Unique in Finds MIAMI

Shopping here runs the gamut from luxury brands to quirky boutiques, but make sure to also check out these local staples.

By Shayne Benowitz

The perfect souvenir encapsulates the destination you’ve visited. In Miami, that might mean Cuban cigars, key lime pie, or a piece of local art. To aid you in searching for that unique find, we’ve created the ultimate guide to our favorite locally-owned shops, art galleries, and restaurants.

Joe’s Stone Crab & Key Lime Pie

Celebrating a century on Washington Avenue in 2023, Joe’s Stone Crab is South Beach’s most historic — and, arguably, most beloved — restaurant, not only for its white tablecloths and “Old Florida” charm but also for its namesake local stone crabs, in season from mid-October to mid-May. Lucky for you, Joe’s ships nationwide, so a classic stone crab feast (with all the accouterments) can be yours. Don’t forget to add their award-winning key lime pie for the perfect sweet finish to a sublime meal.

A Work of Art

With Miami’s thriving contemporary art scene spanning museums, galleries, and street art, consider purchasing a piece from a local gallery or artist. The Wynwood Walls gift shop features everything from prints to artist collaborations, apparel, and art books, including Walls of Change: The Story of the Wynwood Walls, which chronicles the birth of this museum dedicated to street art and the artists and visionaries who made the neighborhood what it is today.

Schnebly Redland’s Winery

Take a journey to South Dade and the subtropical oasis of Schnebly Redland’s Winery, where the quixotic yet enterprising Peter Schnebly has been producing wine from tropical fruit since 2005. Enjoy a wine tasting and tour and pick your favorite bottles to take home, from their Carambola starfruit white wine to the Cat 2 Hurricane Red made from avocado and guava or the Kiss of Passion rosé made with strawberries and citrus. You can even join their wine club.

Classic Guayaberas

Head to Havana Collection in Little Havana for a classic guayabera shirt. A staple of Cuban fashion, the guayabera is a lightweight linen or cotton collared shirt, typically made with short sleeves, two or four pockets, and decorative stitching. While it’s traditionally a man’s shirt, Havana Collection also makes a variety of stylish guayaberas for women and children.

Indie Books, Records & Coffee

We cherish our indie purveyors of culture in Miami, so pick up your beach read at locally owned Books & Books in Coral Gables, take home a bag of ethically sourced, locally roasted Panther Coffee in Wynwood, and snag a rare record to add to your collection at Sweat Records in Little Haiti.

Cuban Cigars

Originally founded by a World War II veteran in Miami Beach in 1950, Mike’s Cigars is a longstanding den of premium handmade cigars. Now located on Bay Harbor Islands, stop by and choose from over 600 cigar brands, including Romeo y Julieta, Padron, Cohiba, and Macanudo, all under one roof with the expert guidance of Mike’s trusted aficionados.