Weekend Getaway: Miami, FL

I don’t know about you but a warm weather weekend getaway sounds really good right about now. Apparently the cold temperatures aren’t warming up any time soon even though spring officially starts next week. We spent a long weekend in Miami, FL last month and it was a great spot for a mini vacation. We’ve been to Miami a few times now so I’m updating this post with my most recent recommendations for Miami and Miami Beach. Scroll down for my Miami weekend getaway guide with where to stay, drink, eat and fun things to do!

Miami Weekend Getaway

Where to Stay:

We recently stayed at the Esme Hotel in Miami Beach. The best parts about this new hotel is the location, rooftop pool and restaurants on site (scroll down for info on the restaurants). This hotel is also a close walk to the beach and shopping.

Cory and I stopped in The Betsy Hotel in South Beach because I’ve heard great things about the hotel. We grabbed a drink in the lobby and then sat outside on the front porch. I really loved how quiet this hotel was and the interior design was stunning. We’ve made a note to stay here the next time we visit Miami.

Enjoy a Drink:

The 1 Hotel South Beach has a fabulous rooftop bar Watr. If you’re not staying at the hotel you’ll need a reservation for a table, but you can also sit at the bar (first come first serve). We enjoy stopping here for an after dinner cocktail or afternoon snack. The food, drinks and view of the water is great. Just a note, that they typically have a DJ so it can be a little loud at times.

The Roof at the Esme Hotel is great for relaxing with a book or working on your laptop during the day. Cory and I would come up here in the morning to relax, and come back in the afternoon for a cocktail. The space is perfect to enjoy on a warm sunny day.

If you love a good selection of cocktail options check out Sweet Liberty. They have so many fun cocktails and a lively bar that’s great for happy hour.

Cory and I loved the Champagne Bar at The Surf Club Miami Beach in the Four Seasons Hotel Surfside. You can sit indoors or outdoors and the drink menu was really fun.

For a fun ambiance and really good cocktails don’t miss MILA. Cory LOVED his cocktail here and the patio is amazing to enjoy the nice weather. FYI they have a very strict dress code so be sure to read the guidelines before going here.

Best Places to Eat:

We loved the Rusty Pelican for lunch, but this is also a great spot to just grab a drink and take in the view. While we were enjoying a glass of wine dolphins were swimming past us, and the outdoor patio is really good for soaking up the weather.

Craving sushi? Check out Pubbelly Sushi while you’re in Miami. We’ve visited a couple of their locations in Miami and it’s a great option for lunch or dinner.

Make a reservation for Mandolin Aegean Bistro if you’re headed to Miami. Cory and I dined here for lunch and it was incredible. The food, atmosphere and service were next level. Make sure you have a reservation for lunch or dinner because this restaurant is very popular.

We were in Miami for Valentine’s Day and celebrated with dinner at Cecconi’s. They serve Italian food in a picturesque setting and we both absolutely loved our fresh pasta dishes.

If you’re looking for a great lunch spot look no further than Coyo Taco. I couldn’t stop talking about the grilled cactus tacos and their chips and guacamole were delicious. Be prepared to stand in line, but trust me it’s worth it.

For brunch you’ll love Yardbird featuring classic southern dishes with a twist. The blackberry bourbon lemonade is a must. I would suggest making a reservation as this restaurant is very popular.

Shopping at the Bal Harbor Shops and need some lunch? We grabbed lunch at Le Zoo and had a great meal. They have an expansive menu with something for everyone.

When you’re in Miami Joe’s Stone Crab is a must visit. This restaurant has been around since 1913 (no joke) and serves the best stone crabs in Miami. Make a reservation in advance as this place can be very busy.

If you’re craving pasta check out Macchialina for dinner in Miami. We sat outdoors for dinner and loved the homemade pasta dishes.

Cory and I did dinner at Byblos on our last night in Miami. The atmosphere at this restaurant is amazing and the food was really good. This is a great restaurant to dine with friends and order multiple dishes that you can share.

Tropezon in the Esme Hotel has fabulous tapas and drinks. I would suggest coming here before dinner and sharing a few tapas with a glass of wine or cocktail.

The Drexel is also located in the Esme Hotel and they have great pizza, pasta and entrees. Cory and I shared the spaghetti and whole sea bream and it was AMAZING.

For lunch don’t miss out on La Sandwicherie. The sandwiches here are perfect for bringing to the beach (a couple of blocks away) or enjoying at their bar stand.

Things To Do in Miami:

Are you a member at Meijer Gardens? You can use your membership at the Miami Botanical Garden! This is a great spot to check out for your Miami weekend getaway.

If you go to Miami you have to go to the Wynwood Arts District. We actually came here twice during our weekend getaway because we loved it so much. The entire area has amazing art and a cool vibe with shops and restaurants.

Exploring the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens was a highlight of our trip to Miami. The gardens are absolutely gorgeous and the museum was interesting to walk through. You’ll think you took a trip to Europe instead of Miami when walking around the gardens.