In North Beach, Miami Beach’s quietly trendy neighborhood, empanadas and churros are as common as sushi and ceviche are in South Beach. Rising in popularity but still under the radar, North Beach stretches from 63rd to 87th streets, spanning the wide Atlantic sands along Collins Avenue to the peaceful shores of Normandy Isles and Biscayne Bay.
Known affectionately as NoBe — a counterpoint to South Beach’s nickname, SoBe — North Beach has a relaxed, local rhythm rather than the high-energy club scene found farther south. A significant portion of residents hail from Argentina, earning parts of the neighborhood the nickname “Little Buenos Aires.”
To showcase the neighborhood’s Argentine influence, take clients to Las Vacas Gordas, a steakhouse that evokes Buenos Aires with an open grill, a sleek bar, and a wine list featuring selections from Argentina and Uruguay. Portions are generous and designed for sharing; the signature dish is the enrollada, a 1.5-pound skirt steak presented coiled on the plate like a ribbon of beef.
Las Vacas Gordas © Candyce H. Stapen
Stroll along Collins Avenue between 69th and 76th streets for a concentration of Latin and South American storefront eateries. At Manolo, patrons gather around multiple TVs to watch soccer while enjoying an Argentine comfort-food menu from breakfast through late night. Menu highlights include planchita, diced beef and chicken sautéed with onions, peppers and mushrooms, and tortilla de papa, a thick potato and egg pie.
Nearby, Sazón Cuban Cuisine serves classic Cuban favorites like breaded steak and roast pork. Chivito Teca attracts attention for its chivito, an indulgent Uruguayan sandwich stacked with beef, ham, cheese, bacon and a fried egg, while Little Brazil is celebrated for feijoada, a hearty Brazilian stew of black beans with beef, pork, bacon and sausage.
NoBe’s dining scene extends beyond South American and Cuban flavors. For French-Moroccan influences, Rouge offers dishes ranging from lamb tagine to a flavorful bouillabaisse; standout appetizers include a beet-and-goat-cheese Napoleon and bacon-wrapped dates. The Carillon Hotel & Spa, formerly Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa, continues to present health-focused, spa-inspired cuisine alongside more substantial entrées.
For small plates, craft beer and a lively evening atmosphere, Lou’s Beer Garden occupies the pool patio at the boutique New Hotel. Open weekday evenings and late into the weekend, Lou’s features a rotating selection of 12 beers on tap and more than 20 bottled brews, paired with a menu of shareable dishes. Like most venues in North Beach, Lou’s maintains a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors. While NoBe has fewer explicitly gay-oriented establishments than South Beach, the broader Miami Beach area is known for its inclusivity, and resources in South Beach can point visitors to gay-friendly options across the city.