South Dade Guide
- October 16, 2025
Considered Miami’s heartland, South Dade is home to farms and parks that grow exotic fruit and vegetables – and one that even produces its own wine from this tropical bounty. Cushioned by the Everglades to the west, Biscayne Bay to the east and Downtown Miami to the north. South Dade is where Miami unfurls for a more relaxed pace with the big blue sky above you.
There’s a wide world of discoveries, where you’ll find everything from racetracks to cultural arts centers and animal attractions. Get a taste for a different side of Miami in South Dade with our insider guide.
Tropical Wineries, Farms And Fruit Stands
Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery Stands Out
In the heart of South Dade’s farmland, Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery is a subtropical estate with a novel approach to winemaking. Instead of producing wines with grapes, Peter Schnebly, a farmer and packager who founded the winery in 2004, creates wines out of native tropical fruit, like mangos, lychee, passionfruit, guava, starfruit, coconut and even avocado.
A few years later in 2012, he added brewmaster to his to his list of accomplishments when he founded Miami Brewing Co. Today, you can enjoy the lush tropical grounds, the taproom, tasting room and tours of the winery and brewery. There’s also the onsite RedLander Restaurant, which specializes in farm-to-table cuisine. They often host parties and events on the weekend with live music.
Fun For The Whole Family At Robert Is Here
A family-owned fruit stand passed down through generations, Robert Is Here Fruit Stand and Farm is home to a small farm, petting zoo and splash park. This roadside attraction is a staple of South Dade, where you’ll find the freshest and most exotic tropical fruit, from dragonfruit to lychees, mangos, passionfruit and more. What keeps visitors coming back is their famous frozen milkshakes and smoothies using fresh tropical fruit – the perfect treat on a sunny Miami afternoon.
Strawberry Picking Is In Season
Mid September to Mid April
South Dade is spoiled with strawberry farms open to the public during season (typically mid-September to mid-April). Stop by to pick your own fresh berries to take home while enjoying other fun farm activities and treats.
Iconic Desserts At Knaus Berry Farm
Delight in acres of strawberry fields at Knaus Berry Farm, where you can also indulge in sweet treats like strawberry milkshakes and the farm’s iconic cinnamon buns, which seem to have a cult following. Locals have been making an annual pilgrimage for decades to try this beloved dessert.
Education At The Berry Farm
The Berry Farm’s season is full of events, from a Harvest Festival to weekly line dancing. This farm is a family-owned, third-generation destination conveniently located in Redland. The farm is also a great place for young learners to visit, as they frequently host kid-friendly attractions and hands-on field trips.
Zoo Miami – An Animal Lover’s Paradise
Spanning 750 acres in South Dade with more than 2,000 animals on view, Zoo Miami is a wildly fun attraction. Open-air exhibitions are dedicated to animal habitats from around the world, including Florida’s Everglades, the Amazon, Africa, Australia and Asia.
Witness amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles roam freely in a habitat that mimics their native lands. Delight in an opportunity to feed the animals, watch a wildlife show and ride through the zoo comfortably on a monorail or tram. It’s a wonderful way for a family to spend an afternoon in South Dade.
History Meets Culture At Deering Estate
Set on over 400 sprawling acres on Biscayne Bay, the Deering Estate is a nature preserve and historic estate built by wealthy industrialist, Charles Deering. Although the property was founded in 1913, the property’s historical and archaeological significance dates back 50,000 years. Uncovered fossils and bones reveal remains of Paleo-Indians, Tequestas, Seminoles and Afro-Bahamians.
In 1986, Deering Estate was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it’s lovingly maintained and operated by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces on behalf of Florida. Take a tour through the art collection in the main house or embark on a nature walk through hardwood hammocks on your visit. They also host seasonal special exhibitions and events, so be on the lookout.
Culture Takes The Stage At The Moss Center
The Moss Center is a bedrock of arts and culture in South Dade. The state-of-the-art venue was designed by homegrown architectural firm Arquitectonica, and is home to a 961-seat main stage theater, as well as a black box theater, lab theater and concert lawn.
Dedicated to multi-disciplinary cultural arts, the center stages everything from opera to film, musicals, live music, dance and stand-up comedy, while also functioning as a safe space for the community. Education and outreach is at the core of its mission. Check the calendar on your next visit to South Dade and join in the fun.
High Octane Entertainment At Homestead Miami Speedway
While the Homestead Miami Speedway hosts the NASCAR Championships in November, the race track in South Dade is an action-packed venue year-round.
Fast Lane Fridays are held monthly, where drag racing is legal and open to anyone 18 years and older with a valid driver’s license and proof of registration and insurance. You’ll have the chance to race down the 1,760-foot track as many times as you desire.
Consult the track’s calendar, where you’ll find a variety of other events and races, including high-performance driver education and coaching, concerts and other fun events.
Diverse Culinary Delights At Taqueria Morelia
South Dade and its communities are home to a wide variety of cultural fare, and Taqueria Morelia is certainly no exception. With locations in both Homestead and Florida City, this authentic restaurant makes some of the most delicious tacos this side of Mexico City. Burritos, quesadillas and other specialties are on the menu, but the tacos really shine here. Choose from shredded pork, beef, chorizo, chicken and more served inside warm, homemade corn tortillas. There’s also a bar for toppings, including diced onion, salsa, jalapeños and fresh lime.
Ghee Indian Kitchen Gets Modern
The brainchild of Chef Niven Patel, Ghee Indian Kitchen has become a modern classic in South Dade. Sourcing produce from his restaurant-owned farm dubbed Rancho Patel and working with local fisherman, the menu changes constantly to reflect the freshest ingredients available.
A sophisticated take on Indian cuisine, menu highlights include crispy cauliflower, chicken tikka masala with heirloom tomatoes and charred ribs with cranberry chutney. A great way to enjoy a meal here is with the three-course, family-style chef’s tasting menu.
There’s Sum-Thing For Everyone At Tropical Chinese
A legendary mecca for dim sum brunch in South Dade, Tropical Chinese has a cult following. As carts roll through the dining room, diners point out which tasty morsels they desire in this restaurant’s traditional setting. Think shrimp shumai, beef dumplings, stuffed tofu, stuffed bell peppers, veggie spring rolls, roasted pork buns, orange beef, five-spice chicken and so much more.
Discover more places to explore in South Dade.
