In Miami, the distance between a rooftop bar in Brickell and a tree-shaded café in Coral Gables is just a few miles, but the lifestyles feel worlds apart. Both sit at the top of South Florida’s most desirable addresses, but for different reasons.
Brickell is a dense, urban neighborhood within the City of Miami, often referred to as the “Manhattan of the South,” while Coral Gables is a separate city entirely, known for its lush, single-home neighborhoods, and low-key but luxurious city center. The areas offer diverse housing options, as well as distinctly different lifestyles and local flavor, even though both extremely popular neighborhoods to live in that are part of the larger Miami area.
If you’re debating between Brickell vs Coral Gables for your next move, you’re in luck: in this comprehensive guide, we compare the two across lifestyle, transportation, architecture, and pricing to help you make a smart, informed decision for your next move or investment.
The Lifestyle

Photo courtesy of Maciek Lulko on Flickr
Brickell is a bustling area that blends luxurious city living with tropical charm. The neighborhood features distinct sub-districts, including the high-profile financial zone, the exclusive and serene Brickell Key island, the quieter area of South Brickell, and newly emerging West Brickell. This diversity makes Brickell an ideal location not only for corporate types and ambitious professionals who want to live close to where they work but also for families and digital nomads seeking a connected, action-packed lifestyle.
It’s also one of Miami’s main hotspots for world-class eateries, nightlife, and diverse shopping destinations, including Mary Brickell Village and Brickell City Centre. Given its walkability, waterfront access, and public transportation, it has cemented itself as a dynamic urban community preferred by international executives, celebrities, and local urbanites alike.
See for yourself what it’s like to live in Brickell in our neighborhood video.

Photo courtesy of Phillip Pessar on Flickr
A few miles away, Coral Gables, known as The City Beautiful, was one of Miami-Dade’s earliest planned communities and the third municipality incorporated in the county in 1925, after the cities of Miami and Miami Beach. Built as an affluent community of stately single-family homes around tree-lined boulevards, golf courses and the University of Miami, Coral Gables has grown into a lively city with an exciting cultural and academic scene, and a small but diverse city center.
Known for its Mediterranean architecture and charming residential areas, Coral Gables offers a variety of housing and lifestyle options for its diverse residents, which include families, university faculty, students, creatives and intellectuals.
If you’d like to know more about what it’s like to live here, check out our ultimate video guide to Coral Gables.
Getting Around

Brickell Trolley. Photo courtesy of Brickell.com
This category is a toss-up in our Brickell vs Coral Gables review, but not because it’s a tie. Brickell is truly a city within a city with great walkability. Pretty much everything you need is within a very short walking distance.
Also, it’s one of Miami’s most connected areas, with the free Metromover connecting Brickell to Downtown and nearby transit hubs, including MiamiCentral, where the Brightline runs high-speed trains all the way to Orlando. If you have a car, major roads like Brickell Avenue and the nearby I-95 make getting in and out of Brickell fairly easy, although traffic can get very heavy around rush hour.
To avoid being stuck in your car or being late, make sure you stay up to date on the Brickell bridge schedule and its workarounds.

Coral Gables, by contrast, was built for a slower pace of life, with scenic drives and slow turns under canopies of banyan trees. Public transportation options are fewer, but the city’s thoughtful layout makes navigation easy, and you are well-connected by car to the rest of Miami thanks to roads like Coral Way and LeJeune Road. And the local free trolley is a favorite for all. It can help you get around pretty quickly with a dash of nostalgia.
Walking or cycling to local cafés, shops, and parks is part of the daily rhythm, especially around Miracle Mile and the newer mixed-use districts.
The Work-Life Flow

BB&T (Financial institution). Photo courtesy of Valerie on Flickr
Is it better to live in Brickell or Coral Gables when discussing the work-life balance? Brickell is a high-profile international hub and one of the largest financial districts in the U.S. It is home to many businesses across a variety of industries, including international and investment banks, law firms, tech and insurance companies, embassies and consulates, and a plethora of other smaller, local businesses.
For many residents, the appeal is that you can walk from your office to happy hour, the gym, or your condo, all within minutes.

Miracle Mile - Coral Gables. Photo courtesy of Phillip Pessar on Flickr
The city of Coral Gables, while nowhere near as busy as Brickell, has a downtown business center with over 100 multinational corporations that operate branches or headquarter offices in the area. These include international banks, import-export companies, and design and media businesses, as well as law firms, healthcare providers, and boutique agencies.
The influence of the University of Miami adds academic and research energy to the mix, drawing professionals in medicine, education, and the arts. Here, the workday often ends at a café on Miracle Mile or a golf course meeting that stretches into sunset. A softer, more relaxed version of success.
Outdoor Living & Waterfronts


Venetian Pool, Coral Gables. Photo courtesy of socialBedia on Flickr
Coral Gables takes the lead in this category as it is one of Miami’s oldest and most thoughtfully planned communities, designed around golf courses and parks long before the skyline race began. Its mature trees, landscaped streets, and protected green spaces give it the kind of natural serenity that fast-growing Brickell can’t easily replicate.
The city is home to landmarks like the Venetian Pool and the 83-acre, world-renowned Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, where lush tropical flora and winding trails invite long, shaded walks. Matheson Hammock Park, another local favorite, is an expansive waterfront nature reserve area with a man-made atoll pool from which you can launch your boat or enjoy hiking, biking, and picnicking on land.
The city is filled with charming small parks where you can take a breather, such as Ingraham Park, Merrie Christmas Park, and Jaycee Park.

Underline - Brickell
In spite of its urban focus, Brickell has plenty of green spaces, such as Brickell Park, Miami Circle Park, and Simpson Park. They may be small, but they provide nice resting spots in the middle of the dense neighborhood.
The Underline, a bold linear park running beneath the Metrorail, connects Brickell to Coconut Grove (with plans to extend into Coral Gables) featuring dog-friendly zones, landscaped bike paths, fitness areas, and public art, adding a welcome layer of nature to Miami’s modern core.
Arts & Culture
Brickell’s cultural identity is expressed through design, dining, and experiences rather than traditional arts venues, although it has a few galleries. However, its connectivity makes it an easy springboard into the city’s broader arts scene. Within minutes, you can reach Downtown’s museums and performance spaces, Wynwood’s murals, or the Design District’s bigger galleries and art institutions.

Miracle Theatre - Coral Gables. Photo courtesy of Manny Morales on Flickr
In contrast, Coral Gables has historically earned acclaim for its world-class theater and arts scene. The historic Actors’ Playhouse at Miracle Theatre presents contemporary theater at its best, and the GableStage, founded in 1979 and set inside the Biltmore Hotel, presents work ranging from Shakespeare to Broadway and off-Broadway hits and contemporary new plays.
The Gables Cinema is an important venue showing art-house movies, and the yearly Carnival on the Mile presents outdoor concerts featuring jazz, funk, Latin and Caribbean music on Miracle Mile. Another highlight is the recently inaugurated Art Coral Gables, part of Miami Art Week, which aims to transform the city into an open-air gallery with exhibitions and public art.
Finally, you can find the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami, as well as top-quality performances from its music and theater departments. For sports fans, UM’s nationally-renowned sports teams play regularly on campus, providing locals with plenty to do on weekends without leaving the neighborhood.
The Shopping Edit
If you’re deciding between living in Brickell or Coral Gables, we have to say that while both are premier shopping destinations, each offers a distinctly different experience.
In Brickell, the centerpiece is the multi-level Brickell City Centre, a top-of-the-line shopping complex spanning three city blocks and featuring an open-air design. Here, you’ll find an impressive array of luxury and contemporary brands, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Boss, Zara, Lululemon, Apple Store, Sephora, and more.
Complementing Brickell’s shopping offer, Mary Brickell Village adds a more casual mix of boutique shops and laid-back cafés. Brickell also benefits from close proximity to the Design District, offering even more options in luxury shopping and art galleries.

Brickell City Centre - Brickell, FL
Coral Gables is recognized for its exclusive, upscale shopping venues characterized by a relaxed, walkable downtown experience. The Shops at Merrick Park blends luxury retail with lush landscaping and alfresco dining in a refined, open-air setting. Here, you’ll find Neiman Marcus, Chanel, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn and more.
Miracle Mile, Coral Gables’ historic shopping strip, offers a charming mix of specialty boutiques, art galleries, and local shops alongside renowned restaurants and cafes, making it a favorite for those seeking a refined and leisurely shopping atmosphere. The combination of Mediterranean architecture and boutique-style retail defines Coral Gables’ unique shopping charm.

Shops at Merrick Park, Coral Gables Florida. Photo courtesy of Phillip Pessar on Flickr
Signature Flavors
Dining and shopping opportunities are plentiful in Brickell, with many great shops and eateries at Mary Brickell Village, Brickell City Centre, and all along Brickell Avenue.
Elcielo, Miami’s Michelin-starred Colombian restaurant, delivers an immersive fine-dining experience that blends artistry and flavor, and Cipriani brings its famed Italian classics to Brickell’s waterfront.
Both located in Brickell City Centre, Casa Tua Cucina combines upscale Italian dining with a casual vibe, and The Henry brings an all-day neighborhood feel, serving everything from breakfast classics to craft cocktails in a brasserie-style setting. Naoe offers an immersive omakase experience, while Paperfish and Sexy Fish bring modern Asian fusion and late-night glamour to the scene.
- The Capital Grille, an upscale steakhouse popular with the corporate set
- Crazy About You, where you can enjoy affordable Mediterranean food in a low-key bistro setting, and
- Delilah, with its roaring ’20s-inspired atmosphere perfect for those seeking dinner with entertainment.
Recent additions we recommend include:
- Claudie, which has earned acclaim for its dishes inspired by Côte d’Azur flavors,
- Felice Brickell, which brings authentic Tuscan cuisine, and
- Kaori, with an impressive pan-Asian menu.
Coral Gables offers an elegant mix of timeless cuisines and innovative global flavors.
The neighborhood’s culinary prestige includes Shingo, a Michelin-starred omakase restaurant with world-class Japanese craftsmanship, and Fontana at The Biltmore, where classic Italian flavors are served in one of Miami’s most iconic settings.
Local favorites like Caffe Abracci and Graziano’s continue to captivate with their authentic Italian fare, while Luca Osteria offers fresh takes on Mediterranean classics crafted from local ingredients.
Talavera Cocina Mexicana and Caja Caliente showcasing the neighborhood’s Latin influence, while Zitz Sum stands out for its elevated Chinese dishes and Threefold Cafe remains a standout as Miami’s premier Australian dining experience.
In addition to these cherished institutions, Coral Gables is also constantly welcoming exciting newcomers:
- Daniel’s Miami, an elegant steak and seafood house in the former Fiola space, redefines fine dining with a Miami edge.
- Arcano adds bold Latin flair in a contemporary lounge setting, while
- Dōjō, from the team behind Zitz Sum, expands the city’s Japanese dining scene with an intimate izakaya and sake experience.
Top Schools
Families in Brickell have access to several well-regarded Miami-Dade public schools, including Southside Preparatory Academy and Coral Way K–8 Center, both known for their bilingual and international programs. And the tuition-free Mater Brickell Academy, a charter school with a strong college prep program.
For high school, students often attend Miami Senior High, or opt for specialized magnet programs such as MAST Academy in nearby Key Biscayne — one of Miami’s top-ranked STEM-focused schools.
Private schools in the area include Open Hearts Language Academy (OHLA), Key Point Academy, and Brickell International Academy.
Top public schools in the Coral Gables School District include Coral Gables Preparatory Academy, Coral Gables Senior High, and Ponce de Leon Middle School, each with strong academic reputations. The city also has several charter schools, such as Somerset Gables Academy.
Private schools in the area include some of Miami’s best schools: Gulliver Academy and Gulliver Preparatory Schools, Riviera Day and Riviera Preparatory Schools, Saint Philip’s Episcopal School, Saint Theresa Catholic School, and Saint Thomas Episcopal Parish School.
Architecture and Housing Options: Brickell vs Coral Gables
Brickell is where Miami’s skyline tells its most modern story, with impressive skyscrapers and high-rise condo towers that accommodate both commercial and residential uses and form one of the city’s most recognizable silhouettes.
Each sub-district features distinct housing options. Along the waterfront in South Brickell, you’ll find older, yet timeless condos like Santa Maria and Atlantis, which boast breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and provide direct water access. And new luxurious waterfront condos are on the way with St. Regis Brickell, featuring iconic design by Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), and Una Residences, developed by the OKO Group and Cain International.
Brickell Key adds an exclusive, serene vibe with classic older condo communities, with the exception of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami condominium.
Finally, the most development-heavy area in Brickell is the Financial District, where you’ll find newer hyper luxury pre-construction projects, such as:
- The Residences at 1428 Brickell, with its solar-power-integrated windows;
- 888 Brickell by Dolce & Gabbana, blending high fashion with state-of-the-art amenities.
Also coming to Brickell are:
- ORA by Casa Tua, marking Miami’s homegrown hospitality brand’s first-ever residential property;
- Cipriani Residences, from the Italian hospitality powerhouse, and
- Baccarat Residences, the French luxury jeweler and crystal maker’s riverfront complex.

Coral Gables, on the other hand, is characterized by Mediterranean Revival and Old Spanish architectural styles, renowned for their historic character, ornate finishes, and lush landscaping. The city remains prized for its sprawling mansions and intricate single-family homes reflecting its rich heritage.
However, in response to growing demand, mid-rise condos, boutique townhomes, and newer residential towers are emerging, offering a diverse range of options from cozy studios to expansive penthouses. The following projects present modern luxury with a nod to the city’s iconic architectural motifs:
Prices & Perspective
Brickell is a diverse area that attracts a variety of international investors, thanks to its many property options that range from exclusive waterfront penthouses to more affordable residential condo units.
The average listing for a residential unit in Brickell is about $342 per square foot or approximately $456,000. Higher-end listings may run as high as $33,000,000 or around $7,000 per square foot, as of October 2025.
In Coral Gables, the current average listing price for a condo is around $388 per square foot, or about $605,000 per unit, with higher-end listings averaging around $6,700,000, or $1,700 per square foot, as of October 2025.
Coral Gables also has many more single-family options than Brickell, if that is what you are looking for, including some in Gables Estate, considered the most expensive neighborhood of the country.
Which Neighborhood is Better: Brickell or Coral Gables?
Ultimately, the choice of Brickell vs Coral Gables comes down to rhythm and lifestyle. If you’re looking more for a quiet, family-friendly community with access to nature, a little less tourism, and a great locally-based cultural scene that is nestled in a distinctly residential vibe, you’ll probably adore Coral Gables.
If you’d rather live and work in the “Manhattan of the South,” amid a buzzing international financial center with great happy-hour options, limitless restaurants and nightclubs, you’ll love living in Brickell’s fast, global, and endlessly social atmosphere.
Explore more of our Miami neighborhood comparisons to find your perfect fit:
- Coral Gables vs South Beach
- South Beach vs Miami Beach
- Coconut Grove vs Coral Gables
- Edgewater vs South Beach
- Key Biscayne vs Brickell
- The Miami Beaches: South vs Mid-Beach vs North Beach
- Brickell vs South Beach
- Brickell vs Brickell Key
These guides will help you make an educated decision as to which South Florida spot is ideal for you. And if you’d like personal guidance or want to see listings in any of these neighborhoods, we’re a home-grown Miami brokerage with over 20 years of experience, delighted to share with you our inside information regarding the various neighborhoods in Miami.
Call, text, or email us anytime — we’ll help you find the address that feels like yours.






