In case you haven’t heard, Miami Spice is currently underway. In the past, the arrival of Miami Spice was met with much fanfare: Diners couldn’t wait to eat out and save big during the months of August and September. But this year, the promotion’s arrival has been a little… understated.
That should come as no surprise considering the current global pandemic. In fact, this year’s Miami Spice started back in June! We had no idea, but then again, dining out wasn’t really a priority for us (finding toilet paper was). But now that restaurants have reopened in limited capacities, we’ve gotten a little tired of cooking all the time and need a break.
Enter Miami Spice, which lets hungry locals enjoy restaurants new and old at a discount. For a reasonable prix-fixe cost, you can indulge in a 3-course lunch or dinner. If you’ve been thinking of checking out a restaurant, this is the time to do it—these restaurants need your support now more than ever. Here are a few tips to make the most of the promotion:
The more options, the better: Look for eateries that offer multiple selections for each course. The official Miami Spice website has all the menus available, and you can scope them out before heading over. Some places may just offer one or two selections per course. Look for restaurants that offer at least three different options for each.
Go big or stay home: Miami Spice is open to all restaurants. That includes restaurants that may ordinarily be out of your price range. Now’s the time to check out that super-expensive spot you’ve been considering for a while. Be adventurous, too: Check out a restaurant you normally wouldn’t visit. If you like it, great. If not, the dent in your budget won’t be too bad.
Confirm any and all details: Just because a restaurant is listed on the Miami Spice site doesn’t mean it will be offered during your visit. A restaurant may only offer Miami Spice on certain days or just for lunch or dinner service. Furthermore, some restaurants may only offer their Spice menu to go due to the pandemic. Always contact the restaurant directly for the latest information.
With over 100 restaurants participating in Miami Spice this year, it can be hard figuring out where to go. Try these five spots for both quality and quantity:
Byblos
The South Beach Mediterranean restaurant offers one of the largest Miami Spice menus available. Guests can choose from an assortment of delicious appetizers like duck kibbeh, lamb ribs, and roasted red beets to start their evening. Entrée options include Middle Eastern fried chicken, Turkish Manti dumplings, and short rib kebab—you can also pick sides like rock shrimp rice and brussels sprouts. Dessert only has two options available—stuffed baklava and sorbet—but you’ll already be too full to care at that point.
Byblos is located 1545 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140. Click here to see their Miami Spice page.
Diya Indian Kitchen
Diya Indian Kitchen is the newest restaurant on this list, having just opened earlier this year. Even though it’s the new kid on the block, its Miami Spice menu is not pulling any punches: It’s offered every day and features a TON of dishes for each course. Expect signature items like tandoori paneer, samosa, chana masala along with more localized fare such as a Ras Malai tres leches (cardamom and ricotta cream) and Kashmiri flan. This is also one of the more vegetarian-friendly restaurants participating in Miami Spice, so plant-based eaters should give it a look.
Diya Indian Kitchen is located at 1766 Bay Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Click here to see their Miami Spice page.
Katsuya South Beach
Options are the name of the game at Katsuya, where there are at least four different selections for appetizer and entrée. Because of this variety, this restaurant is always on our personal Miami Spice list. Among the options for appetizers at this upscale Japanese establishment: watermelon tartare, rock shrimp, whitefish crudo and tuna crispy rice; the latter two are our favorite. For entrees, you can choose from short rib, jidori chicken, branzino and various omakase choices. Donuts and sorbet round out the dessert options. There’s enough to keep things interesting for multiple visits, so no experience is the same.
Katsuya South Beach is located inside the SLS Hotel South Beach at 1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Click here to see their Miami Spice page.
Le Zoo
Head over to Le Zoo at Bal Harbour Shops for exquisite French fare. The Miami Spice menu at this local favorite provides a satisfying taste of the restaurant’s heavenly cuisine without breaking the bank. During dinner, three starter selections—octopus salad, steak tartare, and vichyssoise—whet the palate for flavorful entrees like duck confit and halibut. For dessert, dig into the signature millefeuille with apricot and pistachio sauce anglaise. Should you visit during lunch, you can expect a completely different menu with steak frites, crème brulee, and more.
Le Zoo is located inside Bal Harbour Shops at 9700 Collins Avenue, #135, Bal Harbour, FL 33154. Click here to see their Miami Spice page.
Vista
The best way to describe Vista’s cuisine is “global.” While the menu leans Italian, you can see a variety of other influences throughout. Miami Spice is offered for lunch and dinner, and each service features unique offerings. During lunch, you can enjoy items like eggplant flatbread and chicken paillard. For dinner, there’s a fisherman crudo and pear-stuffed fiocchi up for grabs. Save room for dessert as most options are indulgent. Think Nutella bread pudding, profiteroles and tiramisu.
Vista is located at 5020 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33137. Click here to see their Miami Spice page.
