Miami Lakes, FL, is part of the greater Miami area. Miami Lakes proper is home to over 30,000 people, and the city is in northwest Miami-Dade county. While Miami Lakes does not have the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach, there is certainly plenty to do in the Miami suburb. Check out our Miami Lakes city guide below to learn more about the area’s dining, entertainment, shopping, and nightlife options.
Dining and restaurants in Miami Lakes
One of the many benefits of living in the Miami area is having access to a wide variety of international cuisines. From quick-bites to proper sit-down restaurants, the town of Miami Lakes has its own list of local favorites. Find out more about the best restaurants in Miami Lakes below.
107 Taste
For some of the best Asian cuisine in Miami Lakes, check out 107 Taste. The restaurant provides a relaxed atmosphere and unmatched hospitality. At 107 Taste, patrons can enjoy a range of Japanese food, including Japanese curry and ramen noodle bowls. Guests can also order Thai dishes, such as Thai pineapple fried rice and pad thai noodles. 107 Taste also cooks up great Korean cuisine, such as delicious bibimbap bowls. When you are there, be sure to order a delicious bubble tea with your meal. 107 Taste is at 6705 Main Street.
El Novillo
A favorite restaurant among Miami Lakes locals is El Novillo Restaurant. El Novillo serves Nicaraguan cuisine, and the restaurant has been in business for over 30 years. The restaurant specializes in Latin steakhouse dishes. Patrons can enjoy their meals in the ambience of the restaurant’s Spanish colonial architecture. One of the restaurant’s most popular menu items is the churrasco steak. We also love the Chef’s Special Nicaraguan Fajitas and the Shrimp Casino platter. El Novillo Restaurant is at 6830 SW 40th Street.
Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar
Some of Miami’s best ceviche is at the Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar. The restaurant has been in business since 2012, and has a unique medical theme. This theme influences the decor, server jackets, and tableware. Dr. Limon works closely with local farmers to serve fresh, local ingredients. We love the restaurant’s classic hot limo pepper ceviche and rocto cream ceviche. Also, some of the restaurant’s most popular menu items include the parillia marinera and chimbombo. The Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar is at 7700 North Kendall Drive.
Los Magueyes Restaurant
If you are looking for a local Mexican restaurant, Los Magueyes is the place to be. The Miami Lakes restaurant is quite small, and its size creates a cozy and personable atmosphere. At Los Magueyes, they offer the full range of traditional Mexican food. For the main dish, we recommend their enchiladas de espinaca or the pechuga mi ranchito. Each dish pairs well with a Jarrito soft drink, and be sure to check out their helado frito dessert, a deep-fried flour tortilla with vanilla ice cream. You can find Los Magueyes in Palm Lakes Plaza on 169th Street.
Mayor’s Café
If you are looking for a breakfast, bruch, or lunch spot in Miami Lakes, Mayor’s Café is an excellent choice. Visitors love the warm, welcoming atmosphere, and visitors can find almost any breakfast item they crave. We love Mayor’s Café’s bagel specials and the Mayor’s Skillet Breakfast. Patrons can also go with a classic shrimp and grits breakfast for the full Miami experience. For lunch, we love The Caleb burger option, and we are also fans of the restaurant’s Rachel sandwich. Mayor’s Café is at 15478 NW 77th Court.
Taste of Rio
For a quick snack that is on the healthy side, check out Taste of Rio. Taste of Rio is actually inside Mayor’s Café.The establishment specializes in delicious Brazilian açaí bowls. Açaí berries are native to Brazil, and many people claim the berry has a variety of positive health benefits. Açaí bowls at Taste of Rio come with a variety of fresh fruit toppings, superfoods, and granola, and they can certainly make you feel like you are strolling along the beach in Rio de Janeiro. If you are new to açaí bowls, you cannot go wrong with their Copacabana Bowl, which has a blend of açaí berries, banana, strawberries, and blueberries. Açaí fans who are looking for something different can try the Bluemajick E3Live Bowl’s blend of açaí berries, blue spirulina, pineapple, mango, and banana. The Taste of Rio is inside the Mayor’s Café at 15478 NW 77th Court..
100 Montaditos
Sometimes it can be hard to find authentic Spanish food outside of a full sit-down restaurant. The 100 Montaditos restaurant addresses that gap and provides classic Spanish bites in a relaxing, counter-served atmosphere. A montadito is a small, crispy bread roll that comes packed with a variety of ingredients. It is a mix between a classic Spanish tapa and a sandwich. When you are there, be sure to try their famous serrano ham, tomato, and olive oil montadito – the combination that made them famous. For another taste of Spain, try their pincho de tortilla Española. You can also pair each meal with a Spanish beer, including San Miguel and Estrella Damm. You can find 100 Montaditos on the corner of Main Street and New Barn Road.
La Viña Aragon Restaurant
In Miami, each neighborhood has its popular Cuban eatery. In Miami Lakes, La Viña Aragon Restaurant supplies the community’s classic Cuban bites. The outside of La Viña Aragon is unassuming, and you can order directly through a window. However, while the restaurant may be small, its dishes pack a big taste. Patrons love the restaurant’s bistec de palomilla and house soups, and people claim that you feel you are in Cuba from the moment you visit. Also, be sure to try their flan de leche and arroz con leche desserts. La Viña Aragon Restaurant sits in a small strip mall between 8th Avenue West and 81st Street West.
Graziano’s Restaurant
For a more formal restaurant in Miami Lakes, check out Graziano’s Restaurant. Graziano’s specializes in Argentinian cuisine with a Miami flair. The restaurant’s founders, Mario Graziano and his wife, operated a butcher shop in Buenos Aires before taking their knowledge of Argentinian cuisine to Miami. At Graziano’s, diners can enjoy authentic, flame-grilled Argentine steaks in Miami Lakes. For appetizers, we recommend their provoleta parrillera and pulpo al quebracho. When you are there, also check out their ojo de bife or costillar de cordero main dishes from the grill. Graziano’s restaurant also features a variety of fine wines from Argentina. You can find Graziano’s on the corner of 60th Street West and 16th Avenue West.
Miami Lakes Attractions
There are plenty of things to do in Miami Lakes and activities for the family. You do not have to travel all the way to downtown Miami for a good time! Check out our list of favorite attractions in Miami Lakes below.
Garden of the Arts
You can make a fun day trip with a visit to the Garden of the Arts near Miami Lakes. Visitors can enjoy a variety of South Florida flora and local art. In particular, the garden features several impressive statue installations, expansive murals, and a mini-amphitheater for performances. Additionally, visitors can walk along several trails and lounge in the many grass areas at the Garden of the Arts. The space is open between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM every day, and there is no ticket cost. The walking trails and monuments have site lighting so that you can enjoy the Garden of the Arts in the evenings.
McDonald Water Park
Another fun family activity in Miami Lakes is going to McDonald Water Park. It is hard to believe it is not a private pool, as McDonald Water Park features much more than the typical public facility. Visitors will find a lazy river, a wave pool, and a splash zone for kids. The place is a blast for the entire family. After cruising through the lazy river’s waterfall cave tunnel, you can refuel at the snack stand. Also, you can rent out large pavilions at the McDonald Water Park to host private parties and events. The entrance is free, and parents can sign up kids for swim lessons.
Amelia Earhart Park
If you are looking to take a break in nature, check out Amelia Earhart Park. It is a 515-acre park that was originally part of the old Naval Air Station Miami. The area never developed, and now it is open for public recreation. Visitors will find eight miles of running and bike trails through beautiful Florida scenery. Visitors with kids can enjoy several playground areas and an 18-hole disc-golf course. For visitors with a furry friend, there is a massive five-acre dog part at Amelia Earhart Park.
Within Amelia Earhart Park, visitors will find the Bill Graham Farm Village. The place is a replica of an old Miami-Dade homestead. Visitors can view and interact with a variety of farm animals, and visitors can also view live demonstrations of sheep shearing, cow milking, and horseshoeing. Visitors can also visit the country store replica for souvenirs and refreshments.
Main Street Players Theater
The Main Street Players Theater can trace its origins back 45 years to the Community Theater of Miami-Dade. After a few years of facing trouble keeping its doors open, the theater received funding from Miami Lakes Town Council. Now, the theater is thriving and is a unique gem in Miami’s theater scene. Past shows include Superior Donuts and Te Juro Juana. Patrons enjoy a cozy, authentic atmosphere that is often missing from larger performing arts centers. Three-show ticket packages start at $81 for adults and $67.50 for seniors, students, and children. Season ticket holders can reserve seats for upcoming shows up to one week in advance.
Shopping and Miami Lakes Malls
Shoppers in Miami Lakes can choose from a variety of options to suit their needs. They can run to the local mall to get what they need quickly, or they can stroll through open-air shopping areas on Main Street and at The Shops. Learn more about shopping highlights in Miami Lakes, FL, below.
Main Street
The Main Street area at Miami Lakes provides a unique shopping environment for all types of shoppers. People can walk along the main street and poke into a variety of unique boutiques, dining options, and salons. Shoppers enjoy the quiet atmosphere that is almost impossible to find in more bustling shopping areas, such as those in downtown Miami. Shoppers also enjoy the safety of Main Street in Miami Lakes. You can grab a snack from the local ice cream shop and take a relaxing stroll while window-shopping. After visiting stores that catch the eye, shoppers can sit and people-watch next to the Main Street fountain.
The Shops at Pembroke Gardens
For an upscale shopping experience, check out The Shops at Pembroke Gardens. The Shops is a new open-air shopping development where shoppers can find all of their favorite brands. Shoppers can find popular brands, such as Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Lululemon. The Shops also has a variety of dining options, including The Cheesecake Factory and Fuddruckers. Shoppers can also find a variety of international cuisines at The Shops. Check out level29 for Peruvian-Japanese fusion, Sirocco for Middle Eastern cuisine, and Casa España Tapas y Vino to taste Spain’s most popular dishes. On the weekends, shoppers can check out The Shops’ Supercar Saturday events and monthly Wellness Sunday.
Westland Mall
The Westland Mall is one of the largest malls serving the Miami Lakes community, and the mall provides a familiar shopping experience. The Westland Mall offers dozens of national and international brands for apparel, accessories, and decor. People can pick up the latest trends at stores like Aéropostale, American Eagle, Claire’s, H&M, and U.S. Polo Assn. The Westland Mall also provides retail space to several department stores, including Macy’s and JCPenney. When you are shopping at Westland Mall, you can re-energize yourself with various tasty treats at Häagen-Dazs, Auntie Anne’s, or Dippin’ Dots. Shoppers can also sit down for a full meal at Outback Steakhouse or Chili’s. The Westland Mall is open between 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM from Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, the mall is open between 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Nightlife and Bars in Miami Lakes
Miami Lakes does not offer or pretend to offer the pulsating nightclubs of South Beach. Instead, Miami Lakes offers a more subdued but still lively bar scene. You can hang out in a Miami Lakes cigar lounge, catch the game at a sports bar, or catch up with friends at Miller’s Ale House in Miami Lakes. Find out how to get the most of Miami Lakes nightlife below.
Havana Group Cigar Club
The Havana Group Cigar Club features hardwood floors, leather couches, and a warm ambiance for enjoying the best of Cuban cigars. Patrons remark on the club’s extensive selection of high-quality cigars and the staff’s experience and willingness to help. The team at a cigar lounge can make or break the experience, and the team at the Havana Group Cigar Club certainly helps patrons get the most out of their experience. Visitors can also kick back and watch the latest game on a large flat-screen TV or challenge their friends to a game of chess. In addition to a wide variety of high-end and boutique cigars, visitors can also find hookah options. The Havana Group Cigar Club is open until 11:00 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, until 9:00 PM on Monday and Wednesdays, and until 6:00 PM on Sundays.
Shula’s 2 Steaks & Sports
For a sophisticated atmosphere to enjoy the game with your friends, Shula’s 2 Steaks & Sports is a top choice. Shula’s features an attractive bar with several flat-screen TVs for live sports and recent highlights. Shula’s 2 Steaks & Sports sits inside the Shula’s Hotel and Golf Club, and the sports bar is a great place to hang out after a day of golfing. At Shula’s, you can enjoy classic bar bites, including boneless chicken wings, calamari, and the Shula Burger. You can also sit down for a delicious dinner at Shula’s. Dining options include an Asian chicken salad, daily market fish, and a variety of hand-selected Black Angus cuts. You can pair your meal with one of the many wine options at Shula’s or a glass of Shula’s signature sangria. Shula’s is open until 10:00 PM, seven days a week.
Miller’s Ale House
Another local favorite in Miami Lakes is Miller’s Ale House. The location boasts over 75 local and imported beers, so patrons can be sure to find their favorite beer or discover something new. In addition to a wide variety of beer, Miller’s is also popular for its craft cocktails and cocktail pitchers. For dining options, Miller’s Ale House is famous for its “Zingers” boneless chicken. Diners can also get the famed Zingers taste with Zingers mac and cheese and tasty Zingers flatbread. Miller’s also has theme nights each week. For salsa dancing, hit the dance floor each week during Miller’s Salsa Night Wednesdays. Miller’s also features a DJ each Thursday night. Miller’s Ale House is in the North Star Shopping Plaza on 67th Street Northwest, and Miller’s Ale House is open until 10:00 PM each night.
Enjoy Miami Lakes, Florida
We hope the above city guide was informative and proves to be useful for your time in Miami Lakes. Miami Lakes offers excellent places to eat and have fun, and it is a great place to catch your breath from the intensity of downtown Miami.
Value Store It storage facilities in Miami Lakes
Value Store It created this Miami Lakes City Guide. At Value Store It, we provide climate-controlled storage facilities to businesses and individuals, and we have several facilities across South Florida. Learn more about our Miami Lakes self-storage units, and see which storage unit option works best for your needs. We have small locker-sized units, and we also have 10ft by 30ft units that are appropriate for a three or four-bedroom house or apartment. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our Miami Lakes storage facility at (305) 817-1717.
Link resources for Miami Lakes dining options
107 Taste: Link Here
El Novillo: Link Here
Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar: Link Here
Los Magueyes Restaurant: Link Here
Mayor’s Café: Link Here
Taste of Rio: Link Here
100 Montaditos: Link Here
La Viña Aragon Restaurant: Link Here
Graziano’s Restaurant: Link Here
Link resources for Miami Lakes attractions
Garden of the Arts: Link Here
McDonald Water Park: Link Here
Amelia Earhart Park: Link Here
Bill Graham Farm Village: Link Here
Main Street Players Theater: Link Here
Link resources for Miami Lakes shopping
Main Street: Link Here
The Shops at Pembroke Gardens: Link Here
Westland Mall: Link Here
Link resources for Miami Lakes nightlife and bars
Havana Group Cigar Club: Link Here
Shula’s 2 Steaks & Sports: Link Here
Miller’s Ale House: Link Here
