From lavish resorts to down-home Jewish comfort food and sandy white beaches, Surfside has it all.
Known as Miami’s uptown beach community, Surfside is a tightknit town spanning just one square mile, nestled between Miami Beach and Bal Harbour. The Atlantic Ocean laps against its eastern shore, and the Intracoastal Waterway is its western border. This charming oasis has a decidedly retro, small-town appeal. Harding Avenue, lined with old-timey facades, Jewish delicatessens and synagogues, is its main thoroughfare.
This quaint seaside town is also home to one of the area’s most lavish resorts. The Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, housed inside a 1930s-era club, once hosted the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Winston Churchill. Today, the historic clubhouse has been transformed into Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar, while Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller presides over The Surf Club Restaurant.
For a more down-to-earth experience in Surfside, look no further than Josh’s Deli, a new twist on the typical Jewish delicatessen. The hearty menu highlights house-cured, roasted and smoked meats with items like the classic corned beef sandwich on rye. You’ll find traditional dishes such as matzo ball soup and latkes alongside more playful interpretations like the “jewchacho,” a lobster breakfast made with eggs, avocado and cheese in a molé sauce.
With its white, sandy beaches offering plenty of space to spread out, Surfside is a favorite destination for families and those looking for a relaxing day in the sun. It’s anchored by the beachfront Surfside Community Center, which provides access to local hotel guests. The facility boasts a swimming pool and waterslide, locker rooms, fitness classes and a walk-up cafe counter.
While walking around town, keep your eyes peeled for the colorful Surfside sea turtle sculptures, created by local artists to draw awareness to sea turtle-nesting season, which runs from May through October.