Beyond the Block - places to see, foods to try, places not to miss, and even the kitchen sink”
Logan
Beyond the Block
- places to see, foods to try, places not to miss, and even the kitchen sink”
My Favorite Nearby Dinner Spots
A wonderful place to go with a great view and a fresh take on Latin food is called “Amara at Paraiso” (17 minutes away) -a bit expensive but worth it for the expansive views of Biscayne Bay, the skylines of Miami and Miami Beach, and several of our unique causeways. A nice alternative to that is “Sugarcane” in Midtown, Miami (12 minutes), or “Mandolin Aegean Bistro” in Buena Vista. (12 minutes).
Great views and an interesting take on Latin "sabor"!
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Amara at Paraiso
3101 NE 7th AveGreat views and an interesting take on Latin "sabor"!
No views, but a large menu sure to please your entire crew and nearby to popular Wynwood neighborhood.
203 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
SUGARCANE raw bar grill
3252 NE 1st AveNo views, but a large menu sure to please your entire crew and nearby to popular Wynwood neighborhood.
Mandolin has a authentic Mediterranean atmosphere and excellent flavors.
243 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
4312 NE 2nd AveMandolin has a authentic Mediterranean atmosphere and excellent flavors.
If you have energy and want to keep the evening going (or get it started), take a short ride to “Astra Lounge “in Wynwood (6 minutes from “Amara”) for the best views in town of the Miami skyline. Tell the door/guest person that you're going to the bar, grab a cocktail and scout-out the best skyline backdrop for your Insta story or FB post. (You gotta make everyone back at home a little bit jealous - you're in Miami ______ after all!)
If the lights and 360 degree views aren't enough, close your eyes and come away with the 4/4 beats of the deep House music spun by a local DJ on the rise.
"Astra" has a full menu, but the views and the late evening atmosphere are what most of us order.
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Astra
2121 NW 2nd AveIf you have energy and want to keep the evening going (or get it started), take a short ride to “Astra Lounge “in Wynwood (6 minutes from “Amara”) for the best views in town of the Miami skyline. Tell the door/guest person that you're going to the bar, grab a cocktail and scout-out the best skyline backdrop for your Insta story or FB post. (You gotta make everyone back at home a little bit jealous - you're in Miami ______ after all!)
If the lights and 360 degree views aren't enough, close your eyes and come away with the 4/4 beats of the deep House music spun by a local DJ on the rise.
"Astra" has a full menu, but the views and the late evening atmosphere are what most of us order.
My other favorites for dinner are two restaurants owned by the same eclectic and exciting local chef, Danny Surfer.
"Blue Collar” for American comfort food and a very unexpected locale in the "Mimo district" (15 minutes) or “Mignonette” (Edgewater - 17 minutes) for fantastic fish and oysters.
127 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Collar
6730 Biscayne BlvdMy other favorites for dinner are two restaurants owned by the same eclectic and exciting local chef, Danny Surfer.
"Blue Collar” for American comfort food and a very unexpected locale in the "Mimo district" (15 minutes) or “Mignonette” (Edgewater - 17 minutes) for fantastic fish and oysters.
Neighborhoods
Wynwood (One of Miami’s most happening districts - it has rapidly gentrified from an urban warehouse district into a walking museum full of street art on nearly every surface. The converted warehouses are filled with funky stores, craft breweries, unique fusion restaurants and the best coffee in town - Panther Coffee! The crowd is generally hip, trendy, and likes to stay out late.
368 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wynwood Art District
Wynwood (One of Miami’s most happening districts - it has rapidly gentrified from an urban warehouse district into a walking museum full of street art on nearly every surface. The converted warehouses are filled with funky stores, craft breweries, unique fusion restaurants and the best coffee in town - Panther Coffee! The crowd is generally hip, trendy, and likes to stay out late.
Food Scene
Panther Coffee (One of the original establishments in Wynwood), Panther sources ethically grown coffee from various regions across the world. They even have an experiment in taste preferences based on the two coasts in the United States. Take the test - are you an East Coast or West Coast coffee person?
182 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Panther Coffee - Wynwood
2390 NW 2nd AvePanther Coffee (One of the original establishments in Wynwood), Panther sources ethically grown coffee from various regions across the world. They even have an experiment in taste preferences based on the two coasts in the United States. Take the test - are you an East Coast or West Coast coffee person?
East Asian inspired food hall with great DJ’s in the afternoons and evenings of the later days of the week. Don’t miss our favorite Steamed Shrimp and Pork Shumai Dumplings at Yip
109 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
1-800-Lucky
143 NW 23rd StEast Asian inspired food hall with great DJ’s in the afternoons and evenings of the later days of the week. Don’t miss our favorite Steamed Shrimp and Pork Shumai Dumplings at Yip
Quintessential Miami
A few of my favorite unique, classic, and (sometimes) quirky experiences of Miami to make you feel like a local. (How long do you have to live somewhere to be a local?)
There is no better place than the renowned, Cuban restaurant and community hub for many in Little Havana than Versailles on Calle Ocho. There you can fill your belly with a proper “Cubano”, or authentic “Ropa Vieja”. Don’t leave before you order a “cafecito” from the fast-paced sidewalk counter out on the street - a quintessential Little Havana experience. With the tiny plastic cups that came with the white styrofoam “taza”, offer some to the people in line behind you. Sharing the caffeine and the moment with those around you is what the cafecito is all about - a small break to remember the important things: connection, community, and camaraderie all with a little jolt for the rest of your day.
290 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine
3555 SW 8th StThere is no better place than the renowned, Cuban restaurant and community hub for many in Little Havana than Versailles on Calle Ocho. There you can fill your belly with a proper “Cubano”, or authentic “Ropa Vieja”. Don’t leave before you order a “cafecito” from the fast-paced sidewalk counter out on the street - a quintessential Little Havana experience. With the tiny plastic cups that came with the white styrofoam “taza”, offer some to the people in line behind you. Sharing the caffeine and the moment with those around you is what the cafecito is all about - a small break to remember the important things: connection, community, and camaraderie all with a little jolt for the rest of your day.
From Ball and Chain’s website:
“Ball & Chain is the perfect venue for anyone wanting an authentic Little Havana experience. The moment you walk through our doors, you can feel the 80 years of our history emanating from our walls. From the wood beamed ceilings, to the hand-painted Cuban tile floors, you are transported to a time period when men donned their best hats and women dressed to the nines to sip mojitos and listen to the worlds best music. Our authentic Latin menus cater a wide variety of cultural palettes, and our bar menus have been designed by Miami’s best mixologists, and truly highlight local ingredients.“
Starting at 11am, B&C operates as a typical restaurant, but after 8pm, things start to heat up the eating spaces transform into a classic and authentic bar and lounge with live music! And this isn’t just some background noise these acts are putting in a show and you get to participate by dancing, singing along, or simply letting your senses take it all in. Ball and Chain opened only about 10 years before Logan’s Block was built, in a time when the street outside was dirt, the neighbors were “deep Southern” or Jewish, and the law was more of an ideal than an unquestionable fact of life. Miami’s history is as relatively recent and unexpectedly vibrant as this new iteration of one of Miami’s oldest nightlife institutions. (The uncommon 5am closing time, stems from B&C’s heyday!)
345 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ball & Chain
1513 SW 8th StFrom Ball and Chain’s website:
“Ball & Chain is the perfect venue for anyone wanting an authentic Little Havana experience. The moment you walk through our doors, you can feel the 80 years of our history emanating from our walls. From the wood beamed ceilings, to the hand-painted Cuban tile floors, you are transported to a time period when men donned their best hats and women dressed to the nines to sip mojitos and listen to the worlds best music. Our authentic Latin menus cater a wide variety of cultural palettes, and our bar menus have been designed by Miami’s best mixologists, and truly highlight local ingredients.“
Starting at 11am, B&C operates as a typical restaurant, but after 8pm, things start to heat up the eating spaces transform into a classic and authentic bar and lounge with live music! And this isn’t just some background noise these acts are putting in a show and you get to participate by dancing, singing along, or simply letting your senses take it all in. Ball and Chain opened only about 10 years before Logan’s Block was built, in a time when the street outside was dirt, the neighbors were “deep Southern” or Jewish, and the law was more of an ideal than an unquestionable fact of life. Miami’s history is as relatively recent and unexpectedly vibrant as this new iteration of one of Miami’s oldest nightlife institutions. (The uncommon 5am closing time, stems from B&C’s heyday!)
Stuff for the Kids
Tired of sitting on the sand at the beach? Then try a more active outdoor approach at Oleta in northern Dade county. You can hike, kayak, or paddle board the entire day as you explore the rare and important ecology of saltwater wetlands and marshes protecting much of Florida' s coastline.
344 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Oleta River State Park
Tired of sitting on the sand at the beach? Then try a more active outdoor approach at Oleta in northern Dade county. You can hike, kayak, or paddle board the entire day as you explore the rare and important ecology of saltwater wetlands and marshes protecting much of Florida' s coastline.
I love the zoo here because it has a great collection of hot weather animals that are in humane and expansive enclosures. Grab a beer or a soda and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park's winding paths. Or if you want something a little faster, rent a group-cycle and fast track your way to your favorite creatures.
638 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zoo Miami
12400 Southwest 152nd StreetI love the zoo here because it has a great collection of hot weather animals that are in humane and expansive enclosures. Grab a beer or a soda and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park's winding paths. Or if you want something a little faster, rent a group-cycle and fast track your way to your favorite creatures.
This modern park on the southernmost tip of the Miami Beach peninsula is full of rolling, grassy hills juxtaposed with the large riprap boulders keeping the tide at bay. You can watch the cruise ships leave and feel so close you could almost touch them. Walk out to the pier and grab a selfie of Miami Beach from the rarely seen Atlantic ocean side. If you're hungry walk all the way down the sidewalk to Monty's sunset happy hour. The kids can swim in their pool while you put the sun to bed with beverage or two.
137 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque South Pointe
1 Washington AveThis modern park on the southernmost tip of the Miami Beach peninsula is full of rolling, grassy hills juxtaposed with the large riprap boulders keeping the tide at bay. You can watch the cruise ships leave and feel so close you could almost touch them. Walk out to the pier and grab a selfie of Miami Beach from the rarely seen Atlantic ocean side. If you're hungry walk all the way down the sidewalk to Monty's sunset happy hour. The kids can swim in their pool while you put the sun to bed with beverage or two.
Consejos para la ciudad
Viajar con niños
Kids and Miami
Although, the Magic City is known for its nightlife and adult party scene, there are tons of spaces and experiences that are perfect for families and kids too! Here is a starter list of my top kid friendly or kid oriented experiences.