A Work Week in Miami… spoiler alert: lots of play, too!

When Simon and I decided to spend a working holiday in Miami, I knew I’d be balancing work with exploration. From quirky cafes to evenings on the moonlit beach and a surprising number of spots that made me think we were in California, here’s how our week unfolded under the Miami lights.

Where We Stayed

We found a charming Airbnb hotel right on Espanola Way. It’s in the heart of the action but surprisingly quiet at night, with excellent security and a workspace with reliable Wi-Fi — a must for any working holiday. We spruced it up a little with a soy candle from Walgreens and a nice shampoo bottle.

Exploring Miami’s Neighborhoods

South Beach

Starting the day with walks along the boardwalk was the perfect way to connect with the ocean and reset. Simon poetically stated that you can feel connected with all the water around the world by just dipping a toe in! The mornings were serene, the ocean’s vastness offering a sense of peace and unity with the world.

But South Beach isn’t just about tranquil mornings. One evening, we took a big towel to the beach and stared at the massive, glowing moon.

The vibrancy of South Beach came alive at night. Watching Mike Tyson’s boxing match while surrounded by drunk revelers on Espanola Way was unexpectedly charming.

Then, there was the Mexican bar mix-up. Simon’s order was swapped for a cheese quesadilla because “the kitchen is out of your order so I decided to replace it with this.” So I, of course, got all mama bear and explained the importance of meat protein for my man. He enjoyed the quesadilla sans protein.

Collins Ave. became a home away from home on this trip. From cafes to bakeries, this street had it all.

• Rosetta Italian Bakery on Collins: Cozy with plenty of outlets for working. Their cream-filled donut almost broke my no-dessert streak. They have a few locations, but I only went to the one on Collins.

• Shepard Artisan Coffee on Collins: Healthy breakfasts, fresh orange juice, and outdoor seating made this a go-to spot for a sunny morning.

• Blue Lavender Cafe on, of course, Collins: A health-conscious haven perfect for working. The Green Power smoothie with pea protein is a must-try — their Lavender salad, not so much. The owner was so sweet, and we had a lovely farewell with him on our last day; we were both sad to say goodbye!

Espanola Way won our hearts through food and hectic energy — every night was lively and bustling but our favourite spots were actually just a few steps past the busy restaurants:

• La Fole: A cozy spot to unwind and relax, known (by me) for its delicious hot honey tea, fresh fruit bowls, and crepes. Their menu is quite fun and creative to read through. The fruit bowl was especially standout — fresh, flavorful, and perfectly satisfying. It’s a great place to end the evening on a sweet, relaxing note.

• The Drexel offered immaculate outdoor Wi-Fi, very friendly staff, and a superb breakfast. We only went for breakfast, but their dinner looked nice too!

  
  

Other restaurants in South Beach that deserve an honourable mention:

• AVO Health (South Beach): A vibrant spot for co-working or dining. Their protein oats were a healthy and satisfying pick.

• Under the Mango Tree (South Beach): After my day of work, I went straight to an awesome spot called Under the Mango Tree and got a great lentil bowl with fresh veggies and then met Simon on Ocean Drive at the beach.

• Limanado Bar & Brunch (South Beach): For brunch, we ended up at this spot — it has a pool in the back and a very fun, sexy pool bar vibe with healthy and great food options. All the eggs are free-range and organic (but also plenty of sweet and fun options). Also has a whole menu for tequila. We went here on a Monday, but on the weekends, apparently, they have a DJ in the back by the pool. The music and atmosphere are great and fun. Even though it was super hot out, we had a great time sitting outside with shade umbrellas, fans, and palm trees.

• Italian Trattoria: Delicious and very festive pasta restaurant on Espanola Way with the most incredible garlic olive oil dip and bread that came straight to the table. Also, the servers all had a dance routine halfway through, which was fun!

• Salt: We found ourselves at a great vibey spot on Collins St for a fun and healthy breakfast ahead of a big beach day where I had the most amazing quinoa honey Greek yogurt bowl — simple, fresh, and yummy. With likely a cheeky amount of honey…

• Bodega: Simon’s favourite spot with a secret club in the back. Though they’ve swapped cashiers for computers, the tacos and vibe are still a hit.

Marseilles Hotel and Beach Club

We stumbled upon a fantastic beach club right on the boardwalk of the beach parallel to Ocean Drive, perfect for lounging.

Hammocks became our haven for some well-deserved(?) relaxation — and their crepes were the perfect lunch. This was a great find because it was free entry; you can access a hot tub, and you are a hop and a skip from the beach, so naturally, we spent the day going back and forth.

It seems like a great hotel option, too, so I may look into staying there next time we go.

Rooftop Movie Theatre for our last night in South Beach:

We ended our last evening with a rooftop movie screening of The Holiday.

This theatre was called ‘Rooftop Cinema Club,’ and it was really well done and got the vibe totally right. We paid for the cheapest chairs but sat in the ‘loveseat with footrest’ seats anyway, and no one seemed to care since it wasn’t a packed theatre. Bonus!

The cozy setting and the emotional rollercoaster of the film had me bawling. To be clear, I’ve watched this movie many times without crying, but I don’t know, it hit different under the Miami sky. Plus, it was Simon’s first time seeing The Holiday, which was fun!

Wynwood Adventures

Wynwood is where art meets food and workspaces. We spent a full day cafe-hopping here:

• Zak the Baker: Iconic for a reason. Great for lunch (and for grabbing babka and rugelach for Shabbat).

• Novela Cafe at The Oasis: My top coworking recommendation. With outdoor seating and vibrant energy, it’s perfect for getting stuff done while soaking in Wynwood’s creative vibes.

  
  

Simon of course, also spent a considerable part of this day adding to the art of the walls, sidewalks, lamp posts, etc., across Wynwood with his incredible Rebbe stickers — adding to the already very Jewish-positve atmosphere that we were relieved to be walking through.

We loveee Wynwood.

Also, I must mention here that several years ago I found and purchased my Wedding Dress from a little boutique in Wynwood.

Brickell Discoveries

The Brightline brought us back to Miami from Palm Beach after visiting my grandfather and we decided to walk and explore the newly developed and gentrifying area called Brickell. We came across a vibrant Tokyo-style outdoor mall that feels like a world of its own.

For dinner, we headed to the rooftop at Puttshack, enjoying a lively atmosphere with great views of the city and the Intracoastal.

We then strolled along the beautiful waterfront boardwalk from Brickell to Bayside. The walk was filled with lively sights, from party boats cruising by to the sparkling Miami skyline. At one point, we were on a bridge when the warning lights and barriers came down to open the bridge for boats — a moment in which I was not, how you say, cool.

Between the stroll along the Brickell boardwalk, exploring Bayside, and everything in between, we racked up an impressive 20,000 steps, which I must say became quite typical for these Miami days.

Top Coworking Spots in Miami

The spots listed below are highly recommended for co-working based on my own experience with their outlets, wifi and atmosphere, and my overall productivity in the space.

Hot Tip: Co-working is a great way to take in a new city.

I recommend finding a cute spot and asking right away before ordering if they mind that you set up with your laptop and whether they have Wi-Fi. If they say they don’t mind, say, “Great, I’ll take your table closest to an outlet! Let me just set up and then come and order.” And then test the Wi-Fi before ordering!

Cafes for Coworking so that you don’t need to pay for a WeWork:

• Blue Lavender Cafe (South Beach): A health-conscious haven perfect for working. The Green Power smoothie with pea protein is a must-try — their Lavender salad, not so much. The owner was so sweet, and we had a lovely farewell with him on our last day; we were both sad to say goodbye!

• The Drexel (South Beach): offered immaculate outdoor Wi-Fi, very friendly staff, and a superb breakfast. We only went for breakfast, but their dinner looked nice too!

• Novela Cafe at The Oasis (Wynwood): My top coworking recommendation. With outdoor seating and vibrant energy, it’s perfect for getting stuff done while soaking in Wynwood’s creative vibes.

  
  

Family and Friends

• Brightline to West Palm Beach: We took the Brightline to West Palm Beach, which was a highlight to spend the day with my grandfather! We went to the Farmers Market, spent the afternoon lounging by the pool, walked over to Celis Coffee and Juice Bar, where we sat in their beautiful garden and enjoyed a relaxed chat — such a peaceful afternoon. We then headed to the ocean, where the full moon made the waves absolutely wild. The undertow was intense and honestly a bit scary — I’ve never experienced anything like it! After getting tossed around by the waves for a while, we took a fantastic walk along the beach.

• Shabbat Dinner with Cousins: Shabbat dinner with cousins in Miami was so special and a great way to take a break from the restaurants and have some good wholesome home-cooked foods.

• BBQ in Bal Harbour: Visiting our friends in Bal Harbour for a BBQ allowed us to see their beautiful sunny lifestyle in such a vibrant Jewish community. We also got to discover just how big South Beach truly is (hello, one-hour Uber ride), but we loved the scenic drive past the Intracoastal’s stunning homes. We also were lucky to hear and then see 100+ squawking green and red parrots up in the palm trees while stuck in traffic. We couldn’t end the night without taking a late-night dip in their heated pool!

…Our Miami adventure was the perfect blend of work and play, filled with unforgettable moments and discoveries. Whether you’re a digital nomad, a foodie, or an art lover, Miami has something special to offer.