This area is emerging as one of the most exciting enclaves in Miami, featuring a flourishing dining scene, unique small businesses and a thriving incubator for art and design.
Photo By: Jeanne Canto
Once an overlooked industrial corridor, Miami’s Little River neighborhood has revitalized into a booming playground of go-to art, food, music and shopping spots. Discerning locals will admit they’ve tried to gatekeep some of these hot spots, knowing they’ve been fortunately off the touristy radar and devoid of the typical Miami nightlife. Still, keeping this roster of gems under wraps has become impossible.
Little River has been on the map since the late 1800s as one of Miami’s first modern settlements and sits just north of Wynwood and Design District, named for the natural river that runs across its northern edge. Fueling Little River’s evolution over the last decade is visionary group AJ Capital Partners, alongside local partner, MVW Partners, working to redevelop its 27 acres into an adaptive, mixed-use community while retaining its vibrant, historic charm. As gentrification reshapes the landscape, Little River’s renaissance is the new home to an ever-expanding epicenter of culture, cuisine, and the arts, championing local talent and small businesses to innovate and thrive.
To inspire you on Little River lore, think maximalist cocktails under a twinkling banyan tree, sourdough pizza at a natural wine joint, a Tulum-inspired yoga sanctuary, and a bohemian vintage paradise with vinyl aplenty.
Here’s our official guide to Little River.
La Natural
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This 40-seat eatery has a menu driven by wood-fired sourdough, neo-Napolitan pizza, roasted veggies and a natural wine selection. Its simple dinner concept has earned itself three Michelin Bib Gourmand awards for the last few years, and with one order of the burrata and basil pie, you’ll understand why. 7289 NW Second Ave., Miami, @lanaturalmiami
Ogawa
The name itself means “small river” in Japanese, a nod to its zip code. Ogawa has only 10 counters seats helmed by chef and co-owner Masayuki Komatsu and offers a multi-course Omakase journey for $350 featuring mouthfuls of skillful Kappo sushi traditions like baby snow crab and Japanese-style herring roe or soy-cured quail egg and bigfin reef squid in a shiso-miso sauce. 7223 NW Second Ave., Miami, @ogawamiami
Sunny’s
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Enter through a nondescript door in what was once a dilapidated warehouse, and you’ll step inside a hidden oasis with an unexpectedly sprawling courtyard under draping string lights and a Banyan tree, ensconcing what is now one of the hardest reservations to score in Miami. The courtyard is flanked by stately but trendy dining rooms that feel both vintage and modern, bedecked in rich jewel tones and palm tree motifs. The culinary program is dominated by an exceptional list of steaks and sophisticated pasta dishes like the blue crab and corn agnolotti or the al dente rigatoni with spicy pork ragu that locals will remember from Jaguar Sun. The buttery Parker House rolls and tableside martini service will have you coming back. 7357 NW Miami Court, Miami, @sunnysmia
Magie
This counter-service wine and snack concept is beloved for its easy menu and informal setting, making dining in comfy and convivial. Select your wine and customize a charcuterie board, or opt for tinned fish or caviar and grab a seat indoors or on the outdoor patio—perfect for date night or a friend group of any size. It’s that perfect “chill but fun” night in Miami, and keep an eye out for pop-up chef collaborations and live music on weekends. 8281 NE Second Ave., Miami, @magiemiami
Mamma Leone Bakery
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This authentic Italian bakery serves up treats from the motherland like Bombolone custard Italian donuts, daily-baked focaccia, pizza squares and a wide variety of breads from ciabatta to olive and walnut sourdough. For an afternoon pick-me-up, order a Sicilian cannolo with a pistachio cappuccino. 210 NE 82nd St, Miami, @mammaleonebakery
The Key
This Key West-inspired rooftop bar is serving up honky tonk-style punch bowls, frozen cocktails, beer buckets and a laidback island atmosphere. The interior part of the rooftop bar is a Tiki Disco Den that hosts lo-fi and reggae nights with no dress code, meant to be a respite from Miami’s “dress to impress” found across the city’s flashier outposts. From Wednesday to Saturday, the bar opens at 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 12 p.m., and The Key says they close “when they say so.” 8300 NE Second Ave., Miami, @thekey_miami
The Citadel
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The Citadel is an all-in-one foodie hub that goes all day and late into the night with 12 global eateries and multiple bars. Start your day with a breakfast burrito from Gueritos, score fresh Florida seafood at the Miami Shores Fish Market, and scoop a sweet treat at Sweet Melody. You can shop between bites or grab a drink if it hits happy hour. The Citadel has something for everyone, allowing you to stay and play on your own or with friends. 8300 NE Second Ave., Miami, @thecitadelmia
Imperial Moto Cafe
Not your average coffee shop. This specialty coffee roaster is motorcycle-inspired, from the distressed leather seating to vintage Harley-Davidson culling moto enthusiasts who share a passion for their steel horse and a good cup of coffee, just like founder Matt McKenna. The coffee is roasted daily in Miami with unique blends like Finca Beatriz with beans from Guatemala or Finca el Manzano from Colombia. 7299 NW Second Ave., Miami, @imperialmoto
Counter Culture Coffee
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Ever wanted to learn how to make latte art or brew the perfect shot of espresso at home? Counter Culture Coffee hosts fun events from Latte Art Basics to coffee tastings and Palate Development workshops so you can become your own skilled barista. 7450 N. Miami Ave., Miami, @counterculturecoffee
Casa de Barcelona
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Operated by husband-wife duo Raul Bartolome and Melissa Andrews, Casa de Barcelona is an expertly curated selection of vintage furniture, artwork and collectibles. Raul works with some of the best textile companies worldwide to source luxury fabrics and reupholster to designer-level quality and create completely custom, one-of-one pieces. The team’s aptitude for sourcing “once in a lifetime” statement pieces like a Jean-Paul Gaultier Mah Jong couch in couture fabrics or iconic Cassina pieces from the 1970s in Dedar Milano fabrics make Casa de Barcelona a haven for design lovers. 210 NW 73rd St., Miami, @casadebarcelona
Miami Paper & Printing Museum
Part museum, shop and studio dedicated to fine art printmaking that provides workshops, studio rental, artist talks, residencies, and book publishing. Led by a team of women, Miami Paper & Printing Museum is meant to be a supportive workspace for South Florida’s artists and enthusiasts. Classes and workshops include printing in color, silk screen printing, pattern block printing on fabric, book bindings and niche practices like Suminagashi Marbling and letterpress. 290 NW 73rd St, @miamipapr
Homework Gallery
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Homework, founded by Aurelio Aguiló and Mayra Mejia, is an experimental art space with an innovative curatorial approach. It continues its mission to foster inclusivity and accessibility within the art world. Since its launch during Miami Art Week in 2021, Homework has consistently presented captivating exhibitions nationwide featuring extraordinary works of global contemporary artists. 7338 NW Miami Ct, Miami, @homework.gallery
WHERE TO GO SHOPPING
Carolina K
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The Carolina K boutique is a love letter to her rich global travels, where she’s collaborated with several niche artisanal communities in Latin America and beyond. Carolina’s desire to preserve ancestral traditions is a part of her brand’s DNA, and each ready-to-wear piece, such as crochet dresses stitched in Peru or home items like ceramic plates made in Colombia, are all handmade creations with artist communities who are spotlit across the Carolina K brand. 7924 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, @carolinakuniverse
Walter’s Mercado
This pop-up mall hosts a series of local vendors like vintage clothing purveyors and curiosities every Saturday. This is the ultimate epicenter for the discovery of local artisans like tattoo artists, made-in-Miami body butter, expert bakers, and ceramicists of different disciplines, and probably one of the only places in Miami where you can get a tarot card reading and a German schnitzel under one roof. 7401 NW Miami Pl, Miami, @walters_mercado
éliou
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Founded by Miami-based best friends Cristy Mantilla and Duda Teixeira, éliou is a handcrafted mix of beaded jewelry and embroidered ready-to-wear for men and women. Harry Styles famously wore éliou’s necklace in his “Golden” music video, propelling the brand into the spotlight. Since then, the brand has been worn by a handful of A-list celebrities, including Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande. 160 NW 73rd St, Miami, @eliou__
Mids Market
Mids Market, founded by Ryan and Evelyn Frankel, redefines the traditional thrift store experience with its expansive 12,000-square-foot retail-style space. This community hub regularly hosts monthly artisan markets, weekly workshops, free yoga sessions and clothing swap events, all designed to promote sustainability and community engagement through secondhand fashion. 7200 NW Second Ave., Miami, @midsmarket
Rose Coloured
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Rose Coloured is a boutique floral studio by Sara Darling, who dreamt up this stem shop and creative space to showcase thoughtful, art-forward flowers, experiences and gift-giving. After returning to floral design as an outlet for artistic inspiration, Sara Darling founded Rose Coloured in 2017 rooted in an artistic, intentional approach to floral design. 7338 NW Miami Court, Miami, @rosecolouredfloral
Ultra Padel
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Padel has taken Miami by storm, and Ultra Padel Club is the largest, premiere padel facility in the United States. With 15 terracotta-clad outdoor courts, plushy lounge areas for socializing, and cutting-edge technology for players of all skill levels, Ultra Club will help you elevate your game. You might also find some Formula 1 drivers like Max Verstappen having some fun off-duty during Grand Prix weekend. 400 NE 67th St., Miami, @ultraclubofficial
Wild Thing
Arriving this spring is a Tulum-inspired yoga and mindfulness studio called Wild Thing, boasting 2,500 square feet of indoor-outdoor space to cultivate a community away from urban noise. Expect a range of programming like hot yoga, breathwork, sound healing, niche movement classes, cold plunges, outdoor showers, and garden space to rest and connect. 162 NW 73rd St, Miami, @wildthingmiami
Photography by: Photo By: Jeanne Canto
