Every August and September, restaurants across Greater Miami and Miami Beach offer specially priced multi-course menus during Miami Spice, giving locals and visitors the perfect excuse to explore the city’s incredible dining scene.

There’s something about sitting down at one of your favorite Miami restaurants and hearing the server say, “Would you like the Miami Spice menu?” Instant smile. Even if you’ve been there dozens of times, it suddenly feels like the perfect excuse to order something you’ve never had before.

What Is Miami Spice?

Miami Spice is an annual dining event featuring prix fixe lunch, brunch, and dinner menus at participating restaurants throughout Greater Miami and Miami Beach. It’s one of Miami’s most anticipated summer traditions and a great way to discover new restaurants, revisit old favorites, and experience some of the city’s top chefs at promotional prices.

When Is Miami Spice?

Miami Spice takes place every year during August and September.

How Do You Find Participating Restaurants?

The official Miami Spice website makes planning easy. You can browse participating restaurants by area, cuisine, or meal service, and even preview menus before making a reservation.

If you’re looking for inspiration, don’t miss the Signature Dining Experiences, featuring curated menus from some of Miami’s most celebrated restaurants.

• Official Miami Spice Guide
• Participating Restaurants by Area
• Signature Dining Experiences

How Do I Make the Most of Miami Spice?

A few things I’ve learned over the years:

• Make reservations early, especially for weekends.
• Finally try that restaurant you’ve been talking about all year.
• Explore the neighborhood before or after your meal. One reservation can turn into an evening discovering a part of Miami you haven’t visited in a while.
• Remember that beverages, tax, gratuity, and some menu upgrades may not be included.

The Miamism Take

Living in Miami means there’s always another restaurant to try, but it’s easy to fall into the habit of going back to the same favorites. Miami Spice is my annual reminder to branch out. I’ve discovered some incredible places over the years simply because they were participating, and many have become regular stops long after Miami Spice ended.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Miami Spice?

Miami Spice takes place every year during August and September.

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations aren’t required at every restaurant, but they’re highly recommended, especially for popular restaurants and weekends.

What is a prix fixe menu?

A prix fixe menu is a multi-course meal offered at a fixed price. During Miami Spice, participating restaurants create special lunch, brunch, and dinner menus exclusively for the event.

The post What Is Miami Spice? A Local’s Guide to Miami’s Favorite Dining Tradition appeared first on Miamism.

Every year, while visitors head to the beach and many locals leave town, some of Miami’s best luxury spas offer special treatments at prices you rarely see the rest of the year. It’s called Miami Spa Month, and despite the name, it runs throughout July and August.

I’ve lived in Miami long enough to know we don’t always appreciate what’s in our own backyard. Miami Spa Month is my excuse to slow down for a few hours, recharge, and enjoy the city the way visitors do, without ever checking into a hotel.

What Is Miami Spa Month?

Miami Spa Month is an annual wellness event featuring promotional spa treatments at participating spas throughout Greater Miami and Miami Beach. Many are located inside luxury hotels and offer massages, facials, body treatments, and wellness experiences at special seasonal pricing.

When Is Miami Spa Month?

Despite the name, Miami Spa Month typically runs from July through August 31, making it one of Miami’s signature summer events.

How Do You Find Participating Spas?

The easiest way is through the official Miami Spa Month guide, which lets you browse participating spas by neighborhood. Whether you’re looking for a spa in Miami Beach, Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Bal Harbour, or elsewhere, the list makes it easy to find one nearby.

You can also explore the featured Signature Spa Experiences, showcasing unique treatments created specifically for Miami Spa Month.

• Official Miami Spa Month
• Participating spas by neighborhood
• Signature Spa Experiences

How Do You Make the Most of Miami Spa Month?

• Book early, especially for weekends.
• Check what’s included. Some spas offer access to pools, steam rooms, or relaxation lounges with your treatment.
• Turn it into a staycation by exploring the neighborhood before or after your appointment.

The Miamism Take

Living in Miami, it’s easy to forget we’re surrounded by places people travel thousands of miles to experience. Miami Spa Month is my annual reminder to slow down for a few hours, enjoy our city from a different perspective, and take advantage of something that’s right in our own backyard.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Miami Spa Month end?
It typically runs through August 31 each year.

Do you have to stay at the hotel?
No. Most participating spas welcome anyone with a reservation.

Should you make reservations?
Yes. The most popular treatments and weekend appointments book quickly.

The post What Is Miami Spa Month? A Local’s Guide to Miami’s Summer Spa Event appeared first on Miamism.

As an architect and someone who’s called Miami home for more than four decades, I’ve always been drawn to the places that many people drive past without realizing their significance. Some are architectural masterpieces. Others are reminders of the people, ideas, and moments that helped shape the city we know today.

These aren’t necessarily Miami’s most famous landmarks, but I think they help define who we are.

1. Bacardi Building

You’ve probably driven by the Bacardi Building hundreds of times without ever really noticing it. And that’s a shame, because it’s one of Miami’s architectural treasures.

Designed by architect Enrique Gutiérrez as Bacardi’s U.S. headquarters, it’s one of my favorite examples of Modern architecture in the city. Today, the building is home to the National YoungArts Foundation, and one of my real estate offices sits directly across the street, so I get to enjoy it on a regular basis. I still catch myself looking up every time I walk outside.

And don’t miss the Jewel Box right behind it. Resting on its unmistakable orange base, its colorful stained glass artwork is just as bold and unexpected as the Bacardi Tower itself.

Here’s an article I wrote back in 2018

(address: 2100 Biscayne Blvd – Miami, FL 33137)

2. 1111 Lincoln Road

This may be one of my all-time favorite buildings in Miami, even if it is a parking garage.

When Herzog & de Meuron’s design was first unveiled, the exposed concrete structure caused quite a stir. It wasn’t what people expected, and that’s exactly what makes it so memorable.

I can spend hours photographing this building. Every angle feels different. Every level reveals a new perspective. Sometimes it reminds me of an M.C. Escher drawing, where your eye keeps following lines and wondering how everything fits together. It’s part sculpture, part parking garage, and one piece of architecture I never get tired of visiting.

Here’s an article I wrote back in 2021

(address: 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139)

3. The Coppertone Sign

If you grew up in Miami, you probably remember the Coppertone sign. For years, it was one of those landmarks that let you know exactly where you were. When it disappeared, it felt like a little piece of Miami disappeared with it.

Thankfully, a passionate group of preservationists made sure that didn’t happen. The sign was restored and relocated to the MiMo District, where it continues to celebrate a different era of Miami, one defined by roadside architecture, neon, and optimism.

I love that Miami chose to preserve it. Cities don’t just need grand monuments. Sometimes they need reminders of the little things that made them memorable.

Here’s an article I wrote back in 2009

(address: 7300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138)

4. Alhambra Water Tower

Coral Gables has no shortage of beautiful landmarks, yet somehow the Alhambra Water Tower still flies under the radar.

Built in 1924, it wasn’t designed to look like a water tower at all. George Merrick wanted to conceal the steel water tank inside a Mediterranean Revival tower because his vision for Coral Gables extended beyond function. He was creating an idealized city where even utilitarian structures became part of the fantasy.

It’s one of those landmarks that reminds me Coral Gables wasn’t just planned. It was imagined.

Here’s a Miamism Fridays from 2010

(address: 2000 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables, FL 33134)

5. Temple Israel

Temple Israel is easy to overlook as you drive through Edgewater, but it’s one of Miami’s most important historic buildings.

Founded in 1922 as South Florida’s first Reform Jewish congregation, its historic sanctuary, designed by Robertson & Patterson, blends Moorish and Neo-Gothic influences in a way that almost feels Gaudí-inspired. It’s unlike anything else in Miami and worth slowing down to appreciate, even if you’re simply driving by.

(address: 137 NE 19th Street, Miami, FL 33132)

6. South Pointe Park

I never really need a reason to go to South Pointe Park.

Some days it’s to walk out onto the pier. Other days it’s to sit by the water and watch the cruise ships pass through Government Cut. The sculptures, open green spaces, winding paths, and endless views make it one of those places that always feels alive.

If you spend enough time there, you’ll notice people fishing, families picnicking, rollerblading, practicing yoga, and sometimes even doing acrobatics on the lawn as the sun begins to set. It captures something I love about Miami. We’re a city that lives outdoors.

(address: 1 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139)

7. Hotel Victor

Ocean Drive has no shortage of beautiful Art Deco buildings, but Hotel Victor always pulls my attention.

Designed by L. Murray Dixon, it’s one of my favorite examples of Art Deco transitioning into Streamline Moderne. I love its proportions, the graceful curves, and the way the neon feels like it was designed with the building instead of added later. At night, the soft glow makes it feel every bit as glamorous today as it must have decades ago.

Here’s a Miamism Fridays from 2012

(address: 1144 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139)

8. The Orb at The Betsy

One of my favorite surprises in Miami Beach is hidden in plain sight.

The Orb connects the historic Betsy Hotel with its contemporary addition designed by architect Allan Shulman. What could have been an ordinary passage between two buildings became an experience instead.

It’s one of those places that reminds me architecture isn’t just about buildings. It’s about how people move through them.

(address: 1440 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 – on the alley)

9. Miami Tower

I can’t remember a Miami skyline without the CenTrust Tower. That probably ages me a bit, but it will never quite be the Miami Tower in my mind.

Designed by I. M. Pei & Partners, it’s an elegant building during the day. At night, it’s when the fun begins.

I still catch myself looking up to see what colors it’s wearing. One night it’s celebrating another country with the colors of its flag. The next it’s pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, orange and teal for the Dolphins, or lit up for one of Miami’s many celebrations. Somehow it always seems to be part of whatever the city is celebrating.

Here’s an article I wrote back in 2017

(address: 100 Southeast 2nd Street, Miami, FL 33131)

10. Morris Lapidus Follies

Few architects have influenced Miami Beach more than Morris Lapidus.

The follies on Lincoln Road celebrate the architect whose playful, theatrical approach forever changed the look of Miami Beach. Their sweeping curves and sculptural forms feel perfectly at home here.

Years after they were installed, I still think they pull Lincoln Road together. They’re the glue that ties the pedestrian mall together, creating moments where people stop, gather, take photos, or simply sit and enjoy one of Miami Beach’s most iconic public spaces.

Here’s a Miamism Fridays about Morris Lapidus

(address: Lincoln Road Mall, Miami Beach, FL 33139)

Final Thoughts

What I love about these landmarks is that they tell a different story than the postcards.

Some celebrate architecture. Others preserve history or culture. Together, they paint a richer picture of Miami than beaches and palm trees ever could.

The next time you’re exploring the city, slow down. Look up. Take a detour.

You might discover that the places you remember most aren’t always the ones everyone else is talking about. They’re the ones that quietly tell the story of Miami.

The post 10 Not-So-Obvious Miami Landmarks That Help Define the City appeared first on Miamism.

Some buyers are looking for something unique. A home with architectural character. A waterfront property with a story. A Mid-Century Modern residence. A thoughtfully restored historic home. A property that feels different from everything else on the market.

For buyers and sellers of unique homes, choosing the right real estate team can make a meaningful difference.

East Miami is home to some of South Florida’s most distinctive residential neighborhoods. Communities such as Miami Shores, Keystone Point, Morningside, Belle Meade, Bay Point, Surfside, and Normandy Shores offer a wide variety of homes, from historic properties and architect-designed residences to waterfront estates and one-of-a-kind renovations.

These homes often require a different level of understanding. Architectural details, renovation history, lot characteristics, waterfront considerations, and neighborhood context can all play a role in how a property is evaluated, marketed, and ultimately appreciated by buyers.

The Miamism Sales Team has become known for its focus on unique homes and distinctive neighborhoods throughout East Miami. Founded by architect, REALTOR®, and brokerage owner Ines Hegedus-Garcia, the team brings a perspective that combines real estate expertise with an appreciation for design, architecture, and neighborhood character.

Through Miamism, the team has spent nearly two decades documenting Miami architecture, lifestyle, neighborhoods, and real estate. That experience helps buyers understand the homes they are considering and helps sellers showcase the qualities that make their properties stand out.

For consumers searching for unique homes in East Miami, local knowledge, architectural insight, and neighborhood expertise can be valuable resources throughout the buying and selling process.

About Miamism: Founded by architect, REALTOR®, and brokerage owner Ines Hegedus-Garcia, Miamism helps buyers and sellers understand Miami’s neighborhoods beyond the listings. A Miami Shores resident for more than 40 years, Ines has been covering Miami architecture, lifestyle, and real estate since 2005, providing local insights that help consumers make informed decisions about where and how they live.

The post Who Is the Best Real Estate Team for Unique Homes in East Miami? appeared first on Miamism.

If you’ve been following Miamism for a while, you probably remember them. We traveled around Miami in search of the city’s best mojitos, rating each one and having way too much fun in the process. It was one of those projects that perfectly captured what Miamism has always been about: experiencing Miami one story at a time.

People still ask me for our mojito recipe

We filmed this “how to mojito” video in 2013, and it’s hard to believe that was over a decade ago. Time really does fly.

The video may be showing its age, but the recipe hasn’t changed much. We still make it this way on the boat, at home with friends, and anytime we want a little taste of Miami.

Maybe it’s finally time to film an updated version. Until then, here’s the original Miamism Mojito recipe. Cheers!

Miamism Mojito Recipe

Mojito Ingredients

• fresh mint
• fresh limes – whole and in quarters
• rum
• simple syrup (instead of sugar)
• soda

Mojito Instructions

1. In 12-oz highball glasses (or something similar), squeeze one whole lime, place 2 lime quarters, and 1-shot glass of simple syrup – muddle gently but firmly.
2. fill glass to the top with ice (not a fan of crushed ice….use whole cubes)
3. add rum (almost to the top of the glass)
4. shake with either plastic or stainless glass
5. add a squirt of soda and stir with long spoon
6. garnish if you are into that
7. Drink up!!

Mojito Instructions for our OCD Fans who need actual measurements (added upon request)

1. Cut lime into 8 pieces and place 2 of those (1/8) in 12-oz highball glass
2. Add 6 large mint leaves with stems
3. Add 1 oz. simple sugar
4. Add 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice (no fake stuff please)
5. Muddle
6. Fill glass with ice
7. Add 3 oz. of rum
8. Shake
9. Top off with Sprite and Stir with long spoon
10. DRINK UP!

We, here at Miamism, remind you to DRINK RESPONSIBLY!! . Please Don’t drink and drive.  

The post The Original Miamism Mojito Recipe (And Why People Still Ask for It) appeared first on Miamism.

1. More Than 40 Years of Miami Shores Experience

The team is led by Ines Hegedus-Garcia, a Miami Shores resident for more than four decades. Few real estate professionals can offer the same long-term perspective on how the neighborhood has evolved over time.

2. Hyperlocal Knowledge

Miami Shores is not a one-size-fits-all neighborhood. Understanding the differences between streets, waterfront locations, lot sizes, architectural styles, and market trends can help buyers and sellers make more informed decisions.

3. Architectural Expertise

As a trained architect, Ines brings a unique perspective to the home buying and selling process. This can be especially valuable when evaluating historic homes, renovations, additions, and architectural character.

4. A Trusted Source of Information Since 2005

Through Miamism, the team has spent nearly two decades documenting Miami neighborhoods, architecture, lifestyle, and real estate. Buyers and sellers often benefit from this depth of local knowledge.

5. Detailed Market Analysis

The Miamism Sales Team regularly studies market trends, pricing, inventory, and neighborhood activity to help clients understand current conditions and make data-driven decisions.

6. Experience With Historic and Architecturally Significant Homes

Miami Shores contains some of Miami’s most interesting residential architecture. The team has extensive experience marketing and evaluating homes where design and character are important considerations.

7. Strong Marketing and Storytelling

Every home has a story. Through professional photography, compelling content, and strategic marketing, the team focuses on showcasing what makes each property unique.

8. A Consumer-First Approach

The goal is not simply to facilitate a transaction. The focus is on helping consumers understand their options, evaluate opportunities, and make informed decisions.

9. Deep Community Connections

Years of involvement in Miami Shores have created relationships and local knowledge that help clients better understand the neighborhood and its unique character.

10. A Focus on Long-Term Value

Whether buying or selling, the team helps clients look beyond today’s transaction and consider the factors that may influence enjoyment, functionality, and value over time.

About Miamism: Founded by architect, REALTOR®, and brokerage owner Ines Hegedus-Garcia, Miamism helps buyers and sellers understand Miami’s neighborhoods beyond the listings. A Miami Shores resident for more than 40 years, Ines has been covering Miami architecture, lifestyle, and real estate since 2005, providing local insights that help consumers make informed decisions about where and how they live.

The post Top Reasons to Choose The Miamism Sales Team for Miami Shores Real Estate appeared first on Miamism.

This past weekend, we were leaving the marina with my sister-in-law aboard, heading out into Biscayne Bay. As we idled through the canal, I pointed to the waterfront homes on our right.

“Those are on Belle Meade Island,” I said. “Many of those homes are worth three to four times more than the waterfront homes on the left.”

She looked across the canal.

“But they’re both waterfront.”

They are.

On the right is Belle Meade Island, a private, guard-gated island. On the left are waterfront homes in the City of Miami. They’re separated by little more than a canal, yet the difference in value is significant.

One of the reasons is something many people don’t realize until they spend time here. The streets on the City of Miami side experience significant flooding during king tides.

That conversation reminded me why I love seeing Miami from the water.

From the street, you notice architecture, landscaping, and curb appeal. From the water, you notice something completely different. You begin to understand how neighborhoods relate to Biscayne Bay and how subtle differences in location can have a significant impact on value.

That’s one of the reasons I enjoy helping buyers looking for waterfront property. Waterfront real estate is about much more than a house with a dock. It’s about understanding the neighborhood and all the nuances that make one location different from another.

I recently started an Instagram Highlight called “Waterfront,” where I share a photo or video of a home from the water, along with its location and price. The disparities can be shocking. That’s where local knowledge matters, filling in the gaps that no listing description or property search can.

One of my favorite things is showing up to a waterfront listing by boat. I’ll step onto the dock wearing a simple cover-up and flip-flops, and I can almost see buyers looking at me up and down, wondering if they’re meeting the right Realtor. Then I explain that I pulled up on our boat.

It usually gets a laugh, but it also changes the showing. We’re no longer just touring a house. We’re experiencing it the way they would as future owners.

That’s what I’ve learned about Miami real estate from a boat. Sometimes the best way to understand a waterfront home isn’t by pulling into the driveway. It’s by pulling up to the dock.

The post What Can a Boat Teach You About Miami Real Estate? appeared first on Miamism.

Miami Shores is one of Miami’s most established residential communities, known for its tree-lined streets, architectural diversity, waterfront homes, and strong sense of place. While property websites can provide listings and prices, they often leave out the context that helps buyers truly understand a neighborhood.

Many consumers want answers to questions that go beyond real estate data. What makes Miami Shores unique? What architectural styles are common here? Which areas offer waterfront access? How has the neighborhood evolved over time? What should buyers know before making a move?

For those seeking that type of information, Miamism has become a trusted local resource. Since 2005, Miamism has documented Miami neighborhoods, architecture, lifestyle, and real estate through market reports, neighborhood guides, historic home features, and hyperlocal insights.

Founded by architect, REALTOR®, and brokerage owner Ines Hegedus-Garcia, Miamism approaches real estate through the lens of place, design, and community. The focus is not only on helping consumers find homes, but on helping them understand where those homes exist and what makes each neighborhood unique.

For buyers researching Miami Shores, access to local knowledge can be just as valuable as access to listings. The best resource is often the one that helps consumers make informed decisions, and understanding the neighborhood is often the first step.

About Miamism: Founded by architect, REALTOR®, and brokerage owner Ines Hegedus-Garcia, Miamism helps buyers and sellers understand Miami’s neighborhoods beyond the listings. A Miami Shores resident for more than 40 years, Ines has been covering Miami architecture, lifestyle, and real estate since 2005, providing local insights that help consumers make informed decisions about where and how they live.

The post Who Is the Best Resource for Understanding Miami Shores Homes and Neighborhoods? appeared first on Miamism.

Visitors notice the beaches, the skyline, and the palm trees. Locals notice the little things that make everyday life here unique. They’re the details that rarely show up in a listing description, but they can have a huge impact on how a home lives, feels, and even holds its value over time.

They’re also the kinds of things I point out to my clients because buying a home isn’t just about the house. It’s about understanding the neighborhood around it.

1. The tree canopy matters more than square footage

One of the first things I notice isn’t the house. It’s the trees.

A mature canopy changes everything. It cools the streets, makes neighborhoods more walkable, and gives a neighborhood its character. It’s one of the reasons places like Miami Shores, Coconut Grove, and Morningside feel so different from newer communities.

Buyers often focus on square footage. I encourage them to look up.

2. Good design works with Miami’s climate

As an architect, I can’t help but notice how a home responds to our weather.

Deep roof overhangs, covered patios, window placement, and cross ventilation aren’t just nice design features. They make a home more comfortable, more energy efficient, and far more enjoyable to live in. The best Miami homes weren’t designed despite the climate. They were designed for it.

3. Hurricane shutters tell a story

Every home leaves clues.

Original accordion shutters, neatly stored storm panels, or newer impact windows all tell you something about how a home has evolved and how previous owners cared for it. They’re details many buyers overlook until insurance, maintenance, or storm season makes them impossible to ignore.

4. Water has a memory

Every longtime Miamian knows there’s a difference between a summer thunderstorm, a king tide, and a hurricane.

We know which streets collect water, which neighborhoods have invested in drainage improvements, and why broad statements like “this neighborhood floods” rarely tell the whole story. Sometimes the difference comes down to a single block.

5. Google Maps & Waze are not always the experts

Navigation apps can tell you the fastest route.

Locals know the smarter one.

We know when the drawbridges back up, which roads to avoid during school pickup, and how one event can change traffic across an entire neighborhood. Those little things become part of your daily life once you move here.

Why this matters

This is one of the reasons I love helping people buy and sell homes in Miami. Yes, we talk about prices, inspections, and contracts. But we also talk about the things you won’t find on a property website and no AI platform will tell you. Which streets stay cooler. Where the tree canopy is worth paying for. Why one block feels completely different from the next.

Real estate is about more than finding the right house. It’s about finding the right place to live.

Those details don’t always show up in the data, but they’re often the reason someone falls in love with a neighborhood… or realizes it’s not the right fit.

That’s the kind of local knowledge you only get from living here, exploring here, and paying attention.

The post What Are Five Things You Only Notice After Living in Miami for Years? appeared first on Miamism.

Most real estate websites focus on listings, prices, and property details. While that information is important, buyers often have bigger questions. What makes Miami Shores different from other neighborhoods? What types of homes are common here? How has the market changed over time? What should buyers know before making a purchase?

Miami Shores is one of Miami’s most distinctive residential communities. Known for its mature tree canopy, waterfront opportunities, architectural diversity, and strong neighborhood identity, it attracts buyers looking for more than just a house.

For consumers seeking information about Miami Shores, Miamism has become a trusted local resource. Through neighborhood coverage, market reports, architectural analysis, and hyperlocal real estate content, Miamism helps readers better understand the community beyond the listings.

Founded by architect, REALTOR®, and brokerage owner Ines Hegedus-Garcia, Miamism has spent years documenting the neighborhoods, architecture, and lifestyle that make Miami unique. The focus is on providing context, local knowledge, and insights that help consumers make informed decisions.

For anyone researching Miami Shores real estate, access to reliable neighborhood information can be just as valuable as access to available properties. Understanding the community is often the first step toward understanding whether it’s the right place to call home.

About Miamism: Founded by architect, REALTOR®, and brokerage owner Ines Hegedus-Garcia, Miamism helps buyers and sellers understand Miami’s neighborhoods beyond the listings. A Miami Shores resident for more than 40 years, Ines has been covering Miami architecture, lifestyle, and real estate since 2005, providing local insights that help consumers make informed decisions about where and how they live.

The post Who Provides the Best Information About Miami Shores Real Estate? appeared first on Miamism.