Bay Harbor Islands blends small-town charm with upscale coastal living. Set just west of Bal Harbour and Surfside, it’s prized for quiet streets, a welcoming community, and easy access to both the beach and some of Miami’s best shopping.
Bay Harbor offers a community with a unique rhythm; you might start with a morning walk along Kane Concourse, stop by a local café, and browse boutiques steps away from home.
Here’s a closer look at some of the top things to do, places to eat, and shopping spots around Bay Harbor Islands.
Top 3 Things to Do in Bay Harbor Islands
1. Stroll Kane Concourse and Its Public Art
Kane Concourse is Bay Harbor’s main boulevard, a short stretch lined with boutiques, cafés, and unexpected bursts of art. In the median stand two pieces that locals know well: Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture and Romero Britto’s For You. Morning or evening, it’s the part of the island that feels most alive.
2. Relax at Bay Harbor’s Parks and Tennis Courts
For such a central spot, Bay Harbor Islands has a surprising amount of green space. The 95th Street Park and Tot Lot give families room to play, while nearby courts draw regular tennis matches. Tucked into the neighborhood, these parks feel like small escapes from the city energy just across the causeway.
3. Spend a Day at Haulover Park
Cross the causeway and you’re at Haulover Park, a sweeping stretch of coastline that feels worlds away from city life. The park spans more than 170 acres, with wide beaches, rolling dunes, and a marina for anyone heading out on the water. For Bay Harbor residents, it’s the quickest way to trade neighborhood streets for open sand and endless views.
Top 3 Places to Eat in Bay Harbor Islands
1. The Palm
The Palm in Bay Harbor Islands feels less like a restaurant and more like a private club — the kind of place where the staff remember your name and regulars greet each other across the dining room. Founded in New York in 1926, The Palm built its reputation on a simple philosophy: treat guests like family and never compromise on quality. At the Bay Harbor location, that legacy shows in the details: generous cuts of prime steak, oversized lobsters, and the kind of service that keeps people coming back. It’s become part of the neighborhood’s fabric, a dining room where celebrations, deals, and everyday dinners all feel equally at home.
2. Emilio’s Trattoria
Emilio’s Trattoria is the latest chapter in Chef Emilio Di Carlo’s long culinary career. A native New Yorker, Di Carlo trained in some of Manhattan’s top kitchens before making his mark in South Florida as the chef-owner behind restaurants like Paparazzi, Giacosa, Café Ragazzi, and Emilio’s Casa Toscana.
At his Bay Harbor Islands location, he brings that legacy home with a menu of Tuscan classics: house-made pastas, fresh seafood, and seasonal specials that balance refinement with comfort. Dishes like pear and Gorgonzola ravioli or spinach-walnut cannelloni keep regulars coming back, and Emilio himself is a familiar presence in the dining room — making sure each plate and every guest gets his attention. This mix of consistency, personality, and food is what has made Emilio’s Trattoria a Bay Harbor favorite.
3. Open Kitchen
Since 2011, Open Kitchen has been Bay Harbor’s go-to café and gourmet market. Chef-owner Ines Chattas, who grew up in Buenos Aires and built her career in Miami’s hospitality scene, brings a personal touch to everything from brunch staples to house-made pastas and salads.
Beyond the menu, guests browse shelves stocked with Chattas’ favorite finds — olive oils, artisanal pastas, and a curated wine selection — blurring the line between restaurant and marketplace. It’s casual, welcoming, and unmistakably local, the kind of place where a quick lunch often turns into a longer visit.
Top 3 Shopping Spots in Bay Harbor Islands
1. Kane Concourse Boutiques
Kane Concourse is Bay Harbor’s retail heart — a two-block stretch where shopping feels as local as it does upscale. Along the landscaped boulevard you’ll find jewelers like Praschnik Fine Jewelers and Jackie Abraham, fashion shops such as Prim N Proper and Bubbles Miami, and even specialty stores like Designer Rug Center. It’s an easy place to wander, browse, and take in the mix of boutiques, art, and café culture that gives Bay Harbor its charm.
2. Bal Harbour Shops (Nearby)
Opened in 1965 by developer Stanley Whitman, Bal Harbour Shops redefined luxury retail with its open-air design and curated mix of high-fashion brands. Today it hosts more than 100 boutiques, including Chanel, Gucci, and Prada, alongside anchors Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Consistently ranked among the most productive shopping centers in the world, it’s now undergoing a $550 million expansion to welcome even more flagship stores. For Bay Harbor residents, this landmark destination is just a short walk away.
3. Praschnik Fine Jewelers
For more than 55 years, Praschnik Fine Jewelers has been a fixture on Kane Concourse, known for craftsmanship and timeless design. The family-run studio offers everything from classic pieces to custom creations, and their in-house team can refinish, repair, or redesign jewelry to last for generations. It’s the kind of place Bay Harbor residents turn to for milestones — trusted as much for its artistry as for its longstanding roots in the community.
Living the Bay Harbor Islands Lifestyle
Life in Bay Harbor Islands balances peaceful island living with a close-knit community and quick access to Miami’s best dining, shopping, and beaches. For relocators and visitors alike, it’s a neighborhood where lifestyle and location come together.
Learn more about Bay Harbor Islands, or or reach out directly to request floor plans, pricing, and availability for Bay Harbor’s newest residences.
