Where To Eat From August 1 To September 30
For anyone who loves food, the months of August and September in Miami are always something to look forward to. Miami Spice is a two-month-long restaurant promotion, organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (GMCVB) 21 years ago, initially with the goal of attracting tourists to Miami during its low season. While that’s certainly no longer a problem, the Miami Spice tradition is one locals and visitors look forward to each year.
This year, lunch/ brunch menus will be priced at $28, while dinner will go for either $45 or $60, a slight increase from last year— and for the first time, two different tiers. These prices include an appetizer, entrée and dessert. (Tax, tip, and libations are additional.) According to GMCVB, the two different price points for dinner this year were introduced to maintain the program’s commitment to value and to allow more restaurants to participate, with a continued emphasis on flexibility and options. The difference between the two tiers reflects cost of the entrees and ingredients used. Restaurants may choose to offer one or two dinner menu option(s) as long as the menus reflect value and savings when compared to their current menu prices. At press time, close to 150 restaurants are in participation, with daily additions expected leading up to the Spice months.
Some of the new additions this year include Leku at the Rubell Museum (they are hosting an early preview, so diners can enjoy their Miami Spice offerings as early as now); Chug’s Diner by James Beard-nominated chef Michael Beltran, which was recently awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand; Hoja Taqueria by the team behind Broken Shaker; Casa Isola, the Italian outpost by James Beard-nominated chef José Mendín; and Michelin-starred New York import Cote Miami.
The kitchen at Kaori in Brickell is now helmed by Cuban-Chinese-Colombian executive chef Raymond Li (formerly corporate chef at El Cielo Hospitality Group, who started his family-focused Li’s Dimsum concept during the pandemic) where he serves artful, umami-laden pan-Asian plates. “Our menu this year is a mix between our signatures and [new] dishes we introduced a few months ago, all highlighting the restaurant’s sophisticated simplicity,” Li shares. A special they are offering this year is the Crispy Prawns, Li’s homage to the late Joël Robuchon, which he learned to make during his time at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris.
For vegans and anyone interested in plant-based cuisine, Full Bloom Vegan Cuisine in Miami Beach, voted Best US Vegan Restaurant by TripAdvisor in 2021, is participating for the first time this year. Owner Omar Barberini shares that they will be serving some of their popular dishes that best showcase their globally inspired cuisine crafted by Venezuelan-born vegan executive chef Chris Rojas, who worked previously at Norman Van Aken’s Norman’s 180 and Zuma.
Chef Adrianne Calvo, who recently celebrated 15 years of her signature brand of cuisine, Maximum Flavor, has been participating in Miami Spice for 10 years. “We love Miami Spice and how it makes Miami extra foodie-centric during August and September,” she enthuses. “Everyone is obsessed about where they’re going and what they’re trying. The energy is contagious!” Her namesake Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar will be offering a Miami Spice dinner menu this year, in addition to lunch. Guests can look forward to bestsellers like brown sugar crusted salmon, 24-hour braised short ribs, sweet corn tamalito, and new items like the wahoo sashimi.
Her Cracked restaurant is also joining for the first time this year. “We wanted to offer a new option for our loyal fans and give an opportunity to those who haven’t tried [the restaurant] yet to experience it. Putting everything on a concise, curated menu where guests can pick from three courses, gives them three great opportunities to fall in love with Cracked!”
Here are the restaurants participating in Miami Spice 2022, by neighborhood:
Airport Area
94th Aero Squadron Restaurant
Allapattah
Leku at Rubell Museum
Aventura
Bourbon Steak Miami
Estiatorio Ornos a Michael Mina Restaurant
Novecento Aventura
Perl By Chef IP
Pubbelly Sushi Aventura
Reunion Ktchn Bar
Bal Harbour
Artisan Beach House
Atlantikós – The St. Regis Bal Harbour
Le Zoo Restaurant
Coconut Grove
Chug’s Cuban Diner
Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden
Jaguar Restaurant
Nave
Peacock Garden Bistro
Planta Queen
The Key Club
Coral Gables
Bugatti Bistro
Eclectico Restaurant & Bar
Fiola Miami
Fontana
Gustave restaurant
Kao Sushi & Grill
MesaMar Seafood Table
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Sawa Restaurant & Lounge
Seasons 52
The Wagyu Bar
Tur Kitchen
Two Sisters Restaurant
Wellfed Latino Modern Eatery
Zucca Restaurant
Doral
BLT Prime
Blue Matisse Restaurant and Nau Lounge
Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market
Downtown Miami Area/Brickell Area
American Social
Barsecco
Boulud Sud
Brasserie Brickell Key
Caña Restaurant and Lounge
Crust
Da Tang Zhen Wei
Fi’lia Restaurant
Hutong
Kaori
Komodo
La Cañita
La Terraza Café & Bar
LPM Restaurant & Bar
Marabu
Mignonette
Novecento Brickell
Paperfish Sushi
Perricone’s Marketplace & Cafe
Pubbelly Sushi Brickell City Centre
Quinto La Huella
Seaspice
Sushiato
Toro Toro
Toscana Divino
Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab
Via Emilia Garden
Kendall
Café Catula Fine Restaurant and Art Gallery
Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar
Pubbelly Sushi Dadeland
Whitney’s Restaurant
Key Biscayne
Cantina Beach
Lightkeepers
Little Havana
Cafe La Trova
Miami Beach: Mid Beach
Ambersweet at The Confidante Miami Beach
Donna Mare Trattoria
Hoja Taqueria
The Restaurant at The Palms
Miami Beach: North Beach
Cafe Prima Pasta
Miami Beach: South Beach
7 Spices Restaurant & Lounge
A Fish Called Avalon
Azabu Miami Beach
Baia Beach Club Miami
Bar Collins
Byblos Miami
Cafe Americano Ocean Drive
Casa Isola Osteria
Chotto Matte
Como Como Marisquería
Dolce Italian Restaurant
Drunken Dragon
Fratelli La Bufala
Full Bloom – Gourmet Vegan Cuisine
Havana 1957 Ocean Drive
Jaya, at The Setai
Juvia Miami
Katsuya South Beach
La Cerveceria De Barrio
Lido Restaurant and Bayside Grill
Mareva 1939 at the National Hotel
Meet Dalia
Mercato Della Pescheria Miami Beach
Mila Restaurant
Ola Restaurant
Orange Blossom
Orilla Bar & Grill
Planta South Beach
Prime Fish
Prime Italian
Pubbelly Sushi Miami Beach
RWSB Miami
Serena Miami
Social Club
Strawberry Moon
Sushi Garage
Sérêvène Miami
Tanuki Miami
The Bazaar by José Andrés
Via Emilia 9
Yard House
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
Miami Design District
Chica
Cote Miami
Palat
Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill
Swan & Bar Bevy
Miami Lakes
Korner67
ML Steaks + Sports
Pinecrest
French Bistro
True Food Kitchen
South Miami Area
Cracked by Chef Adrianne
Old Lisbon Sunset Drive
Two Chefs Restaurant
Sunny Isles Beach
Azzurro Italian Restaurant & Bar
IL Mulino NY – Sunny Isles Beach
Kitchen 305
Upper East Side
Blue Collar
Osteria
Wynwood Area
Back Door Monkey
Bakan
Bottled Blonde Miami
Kyu
Mayami Mexicantina & Bar
Negroni Midtown
Pez Loco – Restaurant & Tequila Bar
Wayku
For more information and for the updates on new restaurant additions, visit the Miami Spice website