1. Motel Blu Miami
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (305) 757-8451
Address: 7700 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: Motel Blu is a highly affordable spot (starting at $20 per person per night for a 2-person room with single beds) and has a slew of amenities to boot: Included in the rate is free Wi-Fi, free parking, light breakfast, individual AC control, and transportation shuttle service to and from Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami. On 77th and Biscayne Boulevard, the property is also within walking distance to a few delicious restaurants and popular bars.
2. Magnum Lounge
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 757-3368
Address: 709 NE 79th St.
Description: Best known as a piano bar, this is the type of place music-loving friends would grab a few drinks and listen to live music. Call to check schedules as the website has not been set up. There is usually not a cover.
3. 71 At Moonchine
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 759-3999
Address: 7100 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: Popular MiMo district Thai/Japanese restaurant Moonchine recently opened 71, an attached 2,000-square-foot lounge serving Asian-inspired cocktails. Notable concoctions include sake and Chambord and the Wending Haiku, made with plum wine, dry sake, and mint. There are also inventive twists on familiar drinks like the Lotus Blossom (champagne and pomegranate) and the Bloody-San (dry sake, tomato, and lime juice) as well as unmodified standbys like Planter’s Punch, Blue Lemonades, and Strawberry Margaritas. Red walls and oversized Chinese lanterns give the bar an intimate feel ideal for dates or nights out with close friends.
4. Soyka
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (305) 759-3117
Address: 5556 NE 4th Court
Description: Call it a reverse Cinderella effect—Soyka is one of those restaurants that slowly turns into a lounge as the night progresses. The fashionable crowd that dines at the restaurant often hangs around after the check has been paid. Located in the still gentrifying Upper East Side, or Northeast Miami, nearby nightlife options are limited so barflies tend to stay put for a while. The lounge’s happy hour is popular with Design District art types and runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mon through Fri. Wine and beer are $3 and well drinks are $5.
5. Legion Park
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 6447 NE 7th Ave.
Description: Daily Offering Yoga runs free weekly classes every Sat at 10 a.m.; classes are open level so experience is not required. Don’t forget to bring your own mat and towel.
6. Jimmy’S Eastside Diner
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 751-8882
Address: 7201 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: Like any good greasy spoon there’s a large counter, a friendly waitstaff, and endless coffee refills. The Philly cheesesteak, biscuits and sausage gravy, and tuna melt will keep you nourished for most of the day. It almost seems criminal that this place isn’t open 24 hours (it closes at 4 a.m.). Jimmy’s is really the perfect spot for breakfast grub essentials (eggs, pancakes, coffee) and everything on the menu is reasonable and reliable.
7. Europa Car Wash And Cafe
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 751-9681
Address: 6075 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: The menu is full of breakfast and lunch options, including an extensive sandwich list that’s more bistro than BP. Try the Europa, which includes buffalo mozzarella, proscuitto, and sun-dried tomatoes or the tropical oven-roasted pork served on foccacia with pepper jack cheese and mango salsa. On Wed, ladies are treated to a $10 car wash and complimentary glass of champagne. This might be the ultimate homage to multitasking as there are also free Wi-Fi and car wash services from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
8. Royal Bavarian Schnitzel Haus
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 754-8002
Address: 1085 NE 79th St.
Description: It’s always Oktoberfest at this lively beer garden. Bavarian classics like potato pancakes with apple sauce, spaetzle, and Wiener Schnizel are all reasons why it’s best to come hungry. Of course the benchmark of any good German restaurant is what delicious beers they have and Royal Bavarian does not disappoint in this regard with 10 featured German beers, 5 of which are on draft. The restaurant’s remote location makes it primarily a locals’ spot. It is particularly festive at Christmas time, so those in need of a little holiday cheer should stop by.
9. Andiamo Brick Oven Pizza
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 762-5751
Address: 5600 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: Restaurateur Mark Soyka, of News Cafe and Soyka, sprinkled some of his magical Miami dust and turned a 1960s car wash into one of the city’s best pizzerias. Pies are prepared in the spirit of the greats up north with dough made daily and fresh ingredients. Gourmet toppings like fresh mozzarella, pancetta, and broccoli rabe are available to dress up pies. Salads and paninis are also on the menu and a partnership with Frank Cupri, of the late Frank’s Big City Grill, keeps the restaurant supplied with Philly cheesesteaks. There’s also wine and a notably large (by pizza parlor standards) beer selection. Best of all, you can actually still get your car washed at the car wash next door, so consider stopping by for a slice before returning that rental.
10. Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (305) 455-3380
Address: 1018 North Miami Ave.
Description: This local nonprofit supports emerging and mid-career Latin American contemporary artists from a variety of backgrounds. The space also serves as a site for classes, events, and openings—exhibitions rotate throughout the year and upcoming exhibitions are listed on the website. Open Thurs through Sun from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment.
11. Divine Trash
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (305) 751-1973
Address: 7242 and 7244 Biscayne Blvd.
Description: Don’t expect to find Tiffany lamps at this funky secondhand store. Do expect combat boots, wedding dresses, and velvet couches among the clutter. Items are haphazardly organized so be prepared to scrounge around the brightly colored store for your treasures. All the artwork on the walls is for sale so inquire if interested. As if the store wasn’t eccentric enough, there’s a full-service hair salon, Primal, on the second floor. The hair salon is reachable at (305) 759-1181.
12. Yiya’S On 79Th Street
City: Northeast Miami, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (305) 754-3337
Address: 646 NE 79th St.
Description: This Cuban bakery does have food but its desserts are an exceptional highlight. Try the chocolate croissant or brownies for cocoa cravings; cookies, and cupcakes are always baked in new and interesting flavors. Cuban flan is made on site and an assortment of pastries is also made daily. Check out Yiya’s Twitter (www.twitter.com/YiyasBakery) for updates on specials, enticing photos of freshly baked food, and events.