Waking Up to the Amazing #Miami

#WakingUpToTheAmazingMiami

Miami is pretty much a relaxing version of New York City minus the pollution. Just last year I was still telling myself and everyone that I couldn't imagine living anywhere else than NYC. Well, that has changed after spending a week in Florida.

It is true that Miami doesn't have as many Michelin starred restaurants or as much exciting happenings as NYC does. However, it offers a lot of other things that NYC doesn't have. Let me explain:



1) Warm Weather all year long - That sick-of-freezing-weather feeling every New Yorkers have by January. Who like bundling up with layers of clothes when you only need a light sweater in Miami!

Warm weather all year long brings palm trees everywhere in Miami.

  2) Great beaches within 10 miles away

South Beach (photo above) is just a bridge away from downtown Miami, and it stretches all the way up north. If you come on weekend, Nikki Beach Club (photo below) is just a few steps away to start your party weekend.

3) Great city view

This is the lobby of Mandarin Oriental in Miami.

Photo captured on the MacArthur Causeway overlooking downtown Miami.

4) Just like NYC, streets art are commonly seen in Miami

I didn't spot the artist name on the mural, but it sure looks amazing.

Just a random art on the street of Miami.

Mural by Logan Hicks. His NYC art was previously seen on Bowery Street which went viral on Instagram.

5) Fresh seafood - Since Miami is known for fresh seafood, we had seafood in almost every meal the whole week!

D.J.'s Clam Shack  - This clam shack is quite popular among the locals as well as the tourists! It's best if you avoid going there at regular lunch and dinner hours to avoid the queue.

Zuma Miami - Zuma is a London based Japanese fusion restaurant. They are in eight different countries, and the NYC location was opened just two years ago and quickly became a local hotspot.

TF recommendations (in photo above):
seabass sashimi with yuzu, salmon roe and truffle oil (left),
fried softshell crab with mizuna, wasabi mayonnaise (right)

Lung Yai Thai Tapas - This is a very popular Thai place in Miami.
I love how they're so generous and over stuffed their dishes with seafood!
No reservation. Expect long wait.
Be there at 12pm for lunch or 5pm sharp for dinner to avoid long wait.

6) Exotic fruits within reach - One of the fruits I was so obsessed with is the guanabana, also known as soursop. It tastes like a combination of passionfruit, guava, banana and mangosteen. The best part? It has a lot of health benefits!

Below photo was taken inside Robert is Here, the famous fruit stand founded in 1959.

Robert Is Here is so famous that even President Obama was here! See that picture frame on top left corner?
He even wrote Robert (in blue shirt) a thank you letter which is framed right below the Obama photo!

If you come here, you HAVE to get their milkshakes which is what they are known for! Expect long line during prime hours.

7) Best key lime pies in the country

This delicious pie is from the famous Fireman Derek's Bake Shop
on 2818 N Miami Ave, Miami.
(TF tips: Long queue usually form around 8pm. Best to visit on a weekday afternoon!)

Pie from Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe on 200 Elizabeth St, Key West.
 To prove you how delicious their key lime pies are, I had to go back 20 minutes after my first visit
to buy a second pie!

8) Tacos!

This is from Taquiza, a small patio in Miami beach serving authentic Mexican tacos. 

This is Coyo Taco, a popular local taco joint near the murals art district.

8) Florida Keys is just an hour away

Florida Keys has some of the best coral reefs sites for scuba diving! Unfortunately my session got cancelled due to severe wind : / Oh well, I'll definitely come back for that.


Other worth mentioning:  Anyone who knows me know how much I love ice cream! So here's the TF recommendations on local ice cream places.

This 'instagram-made-famous' blue milk spirulina pop is from Bianco Gelato. Their organic Italian Gelato are freshly made everyday.

Address: 3137 Commodore Plaza, Miami

This is a pear flavor ice cream from Azucar Ice Cream. Their menu changes quite often with unique seasonal flavors from time to time.

That's it! Share with us your favourite Miami places in the comment section below! 

(Please note: All photos in this post are taken by me, except the ones with me in it, so please be respectful and do not use them without my consent. Thank you.)