After graduating from the University of Miami School of Communication in 2015, Nicole Lopez-Alvar found herself thrust into the national spotlight as a cast member of “The Bachelor” and later on “Bachelor in Paradise.”
On each show, she established herself as a proud Miamian, an even prouder Cuban American, and a self-proclaimed foodie—famously earning a year’s supply of ice cream for her emotional vulnerability onscreen.
After the cameras stopped rolling, Lopez-Alvar set out to prove she was more than just a reality TV personality. She leveraged her new platform and her degree in broadcast journalism to make a name for herself in the city she calls home.
Today, she serves as the food editor at The Miami New Times, where she covers restaurants ranging from hidden neighborhood gems to big-name grand openings, helping to spotlight Miami’s reputation as a national food and culture destination.
Lopez-Alvar credits the University of Miami with nurturing her foodie nature, introducing her to vegan food for the first time at the Wednesday farmers’ market and taste-testing lattes at the Starbucks overlooking Lake Osceola.
Even the Rathskeller on campus helped develop her palate, introducing her to beer for the first time. Her personal favorite: a Stella Artois paired with anything fried off the menu.
After graduation, she began working at WSVN-TV in Miami, drafting up to a dozen articles a day on politics, crime, and breaking news. While the fast pace sharpened her technical writing skills, she felt something was missing.
“Breaking news is all about the facts, sources, and impartiality,” she said. “I realized I liked storytelling, creativity, and exploring Miami’s culture more.”
Her time on “The Bachelor” helped her to find her voice—and gave her the confidence to use it.
“I was only 25 years old when I was on ‘The Bachelor,’ and overnight I became this public figure with a new following,” she recalled. “I realized I had a unique opportunity, and I chose to use it to further my career in journalism.”
She joined The Miami New Times in December 2023 and has continued to hone her voice there.
“It can be scary to share your opinions with thousands of people online, but my experiences taught me to trust my voice,” she said. “The other day, a story I posted went viral with over 500,000 views—you really have to be fearless.”
As she prepares to celebrate her birthday later this month, we asked the Miami native to map out her perfect day of eating in the city.
“I’d start with an iced almond milk or matcha latte from Navi Coffee and Flowers in Coconut Grove, then head to the Saturday Organic Farmer’s Market across the street with my rescue Chihuahua, Romeo, to check out the fresh fruit, walk around, and people-watch a little,” she replied.
“For brunch, I would head to Greenstreet Café and order one of their amazing fluffy omelets with a side of crispy potatoes. Then, of course, ice cream. If I’m still in the Grove, I’d stop by Salt & Straw. If not, Whip ’n Dip in South Miami is a classic and local staple for high school and college students.”
“For happy hour, I love Level 6 Rooftop Restaurant in the Grove, especially if I feel like dressing up—they have amazing cocktails and a beautiful view of the sunset. For something more casual, or maybe even a date, I’d go to Barracuda Taphouse & Grill. The Taurus – Beer & Whiskey House is also a great locals-only gem.”
“For dinner, I’d pick Carbone Vino, which just opened in the Grove. But if I were taking my parents to dinner, I would go to Le Bouchon du Grove, which is a little French spot that’s been around since the ’90s.”
To students at her alma mater, she offers this advice: “Be open to new experiences. Make connections. I landed my very first job through a sorority sister at Delta Phi Epsilon, and everything since then has been a series of small stepping stones that led me to where I am today.”
