MIAGuide
Where To Go In Wynwood If You’re Sick Of Wynwood
photo credit: Rami Sabban
Wynwood is like selfie sticks or the concept of escape rooms. It was a lot more fun and interesting ten years ago. The once arts district has since been gentrified with the force of a thousand Tesla-driving developers, drained of pretty much all local art, and turned into a place where people go to get incredibly drunk. And if you are one of the folks interested in getting incredibly drunk, this guide is not for you. This guide—a mix of bars and restaurants—is for people who want to find the relatively relaxed slices of Wynwood, free from tacky clubs, intoxicated hordes, and migraine-inducing music.
THE SPOTS
Ossobuco is relatively peaceful as far as Wynwood goes. The spacious restaurant is located on a quiet street that hasn’t quite been developed yet. The music isn’t too loud, and tables are far enough apart that you won’t be tempted to eavesdrop on a neighbor’s theory about how artificial intelligence is going to make us all stop taking showers. This is also home to the best steak you’ll find in Wynwood. Skip the dainty small plates and focus on the meat—specifically the ribeye (the ossobuco pot pie isn’t a bad choice either). But trust that you can safely come here with parents, particularly if they’re paying because most of the cocktails are more than $20.
Restaurants on the very edge of Wynwood tend to feel a bit more peaceful than the ones in the center of the madness. This is the case with Lira, a very good Lebanese restaurant on the southern border of the neighborhood. It has one of the best patios in the city as well as really good Lebanese dishes like kafta, kibbeh, and all the dips your heart desires. They’re not stingy with the pita either, which we always appreciate. This is just a great spot for a casual, relaxing dinner—not the easiest genre of restaurant to find in Wynwood.
Before Wynwood was Wynwood, it was a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood known as Little San Juan, and El Bajareque is one of the last reminders of that. This place has been around for more than 40 years and it feels like little has changed since then. It’s a small spot with some tables, countertop seating, and really good food. They have familiar Puerto Rican classics like mofongo, chicharrones de pollo, and alcapurrias—order all three if you have a hungry eating partner or just want a ton of leftovers.
Dōma is a refreshing lifesaver in Wynwood's sea of insufferable trend-chasing spots. It’s a lively restaurant with a sophisticated gray dining room, excellent service, creative food, and lovely outdoor seating. In other words: a solid Wynwood option. A meal here starts and ends on a high note. The soft egg and artichoke tuna salad are phenomenal. But some pastas are slightly undercooked (even for al dente). Luckily redemption arrives with dessert: a giant serving of fluffy pistachio ice cream.
photo credit: Tasty Planet
This wine bar has a spacious outdoor patio that’s great for a breezy night. It’s also located on a backstreet east of North Miami Ave.—a.k.a. the side of Wynwood that isn’t always complete chaos. They sometimes have food pop-ups and DJs, but even if it’s a night where nothing in particular is going on, you can still hang out, drink reasonably priced wine, and snack on marinated olives or sliced meats. This is a pretty good first date spot, and also a good option if Lagniappe is too crowded.
This spot is Temporarily Closed.
Kush is a classic and still a solid option to enjoy Wynwood while hiding from Wynwood. This is thanks mostly to its location, which is right on the southern edge of Wynwood—far enough from most bars and clubs that you won’t have to worry about some drunk dude trying to steal a fry off your plate. But also, Kush is always a good time. There's beer, good burgers, and a bathroom that never fails to scare us (you'll see).
Fans of beer, Star Wars, or reasonably chill bars where you can actually hear the person next to you will probably enjoy J Wakefield. And if you happen to like all three, you’re going to love it. J Wakefield is a small brewery covered in murals of Star Wars characters (including a Baby Yoda dumpster in the front). It’s a simple space with indoor and outdoor seating. There’s always a good selection of rotating beers, and also an incredible smash burger pop-up, Ted’s Burgers, that flips patties outside on Sundays.
At Beaker & Grey, dinner will be fun, taste good, and come with a zero percent chance of bad dance music playing so loud that your fork vibrates off the table and onto the floor. This spacious restaurant is on North Miami Ave, which is right on the sideline of Wynwood and away from the densest, drunkest crowds. Cocktails here are great, and the food is reliably good and meant to be shared. Order the cheeseburger croquettes, chicken wings, and anything else two-thirds of the table can agree on.
Even if you are very over Wynwood, you still probably appreciate ice cream. And you’ll find some of the best ice cream in Miami at Dasher and Crank, a little scoop shop near the southern edge of Wynwood. There isn’t a flavor here that doesn’t sound (and taste) delicious. Personally, we struggle to not order the Salty Beach (coconut ice cream, sea salt, and graham cracker) every time, but we occasionally break our streak for the ube.
This spot is Permanently Closed.
Wynwood Brewing is a modest taproom that’s been serving great beer in Wynwood since 2011, which is pretty old for the neighborhood. Thankfully, they’ve stuck around and are still a great place to have a beer, play a board game, and chat. Sometimes there’s a food truck parked outside. It’s very laid-back and a couple blocks away from the busiest parts of the neighborhood, so you can come here knowing there’ll be no DJ abusing the airhorn sound effect.
