Miami

[Kuntmissioner]

My wife and I will be in Miami for a few days. We'll be hitting the Nets- Heat game Saturday night and then staying for a few days.
We have a bunch of plans, but I'd like to see if any of the locals who post here can clue me in to a hidden gem or two. Fuck it, three even.
Food, events we may not know of, your favorite captain, where to surf cast, etc. All ideas are good imo.
Personally, I'm looking forward to discovering cubanos and empanadas of the highest caliber.
Ten years have passed since I've last been in Miami. I used to visit yearly from like 04-09, but I'm sure much has changed.
TIA

[dwai]

[The Boz]

I’m from the other side of the state but go down for a couple games a year. Not sure if you are into craft beer but a lot has changed in the last 10 years on that front. Tripping Animals in Doral brews world class sours and has an incredible BBQ food concept inside. Highly recommend both.

https://www.gorillacitysandwiches.com/

https://www.trippinganimals.com/

Otherwise we usually stay for the game and head to the upper keys for a couple days. It’s about an hour drive from Miami but I’m sure you know about Alabama Jacks in Cardsound. Not much changes there but still great food in a unique setting. Conch fritters are always tasty here.

https://www.floridabeachbar.com/alabama-jacks


In any case, enjoy your trip!

[Cerveza Fria]

I live and work in Miami.

So, for Cuban Cuisine, go to Versailles: https://www.versaillesrestaurant.com It's the best.

For Steak It depends on where you will be staying. If on South Beach - Go to Prime 112 https://mylesrestaurantgroup.com/prime-112/

or if Further North go to Bourbon Steak @ Turnberry Isle Country Club https://www.bourbonsteakmia.com/


If you like the loud night club, there's Club Liv @ the Fountainbleau https://www.livnightclub.com/

If you want different, there's a Vietamese/Cajun fusion place called Phuc Yea....https://www.phucyea.com/

For Great Breakfast 24/7 is the Big Pink on South Beach https://mylesrestaurantgroup.com/big-pink/ (same ownership as Prim 112)

You want Empanadas. That's more of an Argentinian thing - not Cuban.. Go to Las Estancia Argentina https://laestanciaweb.com/

[Crowe Diddly]

I live and work in Miami.

So, for Cuban Cuisine, go to Versailles: https://www.versaillesrestaurant.com It's the best.

For Steak It depends on where you will be staying. If on South Beach - Go to Prime 112 https://mylesrestaurantgroup.com/prime-112/

or if Further North go to Bourbon Steak @ Turnberry Isle Country Club https://www.bourbonsteakmia.com/


If you like the loud night club, there's Club Liv @ the Fountainbleau https://www.livnightclub.com/

If you want different, there's a Vietamese/Cajun fusion place called Phuc Yea....https://www.phucyea.com/

For Great Breakfast 24/7 is the Big Pink on South Beach https://mylesrestaurantgroup.com/big-pink/ (same ownership as Prim 112)

You want Empanadas. That's more of an Argentinian thing - not Cuban.. Go to Las Estancia Argentina https://laestanciaweb.com/

Excellent post.

If I may crystallize it further, what does my bro need to have before he leaves? Where's the best cafecito? What can he have in Miami, dirt cheap or quite expensive, that he can't have elsewhere? What would YOU have if you were in south beach for the weekend?

[Kuntmissioner]

I’m from the other side of the state but go down for a couple games a year. Not sure if you are into craft beer but a lot has changed in the last 10 years on that front. Tripping Animals in Doral brews world class sours and has an incredible BBQ food concept inside. Highly recommend both.

https://www.gorillacitysandwiches.com/

https://www.trippinganimals.com/

Otherwise we usually stay for the game and head to the upper keys for a couple days. It’s about an hour drive from Miami but I’m sure you know about Alabama Jacks in Cardsound. Not much changes there but still great food in a unique setting. Conch fritters are always tasty here.

https://www.floridabeachbar.com/alabama-jacks


In any case, enjoy your trip!

I would consider myself a beer snob, which means I'm usually disappointed when I taste one.
There is zero doubt I'll be checking checking out Tripping Animals. Living in New England can spoil a man when it comes to beer, and I wasn't even going to look for a place like this (I had low hopes) down there. Excellent suggestion, thank you.

[Kuntmissioner]

I live and work in Miami.

So, for Cuban Cuisine, go to Versailles: https://www.versaillesrestaurant.com It's the best.

For Steak It depends on where you will be staying. If on South Beach - Go to Prime 112 https://mylesrestaurantgroup.com/prime-112/

or if Further North go to Bourbon Steak @ Turnberry Isle Country Club https://www.bourbonsteakmia.com/


If you like the loud night club, there's Club Liv @ the Fountainbleau https://www.livnightclub.com/

If you want different, there's a Vietamese/Cajun fusion place called Phuc Yea....https://www.phucyea.com/

For Great Breakfast 24/7 is the Big Pink on South Beach https://mylesrestaurantgroup.com/big-pink/ (same ownership as Prim 112)

You want Empanadas. That's more of an Argentinian thing - not Cuban.. Go to Las Estancia Argentina https://laestanciaweb.com/

I'll be staying in South Beach.

This post is exactly what I was looking for, thank you.

[Cerveza Fria]

I live and work in Miami.

So, for Cuban Cuisine, go to Versailles: https://www.versaillesrestaurant.com It's the best.

For Steak It depends on where you will be staying. If on South Beach - Go to Prime 112 https://mylesrestaurantgroup.com/prime-112/

or if Further North go to Bourbon Steak @ Turnberry Isle Country Club https://www.bourbonsteakmia.com/


If you like the loud night club, there's Club Liv @ the Fountainbleau https://www.livnightclub.com/

If you want different, there's a Vietamese/Cajun fusion place called Phuc Yea....https://www.phucyea.com/

For Great Breakfast 24/7 is the Big Pink on South Beach https://mylesrestaurantgroup.com/big-pink/ (same ownership as Prim 112)

You want Empanadas. That's more of an Argentinian thing - not Cuban.. Go to Las Estancia Argentina https://laestanciaweb.com/

I'll be staying in South Beach.

This post is exactly what I was looking for, thank you.

If you're staying on South Beach, then you also might want to go to Joe's Stone Crab. The Stone Crabs (of course) and the Alaskan King Crab are excellent, along with the sides and the Key Lime Pie. A great dining experience all around that I would say is totally Miami. https://www.joesstonecrab.com Don't know why I forgot to mention this originally.

Also on South Beach for Italian there is Carbone (yes the same one in Vegas) https://carbonemiami.com/ Note: Don't get that Branzino (the menu says MP - we didn't ask - it was $135)

Also on South Beach is Prime Italian https://mylesrestaurantgroup.com/prime-italian/ . Across the Street from Prime 112. Same quality steak, so if you want both steak and Italian, this is the place.

BTW, If you're staying south of Fifth Street, you can walk to all of the best restaurants.

Not on South Beach .... For beer...Dogfish Head has a tap room and mini-brewery in Wynwood. https://www.dogfish.com/restaurants/dogfish-miami Hands down, the best beer in Miami area. The food is ok, but the beer's awesome. The 90 minute IPA is always on tap, and if you're lucky you can find the Mas Hops or the 120 minute IPA available on tap as well.

[garrett]

I will tell you all very kindly now. Stay in Mid Beach hang out in South Beach. It's referred to as and yes its right there SOuth Beach essentially lol, priced better thought that is all. Good to know South Beach is for Tourists, and over priced. Smart people stay 'Mid Beach' because there lol, even thought only still walking distance to 'South Beach' you're right there, who cares, and it's priced more 'Mid' Beach than 'South Beach' lol I think one place right next to the Hilton there a friend of mine stays here I will post it below, but its 3 Star not 5 lol. And so if that matters to you this place may not be as fancy as what one would expect. Price Pt wise i think it's fantastic for South Beach couple blocks away is still South Beach to me....

This Place is relatively low great location Uber to Seminole Hard Rock which is how i ended knowing this place but that's pricey or can be, not South Beach priced


Crystal Beach Suites Oceanfront Hotel
3-star hotel
6985 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141•(305) 865-9555

[garrett]

removed

Mid beach is good and not too far from South Beach

[Kuntmissioner]

Thank you garrettt as well, although I obv already have lodging and transpo. I may lift/Uber if necessary.
Staying roughly 5 miles south of where garrett recommended, and very happy with the spot. Prices were inexpensive imo. The cost is sliggtly less to fly and stay in South Beach for 4 days than the cost of a weekend at killington for 2, passes and lodging. Flying American.


If you are in the Miami area this weekend or Monday and see this bike go by its probably attached to myself and my wife.


And we may be on our way to Versailles.

Cannot wait.

Any other last minute ideas are more than welcome.

[Dan Druff]

I'm far from being a Miami local, but there was a period in the 2000s and 2010s where I ended up there a bunch of times, usually on the way elsewhere, and I stayed for a few days each time.

If you haven't taken an airboat tour of the Everglades, I recommend it. This is a good time of year to do it, because there aren't many mosquitoes around. Don't wear any hats or they're gonna fly off.

I would suggest searching out small companies which do this. You get a much more private experience. The one I found last time was a weird operation with no address. They met you in a gas station parking lot, then you followed them to where the boat was waiting. Felt shady at first but it was 100% fine, and they had good reviews as well. Was just my family and a couple on the airboat. The couple on the boat (also tourists) was some guy around 50 with a hot chick who looked about 25, and he was trying hard to show off for her. The dude looked like he had $$$.

Anyway, was fun and we saw tons of gators and other wildlife.

The Anhinga Trail is a short but interesting paved trail to see a ton of wildlife on foot, as well.

[Dan Druff]

This shit is pretty fun, too. You can feel like Sonny Crockett: https://www.thrillermiami.com/

Very touristy, but these things go fast and it's a good way to see the mansions on the little islands off the coast of Miami.

I found some Groupon for it when I did this in 2016 (mind you, I usually despise Groupon), and got it for half off.

[Kuntmissioner]

I'm far from being a Miami local, but there was a period in the 2000s and 2010s where I ended up there a bunch of times, usually on the way elsewhere, and I stayed for a few days each time.

If you haven't taken an airboat tour of the Everglades, I recommend it. This is a good time of year to do it, because there aren't many mosquitoes around. Don't wear any hats or they're gonna fly off.

I would suggest searching out small companies which do this. You get a much more private experience. The one I found last time was a weird operation with no address. They met you in a gas station parking lot, then you followed them to where the boat was waiting. Felt shady at first but it was 100% fine, and they had good reviews as well. Was just my family and a couple on the airboat. The couple on the boat (also tourists) was some guy around 50 with a hot chick who looked about 25, and he was trying hard to show off for her. The dude looked like he had $$$.

Anyway, was fun and we saw tons of gators and other wildlife.

Excellent advice. We have an Everglades experience planned but not booked yet, so this option excites me. I'd love to ride with a local and discover the glades,as God intended. Gonna look deeper into this.

The Anhinga Trail is a short but interesting paved trail to see a ton of wildlife on foot, as well.

I hope you're not setting me up for a revenge fall/injury... that was never my intent in RI.