Take the Road Most Traveled.
Stroll down South Beach’s crown jewel, Lincoln Road Mall, at any time of day or night — and there’s always something exciting happening. The ten-block mecca of shopping, dining and entertainment is constantly bustling with a mix of locals and tourists, which creates an unmistakable energy and an ultimate spot for people-watching.
Restaurants, cafés and bars on the pedestrian-friendly promenade offer prime sidewalk seating, ripe for catching a constant parade of local characters, models, street performers, and dogs dressed as well (if not better) than their owners. Don’t be surprised if you see an eclectic local march past with a bird on their shoulder or even a harmless snake around their neck!
Wondering how to dress? Lincoln is a place with a “come-as-you-are” attitude, with people decked out in everything from bathing suits (Lincoln is conveniently located to the beach) to cocktail attire.
From Day...
During the day, enjoy Lincoln Road’s laidback atmosphere, by cozying up at a table (and hiding from the sun under an umbrella) to leisurely sipping a coffee or cocktail, while soaking up the “real” South Beach-lifestyle. During the week, it’s not uncommon to catch models posing for photo shoots, film crews orchestrating scenes for a movie, and locals making business deals while enjoying a celebrated Miami lunch that lasts for hours. With plenty of fountains, green spaces and islands where kids run free and families bask in the sun, the street is meant for lingering.
To Night ...
As day turns into night, the tempo picks up, as well as the crowd, and the vibe completely changes. Music from restaurants and bars waft into the street, as staff work to entice people to their tables with Happy Hour specials. Local performers snag their select spots on the street, showing off their talents from painting to holding a statue-like pose for hours. A buzzy crowd lines up outside the Colony Theatre, which originally opened in 1935 as a Paramount Pictures movie house. Known for its grandiose Art Deco design, and now run by Miami New Drama, you’ll catch everything from plays and concerts to comedy shows — and there’s really not a bad seat in the house. As the clock inches toward midnight, the bar crawls really crank-up with partygoers heading to nearby clubs.
And Weekends!
On Sunday's, hear the bells toll at the Miami Beach Community Church (Miami Beach’s first church), as the street transforms into a Farmer’s Market where an abundance of cultures is represented. The street is lined with fruit and vegetable stands offering produce from local farms and vendors hocking their wares from honey to Peruvian juice and Argentinian empanadas on the grill.
Style Destination
Shopping is a main draw here, with the mall showcasing major national and international stores, unique offerings not found in other cities, art galleries, souvenir and cigar shops. Bargain shoppers can head straight for big-box discount retailers such as Marshalls and Ross, fashionistas will appreciate popular stores like H&M, Forever 21, lululemon, Amsterdam-based chain Scotch & Soda, Madewell (the first in Florida), All Saints, and British hot-spot Ted Baker — and there’s even a mammoth Nike Store, where customers can literally try out their potential new shoes, shooting hoops on a basketball court or running on a treadmill.
When it comes to art, a must-see is the Romero Britto Gallery, featuring the colorful and eye-catching art of Miami’s most famous pop artist, Romero Britto. You’ll browse his recognizable prints, paintings and sculptures of animals and people and (hopefully) leave happier.
In true Miami style, even the parking lots are over-the-top. The Swiss-architect designed 1111 Building, located on the western end of Lincoln and Alton Roads, offers a distinctive mix of parking, swanky residences, dining and shopping — including Taschen, a bookstore packed with beautiful books about art and design that are coffee-table ready, and Alchemist, a Miami-based retail concept that offers a finely curated selection of women’s clothes and jewelry. Locals-in-the-know head for the building’s elevator to “up” their dining experience at 1111’s airy Juvia Restaurant, which is perched on the top for amazing views of the city. It’s a great spot to have a cocktail, nosh on flavorful food that fuses French, Japanese and Peruvian cooking, and watch the sunset.
One Road. A World of Taste
Pick a cuisine or a country, and Lincoln Road offers it. Since Miami is a melting pot of cultures, the street is bursting with options from around the world.
For French goodies, stop in Paris-transplant Laduree for their famous macarons. Craving Mexican? Local-favorite Huahua’s Taqueria is where you’ll find unique tacos and chunky burritos, or try newcomer Tocaya Organica, which takes an organic, healthier approach to Mexican. Those who want to experience the “amore” can dine at mainstay Rosinella, run by an Italian family who opened their Miami restaurant in the 1990s and serves up home-made dishes from lasagna to chicken Milanese. For a taste of Latin America, stop in CVI.CHE 105 for refreshing ceviche and Peruvian staples like Lomo Saltado. Steak lovers will be drawn to upscale Meat Market, which serves a side of scene with their indulgent steaks and sides. End your night with a decadent coffee at Nespresso (where you can also buy one of their machines), or at cult-favorite Sugar Factory, where kids and adults-alike will want to create sweet memories. You can snag one of their celebrity-craved “Couture Pops,” kids can challenge the legendary King Kong Sundae loaded with 24 scoops of ice cream, and adults can imbibe in smoking cocktails served in candy goblets. Cool off at the brick-and-mortar location of one of Miami’s beloved food trucks, Mr. Bing, where you’ll find shaved ice cream.
When it comes to people-watching, locals-in-the-know congregate at longtime staples like the always-happening Segafredo, an Italian hot spot known for its coffee, cocktails and European-style menu, and iconic Books & Books, a café/bookstore offering healthy bites along with epic shelves of books and magazines.