A Couple's Guide to South Beach, Miami

Pedal along the Miami Beach Boardwalk for views of the ocean and those iconic, candy-colored lifeguard stands. You can easily grab a bike from one of the many Citi Bike stations scattered throughout South Beach.

Plan on dinner and an evening stroll down one of the most charming pedestrian streets in South Beach, the historic Española Way. You'll be greeted by cobblestone paths and glowing string lights—a setting that somehow feels lively, yet tucked away.

To see South Beach from a completely different perspective, book a guided jet-ski tour with BouYah Watersports. Our guide shared a bit of history behind the stunning estates lining the waterways and showed us a few hidden islands frequented by locals.

Head over to Little Havana for an authentic cafecito and to soak in the colors of Calle Ocho. The area can feel quite touristy on your own. If we did it again, we’d opt for a guided food tour—having a local guide share the neighborhood’s deep history while leading you to authentic, tucked-away spots would be a much better way to experience this historic pocket of Miami.

One of our favorite days was simply spent embracing effortless transitions between the sand and the pool, followed by a quiet, post-dinner beach walk. Be sure to carve out time to relax in the tropical oasis that is South Beach.

Watr at the 1 Rooftop was where we had our first dinner in Miami, and the sunset views set the tone for the whole trip—it was the perfect welcome to South Beach.

Aviv became our serene breakfast spot during our stay. We’d settle into our upholstered booth with coffee, fresh juices, and light Mediterranean plates before heading out for the day.

MILA embodies the classic South Beach night out—an open-air rooftop with a dreamy aesthetic, Japanese-Mediterranean dishes, glowing lanterns, and fire dancers/performers. We made our reservation earlier in the evening to get ahead of the club vibes, and we had a lovely dinner. My husband ordered the branzino here and is still talking about it… and still trying to find one that compares.

Havana 1957 on Lincoln Road was our lunch spot after a morning out on the water, and enjoying our lunch bowls and sweet plantains in the vintage, old Havana-inspired space couldn’t have been a better afternoon reset.

Pane e Vino was a reservation I made with skepticism–it looked too good to be true. I went into it thinking it could either be my favorite dining experience of the whole trip or a disappointing tourist trap. Candlelit tables, warm service, and truly authentic, handmade pastas made it feel like a little pocket of Italy right in South Beach—and yes, this ended up being our favorite.

On Ocean 7 Cafe was our very first stop after dropping our bags at the hotel. Biking down the palm-lined boardwalk for lunch on the covered porch, while doing some classic Ocean Drive people-watching was the perfect intro to Miami.

Versailles Restaurant is located in Little Havana, and it’s the place for classic Cuban dishes and strong cafecito—with a side of history and nostalgia.