Best Things To Do In The Design District

You’ll find no shortage of fun things to do in the Miami Design District, a centrally located neighborhood where decadence and art converge. With dining options ranging from MICHELIN-starred restaurants to a casual food hall, lush sidewalks and an abundance of incredible public art, the Miami Design District offers experiences that go far beyond just retail therapy.

Whether you’re on a culture crawl, seeking out serious eats, window-shopping or scoring the latest designer finds, the Miami Design District has it all. Here’s our up-to-date guide to the Miami Design District, including all our picks for the neighborhood’s best restaurants, shops, museums, fitness and more.

Restaurants & Dining 

The Miami Design District has a myriad of dining options as impressive as the area’s luxurious shops and striking architecture. 

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Boasting two MICHELIN stars, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon uses only the finest ingredients to create its striking menu of creatively approached French cuisine. The elegant bistro serves seasonally inspired, artfully plated dishes like buttermilk marinated frog legs with scallion gnocchi, wild boar tenderloin wrapped in bacon and olive oil poached Icelandic halibut with vanilla and fig leaf oil.

Le Jardinier Miami

A sister restaurant to L’Atelier, Le Jardinier Miami also specializes in French cuisine with a bright and modern dining room as its backdrop. The intimate indoor-outdoor restaurant was awarded one MICHELIN star, and features dishes like farro risotto with Parmesan tuile and pork tenderloin with caramelized apple and smoked bacon.

COTE Miami

COTE Miami blends Korean BBQ with specialty cuts of beef in a festive fine-dining atmosphere. This dimly lit steakhouse also offers oysters, Maine lobster, sea urchin and caviar service, along with an excellent cocktail menu and wine list.

Mother Wolf Miami

For a romantic evening, head to Mother Wolf and order hand-rolled pastas and wood-fired pizzas in a glamorous dining room that evokes the Italian Renaissance with its ornate chandeliers and textiles. The hearty, comforting offerings include dishes like South Pacific blue prawns in salsa verde, 50-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye and grilled Mediterranean sea bass with herb salad.

Casual Miami Design District Eats

A few other spots deserve mentions for their more laid-back approach to dining in the Miami Design District. These include MIA Market, a food hall with over a dozen chef-driven food stalls; Tacombi, a cheery Mexican street food spot with cocktails and beer; and Mandolin Aegean Bistro, beloved for its fresh Mediterranean fare in a relaxed al fresco setting.

Cocktail Bars & Nightlife

Though you’ll mostly find them inside restaurants, the cocktail bars in the Miami Design District are among the best in Miami.

Contessa Miami

Order refreshing aperitivi cocktails at Contessa Miami, a gorgeous bi-level restaurant and bar serving up Northern Italian classics in a teal and pink-hued space. We’re partial to the spicy Calabrian Cosmo made with vodka, cranberry, red pepper and lime. Or opt for something more potent, like the Venetian made with tequila, orange and cinnamon. Whether it’s a boozy brunch cocktail, a pre-dinner beverage or a strong nightcap you seek, Contessa hits the mark every time.

The Roof at The Moore

For cocktails above the neighborhood, head to The Roof at The Moore. Perched atop one of the Miami Design District’s most iconic blocks of architecture, this rooftop bar is part of a buzzy private members club – but non-members can access it via a separate entrance on Jade Alley (160 NE 41st). Expect crafted cocktails and a curated selection of small bites, perfect for sharing or grazing under the stars. Thursdays feature live jazz and Friday and Saturday nights come alive with DJs.

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

The original restaurant in the Miami Design District is still kicking for a reason – and a big part of that reason is the legendary happy hour scene it’s cultivated over nearly two decades. The heart of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink is its generous three-sided bar, where the friendly staff slings expertly crafted cocktails and fresh-shucked oysters from day to night.

During happy hour (Sunday to Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.), order from a selection of $10 cocktails, $6 snacks, $9 wine and $5 beer. Our go-to is a dirty martini paired with a savory shrimp toast.

Luxury Shopping

As the destination’s headquarters for high style, the Miami Design District’s shopping options include dozens of luxury designer stores and showrooms. 

The district is a fashion lover’s playground, with renowned brands like Balenciaga, Hermès, Chanel, Gucci and Alexander McQueen. The district also boasts rows of boutiques and streetwear brands, like Gallery Dept., Blu Scarpa, Ami Paris, MRKT and many more. 

As a design center in Miami, the area has some of the best options for luxury home and furniture showrooms. In your search for home renovation or re-decoration options, don’t skip a visit to B&B Italia, Fendi Casa, Blu Dot,and Armani Casa, among others.

Footwear lovers have a myriad of options in the Miami Design District, whether you’re looking for sneakers, formal shoes, loafers or specialty options. Explore stores like Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Kith, Manolo Blahnik, and Golden Goose.

Of course, no ensemble is complete without jewelry, watches and accessories. The Miami Design District provides luxury options for all tastes, with stores like Cartier, Rolex, Harry Winston, David Yurman and Tiffany & Co.

Public Art

The Miami Design District has long been synonymous with art and culture. From murals to awe-inspiring architecture and intricate installations along building facades, the neighborhood has been intentionally curated at every turn. 

One of the district’s most famous installations is the Fly’s Eye Dome, a 12-foot by 24-foot by 50-foot spherical structure amidst shops and restaurants. The structure was designed by Buckminster Fuller in 1965, before he could realize his vision for the piece. In 2012, the Buckminster Fuller Institute was commissioned to produce the structure using state-of-the-art materials and technology, for display in the heart of Miami’s epicenter for design.

Several parking garages in the district were turned from mundane to an example of beauty in unlikely places. The City View Garage has a geometric, almost exoskeletal façade that borders two sides, created by world-renowned architect Iwamoto Scott. The Museum Garage's whimsical façade covers the structure entirely, using a blend of materials and colors that result in a fun and playful composition comprised of designs by various artists.

In addition to the larger installations, the neighborhood is full of sculptures, arches, alleys, fences and corridors designed by different artists and architects. Go on a scavenger hunt to spot installations like Konstantin Grcic’s Netscape swing chairs, Virgil Abloh’s  Dollar A Gallon III, Daniel Toole’s Jade Alley, Sou Fujimoto’s Façade, Daniel Toole’s Steel Alley and many more.

Museums & Art Galleries

The Miami Design District is home to several galleries, exhibitions, permanent collections and a museum. The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA Miami) is a museum committed to providing a platform for local and emerging contemporary artists. Admission to the museum is free year-round, so you can explore their rotating collections and exhibitions at no cost. 

One of the district’s many galleries, David Castillo is among the oldest and most esteemed in Miami, representing boundary-pushing contemporary artists for over 20 years. Additionally, visits to the Opera Gallery Miami and Swampspace are a must when exploring the neighborhood’s art and design.

Wellness & Fitness

For those seeking health and wellness options, the neighborhood’s many gyms, fitness studios and spas are sure to satisfy. Ahana Yoga Studio is the stop for a challenging practice in a calming space. For cutting-edge personal training, check out DBC Fitness, a 10,000-square-foot gym and recovery lounge led by athletic performance coaches. For a classic circuit experience, head to the district’s Orange Theory for a good sweat.

If you’re looking for renewing facials and aesthetic treatments, Dr. Barbara Sturm and Aviva Medical Spa offer a variety of relaxing and cosmetic treatments.