In Underrated Miami, we take a look at very cool Miami things that, for some strange reason, we don’t seem to appreciate as much as we should.
We know it can be exhausting to keep up with every up-and-coming neighborhood in Miami. Every month we hear about some new place using a combination of “Little” and “District” that promises to be the savior we’ve all been waiting for—some undiscovered oasis with authentic art galleries, iconoclastic chefs who have reinvented the very notion of the taco and vegan cupcakes with negative 400 calories growing from trees.
We’ll let you in on a little secret: it’s kind of all bullshit. There is no magic neighborhood that’s going to pop up overnight and change Miami forever. The process is slightly more organic and boring than that. But that doesn’t mean the results aren’t still fascinating, delicious and worthy of your time.
Case in point: Buena Vista. This historic Miami neighborhood has been a residential area for much of its history, with some houses built as far back as the ‘20s still standing today. Perhaps you’re not familiar. For a long time, unless you lived there, many folks weren’t. That’s changing, though. Buena Vista is quickly catching up with its sprouting neighbors, the Design District and Little Haiti. Within the last year, some major projects and development moved in.
Perhaps your Instagram feed has already been invaded by the new Upper Buena Vista, a lovely outdoor space home to cute microboutiques, restaurants and outdoor art. Two blocks south of that, the new Italian restaurant Palat is making a splash. And Vista, an Italian restaurant with a rooftop bar, will be opening up on August 8.
But even before these folks moved into town, Buena Vista was a hidden gem thanks to local spots like Lemoni, where the Mediterranean food is always amazing and affordable, with portions that never disappoint. It’s also home to what might be the most underrated weekend brunch in Miami, where you can camp out on the sidewalk with $15 bottomless mimosas and hearty dishes. There’s also the French classic Buena Vista Deli, a neighborhood spot that you’ll fall in love with instantly. And of course, Mandolin, the best Greek restaurant in Miami, needs no introduction. (You should also check out its sister retail store, Mrs. Mandolin, right next door.) Some might tell you it’s in the Design District. It’s not. That’s Buena Vista, pal.
Oh, and there are also a ton of stray cats. They sit under trees and meow at cars. It’s great.
So do yourself a favor next time you’re having a financial panic attack in the Design District: walk a few blocks north for a less polished (and slightly tastier) version of Miami. And be nice to the cats.
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