The 12 Best Things to Do in Miami’s Wynwood Neighborhood
Just north of downtown Miami lies Wynwood Art District. Once known as the gritty gallery district, it's gone through the changes many artsy neighborhoods in big cities have seen. And now it's decidedly the city’s most exciting stretch, with bustling restaurants and a diverse shopping scene all welcoming to a diverse set of people—hipsters, artists, and families alike. In the span of four blocks you can see murals by famous street artists, eat some of Miami's best food, and browse its funkiest of boutiques. Here are our picks for the best things to do in Wynwood, whether you're seeking fancy popsicles, locally sourced fashion, a spa, or Miami's most inventive restaurants.
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How we choose the best things to do in Wynwood
Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
Claudia Totir/GettyrestaurantYann Couvreur Café
$This jewel-box cafe located on Wynwood's busiest avenue serves as the first United States outpost of accomplished pastry chef Yann Couvrer. The renowned dessert maestro, famous in his native France for his whimsical “fox” packaging, branches out of his usual sweets category to include a robust menu of savory bistro dishes here, nevertheless it's the glass-enclosed pastry case which houses all manner of exquisite confections that immediately catch the eye in the cozy cafe. Yann Couvrer is known for coaxing flavors and flakiness from dough and sweets using only seasonal ingredients and zero food coloring or preservatives so pastries are the star of the show with flaky croissants leading the way to richer selections like the phyllo-crusted flan, the chocolate lava cake and wonderfully-balanced fruity confections like the coconut lime tart and the strawberry shortcake.
Chase DanielsrestaurantUchi
$$The Miami outpost of the famed Austin-based sushi restaurant is awash in pale woods and beige tones mixed with custom artwork that reflects the artsy neighborhood of Wynwood. The front entry features a custom wall of concrete blocks seemingly held in place by interwoven cotton rope and created by local artist Vas Bets while a hand-drawn chalk mural depicting jellyfish above the sushi counter to custom woven lighting fixtures that seem to float above the tables add an ethereal glow. This is where you'll come for sublime nigiri and sashimi. The omakase should probably be experienced at least once, but since it's always changing it can be your standing reservation whenever you're needing a stellar sushi fix. It's got a relaxed and laid-back feel such that it works for a catch-up date with friends (albeit friends who are into the finest cuts of amberjack and toro).
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Anthony Nader/Sparrow ItaliarestaurantSparrow Italia
$$$A gargantuan restaurant by Wynwood standards, the cavernous 230-seat dining room (located on the ground floor of the Moxy hotel) nevertheless manages to be both showstopping and intimate with curved booths clad in blue velvet lining the walls while a series of grand suspended wood arches frame the space, giving it the feeling of being in the confines of a swanky oceanliner. Sparrow is a modern Italian steakhouse so expect big, hearty dishes that are ideal for sharing with a group. Pricey ingredients like shaved truffles, wagyu beef and caviar are abundant here—so those on a budget should order wisely in order to avoid sticker shock when the check comes. The extensive menu starts off with lighter dishes like the wagyu carpaccio with pickled mushrooms and shaved black truffles and the hamachi with Amalfi lemon and Sicilian chili. This is dinner and a show, which is high value if you want a clamorous night out.
Valentina Quijada/Sana Skin StudiospaSana Skin Studio
Sana is where chic Miamians go for clean beauty facials. The first location opened here in Wynwood in 2020 and has since gone on to open more locations in Coconut Grove and Fort Lauderdale. Owned by Miami entrepreneur Valentina Hernandez-Botero, the place is reasonably-priced, comfortably designed and features practical membership packages that are valid at all locations. One of the first things guests see when they walk in is a sign that explains Sana's mission: "Redefining the skincare experience through goal-driven facials, real guidance, and clean skincare." You'll find cosmetics and skincare products that are free of harmful chemicals and are safe for the environment—plus fashion writers, busy professionals, people dealing with acne or skin issues, and anyone just looking for a serene atmosphere in the Wynwood maelstrom. You're in Miami so you'll need sunscreen, and Sana's selection of mineral-based SPF is worth checking out.
Courtesy 1-800-Lucky/Deyson Rodriguezrestaurant1-800-Lucky
$This is a 10,000-square-foot food hall in the style of a hip, Asian market with indoor and outdoor seating and a booming soundtrack of hip hop. There are seven vendors hawking pan-Asian dishes from ramen to Filipino burgers all encircling an open dining room also flanked by two full bars and a karaoke lounge. Asian food lovers will have plenty to choose from at the seven restaurants at the market. There are inventive sushi rolls from B-Side by Itamae and steaming bowls of ramen from Usagi. The California-based Poke OG riffs on the Hawaiian staples with Asian influences, and Gold Marquess is where you'll go for Chinese bao buns, wok dishes, and Peking duck. This place is best reserved for a fun post-gallery hopping dinner or with a group of friend on a lazy Sunday.
GettyactivityWynwood Walls
Known as Miami's most Instagrammed place (and in Miami's coolest neighborhood), this outdoor "gallery" is a cornucopia of artwork by graffiti artists and muralists that's a nice foil to Miami's museums. Folks are here to stroll, peruse the murals and, of course, take photos. The murals are constantly changing and being updated, but closer to the entrance are the iconic works by artist Shepard Fairey (the artist behind the Obama “Hope” poster). It's a relatively small outdoor space so it's easy to navigate, and there are plenty of benches or rocks to sit on and take it all in. The Walls recently instituted a ticket policy whereby Adult admission is $12, students are $5 and children under 12 are free. People with active social media will love the opportunity for some selfies. Lovers of street art who don't 'gram their lives will also find much to inspire them.
Courtesy Cervecería La TropicalactivityCerveceria La Tropical
A massive brewery and tropical garden tucked away on a side street in Wynwood, this sprawling structure is both an industrial brewery capable of producing 800 craft beers and a multi-level restaurant with a spacious outdoor courtyard that hosts live music on the weekends. Everyone from mainstream beer drinkers to craft brew snobs will find something here. Beers are obviously the star of the show, with "La Original" amber lager leading the charge and an expansive menu of craft brews buttressing the menu. The tap room can offer up to 20 types of beer on a given day and growlers (as well as commemorative 6-packs) are available to take home. Miami culinary superstar Chef Cindy Hutson (formerly of Ortanique on the Mile) heads up the kitchen here and brings her flair for Latin-inspired tropical cuisine to a menu of belly-filling brewery staples. Overall, it's a great option for a group dinner or birthday, and since it doesn't get too wild or crazy here, also a great option for families with young kids.
Courtesy KYUrestaurantKYU
$$There’s an arty, cool feel to KYU that strikes you even before you enter (look out for the eye-popping mural outside). Inside, the design is industrial with polished concrete and exposed beams while also feeling intimate with wooden bookcases featuring weathered cookbooks and set to a soundtrack of old-school hip hop and funk. While you’re most likely to hear KYU described as a contemporary Asian restaurant, that feels too simplistic. Yes, the culinary foundation is Asian, but the wood-fired grill opens the restaurant’s world up a bit more. Some of the most popular dishes are the shichimi-rubbed wagyu brisket and Mom's Coconut Cake. Don’t sleep on the duck breast “burnt ends” and Thai coconut cream spinach, which show off the menu's southern influences. Though we’re all for KYU as a date spot thanks to the intimate space, it’s even better with a group—for all the plate-sharing reasons you might imagine.
Courtesy Suite Habana CafebarSuite Habana Cafe
$Suite Habana Cafe is a classy, Cuban-inspired coffee shop with counter seating and a small-but-comfortable lounge area. Devoted coffee lovers and neighborhood digital nomads looking for their morning cafecito fix crowd the tables here. Cuban coffee is the focus. Friendly baristas make everything from cortaditos and coladas to lattes and other espresso drinks. This is a good spot to grab a fast-casual breakfast of homemade croquettes (ask for the ham) and empanadas as well as locally sourced pastries and pastelitos (guava is a must). The cheerful owner is almost always here, and the staff shares her joyful love of Cuban coffee and her welcoming vibe. Stop by for a quick caffeine stop or to catch up with a friend.
Courtesy Coyo TacorestaurantCoyo Taco
$One of the busiest spots in Wynwood, this fast-casual taco joint has been a hit since the day it opened offering Baja-style cantina favorites in a bright and airy setting. It's also got some of the freshest tacos around as a tortillera works on the line at all times, making as many as 1,000 tortillas a day to order. Scruffy Wynwood street artists looking for a quick bite are here, but so are suburban moms who are in the area with their kids. There's a secret tequila bar hidden in the back, but if you stay at the café up front there are Mexican beers. You won't want to miss the fresh and well-executed tacos using humanely-raised meats and seasonal veggies. Coyo is especially known for its excellent duck carnitas and quinoa tacos for the vegetarians. The fresh-made guacamole is also a must-order.
Alexander Spatari/GettyshopGlottman
Glottman happily toggles the line between Miami design boutique and eclectic home accessories store. The colorful retail spot is named for its talented owner—the architect Oscar Glottman—and includes a studio (for design, architecture and lighting design services) and a showroom (for interior architecture and design systems). Despite its pedigree the store is a bright, sun-filled space with friendly staff, a whimsical vibe, and exuberant designs. You're here for the globally-sourced design objects which range from intricate chandeliers and light fixtures to chess sets, fragrances, jewelry, quirky glassware and Taschen coffee table books. There are both large-scale objects like geometric rugs and furniture to smaller, will-fit-in-a-carry-on bag items like collectible dominoes sets and sculptural earrings. Ask the staff to point out the Miami-centric items like prints by local artists and funky t-shirts.
Courtesy Cielito Artisan PopsrestaurantCielito Artisan Pops
$Turquoise-colored walls, a striking art piece of "graffiti pops" made by local artists, and an inviting lounge surrounded by plants give this place a mod-design-y vibe. Sweets lovers and parents with kids along with food bloggers solemnly photographing their hand-dipped pops frequent this summer haunt. Creative frozen pops made from local and seasonal fruits and ingredients lend this made-for-Instagram spot some foodie cred. Tropical fruits play a prominent role with flavors of mango, pineapple-coconut (topped with a tiki umbrella) and kiwi-strawberry. Customers can choose to have their pops coated in white or milk chocolate and then festooned with toppings like edible flowers, shredded coconut and chocolate balls. This place is great for a pit stop on a hot Wynwood walk or for desserts after hitting one of the surrounding restaurants.
This gallery has been updated since its original publish date.
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