Margarita's Master Miami Guide

I have become everyone's go-to Miami resource since I started this blog. My friends, my family—heck!—even strangers will reach out to me for recommendations on where to stay, what to eat, where to drink, and what to do in Miami. (In fact, in 2015, Gatehouse Publishing tapped me to write the Miami edition of their famous The Hunt Guides.) When friends or friends-of-friends come into town, I have helped make their experiences here memorable by providing recommendations tailored to their interests. I have been compiling these lists over the last year to create Margarita's Master Miami Guide, which I am providing below so you can look to it when you're in need of inspiration or share it with your visitors. Next to each suggestion you will find three to five words explaining why it is included in the list and other relevant details. You're welcome, Miami!

Downtown Miami

What to Eat

• Casablanca (fresh seafood, waterfront, white table cloth)
• Fooq's (outdoor seating, meatballs, wine)
• Garcia's (fresh seafood, waterfront, can't-miss)
• Jaguar Sun (creative cocktails, fresh pasta)
• Jar + Fork (lunch, fresh, healthy)
• NIU Kitchen (Spanish tapas, wine, reservation needed)
• Soya e Pomodoro (cozy, romantic, Italian motif)
• Tuyo (killer views, fancy, exquisite food)
• Zuma (reservation needed, tasting menu, vibe)

Where to Drink

• Area 31 (killer views, weekday happy hour)
• Biscayne Bay Brewing (local brews, bar bites)
• The Corner Bar (dive bar, people watching, jazz)
• Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita (ladies night, rooftop bar)
• Lost Boy Dry Goods (delicious food, pool, darts)
• Mama Tried (dancing, casual, late night)
• The Wharf (outdoors, food trucks, ruckus)

What to Do

• Adrienne Arsht Center (ballets, musicals, plays)
• Brickell City Center (shopping, eating, cocktails)
• Frost Science Museum (planetarium show, deep sea tank)
• HistoryMiami (repository of Miami old and new)
• PAMM Art Museum (lunch at Verde, Instagrammable, waterfront)

Miami Beach

What to Eat

• 27 Restaurant at Freehand Miami (South Florida food, family style)
• Alibi at Lost Weekend (casual comfort food, late night)
• The Front Porch Cafe (Ocean Drive views, brunch)
• Joe's Take Away (seasonally-open, Joe's casual counterpart)
• LT Steak and Seafood at the Betsy Hotel (upscale, heavenly popover, solid menu)
• Macchialina (homemade, tasting menu, reservations needed)
• Puerto Sagua (solid Cuban, packed with tourists)
• Yardbird Southern Table + Bar (comfort food, brunch, bourbon cocktails)

Where to Drink

• Bay Club (cozy, bar bites, karaoke Thursdays)
• Bodega (speakeasy, happy hour, pool, dancing)
• Broken Shaker at Freehand Miami (outdoor, hipster, craft cocktails)
• Lost Weekend/Kill Your Idol (next-door dives, pool)
• Mac's Club Deuce (iconic dive bar, interesting characters)
• Mini Bar at Urbanica Hotel (cozy cocktail lounge)
• Monty's Sunset (sunset water views, casual, happy hour)
• Purdy Lounge (pool table, dancing late night)
• Sweet Liberty (good food, late night, dancing)
• Ted's Hideaway (casual dive bar, interesting characters)
• Lido Bayside Grill at Standard Miami (killer sunset water views, vibes)

What to Do

• Bass Museum (contemporary art)
• Go to the beach (4th Street South and 46th Street North are local spots. The area from 5th Street to 46th Street is peppered with tourists with the highest concentration between 5th Street and 14th Street.)
• Lincoln Road Mall (outdoor shopping, dining, cultural programming)
• Love Nail Salon (massages, mani-pedi, waxing)
• Rent a CitiBike and ride it along the beach walk (views, people watching)
• Rent a kayak or paddleboard from South Beach Kayak and launch at Maurice Gibb Park
• Run the Venetian Causeway (safe, gorgeous views, 5-mile roundtrip)
• Tour the Miami Beach Botanical Garden
• Wolfsonian Museum (collections showing power of art and design)
• Visit South Pointe Park and pier, especially at sunrise/sunset (picnic, people watching, views)

Wynwood/Design District

What to Eat

• Dasher & Crank (creative ice cream, local love)
• Harry's Pizzeria (casual, crock shrimp pizza. trust.)
• Hiden (reservation needed, omakase, speakeasy)
• Ghee Indian Kitchen (original location, tasting menu, exquisite)
• Kush (burgers, decadent, brews)
• Kyu (Asian, upscale, coconut cake)
• La Pollita (taco truck, simple authentic menu)
• Michael's Genuine (locally sourced, Miami favorite)
• Panther Coffee (Miami institution, cold brew)
• St. Roch Market (food hall, Itamae, Vegan cafe)
• The Salty Donut (decadent, donuts, "So Miami" flavors)
• The Taco Stand (tacos al pastor, post-party)
• Zak the Baker (best. bread. ever.)

Where to Drink

• 1-800-Lucky (food, bar, music, dancing, karaoke)
• Gramps (dive bar, outdoor terrace, live music)
• Lagniappe House (wine and charcuterie, music, indoor/outdoor)
• Veza Sur (local brews, indoor/outdoor, live music)
• Wood Tavern (casual, free Taco Tuesdays, indoor/outdoor)
• Wynwood Yard (food trucks, outdoors, live music)

What to Do

• Self-guided stroll around absorbing art at galleries and street murals starting at Wynwood Walls
• Wynwood Art Walk (second Saturday of the month)
• Miami Design District (high-end shopping)