Get in Touch with the Old South Beach By Visiting Espanola Way
Espanola Way is one of the famous places to visit in South Beach. This isn't your ordinary section in SoBe that offers pulsating entertainment every night; this part of the neighborhood is known for its laid-back style rich in South Beach history. Located north of 14th Street in between Washington and Pennsylvania Avenues, this South Beach section offers a slice of history and culture and done courtesy of the shops and restaurants that line up the 'Way'.
A little history on Espanola Way
This started out as meeting place for the wealthy this side of the region. During the early 1920s, the area is the place to be for dining and dancing. And for many decades, the area continued its role. And to accommodate the growing needs and preferences, various renovations and preservations were made on the area. for example, Espanola Way was revived and served a s a popular backdrop for Miami Vice and this added to the appeal and draw of the area.
Where to dine in Espanola Way
It's the culture and the artistry that drives people and tourists to visit Espanola Way. And these are the thing that guides them as well in search of eateries and restaurants in the area. One eatery that manages to get a loyal streaming of guests and diners is La Folie. As the owner puts it, this is more than a restaurant rather this is a café where group of friends can sit down, talk and enjoy coffee while reading magazines or newspapers. And just like the other eateries in the area, La Folie adds to the artistic and Bohemian nature of Espanola and one reason why tourists flock to the area. Other restaurants and eateries of note include Tapas and Tintos, Mexican Oh! The Italian Hosteria Romana is worth checking out as well.
Food and the eateries aren't the only things that define Espanola. The art galleries in this strip makes for good tourist spots as well. Popular galleries include Marcel Gallery and Espanola Way Art Center. Marcel Gallery has been in the area for almost two decades now, and this was made possible by Pierre Marcel who travelled to Espanola to paint murals on the walls of the café. There is also the Miami Beach Cinematheque and Gallery where films showing are usually sponsored.
There are other hip and sentimental cafes. Travelers and tourists can soak up in the Espanola ambiance in some of the best places including Café Barcelona, Café Nuvo, Segafredo, Contesta Rock Hair, Mojitos, Gelateria and Irish Pub. All the shops, stalls and restaurants in Espanola way embody that unique vibe that can only be found in the area. The experience cannot be boxed into one category- it's a mix of fun, funk and old style romanticism. In short, Espanola Way embodies the old South Beach and a visit to this part of the neighborhood is a good introduction to what South Beach is. This area is always under a state of development and preservation, and that's a good thing. In the end, it's the future residents and travelers who will benefit from these preservation and renovation efforts.