By: Shayne Benowitz
Make it a perfect day with al fresco shopping along Miami’s famous shopping streets.
Miami is famous for its street style fashion sense. Now you can hit the streets at these famous al fresco shopping destinations. From South Beach to Wynwood, here’s your guide to Miami’s most famous shopping streets.
South Beach
South Beach is a major destination for al fresco shopping and there is no shopping street as iconic as Lincoln Road. This outdoor pedestrian mall runs east to west through the center of South Beach as a hub for shopping, café-style dining and serious people watching. Look for high-end boutiques like Alchemist and Intermix amidst recognizable brands like H&M, Zara, Forever 21, J. Crew and Lululemon. Plus, a trip to Lincoln Road isn’t complete without ducking into Miami’s independent bookstore Books & Books.
Running perpendicular to Lincoln and close to the ocean, you’ll find Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue. The largest concentration of shops on these busy avenues are found south of Lincoln Road. Collins is home to Dash, Sephora, Quiksilver, Vans and Victoria’s Secret, while Washington has AG Jeans, Diesel and various surf, skate and shoe stores.
Española Way is another pedestrian street bisecting Collins and Washington, just a few blocks south of Lincoln Road. It’s a charming street with buildings epitomizing the Spanish colonial architecture found throughout South Beach. You’ll also find shops like SoBe Wear, Heart & Soul, Española Cigar and BCC Jewelry amongst plenty of restaurants.
Of course, if any street is synonymous with South Beach, it’s Ocean Drive. Lined with Art Deco hotels, raucous outdoor bars and café terraces, it’s also home to galleries, souvenir and antique shops. The heart of Ocean Drive runs along the beach between 5th Street and 15th Street and is well worth a visit for a taste of that “only in Miami” energy.
One of the newest and hippest shopping destinations in South Beach is found in Sunset Harbour on Purdy Avenue and Bay Road. This two-block loop overlooking Biscayne Bay is home to locally-owned fashion boutiques like Frankie, Sunset Clothing Co. and Eberjey, as well as some of the best casual-chic eateries loved by locals, like Icebox, Lucali, Panther Coffee and the newly opened NaiYaRa for modern Thai food.
Downtown, Design District & Wynwood
Along Downtown Miami's Flagler Street, you’ll get a window into Old Miami with historic department stores like La Epoca direct from Havana and Macy’s. The area is also known for its wholesale fabric shops and jewelry stores. For an under the radar dinner, pop into Soya e Pomodoro for authentic Italian food and live jazz music.
In a few short years, the Design District has become the Rodeo Drive of the subtropics. The district’s main shopping artery is NE 40th Street where you’ll find major designer flagships like Prada, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin and Hermes. The newly developed Palm Court, just a block away on NE 39th Street is home to high-end jewelers, like Hublot, Tag Heuer and Jason of Beverly Hills. The neighborhood is anchored by the longstanding Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink for a down-to-earth, farm-to-table lunch in an appropriately chic setting.
Wynwood is another neighborhood that’s grown leaps and bounds in the last five years. Originally a mecca for art galleries, the bars and restaurants followed and now retail has also hit the arts district. The main thoroughfare of NW 2nd Avenue is where you’ll find hip shops like Shinola, Warby Parker, Marine Layer and Kit & Ace. While you’re in the neighborhood, don’t forget to pop into galleries like Robert Fontaine Gallery, Greg Sheinbaum Fine Art and Pan American Projects. You’ll also find plenty of great spots for a bite to eat from Wynwood Diner to Coyo Taco.
Coral Gables and Coconut Grove
Coral Gables, a.k.a. “The City Beautiful,” as George E. Merrick planned it back in 1922, consists of wide, tree-lined avenues and picturesque piazzas evoking the Mediterranean. Miracle Mile captures all of this splendor as one of the city’s most iconic shopping streets. A hub for chic bridal shops, Miracle Mile is also lined with boutiques and cafes for a complete day of al fresco shopping. After you’ve found “the dress,” enjoy a celebratory meal at Ortanique on the Mile.
While CocoWalk is a famed outdoor shopping mall in Coconut Grove, the shopping extends beyond that cluster of stores to streets like Main Highway, Grand Avenue and Commodore Plaza. Look for adorable boutiques like Market, Unika and Funky Urban Clothes amidst this bohemian neighborhood by Biscayne Bay. There is more than enough to choose from when it comes to a dining, from Harry’s Pizzeria to classics like Greenstreet Café.
Miami Lakes
The streets of Miami Lakes spiral into the city center where you’ll find Main Street. This is also the shopping and entertainment heart of the city. Shop at boutiques like D’or Fashion, Blacc and Drop Boutiques along this corridor. There’s also a 17 screen movie theater and restaurants like Miller’s Miami Lakes Ale House and Tamura Japanese Seafood Buffet.