Sunset Harbour is a tiny but upscale neighborhood where you can work, live and play and is one of the best kept secrets in Miami. It is in the perfect location, within South Beach but farenough away that you can still stroll enjoying a perpetual breeze and a bay view while you dine at trendy restaurants, shop with style, take a yoga or pilates class, relax at a 5-star hotel spa, catch a game of padel, or just enjoy people watching. You are blocks from the Venetian Causeway and Lincoln Road and steps from renting a paddle board or kayak and coasting through the Sunset Islands. This little waterfront neighborhood is a destination, and the good news is there is plenty of parking.
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WHERE TO SHOP
Beach Boutique’s motto is “we are known for the art of dressing”. It has quite a local following, especially because the owner, Patricia Costa, hand picks the inventory of cutting-edge collections and has something for every style. From easy-breezy chic weekend outfits, to styling for Art Basel or an evening affair, Costa and her team will help you find the perfect outfit.
Gee Beauty is known for a barely there, natural approach to skincare. You can find “the best” de-frizz for your hair, highlighter for your face, gloss for your lips, silky sunscreen and wrinkle defense. This “beauty boutique” run by a mother-daughter team offers brands you trust plus their own Gee Beauty line. They also offer in-studio services.
Sunset Clothing Co. is a life-style boutique with the perfect casual apparel for men and women. You will spot many of your favorite brands of all you love to wear: jean shorts, jeans, soft t-shirts, long sleeves, lounge pants and sneakers. This is a great spot to get everyday outfits.
Frankie. Don’t come here to find the latest “on trend” styles or what everyone else is after. Come here to find things that make you feel special – as owners Cheryl and Anna say “we only sell stuff that we love”. This is a shop for a fashion savvy sophisticated shopper.
Eberjey may be an established lingerie brand with its easily recognizable pajamas, but Mariela Rovito and Ali Mejia created an apparel brand of comfortable, beautiful designs that encourage confidence and a relaxed lifestyle. This shop has beautiful bathing suits with matching cover ups, sundresses, rompers, jewelry, hats and more.
Minnie is a little hidden gem down a side street in Sunset Harbor. It has a treasure trove of things for little ones in a tiny upstairs loft space. There’s adorable pop-up books, onesies to die for, creative toys and modern nursery décor.
1825 West Ave. Unit 11, Floor 2
Row. Don’t miss this small and understated boutique of unique and carefully curated objects for the home. “Contact us for your gifting needs” and “spread the love” are their mottos so find that special something that can change a room or make you smile every time you pass it.
WHERE TO EAT
Stilltsville Fish Bar is a neighborhood spot with a casual feel and good food brought to you by Jeff McGinnis and his wife Janine, both Top Chef alums. To make it cozy, it is a bit dark, so don’t be surprised when you come in from the sparkling sunshine. They’ve got weekend bottomless mimosa brunch, a weekday prix fix lunch and their “tackle box” with fresh oysters, shrimp, tuna and ceviche served in a tackle box on ice.
Sardinia Since 2006 this local’s favorite has been serving authentic Italian fare with a great wine list and a fun bar scene at happy hour.
Pubbelly Sushi has been around since 2010 and has popped up all over South Florida, but to most locals it hasn’t lost it’s charm (yet). Luckily for them it’s consistently on tourist site’s to do lists and during season it can be hard to find a table.
Lucali is one of our favorite spots for pizza in this town. Their sauce is delicious, and the dough is thin and perfectly crisped. The meatballs, kale cesar and chicken wings are very well done – truthfully anything on the menu is worth trying. And you’re in the heart of Sunset Harbor so catch great people watching if you sit outside.
Tequiztlan is the latest creation of the Ortiz family making authentic Mexican food in Miami for 30 years. They started in 1991 with “El Cielito Lindo” on South Beach that later became “El Rancho Grande” known for their great food, margaritas, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. In 2006 they arrived in Sunset Harbor with the same authentic and delicious Mexican specialties, colorful decor and a premium tequila and mezcal list.
True Loaf Bakery. OMG Yum. This little storefront take out spot, opens at 7am, and if you don’t get here early everything you salivated over on the website is gone and you are out of luck until the next day. Try their fresh olive bread, dulce de leche filled brioche, almond croissants, ham and cheese/turkey brie sandwiches or the peanut butter and homemade jam on 7 grain bread.
Maman is a delightful little French bakery and café serving tasty sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches and breakfast plates, with a lengthy expresso and drinks menu.
Harbor Club is the first private members social club in Sunset Harbor. Described as having “British style. Miami attitude” it is a sophisticated and sexy hideaway for Miami’s eclectic and epicurean crowd. Members enjoy exclusive areas where they can lounge, dine, network, and host events. The Mediterranean style A’Riva is open to non-members as well.
Brother’s Keeper across the street from Sunset Harbor but definitely deserves a mention. It was started as a collaboration between Chris Hudnall and one of our Guru’s Randy Alonso with Chef Eric Jeffries. It’s not “nice” or upscale. It is dark with neon lights and a lone pool table in the back, but the place makes you feel like a cocaine cowboy circa 1983 looking for some action. And these guys know how to sling good drinks and food.
WHERE TO FIND WELLNESS
Gotham Gym is a no-frills-get-fit boxing gym that offers strength training, kickboxing and personal training.
Barry’s Bootcamp has been trademarked “the best workout in the world”. It is quite amazing, if you can finish the class. Barry’s has proliferated throughout the country, and the one in Sunset Harbor is consistently packed. On the weekends, between Panther Coffee and Barry’s Bootcamp, it can be quite a “healthy” pick-up spot or just great for people watching.
Sweat 440 has a very cool and convenient concept. Classes start every 10 minutes – so you are never late! The session consists of 40-minute small group fitness circuits, like HIIT and full body cross training, with trainers and employees (“the squad”) assisting you to keep the energy going.
JETSET Pilates and Tremble Pilates are everywhere and that makes sense since they both offer solid, consistent, well supervised classes. The Sunset Harbor locations tend to get busy, so book early especially on weekends.
Sunset Padel is a members only club offering four state-of-the-art indoor padel courts equipped with non-blinding linear lighting and surfaced with Mondo Turf. There is a modern and sophisticated feel to the club with its marble and wood paneled reception area and stylized couches and sitting areas.
Sol Yoga is a better kind of hot yoga. Rather than pushing hot air from vents, they use infrared heat emitted through special panels. This results in a full body detox along with weight loss, younger looking skin and better joint motion.
Before you leave the neighborhood …
Located right off the Venetian Causeway on the edge of South Beach, The Standard is a hotel, but it is truly more an adult-only spa and playground with an unparalleled view of the city. Having lunch at the Lido Restaurant under a yellow umbrella watching the yachts cross the skyline and sunbathers prancing by on their way to the pool makes one feel like you’re in the Italian Riviera. Stay the night and wander the grounds filled with zen gardens and sculptures, book a 5-star spa day, or just get pampered at the picturesque pool. The rooms are nothing to write about. But it’s not about your room. Memberships to the spa and day passes are available.
standardhotels.com/miami/properties/miami-beach
