Hidden Miami: How to Visit Like a Local

Location: 1503 SW 8th St.

Miami is one hot city, figuratively and literally. To cool off, head to Azucar. Perched on the historic Calle Ocho, the artisanal and inventive Cuban ice cream parlor churns out never before seen or heard of flavors that are so Miami. Think sweet plantain, bourbon heath bar, cuatro leches, Key lime pie, and their flagship Abuela Maria—a mélange of Maria cookies with cream cheese and guava. Calories don’t count when ice cream is this good.

Location: 1513 SW 8th St.

A visit to Miami isn’t complete without some Cuban jazz and a pastelito-infused daiquiri from Ball & Chain. A living piece of Miami history, the saloon first opened its doors in 1935 and was a regular hangout for the likes of Billie Holiday and Count Basie before shuddering in 1957. But now it’s back, and you’ll want to be part of the continuing saga.

Location: 1103 Biscayne Blvd.

What was once a desolate green patch of land, known as Bicentennial Park, is now a 30-acre urban playground with striking views of Biscayne Bay and the completely sustainable Perez Art Museum Miami. Dubbed PAMM by locals, the state of the art facility was designed by renowned architects Herzog and Meuron and features contemporary art from the 20th and 21st century. Pro tip: Grab lunch at Verde, where executive chef Katylin Brakerfield uses the current exhibit to create a special menu.

Location: 804 Ponce De Leon Blvd.

Since opening as a pop-up in 2012, locals haven’t been able to get enough of chef, owner, and Chopped winner Giorgio Rapicavoli’s wakin-n-bacon brunch, which includes staples like Cap’n Crunch pancakes with condensed milk syrup, chicken and foie gras waffles with bacon and maple hot ranch, and carbonara eggs Benedict. So much so that after its planned six-month run, Eating House became a permanent staple on the Miami dining scene, and while its existence isn’t exactly a secret, Miamians certainly wish that it was so that there wouldn’t be a line out the door every night.

Location: 5721 W Flagler St.

You didn’t think you’d come to Miami and not have Cuban food, did you? That would be plain unacceptable, as would not paying a visit to El Palacio de Los Jugos. Be prepared to learn some Spanish (it’s the language of choice here) to place your order. Words like batido (milkshake), lechon (pork), and chicharron (pork rind) are amongst the most important, and are the one’s you’ll want to nosh on.

Location: 11 Washington Ave.

Joe’s Stone Crab is a Miami institution. Besides discovering the succulent crustacean species, the family-owned eatery is celebrating its 102nd stone crab season this year. Celebrities and snowbirds flock to the South of Fifth eatery for the six months of the year when Joe’s is open for a feast that starts with claws, proceeds with fried chicken, and finishes with Florida’s quintessential dessert (the best in town), Key lime pie. Locals know better than to wait an hour (Joe’s doesn’t take reservations) for the tablecloth affair though, which is why they get their fix at the neighboring takeaway. With the beach just a block away, it’s the perfect grab-and-go meal.

Location: 36000 Shark Valley Loop Road

Contrary to the name, you won’t find sharks in this National Everglades Park. You will, however, ride bikes alongside alligators on 15 miles of paved road and take in breathtaking views of the ecological surroundings and wildlife from the observation tower. If you’re feeling adventurous, hop aboard a kayak and paddle through the mangrove forest and open waters of the Florida Bay on one of the daylong trails.

Location: 120 NW 24th St.

Beer geek and Miami native Johnathan Wakefield is a Star Wars fanatic, which is why he’s named all of his tanks after planets from George Lucas’ timeless film, and also why the taproom at this hyper-local brewery is awash with a mural of Yoda drinking beer. But it’s his forward thinking, like throwing guava, mango, and dragon fruit into the fermentation process to create unique sour brews, rather than his devotion to sci-fi, that has earned him a cult following. Drink up and Star Wars on.

Location: 820 Alton Road

If it’s Italian you want, it’s Italian you shall get. Prior to opening Macchialina, owner and chef Michael Pirolo honed his skills under the tutelage of celebrity chef and Chopped judge Scott Conant as chef de cuisine of Scarpetta. In other words, he can make a mean bowl of pasta. Taste it for yourself with the rabbit and sausage pappardelle doused in fonduta, or the beet-filled mezzaluna with hazelnuts and brown butter ricotta salata. If your plans keep you in Miami through the weekend, be sure to hit up their Red Sauce Sundays. There’s no better way to end the week.

Location: 170 NE 38th St.

If you’re looking for some live tunes, head to The Stage. The chilled-out live music joint in the heart of the Design District has an ever-rotating selection of local and national talent, from Bones Thugs-N-Harmony to Miami-based reggae bands.

Location: 222 14th St.

Word about Deuce got out when Anthony Bourdain paid Miami’s oldest dive bar a visit on No Reservations, and then again when he proclaimed it to be one of his favorite watering holes in the world. Still, the level of cool is at a peak in the smoke-filled, cash-only local haunt that has 2-4-1 happy hour every day starting at 8:00 a.m. Because Miami.

Location: 134 NE 2nd Ave.

Downtown Miami isn’t exactly a dining destination, but it’s where you’ll want to venture to for the best Spanish food in the city. A literal hole in the wall, NIU Kitchen is usually packed with Spaniards speaking their native tongue and swooning over the cold tomato soup (not to be confused with gazpacho) that’s dolloped with a scoop of mustard ice cream and manchego pesto. There are absolutely no frills about this place. From the reclaimed wood paneling to the lack of a fryer and miniscule kitchen space, NIU Kitchen turns the little they have into something magical.

Location: 1601 Collins Ave.

To rub shoulders with bartenders and industry folks, escape to Rum Line, where one of the city’s top barkeeps, Rob Ferrara, is shaking and stirring things up. The alfresco Caribbean-inspired bungalow is just feet away from the hustle and bustle of South Beach, but is a world all its own—one filled with tiki drinks, flaming scorpion bowls, java cocktails from local roaster Panther Coffee, and, of course, rum (over 125 types). It also serves up bar bites in the form of crispy oysters, jerk chicken lollipops, and baby back ribs with guava BBQ. Where else are you possibly going to get guava BBQ ribs?