So what does it all add up to? A city that feels both larger than life and completely present. A mood. A movement. A masterclass in enjoying yourself, beautifully.

But while the city ascends in polish and price point, there’s one question worth asking — just briefly, before the next reservation is confirmed. Has the pursuit of cool made us forget what gave the city its charm in the first place? Mom- and-pop cafés. Corner bakeries. Hidden gems with stories longer than their menus. This summer saw several beloved local spots close their doors, leaving behind memories, but also a quiet warning. The foundation matters as much as the facade.

And yet, Miami is not slowing down. It rarely does. That’s part of its charm, too.

At Boia De and Walrus Rodeo, co-chefs and co-owners Alex Meyer and Luciana Giangrandi define cool as “Michelin- quality food and service in a nonchalant but professional way, in a nondescript location, at an affordable price point.” For them, the cool factor isn’t the spotlight — it’s in the details. “Quality delivered effortlessly,” says Giangrandi. “Almost to the point of feeling casual, while every detail is on point”. Cool might be marble countertops and candlelit courtyards.

But it’s also folding chairs and cortaditos. It’s oysters on crushed ice and pastelitos still warm by 7 a.m. It’s glittering city views and backyard BBQs. Cool, in Miami, can dress up or down.

And as we continue to open new doors, it’s worth holding a few open behind us.

Because while the city welcomes the latest — the luxe, the lacquered, the beautifully built — there’s still room for the places that built it. For the local legends. For the small restaurants that raised generations and still remember your name. For the places that gave us cool before we ever called it that.