I’m a Capricorn from Wisconsin, which suggests my birthday arrives on the coldest, darkest time of the yr — when folks keep shut to residence, not linger over dinner or celebrate something in any respect. So this time round, after a hellish yr for myself, and admittedly, your complete nation, I made a decision Vitamin D was a requirement: I wanted to go someplace heat.
Miami, the place a good friend of mine is predicated, appeared like the apparent alternative.
The metropolis delivered on spectacle. I celebrated my birthday at a gold-flecked restaurant the place bananas had been fried and layered with horseradish cream, topped with a great deal of caviar, and served alongside plantain waffles — an indulgence that (regardless of not being my cup of tea) actually was celebratory in each method.
I’d handed by means of the Miami space earlier than — briefly, on the best way to or from cruises — having fun with the meals and heat with out ever settling in. This time, I had an entire week to spend with two of my favourite people. We stayed in Miami Beach however ventured into the town and the higher Miami space. Miami is bursting with issues to do, from nature escapades to lazy days spent poolside, with a variety of eating places providing indulgence after indulgence to spendthrift patrons, plus a few of the finest customer support you’ll expertise.
There had been oceanfront balconies, infinite rain, and spectacular adventures with my spouse and our good friend, which can present lasting reminiscences. Even when the climate didn’t cooperate, Miami did.
What follows is a information to the place we stayed, ate and wandered — and why Miami, even when it rains, is a spot that knows how to celebrate.
Where to keep
Maison Felix – Tucked into quieter North Beach, this lately opened 29-room boutique lodge appears like a personal oasis. Lush timber, flowering crops, and shaded courtyards body the two-story property, whose centerpiece is a glowing walk-in pool with direct entry from lower-floor rooms and balconies overlooking the courtyard.
Our mattress was snug, lavatory spacious, with double sinks and a rainshower, and the room spacious. Interiors are moody but playful: turquoise accents, burnt-orange partitions, and curated furnishings and artwork. The seashore is just some blocks away, and the lodge can organize umbrellas and chairs if you happen to favor a day within the solar.
(Maison Felix ) Pool at Maison Felix
Loews Miami Beach – At the guts of bustling South Beach, Loews lately accomplished a significant renovation, redesigning its 790 rooms throughout two towers and introducing new eating ideas. Our rooms had been outfitted in calm, ethereal colours, with an excellent snug mattress and a singular standout: an oceanfront balcony that feels safe even if you happen to’re afraid of heights like I’m, providing expansive views of the pool and Atlantic past.
Rao’s Miami Beach is essentially the most well-known on-site choice — reserve early if you need a desk — however The Sushi Bar, Bistro Collins, and Preston’s Market for breakfast spherical out the eating choices.
For some much-needed downtime with pals, ebook an adults-only SOAK cabana: a personal air-conditioned indoor house with your individual private lavatory and bathe, a semi-private scorching tub, rooftop solar lounge, and on-demand drinks delivered straight to you. We liked the entire coconut, spiked with rum, and the gorgeous burger we shortly demolished.
(Loews) Balcony room Loews Miami Beach
Le Particulier Miami – This newly opened Mid-Beach gem embraces Art Deco whimsy with pastel pinks and purples, brass accents and flamingo-covered wallpaper. Rooms are modest however snug, providing a quiet base for days spent on the water or wandering the town. The lodge is still ironing out minor kinks—sticky door codes, a slippery entrance within the rain, an unfinished on-site restaurant—however its location and attentive service make it a sensible, trendy and reasonably priced different to the flashier choices.
Where to eat
Barra Vieja – Barra Vieja is a coastal Mexican restaurant within the coronary heart of Doral, simply exterior of Miami. A seafood-forward menu is served in a gorgeous eating room that continues the coastal theme, with blue partitions, light-colored wooden and an ethereal ambiance. The drinks are glorious, whether or not you go for a frozen margarita with a Tajin rim in an assortment of flavors or any of the opposite fruit-forward choices on the menu.
It’s a superb restaurant to get pleasure from with pals, permitting you to pattern extra of the in depth menu. We particularly loved the chunky guacamole served with crispy pork stomach, the yellowfin tuna tostados served with a pepita salsa matcha, and the butterflied bronzino served with a tomato avocado salsa and house-made tortillas. Though the meal took some time, the service was glorious — and the wait was spent totally having fun with the little bit of heat we may and fantastic firm.
Ikigai Sushi Bar -Ikigai Sushi Bar sits on a small, man-made island simply off downtown Miami. No boat required — only a quick stroll or journey throughout a bridge, and also you’re there. The restaurant is the most recent from Grupo Ikigai, which operates 12 eating places in Mexico City and is led by chef and associate Ignacio Carmona, who educated in Japan.
Inside, the eating room is gentle, trendy, and ethereal—a straightforward place to settle in and feast. The nigiri is the place Ikigai actually shines, however begin with the freshly grated wasabi, particularly if you happen to’ve by no means tried it earlier than. It’s magical. Splurge on the ikura, marinated and served in half a lemon, which you squeeze into the roe for a shiny, decadent chunk. Other standouts included flamed A5 wagyu topped with foie gras and melt-in-your-mouth hamachi in yuzu and soy, completed with serrano and a dollop of sriracha.
Skip the maki and hand rolls and choose as a substitute for the combined tempura, that includes shrimp (no heads), fish and peppers. The batter is delightfully ethereal, all the pieces completely cooked, and a scrumptious addition to the meal.
(Jodyann Morgan) Mixed tempura at Ikigai Sushi Bar
La Cañita Beach – Right throughout from the seashore with a stunning out of doors seating space, the vibe and repair at La Cañita Beach are immaculate. It’s open for lunch, which we loved, however I do want we had gone for dinner, when dwell music fills the restaurant. The menu takes inspiration from the Caribbean and South America, however actually leans into the Cuban delicacies for which Miami is understood.
We particularly loved the empanadas criollas, beef with olives and raisins and deboned whole-fried yellowtail, served with Haitian pikliz, a pickled vegetable condiment, and Guasacaca, a Venezuelan avocado salsa. We sat exterior underneath a roof, having fun with the climate whereas being protected against the rain that adopted us all through our journey.
(Jodyann Morgan) Fried yellow tail at La Cañita
Uchiko Miami Beach – There’s nothing conventional about Uchiko Miami Beach. The Japanese-inspired restaurant affords an in depth sushi menu and rather more, all set inside a placing house with ample seating, a green-tiled bar, layered textures, an open-concept kitchen, and loads of greenery and heat wooden.
Nigiri arrives already dressed, accompanied by particular directions on how to get pleasure from it, and the fish really melts in your mouth. The choice is spectacular, too, together with Tasmanian trout—one thing I haven’t seen elsewhere. The maki rolls are flavorful, the crudo shiny and refreshing, and there are many vegetable-forward dishes as effectively, like tempura eggplant and kombu carrots.
Don’t skip the hearth-charred steaks, even when the parts lean smaller. We liked the coulotte, served with roasted kale purée and bok choy, which felt positively decadent. Dessert hardly ever steals my coronary heart, however the brûléed banana sundae—made with coconut banana sorbet and crisp plantain chips—was unimaginable, and the right method to finish the meal.
ORO – I celebrated my birthday at ORO, the place the expertise—notably the service—was as memorable because the setting itself. The restaurant is unapologetically gilded, from the partitions to the Japanese kintsugi–impressed plates, which reference the custom of repairing damaged pottery with gold. There’s a rooftop terrace, in addition to a sprawling second-floor eating room, the place we soaked up one of many uncommon heat, dry evenings we had in Miami.
ORO delights in doing issues a little bit in another way. Its bananas-and-caviar service is a living proof: fried bananas layered with horseradish cream and topped with two ounces of ossetra caviar, served alongside plantain waffles and a fermented banana-peel butter. It was theatrical and surprising—extra profitable for some on the desk than others—however undeniably memorable.
The remainder of the meal leaned indulgent and playful. Birria gyoza arrived swimming in bone marrow consommé, delivering a concentrated hit of richness. Ora King salmon crudo was wearing passionfruit aguachile with Tabasco oil, whereas a uni carbonara used creamy sea urchin rather than guanciale, completed with smoked trout roe.
We ended the evening with ORO’s dessert omakase, a sweeping sampling from the restaurant’s in depth pastry menu, full with a candle. Desserts, sauces, fruit, and ice cream arrived organized on a customized gold tray—equal elements presentation and practicality, holding every part neatly in place.
(Jodyann Morgan) Caviar service at ORO
Apocalypse BBQ – What started as a aspect hustle at the beginning of the pandemic, Apocalypse BBQ brings Caribbean and South American flavors to the world of barbecue. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, and the web will warn you that weekend seating is sort of unimaginable. But at midday on a Wednesday, tables had been open and diners had been ushered proper in.
The menu feels comfortingly acquainted—smoked brisket, wings, pulled pork, sausage, and all the edges you’d anticipate—but it surely’s the sauces that basically ship the flavors Apocalypse is celebrating. We all liked the pork ribs, rubbed with cafecito, smoked to perfection, and completed with a sticky oro negro barbecue sauce. And I don’t often like ribs.
Cornbread arrives formed just like the restaurant’s cranium brand, studded with entire corn kernels and drizzled with honey (a step I’d personally skip). I’m a mac-and-cheese loyalist, and Apocalypse’s model—loaded with scallions and bacon bits—didn’t disappoint.
(Jodyann Morgan) BBQ Tray at Apocalypse BBQ
STK Steakhouse – STK Steakhouse is a dimly lit, high-glam house wearing cherry blossoms and a black-and-white palette, anchored by white leather-based spherical cubicles. Located contained in the 1 Hotel on South Beach, it’s a preferred vacation spot serving a traditional steakhouse menu. While starters embrace salads, a uncooked bar, and extra, it was the crab cake that really delighted me—and it was glorious.
Steaks are the centerpiece right here, organized by dimension on the menu, with Australian and Japanese wagyu additionally on provide. We went with a ribeye, paired with macaroni and cheese, Brussels sprouts, and one other standout: creamy mashed potatoes.
What actually set STK aside, although, was the service. We laughed, joked, and genuinely loved ourselves, however in a method that elevated the expertise moderately than distracting from it. Dessert was the Cloud, a cotton candy-based deal with arriving with a flambéed, Instagram-worthy presentation—and it was simply as tasty because it was shareable.
What to do
Unrivaled – Unrivaled in a comparatively new ladies’s basketball league in its second season, based within the Miami Metro space. All video games are performed on the newly minted “Sephora Arena” in a three-by-three configuration, leading to high-energy, fast-paced video games. If you like ladies’s sports activities, basketball — or can by no means get by means of a extra conventional basketball recreation — you want to get tickets if you happen to’re within the space. Frankly, I’ve by no means been a lot into basketball, however this was a blast.
Boat Charter – When in Miami, getting on the water is just a non-negotiable. And if you happen to’re touring with pals, a personal boat constitution from GetYourGuide is so as (simply pay shut consideration to the additional charges within the itemizing). The 27′ Crownline has sufficient seating for 10 folks, each within the entrance and the again of the boat, together with a couple of seats underneath an awning, good for rain or hiding from the noon solar.
A cooler with ice is supplied, so convey all of the snacks and drinks your coronary heart needs for a couple of hours on the water. Now, it was pouring rain once we went out, however that didn’t cease us, and we had a hell of a time. We had been decided to make it to Raccoon Island, and alongside the best way noticed dolphins, iguanas, carnivorous birds and extra, each coming and going.
Angel Nail Salon – A spa day is all the time a great day, particularly whenever you’re spending time with pals—and it doesn’t have to break the financial institution. Angel Nail Salon, simply 10 minutes from Apocalypse BBQ, affords hair and nail providers at an incredible worth level, making it a super cease for manicures, pedicures, or perhaps a blowout earlier than an evening out.
I hardly ever straighten my mop of thick, curly hair, and after I do, it’s not all the time an incredible expertise. That wasn’t the case right here. My hair was washed, blown out, and flat-ironed—and it lasted greater than 5 days. My spouse and good friend each obtained manicures and left with completely polished nails. The pedicure was positive, although it was the one service I wasn’t utterly thrilled with—however at such an inexpensive worth level, there wasn’t a lot to complain about. Bonus: they provide a powerful nail polish choice that’s straightforward to browse on-line, so you may select your precise shade earlier than you even arrive.
J’Adore Miami Beach – J’Adore serves dinner, however that’s not the place the restaurant really shines. It’s the music, the curated productions, the cocktails, and the standout service that make J’Adore a can’t-miss South Beach vacation spot.
From Thursday by means of Sunday, J’Adore hosts themed, cabaret-style performances staged proper on the bar on the middle of the eating room. Each evening brings a unique vibe — Thursdays characteristic burlesque, Fridays rework into Havana Night with Latin music and dance, and the themes proceed all through the weekend. Sip on a cocktail, get pleasure from a chunk (the superbly seared scallops are a standout), and settle in as performers sing, twirl, and shimmy simply inches out of your seat.
The showmanship, glamour, costumes, and dwell vocals are genuinely breathtaking, and earlier than lengthy, you might end up invited to be a part of the enjoyable on the dance ground. Before you allow, don’t overlook to search for — the ceiling is a masterpiece in its personal proper.
(Jodyann Morgan) Scallops at J’Adore Miami Beach
Everglades Airboat Ride – The Everglades are simply 45 minutes from Miami Beach and completely definitely worth the journey. On a earlier go to, we booked seats on a public airboat and had a blast—however noticed zero alligators, a lot to our disappointment. This time, we went with a personal airboat by means of Viator, and wow—the expertise was unimaginable. We noticed 4 alligators and a flurry of birds, together with Great Blue Herons, Sandhill Cranes, and even Purple Gallinules. It was breezy, enjoyable, and the right method to spend a morning immersed in nature.
(Jodyann Morgan) On the airboat after our tour
Flamingo Gardens – If you don’t get an opportunity to see flamingos within the wild (and even if you happen to do), Flamingo Gardens is a should. This 60-acre wildlife sanctuary and botanical backyard is gorgeous to wander, and you could possibly simply spend a full day exploring. If time is tight, take the free narrated tram journey and stroll by means of the 25,000-square-foot open-air aviary, residence to over 250 injured birds—together with pelicans—that may’t be returned to the wild. Flamingo Gardens is simply 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale Airport, making it a superb pit cease earlier than heading residence.
