The Haute Guide to Coconut Grove

There is nothing quite like Miami’s neighborhood, Coconut Grove. In fact, the Grove has something that money cannot manufacture, and marketing cannot replicate: genuine history, a specific identity that has survived every wave of the city’s reinvention, and the kind of walkable, tree-lined, bay-facing character that makes people who discover it feel like they have found somewhere real. It predates Miami itself by 23 years, and that fact shows in the streets, the architecture, the pace of an afternoon, and the restaurants that have long understood they do not need to be louder than the neighborhood to fill every table.

What has arrived in recent years is a dining and hotel scene that matches the Grove’s character rather than overwriting it. Anchored by some of Miami’s most iconic culinary names and reaching well beyond it, here is the haute guide to Coconut Grove.

Where to Eat

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AVA MediterrAegean

Riviera Dining Group’s venture into Coconut Grove, AVA MediterrAegean, is one of the most immersive dining experiences in Coconut Grove. The restaurant is built around the Greek concept of PAREA, the notion of friends gathering to share life, ideas, and conversation, and the room delivers on that philosophy entirely. The menu brings together fresh seafood, charred proteins, seasonal produce, aromatic herbs, and the cleanest Mediterranean ingredients, executed with a modern Cycladic sensibility. Standout dishes include sea bass carpaccio, black truffle spaghetti, and grilled branzino. The weekend brunch, available Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM with a $45 prix fixe option, is one of the most popular in the neighborhood.

Carbone Vino

Major Food Group’s Coconut Grove outpost opened in December 2024 and has quickly become one of the most sought-after reservations in the neighborhood. The restaurant carries the unmistakable DNA of the original Carbone in South Beach, with timeless Italian classics, spirited energy, and the enveloping hospitality the brand is known for, but adds something the South Beach location does not have: one of the largest by-the-glass wine lists in Florida and a world-class bar that serves the complete menu and welcomes walk-ins. The menu brings back Carbone signatures including the Caesar alla ZZ, Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka, and Veal Parmesan alongside new creations by Chef Mario Carbone including Pumpkin Agnolotti, Tortellini with Truffles, and Spaghettini Bambini.

Amal

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Amal is a modern Lebanese restaurant from INK Entertainment Group with a Studio Munge-designed interior, a 5,000 square-foot rooftop bar with panoramic views of Miami and Biscayne Bay, and a daily happy hour from 4 to 7 PM that has already made it one of the more compelling reasons to spend a weekday evening in the neighborhood. The raw bar, the live entertainment, and the Lebanese-inspired cocktail program make it as much a destination for drinks as it is for dinner.

Bayshore Club

On the former site of Pan American’s first seaplane terminal, Bayshore Club is the Grove’s most distinctly local waterfront restaurant. Biscayne Bay views, a menu built around fresh seafood, and a happy hour running Monday through Thursday with half-priced cocktails and bites like ceviche, tostones, and conch fritters. Time your visit for sunset and arrive early enough to get a table on the water. Old-school Miami in the best possible sense.

Where to Stay

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Mr. C Miami Coconut Grove

The Cipriani family’s boutique hotel in the heart of the Grove is the most stylish address in the neighborhood. The rooftop Bellini restaurant and bar, with its panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami, is one of the best hotel rooftop experiences in the city. The rooms are polished and considered, the service reflects the Cipriani standard, and the location puts guests within walking distance of everything the Grove has to offer. For a Coconut Grove stay that feels genuinely special, Mr. C is the clear answer.

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Mayfair House Hotel and Garden

A Two Michelin Key hotel housed in a building with genuine architectural character, Mayfair House is the most distinctive hotel in Coconut Grove. The historic architecture, lush interior gardens with overflowing plants and fountains, and the SipSip rooftop bar serving rum-forward cocktails create an atmosphere that feels completely specific to the Grove’s bohemian heritage. For guests who want a hotel that reflects where they are rather than where they could be anywhere, Mayfair House is the most considered choice in the neighborhood.

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The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove

The Ritz-Carlton brings its signature standard of service to Coconut Grove with a property that combines the brand’s white-glove hospitality with a location that puts guests in the heart of the neighborhood. The spa is among the best in the area. The outdoor pool and the proximity to CocoWalk and the waterfront make it a practical as well as elegant base for exploring the Grove. For a guaranteed exceptional stay with no surprises, the Ritz-Carlton remains the safest and most reliably excellent option in the neighborhood.

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Where to Relax

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Sana Skin Studio

One of the most beloved skincare destinations in Coconut Grove, Sana Skin Studio is built around the philosophy that everyone can become their own skin healer, with facials rooted in education rather than simply relaxation. Guests can choose from customized facials tailored to individual skin goals, including hydration, brightening, acne management, and overall skin rejuvenation, with treatments incorporating advanced techniques such as LED light therapy, microcurrent, oxygen infusion, gua sha facial massage, and professional exfoliation. The monthly membership program is one of the best skincare investment options in Miami for patients who want consistent, results-driven care rather than one-off treatments.

The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove

For a more indulgent and comprehensive wellness experience, The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove delivers the brand’s signature standard of service in a setting that reflects the neighborhood’s lush, tropical character. The spa menu covers a full range of body treatments, massages, and facial therapies designed to restore and rejuvenate. The tranquil environment, attentive service, and the quality of the treatment program make it the most complete luxury spa experience available in the neighborhood. Ideal for a half-day retreat before an evening at one of the Grove’s restaurants, or as the centerpiece of a full day of self-care.

Must-Visit

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

The most culturally significant address in Coconut Grove — and arguably in all of Miami — is the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Built between 1914 and 1916 as the winter retreat of industrialist James Deering, this 34-room Italian Renaissance villa sits on 50 acres of formal gardens along Biscayne Bay, and nothing else in South Florida comes close to it. The architecture, the art collection, and the gardens form a single, immersive experience that rewards time — plan for at least two hours, and arrive on a weekday morning before the crowds do.

For more of Haute Living’s Miami coverage, see The Best Italian Restaurants in Miami.