On the Northwest corner of Miami Beach lies Sunset Harbour, one of my favorite neighborhoods. With independent boutiques and mom and pop restaurants peppered throughout the area, it’s an up-and-coming neighborhood that remains charming thanks restricted zoning for new construction and a relaxed community vibe.
An ideal locale for spending the day shopping or dining at a waterfront cafe, Sunset Harbour is especially great for people living in Venetian and Sunset Islands.
The area has come a long way since its beginnings as a warehouse district and has recently flourished as part of the larger Miami dining scene. Below are some of my favorite places to eat, shop, explore, and relax.
Dine
Photo Courtesy of MVC Magazine, Dr Smood
Finding delicious cuisine on Sunset Harbour is not difficult. What can be more complicated is deciding where you should go first!
If you’re looking to catch up with a friend over a great cup of coffee but don’t want high fat creamers and sugars slowing you down, the Dr Smood coffee shop has you covered. Focused on nutrient-rich ingredients that are certified organic, plant-based, and wildcrafted, Dr Smood ensures you enjoy an excellent cup of coffee that tastes incredible and is great for your health.
If you’d prefer a freshly roasted cup of Joe, the founders of the local coffee company Panther Coffee, Leticia, and Joel Pollock, are waiting for your visit. They use rare 1920’s vintage Probat Perfekt roasters to roast beans selected from specific origins. Each varietal is chosen for taste and individuality, creating a thoughtfully brewed cup of coffee for each and every guest. Below are some of my other favorite dining experiences.
Sushi Garage
A unique dining experience that values design as much as high-quality ingredients, Sushi Garage is a former car body shop transformed by James Beard winner Alejandro Barrios into a chic, comfortable space with a menu built on classic Japanese fare. Organic herbs and ginger growing throughout the restaurant create an ambience that feels at once lively and soothing.
Icebox
A Miami Beach staple for more than 20 years, Icebox is a go-to for comfort food and a cocktail with friends. There’s a reason Oprah’s favorite chocolate cake is here! Grab a cozy booth for brunch with a large group or a seat at the bar to split a piece of Deep Dish Apple Pie with your BFF. The feel-good atmosphere of Icebox makes it a great place to catch up with your favorite people.
Stiltsville Fish Bar
Photo Courtesy of Stiltsville Fish Bar
With its coastal location, excellent seafood is expected in Sunset Harbour. Find Key West-inspired drinks and fresh seafood at the Stiltsville Fish Bar, open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The food is prepared by Executive Chefs Jeff McInnis and his partner Janine Booth. While their work has brought them everywhere from New York to Puerto Rico, they’ve made names for themselves nationwide for their appearances on Bravo’s television cooking competition show “Top Chef.”
The menu includes chilled and raw seafood, a variety of appetizers and large plates, whole fish to share, and impressive wine, beer, and cocktail lists. The Grove Bay Hospitality Group operates the restaurant, which is known for providing the highest quality ingredients, service, and culinary experiences. Though the group only formed in 2010, several quality restaurants are under their watchful eyes, including Root & Bone Miami, the elevated steakhouse Cut + Dry, and Stubborn Seed.
Casa Isola
Photo Courtesy of Casa Isola
If you’ve never visited an Italian osteria, you should make a point to visit Casa Isola. The five-time James Beard Foundation Award-nominated chef Jose Mendin and his business partner Santo Agnello opened the restaurant in February of 2021 to deliver fresh, modern, and ingredient-driven cuisine to the community.
The menu includes antipasti, macaroni, secondi, specials, and desserts. You won’t want to miss their Sunday Sauce – a dish made with short rib meatballs, pork rib, Italian sausage, and an eight-hour sauce. It’s a limited availability dish served each day during dinner from Tuesday through Sunday. Take advantage of their happy hour specials and enjoy a special menu of bite-sized foods, not to mention half off beers, wines, and cocktails.
Shop
Everyone knows shopping is a thoroughly enjoyable way to pass the time and quickly get familiar with the street boutique culture of an area. Sunset Harbour is home to an eclectic mix of unique shopping experiences which are entirely wander-worthy. From the comfy and casual swimwear of SHAN to the chic PJ sets of Eberjey, you’ll have every hour of your Sunset Harbour lifestyle covered. Here are just a few of the boutiques to explore.
frankie.
Founded by two friends, Anna and Cheryl, the boutique frankie. carries both casual and formal clothing items. The upscale shop closely follows the latest fashion trends, and with the seasonal pieces thoughtfully curated, you can build your entire outfit for a date night, a day on the town, or even choose pieces to include in your wardrobe year-round. Their blog shares insightful and timely material for those who enjoy consuming content that dives into style and the latest trends. You can see some of the pieces they’ve chosen for their current collection and outfit inspiration on their Instagram page.
Beach
Owner Patrica Costa has been running Beach for the past eight years with sustainable production and Bohemian chic at the root of the fashion carried within the store. The hand-picked designers are fresh and full of talent, and their works are on display in an airy and well-lit space. The enormous windows facing the street welcome customers to take a peek and look through the sections which catch their eye. Browse through jewelry, art, clothing, and more to find the timeless items which will complete your wardrobe for years to come.
Group LX
Miami is fortunate to have not one but three shops underneath the Group LX name. Studio LX and Blush are located in South Miami, but Market can be found in Sunset Harbour with the same upscale ambiance embraced by the other two locations. Shop casual recreation clothing, activewear, swimwear, bodysuits, dresses, and more – all carefully curated to be the next perfect piece for your collection. You’ll find the trendy shop on 20th Street, not too far from Barry’s Miami Beach.
Relax
Though people typically imagine relaxation as lounging back on the beach – which is a popular pastime in Sunset Harbour – there are many other ways to rejuvenate and replenish.
Sunset Harbour is an incredible place to dine at an excellent restaurant, buy a pina colada for your beach chair, or even join a fitness class – Gotham Gym, Barry’s Bootcamp and Tremble are my favorites. But when you’ve savored all there is to explore in Sunset Harbour, sometimes a drink with a view is in order! Here are some of my favorite places to relax.
Sunset Harbour is an incredible place to dine at an excellent restaurant, buy a pina colada for your beach chair, or even join a fitness class – Gotham Gym, Barry’s Bootcamp and Tremble are my favorites. But when you’ve savored all there is to explore in Sunset Harbour, sometimes a drink with a view is in order! Here are some of my favorite places to relax.
Sunset Harbour Yacht Club
Photo Courtesy of Yachts International
Home to a 125 slip marina, the Sunset Harbour Yacht Club, boasts an impressive range of luxury amenities. Guests who take advantage of the equity club membership experience have access to a private fitness center, a heated, Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a TV. An ongoing schedule allows you to stop in on the gatherings, watch parties, and exclusive events whenever you’re not spending time out on the water enjoying the peace and quiet of the sun and the waves.
The marina operators have their eyes on conscious environmental choices and have had their club designated by the State of Florida as a Clean Marina because of their diligent efforts. Accolades include being named an ActiveCaptain 1st Choice Marina and the only marina in Miami which has received a five-star rating. Vessels from 45 to 150 feet or more can be docked at the wet slips of the marina when you’re ready to call it a day and enjoy the gorgeous sunset from the table of a restaurant, sipping on your favorite cocktail.
The Standard
Although technically not on Sunset Harbour, the Standard Hotel on Belle Isle is still a must-try while exploring the area. The views of downtown with the crystal clear blue water and sun dancing on the water makes Lido great for brunch on the weekend or happy hour, with a newly renovated spa, you may choose to make a day of it. The hotel also hosts a lively calendar of wellness-focused events, like acupuncture and Vinyasa yoga.
Gee Beauty
The Gee women are an inspiration. A team made up of a mother and her daughters, the women of Gee Beauty have a deep passion for makeup and skincare. Clients can schedule virtual shade matching appointments, consultations for custom skincare regimens, a product question and answer session, and more.
While you can walk into their Purdy Avenue brick and mortar, some clients would prefer to have these meetings with more convenience. Call Gee Beauty and schedule a virtual consultation to get all your questions answered without leaving the comfort of your bed! They offer their knowledge and expertise willingly, believing that all of us deserve to feel beautiful in our skin. After you’ve purchased all of your new favorite products and learned what you can about proper self-care, feel free to spend a little time browsing their blog, The Beauty Edit.
If you can’t get enough of this desirable lifestyle and decide it’s time to find a new home nearby, contact me for guidance when navigating the local real estate market. I offer a fresh perspective and an impeccable eye for luxury in Miami — get in touch today to find your next dream home in paradise!
*Header photo Courtesy of Grove Bay Hospitality Group