mt1 Posted October 28, 2019 Posted October 28, 2019 Hi all, I transiting through Miami next month for a very short one-night stay and was hoping to get some tips. I haven't been before and would like to see the highlights and grab a nice dinner. I've been told by most that Miami Beach (south specifically) is a cool place to hang out but I'm not really looking for clubs or bars. So I thought I'd ask FOH--what area/hotel do you recommend for a one-night stay, hopefully involving a nice meal and a cigar or three. Is Little Havana the place to be for cigar lovers? Would love any and all recommendations for Miami (whether it be hotel, cigar, food, etc). I am arriving on a weekday around 4pm and am catching a 9am flight out the next day, so it is tight timing.
Mikeltee Posted October 28, 2019 Posted October 28, 2019 Check out cubancrafters. They roll them in front of you. I'm pretty sure it's in little Havana. 1
tigger Posted October 28, 2019 Posted October 28, 2019 Calle Ocho is worth checking out. A cigar from El Titan de Bronze and a "Cafe Cubano" at a sidewalk place was a really nice experience for me. 1
SigmundChurchill Posted October 28, 2019 Posted October 28, 2019 I went with my wife in February. We stayed at the Fontainebleau Hotel, which is huge, but nice. Really amazing pool area, but the beach had a lot of seaweed. I would recommend eating dinner at the Versace Mansion (Gianni’s). The food was good, the atmosphere was absolutely amazing, and it is something that you can only do at South Beach. 1
mt1 Posted October 28, 2019 Author Posted October 28, 2019 Thanks for the tips everyone! All added to the list. Keep 'em coming!
Fuzz Posted October 28, 2019 Posted October 28, 2019 I went to Joe's back in 2016 with Rob. To be honest, we weren't impressed with stone crab claws. For the price of 3 small claws (USD30 if I remember correctly), you can buy a whole mud crab. Last year I stayed at the Gale Hotel on South Beach. Nice hotel, but pricey. Two years before I stayed at Hilton Miami Downtown. Another nice hotel, with a smoking area out back with some outdoor furniture (you can take drinks out there), but why the hell do you not get wifi as part of your accom? Rob and I were watching the election results in the downstairs bar. That was a bit trippy. Just down the road is a really nice Mediterranean restaurant called Sultans Restaurant. Probably the best gyros I had outside of Aus or Europe (The Mad Greek cafe in Baker may be world famous, but for all the wrong reasons). Head over to La Carreta if you are going to Calle Ocho. Really good Cuban food there. My friend and I had their La Carreta special and Special Cuban sandwiches. The lady who served us gave me a lot of weird looks. She couldn't understand why I didn't speak Spanish and had an Australian accent. I had a haircut the day before and was being mistaken for a Latino everywhere! 1
LLC Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Stone crab never been my favorite either, but the place is an institution. To me, the best thing on the menu there is the fried chicken. I have not been to the one in Miami but to the Chicago and Vegas ones on many occasions. I go for the bone-in ribeye. I do want to go to the one in Miami and Washington. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
SigmundChurchill Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 I have been to Joe’s on past trips, and found it to be just OK. That’s why we didn't go on the last trip.
mpq Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 I’m usually there for work so stay downtown at the intercontinental. There is a small shop called smoke shop ii nearby (I think on 3rd, by the CVS) that has a good selection and good people. I don’t think little Havana is worth the trip personally. You definitely don’t want to stay near there. If you are downtown, IL gabbiano and novikov are both excellent meals, but $$$. 1
cbenham73 Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Casa Montecristo in Brickell great place downtown for smoke. Plenty of restaurants in the area. 1
El Hoze Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 I live in the north end of Miami Beach. Miami has some great restaurants, depends on what type of food you are looking for. If you have some preferences let me know, I take eating out pretty seriously! My recommendation on a place to smoke a cigar in South Beach would be at Bazaar in the back of the SLS hotel. Good food and drinks there too. Little Havana is pretty cool but wouldn’t be my one stop on a one-night stay. I would stay near the beach if I only had one night. 2
MPS Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 If your looking for a great cigar experience at an amazing restaurant I recommend Fiola. I love being able to smoke while I eat. Food and service is first class. Outdoor area is beautiful. Location is Coral Gables. Nice area with plenty of cigar bars to head to after. 1
mt1 Posted November 6, 2019 Author Posted November 6, 2019 Thanks everyone for the input, super helpful! On 10/29/2019 at 6:27 PM, El Hoze said: I live in the north end of Miami Beach. Miami has some great restaurants, depends on what type of food you are looking for. If you have some preferences let me know, I take eating out pretty seriously! My recommendation on a place to smoke a cigar in South Beach would be at Bazaar in the back of the SLS hotel. Good food and drinks there too. Little Havana is pretty cool but wouldn’t be my one stop on a one-night stay. I would stay near the beach if I only had one night. What am I missing about Little Havana? Is it not that nice or is it sketchy? I was hoping to pick up some custom rolls if there are good recommendations but with my short time in town, I will take your advice and head to South Beach and stay there. On 10/28/2019 at 8:32 PM, mpq said: I’m usually there for work so stay downtown at the intercontinental. There is a small shop called smoke shop ii nearby (I think on 3rd, by the CVS) that has a good selection and good people. I don’t think little Havana is worth the trip personally. You definitely don’t want to stay near there. If you are downtown, IL gabbiano and novikov are both excellent meals, but $$$.
mpq Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 It’s a little sketchy, but not terrible. El Titan de Bronze makes good cigars, but I think the best tobacco goes into the brand name cigars rolled there (which you can buy elsewhere) not custom or store branded smokes. 1
mt1 Posted November 6, 2019 Author Posted November 6, 2019 On 10/29/2019 at 6:27 PM, El Hoze said: I live in the north end of Miami Beach. Miami has some great restaurants, depends on what type of food you are looking for. If you have some preferences let me know, I take eating out pretty seriously! My recommendation on a place to smoke a cigar in South Beach would be at Bazaar in the back of the SLS hotel. Good food and drinks there too. Little Havana is pretty cool but wouldn’t be my one stop on a one-night stay. I would stay near the beach if I only had one night. Thanks!! Not to picky on food but my better half is vegetarian (though also not picky). Just want to be somewhere we can enjoy a nice dinner and smoke, I'm going to book something near the SLS hotel.
El Hoze Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Hey, I missed your earlier question. I wouldn’t say Calle Ocho is sketchy necessarily, it certainly has personality. Just wouldn’t make it a priority given the limited time you have. If you’re date is vegetarian I would highly recommend Byblos a couple of blocks south of the SLS. You can’t smoke there but the food is phenomenal, ambiance is great (sit upstairs) and you could grab a cigar after at Bazaar at SLS. If you wanted to eat outside somewhere check out Casa Tua. It is about a block west from SLS.
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