August in Miami doesn’t ask for attention—it demands it. From riverside rum cocktails and rooftop secret menus to cold plunges, jazz brunches, and sizzling Miami Spice lineups, the city is indisputably layering the heat. Clear your calendar, charge your phone, and let’s dive into what’s cooking in the 305 this month, because August is showing off.
What to Do in Miami This Month
Elia on the River
August at Elia unfolds in layers—begin with a $25 three-course lunch (Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.), or slip into Sunset Hour (3-6 p.m.), where small plates and sharp pours make the river view even more compelling.
The weekly lineup sets the tempo: Salsa Mondays with Daniela Maria and Band, Bella Notte Thursdays with live sets and champagne for the ladies, and Dolce Vita Fridays, where sunset music gives way to DJ Ornella’s late-night rotation. Saturdays follow suit with violinist Kiara Fernandez, dancers, and DJ Pablo Mesa.
Weekend brunch runs long (11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) and leans jazz-forward, with bottomless drinks and dishes worth lingering over.
Let’s, of course, not forget about Miami Spice: Sunday-Thursday with a $60 dinner menu that has us on our toes.
This month’s highlights: rum cocktails (National Rum Day on August 16), a caviar-topped potato special (National Potato Day on August 19), and a smash burger special you don’t want to miss (National Burger Day on August 21). See you there.
Thursday Foodie Events at Ironside Pizza
August Thursdays at Ironside are hands-on, low-key brilliant, and just the right kind of messy. On August 7, ArtSIDE Night turns Ironside‘s garden into a quiet riot of paint, wine, and creativity. No rules, no pressure—just color, conversation, and a little Aperol. August 14 is all about eggplant involtini: grilled, rolled, stuffed, and sauced. Learn the technique, then gather for a communal dinner straight out of an Italian summer. On August 28, dinner gets bilingual with Dine and Learn Italian—a casual night of food and language that pairs ricotta with rolled Rs, and vino with vocabulary.
Kitchen 57 Happenings
August is in full swing, and Kitchen 57 is keeping things fresh with spirited events and summer specials worth lingering over. We’re back on the Miami Spice lineup with a $45 dinner menu highlighting seasonal comfort and house signatures—available Tuesday through Saturday. On August 20, join us for an intimate Stag’s Leap Wine Dinner: a four-course pairing held in the restaurant’s private dining room. For all the teachers out there: on August 12 from 3-8 p.m., flash your ID during Happy Hour and enjoy a complimentary Kitchentini on the house. Summer promos run through August 16—from the $16.99 lunch special to Grillin’ and Chillin’ Saturdays, and yes, the Kitchen Sink Sundae is also back! Wednesdays get a spin with Wacky Wheel prizes during dinner service. Plus, all the weekly favorites: Happy Hour (Tuesday-Saturday), Burgers and Bottles Tuesdays, Ladies’ Night Thursdays, Sunday Brunch with the Bloody Mary Bar, and a Friday night DJ to close the week. This definitely needs to be jotted down in the planner.
Old Lisbon Aventura One-Year Anniversary
Old Lisbon Aventura is turning one—and it’s celebrating in true Portuguese style. On August 15 at 7:30 p.m., join the anniversary festivities with an unforgettable night of live Fado music featuring Simone and pianist Ramiro. The evening includes a specially curated coursed dinner—appetizers, entrées, dessert, and Port wine—for $95 per guest. Known for its upscale bar and terrace, the Aventura location brings a modern edge to Old Lisbon’s time-honored traditions. Let’s toast to another year of scrumptious Portuguese fare ahead!
Miami Spice and August Specials at Primo’s
Starting today, Primo’s invites you to celebrate the season with bold flavors and classic comforts. From now through September 30, the Italian restaurant is participating in Miami Spice, offering a curated $60 dinner menu and a dedicated cocktail list to match—think refreshing twists, Italian spirits, and signature pours crafted just for the occasion, like the oh-so-timely Primo’s Martini: vodka, triple sec, and watermelon.
Alongside the Miami Spice offerings, a new lineup of August specials awaits hungry epicureans. Expect melt-in-your-mouth carpaccio, creamy lobster ravioli, and grilled lamb chops served alongside fragrant mushroom risotto.
Arcano Events
This month, Arcano elevates Coral Gables with sharp new offerings. Vibras Happy Hour debuts Thursdays—live music, DJ sets, and cocktails recently named “Best in Coral Gables.” Noches de Raíces shifts to the first Wednesday, starting August 6 with authentic Dominican bites like pastelitos and tamarind rum punch. Yum. The lunch menu is here with bold, fresh bowls and sandwiches designed for the busy connoisseur. Miami Spice returns with a refined three-course prix-fixe showcasing Arcano’s signature Latin flair, from guacamole ahumado to pato con mole. Bet you’ll be seeing us there on the regular.
Arcano is located at 259 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134. For more information, visit their official website.
Secret Menu at Giselle Miami
This summer, Giselle Miami has unveiled Her Favorites—a secret, off-menu three-course prix-fixe available Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays through September. At $60 per person, it’s an exclusive invitation to savor executive chef Gustavo Zuluaga’s most indulgent creations. Start with Szechuan calamari or Wagyu dumplings; move to crispy whole snapper or vegan truffle pomodoro pasta; finish with decadent 24K peanut butter chocolate or bright passion pavlova. We’re counting down the days till our next visit. Hidden from the regular menu, this luxe experience demands you ask by name, perfectly matching the rooftop’s unforgettable vibe—bold, elegant, and discreetly decadent.
Giselle Miami is located at 15 NE 11th St, Miami, FL 33132. For more information, visit their official website.
The Latest This Month
Books & Books Summer Reading Series at The Commodore
Through September 21, The Commodore at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove invites you to sip, flip, and unwind with the Books & Books Summer Reading Series. In partnership with the iconic local bookstore, this literary-meets-libation escape pairs expertly crafted cocktails by Gio Gutierrez with Miami-inspired reads. Choose your drink, grab a book, and settle in—just return the novel before you leave. Bonus: readers get ten percent off at Books & Books Coconut Grove. Highlights include the Havana Especial with The Last Train to Paradise, the Dérive paired with Seeing Differently, and the punchy Fuacata with Ventanitas. Meet-the-author moments start August 21 with Laura Paresky Gould, with more dates to be announced.
The Commodore is located at 3300 SW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Contessa Miami Debuts New Summer Prix-Fixe Lunch Menu
Contessa Miami is bringing a touch of la dolce vita to lunch with a new summer prix-fixe. Available Monday through Friday for $49, the three-course menu blends Northern Italian elegance with just the right amount of Miami flair. Set against a backdrop of teakwood glamour and old-world charm, guests can start with dishes like whipped ricotta, burrata caprese, or a stunning asparagus and avocado salad. Following suit come mains like branzino portofino or rigatoni bolognese. For dessert, think crostata di limone or gelato del giorno. It is Lake Como meets Design District—and a very chic excuse to linger past noon. We simply cannot stop dreaming about it.
Contessa Miami is located at 111 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137. For more information, visit their official website.
Weekend Dosas at Bombay Darbar Coconut Grove
New to the weekend lineup at Bombay Darbar Coconut Grove: dosas. Golden, crisp, and paper-thin, the South Indian–style dosas have landed. Served hot off the griddle with warm sambar and silky coconut chutney, they are the kind of comfort that lingers long after the plate is cleared. It is a new addition, but it feels like it has always belonged. Available Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.—only in Coconut Grove.
New Menu at Paya
Paya’s new menu brings a sharper edge to every dish, a cleaner line between comfort and creativity. Raw plates like the hamachi with yuzu kosho or wahoo in coconut leche de tigre feel lean and electric. “Light and Fresh” options play with contrast—crisp green papaya, smoky grilled cucumber, minty crab salad with pineapple vinaigrette. Warm starters lean playful: truffle brie grilled cheese with mango jam, paneer jalfrezi, buss up shut with ghee and pickle. Even the humble chicken Hakka noodles land with purpose. It is still Caribbean, but ready to surprise.
Farm-fresh Veggies and Community Yoga on Lincoln Road
Lincoln Road is where it is at this August. Sundays kick off at 9 a.m. with the Farmers Market—a colorful sprawl of fruit, florals, and irresistible impulse buys stretching from Meridian to Washington. By 10 a.m., the Euclid Courtyard turns into your open-air studio with Free Community Yoga—sunlight, slow breaths, and just the right amount of breeze to keep you going. Art, stretch, shop, repeat. Summer may be winding down, but Lincoln Road is not letting go without a little flair and a lot of fresh basil.