If you want to get away from the cliche South Beach scene you definitely have to go the Design District. Has a great chic feeling to it, but at the same time it is filled with original artistic beauty. With art at every corner, high end retail shops, and the best restaurants to choose from, Design District should be at the top of your list.

For locals and up and coming folks; furniture/furnishings et al by day; great restaurants by night. Largely vacated in evening so plenty of parking

The design district is constantly changing and improving. There are now some wonderful designer stores and definitely some of the best restaurants in Miami. These include Oak Tavern, MC Kitchen, Michaeks, Harry's, Parchment and Egg and Dart. The service and value in the restaurants is good and the food generally excellent from some of the best known chefs in Miami.
Definitely worth a visit.

With all the new restaurants, galleries, home designers and now clothing designers, this is fast becoming the place to be in Miami. Be careful at night, though and park only in well lit spaces.