Local Hype: Miami
Welcome to Local Hype, a travel diary where we compile a curated list of our "Hometown Heroes" for you to enjoy. Featuring the buzziest hotels, restaurants and local treasures that we've experienced for ourselves suggested by the city's locals.
Our first stop? Miami.
There's a reason why Miami always hits. The sun-soaked city has it all; never-ending beach views, incredible food and rich culture.
Read on for our top picks.
Hotels
The W Hotel is a personal favorite, the luxurious location along Miami's art deco Collins Avenue offers an idyllic stay. Starting with the space, the rooms are all so spacious, (which coming from New York is very refreshing) and regardless of which side of the hotel you find yourself, you get an ocean view. Each room features beach house-style millwork, natural oaks, airy and plush neutral textures. The muted color palette is highlighted with accents of soft corals and teals creating a home-like ambience while achieving the elevation you seek on vacation. Additionally, the amenities are spot on. Everything is truly picture perfect and surrounded by museum-quality modern art with over 20 original Andy Warhol art pieces, three of which are collaborations between Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. A true humble brag! Lastly, the spa is perfect, given its high quality and the convenience factor it has surprisingly reasonable prices and an incredible space you can enjoy as long as you'd like before or after your service.
@hypebae Episode 1: The Local Hype. You can catch us at the W Miami, this hotel is a hidden gem.?? #TheW #thewhotel #wmiami #miamibeach #hotelreview ♬ original sound - Des☆
The newly renovated oceanfront hotel was completely updated this past November, showcasing a design-centric haven inspired by fashion and local culture. The property was purchased, designed and decorated in the '90s by Renzo Rosso, the founder of Diesel. The hotel brings so much life to the already iconic strip that is Miami's Ocean Drive. Each room is inspired by a variety of movie sets and one-of-a-kind features. If you're a design lover like us, the mix of vintage pieces sourced from all over the world from the '30s to the '90s will have you in awe.
The Pelican is located walking distance from South Beach's best beaches, nightlife, shopping and fine dining as well as their own in-house restaurant Pelican Café.
@hypebae Episode 5: The Local Hype. The Pelican hotel is a one-of-a-kind experience. 10/10 we recommend. #hotel #miami #artbasel #pelicanhotel ♬ 3005 - user06337193408
Located in the heart of Miami, Española Way, this retro-glam hotel was originally constructed in 1927 as a bohemian artist's colony known as the "Spanish Village." The hotel now houses a 145 rooms, each with their own personal touch. Our room consisted of stunning vintage mahogany pieces, beautiful red and pink tones, gold accents and most importantly: a perfect view of the busy city.
The exterior of each building within the Esmé Hotel is connected by Spanish-style paseos with countless sunny nooks and charming courtyards that make the historic property feel even more dreamy. A perfect modern interpretation of classic design elements, walking through gives you the feeling of Puerto Rico's Old San Juan.
Our stay at the Esmé was nothing short of perfect from start to finish and honestly, the staff alone would be a good enough reason to always come back because their attention to detail and lightness was so refreshing. The pool is intimate and as stunning as the rest of the property.
The Drexel, Esmé's coastal Mediterranean restaurant boasts an offering of vibrant dishes with flavors simmering off of their charcoal grill and wood oven. Our favorite dish was the "Flatiron Chicken".
@hypebae Episode 4: The Local Hype. It's all in the details. ✨ Check out the Esmé Miami Beach Hotel if you're in the city. ? #esme #esmehotel #localhype #hypebae #esmemiami ♬ original sound - ᴡɪꜰᴇᴏꜰᴛᴊᴍ
Restaurants
Also located at the Esmé Hotel is speakeasy-style restaurant Sushi Bar Miami Beach.
The 17 course experience started with the most delicious Yuzu drink while waiting to be seated. Then, the host welcomed us into a private room with 12 seats, labeled with each guest's name. Placed right in front of the chef, I heard all about the restaurant and each bite. By the 12th bite I was completely full, I made it to the 15th bite and had to tap out for the last two in order to make it to the desert. The Tartare and Hokkaido Scallop with white truffle salt and shaved black truffle was a fan favorite.
This entire experience transported us to a traditional Japanese sushi bar but with an elevated and sexy allure, quickly becoming a wholesome and intimate experience with the chefs and guests. It's the perfect experience for the foodies and the bougie girls out there.
Sushi Bar has locations in Austin, Texas as well as Montecito, California.
First off, this was easily the best meal we've had. The global restaurant recently celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Zuma Miami with a complete revamp of its first entrance into the U.S. and it did not disappoint. The experience was incredible from the second we walked in, from the decor being carefully arranged with Miami in mind, to each dish being more delicious and special than the one before. The crudo and wagyu truffle bites will live in our mind rent-free for years to come. The service was incredible, the staff were so passionate about the dishes being served and experiencing it with them made the meal even more magical.
@hypebae Episode 6: The Local Hype. @Zuma Miami was 10/10 ? #zuma #zumamiami #miamieats #travel #restaurant ♬ original sound - bow!!!
Located in the historic 96-year-old Miami Woman's Club lays the ultimate land and sea culinary experience, Klaw. The restaurant's location gives New York Public Library meets Miami and is almost as perfect as their crudo.
Known for their king crab from Norway's Barents Sea as well as an exclusive global beef program that included the certified USDA Black Angus Nebraskan beef, they absolutely delivered just that. Normally we wouldn't go for the crab when there's steak on the menu but our incredible waiter urged us to try and informed us that the king crab retains its maximum freshness and taste right until it's served.
Much like Zuma, the team at Klaw was so passionate about the menu and full of knowledge about the venue's history. The restaurant's local and national farmers and suppliers follow sustainable practices for raising cattle. It's incredible to know the amount of intention and care given by the Klaw team to deliver dish after dish with excellence and purpose.
@hypebae Episode 3: The Local Hype. Klaw is the experience you need. ? Save this for your next trip to Miami. ? #klawmiami #surfandturf #klaw #restaurantlife ♬ original sound - HYPEBAE
One Michelin-starred Le Jardinier, of the Bastion Collection, is an approachable yet, refined French-American restaurant known for its local ingredients and impressive cocktail program that pairs well with the seasonal menu. Culinary Director Alain Verzeroli and Head Bartender Ruben Rolon, the recipient of 2022 Florida Michelin Guide's Exceptional Cocktails Award, introduce a food and cocktail overhaul to whisk you away to the French Riviera. Le Jardinier's modern, light-filled space and lush outdoor dining area evoke a tropical garden vibe within Miami Design District.
@hypebae Episode 2: The Local Hype. Le Jardinier Miami?#lejardinier #lejardiniermiami #miamieats #restaurant ♬ original sound - HYPEBAE
Shops
One of the best shops to visit when you're in Miami is Lower East Coast. A multi-brand concept shop in Little River that opened in 2017 with a goal to create experiential spaces that serve their community. The shop hosts workshops, hangs and activations with brands like Kids of Immigrants all year round, while carrying brands such as Marni, Stray Rats, and Happy99. If you follow them on social media or browse their site you will notice stunning content often produced by Giovanni Mourin, who shot our most recent Baewatch feature on Tokischa.
You're no stranger to Ganni, but Ganni's Miami Design District location needs its own introduction. The local team does a phenomenal job of making the brand as Miami as possible, meaning it's all about community. Ganni is the only B Corp certified women's contemporary ready-to-wear brand in the Design District and considering how many fashion and designer brands there are in the area it's quite the impressive feat. Not only that, but the one-to-one styling experience provided by their team was unmatched. If you're like us, and find it very overwhelming to shop at designer stores who rarely have your size or women who look like you working at their stores, that won't be the case at Ganni. Although its in-store extended sizing is minimal, they make sure you leave and are able to purchase the correct sizes and made it a point to assure us that they are working on carrying more sizes. Lastly, every year during Miami Art Basel, Ganni hosts shopping experiences and collaborates with local artists to create installations for its store. This past December, Jimena Montemayor created secondhand custom pillows and showcased her art in their store. 10/10 would recommend.
Located in Downtown Miami, Andrew is a full-service skate shop and apparel brand founded in 2017. The brand quickly became a staple and hub for the city's unique skate scene as well as a safe space for the creatives that make up Miami's youth community, consistently shedding a light on the city's rich cultural history and unique visual language. Outside of its own apparel, the store carries brands such as Alltimers, Butter Goods and Dime.
Located in Allapattah, Cardinal is the local go-to film lab and camera shop. The shop was founded at the end of 2020 by photographer and artist, Rich Ramos and photographer and videographer Alan Alarcon. Ramos and Alarcon saw a need to create affordable and efficient same-day film development for their community and they did just that. The shop is now unmatched and a go-to for local creatives and even acts as a creative space and studio most days to help further equip local photographers.
