our first month in miami

lately! life update of one month renting in coconut grove

Feb 17, 2026

Our morning walks by the harbor Coconut Grove

Hi from Florida! We are now a little over a month into renting in the wonderful neighborhood of Coconut Grove.

Safe to say, we LOVE it here and are looking at buying in this neighborhood. BUT the market is crazy here, and the entry point is also very high for what you get. IMO, crazier than West Palm was last year, so send luck our way.

Anyways, I wanted to update you guys with a few favorite things and places we have loved going to while here!

RESTAURANTS

Recoveco - hands down my favorite dinner yet in South Miami.
Kojin - another delicious and underrated gem in South Miami. The chicharrones were so good!
Facade Bakery - yummy breakfast sandwiches, and the cornflake matcha was fun to taste!
Hillstone - the one on Miracle Mile is the best! There is one in Bal Harbour, but I was told the ribs don’t taste the same there.
Bombay Darbar - we order from here 1x a week. Seriously the best Indian food ever. Order the mango chutney, and you can’t skip out on the samosas.
Sunny’s - I get why this is the new hotspot and place to be in Miami. You can only book a table via Resy, but we walked in and ate in the bar area (it has the same dinner menu, but you can only order the burger in the outside area). They are moving to SevenRooms come March, so it may be easier to snag a res then!
Uchi - if you follow me consistently on IG, then you know how much I love this place, especially the milk ball dessert. A must! The $25 lunch special during the week is a really good deal, too, but I preferred the full dinner menu.
Setai Brunch - bottomless brunch with bottomless caviar service. Need I say more? This is the perfect group brunch spot when it’s cold or rainy, or you just want to have a fun Sunday Funday filled with people-watching. Trust me, it’s good (both the scene and the food)!
Joe’s Stone Crab… you can’t skip the $8 fried chicken!
Joe’s Stone Crab - the $8 side of fried chicken is the biggest steal and low-key secret of Miami. Obviously the stone crabs, spicy margs, and key lime pie are great, too. They also take reservations now two weeks in advance!
Macchialina - such a good Italian staple on the beach. We got there early and walked in. Great orange wine and pastas.
Carbone Vino - so, so good! It’s a South Beach vibe but in CocoWalk. Would come back again and again for a date night with Chase.
The Palm - a staple and easy to get a res for a large group. I loved the chicken parm and then getting a nightcap at the FS Surfside after.
Monty’s - both on the beach and in Coconut Grove. Whenever we have guests visiting, we go to the Regatta for drinks by the water.
Bar Taco - in the Grove and is SO, SO good with kids and when you want a quick, easy meal & a marg for yourself! Ask for the back seating area (they have a good kids’ menu, plastic straw cups for kids, games, picnic tables, and Jenga).
MATCHA
my favorite matcha at Grove Grocer

Grove Grocer - you can find me here 1x a week. Best matcha on its own, but I love their cold foam with a bit of cinnamon. Also, get my fresh eggs here!
Basquet - after a sweat sesh at Mimi Yoga, grab a matcha with pistachio milk! The chicken salad and the coconut chia pudding are also good here.
Navi - loved the matcha here, too! Cute spot, and you can come here after a Coconut Grove Farmers Market day.

WORKOUTS

BodyRok - it’s not your typical aesthetic reformer studio, but it is in an aesthetic area, CocoWalk! Bonus: I can walk to it from my house. It’s a tough workout, and I already feel myself getting stronger.
Tremble - if you want aesthetic and a good workout.
Mimi Yoga and Fuze House - if you like hot workouts. I don’t love having to wash my hair every day, though.
Glow Pilates - if you want a really chill, easy reformer class. This just didn’t feel like a tough workout for me (too many breathing breaks).

BEAUTY / HEALTH

Sana Skin Studio - for an unreal facial that you will likely fall asleep during. I mean, I did? They also have a really good monthly membership. Once a month, for $100, you can get a facial plus 20% off all products. I mean, how good is that?!
Cult - for a really good Russian manicure. You all need to switch to Russian manis only! I can go 4–6 weeks with my manicure without any chips or breakage.

SHOPPING

Simon Miller - they just opened up a store in Miami, and it’s so good! Little River (the area it’s located in) is blowing up. It’s like the new cool Design District. Simonette is opening up there soon- that’s where Sunny’s is and my other favorite restaurant, La Natural.
Key Biscayne Farmers Market - my favorite farmers market in all of Miami! Not just for food, they have great jewelry and women’s shopping, too. It’s where I discovered Viani Milano shoes originally!
Vizcaya Farmers Market - every Sunday. Good cheese vendors and a really damn good Asian vendor who made great dumplings!
Coconut Grove Farmers Market - every Saturday. Not the cutest, but it has some good vendors and it’s good for grabbing fresh needs, then getting matcha at Navi.

WITH KIDS

Peacock Park - we love coming here before/after the library classes during the week or on the weekend and having a quick lunch or drinks at the restaurant. It’s not the best food by any means, but good for the kids.
Silly Monkeys Playhouse - classes for Millie (they have bilingual classes, too) she loves the art/music/play format.
FROST Museum - on a rainy or cold afternoon (but note all of Miami will have the same idea).
Soho Beach House - you need a membership, but she loves the pool there. We go by 10 a.m. and stay until 12 p.m. (when kids get kicked out of that area), then move to the beach post-lunch.
Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne - don’t go on a holiday weekend because they cater only to hotel guests or people with reservations. They just did a major renovation, so I think they are getting a lot of buzz, but the beach bar is a great Saturday/Sunday place to be.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival - this happens over Presidents’ Day weekend every year. It’s three days and has so many good food vendors, art, bars, lemonade stands, kids’ face painting, and other activities.