The Miami Guide
There’s a reason they call it the Magic City. Miami has a certain kind of heat to it, and I don’t just mean the weather. The colors are brighter, the energy is louder, and somehow everything feels a little more alive. It is one of those places that shifts something in you. One minute you are wandering through a kaleidoscope of murals at Wynwood Walls, the next you are sipping a green juice in Coconut Grove or booking a sound healing session between vintage shopping and a very scene-y sushi dinner. Miami is also a mecca for health and wellness, cutting-edge art (hello, Art Basel), world-class food, fashion, and rich cultural history. This guide is extra special because I call this city home now, and everything in here is handpicked. The hotels that feel like little sanctuaries. The workouts that leave you glowing. The facials that go beyond skin deep. The farmers markets, the spas, the shops, the secret corners, the total magic of it all. Whether you are coming for the weekend or just want to feel like a local, this is your guide to the Miami I know and love.
STAY & UNWIND
Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Mid-Beach
Faena is over the top in all the best ways. The design is bold, theatrical, and dripping in glamour, with red velvet, gold leaf, and museum-worthy art around every corner. Beyond the looks, Faena is a full lifestyle experience. With several renowned restaurants, a private beach, nightly cabaret shows, and one of the hottest live music lounges in Miami, it remains one of the city’s top spots year after year. You never really have to leave the property, and once you are there, you will not want to.
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club
Surfside
The Surf Club first opened its doors in the 1930s and still feels like stepping straight into a Great Gatsby novel. Legends like Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra once roamed these halls, and that timeless elegance is still alive in every detail. Today, it is old-world glamour wrapped in crisp, modern luxury, with ocean views so sweeping they feel cinematic. The property is home to Thomas Keller’s renowned restaurant and a Champagne Bar that offers some of the best people-watching in Miami, drawing a crowd that is pure fashion, glamour, and the crème de la crème.
Soho Beach House
Mid-Beach
If you want a guaranteed cool but chill vibe, Soho Beach House is where you check in. The beach is always a scene, the crowd is creative and stylish without trying too hard, and the weekend brunches are legendary. The property itself is a design lover’s dream, blending vintage Cuban influences with Soho House’s signature laid-back luxury. It feels like staying at a friend’s ultra-chic beach house where the rosé flows, the playlists are perfect, and no one is ever in a rush. Make sure to carve out time to explore their stylish, bohemian boutique, filled with curated finds you will not see anywhere else.
The Standard
Belle Isle
The Standard is like Montauk meets Miami, a little more laid-back but still buzzing with energy. The property is built around a gigantic spa and hammam, with hydrotherapy circuits, cold plunges, and outdoor soaking tubs that pull you straight into relaxation mode. You will always find a sunset cocktail crowd at their waterfront restaurant Lido, which feels casual but beautiful at the same time. It is the kind of place where days slip by easily between spa sessions, pool hangs, and spontaneous conversations with interesting people.
Sabia Wellness House
Miami Beach
Sabia Wellness House is less like a hotel and more like being welcomed into a beautiful private home, carefully curated for healing and restoration. Every detail has been obsessively thought through, from EMF blocking technology to natural, eco-friendly materials throughout the space. The property features a serene sauna, filtered water throughout, and holistic therapies designed to support your body, mind, and spirit in subtle but powerful ways. You will leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more recharged than when you arrived.
Arlo Wynwood
Wynwood
Arlo Wynwood is for the design-lover who wants to be in the middle of it all. Set in the heart of the art district, this hotel is walkable to every mural, gallery, and buzzy restaurant in the neighborhood. The rooms are minimalist and smart, but it is the rooftop that really shines with panoramic views, a pool that actually gets sun, and DJs spinning as the day fades. It is equal parts creative and comfortable, and the perfect home base if you want to explore Miami with a little edge.
EAT & SIP
Pura Vida
Multiple Locations
Pura Vida is Miami’s healthy food staple, offering quick, easy bites like fresh salads, sandwiches, açai bowls, and smoothies. Everything on the menu feels light, nourishing, and just the right amount of indulgent. Whether you are grabbing a post-Pilates protein plate or lingering with a coconut latte and laptop, it is one of the few places that always hits. Bright, breezy, and effortlessly cool, it is pure Miami energy in food form.
Motek
Multiple Locations
Motek is low-key but unbelievably delicious, the kind of place you almost hesitate to tell too many people about. Their Mediterranean menu is packed with flavor, from crispy schnitzels to perfectly runny shakshuka, and everything feels homemade and heart-filled. You can keep it casual over a quick sabich pita or make a night of it with mezze spreads and a bottle of wine. No matter what you order, Motek always delivers.
Sunny's Steakhouse
Little River
Sunny’s is the new cool kid on the Miami dining scene, tucked away in a lush outdoor garden in Little River. The vibe is relaxed but buzzing, with wood-fired steaks, local seafood, and market vegetables that are cooked simply and perfectly. It is a little off the beaten path, but every bite and every glass of natural wine make the trip worth it. If you want a night that feels effortlessly cool without the velvet rope, Sunny’s is your move.
Boia De
Design District
Boia De is small, unassuming, and one of the best dining experiences in Miami. Hidden inside a strip mall, it serves handmade pastas and inventive small plates that feel surprising, soulful, and unforgettable. It is almost always booked solid, but if you can snag a reservation, it is absolutely worth it. Everything on the menu feels personal and meticulously crafted, making it one of the true culinary gems of the city.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Design District
Mandolin is a Miami staple that feels like a tiny slice of the Greek islands tucked inside the city. Set in a charming whitewashed house with a leafy patio and twinkle lights, it is the perfect setting for grilled octopus, fresh salads, and endless carafes of crisp wine. The crowd is always stylish but easygoing, and a long lunch here flows perfectly into a shopping stroll through the Design District. It never goes out of style.
Aoko
Edgewater
Aoko is Miami’s best kept sushi secret for now. Tucked away in Edgewater, it serves pristine sashimi and delicate nigiri with a focus on pure, seasonal ingredients. The space is minimal and intimate, letting the quality of the fish speak for itself without any pretense. If you are serious about sushi and want an experience that feels quietly exceptional, Aoko is the place you will want to keep in your back pocket.
LPM Restaurant & Bar
Brickell
LPM brings a taste of the French Riviera to Brickell with food that feels effortless yet deeply elevated. Their signature dishes like the warm prawns in olive oil and the roasted chicken with lemon are light, rich, and packed with flavor. The scene buzzes with a polished after-work crowd that gives the whole place a stylish, celebratory energy. Michelin-recognized and always on point, LPM is where you go when you want a night to feel a little more golden.
Macchialina
Miami Beach
Macchialina is always packed and it only takes one plate of pasta to understand why. This cozy, rustic spot serves some of the best handmade Italian food on the beach side, rich with soulful, old-school flavors. The house-made pastas are standout, the wine list is thoughtful, and the atmosphere feels intimate and alive. It is one of those places where you end up staying longer than planned, happily ordering another bottle of Barolo.
COTE Miami
Design District
COTE redefines Korean barbecue with Michelin-starred polish and undeniable energy. Their dry-aged steaks are cooked to perfection tableside, paired with an incredible assortment of housemade kimchis and banchan that elevate every bite. The vibe is sexy, the crowd is stylish, and the service manages to be both fun and flawlessly precise. If you want a dinner that feels like an event without ever feeling forced, COTE delivers every time.
MOVE & SWEAT
Creative Movement Method
Sunset Harbour
Creative Movement is a Miami staple for a reason. These classes are part yoga, part dance, and entirely about coming home to your body through movement. Expect fluid sequences that blend somatic work, stretching, intuitive flow, and rhythm-based movement that feels more like expression than exercise. Founder Ashli Katz infuses every session with energy, depth, and a genuine magic that makes you feel lighter, stronger, and completely recharged.
Gotham Gym Miami
Sunset Harbour
Gotham Gym brings New York grit to Miami with a workout that’s equal parts boxing, strength training, and mental focus. Expect fast-paced rounds that keep your heart racing and your brain firing, thanks to constantly changing combos and footwork drills. It is perfect for when you want a serious sweat session and a hit of adrenaline all at once. Bonus: their chic vibe makes sweating feel like an art form.
Dorian @ Tremble
Midtown
Tremble takes traditional Pilates and cranks it up to an athletic, high-intensity level, and Dorian is one of the best to experience it with. His classes blend dynamic reformer Pilates, strength, and cardio bursts, designed to fully fatigue your muscles in the best way possible. It’s one of the only Pilates classes where you will fully break a sweat mid-session and actually feel it days later. Dorian’s energy, charisma, and precision make every session addictive.
Raw Fit 305
Edgewater
RAW FIT is not for the soft. This personal training bootcamp delivers military-style intensity with a nonstop focus on perfect form. You rotate between machines every interval while coaches watch every move and loudly call out mistakes to sharpen your technique. It is about precision, grit, and real strength, not speed or ego. If you are ready to be pushed to your limits, this is where it happens.
Wynwood Yoga
Wynwood
Wynwood Yoga is a sanctuary for anyone who needs to sweat, breathe, and shed some weight, both emotionally and physically. Classes focus on powerful, breath-driven flows that combine strength, mobility, and deep stretching to leave you feeling lighter and stronger. The vibe is zen yet powerful, and the detox you feel walking out is undeniable. Perfect for when you want to move energy out of your body and start fresh.
Anatomy
Multiple Locations
Anatomy is the gym membership to have in Miami. With locations in Sunset Harbour, Coconut Grove, and beyond, it is where the cool kids lift, recover, and network all under one very sleek roof. The vibe is polished but intense, with top-tier equipment, expert trainers, and a recovery lounge that feels more spa than locker room. Whether you are hitting the weights or just showing up for the smoothie bar and scene, Anatomy earns its place as a Miami fitness staple.
GLOW & RENEW
Centner Wellness
Multiple Locations
Centner Wellness is a haven for the wellness-obsessed, offering some of the most advanced biohacking and longevity technology in the world. From functional medicine to sound healing, red light therapy, hyperbaric chambers, and colon hydrotherapy, their expert team covers it all. You could easily spend an entire day here exploring the treatments and still not experience everything. It is a sanctuary for anyone serious about optimizing their body, mind, and energy on every level.
Azala Skincare
Coconut Grove
Azala is where serious skin science meets seriously good vibes. Founder Paula is the kind of expert who instantly earns your trust. She is warm, meticulous, and wildly knowledgeable. Whether you are coming in for injectables, lasers, facials, or body-sculpting treatments like Emsculpt and Emsella, the experience is fully personalized and results-driven. Everything feels elevated but approachable, like beauty designed just for you. No fluff, no filters, just the real glow.
Lash Society Miami
Little Havana
Lash Society is Miami’s ultimate spot for flawless, natural-looking lash extensions. Founder Melina is the original lash queen, setting the standard for beautiful, wearable lashes that enhance your features without overwhelming them. I personally love Ashley for the most natural, effortless look, and they even offer sensitive-skin adhesives for anyone prone to irritation. Once you experience their artistry, it is impossible to go anywhere else.
Sana Skin Studio
Multiple Locations
Sana Skin Studio feels like a breath of fresh air for your skin and your spirit. Their facials are deeply supportive, barrier-repair focused, and use some of the most thoughtfully curated clean beauty products on the market. Every session feels like a full sensory reset in a space that is minimal, bright, and deeply zen. Olga is a fan favorite for a reason, but every esthetician here brings serious knowledge and care to the experience.
Root & Bark
Upper Buena Vista
Root & Bark feels like stepping into a friend's beautiful home, only here you leave with the best hair of your life. Focused on using non-toxic, organic haircare and beauty products, every service is as clean as it is luxurious. The space is intimate, calming, and filled with the kind of thoughtful energy that stays with you long after you leave. It is the perfect place for anyone who wants gorgeous, healthy hair without the harsh chemicals or the salon attitude.
Advanced Holistic Center
Multiple Locations
This is not your average acupuncture appointment. Dr. Irina and her team take a deeply intuitive and integrative approach to healing, blending Eastern medicine with restorative energy work. A session might include acupuncture, gua sha, cupping, sound bowls, or guided breathwork, all tailored to what your body and nervous system need most. You leave feeling clearer, more grounded, and often shifted in ways you didn’t expect. It is one of those rare places where science, energy, and intention come together beautifully.
See and Explore
Stop by a Museum
Allapattah and Miami Beach
Take a break from the sun and stop by a museum for a dose of art and inspiration. The Rubell Museum is bold and ever-evolving, with one of the largest private contemporary collections in the world. The Bass is smaller and more refined, blending modern works with its iconic Art Deco architecture just steps from the beach. Both offer a moment of calm and creativity in the middle of the Miami buzz.
Play Some Padel
Various Locations
Padel is having a major moment in Miami, and the city has quickly become the sport’s unofficial US capital. Clubs like Reserve Padel, Ultra Padel, and Wynwood Padel offer clinics, casual matches, and plenty of post-game hangouts. It is fast, social, and surprisingly addictive. Whether you are brand new or already hooked, padel is the new Miami must-do.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Coconut Grove
Vizcaya is a waterfront mansion frozen in time, part European villa and part tropical daydream. A guided tour gives you a deeper look into the estate’s opulent past, from coral stone courtyards to frescoed ceilings and secret garden paths. On Sundays, stop by for yoga in the gardens and a charming farmers market filled with local treats. It is romantic, cinematic, and a true escape from the ordinary.
Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market
Coconut Grove
Spend a slow Saturday morning wandering the Coconut Grove Farmers Market. With fresh organic produce, tropical fruits, cold-pressed juices, and plant-based food trucks, it is a wellness lover’s dream. The crowd is cool but chill, the vibe is grounded, and everything tastes like it was made with care. Bring a tote and a little extra time because you will want to stay.
Wynwood Walls
Wynwood
Wynwood Walls is Miami’s iconic outdoor art museum and the heartbeat of the city’s creative scene. It is a maze of bold, ever-changing murals by some of the world’s most renowned street artists, all splashed across warehouse walls and alleyways. Every turn offers something new to see, feel, or photograph. It is raw, energetic, and completely unforgettable.
Adrienne Arsht Center
Downtown Miami
The Adrienne Arsht Center is Miami’s cultural mainstage and the go-to spot for Broadway hits, operas, ballets, symphonies, and live concerts. One week it might be Hamilton or Beetlejuice, the next it is Swan Lake or the New World Symphony. The architecture is grand, the programming is world-class, and the energy always feels like an event. If you want a night out that feels a little more elevated and a lot more inspiring, this is where to go.
Shop and Stroll
Miami Design District
Design District
The Design District is Miami’s most curated shopping experience, where art, fashion, and architecture intersect. You will find everything from Chanel and Saint Laurent to Zimmermann, Cult Gaia, and independent designers. It is not just about shopping. It is a full-on aesthetic experience with public art installations, mirrored facades, and stylish cafés sprinkled in between. Even if you are just browsing, it is an inspiring place to spend a few hours.
Bal Harbour Shops
Bal Harbour
Bal Harbour is the definition of quiet luxury. This open-air mall under swaying palms is home to fashion icons like Prada, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, and Neiman Marcus. The atmosphere is serene and sophisticated, and it somehow always feels uncrowded even when it is full. Perfect for when you want to shop somewhere that feels elegant but effortless.
Faena Bazaar
Mid-Beach
Tucked beside the Faena Hotel, this bazaar-style boutique is filled with beautifully curated pieces from emerging designers and luxury brands alike. Think handwoven bags, unique jewelry, and resort wear you will not find anywhere else. The space itself feels more like an art installation than a store, and shopping here is a vibe. It is bold, fun, and very Faena.
The Webster
South Beach
The Webster is fashion-lover heaven, housed inside a pink Art Deco building steps from the beach. Inside, it is a multi-level dream world of luxury fashion, with a carefully curated mix of designers like Loewe, Balenciaga, and Khaite. Everything feels special and intentionally selected. You will walk in for a quick peek and walk out with something unforgettable.
Upper Buena Vista Open Air Boutiques
Upper Buena Vista
Upper Buena Vista is a tiny treehouse-like escape tucked just north of the Design District. Boutiques are built into wooden pods under banyan trees, selling everything from indie fashion to clean beauty and wellness finds. There is live music on weekends, a cacao ceremony tent, and often little surprises tucked between the shops. It is a hidden gem that feels like stepping into another world.
Jessie Boutique
South Beach and Coral Gables
Jessie Boutique is a local favorite for effortlessly cool wardrobe staples. It carries a well-edited mix of cult labels like Agolde, A.L.C., and Cleobella, plus accessories that feel trend-forward but wearable. It is the kind of boutique where everything looks like it was picked just for you. If you are looking for something stylish and Miami-ready, Jessie has you covered.
