Miami - The Gables

Miami the Way the Locals Know It 

My go-to spots, honest takes, and everything worth doing — from someone who considers going to Miami, going home.

Miami is one of those cities that gets misunderstood. People hear Miami and picture Spring Break crowds, bottle service, and bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-95. And sure, that version exists. But that is not the Miami I know. I grew up here from eleven to twenty, and I have been coming back ever since. The city I know has stone-paved streets in Coral Gables, world-class gardens, incredible Cuban food, and a soul that most visitors never get close to. This is that version of Miami.

Where We Stayed: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

When I am in Miami and not looking for beach time, I almost always stay in Coral Gables. The Gables feels like its own world — Mediterranean architecture, beautiful tree-lined streets, boutique shops, and a pace that is completely different from the rest of the city. The Hyatt Regency sits right in the heart of it. If you want to experience Miami without the chao.  I typically stay on points here.  If I am paying for the hotel, I LOVE the Loews Collonade hotel and have always wanted to stay at The Biltmore.

If you want beach time, my go-to hotels on the water are the Loews South Beach and the Fontainebleau. Both are iconic and deliver exactly what you want from a Miami Beach stay. And if Wynwood or the Design District is on your list, the Hyatt Regency Downtown puts you in the perfect spot.  These are all places I have stayed at and would recommend.

Things to Do

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

📍 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129

One of Miami's most spectacular properties and honestly still underappreciated by visitors. The home of James Deering, built in the early 1900s — walking through the hallways and formal rooms feels like stepping into another era entirely. The gardens stretch down to Biscayne Bay and are just as stunning as the interior. If someone visiting Miami asks me what they absolutely cannot miss, Vizcaya is always on that list.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

📍 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33156

World-class and always worth it. Rare palms, butterfly gardens, winding paths that feel miles from the city even though you are right in Coral Gables. Go in the morning before it gets hot and give yourself more time than you think you need.

The Biltmore Miami

📍 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Even if you are not staying here, walk in. The Biltmore is a National Historic Landmark and it is stunning — architecture that feels more like a European palace than a Florida hotel. There is a fabulous lounge downstairs that is perfect for a drink and a moment to take it all in. It is one of the best reminders that Miami has real history and real elegance when you look past the surface.

South Beach

You have to go. It is iconic for a reason — the Art Deco buildings along Ocean Drive, the energy, the water. Spend a few hours, walk the strip, enjoy the beach. Just know that the best food is always a few blocks off the main drag. Venture away from Ocean Drive and you will eat much better for less.

Boat Tour

Get out on the water. The Miami skyline from the bay is completely different from anything you see on land — celebrity mansions, beautiful waterfront properties, and a perspective on the city that most visitors never experience. If you want to understand why people fall in love with Miami, this is it.

Wywood Walls 

📍2516 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127

An outdoor and indoor art display that is worth seeing from artists all over the world.  The whole area has a neat vibe and there is great food there.

Where to Eat and Drink

Sky Coffee Buenos Aires

📍 1825 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Built inside an actual plane. The coffee is genuinely great and the whole experience is just fun .Go for the novelty, stay for the espresso.

Miam Cafe

📍 2300 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Amazing pancakes and french toast, walking distance from the Hyatt Regency or The Colonnade.

Sanguich

📍111 Palermo Avenue #103 Coral Gables, FL

For a good sandwhich in a neat location, try their cuban sandwich and a cortadito. Also walking distance from the hotels in the Gables.

Rosa Sky Rooftop

📍 115 SW 8th St, 22nd Floor, Miami, FL 33130

A Miami rooftop is non-negotiable, and Rosa Sky delivered. Good food, good drinks, great views. The vibe is elevated without being pretentious, which is a balance that can be hard to find in this city. Go for sunset if you can. Note that this is a 21+ venue and reservations are recommended.

Versailles Restaurant

📍 3555 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

A trip to Miami without Cuban food is not a complete trip, and Versailles is where I have been going since I was a kid. It never changes, which is exactly why I love it. It is an institution — on Calle Ocho in the heart of Little Havana. Don't leave without un cafecito from the walk-up window.

La Casita Cuban Cuisine

📍 3805 SW 8th St, Coral Gables, FL 33134

On this trip we also tried La Casita for the first time and it was really good. Honest, homestyle Cuban cooking in a comfortable setting. Worth adding to your list, especially if the line at Versailles has you looking for an alternative.

What to order at either spot: The Palomilla steak with rice, beans, and tostones is a Cuban staple and you cannot go wrong. The Ropa Vieja — slow-cooked shredded beef in a rich tomato sauce — is another must. And whatever you do, end the meal with un cafecito.

The Bottom Line

Miami is not one city — it is many, depending on where you stay and where you spend your time. Base yourself in the Gables, walk through Vizcaya, have coffee in a plane, cruise the bay, and end every night with a cafecito. That is the Miami worth knowing.

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