hands-down the best food we’ve had anywhere — everything was perfection, and the ambience is very chic and comfortable.
Mixtura Peruvian in mid-Beach is also excellent.
Lew Nitkin says
May 19, 2014 at 9:42 amA mahi-mahi sandwich on the porch or Garcia’s Restaurant on the Miami River is the perfect lunch. Try it and be delighted.
Also for a cheap meal try Pollo Tropicale . Their chicken is the best.
Katie says
May 16, 2014 at 8:01 amYou should go to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden-it’s just beautiful and relaxing. Also right down the road from there is a quiet beach and park called Mattheson Hammocks Park. There is a restaurant called Red Fish Grill right on the premises which is very good (they even filmed a scene there in the movie “Something About Mary”). Enjoy your time there-I lived there for four years and miss it so much!
Rachel says
May 14, 2014 at 7:33 pmThe Yardbird has the best farm to table and southern fried chicken I have ever had! It was something we stumbled upon when we were down there in December!
charitin says
May 14, 2014 at 3:01 pmPeruvian food at Ceviche 105 and Spanish sandwiches at 100 Montaditos. Breakfast at the cafe inside Epicure market (links below!)
http://www.ceviche105.com/
http://us.100montaditos.com/
http://epicuremarket.com/
Barbara Hooker says
May 14, 2014 at 7:48 pmVersailles Hotel/Condo area…on Saturdays around 1130…look forold Jews dressed in black…Historical People w/huge stories!
Sharlene Lustig says
May 14, 2014 at 6:24 pmTake a walk on Lincoln Road on Miami Beach especially at night. It’s a great people place packed all the time with people, great restaurants/cafes and stores. Be sure to go to Serendipity 3 for a frozen hot chocolate.
Elyse Ostrow Milstein says
May 14, 2014 at 2:29 pmOla in south Beach is fabulous!!! Don’t miss it.
Michelle Meinstein Haddad says
May 14, 2014 at 2:23 pmgo to Barton G restaurant for a meal with a difference and sit outside!!!!!!!!!
Rivkah Tuttle says
May 14, 2014 at 12:48 pmHouse of Dog. Zak’s Bakery. Bunnie Cakes.
Lcons says
May 13, 2014 at 11:59 pmIl gabbiano is BY FAR the best italian restsurant in Miami. Truly authentic. the owner even cooks himself in plain view.
Tina Lujan says
May 14, 2014 at 6:34 amLunch in Little Havana.
Rich Price says
May 14, 2014 at 4:59 amLove Miami. Haven’t been there in a while.
Joyce H Reiss says
May 14, 2014 at 12:44 amToo hot to be in FL in May. I can’t wait to leave for the summer.
Paul William says
May 14, 2014 at 12:40 am3 G’s Deli in Delray Beach. To die for.
Marina Mandel says
May 13, 2014 at 11:56 pmAmazing fantastic steak: http://theharbourgrill.com/
Lauri Almany says
May 13, 2014 at 11:32 pmWillies Boot Camp! Somi Fitness!
Liana Seldin says
May 13, 2014 at 11:23 pmPrime 112, Prime Fish, or Prime Italian. Not kosher, but all are wonderful
Nicole Spencer Benge says
May 13, 2014 at 11:00 pmTake a tour of the house and gardens at Vizcaya. http://vizcaya.org
Yamilha Palma says
May 13, 2014 at 10:34 pmJoe Stone Crabs and steaks…”the Best”…
Lynn Brooks Dils says
May 13, 2014 at 10:11 pmFairchild Gardens is fab; brunch at The Biltmore on a Sunday, fab.
ellen says
May 13, 2014 at 2:57 pmThe Jewish museum of Florida
Beba Bella says
May 13, 2014 at 9:50 pmHave fun and don’t forget sunblock!
Ron Louis Smith II says
May 13, 2014 at 9:50 pmGrill time kosher steak house! North Miami beach
Melinda Mele says
May 13, 2014 at 9:45 pmPuerto Sagua, 700 Collins Ave, Miami Beach … get the churrasco with a side of platanos. And La Sandwicherie, 229 14th St. Get anything.
M. says
May 13, 2014 at 2:19 pmLove the places you’ve already mentioned and some of the other places in the responses. If you head towards Ft. Lauderdale, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza. For some regular excellent diner food in sobe, try the 11th Street Diner at the corner of 11th and Washington.
Alina Teplinsky says
May 13, 2014 at 8:52 pmHave a great time!
Michal Grossman says
May 13, 2014 at 8:49 pmKosh in surfside. It’s kosher!
fern morganoff says
May 13, 2014 at 1:33 pmBarton G great dine outside
Giuliana Claps says
May 13, 2014 at 8:33 pmVisit the synagogue. I can’t remember the name of it, in South Beach..
Maureen says
May 13, 2014 at 1:24 pmThere is a place just off Lincoln Road / Blvd. near the Macys – its called Davids – they do the best cuban coffee……. like petrol……. in little shot glasses. Then you’ll be able to tackle many awake hours!!
Ben Abraham says
May 13, 2014 at 8:23 pmEat kosher Pan-Asian food at Thai Treats in North Miami and have kosher dairy and Mediterranean at Mozart’s Cafe in Hollywood, FL or Sunny Isles Beach.
Sabrina Brouard Cotton says
May 13, 2014 at 8:21 pmMy favorite – Blue Door Restaurant in the Delano Hotel.
Kat says
May 13, 2014 at 1:12 pmhttp://www.joesstonecrab.com/findus.html
my apologies .. it’s just a block off of Collins ..
Nanci Zee says
May 13, 2014 at 8:10 pmHave a good vacation!
Melanie Springer says
May 13, 2014 at 8:09 pmJoes Stone Crab!!
Kimberley Barca says
May 13, 2014 at 7:57 pmJoes crab shack oh those big claws!
Kimberley Barca says
May 13, 2014 at 7:56 pmYes! Lived there in the 80’s go to little Havanna and go to a coffee truck have a Cuban coffee and go to any Cuban restaurant for Arroz de con Pollo chicken in rice! And pick up loaves of cuban bread cause you cant get them anywhere thats authentic unless you go to Havanna that is!
Kat says
May 13, 2014 at 12:51 pmWhile in Miami .. you must go to Joes on S. Collins Avenue .. (if you haven’t been already) ! It’s like stepping back in time – waiters with white dinner jackets and black pants, linen, china, crystal .. and the food is excellent !! Oh .. and a dirty martini at The Cheeky Monkey – it’s the bar in The Blue Moon Hotel .. the best dirty martini I have ever had !! The bar is quaint, as well !
Shiri Tamam Liquornik says
May 13, 2014 at 7:50 pmGulfstream area in hallsndale , eat at yard house
Shiri Tamam Liquornik says
May 13, 2014 at 7:49 pmMiami juice in sunny isles, organic, healthy and beyond delish
Shiri Tamam Liquornik says
May 13, 2014 at 7:48 pmIsraeli breakfast at aroma cafe!!!
Nina Soalt says
May 13, 2014 at 7:48 pmand then have a true cup of cafe con lecho from the coffee place around the corner, take out place , just ask everyone knows it
Nina Soalt says
May 13, 2014 at 7:47 pmgo to LINCOLN ROAD and eat at NEXT, (thats the restaurants name)
Michael Foster says
May 13, 2014 at 7:45 pmI agree with Versailles and would suggest spending an afternoon on Calle Ocho.
Kat Colburn says
May 13, 2014 at 7:44 pmMust eat at Joe’s Stone Crab on 11 Washington Avenue .. like stepping back in time and the food is excellent !!
Robin Pomerantz Laidlaw says
May 13, 2014 at 7:43 pmBlue Collar on Biscayne Blvd. & 67th Street. I’ll meet you there.
Dennis Weiskircher Jr. says
May 13, 2014 at 7:42 pmHave to have a Cuban sandwich at Versailles with a Materva to drink.
Lisa Kennedy says
May 13, 2014 at 7:41 pmThe Standard Spa. Spend the day there.
Richard Pachter says
May 13, 2014 at 7:40 pmVersailles in Little Havana is a must. Joe’s Stone Crabs on the beach, too. Have fun!
Wilda Orsini says
May 13, 2014 at 7:40 pmAroma coffe!!