Jules's Tip

The sandwiches here are made with Schiacciata bread, which is beautifully airy with a crisp top layer and slightly thinner than focaccia. The pizza is naturally fermented for 72 hours to create a thick but light crust that delivers rotating fresh, flavorful toppings on a cloud. I would dare compare the bread to bakeries in Europe - not only is the flavor and texture on point, but it satisfies without leaving you feeling bloated and heavy. Most frequently, my motivator for stepping into this cozy cafe (besides the smiles and warmth) is that tangy sourdough cinnamon roll with an espresso con panna. The cinnamon roll is one of my favorites ever - so fluffy and soft, a touch tangy, and covered in a delish icing. It truly tastes like a warm hug. Pro-tip: let them warm it for you and order an espresso con panna (fluffy, homemade Italian cream) to dip it in. There is no wifi here, and I have rarely seen people working inside, so I recommend eating inside at one of the cozy wood tables and just enjoying the brilliance of your pastries or striking up a conversation with a neighbor. Parking can be pretty difficult if you aren’t an early bird, so I would plan to rideshare or find distant street parking and walk a bit. My favorite time to come here is in the late morning after taking a hot yoga class at nearby Agni. They have hot vinyasa, hot 26&2 (Bikram), and pump classes in the mornings that always leave me feeling like a newborn baby (with a massive puddle of sweat on my mat). With showers in the studio, it’s easy to get a beautifully grounding workout and jump directly into your day.

Jules's Tip

What makes the musical experience particularly special here is that it's live-streamed to an online radio station. Regardless of the time of night, this is a great venue to hang out with friends, enjoy an affordable drink, or dance the night away under funky lights and with incredible sounds. I always make at least one friend when I’m here. It is a cozy, but expansive, space where you can find your own nook or get up close to see what the DJ is up to. Unfortunately, parking is very difficult in the area, but valet is offered for only $10. If you’re looking for a spot to eat before going out, my favorite (elevated) Vietnamese restaurant, Phuc Yea, is just a 3-minute drive away. It is exquisitely decorated, with a sexy atmosphere, incredibly fresh ingredients, innovative creations, and exceptional service. If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, Jimmy’s Eastside Diner has excellent breakfast and diner staples in a cozy retro space.

Jules's Tip

Not to exaggerate, but this is the best croissant I’ve had in the city- butter, fluffy, soft golden perfection. You can build your own croissant sandwich here, or the Mr. Croissant (juicy skirt steak, provolone, fried eggs, avocado) and Mrs. Croissant (fried eggs, avocado, tomato, radish, parsley, feta) are incredible options. They offer baguette sandwiches, wraps, salads, juices, and smoothies too. Each ingredient is fresh and flavorful, and the portions are quite substantial while remaining affordable. The coffee here is delicious as well! Park on the street and leave your car for a few hours to visit the Nader Museum (NAMLA), open every day but Sunday. The NAMLA is a Latin American art and cultural hub that features Botero sculptures and paintings and an abundance of preserved Latin art pieces in a beautiful space. While in the area, I also recommend hitting Fireman Derek’s next door to pick up some cookies, cheesecake, and key lime pie (which, delicious but indulgent, will probably take multiple sittings and people to get through).

Jules's Tip

The lighting and seating here are so cozy yet elegant, which makes it a great spot for a date night, though you should definitely book a reservation to secure a spot. Go earlier in the evening for a more intimate, Manhattan lounge vibe. Depending on the artist, it can get busy later in the night on weekends, which means standing (aka dancing) room only. In the cooler months, there are even outdoor parties in the courtyard which attract a large diverse crowd that is down to dance. Parking is generally street parking and availability honestly just depends on the day. If it’s weekends in winter, I prefer to rideshare and wander Wynwood on foot, but parking earlier in the evening, on weekdays, or during the summer is usually doable. If you’re looking for something fun to do beforehand (and some cool photo opportunities), The Balloon Museum is a unique installation that just opened in Mana Wynwood (closes Oct. 6). It is an immersive and interactive 3D exhibit with bubbles, mirrors, crazy lights, and even bounce houses! If you need a bite before or after your listening experience, I would get some authentic and delicious tacos or burritos at The Taco Stand.

Jules's Tip

It is tucked away off the street behind a wall of plants and decorated with funky rugs, terracotta tile, and colorful chairs and umbrellas. With both imported and local artisanal ingredients, the food here (from Bocadoro) hits the spot, though the price point is pretty high. Make sure you go after 11 for their sandwiches- my go-to, the El Padrino sandwich, is served on imported pan de cristal (thin and light) with Spanish jamon, local stracciatella cheese, and homemade basil emulsion. It pairs perfectly with a cappuccino or glass of French wine. There are often local pop-ups on the weekends, and weekly happy hour is tuesday and wednesday nights (6-9) with tapas and deals on beer and wine. One of my favorite things to pair with a trip to Cafe du Bey is a visit to the newly opened Sol yoga studio for an infrared yoga class. The combo sets the tone for a beautiful, relaxed, and productive day.

Jules's Tip

There is usually an equal mix of tourists and locals here, all coming together to dance. The atmosphere is pretty low-key, with less of the glitz and glamor of other beach clubs. The club is separated into some cozier lounge areas with extensive seating, standing room near the bar, and a dance room in the center where the DJ is. The music varies, but it’s always a great, effortless spot to dance with 1 or 4 friends. There is no door cover, and there are plenty of options for snacks, cocktails, wines, and beer.

Jules's Tip

The food here is phenomenal, the service is always great, and the portions are generous- come for their lunch specials to get even more of a deal. The croquetas and empanadas are always necessary appetizers if you’re dining in. The churrasco is enormous (I usually take half home for a second meal) and always perfectly cooked. The vaca frita and lechon are delicious as well. My favorite sides are the rice, black beans, and their delicious maduros. Sometimes, I even go just for maduros. Sit outside and get a pitcher of sangria or mojitos for a beautiful evening vibe, come for the lunch specials with a perfect cafe con leche, or stop by the ventatita for freshly made sandwiches and juices on your way to an amazing beach day on North Beach’s quieter stretches of sand.

Jules's Tip

I enjoy coming here alone to sip on a dirty martini or one of their refreshing, more innovative cocktails while enjoying some good music and vibes. If I’m having a more relaxed evening, my favorite spot to grab a drink or dinner before is Jaguar Sun, about 10 minutes away on foot. The cocktails here never fail - they’re perfectly balanced, and there is always something funky and different on the menu to try. The seafood from the raw bar is so fresh and flavorful, and their delicious pastas are great to share before a night out. If I’m feeling energized or want to hear more music, I typically go to Jolene after Sound Bar. Jolene is another hi-fi sound bar, but it has a bigger, more open club layout. I’ve seen many incredible DJs here - people come here to dance and listen to how beautiful the music sounds from the dance floor.

Jules's Tip

Lung Yai is a modest, hole-in-the-wall Thai spot in Little Havana with reasonable prices and excellent, authentic flavors. It is open for lunch and dinner every day but Mondays, and has very limited seating with a humble outdoor patio, so I recommend going right when they open to avoid a wait. The menu is fairly extensive, but the prices are reasonable, so I recommend sharing a handful of entrees between 2-4 people. The servers are extremely helpful and offer great suggestions- some of the best things I’ve had here are the massaman curry, crab fried rice, crispy duck, khao soi, and pad see ew. Don’t miss out on their sweet and creamy thai tea! There are plenty of vegetarian options as well. Nearby is the classic Domino Park nearby, where you’ll find Little Havana locals playing dominoes and smoking cigars. There is an adorable, tiki-themed bar, Casa Tiki, right across the street which is a great place to lounge and sip on something delicious and refreshing.

Jules's Tip

You can make wishes at the Bodhi Wishtree or simply enjoy a coffee, juice, or meal under its canopy from one of the many vendors in this plaza. There are also artisanal stores, beauty bars, and even a cryotherapy boutique. Open almost all day every day, sometimes I sit on the benches and read or work with a coffee from Fincas or a smoothie from the juice bar. My favorite spot here is El Turco, a delicious quality Turkish restaurant with one of the best, and most shareable, brunches in the city. Here, you have to try their Locksmith Simit (thin sesame bagel) and grilled Sucuk (fermented spicy chorizo), though you can’t go wrong with any of their dishes. Most vendors have indoor seating, but because the most beautiful part of this plaza is outdoors, I recommend going in the morning or evening to avoid peak heat.

Jules's Tip

You will always see a ton of variety in the artists that perform here - I love dancing to some Afro, Cuban, or Latin live performances at their outdoor stage, or grooving to some disco or house DJs in the intimate indoor space. Zey Zey’s feel is like a tropical house party, with an intimate indoor space that creates a dark, funky, club and two huge patios with massive trees and an abundance of available seating. There are also multiple vendors outside serving incredible cocktails and natural wines, tacos, and Latin street food. Because this space is largely outdoors, I would check the weather before going. Though it can get hot in the Summer months, there is usually plenty of shade and the indoor space offers a nice reprieve. There is both street parking here and a lot across the street, so I have never struggled to find parking. This is a great spot to go with a group - the events are very affordable and smoking is allowed outside. Zey Zey is truly a gem that prioritizes culture and community.