Discover the Charm of Surfside

The Town of Surfside, just north of Miami Beach, is about simple pleasures with a mile of pristine beach, luxury beachfront hotels, distinctive world-class shopping and culturally diverse restaurants. A variety of family friendly activities and yearly events adds to the secret charm of Surfside.

Small bistros welcome strollers for a casual meal. Just south of Surfside, the North Shore State Recreation Area offers an unspoiled beachfront nature preserve and picnic area. Surfside also has a lovely oceanfront community center.

As part of the Art in Public Places initiative "Tales of the Surfside Turtles" is on view next to the Town Hall on 93rd Street between Collins and Harding Avenues. Featuring fiberglass turtles created by local artists, the project brings awareness to the Florida Loggerhead Sea Turtle indigenous to the area. The turtle sculptures are unique and display a range of artistic creations including underwater escapes, mermaids, and vibrant abstract drawings.

Incorporated in 1935, Surfside boasts many homes built in the Art Deco style and streets named after famous writers and poets, including Abbott, Byron, Carlyle and Dickens.

Plan a Day at Surfside Beach

Ready for the ultimate beach day? Surfside’s mile-long beach spans from 88th Street to 96th Street and is a pristine stretch of beautiful sand, uninterrupted by any commercial intrusion. You will find an escape from the busyness of life in this waterfront haven. What makes Surfside beach stand out from the rest? Sheer cleanliness, natural scenery and the dedication to making every visit simply amazing.

Early risers, or those willing to make a little early morning wake up sacrifice, will be rewarded by the sunrise over the beach at Surfside. With the feel of a private beach, it is one of the most quiet and clean in Miami. You’ll find joggers taking advantage of the elevated dune path and families looking for a low key beach. Paddle-board aficionados and kite surfers also love this stretch of beach for it's relatively uncrowded waves.

Explore Downtown Surfside’s Shopping and Dining Options

Steps away from the ocean, Surfside’s Downtown area is located on Harding Avenue between 94th Street and 96th Street. Downtown will satisfy your retail cravings with its variety of unique stores and stylish boutiques. In two blocks, you will encounter a collection of fine jewelers, salons, clothing boutiques and much more.

Downtown is also where you will find many of Surfside’s acclaimed restaurants, many reflecting the eclectic international visitor mix of Europeans, French, Canadians and South Americans. Where else can you taste cuisines from around the world in two blocks?

The main business district, Harding Ave, hosts a monthly arts and entertainment night on the third Thursday of every month where live music, food trucks and entertainment draw crowds to the sidewalk restaurants. Those restaurants, like most of the businesses on Harding, vary from the quirky-yet-excellent self-described “fake deli” Josh’s Deli. Helmed by young hip chef Josh Marcus, the restaurant features dishes like lobster knishes and duck fat matzo ball soup.

Classic Italian stalwart Café Ragazzi features crowd-pleasing generous portions of red sauce favorites. There are also a smattering of kosher establishments, like the newly-opened and very popular Backyard BBQ serving house-smoked brisket and wings. Sushi Republic still pleases with its authentic and reasonably-priced lunchtime bento boxes and maki rolls.

Another neighborhood favorite is The Greek Place, serving Aegean classics like babaganoush and hummus with fluffy pita bread. Enjoy high-end dining at Tiberio restaurant, where owner Giulio Santillo greets each diner at the door and proffers exceptional hospitality.

For breakfast, head to Cafe Vert or the local Starbucks, while old-school bakery, The Rolling Pin, has a loyal following who pack the small shop for their fresh-baked challah bread and rugelah cookies.

Harding Ave is where most of Surfside's boutiques are located, including the stylish Le Beau Maroc, featuring colorful kaftans, jewelry and home furnishings sourced from Morocco. Other upscale retailers include Oberle Opticians with the latest designer shades from Thom Browne, Oliver Peoples, Bentley, Fred, and Maybach.

Depending on the individual's personal taste, there’s a look for everyone from simple chic to over-the-top luxury. Salons are also abundant on this strip including quick manicure spots like Tucci Nails and Elle Blow-Dry Bar which offers professional blow-outs and make-up applications. For a simple and quick haircut, head to the Surfside Barber Shop.

Just off Harding Ave and on A1A are several hotels that offer dining and nightlife options. The splashy new Grand Beach Hotel Surfside features two towers across the street from each other with rooftop pools and cocktail bars perfect for catching a nightcap.

This strip is also the beating heart of the town with retail shops and services like the local Publix supermarket, post office, six banks, dry cleaners, doctor's offices, dentists and even a veterinary office lining the street. Click here for a map of Downtown Surfside businesses.

At night when the palm trees that line the thoroughfare are lit up and the sidewalk cafes are buzzing, downtown can have a magical feel. And, the fact that the beach is only two blocks away makes this spot a fantastic destination in South Florida. 

Family-Friendly Fun at the Surfside Community Center

Anyone staying in Surfside – whether at a hotel, weekly time share or licensed condo rental – can take full advantage of the Surfside Community Center. The center is home to a recreational pool, children’s plunge pool and slide, walk-up café and a Whirlpool spa. In addition, the facility is equipped with locker room facilities, family restrooms, and a first aid station. To the east of the center is a green space, the perfect setting for party rentals and community events.

The Surfside Community Center also provides programs and classes for adults and children. The programs promote social, cultural and physical well-being for all who attend. The Center hosts more than 90 health and wellness classes, including Aqua Zumba, Beach Yoga, Pilates and more.

If your stomach starts to rumble or you need to quench your thirst, there is a café conveniently located poolside. This walk-up café offers tasty sandwiches, fresh burgers, salads and even ice cream for those hot summer days.

Art in Public Places: Surfside Turtles

The town of Surfside commissioned local Florida artists to participate in a public arts program to pay homage to turtles. Next to the Surfside Community Center is a public art exhibition featuring one of Surfside’s most beloved residents – the Florida Loggerhead Sea Turtle.

The “Turtle Walk” is located on 93rd Street between Collins and Harding Avenues and is home to 13 turtle sculptures, each painted by a different renowned South Florida artist.

These amazing turtle sculptures are made of resin and fiberglass composite and stand five feet high with a flipper span of four feet. The exhibition was commissioned to bring awareness of sea turtle conservation, a cause near and dear to the residents of Surfside.