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[title]People around the world are very passionate about their neighborhoods. We know this first-hand as more than 27,000 of you voted for your city’s coolest neighborhoods in this year’s City Index survey. In Miami, a surprising number of folks proclaimed Brickell as Miami’s top place to live and hang out—making it one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world.
Based on these results, we’re highlighting three more exciting parts of the city that everyone should explore. These places have grown tremendously over the past year, be it in terms of food and drink, nightlife or population. Now, let’s get out there!
Coconut Grove
Miami’s oldest neighborhood is going through yet another renaissance. It’s been a hippie haunt, a nightlife destination, a college hangout and now Coconut Grove is edging toward a new, more commercial identity. A completely overhauled Cocowalk reopened earlier this year, bringing with it a wave of big-chain retail, glitzy restaurants and office space. But there are still pockets brimming with laid-back charm like the weekly Saturday farmers’ market on Grand Avenue, the Barnacle Historic State Park with its off-beat programming and Kennedy Park, where you can still get a frozen lemonade on a hot day from the same truck that’s been slinging them for more than 40 years.
If you do only one thing: Chug’s re-emerged in a remodeled space with an expanded menu of reimagined diner classics. Chef Michael Beltran puts a Cuban-American twist on dishes like the wedge salad, rice and beans, mac and cheese and more—and everything is delicious.
South Beach
Depending on who you ask, the pandemic was the best thing to happen to South Beach or the worst. If you fall into the latter camp, you’re probably sick of the tourists and the traffic—and lest you forget spring break, the curfews and controversy that exploded in the neighborhood. For everyone else, 2021 was a glow-up year for South Beach, which welcomed Carbone, several new Groot Hospitality restaurants—including Winker's Diner—and a slew of new residents courtesy of New York City’s mass exodus. Oh, and Joe’s Stone Crab finally accepted reservations—though that miracle was somewhat short-lived.
If you do only one thing: We’d be remiss not to suggest a visit to our very own, editorially curated Time Out Market Miami. It’s an easy stop for great food, affordable drinks and cheap parking. Yes, we have a lot just upstairs where you can park for two hours and pay just $6. Which other South Beach restaurant can say the same thing? We’ll wait…
Coral Gables
Coral Gables is a peachy habitat of terracotta roofs, jewel-like colors and (mostly) lush vegetation. It’s suburban and picturesque but not necessarily a place you’d consider for a night out—until recently, that is. The neighborhood’s drinking and dining scenes exploded over the last year with exciting new openings, including The Gramercy Miami, Forte by Chef Adrianne and Cebada Rooftop. Suddenly nine-to-fivers had a reason to stick around after work and people from other neighborhoods flocked to the City Beautiful for date nights, girls’ outings and more.
If you only do one thing: Zitz Sum will take you a minute to find and a lifetime to forget. Pablo Zitzmann’s Asian-inspired restaurant started as an Instagram pop-up and now the brick-and-mortar is a bonafide hit. Its menu wows with so much creativity, from the wontons floating in pho broth to the charred veggies to the spectacular fried rice.
