Over Memorial Day, my husband and I jetted off for 3 days in Miami Beach before heading down to Key West with my family. While I had driven through Miami and stopped for dinner a few years ago, I had never spent any real time in the city.
We set off on Sunday and flew into Fort Lauderdale because Southwest had an awesome deal and flies directly there. From there, we caught a quick Lyft to hotel, The Gates Hotel, in Miami Beach. The Gates Hotel is a Double Tree by Hilton, which was awesome since we used mainly points to book it. The hotel was filled with aerial beach portraits and a retro 50s beach vibe. We were in walking distance to almost everything, which was a huge perk as well.
Since it was Memorial Day weekend, Ocean Drive was shut down to vehicular traffic, which was an amazing experience to get to stroll down the iconic street and not have to worry about any kind of traffic or cars.
As for any vacation we go on, food is one of my top priorities. I love checking out iconic places along with finding hidden gems. The food in Miami Beach did not disappoint! I filled myself with all sorts of cuisines from Cuban to Peruvian. When I am on vacation, I take the 80-20 rule pretty seriously, meaning that I allow myself to indulge in anything I want 20% of the time and I don’t give it a second thought! Taking this approach has truly freed me from feeling like I was missing out in order to keep to my healthy lifestyle.
We didn’t have a car until the last day so everything we did was in walking distance of Miami Beach until we picked up our car and made a quick stop in Little Havana before heading to the Keys. Stay tuned for my Key West recap that will be coming very soon!
3 Days in Miami Beach: What to Do
Beaches
Miami Beach is covered with gorgeous beaches from up towards the Miami Beach Boardwalk to South Beach. Our hotel was near the pier, which made the beach less crowded and perfect for just relaxing and soaking in the rays. Our hotel provided complimentary chairs and towels, which was a big bonus as well.
Walk Around
Okay this might seem boring, but Miami Beach is gorgeous! If you have made the trek to Miami Beach, then checking out South Beach is a must! While the food and drinks are pricey, you are definitely paying for the scene and people watching, which for me made it 100% worth it! You can also walk from the bayside to the Atlantic in less than 20 minutes. Stroll to the Biscayne Bay and take in the downtown Miami skyline before heading down to the tip of Miami Beach for a stunning sunset.
Little Havana
While this isn’t technically in Miami Beach, it is in Miami. If you are looking for authentic Cuban food and have a car, you have to go to Little Havana. We made a quick stop here, and it was so cool to see a different part of the city.
3 Days in Miami Beach: Where to Eat
Chalan on the Beach: Peruvian
This place was so good. We just stumbled upon it while walking around, and boy was it a gem. While it is kind of unassuming, the food is on point. My husband ordered the Lomo Saltado, which is a beef dish mixed with onions, tomatoes and rice. I had the Chaufa Peruvian Fried Rice with beef, which was out of this world. The portion was huge, and I have never been more sad that I couldn’t finish a meal or take it home. Every bite was packed with flavor!
Havana 1957: Cuban
This restaurant has a couple locations around Miami, but we ate at the one on Ocean Drive in the Breakwater Hotel. We sat in the upper patio, and enjoyed the breeze from the fans, while still taking in all the atmosphere of South Beach while sipping on our mojitos. We started with the empanadas de tasajo (beef empanadas), which were flaky and flavorful and the perfect start to the meal. For the main meal, we split the Palomilla a la Plancha, which was a thin grilled steak served with rice and mojo yucca. Every bite had so much flavor and made me seriously fall more in love with Cuban fare. Maybe someday I will actually make it to Cuba.
Smith & Wollensky: Steakhouse
While this may be a chain, it was still worth a visit because of the views. We struggled to find restaurants on the water because most are in hotels. Located at the tip of South Beach, this steakhouse offered views of the Atlantic and bay for a stunning sunset. We were seated right by the water, which offered unobstructed views and an intimate setting for our final meal in Miami Beach. I started with the strawberry sipper, which was a little sweet and refreshing. For dinner, my husband and I split the gorgonzola crusted filet paired with the crispy Yukon and garlic butter potatoes and roasted asparagus. Everything was so good!
Versailles Bakery: Cuban Cafe
A must-stop if visiting Miami. About a 25-minute drive from Miami Beach, we stopped at Versalle Bakery on our way to the Keys, and it was worth the detour. Walking into this little joint, I was greeted by a group of local firefighters who welcomed me in and proclaimed this as the best coffee in Miami. Woah were they right. So this isn’t your typical coffee. This coffee is STRONG! A tiny cup of Cuban coffee kept me buzzed all day long. I paired that with a tortilla espanola aka a Spanish potato omelet and a bite of my husband’s guava pastry, which was one of the best pastries I’ve had in my life.
3 Days in Miami Beach: Where to Drink
Watr at the 1 Rooftop
If you are looking for a view of the ocean, then look no further! Right across the street from our hotel was a super high-end hotel that allowed non-guests to enjoy their stunning rooftop after 6pm.
Cleo
This place was so cute! We stopped here the first night for a couple of drinks and dessert after dinner. I had the Vinebury and Janapolitain. Both were filled with fresh ingredients like basil, cucumber and strawberry, which made them super refreshing on a warm night.
NaiYaRa
During our stroll to the bay, we stopped at a few stops for happy hour before dinner. NaiYaRa has a $7 until 7 menu, which was an awesome deal. I tried the lemongrass lemonade, which had just the right amount of tart paired with sparkling water.
If you just have a few days in Miami then Miami Beach is the perfect spot to sample a little bit of everything Miami has to offer. I can’t wait to go back and explore more parts of the city, maybe even go to Dolphin’s game!
[…] husband and I shared a checked back because we were gone for two weeks soo….) My first post about Miami Beach is already up, and I am working on my Key West guide right […]