Last Updated January 7, 2016 by Chris Severns There are plenty of bars in Miami Beach but there may not be a cooler one than Bodega. From the street it appears to just be a taco restaurant in an old garage. Granted, if that’s all it was it would still be amazing because the tacos are fantastic. However, go behind the porta-potty door labeled “Baños” and you don’t end up in the bathrooms. The door is actually a secret entrance to one of Miami Beach’s coolest bars. Check it out off of Alton Rd on 16th st. Photo courtesy of Carina Ost of Miami New Times Miami isn’t exactly known for being a place to find a great deal. Ocean Deli is the exception though. This unassuming deli off Collins on 20th is the perfect lunch spot evidenced by the horde of construction workers that show up at that time everyday. Simply approach the glass case, get whatever you want until your white box is filled and then skip the main line handing your $5 bill to the man at the exit. You won’t find anything like this on South Beach.

Oh, and the food is amazing. Roasted pork, plantains, rice and beans, the list goes on. The best $5 you’ll spend for sure.yo sushi dubai locations Photo courtesy of Courtney Catesbuy jiro dreams of sushi online Patpong Road is a street in Thailand’s red light district. jogo sushi cat 3It’s also a very cool bar in Miami Beach. best sushi rolls at mikuniLocated off Meridian and Lincoln this bar is in a suspect looking back alley and up a flight of stairs illuminated by red lights. yo sushi dubai call centre

Step inside though and find a sultry Asian themed bar with Southeast asian bites and great cocktails. sushi grade fish usaA nice little surprise in the heart of Miami Beach.sushi take out spokane Some people say that Miami has no history. They have a point too when Miami does things like tear down its oldest and most iconic bar to put up condos. However, many people don’t know that there’s actually a 12th century monastery in Miami. Granted, it wasn’t built here, it was originally in Spain. But the entire thing was deconstructed stone by stone, shipped to America where it sat in storage for years and then painstakingly reassembled in North Miami. This is definitely worth a visit for anybody that loves history or just wants to see something cool. Here’s a fun trust exercise: tell your girlfriend you want to take her to this really cool spot in Miami and then go to an alley behind a Domino’s.

If she manages to stay long enough to notice the out of place red light then you two can enter Foxhole’s together. This hipster-esque bar off Alton on 14th is one of Miami’s best kept secrets thanks to its location. Once inside though you find an amazing spot where the walls are decorated with guns behind glass cases and the drinks are served strong. Sure it takes a little adventuring to get there, but it’s well worth it. Photo courtesy of Iwan Baan They call it Museum Park for a reason. The Pérez Art Museum of Miami (PAMM to locals) is a great spot for contemporary art lovers. The building itself is an architectural marvel as well. Plus when you’re done looking at exhibitions you can move outside and enjoy the view over the water. What could be better? Photo courtesy of Katy Patao of Rando Miami Set back off of a tree covered street in Coral Gables Casabe 305 is easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for. You absolutely should look for it though because the food is AMAZING!

Venezuelan fusion is the style and seafood is where they really shine. The Chilean Sea Bass is highly recommended. The decor is also very cute with mismatched silverware and a bit of a tacky home feel. Definitely one to seek out. Craft beer and breweries have been on a tear recently but J. Wakefield brewing is a bit of a unique take on this trend. They have great beer for sure but they also make a ton of Star Wars references. Step inside, enjoy a few pints and see Yoda posters, AT-AT chalk art & sidewalk art declaring under 21’s and droids as unwelcome. Most people in Miami don’t go South of Brickell very often, why would they right? Well consider Vizcaya your reason. The historic estate on the water is truly a sight to behold. Beautiful architecture, an astounding art collection and serene gardens will make you feel like you’re not even in Miami anymore. Find an afternoon where you can stroll the 50 acre property and appreciate its beauty. Gas station cuisine isn’t exactly renowned as being great.

But this BP in Miami holds a secret, El Carajo. El Carajo is one of the best wine bars and restaurants in Miami. They have over 2000 wines from all over the world and incredible Spanish food. This place will completely change the way you think about gas station food. Photo courtesy of Albert Thomas The beaches of Miami are typically packed with tourists and residents. At the southern tip of Key Biscayne though there is a beach unlike all the others. Bill Baggs state park forces you to walk through some beautiful foliage to get to its sandy shores but that makes the experience all the more enjoyable. There’s also a lighthouse built in 1825 that looks like it belongs in the Mid-Atlantic not on the shores of Miami. Kayaking, fishing and cycling are all options here as well. One of the few nature sanctuaries in Miami. Hidden inside a unremarkable office building in Miami is one of the most extraordinary pizza restaurants you can find. Walk up, tell the security guard you’re headed to Visa and then dine on an unbelievable pie known as the Star Luca.

Star shaped and filled with Ricotta and Calabrese this will blow your mind. Just don’t tell too many people, don’t want to have to wait for a table! Finding an authentic Philly Cheesesteak in Miami is about as hard as finding a native South Floridian. But if you go to The Alibi on Española Way you can have a legitimate Philadelphia experience on Miami Beach. While everyone else is having Cuban Sandwiches and café con leche step inside and get yourself a real Philly. Right on the water in Coconut Grove is Barnacle Historic State Park. This historic spot is has plenty to see in terms of nature and foliage but the big attraction is the Barnacle House. A relic from a time when the only way to get to Miami was by boat the house offers beautiful views of the bay where you can sit and watch sailboats putt around. A nice relaxing way to spend an afternoon. The Broken Shaker may look a little like something out of a Portlandia sketch but it’s anything but a joke. The hipster haven in the back of a Miami Beach hostel serves up creative cocktails made with herbs from the bartenders own garden.

The eclectic setting, the unique drinks (Mexican Chocolate Old Fashioned anyone?) it’s all here for your inner hipster. Azucar ice cream company is pretty hard to miss if you’re walking down Calle Ocho. The giant ice cream sign on the front tends to get people’s attention. With flavors like flan, passion fruit and mamey this isn’t your traditional ice cream parlor. The Cuban influences of Calle Ocho come to bear upon the frozen dairy treat and make it something like you’ve never had before. In one of the last surviving hammocks in Miami is a romantic restaurant that makes for an elegant evening. Red Fish Grill in Matheson Hammock Park is a great spot that you can arrive at by car or boat. With space for 50′ vessels this is a great stop after a day on the water. Incredible seafood meet an incredible view at this under the radar Miami spot. Photo courtesy of Mylinh Trieu Nguyen Inside a small Japanese market in North Bay Village is Miami’s best kept sushi secret.