Sunset Harbour Miami is unique. It is one of Miami Beach’s most popular, vibrant, and walkable neighborhoods. Located on the quieter bay side of South Beach, it trades the chaotic tourist energy of Ocean Drive for a chic, wellness-focused, local lifestyle. It packs a big concentration of things to do into a few blocks including wonderful fashion boutiques, the best consignment store in town, delicious eating spots and fun things to do. Here’s my guide to what to do:

Where It Is:

Sunset Harbour Miami spans from Alton Road on the east to Biscayne Bay on the west, and from Dade Boulevard on the south to Sunset Lake/20th Street on the north. The area to focus your walking on is about eight to ten blocks. Located on the bay side of South Beach (centered along Purdy Avenue and Sunset Harbour Drive)

 

Shopping:

Instead of massive shopping mall chains, Sunset Harbour Miami is famous for its highly curated, independent retail scene. Here are my favorites:

 

 

Ben & Giules

The name of the game at this boutique and concept store which also has a branch at Brickell City Centre is handmade, sustainable and artisanal. The fashion is casually elegant, ideal for Miami, with pants, tops, dresses and a highlight, beautiful embroidered shawls from local artisans and makers in Mexico (see the image). Also find gift items, jewelry, hats and decorative items for home décor.

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Eberjey

This is the place for sleep and lounge wear for men, women, and kids! It’s high quality, classic, and in “buttery soft fabrics” or silk. What they say about themselves sums it up, “the experience of slipping into our Gisele PJs is the embodiment of our core values: softness, authenticity, relaxation and quality sleep”.

 

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Frankie

 

This is a one stop shop for head to toe looks from day to night, everyday essentials to statement pieces for women, sure to turn heads. Find a mix of sought after contemporary designers from Australia, Sweden, Turkey and Denmark– tops, bottoms, swimwear, outerwear and accessories. On their website you can find all your Miami vacation wardrobe under “vacation edit”.

 

Shan

French Canadian founder and designer Chantal Levesque offers ready to wear, swim and resort wear and accessories for men and women along with her own limited edition. In a novel and welcome twist, some of her swimsuits can double as bodywear, and they’re very attractive, working from boat to club (I almost succumbed). They pride themselves on the quality of their product, boasting 135 craftspeople employed.

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Beach Boutique

A favorite of locals, this two floor shop specializes in a sophisticated mix of casual luxury, lightweight transitional clothing, and high-end vacation wear. Spanning two floors, it boasts an incredible international edit of pieces you won’t find in standard department stores. Designers include Ulla Johnson, Raquel Allegra, Apiece Apart, and Anu.The selection includes everything from hand-beaded silk chiffon gowns and breezy caftans to unique silk lines from Hong Kong and French reversible jackets. Accessories too.

 

Montce

Montce is an inspiring success story of how a small, second-floor designer’s studio and apartment in Fort Lauderdale evolved into a luxury swimwear empire. Today, the brand boasts thriving storefronts across South Florida, including Coconut Grove, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, and Sunset Harbour. Featured in Vogue and Marie Claire, Montce’s flattering cuts are a favorite among celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Kendall Jenner, and Priyanka Chopra. The boutique emphasizes a large and diverse selection of quality swimwear for both women and kids, with individual pieces starting under $100 and full signature looks averaging around $200.

Consign of the  Times.

You’ve read ab out this shop before which for my taste is the best consignment shop in Miami. It’s pricey, but you get top quality. In business for over twenty years, owner Carin Kirby has a seasoned and discriminating eye for style and quality. There’s a large selection of Birkin bags, Gucci,  Luis Vuitton, Fendi, Chanel and others, authenticated as the real deal by a professional authenticator. Handbags are sold at retail or slightly over retail price given their scarcity. Like Chanel pearl and gold chains and Hermes bracelets? Find a good selection here along with shoes and attractive clothes from exclusively designer brands, new or in almost new condition (I coveted a Dolce Gabbana sundress and Balenciaga jacket). Besides the store they also sell on instagram (a lot). @consignofthetimes. To find out more, click here for my blogpost.

 

Eating in Sunset Harbour Miami

 

The vibe in Sunset Harbor is casual to casually elegant, even in the private Harbour Club where the  cost of membership and initiation fee for a couple is five figures. On the casual side find a lot of healthy food options, from chains including Pura Vida and Sweetgreens to Avo. Take things up a notch and you have long time stalwarts of Sunset Harbor, Barceloneta for Spanish tapas and wine, Lucali for Brooklyn style pizza with the next door Bay Club for  and the tavern style Casa Isola for Italian comfort food along with Tequiztlan Restaurant and Tequila Bar. Soon to come, an outlet of The Pasta Bar.

At the top of the pyramid are Uchiko offering hearth specialties from the owners of Uchi  and BeyBey with a “clubstaurant” .The menu features a blend of Yucatán and Lebanese flavors cooked over a custom open-fire charcoal grill. Once dinner winds down, guests slip behind the velvet curtains into the back lounge with low lighting, cocktails, and an evolving soundtrack of house, disco, and Latin grooves curated by DJs.

 

 

Beauty and Wellness/Fitness in Sunset Harbour Miami

Been thinking about changing your fitness routine and want to try something different or just a new place for your yoga, pilates, boxing (with a ring), a gym, whatever? Here’s the place where locals sweat, detox and fuel up.While there I saw a sign of an opening of a Social Wellness Club. Hmmmm. What could that be?

And of course Sunset Harbor has its share of beauty salons and barber shops, and a newer addition, a spot for cosmetic dermatology.

Other Things to Do in Sunset Harbour Miami:

Get Out on the Water

Because it sits right on Biscayne Bay and features a yacht-filled marina,Sunset Harbor is a premier spot on South Beach for watersports. Paddleboarding & Kayaking: Rent equipment from Miami Beach Paddleboard to cruise the calm waters around the Venetian and Sunset Islands. You can even try paddleboard yoga. eFoils & Jet Skis: If you want more speed, you can book electric eFoil surfboards, jet skis, or charter a boat for the day right from the marina.

 

Catch a Legendary Sunset

The neighborhood isn’t named Sunset Harbour for nothing. Because it faces west over the bay toward the downtown Miami skyline, it offers some of the best golden hour views in the city.Walk the scenic waterfront paths along the marina.

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Take a Jewelry Making Class

Beach Boutique offers classes in making necklaces, bracelets from a selection of curated beads and charms.

Get Your Culture Fix

The Gallery at Rudolf Budja The Austrian owner focuses on modern and contemporary art. From now until July 4 find the exhibit “We Are” by prominent artist Raimundo Figueroa.  Soon to come, another gallery of modern art, Omer Tiroche.

 

 

Take a Free Boat Trip

Water taxi. Been thinking of a boat trip? The price is right (nothing) for the water taxi which departs from Sunset Harbour and goes to downtown Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m..

Grab a baked goodie or bread from True Loaf Bakery

Before you leave, stop at True Loaf to get a loaf of their delicious baguettes, sourdough or whole grain bread. Beyond the staple breads, lines consistently form out the door for their decadent Kouign-Amann, perfectly caramelized canelés, filled brioche donuts, and a standout Basque cheesecake that is a neighborhood favorite for dinner parties. Note there is no indoor seating.