Four Must-Stops on Your Miami Spice Dining List

It’s September, and Miami Spice is halfway done. Have you had a chance to check out any specials? The two-months-long event runs through Sept. 30, giving savvy foodies an opportunity to eat well and save big.

As part of this annual promotion, participating restaurants across the city are offering discounted multicourse lunch and dinner menus. With time running out, we’ve rounded up a few eateries that are definitely worth squeezing in.

First up is Boulud Sud (255 Biscayne Blvd. Way, 305.421.8800) in downtown Miami. The Mediterranean eatery fully reopened last month after shutting down because of you know what. It’s come back with a bang: The restaurant from renowned chef Daniel Boulud serves up one of the best Miami Spice deals in town. The dinner menu rotates regularly, providing guests with a different but consistently delicious experience every time.

Among its rotating Miami Spice items are green gazpacho, lemon fusilli, osso bucco and key lime tart. One special dish is a permanent staple on the Miami Spice menu, and it’s a doozy: the beloved Mediterranean branzino with tomato-piquillo peppers compote. Don’t think about it – just get it.

On the other side of the causeway is another notable Mediterranean Miami Spice experience: Byblos (1545 Collins Ave., 786.864.2990) on Miami Beach. For years, the eatery has sat atop “Best Miami Spice Menus” lists and for good reason: It’s so much food. Not only do you get two appetizers, you get an entrée, side and dessert. Roasted red beets, duck kibbeh, Middle Eastern fried chicken, Turkish Manti dumplings … the options go on and on. Byblos is best enjoyed in a big group, so round up friends and family and dig in. Best of all, the menu is offered every day.

Further north at Bal Harbour Shops, Le Zoo (9700 Collins Ave., #135, 305.602.9663) is dazzling diners with tasty three-course affairs for lunch and dinner. The French restaurant boasts a mouthwatering array of delights, including chilled cucumber soup, foie gras parfait, moules frites and ratatouille. Regulars know that one of the best parts of Le Zoo is dessert, and the restaurant doesn’t disappoint with its spectacular crème brûlée with Tahitian vanilla.

Up in Aventura, Pubbelly Sushi (19565 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 936, 305.690.7710) is speaking to all palates with an extensive list of robata, sushi and vegetarian selections. The Asian-inspired concept from celebrated chef José Mendín features Miami Spice items like truffle corn, shrimp cocktail tostada, crispy avocado rolls, Japanese eggplant and mochi ice cream. These offerings are also available at the restaurant’s Brickell, Dadeland and Miami Beach locations. With so many PB Sushi outposts around, you have no excuse for missing out.

One note about these menus: They’re all subject to change. So, while some of the items listed above may no longer be available by the time you visit, you can rest easy knowing that these restaurants will still deliver an exceptional experience.

Openings

In non-Miami Spice news, the South Florida dining scene welcomed several new concepts into the mix. One of them is g.l.o.w. (97 NW 25th St., 305.200.3294), a casual Wynwood eatery focused on superfoods and frozen yogurt. The concept actually opened back in the summer of 2019, but shut down for a while due to, well, you know.

It has returned with a delectable menu from chef Todd Erickson (Glam Vegan, Huahua’s Taqueria). Some of the seasonal fro-yo flavors include watermelon and strawberry daiquiri, joining permanent staples such as black sesame charcoal and guava cheese. On the savory side of things, guests can expect to find kung pao cauliflower, meatball sliders and spicy black bean hummus. Super Spritzers (housemade sodas) are plentiful and ensure you won’t leave thirsty.

Over in the heart of Brickell, Kaori (871 S Miami Ave., 305.306.6774) recently opened its doors to guests. The spacious eatery specializes in Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, with offerings like braised short rib dumplings, mushroom bao buns, stir-fry udon, smoked swordfish dip and grilled rack of lamb. This menu is huge, so this is another place where we recommend bringing a friend (or three) to make the most of the experience.

Geoffrey Anderson Jr. and Dianne Rubin-Anderson are co-founders of Miami Food Pug, an award-winning South Florida food blog that fuses the couple’s love of dogs and food.