Start planning your Miami stay. View hotels.
Miami Yachts

In the Neighborhood: Your ultimate guide to Miami’s Bal Harbour

This chic oceanside village in Miami is a shopping and dining hotspot with natural delights and a calming, elegant vibe.

By Lea Lane | November 16, 2023

Get a map of Bal Harbour

Since the 1950s, when celebrities like Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack frequented the area, Bal Harbour has maintained its cool, luxe ambiance. Today, the swank oceanside village, located 9 miles (14 kilometers) north of South Beach, is a respite from the area’s flashier side, offering a more refined vision of South Florida glam.

EAT

This upscale neighborhood offers an array of standout fine dining and drinking establishments. Try:

- Carpaccio: The place to see and be seen. Savor Italian cuisine in a casual yet elegant dining room or on the outdoor patio. Favorites include crispy pizza Margherita, citrusy Riviera salad and succulent carpaccio.

- Le Zoo: Combining gilded European-style decor with palm trees for some Florida flair, this hotspot centers around elevated seafood dishes and bistro classics like steak frites and filet mignon.

- Makoto: Savor innovative takes on classics at this celebrated Japanese restaurant with indoor, outdoor and sushi counter seating. Delectable domae-style sushi and robata dishes garner high ratings from locals and visitors alike.

SEE

Enjoy Bal Harbour's natural beauty while basking in the warm Florida sun. Explore:

- Bal Harbour Beach: White sands span 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) along the Atlantic at this tranquil beach perfect for sunning, swimming and surfing. The adjacent pathway meanders underneath shading palm trees, leaving room to explore on bicycle or by foot.

- Haulover Beach: Just north of Bal Harbour, you’ll find this 1.5-mile (2.4 km) slice of paradise where the northernmost section of pristine soft sand is the only clothing-optional beach in Miami. Gawking is taboo, but the vibe is friendly.

- Haulover Park: A prime spot for deep-sea fishing charters, yachting and watersports. Food truck parties and full moon drum circles are common here, and on weekends boaters hang out at the popular Haulover Sandbar.

SHOP

Bal Harbour is known for its elegant atmosphere, and nowhere is that more apparent than in its retail scene. Browse:

- Bal Harbour Shops: More than 100 luxury boutiques are set amid open-air corridors, lush palms and covered walkways. Even when it rains, the perimeter allows for a sheltered stroll.

- Sigal: From sarongs and swimwear to flowy dresses and kimonos, this boutique shop has everything you need to hit the beach in style. Expect bright colors and patterns that inspire tropical vacations.

- Books & Books: Check out a bestseller, sip a cappuccino, peruse a magazine or attend an author event at this welcoming branch of the popular South Florida institution.

For the most discerning traveler looking to enjoy a relaxing Miami vacation that combines fine dining, high-end shopping and secluded beaches, Bal Harbour is undoubtedly the place to go.

Miami-based Lea Lane is the author of the award-winning travel memoir Places I Remember: Tales, Truths, Delights from 100 Countries. She is the host of the award-winning travel podcast Places I Remember with Lea Lane and is a correspondent for Forbes.com.