SOUTH MIAMI

 

South Miami is a peaceful city in the Miami Metropolitan Area with an urban downtown core and leafy suburban neighborhoods. As the name suggests, South Miami is located to the south of the city of Miami. The community incorporated in 1925 when Miami was thriving as a major beneficiary of the 1920s Florida land boom.

 

Neighborhoods in South Miami include the exclusive enclaves of Ponce-Davis and High Pines. Both feature spacious homes with large lots in a mix of styles from different periods. All lots in Ponce-Davis are a minimum of one acre, and many properties boast opulent pools and gardens. Development of High Pines began in 1945. The neighborhood has classic and contemporary townhouses, condominiums, and lavish luxury residences on lots typically a quarter-acre in size. Other South Miami neighborhoods offer condominiums, townhouses, and single-family homes in a range of styles.

 

South Miami is branded as the City of Pleasant Living, and it has plenty that makes it worthy of the name. There are a huge number of shopping and dining choices within South Miami, and the community is within easy reach of many more in Downtown Miami. The city is also close to some of South Florida’s top tourist attractions.

 

South Miami has a vibrant downtown district with diverse shopping and dining. In the Red Bird Shopping Center in South Miami’s north, Matsuri is a lowkey spot for delicious sashimi and sushi rolls alongside other traditional Japanese eats for a reasonable price. The Shops at Sunset Place is an open-air commercial hub with an AMC movie theater and retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Forever 21, Hollister Co., and Victoria’s Secret. Nearby restaurant The Boiling Crab serves flavorful Louisiana crawfish, Cajun seafood boils, and other Southern-style seafood dishes. This district will be going through a revamp as well similar to CocoWalk in Coconut Grove. Taco Craft is a modern taqueria and tequila bar that serves creative tacos, burritos, and quesadillas in a colorful contemporary setting. Macaluso’s is a family-run restaurant and market offering homestyle Italian cooking. Towne Kitchen & Bar serves globally influenced dishes alongside exquisite craft cocktails. Whisk Gourmet serves irresistible Southern-style comfort food with innovative twists. The drink menu is as impressive as the food, taking in a wide variety of wine, whiskey, cocktails, and beer.

 

Entertainment options in Downtown South Miami include Bougainvillea’s Old Florida Tavern. Housed within a charming 1920s cottage, Bougie’s has live music most nights of the week. Dadeland Mall is located along US1 a short distance to South Miami’s southwest. Businesses at Dadeland Mall include Florida’s largest Macy’s department store plus Macy’s Home Gallery & Kids, Nordstrom, JCPenney, Saks Fifth Avenue, and a plethora of other fashion brands and international restaurants. Dining options in Downtown Dadeland are diverse and delicious, including Ghee Indian Kitchen for curry and naan, Pubbelly Sushi for Japanese eats, Lime for fresh Mexican cuisine, Harry’s Pizzeria for mouth watering Italian, and Abi Maria for fresh cocktails and American bites.

 

Northwest of South Miami in neighboring Coral Gables, Shops at Merrick Park features Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus department stores, high-end brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, a Landmark movie theater, and many other restaurants and retailers. The city is also close to world-class shopping, dining, and nightlife in Downtown Miami and on the Biscayne Bay waterfront. Zuma is a highlight of the Downtown Miami dining scene. This creative contemporary Japanese eatery offers bold takes on Japanese classics. The two-level dining space at upscale Cipriani features indoor and outdoor areas with mesmerizing Biscayne Bay views. The cuisine is as outstanding as the setting, with exquisite Italian specialties such as aged Parma ham and homemade ravioli along with signature drinks including Bellini-filled champagne bowls. Across the Bay in Miami Beach, Lucali offers delicious Brooklyn-style wood-fired pizzas and creative salads.

 

Dante Fascell Park offers many sports facilities and amenities in the heart of South Miami. The park has six clay tennis courts, a pro beach volleyball court, a jogging trail, handball courts, and a children’s playground with a tot lot. Many other parks and recreation areas are within easy reach for South Miami residents as well.

 

Lowe Art Museum is located on the University of Miami campus to South Miami’s northeast. When the museum opened in 1950, it was the first of its kind in Southern Florida. The permanent collection has grown over the years into an assortment of 15,000 artworks spanning all continents and thousands of years of art history. The Lowe Art Museum’s collection of Native American artwork is one of the most popular attractions.

 

South Miami is zoned to the Miami-Dade Public School District. Highlights include: