Guides

Guide: Must-Taste, Must-Do Miami

Daydreaming of a sunny escape? Book it to The Standard Spa, Miami Beach. Whether you spend your days lazing around the pool (or in the hammam) or getting out and about to explore, there's never a dull moment. If you do happen to venture away from our little slice of paradise, we've got some suggestions. From days staring at mesmerizing art to nights on the town, these Miami recommendations come straight from our team on Belle Isle.
SWING & SWAY

There are so many groovy spots to step in and out of all night long, we've rounded up a few of our favorites.

ZeyZey

ZeyZey is a music venue and cultural hub featuring craft cocktails, natural wines and rotating food from local chefs. They are now open for movie nights and open decks on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Ball & Chain 

Ball & Chain opened in 1935 on The Trail, the iconic street in Miami’s rich and vibrant Little Havana neighborhood now famously known as “Calle Ocho.” Over the next two decades, legendary artists of the day graced the stage, including Billie Holiday, Count Basie and Chet Baker. The world-renowned music venue offers a history as colorful and as fascinating as the community that surrounds it. Historically known for its midnight conga line, salsa dancing, live entertainment and signature cocktails including world-famous mojitos, the Calle Ocho Old Fashioned and the Pastelito Daiquiri, Ball & Chain officially reopened in November 2021 with the best music, live entertainment, salsa dancing, authentic Cuban dishes and cocktails in South Florida. 

IYKYK: Ball & Chain offers free weekly salsa and bachata dance classes.

Medium Cool

Medium Cool Cocktail Lounge is a destination to end the day, or extend the night. Where they know you by your face, and call you by your drink. Housed in the former Rec Room space in the basement of the Gale Hotel, it has already proven to be pretty cool. Their menu has something for everyone, incorporating a twist on classic cocktails in their “Sort of Martinis,” “Boozy Stuff” and “Drinks with Bubbles." Looking to start off your weekend with something a little more low key? Check out their Friday Jazz Happy Hour, 6-9PM.

Jolene Sound Room 

With the recent addition to downtown's music scene, we have Jolene Sound Room

It is a one-of-a-kind sound space in the basement of the iconic art deco building. The space, believed to be Al Capone's illegal liquor stock tunnel, is an intimate room inspired by midcentury recording studios & 70's leisure lifestyle celebrating local music culture. 

Over Under 

Over Under is a modern American Cocktail bar and kitchen in the heart of downtown. Here you'll find your everyday craft cocktails, one of the best burgers in Miami ( no joke ), and curated evenings from karaoke,  sounds by local dee-jays. A great vibe to say the least. 

Dante's HiFi 

Dante’s Hifi+ is Miami's first vinyl listening bar and venue dedicated to the analog audiophile music culture in Wynwood. An intimate and soulful space for the discerning music enthusiast, guests can expect authentic, hifi musical experiences from globally recognized artists in a lofi, comfortable setting. 

From Dante’s state-of-the-art sound system, audiophiles will appreciate an extensive library of vinyl records from resident music director Rich Medina’s personal collection. For the musically curious and melomaniacs alike, Dante’s hifi+ brings sincere vibes and a level of sophistication to the music scene in Miami that hasn’t existed before.

Technique Records

To our records lovers, ready for deep digging? Technique Records is your spot with over 1,675 sqft of music heaven right in the heart of Upper Buena Vista. They also house an analog & modular synthesizer haven. 
IMMERSE
Wander Miami's array of art galleries, showrooms and botanical gardens. 
Dale Zine

Dale Zine is an independent printer and publisher in Miami that was established in 2009. It started as a zine collaboration about Garfield and has since become an open cultural space for the Miami community. Visit their new location nestled in the Design District on 50 NE 40th St Miami, FL 33137. 

Dale Zine Shop lore states that John Waters came in once and asked for us (we weren't there) - owners Steve & Lillian.

Bass Museum of Art

Celebrating its 60th anniversary season, The Bass is Miami Beach’s contemporary art museum. Its mission is to create connections between international contemporary art and its diverse audiences, sharing the power of contemporary art through experiences that excite, challenge, and educate. Featuring exhibitions and art projects by mid-career and established contemporary artists, it’s exhibition and education programs encompass a wide range of media and artistic points of view. 

The Bass is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 – 6PM, discounts available for seniors, students, and more. 
The museum is open late every Third Thursday, with free admission from 6 – 9PM, with unique entertainment and art activities for all ages. Check out Family Day the last Sunday of every month, for free admission and art activities for kids and their caretakers. 

After your visit to The Bass, stroll through Collins Park and enjoy Art Outside, our public art exhibition of permanent and temporary artworks. Be sure to take a selfie with Ugo Rondinone’s Miami Mountain, a colorful 42-ft. tall rock sculpture inspired by the stacked â€œhoodoo” rock formations of the North American Badlands. Guests of The Standard enjoy 15% regular priced admission to the museum upon presentation of the hotel room key card  (blackout applies during Miami Art Week).

Fairchild Tropical Garden 

Nestled in the heart of Coral Gables, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an 83-acre oasis dedicated to the preservation and display of tropical plants. Established in 1938 and named in honor of the renowned botanist David Fairchild, this garden is a verdant expanse of rare and exotic flora. Visitors can explore a variety of habitats, including lush rainforests, a sun-drenched butterfly garden, and the world-renowned conservatory. With its extensive collections of palms, cycads, orchids, and bromeliads, Fairchild stands as a testament to the beauty and diversity of tropical plant life. Beyond its role as a botanical paradise, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is at the forefront of conservation and education, offering a plethora of programs, workshops, and events aimed at fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is not only a haven for plant lovers but also a vibrant center for community and scientific engagement. Among its array of special events — including the Chocolate Festival, Orchid Festival, and the NightGarden â€” Fairchild has the revolutionary "Growing Beyond Earth" program. This cutting-edge initiative, in collaboration with NASA, involves local middle and high school students in real research focused on identifying edible plants that can be grown in space to support long-duration missions. This program exemplifies Fairchild's commitment to merging education, conservation, and space exploration. It's a testament to Fairchild's role in shaping the future of botany, making it a unique and must-visit destination for anyone interested in the intersection of horticulture and space exploration.

Éliou 

Founded by creative partners and best friends, Cristy Mantilla and Duda Teixeira, Éliou draws inspiration from an idyllic eternal summer and celebrates the handmade. The former art directors' jewelry, clothing, and special edition collaborations are articulations of where their personal styles overlap and diverge. The vision of Ă©liou is to create handmade, artisanal pieces that tell a story and encourage the wearer to experiment with their own everyday personal style.

Éliou's newly opened showroom is based in Little River, Miami and opened to the public to visit 7 days a week. The intimate space is a reflection of the designers home and positioned in front of their design studio and production office.


KDR

Founded by Katia David Rosenthal, KDR305 opened its doors in 2021. Katia represents over a decade of experience in curatorial practice and advising. The gallery is committed to exhibiting emerging and recognized artists from Miami’s backyard and abroad. 

Initially situated within the historic Little Havana neighborhood, the gallery took residence in a unique 103-year-old house, offering an unconventional setting for exhibitions.Now, KDR has moved to the vibrant Allapattah Neighborhood, marking an exciting new chapter in the gallery's journey.

Nina Johnson Gallery

Founded by Nina Johnson in 2007, the eponymous Nina Johnson gallery is both a pillar of Miami’s contemporary art community and an internationally recognized art space known for its eclectic and intuitive program. The gallery has produced renowned exhibitions by a diverse range of emerging and established artists from around the world, including Judy Chicago, Awol Erizku, Rochelle Feinstein, Derek Fordjour, Emmett Moore, Woody De Othello, and Katie Stout. Nina Johnson is dedicated to the discovery of hidden pockets of talent and divergence in the art world, priding itself on artist-driven relationships that center on authenticity and variety. The gallery is located within its own four building compound in the vibrant Little Haiti neighborhood, featuring a traditional exhibition space in the front and a two-story residence in the backyard designed by renowned architecture firm Charlap Hyman & Herrero.


Rubell Museum 

The Rubell Museum opened in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood in December 2019. Originally launched in 1993 as the Rubell Family Collection, the institution was renamed the Rubell Museum to emphasize its public mission and expand access for audiences. Transformed from six interconnected industrial buildings by Selldorf Architects, the Museum experience unfolds on a single level, with 36 galleries, a flexible performance space, an extensive research library, a bookstore, and an indoor-outdoor residency with the infamous Jon & Vinny's, that opens onto a courtyard garden filled with plants native to South Florida.  

The Rubell Museum’s collection is distinguished by its unprecedented range and depth that has enabled the Museum to organize over 50 exhibitions during the last three decades drawn entirely from its holdings in painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation. These have included such groundbreaking and diverse exhibitions as Richard Prince (2004)Against All Odds: Keith Haring (2005), Red Eye: Los Angeles Artists (2006), 30 Americans (2008), Beg Borrow and Steal (2009), NO MAN’S LAND (2015), Purvis Young (2018), and Yayoi Kusama (2020). Many of these exhibitions have toured to museums internationally and have been accompanied by catalogues.

Yayoi Kusama at the Rubell Museum

The Rubell Museum is home to two Infinity Rooms by Yayoi Kusama, Where the Lights in My Heart Go, 2016 and INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM–LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER, 2017. These celebrated fully immersive works create a kaleidoscopic effect that transports visitors to an alternate, limitless universe, and are the only two Infinity Rooms on view in the Southeastern United States. The Rubell Museum is also  home to Kusama’s mesmerizing, monumental Narcissus Garden,(1966–). Composed of 700 stainless steel spheres, the work flows 200 feet along the museum’s central hall, creating an everchanging river of reflection that beckons and visually teases visitors as they walk through and along it.

The Kampong

The Kampong is a sanctuary for tropical plants and the stories they hold. Situated on the edge of Biscayne Bay, it is home to plant explorers past, present, and future. They care for heritage crops that span time and cultures, and nurture native plants that sustain Florida’s ecosystems while caring for rare species from across the tropics. You enter a place cherished by Indigenous communities, where Micosukee patients once visited Miami’s first female physician. You follow in the footsteps of famed plant explorer David Fairchild, who named this place the Malay word for village. You step into an active botanical research center where scientists from around the world expand our knowledge of plant life. Visit and deepen your relationship with the tropical plants that sustain us. 

Choose your own journey on a self-guided tour of The Kampong and explore lush trails, historical landmarks, and beautiful vistas of Biscayne Bay. Their guided tours will trace the travels of famed plant explorer David Fairchild and share stories of the amazing plants of our garden.


Superblue

Discover a new way to experience art and cutting-edge technology at SuperblueExplore a breathtaking mirrored maze, interact with awe-inspiring digital worlds immersed in seasonal flowers and waterfalls, witness your own heartbeat synchronized with the glow of 3,000 lights, and much more! Audiences of all ages can enjoy their journey through our world-class venue with 50,000 square feet of interactive art experiences. With each installation activated, perceived, and physically felt, you, as a viewer, construct the experience and imbue the works with meaning along the way. In this manner, the art is created by artists and completed by you!



DINE
Staying with us awhile and looking to try something different? Explore some of our other local favorites.
Sunny's Miami
Sunny’s from Jaguar Sun, once a beloved pop-up, has evolved into a full-time dining destination. Known for its steaks, seafood, and expertly curated cocktail program, Sunny's offers a vibrant courtyard setting perfect for a memorable night out. Since reopening just a few months ago, it’s become a must-visit spot for Miami locals and visitors alike. Don’t miss their standout dishes like the Caesar Salad, Agnolotti, and perfectly fluffy Parker House Rolls—highly recommended!
Caracas Bakery
Everything started in 2014 for Caracas Bakery when the owners got obsessed with making sourdough for friends & family before establishing the first bakery in Doral in 2019 and opening their second location in MiMo with a breakfast/lunch-ish menu.

Specialties: making bread— good bread, and viennoiserie treats.


Lucali 
If you're seeking an upscale brick-oven pizza, Lucali is a MUST. Located just across the bridge in Sunset Harbour. Get there early, as this local hot-spot doesn't take reservations. 
TÂM TÂM
Inspired by “quan nhau," Vietnamese for drinking places, Tam Tam has officially moved into its permanent location Downtown Miami so you can get your fix whenever you want. From the moment you walk into its cool diner-inspired space, you'll immediately fall in aesthetic love. Have you ever had fire ant-topped steak tartare? No? Well, you need to immediately. Don't shy away from things you haven't tried yet because once you do, you'll be wondering how you went this long without them.
Bistro 8
Step into a world where Latin flavors meet French finesse at Bistro 8, the latest culinary masterpiece from Shƍwa Hospitality. Just opening in January 2025 in Little Havana, this intimate dining destination redefines simplicity with shareable dishes crafted by the renowned chef Pancho Ibåñez, blending tradition and innovation in an unforgettable experience. 

The former Chef de Cuisine of Pujol in Mexico City, prepares playful yet refined dishes that blend Mexican and French culinary techniques, emphasizing simplicity and quality ingredients.

Lung Yai Thai Tapas 
Come hungry and ready to order, quick! Lung Yai Thai's no-reservation and one-time order policy has your taste buds ready for probably the best Thai street food in Little Havana...maybe all of Miami, but we are biased. 

Pasta
Looking for authentic Italian flavors? Pasta is a must-go. It's your modern Italian-inspired restaurant by Peruvian chefs Juan Manuel Umbert and Janice Buraschi. They specialize in fresh homemade pasta with a creative take on starters and desserts. 

Don't miss out on their Sunday Brunch and Happy Hour offered daily from 5-7 p.m.

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