If someone had told you in 2015 that Miami would become this, you probably wouldn't have believed them. But here we are in 2025: a city that finally owns its style, its flavor, and yes — its weirdness — in the most unapologetic way possible.
This summer, we're not just sweating it out under the sun. We're celebrating a Miami that's hit its stride. The Best of Miami® 2025 issue is more than just a list of winners. It's a snapshot of a city that's matured without losing its edge — and a summer-ready guide to everything you need to eat, drink, explore, and enjoy right now.
Every city has a moment when it figures itself out. For Miami, that moment is now. This summer doesn't just feel hot — it feels important.
We're seeing long-forgotten theaters come back to life. Neighborhoods like Allapattah and Little River have gone from underdog to undeniable. And everywhere you look, there's this electric sense that Miami is no longer trying to copy other cities — it's building its legacy.
Sure, we're still knocking down old buildings to build glass towers, but we're also preserving stories, recipes, murals, and music. In the summer of 2025, Miami is complicated, beautiful, and alive.
Let's start with the creatives. This year's Best of Miami® winners in Arts & Entertainment include muralists, drag performers, indie filmmakers, DJs spinning vinyl-only sets, and even a politician or two who might actually be doing something right.
This summer, the city is buzzing with gallery shows that spill onto the streets, backyard concerts, and festivals that feel more like block parties than brand activations.
From Overtown to Wynwood, the energy is hands-on and hyperlocal. Art here isn't hung quietly on white walls — it's plastered on buildings, projected on warehouse facades, and screamed into microphones at 2 a.m. under blinking neon signs.
Let's get one thing straight—Miami knows how to eat, especially in the summer. The Best of Miami 2025 winners serve everything from $7 arepas to tasting menus with wine pairings longer than the I-95.
Are you looking to impress someone? Book a table at this year's Best Romantic Restaurant, where the cocktails come with edible flowers, and you can hear the waves in the distance. Do you want good food without breaking the bank? The Best Inexpensive Restaurant will remind you that some of the best meals are served on paper plates.
This summer is all about flavor-forward, bold, and bright dishes. Think mango-glazed ribs, passionfruit tiradito, and ice cream that melts faster than your last situationship.
Drinks? You've got options. Miami's top bars in 2025 are skipping the pretentiousness and focusing on what matters: good drinks, strong playlists, and a vibe you want to stay in for hours.
There's a reason the Best Wine List winner doesn't even list prices — they want you to ask questions and try something new. Summer drinks this year include funky orange wines, spicy frozen palomas, and a coconut mojito that tastes like vacation.
Whether posted on a rooftop in Brickell or sipping something herbal in a Little Haiti courtyard, summer drinking in Miami is about staying cool while drinking warm (well, boozy) memories.
This year's Best of Miami shopping picks say much about the city's future—less fast fashion and more thoughtful curation.
Wynwood shops are mixing vintage with new drops. North Miami has quietly become a hub for up-and-coming swimwear brands. And our malls? They're evolving into social spaces — with coffee shops, DJ booths, art exhibits, and yes, AC blasting at arctic levels (because: summer).
The best menswear store this year features local designers who know what Miami men actually wear—breathable, breezy clothing that is still sharp enough to get into that club with the velvet rope.
Miami in the summer means you're living in your swimsuit. So it's no surprise that this year's Best Swimwear winner isn't just about style — it's about sustainability, comfort, and fit.
Whether you're more into neon thongs or sporty surf looks, the options are built for movement, dancing, and diving into questionable decisions at pool parties.
This summer, the best way to enjoy Miami might be to get out of the city for a minute. This year's Best Day Trip takes you on a boat ride through mangroves with manatee sightings and Cuban sandwiches packed in the cooler.
But you don't have to go far to escape. The Best Pool winner is in Downtown—a little oasis surrounded by buildings and beats, perfect for a weekday cooldown. Dog parks, bike trails, yoga on the sand—this city doesn't stop moving, even when the heat index is on demon time.
And don't skip the Staycation category — one of the most underrated ways to spend a summer weekend in Miami. Lux hotels offer locals-only deals, and a few nights away from your landlord's broken AC might be just what you need to fall in love with the city again.
What's better than expert picks? Real people speaking their truth. The Readers' Choice categories in Best of Miami® are full of gems that make you say, "Of course!" and a few surprises that will have you pulling up Maps to save the location immediately.
Best Arepas? Crispy on the outside, melty inside, and available at 2 a.m. Best Beach? It's not the one you think — it's the quiet spot with wild palms and a juice vendor who remembers your name. Best Athlete? Someone whose highlight reel includes MLS goals and hosting back-to-school drives in Liberty City.
These are the winners who show what Miami really values: flavor, community, and people who keep it real—especially in the summer.
Miami isn't perfect. It's messy, sweaty, and loud. But it's also magic—especially when the sun's out and the city hums with potential.
Best of Miami® 2025 is your chance to see everything clearly — what's working, exciting, and what deserves your time, money, and attention this summer.
So bookmark this, share it with your group chat, and challenge yourself to try something new before the summer ends. Whether it's a restaurant you've never heard of or a beach, you always overlook — this is the season to dive deep into the city that keeps reinventing itself.
Because here in Miami, the future isn't coming. It's already here. And it's hot.
Back