Shopping in Miami
The Top Places to Shop in Miami, From Local Boutiques to High FashionMiami is a global shopping destination with everything from high fashion to fashion outlets. Here are the best places to shop.
If you walk around Miami International Airport (MIA), you may notice an unusually large number of people checking eight, nine, or even 10 suitcases. This is because Miami has become a shopping mecca for Latin America and the Caribbean, where people will fly to the city and buy American goods for far less than they cost at home. Then fly back to their countries with a payload of stuff. This practice has turned shopping into a major Miami tourist draw and is a big reason shopping malls have been thriving here while they close in other parts of America. You’ll find everything from independent boutiques to multiple outlets for major fashion brands in Miami, spanning the couture shops in the Design District to discount outlets in Sawgrass Mills. Here’s a look at the best spots in South Florida to get your shop on.
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Brickell City Centre
If you’re in Miami’s urban core, the shopping doesn’t get any better than at Brickell City Centre. The neighborhood’s flagship shopping center boasts a multi-story Saks Fifth Ave. with an Italian food hall from Casa Tua. It also has Brickell’s only Apple store, and shops from Hugo Boss, 120% LINO, Psycho Bunny, and Porsche Design. You can kick back in a recliner and watch a movie with waiter service at CMX Cinemas. Or play mini-golf with drinks in hand at Puttshack.
Address: 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami
Coconut Grove
The shady streets of Coconut Grove are filled with clever little independent boutiques, making it a top destination for finding unusual items to bring back home. Stop into Allie and Chica for colorful, whimsical clothing and handbags, or try Nikki’s Beachhouse for stuff to wear on the sand. Artisan-style from around the world is on display at Guadalupe Design, where intricate weavings and etchings adorn everything from skirts to hats. Jewelry lovers should hit Gas Bijoux, a French import with goods made in Marseilles.
Address: Coconut Grove, Miami
Wynwood
Miami’s other best neighborhood for boutique shopping is the mural-filled streets of Wynwood. Tucked between colorful artwork sit stores like Boho Hunter, where Latin American designers showcase the best in breathable, tropical fashion. You can shop for streetwear at LeBron James’ UNKNWN, then join a pickup game on its adjacent basketball court. Frangipani is a boutique that looks like it ripped the colors from the murals outside, and put them all over button-up shirts and home decorations. The Wynwood Shop is a perfect place to look for modern art to take home, filled with prints from some of the same artists who’ve covered the neighborhood’s walls.
Address: Wynwood, Miami
Aventura Mall
The Brightline train runs from downtown Miami to Aventura and offers a free shuttle to the mall.
Visitors to northern Miami-Dade and Hollywood will find their best shopping at Aventura Mall, located just south of the county line. This sprawling shoppers’ paradise is the largest mall in South Florida, with stores by Boss, Brooks Brothers, Fendi, and Ferragamo. Aventura Mall recently opened a top-floor food hall, where you’ll find poke, Jamaican food at Jrk!, local Chinese specialties from Yip, and gourmet Mexican at Tocology. The mall also hosts a weekly farmers market on Saturdays.
Address: 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura
Design District
Miami’s premiere destination for high-end shopping is the Design District, where you’ll find outposts from Burberry, Cartier, Bvlgari, Hublot, Louis Vuitton, and pretty much every couture name you can think of. It’s an especially enjoyable place to drop large sums of money on your wardrobe because you can then celebrate at Michelin-starred restaurants like Cote and Le Jardiner. Or peruse the stalls at the MIA Market food hall.
Address: 140 NE 39th St., Miami, FL 33137
Bal Harbour Shops
On the east side of Biscayne Bay, luxury shopping doesn’t get any better than Bal Harbour, Miami’s original high-fashion destination. The palm-tree-filled, multi-story tropical mall is anchored by Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Ave, but in between you’ll find outposts from Roberto Cavalli, Assouline, Christofle, and other European high-fashion brands. After shopping, stop into one of Miami’s top sushi spots at Makoto, or grab Middle Eastern specialties at Aba.
Address: 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour
Lincoln Road
The landmark art-deco pedestrian mall in South Beach was designed by famed architect Morris Lapidus, who also famously designed the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc hotels. The mile-long mall is home to a weekly farmer’s market, as well as eclectic street performers, and a Friday night edition of the Smorgusburg food market. You’ll also find big national brands like H&M and Lululmeon along Lincoln Road, as well as higher-end stuff from 7 for All Mankind and Ted Baker.
Address: Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Dadeland Mall
The southwest suburbs of Kendall and South Miami meet at the venerable Dadeland Mall, a childhood hangout for many Miami natives that’s transformed into an international shopping destination. The old-school indoor mall has thrived with one of the largest Macy’s in the area, as well as an Apple store, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, and a Miami Heat team store. It also recently opened an onsite AC by Marriott, allowing traveling shoppers an easy place to put their bags and relax after a long day of adventures in retail.
Address: 7535 N. Kendall Dr., Miami
Sawgrass Mills Mall
If you’re staying in Miami Beach, a number of shuttle services will take you to Sawgrass Mills for the day so you don’t need to rent a car. Miami Tours, for example, runs one for $25 round trip, per person.
Though it’s a bit north of Miami in the western Broward County suburb of Sunrise, Sawgrass Mills is the region’s most popular outlet shopping center, with discount stores like Burlington Coat Factory, Nordstrom Rack, and most large sportswear companies. It also boasts a designed area with outlets from Burberry, Boss, Fendi, and Dolce & Gabbana.
Address: 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise
Souvenirs to Bring Home from Miami
Guayaberas
Strolling Little Havana in a guayabera, cigar and mojito in hand, is like transforming yourself into Hyman Roth for a couple of hours.
These patterned, linen shirts are a wardrobe staple in Little Havana, and look especially snazzy when paired with a straw hat and cigar. You’ll see them best modeled by the abuelos playing dominos in Maximo Gomez Park.
Cigars
While you won’t find real Cuban cigars in Miami, you can find cigars rolled by Cuban families that have been doing it since they were in the old country.
Craft beer
Most of Miami’s breweries don’t distribute outside of Florida, so grabbing a six-pack to go always makes for a tasty conversation piece.
Beach towels
Nothing says “I went to Miami” like a big towel, preferably still filled with South Beach sand. You can find them at any number of souvenir stores in Miami Beach.