Jasmyn's Tip

It's generally easy to walk in for happy hour or dinner on a weeknight. Great for small groups, couples, and solo diners, it’s cute, low-key, and the service is always excellent. Go for happy hour Tuesday-Friday before 7 PM or on Tuesdays for their $14 pasta plates (4 oz size). For beverages, order a spritz or indulge in their solid Italian wine selection. Their taleggio arancini and spicy rigatoni are divine, and if it’s not too hot, I recommend sitting outside on their new striped patio furniture for optimal Amalfi Coast vibes.

Jasmyn's Tip

The R&B crooning from the stereo in the back and the dim lighting from the paper lanterns create a chic and zen ambiance that’s warm and welcoming. This place feels like a hug. If you’re alone, definitely sit at the bar, but small groups are best suited for one of their comfortable booths. Visit Water Lion in the early evening for a more elegant and quiet experience to sip rare and obscure grape varietals from wine regions you’ve never heard of; it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Collins Avenue and enjoy a fun and nuanced, personally tailored wine flight. And if wine isn’t your thing, they also serve decent cocktails (get a white negroni!). They serve an assortment of light bites too, but I recommend going before or after dinner. This space is intimate, so go with people you love; I took my mom there when she visited, and she was in heaven! Ask for Filip, Abbe, or Josh. It’s located in a beautiful art deco hotel called the Sagamore, which also serves as a contemporary art gallery, so feel free to wander around the first floor and enjoy the current display. Just check their Instagram ahead of time to make sure the hotel isn’t closed; it’s occasionally bought for days at a time by companies and conventions.

Jasmyn's Tip

I took my best friend’s bachelorette party there, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. You can usually walk-in with no problem on a weekday, but you should make a reservation ahead of time on a weekend just to be safe. Go for happy hour (Monday-Friday, 6-7PM) to enjoy $7 beer and wine and $12 classic cocktails, and ask for the Gen Z cutie pie, JP, if you sit at the bar. Honestly, everything on this menu slays, but I highly recommend the bread with labneh, both empanadas, the tiradito de pulpo, the wagyu cheeseburger, the French fries provençal, the heirloom tomatoes, and the black (squid ink) rice. Their steaks are prepared expertly on the Josper grill too of course.

Jasmyn's Tip

A ocal Peruvian spot in a South Beach strip mall that’s a great place to share large plates with friends or family. Whether you’re new to Peruvian food or a seasoned ceviche expert, 5 Esquinas is the perfect low-key, affordable option for lunch or late-night. The dress code and vibe is super casual, you can wander in whenever and however you feel. Sit in the corner if you want to take in their colorful space or at their bar if you’d prefer more attention. Also a great place to practice your Spanish, the staff are super kind and patient. Try Peruvian classics like leche de tigre ceviche, sushi acevichado, and lomo saltado.

Jasmyn's Tip

Honestly, the food at “Gianni’s” pales in comparison to the glamour of the structure itself; it’s why I encourage visitors to consider the price of a meal like a museum admission fee. At nighttime during dinner, strategic lighting illuminates the infamous mosaic pool, but I think this property shines bright like a diamond in the daytime for lunch. You’re not going to eat anything mind-blowing here, but for the reasonable (for South Beach) price of $38/person, one can enjoy a three-course lunch and take all of the Instagram-worthy content your heart desires. Perfect for a date, bachelor/ette party, or birthday celebration that feels very Miami. Not ideal for young kids or vegan diets. And if you’ve got extra money to blow, you can even spend a night in one of the gauche suites that looks like it was decorated by someone from the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Jasmyn's Tip

During the low season (summer), there’s usually space for walk-ins, but I suggest making a reservation or calling ahead of time to be safe. Their coffee and teas are top-notch, but their bright green frozen limonata is my favorite treat on a hot day (if you dine-in, you can spike this with prosecco!). Their sweets are phenomenal if you like babka, and definitely order an assortment of mezze spreads and dips, lox, and Jerusalem bagels if you’re looking for something shareable at brunch. On weekends, they get very busy, but it’s worth braving the crowd as they make fluffy, delicious savory bourekas (the spinach and Bulgarian feta is a must order). Ask to sit it inside if it’s a particularly sweltering day, but the vibe of the floral patio under the umbrellas is hard to beat. If you’re unable to dine-in, I suggest politely asking the host if you can order some pastries and non-alcoholic drinks to go and enjoying them in South Pointe Park a few blocks south.

Jasmyn's Tip

This hotel itself is gorgeous and worth a little tour before heading upstairs to the roof. It’s usually okay to walk in and hang out by the bar for drinks, but if you want to order food and be comfortably seated, it’s best to make a reservation ahead of time. Order a bottle of sake, a brightly colored tropical cocktail, (or a round of mocktails), and some sushi; the crunchy spicy tuna roll, the king salmon truffle roll, and the miso grouper are delicious. Ideal for a romantic sunset date on a weeknight or a lively night out with a group on a weekend. For a relaxed summer evening with friends or a date, visit the rooftop on a Wednesday for their champagne and oysters special. Go on a Saturday night for a posh, poolside club vibe, complete with a deejay and bottle service. Rates at this hotel start at $900/night in the off-season, so definitely dress to impress and keep your eyes peeled—the eavesdropping and rich people watching is next level.

Jasmyn's Tip

À La Folie: First, take a leisurely stroll down Española Way from Washington Avenue to soak in the feels and energy of one of the most romantic streets in South Beach. Once you reach the west end of this pedestrian-only street, you’ve arrived to the less touristy, more local section of this restaurant-packed area, and À La Folie is one of those places. The eclectic, mismatched furniture and French wall art create a cozy, casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere in this café, and in typical European fashion, the service is very hands-off. It’s leisurely and relaxed, so be ready to order when you do have their attention. Order a glass (or a bottle!) of rosé and chat the night away with friends or family, either on their cute sidewalk patio or in their back area, aptly named la derrière. It’s also a great place to enjoy solo; bring a book, get some work done, or people watch, whatever your Francophile heart desires. Their croissants and quiches are delightful, their savory and sweet crêpes are tasty, and every so often, they serve a mind-blowing, homemade violet ice cream that is unlike anything I’ve ever had. Regarding crêpes, I recommend ordering l’impériale (duck confit and truffle mushroom) and le brettone (salted caramel and calvados apples) for their undeniable richness.

Jasmyn's Tip

I rarely leave the beach, but when I do, it’s to visit the best and only Mexican-owned mezcaleria and agave spirit bar in Miami. If you want a quiet, more intimate and chill vibe and Miss Agave’s full, undivided attention, go on a weeknight evening or right when they open (5 PM). There’s indoor and outdoor seating depending on your preference, and well-behaved dogs are more than welcome to join their owners in either setting—Miss Agave LOVES them. Another benefit of going early is that you’ll be able to take advantage of their incredible happy hour food, cocktail, and mocktail specials like $10 margaritas, $8 shots, and $6 classic quesadillas and chips and guacamole, available Tuesday-Saturday from 5-8 PM. Their Mexican food is excellent; I love the black beans, and my friends love the burritos. Several vegan options too! On weekends, there’s usually a DJ, and a small crowd, so the vibes are lively and energetic. There’s lots of drinks and dancing in an intimate space, and the crowd is often mixed in age. Plus, their kitchen doesn’t close until 1 AM, so it’s a great spot for quality late night tacos (personally, I love their lamb barbacoa and the villamelon).

Jasmyn's Tip

Miami Mojito Company: There’s nothing more Miami than a mojito, and this outdoor cocktail bar and patio with plant daddy vibes is an excellent place to try them. Situated across the street from Wynwood Walls, this tiki hut plays fun beats and offers a variety of flavors including kiwi, passionfruit, tamarind, and blackberry. In a world of extracts and flavorings, I appreciate this bar because the bartenders use real mint and muddled fruit, high-quality rum (ask for an extra shot if you like it strong!), and pressed sugar cane juice called guarapa (ask for an extra shot if you like it sweet!). They’ve grown over the years into a large space and serve margaritas and mules now, so it’s suitable for big groups and perfect for midday or afterwork drinks with friends and coworkers.