The story of Wynwood is all too familiar. Industrial area sees local artists set up shop. Area becomes cool and popularity explodes. Corporate brands and chains move in, the cool factor fades, and the original movers and shakers get priced out of the neighborhood they helped create.
It’s true, Wynwood of today is vastly different from 10 years ago, and 10 years before then, and so on. But as a lifelong Miami girl, I’ve held on to hope that Wynwood maintains some of the best bars and restaurants in the city, and fun activities that are light on the wallet.
To test this theory, I romped around Wynwood to revisit old favorites and uncover some new-to-me spots that still embody the cool, independent spirit we knew Wynwood for. Here’s what I found.
You don’t have to go to Little Havana for real-deal Cuban coffee
I started off hot—steaming hot—at Suite Habana, a local family-run cafeteria that brews its own specialty Cuban coffee. The ambiance here is bright and cheery; quiet enough for worker bees to crank out emails, but lively enough to chat with friendly baristas and avoid side-eye from the worker bees.
There are classic go-to’s like cafecito, cortado and iced cafe con leche, and jazzier options like cold brew tonics, matcha con leche and a decadent bombon coffee layered with house-brewed espresso and sweet condensed milk. I ordered the cortado and a ham and cheese croissant to-go, then quickly wolfed it down at the counter bar because it looked so dang good. Three minutes and a lap of buttery crumbs later, we waved adios and ventured out.
Some of the best O.G. spots have managed to survive
It’s easy to feel jaded by Wynwood’s transformation. I, too, miss the good ol’ days of art walk Fridays and Wood Tavern parties. Wandering the streets, I was happily surprised by remnants of “Old Wynwood”: beautiful murals that stopped me in my tracks, a graffiti artist with spray paint in hand, questionable poetry on the sidewalk, souped-up Pontiacs with booty bass blasting so loud it rattles your soul. This, I thought, is the Wynwood I remember.
Feeling nostalgic, I popped into some of my Wynwood favorites. The penicillin cocktail at Gramps was tart and lovely as ever. Walt Grace Vintage, with its sexy vintage cars and equally sexy guitars, made for a visual feast. Veza Sur is still slinging micheladas, and yes, there’s still a line for KYU’s Asian barbeque.
But we’re here for some of the new stuff, too
Between these old-school spots, a pocketful of boutique bars and restaurants are hoping to become new local favorites. Chef Viviana Varese brought her Michelin-starred prowess to Wynwood for Otto & Pepe, a chic Italian restaurant with natural wine and plates of pasta galore. Next to vinyl hotspot Dante’s HiFi (and run by the same team) is Celia’s, a new smashburger joint with simple wagyu-blend patties and Amsterdam-inspired frites from noon ‘til late night, perfect for a post-Dante’s snack.
I had a grand ol’ time at Willy’s Neighborhood Bar, a new LGBTQ+ bar founded by a team of Miami nightlife veterans and Wynwood Pride organizers. The first thing I noticed at Willy’s was the smell of fresh coffee. Roger, the lead mixologist, crafts his Colada Martini with fresh-brewed Cuban cafecito, espuma and all, which makes for an ultra-frothy, ultra-delicious sipper.
At 9pm on a Saturday, the vibe here was relaxed. Evenings call for happy hour specials and casual convos inside. Later at night, Willy’s is buzzing with DJ sets and themed dance parties that spill out to the al fresco terrace. It’s all part of Willy’s shapeshifting charm, Roger explains. I’m planning my next visit around Big Gay Sunday, an unofficial after-party to R House brunch that sees lip-syncing queens and rowdy friend groups making the most of Sunday Funday.
Another fabulous find, Ruka Winewood is a cozy little wine bar and outdoor garden tucked inside a commercial building. Ruka’s motto is “hard to find but harder to forget,” and this rings true. I almost felt like I was trespassing (kinda fun!) until I heard Marvin Gaye’s voice floating down the hall. I followed my ears to a narrow counter bar, where owner Leando Cabanillas welcomed me in with charcuterie and Argentinian wine.
Ruka is intentionally simple and easygoing, the kind of place you can kick back with friends and catch up for hours. (This was exactly the plan for the birthday party seated next to us.) I’m happy to report the charcuterie was bomb, as was the Neapolitan pizza made with pre-fermented dough from Stanzione in Little River. Ruka’s food menu is small, but weekly offerings are abundant. There’s daily happy hour from 6pm to 9pm, art collabs with OCISLY Ceramics and Raw Figs, wine-tasting parties with sommeliers, culinary pop-ups with local chefs and lots more in the works.
Listen, some of the chains here are actually really good!
But Caitlin, what about all the chains in Wynwood? Are any of them worth it? Dear reader, I wondered the same. It’s hard to ignore the many New York transplants and national brands in Wynwood nowadays. I admit, I was thrilled to find a 260 Sample Sale for Farm Rio on the corner of Northwest 2nd Avenue. French bistro Pastis is one of my guilty pleasures. And there were lines out the door for Skinny Louie (a South Florida chain) and The Taco Stand (a national chain), so they must be doing something right.
I opted for lunch at Momosan, a ramen and sake restaurant by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Momosan’s Wynwood location is spacious and sunny with plenty of seating, great for groups and families who like their elbow room. There’s also an open kitchen to watch Momosan chefs in action. Executive Chef Catalina Vidal spent nine months with Chef Morimoto to bring his culinary vision to Miami. The result is a triumph. Every single bite begged another. I was hooked on the spicy chicken wontons, little flavor bombs tossed in a Szechuan sesame chili sauce that evoked an audible “WOW” reaction.
The twice-fried sticky ribs were perfectly cooked, same as the buri bap rice bowl with fresh yellowtail. And the tonkotsu ramen bowl? Simply outstanding. I’d baptize my first born in that pork broth. I’m plotting my return for Sunday brunch, when the entire Momosan menu is yours to behold for two hours straight, all for just $60. Tack on bottomless beverages for an extra $15 bucks and you’ve got yourself a rare Wynwood deal.
Some final thoughts on Wynwood
New and old, famous and hidden, there are many worthwhile spots to seek out in Wynwood. Cowy Burger made it official with their first Wynwood brick-and-mortar. The Bakehouse Art Complex has free contemporary art seven days a week. And there’s always something fun going on at Gramps. Given the chance, Wynwood might just charm disgruntled locals again. For more ideas and places to go, check out our Wynwood guide to the area’s best restaurants, breweries and hidden gems.
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