The Best of Coral Gables 2026

The Best of Us

Editor’s Note

Our annual “Best Of” Coral Gables issue is always fun to put together. At the magazine, we spend most of our days checking out what the city has to offer in the way of food, shopping, entertainment, and experiences – including just enjoying the public spaces – so it’s always satisfying to be able to compile those observations. We also look forward to reader input. This year 500 readers participated with some 4,000 selections. We didn’t always agree, but that’s part of what makes it interesting, like listening to the proverbial blind men describe an elephant from the point of view of where they are standing and reaching out. Of course, when we do agree with our readers, that’s bonus points for the “winner.”

I also like the specificity of our Best Of list, how it drills down to particular places. That speaks nicely to the philosophy of the importance of small things and individual efforts. Not that comedian Jerry Seinfeld is a pundit, but I have always liked this quote of his: “When someone does a small task beautifully, their whole environment is affected by it.” This is like observing how a small pebble tossed in a still body of water ripples outward, in ever widening circles. It also recalls the overreaching philosophy of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius in his collected essays, Meditations. To roughly paraphrase, he posited that it doesn’t matter what people say about you (especially if it’s negative), because they’ll all be dead someday. The only thing that matters is to focus on what you do best, and then do your best at it. That is how I like to think of our Best Of issue, Gableites giving it their best shot.

One final note: There are certain categories where the best is just too obvious, or too limited in terms of choices. Take Best Live Theater, for example. We have the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theater and Gable- Stage at the Biltmore. Period. Both are the best in what they focus on (Broadway revivals at the Playhouse, small, intense dramas or comedies at GableStage.) The same goes for our two movie theaters. The Coral Gables Art Cinema has no rival when it comes to foreign, independent, new wave and classic movies. The Landmark at Merrick Park, on the other hand, is pretty much in a class of its own when it comes to watching Hollywood blockbusters in a plush recliner with a drink in your hands. So that’s why such questions are not asked.

And as always, we welcome your feedback on the Best Of choices, send to editor@coralgablesmagazine.com