Best Things To Do In The Design District
- February 06, 2023
With a collection of MICHELIN-starred restaurants, an abundance of luxury boutiques, incredible architecture, and enriching art offerings ranging from museums and public murals to sculptures, the Miami Design District is ripe for exploring. Join the fashionable crowd, many armed with cameras for stylish photo shoots, who flock here to shop, eat or just walk around to see the design-forward sights. Here are some of the best things to do in the Miami Design District.
Where to Drink & Dine
The Miami Design District has evolved into a hub of elevated dining that matches the chic vibe of the neighborhood’s swanky boutiques. Its restaurants boast a total of four MICHELIN stars and four Bib Gourmand awards, so you’ll need more than one night to try all of the highly regarded eateries.
A top choice for fine French cuisine is L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which is the only restaurant in Miami to be awarded two MICHELIN stars. Its head bartender received the MICHELIN Guide's Exceptional Cocktails Award, so cocktails should definitely be on the evening’s agenda. Its sister restaurant, Le Jardinier, is located downstairs and has one MICHELIN star. Vegetables shine as the centerpiece of artfully created plates here.
Touting one MICHELIN star, COTE Miami marries the fire and lively interaction of a Korean barbecue spot with the style of a sleek American steakhouse. Prime cuts of meat are the stars of the menu; order the Butcher’s Feast to take full advantage.
One of the most established restaurants in the Miami Design District, Michael's Genuine® Food & Drink is a neighborhood bistro concept featuring a variety of small, medium and large plates. MICHELIN granted the restaurant a Bib Gourmand designation for offering good food at a good value.
When it comes to sipping cocktails, glitzy hotspots Swan & Bar Bevy and Baccarat Boutique B Bar always draw a stylish crowd after dark.
Where to View Art
You can easily spend all day – or a few days – discovering the Miami Design District’s incredible public art, ranging from massive murals that splash walls and garages to towering sculptures created by renowned international and local artists. Every year during Miami Art Week, new sculptures and enriching exhibitions are added throughout the neighborhood.
Discover immersive pieces like GT2P design studio’s playground-inspired “Conscious Actions,” where you can swing like a kid again. Let the kids be inspired and clamber on Dozie Kanu’s large-scale climbing frames, titled “Support System,” or pose in front of the 10-foot-tall red Solo cup by Paula Crown, which rallies for getting rid of single-use plastics.
Be sure not to miss longtime staples like Buckminster Fuller’s “Fly Eye Dome” in Palm Court; a stunning glass facade by Sou Fujimoto; French artist Xavier Veilhan’s fiberglass sculpture of architect Le Corbusier; and the eye-catching Museum Garage that’s unlike any garage you’ve ever seen.
If museums are more your style, pop in the always-free Institute of Contemporary Art Miami (ICA) to explore three floors of rotating exhibits and permanent collections, as well as an outdoor sculpture garden.
Delve into the beautiful and meaningful artwork celebrating Haiti at the Haitian Heritage Museum.
If you’re looking for a guided immersion into the neighborhood’s art, join one of the public art tours that take place throughout the year.
Shop at Luxury Boutiques
The Miami Design District drips with luxury, name-dropping every high-end brand you’ve ever dreamed of. Its shopping blocks are lined with legacy labels including Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Celine and Christian Louboutin.
The Miami Design District is constantly evolving. Fashionable newcomers include beauty mecca Glossier, coveted Australian clothing brand Zimmermann and leading streetwear brand Amiri.
Fitness & Wellness
Keep up with your fitness at boutique gyms such as Ahana Yoga Studio and DBC Fitness, or drop in for a high-intensity class at mainstream favorite Orangetheory Fitness.
If you prefer a pampering spa day, choose from a range of indulgent treatments, including massages and cosmetic treatments, get a signature glowing facial from skin guru Dr. Barbara Sturm.
