Coconut Grove vs Brickell: Which Miami Neighborhood is Better?

 

Miami is a city of contrasts. On one hand, you have thriving urban centers bustling with life and energy 24/7, and on the other, you have village-like neighborhoods where time stretches and life rolls by without a care in the world. And often they are just mere miles away from each other. It’s one of the main reasons the area attracts such a wide variety of people! There is truly something for everyone here. 

Two of the areas that best embody this dichotomy are Brickell and Coconut Grove. Despite both being immensely popular and sitting right next to each other, their characters couldn’t be more different. Together, they represent one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods and one of Miami’s newest and fastest-growing neighborhoods. And both are undergoing spectacular renaissances. 

So if you’re wondering which one of these two world-class destinations would be best to buy a property in or call home, you’re in luck because in this blog, we’ll compare both locales in several categories to help you make your best decision when choosing between Coconut Grove vs Brickell.

The Lifestyle

Established in 1825, Coconut Grove is one of Miami’s oldest and most beloved neighborhoods. Oozing with historic charm and lush tropical foliage, it's known for its quaint Caribbean flavor, bohemian vibe, verdant nature, and laid-back coastal lifestyle right on Biscayne Bay. 

Throughout history, Coconut Grove has attracted families, creative types, and sailing enthusiasts alike, looking for a relaxed daily rhythm, community and privacy in a more secluded setting but close to everything.

Its small streets offer cool shade thanks to a canopy of tropical trees, including grand poincianas and banyans, while its unique inhabitants include exotic bird species such as peacocks – yes, peacocks! – and renegade parrots that have managed to escape the pet trade and found a home in the treetops.

 

In contrast, Brickell is a growing and bustling metropolitan area, commonly dubbed the “Manhattan of the South.” 

It’s the largest financial center in the U.S. south of New York, and it’s characterized by high-rise luxury condos, luxury corporate offices, and vibrant dining, shopping, and nightlife. In all, Brickell’s fast-paced lifestyle is ideal for professionals, executives and world travelers who want to have walkable access to it all, including where they work. 

If you’d like to see for yourself how both of these neighborhoods compare to one another, check out our exclusive video on everything Coconut Grove vs. Brickell.

Getting Around

Both neighborhoods score high on walkability and transportation. Coconut Grove’s village feel makes it naturally walkable with many great parks, outdoor eateries and boutiques within a short distance. Bicycles are also a common form of transportation, and you can always take the free Coconut Grove Trolley to move within the neighborhood limits.

 

To get to other areas of Miami, you would normally take your car, with the Grove connecting directly to main roads leading to Brickell (10-20 minutes), Coral Gables (15 minutes), US-1 and I-95. Alternatively, there’s also the option to take the Metrorail, Metromover, and several bus lines. But as with most of Miami, you’ll want your car.

 

 

Being a busier and denser area, Brickell takes walkability to another level with cafes, restaurants, convenience stores, banks, and offices on almost every block. It also has more transportation options, including the free Brickell trolley, the Metromover, which can take you to Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and Downtown Miami, bus lines, and the Metrorail.

While you don’t need a car to live in Brickell, many residents do. And if you plan to drive, plan to expect heavy traffic during peak rush hours, plus congestion throughout most of the day – it comes with the territory of living in Miami's financial district.

The Work-Life Flow

While Coconut Grove is mostly a residential neighborhood, it includes a mix of professional services offices, important architecture firms, and other creative industry locales contributing to its vibrant, small and medium business environment. New boutique office buildings have been emerging alongside retail and dining, attracting tenants in tech, finance, real estate development and creative sectors.

Also, thanks to its proximity to the University of Miami, the Grove attracts both students and faculty, giving the area a college-town feel, with a creative, intellectual vibe that mixes well with its charming eateries, wellness spots, and boutiques.

 

Brickell, on the other hand, lives up to the image of a true modern metropolis. Gleaming high rises line the streets, while pedestrians wait to cross the streets to get to their next lunch meeting. It’s a buzzing international corporate mecca now evolving into Miami's tech hub, with startups, VC firms, and AI labs filling the office space available.

 

Outdoor Living & Waterfronts

Coconut Grove cannot be beaten as far as access to nature goes, as the entire neighborhood is one lush tropical wonderland. Streets serve as walking trails, and there are expansive areas such as Kennedy Park and Peacock Park, where you can play volleyball or kickball, and your furry friends can run leash-free.  

With Biscayne Bay as its backdrop, the Grove is also a great place to play on the water and enjoy sailing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding, with many marinas available, of which the most notable is the Dinner Key Marina – Miami’s largest!

And the breathtaking and historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, with its spectacular gardens and natural mangrove forest and excellent cultural programming is a gem of Miami destinations that Coconut Grove gets to call home.

 

Despite its urban density, Brickell provides plenty of smaller outdoor options with green spaces as well, such as Brickell Park, Brickell Key Park, Alice C. Wainwright Park, and Miami Circle Park, where you can enjoy walking along shady trails, and pups can enjoy off-leash areas. 

And while the neighborhood is waterfront, it lacks beaches, marinas, or public boating facilities. For this, you’d have to drive 10 minutes to Coconut Grove.

 

Arts & Culture

Thirty years ago, Coconut Grove was Miami’s first art district before any other existed, and the area still celebrates the arts with a host of fairs and quirky cultural festivals such as: 

• the King Mango Strut
• Goombay Festival
• the Coconut Grove Arts Festival.

The neighborhood is also home to many small art galleries and artists’ studios, as well as hosting Pinta Miami, a key Art Week highlight. Moreover, it has unique sites where culture, history, and nature converge, such as: 

• the aforementioned Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
• The Kampong National Tropical Botanical Garden
• Barnacle Historic State Park.

 

While Brickell is best known for its lively happy hours, Michelin-rated Miami dining, and nightlife venues more than for cultural events, public art installations along the Baywalk and pop-ups during Miami Art Week contribute to its cultural flair. 

Also, you can easily get to the nearby Downtown Arts District and enjoy the many cultural offerings there, such as: 

• the Kaseya Center
• the Adrienne Arsht Center
• Ziff Opera House 
• the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). 

Both neighborhoods also have very good movie theaters.

The Shopping Edit

Coconut Grove offers a charming mix of indie boutiques and lifestyle shops along the streets of the neighborhood’s center, anchored by the CocoWalk, an open-air shopping hub with food and entertainment options that include clothing brands, restaurants, gift shops, bars, and a movie theater. 

For a luxury shopping experience, you can drive 10 minutes to the Shops at Merrick Park in neighboring Coral Gables, or head to Brickell.

 

For groceries and daily essentials, residents rely on nearby premium markets like The Fresh Market, Milams, Aldi, or specialty spots on Grand Avenue (organic produce, artisanal goods), as well as the Coconut Grove Farmer’s Market. A 10-minute drive will also take you to the Trader Joe's in Coral Gables.

 

In Brickell, you’ll have a huge array of shopping options along Brickell Avenue, with the crown jewel being the multi-storied, luxury shopping destination at Brickell City Centre. Here, you’ll find a Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as other noteworthy brands like Zara, Apple, Anthropologie, and contemporary favorites for fashion, beauty, jewelry, and home goods, plus entertainment like a cinema and a mini golf.

For the day-to-day, there’s a Publix near Brickell City Centre, a Whole Foods just over the bridge in Downtown Miami, as well as multiple pharmacies and specialty spots for organic produce and artisanal goods. Plus you’re 10-minutes from Coconut Grove’s Fresh Market. See what we are getting at here? 

Signature Flavors

Coconut Grove is home to some of Miami’s most delightful outdoor cafés, world-class restaurants, as well as sports bars and even old-school dives where you can get your bohemian groove on. The Grove’s dining options range from vegan to burgers and seafood options, street food, and international fare from all corners of the world. 

Some of the most notable options include:

• Ariete is the Michelin-starred option experimenting with new American cuisine. 
• Bombay Darbar thrills with the flavors of India. 
• Sapore di Mare, a classic offering Italian fare with a nautical twist. 
• Chug’s Diner takes the diner concept to another level with Cuban flavors and its chic aesthetic.
• Midorie is a simple-looking Japanese restaurant that lets the flavors speak for themselves.
• Los Félix, another Michelin-starred restaurant that elevates the Mexican experience.
• Lokal is a casual joint offering the good old American burger, but with locally sourced ingredients.
• Bellini is perched atop the Mr. C hotel, offering great views and even better Italian food from the Cipriani family.
• Le Bouchon du Grove is your French corner in Coconut Grove.

 

Brickell's dining scene reflects its cosmopolitan energy. From Michelin-starred experiences to power lunch spots and late-night lounges, the neighborhood caters to professionals, foodies, and those seeking Miami's most elevated culinary moments. Some of the area’s best restaurants include:

• Elcielo is a Michelin-starred restaurant where chef Juan Manuel Barrientos reimagines Colombian tradition through dramatic, sensory tasting menus.
• Cipriani, credited with inventing both the carpaccio and the Bellini, brings the iconic Italian brand to Brickell with refined dishes, nautical elegance, and panoramic views of Biscayne Bay.
• The River Oyster Bar is a beloved seafood bistro where locals have both their romantic and business rendezvous over some of the freshest oysters in town.
• The Henry offers a wide range of foods, from avocado toasts to braised ribs, ideal for a large group or if you’re undecided on what to eat.
• Claudie channels the sun-drenched charm of the Côte d'Azur with elevated Mediterranean dishes.
• Dirty French brings bold prime-aged steaks, extravagant seafood towers, and a decadent martini lounge to a neon-glam, Paris-meets-Miami setting in Brickell.
• Casa Tua Cucina is a high-end Italian eatery and market with ten individual food stations offering gourmet ingredients, a hundred labels of wine, and a soulful approach to gastronomy.
• B Bistro + Bakery is where locals head to satiate their sweet tooth and comfort food cravings, serving croque madames, creative pastries, tuna avo toast, and pastelito pancakes.
  
  

Schools: Coconut Grove vs Brickell

 

Being a well-established residential neighborhood, Coconut Grove wins in terms of the best schools, and not just over Brickell. Coconut Grove is home to some of Miami’s finest private schools and public ones, too.

These include the highly-ranked private Ransom Everglades School, as well as the parochial Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart with its beautiful Mediterranean-style campus. Other private schools in the area include Saint Hugh, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, Coconut Grove Montessori, the Vanguard School, and LaSalle High School. 

Public schools include Coconut Grove Elementary, Frances S. Tucker Elementary, and George W. Carver Elementary and Middle Schools.

Of course, Brickell also has several notable schools. Public schools that serve the Brickell area include Coral Way K–8 Center, Southside Elementary School, Ponce de Leon Middle School, and Miami Senior High School, as well as the Robert Morgan Vocational Tech Institute and the highly ranked MAST Academy, located in nearby Key Biscayne. 

Nearby private schools include Open Hearts Language Academy (OHLA), Key Point Academy, and Brickell International Academy.

Our clients often reach out to us for the overview of the best private schools in Miami during their search for the new condo home, and you’ll find some excellent Coconut Grove and Brickell recommendations on our list.

 

Architecture & Design

 

 

The architecture in Coconut Grove is an eclectic blend of new high-rise condos, older boutique condos, Bahamian cottages and Old Florida bungalows, mid-century single-family homes, as well as opulent Bayside mansions nestled in gated communities, and even some historic structures. This variety is part of the Grove's appeal!

For those who seek modern condo living, some of the most luxurious building options in Coconut Grove include: 

• The newly completed Vita at Grove Isle
• Grove at Grand Bay
• Grovenor House
• Mr. C Bayshore & Tigertail Residences
• Two Park Grove
• One Park Grove

And the up-and-coming Four Seasons Private Residences Coconut Grove, which is currently under construction with a 2028 completion date. We are extremely excited to see this boutique luxury Coconut Grove condo come to life, and detail its progress in our exclusive video. 

For new boutique offerings, Ziggurat is a rare find: an exclusive collection of only 19 luxury homes conceived to provide a private oasis within the Grove. 

Brickell on the other hand offers a completely different landscape. While South Brickell contains older low and mid-rise buildings plus a handful of mansions and Spanish-style homes from the Mary Brickell era, the bulk of the neighborhood consists of soaring skyscrapers—particularly new, modern high-rises packed with resort-like amenities.

 

Some of the most luxurious existing buildings you’ll find in Brickell include:

• Santa Maria
• Jade Brickell
• Brickell Flatiron
• Echo Brickell
• The Four Seasons Residences Brickell

 

However, Brickell is quickly becoming the world’s destination for ultra-luxury condo living with more than two dozen new construction developments on the way, from supertalls to boutique offerings. 

In our expert opinion, some of the best Brickell pre construction include:

• 888 Brickell by Dolce & Gabbana  
• The Residences at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami on Brickell Key  
• St. Regis Residences Miami (in South Brickell)
• The Residences at 1428 Brickell 
• Cipriani Residences 
• Baccarat Residences 
• Mercedes-Benz Places
• Nobu Residences Miami

Prices & Perspective

Coconut Grove has a wider range of single-family and duplex housing options, ranging from affordable to extremely affluent, with an emphasis on the higher end of the spectrum. 

Average listings range around $1,959,878 or about $938 per square foot, but listings can run as high as $22,500,000 or $4,080 per square foot. 

Brickell’s options lean more heavily toward condo units, which appeal to international investors, young urbanites, young families and C-suite executives seeking stunning Brickell penthouses. 

Average listings hover at about $484,915, or $357 per square foot, but can run as high as $33,000,000 or $7,119 per square foot.

Which Neighborhood is Better? Coconut Grove or Brickell?

This really depends on what type of person you are and the lifestyle that you seek, since these two neighborhoods are very different from one another, and each offers unique pros and cons. Whether you're debating living in Coconut Grove or Brickell, understanding what each neighborhood offers is key to making the right choice. 

If you’re more of a nature lover, seeking spacious, family-friendly housing in an exclusive tropical village setting with plenty of access to nature, and close to everything including top schools, Coconut Grove is sure to steal your heart. 

But if you thrive in an urban core, love being walking distance from work, or are an executive who can’t resist the fast-paced energy of the city, you’ll probably feel more at home at Brickell. 

If you’re interested in seeing how other neighborhoods compare to one another, for example, Coconut Grove vs Coral Gables or other locations, explore the rest of our Miami Neighborhood Comparisons.

Whatever your decision, we’ll be happy to share our years of experience in Miami’s luxury condo market, as well as our homegrown insights into the advantages of each location. Just give us a call or email, and let us help you sort through the many available listings in Coconut Grove vs Brickell, to help you pick the perfect location for you.