By: Sarah Finkel By: Sarah Finkel | January 10, 2023 | Culture, Food & Drink, Lifestyle,
In honor of Coconut Grove’s 150th anniversary this month, we’re highlighting the best of this historic South Miami paradise for your enjoyment and exploration. Green space aplenty, artsy dwellers and lush sidewalk cafes define the waterfront oasis affectionately known as The Grove, Miami’s oldest neighborhood that was once home to prolific creatives such as David Crosby, Tennessee Williams and Robert Frost. Two Michelin-starred restaurants, Los Félix and Ariete, reside in The Grove, along with other beloved eateries drawing adoring locals and visitors alike, and the open-air shopping, festivals and nature paths are next to none.
Coconut Grove’s inauguration began in the late 1800s with Bahamian settlers relocating after the Florida Homestead Act gained traction, followed by well-to-do business folk seeking winter homes after the construction of the Florida East Coast Railway. Insert: William Deering and his son’s Villa Vizcaya, the storied estate that is currently referred to as the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens and a pinnacle of Miami-Dade. It’s this rich history and unique Bahamian spirit still felt today that recently ranked Coconut Grove as the 29th coolest neighborhood in the world according to Time Out.
Read on to discover a taste of old Miami as its original luminaries would have wanted.
James Deering’s Gilded Age winter home of the early 1900s is one of the most frequented attractions in Miami, and it’s located in Coconut Grove. The massive estate (the largest mansion in Miami) is akin to a palace, encompassing sprawling gardens, breathtaking architecture and an arsenal of art dating back as far as the 15th century. More Instagram pics than we can possibly count have been captured here.
The Barnacle, the longest standing original home in Miami-Dade, was once the residence of early pioneer Ralph Middleton Munroe. Having hailed from New York, Munroe grew an appreciation for South Florida after sailing across Biscayne Bay en route to Key West on a boating adventure. But it was Coconut Grove that particularly caught his eye, which is where he decided to permanently relocate and build a flourishing community. Munroe worked hard to preserve the wilderness surrounding The Barnacle, and much of the landscaping still remains the same today as it was during the Era of the Bay.
CocoWalk has served as the urban heart of Coconut Grove since 1990, merging retail shopping with entertainment in a tropical open-air setting. As groundbreaking as the mixed-use development was at the time, much of its original charm was lost to stale chains attracting more tourists than locals. New ownership in 2015 breathed fresh new life into CocoWalk, reintroducing the vibrant flair The Grove is known for with the addition of trendy chef-driven restaurants and upscale retailers. Even David Grutman claimed a slice of the CocoWalk revival with the recent opening of The Key Club, joining PLANTA Queen, Mister O1, Sushi Garage and more. Through all of its transformations, the Cinépolis movie theater has remained the anchor.
Miami’s first “hotel,” Bay View Inn, was founded here in 1883 by Charles and Isabella Peacock (friends of Ralph Middleton Munroe) with the intention of functioning as a community gathering area for the influx of new visitors. To this day, the park is still used as a gathering space prized for its greenery and waterfront access—and local favorite Glass & Vine.
Blending modernity with tradition, Mr. C Coconut Grove embodies the unequivocal charm of the neighborhood through the lens of the Cipriani brothers. Steps away from CocoWalk and the heart of The Grove action, Mr. C. provides a marine-themed luxury stay for those looking to spend extended time exploring Miami’s bohemian hub, but still prioritize an afternoon rooftop pool session. And for a taste of Cipriani in Coconut Grove, the hotel’s restaurant Bellini is where you’ll want to go, situated atop the picturesque Coconut Grove skyline.
Billed as the “weirdest parade in the universe,” the King Mango Strut Parade celebrates and pokes fun at an amalgamation of things—the unique blend of cultures and personalities in Miami, current events that took place in the past year and the King Orange Bowl Parade that inspired the wacky festival in the first place. Going strong for nearly 38 years, the King Mango Strut has become a Coconut Grove fixture and source of unrivaled comedic relief for Grovites (who sometimes satirically dress up as characters resembling figures in real life).
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Every Presidents’ Day Weekend, this three-day long art extravaganza takes place along a scenic stretch of Coconut Grove with views of Biscayne Bay as the backdrop. As sailboats pass by in the distance, peruse the stands of more than 280 talented artists showcasing art across various mediums and nibble on gourmet bites as you stroll. There’s even a lineup of live performances, making the Arts Festival an affair for the entire family.
Coconut Grove Food & Wine Festival brings together some of Miami’s most notable chefs, bartenders, sommeliers and foodies in celebration of the local culinary industry. Last year’s 25th rendition of the festival highlighted The Grove’s Bahamian heritage in Goombay style—think a street parade with live music, delicious bites from local Caribbean restaurants and vibrant costumes honoring the Bahamian culture. Not to be missed at the end of January is the annual SEED Food & Wine Festival, the plant-based culinary and wellness event that will feature all kinds of programming and tasty vegan delights for the health-conscious food festival goer.
Who doesn’t love an independently-owned bookstore with a built-in café? Books & Books is a charming literary haven known for its wide selection of titles, ranging from bestsellers and staff picks to cookbooks and art books. Founded by book lover and Miami native Mitchell Kaplan in 1982, Books & Books has continued to engage the South Florida community across its six locations with celebrated author events and personalized service. Sit outside in The Grove location’s lovely patio area, and sip on coffee or even wine as you flip through your new literary find.
Allan Cohen has been serving his legendary frozen lemonade to eager Grove residents since 1978, straight out of a food truck stationed in Kennedy Park. A.C.’s keeps the spirit of Old Grove alive, one cup of freshly squeezed frosted lemonade at a time (A.C. makes his lemonade each day before the sun rises). If you happen to get hungry after your run around the park, fetch yourself a $3 hotdog to accompany your iced treat.
Photography by: Felix Mizioznikov/Getty Images