Miami Spice is one of the biggest events of the year for local restaurants. From the beginning of August to the end of September, area eateries have a chance to show customers what they have to offer with a price-fixed menu featuring three courses. This is a program administered by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau designed to give you the chance to explore menus and enjoy meals at fantastic prices – $28 for brunch/lunch and $45 or $60 for supper.
Miami Spice not only drums up business for restaurants, but also allows citizens to try food at high-end places while getting the most bang for their buck. As September approaches its end, here are 10 restaurants to try before the event comes to a close.
Pubbelly Sushi
Various locations
8970 SW 72nd Pl.
Kendall, FL 33156
(786) 369-5472
Pubbelly Sushi brings a unique culinary spin to Japanese-fusion cuisine. With five locations in Aventura, Brickell City Center, Doral, Downtown Dadeland, and Miami Beach, this restaurant takes advantage of Miami Spice in an innovative way.
Rather than typical Miami Spice offerings from the main menu, Pubbelly Sushi opts for a tasting menu with new dishes hand-crafted by chefs. This leads to the model of allowing customers to try everything offered for the two-month event except desserts – only two of those are possible. Even better is that every dish is packed full of flavor. Some of the show-stopping creations from the menu include lobster donuts, short-rib bao bun, and the incredible miso bread pudding, but every option offers a burst of flavor and compliments the other dishes well.
Even if sushi is not your favorite, Pubbelly should surely not be missed. It offers Miami Spice from Monday through Thursday with a $28 per person lunch, a $45 dinner, and a $28 vegetarian menu per person.
Korner 67
6769 Main St.
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
(305) 280-0910
Korner 67 comes into this list as one of the newer restaurants participating in Miami Spice. In the center of Miami Lakes, it focuses on high-end presentation with upscale food to match. For Miami Spice, Korner 67 offers four choices for food. Even better is that, rather than having only two menus, this restaurant offers – brunch, lunch, and two types of dinners.
Regardless of menu choice, customers are bound to find many types of food to suit their taste with the range of international dishes served each week. One of items that must be tried is the croissant French toast casserole, which features a crispy croissant layer topped with sugar and fresh fruit. Also included in the must-try category is the raclette cheese croissant, a savory dish that precedes yet compliments the French toast.
The $28 lunch is served Monday through Friday. For dinner, Monday through Thursday is $45 while Friday through Sunday is $60. Finally, Korner 67 offers a special $28 brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Given the restaurant’s versatility, Korner 67 looks to be the hottest new restaurant in the Miami Lakes area and a highlight of this year’s Miami Spice.
Talavera Cocina Mexicana
2299 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 444-2955
Located in the heart of Coral Gables, Talavera Cocina Mexicana is an excellent choice for authentic, high-end Mexican cuisine. Finally reopened after a brand new renovation, the restaurant boasts a modern and chic atmosphere. Talavera offers a $28 lunch and a $45 dinner menu per person from Monday to Friday. Some of their most notable options for Miami Spice include the famous guacamole, made fresh to order, and the shrimp al ajillo, which is giant shrimp sauteed with garlic served with rice and watercress. As a comparison, the guacamole is $14 and the shrimp al ajillo is $26 on the regular menu, coming to roughly $40 without dessert or added taxes. Therefore, if you want a nice night on the town at an affordable price, the Miami Spice option is definitely the way to go for expertly prepared Mexican food in the City Beautiful.
ML Steaks + Sports
6842 Main St.
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
(305) 820-8047
Nestled in the Miami Lakes Hotel alongside the bustling Main Street shopping district, ML Steaks + Sports provides a sports-focused atmosphere along with a host of dining options. For this year’s edition of Miami Spice, the place clings to its meat-heavy cuisine with a $45 dinner menu offered from Sunday through Thursday each week. The bourbon BBQ chicken, and the six-ounce black angus filet mignon are among the highlights of the entree section. Most notable was the white chocolate bread pudding pie which brings the sweetness of victory to finish it off. Upgrades to the menu include the French onion soup at $5 and the 12-ounce black angus ribeye steak at a $7 upcharge.
CRUST
668 NW 5th St
Miami, FL 33128
(305) 371-7065
CRUST is an Italian restaurant located near the Miami River in the main city center, specializing in serving large, family-style portions perfect for sharing. However, for Miami Spice, each course is the same size as the full menu, but served individually. So, be prepared to get a take-out box. Offering a wide selection of options, the place ensures everyone has something they can enjoy. The best dishes by far are the meatball appetizer, which comes with a delicious tomato sauce and bread to dip it in, and the lobster ravioli, a perfect savory entree. It is open Wednesdays through Sundays, offering only the $45 dinner menu. However, even though these portions are big enough to share, opting for Miami Spice specifically is on a “per person” basis.
Maü Miami
3252 NE 1st Ave. #109
Miami, FL 33137
(786) 425-1024
A modern Bohemian Mediterranean restaurant located in Midtown Miami, Maü Miami offers a large selection of dishes ranging from seafoods like salmon, crab, and lobster, to meats like steaks, lamb, and chicken. The name Maü is reminiscent of the northern part of Mykonos, which is known to be the most spiritual part of the island. It certainly lives up to its name as Maü was designed to be a social restaurant that serves a variety of fresh, flavorful foods and drinks including wines and cocktails. For Miami Spice, take advantage of their $60 three-course dinner meal and enjoy a selection of seafood and high-end meats like lobster ravioli or a roasted lamb shank. Maü’s modern open dining room offers delicious food, great music from a live DJ, and authentic hookahs for a laid-back vibe. Switch things up by choosing to dine in their massive outdoor space surrounded by rustic-vibe decor and breathtaking scenery.
At Maü Miami there’s a wide selection of foods and drinks, along with its Mediterranean ambiance. This is the perfect place to bring a bunch of friends to celebrate a big occasion or catch up with a fantastic meal, delicious drinks, and chilled-out vibes.
Mayami Wynwood
127 NW 23rd St
Miami, FL 33127
(786) 660-1341
Located in the heart of Wynwood, Mayami is a 10,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor restaurant and lounge that offers Mediterranean cuisine with a Latin twist. Choose from seafood, ceviches, sushi, and classic steak or chicken taco bowls. Mayami Wynwood currently offers a $45 three-course dinner meal Sunday-Thursday as part of Miami Spice month. Take advantage and try their selection of elote or crispy tuna appetizers, a main course of Mexican-style pasta, pan-seared sea bass, or black lime grasshoppers beef, and finish it off with a mouse-layered chocolate cake. Guests can also enjoy uniquely crafted drinks and cocktails. Mayami Wynwood offers a variety of events and entertainment with something new going on every day of the week along with deals ranging from free drinks, half-off drinks, or live fire performances. There is also a business casual dress code enforced so everyone you bring and meet can look and feel their best. With an upbeat party atmosphere crossed with Tulum vibes, Mayami Wynwood is the best place to be for a night of eating and drinking with friends to celebrate a special occasion.
Komodo Miami
801 Brickell Ave
Miami, Fl 33131
(305) 534- 2211
Komodo Miami is a restaurant and bar with a spectacular cocktail list and a magnificent dining menu to compliment it. Komodo brings the classic spices and flair of Southeast Asia to the heart of Brickell’s financial design district. The three-story restaurant features an indoor-outdoor flow and holds more than 300 seats. The wood-paneled interior design offers a sleek and intimate dining experience while the lush garden terrace outdoor seating transports diners to a more elevated, yet relaxed space. Mimicking the feel of a tropical oasis the layout features the concept of a treehouse/bird’s nest with dim dazzling lights to set the mood. Fusing classic Southeast Asian dishes with a new and innovative global approach, Komodo prides itself on using top-quality ingredients to create a unique dining experience as dishes burst with rich flavor.
Noteworthy items and house specials include the wagyu and salmon tacos, miso Chilean sea bass skewers, Peking duck, money bag dumplings, and the prime bone-in ribeye. The cocktails are also impressive — an honorable mention goes to the Szechuan old-fashioned and the pineapple express.
Throughout Miami Spice, Komodo offers a $45 three-course meal Sunday through Thursday which gives you the chance to try everyone’s house favorites! Offering roughly three to five choices to choose from when selecting your appetizer, entree, and dessert. Komodo is the ideal place for any occasion, day or night and if you’re ever in the mood for more amusement, the posh and exclusive Komodo Lounge is the perfect place for you and it’s right upstairs.
Sexy Fish Miami
1001 S Miami Ave
Miami Fl, 33130
(305) 889- 7888
Inspired by the oceans of Asia, with a focus on Japan, Sexy Fish is the Miami outpost of a London-based restaurant that offers nights filled with high-end glamour and show-stopping interior, inspired by the marvel of the underwater world designed by award-winning Martin Brudnizki Studio with original artwork by Damien Hirst. The Asian-inspired menu curated by Chef Director Björn Weissgerber, promises exceptional taste and impeccable presentation, keeping signature dishes such as duck salad, smoked tuna belly, crispy eringi mushroom, black cod, and king crab and bone marrow. Exclusive and delightful beverage options are featured on the cocktail menu accompanied by a carefully selected wine and champagne list. There is an all-day to late-night experience that can include surreal performances, mermaid dancers, beautiful costumes, and international headline DJs. Sexy fish attracts celebrities, locals, and tourists like no other! For a limited time, you can enjoy a delicious three-course meal for $28 featuring items off the lunch menu. A reservation is highly recommended and the Miami Spice menu is only for parties six or less. Lunch times are available between noon and 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Come dressed to impress! There are great photo ops.
Novikov Miami
300 S Biscayne Blvd
Miami Fl, 33131
(305) 489-1000
Novikov Miami is a world-renowned restaurant specializing in Chinese-Japanese cuisine featuring upmarket sushi and seafood. Located in Downtown Miami where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay, it is the first U.S. outpost of the restaurant with locations in London, Moscow, and Dubai. The view overlooking the Biscayne Bay creates a perfect high-energy outdoor dining space where guests can enjoy the weather and soak up the Miami sun while dining al fresco on the terrace. The indoor dining space is warm and inviting with architecture that features floor-to-ceiling windows working simultaneously with the warm textured wooden walls and soft color palette. It is known for staple pieces such as the colorful seafood and vegetable market display where guests are encouraged to handpick the freshest items. All items on display are globally sourced. There are gourmet dishes like slow poached quail egg gunkan with truffle and Novikov Peking duck with royal caviar. Signature dishes include black cod rolls, and A5 wagyu sirloin with chili daikon. A grand entry bar features a huge selection of sakes and wines alongside an innovative cocktail menu. Take advantage of Miami Spice and join Novikov for a $28 lunch or $60 dinner. The lunch menu special is available Monday to Saturday, while dinner is served Sunday to Thursday.
