Mid Beach Guide

As the name implies, Mid Beach, roughly from 24th to 60th streets, is the stretch of Miami Beach between South Beach and North Beach. This idyllic expanse of coastline, home to glitzy hotels and beach resorts with trendy restaurants and bars, makes for an escape that can be laidback, exciting or whatever you want it to be. Here’s our insider’s guide on how to explore this hidden gem that’s in plain sight.

Freehand Miami: A Boutique Hotel Where Affordability Meets Excellence

The ultimate in Mid Beach cool, the Freehand Miami is a hip hotel-hostel with a local pulse. It offers some of the most affordable room rates in town, with stylish private and shared rooms that sleep up to eight.

The Freehand is home to the iconic Broken Shaker cocktail bar, set in a kitschy-lush poolside backyard patio with a fresh “garden-to-glass” ethos. The menu changes constantly according to what’s seasonal and the mixologists’ whims. Take the Peachy-Keen, made with Patron Reposado tequila, elote liqueur, peach, lime, bitters and a dash of savory chamoy sauce. 

Eden Roc Miami Beach: A Luxurious, Iconic Resort

The Eden Roc Miami Beach is a classic resort that dates back to Miami’s 1950s heyday, when Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack were regular visitors. The hotel was originally designed by Miami Modern master architect Morris Lapidus, and its glamorous lobby is anchored by a central sunken bar crowned with a sculptural chandelier. Original columns, terrazzo flooring with fleur-de-lis flourishes, and brass-frescoed elevator doors hearken back to this time. The sweeping space opens up to a large oceanfront poolscape with multiple pools. The Eden Roc is home to the Nobu Hotel-within-a-hotel concept and its famed namesake restaurant. Guests of Nobu stay in an exclusive wing that was designed by David Rockwell in a Zen-lux motif and enjoy exclusive access to a Nobu pool.

While dining at Nobu is a must for sumptuous Japanese cuisine, including its signature miso black cod and A5 Wagyu, Eden Roc is also home to the glorious Ocean Social for coastal dining with unparalleled ocean views. And when it’s time to unwind, the 22,000-square-foot Esencia Wellness Spa offers a hydrotherapy circuit and dreamy services, from massages to facials and body treatments.

Indian Beach Park: A Serene Hidden Gem

Situated just north of the Eden Roc at 46th Street, Indian Beach Park is a tranquil stretch of Mid Beach ideal for a family-friendly beach day. With a surface parking lot directly on the park, it’s easy to access. You’ll find an aquatic-themed fun zone playground, with sail-like canopies for shade, featuring a lighthouse slide, sea turtle sculptures, rope activities, swings and a rotating 360-degree climber. There are also public restrooms, water fountains and a small concession stand. This quiet, clean, uncrowded stretch of beach is connected to the Beachwalk, which spans the entirety of Miami Beach. It’s perfect for a stroll, bike ride or rollerblading. You can also rent lounge chairs and beach umbrellas from local vendors.

Pikio Taco: Award-Winning Mexican Restaurant at Generator Miami

Generator Miami is a funky hotel-hostel with private and shared rooms and a welcoming communal spirit. It’s home to an award-winning restaurant, Pikio Taco (which also serves the hotel’s onsite pool bar), highlighting local ingredients and Oaxacan traditions with a special emphasis on housemade masa corn tortillas and ingredients sourced from family-run farms in southern Mexico. You’ll find some of Mid Beach’s most sophisticated and creative Mexican-inspired craft cocktails by renowned mixologist Christine Wiseman. A blood orange margarita paired with carne asada tacos is a beautiful thing.

The Faena District: A Cultural Oasis in Miami Beach

The opening of Faena Hotel Miami Beach in 2015 meant more than a new luxury hotel for Mid Beach. It brought with it an entire five-block, eight-building district with luxury condominiums, the Faena Forum arts, entertainment and events complex, and Curio at Faena Bazaar for art, shopping, pop-ups and special events. As conceived by Argentinean hotelier and developer Alan Faena, art and design take center stage throughout the district, from the hotel’s gilded, cathedral-like entrance, with murals by Juan Gatti, to showstopping works by legendary pop artist Damien Hirst, including the gold-dipped wooly mammoth skeleton sculpture in a glass case on the pool deck.

The Faena District is also home to lavish restaurants, including Los Fuegos by Argentinean grill master Francis Mallmann and Pao by James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Qui, as well as the buzzy Living Room lobby bar and speakeasy-style Saxony Bar. The plush, red velvet-draped Faena Theater is a throwback to a glamorous bygone era, presenting dinner theater-style cabaret shows as well as visiting musicians. For budget-conscious travelers, Casa Faena is a charming, Spanish-inspired boutique hotel with plenty of character. It offers guests access to many of Faena’s amenities.

Piola: Bringing Together Italian Flavor and Live Music

When that inevitable pizza craving strikes, make your way to Piola at the Hampton Inn Miami Beach for its signature thin-crust pies and live music. From a classic margarita to more than a dozen creative options (like the Hollywood, made with barbecue sauce, mozzarella, brie, onions and chicken with a dusting of fresh cilantro), Piola takes pride in its fresh ingredients and authentic Italian flavors. Start with a Caesar salad or opt for a pasta dish and enjoy a delightful meal in the modern dining room or outdoors on the terrace overlooking Collins Avenue.,

Planning to visit?  Stay in Miami Beach to get the most out of your vacation.