Formerly an industrial district, Wynwood, Miami today is known for its colorful murals by street artists that cover its buildings, as well as its entertainment, retail, and restaurants. It’s safe to say it’s one of the coolest neighborhoods in America. Here’s how we’d spend a weekend.
Friday
3 PM: Check in at Arlo, Wynwood. You may know Arlo from its New York City locations. It’s the perfect homebase for exploring Wynwood, right in the heart of the neighborhood. In-room amenities include Nespresso coffee machine, blackout shades, under-bed storage, bath products by Pharmacopia, and more. The hotel offers common spaces, rooftop pool and bar, a yoga deck, fitness center, and complimentary bicycles.
Through its Arlo’s Cares initiative, the hotel partners with non-profit organizations in each of its communities. In Miami the Arlo team partners with Miami Rescue Mission, which helps women, men, and children with meals, safe shelter, and provides residential programs, employment, and housing, and CARE Elementary, a free private school in Overtown, serving at-risk children.
5 PM: At Arlo you’ll find MaryGold, a restaurant where you can “savor approachable fare with imaginative twists.” Happy hour from 5 to 6 PM boasts $12 cocktails like the Garden Spritz made with Hendricks, sage, grapefruit, and bubbles, or the Miami Boulevardier with Monkey Shoulder, Coconut Campari, and roasted pineapple sweet vermouth. There are bites to share like $1 oysters or the crudo for $11.
9 PM: Dinner at Hiden, a Michelin-starred Japanese fine dining restaurant and a collaboration between restaurateurs Aram Baloyan and Julian Hakim. The omakase experience offers an eight- to 10-course chef’s choice menu by Chef Okano. It all happens at an eight-seat counter hiding behind a taco stand.
11 PM: Drinks at Dante’s HiFi. It’s Miami’s first vinyl listening bar, dedicated to analog audiophile music culture.
Saturday
10 AM: It’s time for breakfast and coffee. Panther Coffee, founded by Leticia and Joel Pollock, offers small-batch coffee beans and coffee beverages prepared to perfection. Now boasting six locations in the Miami area, Wynwood was its first, opening in 2010. At Zak the Baker, an independent artisan Kosher bakery established in 2012, you can grab a viennoiserie pastry — breakfast pastries made in the style of Vienna, Austria — and enjoy the mouthwatering breads, cakes, and cookies.
11 AM: The Nader Art Museum is a dynamic cultural center that presents exhibitions, films, and music. The Nader Family Collection is one of the most comprehensive in showcasing the works of major Latin American artists.
1 PM: We’re off to lunch at Smorgasburg Miami, an outpost of the famous New York open-air food market, to eat from dozens of local vendors.
3 PM: Shopping in Wynwood. Nomad Tribe Shop supports sustainable brands — it’s committed to conscious clothing for a more sustainable future. Frangipani is one of the original tenants in the neighborhood. The independently owned boutique and concept store offers unique products sourced from across the globe. Find handmade, sustainable, and artistic items.
4 PM: After shopping, treat yourself to an ice cream from Dasher & Crank, a craft ice cream shop in the heart of Wynwood. It’s all artisan flavors and made from scratch using premium ingredients sourced locally.
9 PM: Dinner at 1-800-Lucky. This sprawling Asian food hall offers both indoor and outdoor seating. There are vendors offering a variety of Asian cuisines. You’ll find rolls, ice cream, poke dishes, ramen, sandos, and so much more.
11 PM: “Come for the food, stay for the karaoke” is the motto at 1-800-Lucky. The karaoke here has been voted best in Miami. You can also catch a live band or DJ performing.
Sunday
11 AM: Brunch at Maim Cafe. At Maim, meaning “yum” in French, you’ll find it’s all about simple, fresh, and natural dishes that are made from organic and locally sourced ingredients — from the French toast to the eggs Benedict. There’s also a boutique to shop specialty grocery products.
12 PM: After brunch, pop into the Oliver Cole gallery, which highlights the modern and contemporary art or emerging, mid-career, and established artists.
2 PM: Let’s take a tour of the galleries, exhibitions, and solo shows within Wynwood Walls. The space offers a massive collection of large-scale, cutting-edge street art in an urban setting. Curated by Goldman Global Arts, artists like Faile, Peter Tunney, Swoon, and Shepard Fairey are just a few to have decorated the walls of this iconic two-acre, outdoor museum.
4 PM: Back at Arlo, Higher Ground is a go-to bar for cocktails. Filled with lush foliage on the third floor courtyard, also try the stone oven pizzas or handhelds like the garden burger.
8 PM: Dinner at Joey’s, a modern Italian cafe and a pioneer in the Wynwood dining scene, is unassuming in the best way. It was opened in 2008 by Joey Goldman. Don’t miss the specialty pizzas and Italian staples and snag a spot in the outdoor garden terrace for al fresco dining at its finest.
