The Upper East Side neighborhood runs roughly from 50th Street to 87th Street along Biscayne Boulevard. Primarily composed of beautiful homes in Bay Point, Morningside, Bayside, and Belle Meade, the true highlight of the neighborhood is the Miami Modernist Architecture Historic District (or MiMo). After years of neglect, preservation efforts began in the early 2000s. Today, many of its MiMo hotels have been turned into stores, restaurants, boutique hotels, coworking workspaces, and even an advertising agency. Grab your walking shoes and get ready to take pictures of the original forties and fifties hotel marquee signs that are beautifully preserved and make this a unique part of this city.
A good starting point is the gorgeous Chica restaurant at 5556 NE Fourth Court. It is hard to decide if you go for the delicious $23 two course lunch specials or the Happy Hour (M-F, 3-7pm) that has $2 Oyster Bloody Marias and an amazing selection of Celebrity Chef Lorena Garcia’s appetizers like the Asado Negro Arepa or the Crispy Tuna Taco for only $4. This is one of the sexiest bars in town and a perfect place to take refuge from the summer’s afternoon showers. Ask to see their private bar that can be rented for up to 35 people.
One block North you will find the Vinonueva Fine and Rare Wines owned by Bernardo Villanueva and Ana Corina Baptista. As described by its name, they conceived this charming neighborhood wine shop as a place to discover new wines and for aficionados to find rare wines. Enjoy monthly wine tastings from smaller producers and discover the latest industry trends in their engaging blog.
Go one block east to Biscayne and you will find the entrance to Morningside Park where you can stroll under the shady tree canopy while looking at historically preserved homes from the 1920s. Don’t miss their ten-acre park with breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay, public tennis courts, and rentals of kayaks and paddleboards.
Continue North on Biscayne to find ‘O Munaciello, an award-winning Neapolitan pizza restaurant. Italian families adore their extra-thin pizza.
One block North you will find the entrance to Legion Park that hosts a popular farmers market on Saturdays (9-2pm) Here you can do yoga, shop for Florida native plants, produce, vegan pastries, and even French dresses.
Across the street is the hip Uptown 66 Taqueria. Chef/Owner Nuno Grullon’s birria taco was recently named #1 taco in the US by Good Morning America. The homemade tortillas smell and taste like fresh-cut corn and are filled with savory short rib, oxtail, and beef cheeks (braised overnight), topped with cheese, melted on the griddle, and crisped to absolute perfection with a side of au jus to dip each bite. Stay for Happy Hour with $1 oysters and $4 jalapeño passion fruit margaritas.
A block up the street you will find Blue Collar Restaurant, an Upper East Side institution. Opened by Danny Serfer in 2012, it recently moved to this larger location with an outside bar that has a great happy hour with 2-for-1 drinks, $4 draughts and 1/2 dozen oysters for $12.Try their Latke Royal with smoked trout, their gigantic chicken parmigiana or the dry-aged cheeseburger that year after year tops the city’s best burger lists. Vegetarians can create an amazing plate from twelve local vegetable options.
Up the street is Luna Pasta y Dolci, a friendly Italian restaurant with a hint of Argentina. Chef Gabriel Medici makes fresh pasta with local ingredients for Italian classics, a variety of empanadas, milanesas and salads. You can also choose from a wide selection of fresh pasta and sauces to go from their take-out store down the street.
Just across the street is the famous El Bagel, a local gem with a cult following. You will want to arrive early as they are open only from 8am to 2pm (closed Tuesdays). Try their everything bagel with nova, cream cheese, tomato, and capers. Divine.
second location: 3015 Grand Ave
Continue to 71st where you will find Phuc Yea a Vietnamese restaurant run by Chef Cesar Zapata. For three years they have been awarded Michelin’s Bib Gourmand for classics like Pho, papaya salad, imperial rolls and inventive dishes like the Millionaire Fried Rice that has black truffle, truffle oil, chives and a quail egg. They have a fun happy hour every day from 5–7pm with East Coast oysters for $1.50 and West Coast oysters for $2.50. Sign up for their email to get notified of their monthly events.
Who doesn’t love to sort through high-end designer jewelry you’d imagine Cher wearing? Or find a mid-century table lamp that perfectly completes a room? Fly Boutique is a treasure trove of vintage finds. Each week there are new things to sort through and imagine their origin story. Tuesdays are consignment days. Clearly the owners and talented team who select the inventory have an eye for what is “fly”.
Continue north to Doggi’s Arepa Bar. Venezuelans are passionate about arepas and with dozens of combinations, we challenge you to find a better deal for your money. We fell in love with the Patacon con Churrasco a mountain of marinated steak served over crispy tostones topped with avocado and shredded cheese. If we were to start a list of the best hangover/comfort food Doggi’s would be at the top of the list.
Next door is a crowd favorite, Caracas Bakery. This is not just a bakery (though the cream puff was so perfectly sweet, light, and creamy we finished it on the way to the table). It is a welcoming cafe with an open floor plan and long communal tables where you can have a cafecito and pan con tomato, a cachito (think warm croissant filled with ham and cheese) or a gourmet sandwich. It’s a friendly local hangout with great food.
In the same plaza, you will find the beloved NiDo cafe. This quaint restaurant is known for its Italian classics like homemade pasta, fresh Burrata and seafood specialties. They have a beautiful terrace perfect for happy hour and music on Thursday nights.
Across the street is the beautiful MiMo Garden Center. We knew we would like a place that has the message: “Sundays are Disco Sundays at the Garden!” They have a giant disco ball hanging over their lush garden of plants and succulents. This is a wonderful oasis from the hustle and bustle of Biscayne Boulevard. If you need some houseplants or just a break from your day, we suggest you take a look.
Cross 72nd Street and you will find the famous Rat Pack hangout the Vagabond Hotel that underwent an award-winning restoration a few years ago. If you face south, you can take the quintessential MiMo pic of the Vagabond marquee and the famous Coppertone girl across the street. Inside you will find Mr. Mandolin a casual cafe serving Greek and Turkish food with a great selection of meats and dips. For dinner parties at home pick up “the Feast”, a to-go platter that serves 4-6 people.
La Social, the aptly named pretty pink bistro is a MiMo gem. Enjoy a fresh and tasty locally sourced brunch or pop in one afternoon for a beautiful (and yummy) pink champagne cake or coffee mascarpone pastry with your favorite coffee.
Two doors up is Harlow’s Vintage. This place feels like a well-loved home surrounded by vinyl-lined walls, shelves filled with cherished collectibles, trinkets and books, and unique clothing and jewelry. Owner & curator Mariet understands the thrill of the hunt and is always there to help.
Continue North to Berber Trading, Palm Beach designers’ secret shop for all things Morocco: hand-carved armoires, intricate mosaic tiles, colorful poufs, and bejeweled lanterns and chandeliers. Containers arrive every month; make your special requests early.
Worked up an appetite? Perfect – try Pinch Kitchen + Bar, one of those amazing surprises you get when you wander into a local gem. Owned and operated by chefs, Pinch’s food is unanimously great. Fresh seasonal soups, creative daily specials of fish and steak, one of the best burgers in town (and fries), ceviche, and perfectly cooked succulent roast chicken. Pinch is gourmet without pretense.
Berber Trading
