Last-Minute Miami Spice Picks

Time is running out to enjoy Miami Spice, the annual South Florida foodie holiday. The summer promotion is in its final month, so you only have until September 30 to enjoy discounted menus at some of the 305’s top restaurants. In case you missed it, this year’s Miami Spice looks a little bit different. 

Restaurants typically offer one prix-fixe lunch and one prix-fixe dinner menu, but now they have the option of offering an additional higher-priced dinner menu. If you opt for the three-course lunch and brunch deals, you’ll pay $28, while the two dinner menus will set you back $45 and $60, respectively. 

Before we dive into our favorites this year, we have a quick public service announcement: Miami Spice is not offered every day at many restaurants. We strongly suggest contacting the restaurant directly to confirm participation as details are subject to change. 

With that said, let’s talk Abbale Telavivian Kitchen at 864 Commerce St. in Miami Beach (305.902.3477). The South of Fifth newbie has quickly built a reputation for quality Mediterranean cuisine, and Miami Spice provides the perfect entry point for first timers. The eatery offers Miami Spice for both lunch and dinner service. On the menu: roasted beets, grilled peach and halloumi, crunchy cauliflower, grilled branzino and lamb kefte – to name just a few. Beverage pairings also are available and come strongly recommended. 

Another restaurant that should be on your shortlist is Nave at 3540 Main Hwy., in Coconut Grove (786.615.374). The neighborhood Italian hotspot boasts Miami Spice offerings for both dinner and brunch. On the former menu are selections such as Miami clams with “medianoche butter” and gruyere cheese (a personal favorite), Stracciatella, duck ragu and the almighty snapper Milanese (a dish that can easily feed two). Brunch offerings include the clams and Stracciatella plus carbonara, and prawns and polenta.

The beauty of Miami Spice is that you can eat at upscale restaurants at a fraction of the price. Case in point:

StripSteak at Fontainebleau Miami Beach at 4441 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach, (305.674.478). The famous steakhouse from celebrated chef Michael Mina serves up a delicious dinner menu comprised of highlights like lobster bisque, BLT wedge salad, cavatelli, roasted chicken and – of course – a tasty filet. If you’ve always wanted to check the place out but the price tag made you think twice, don’t think twice about Miami Spice here. 

And finally, there’s Patio Isola at 6789 Biscayne Blvd. in MiMo, (305.400.817), a newcomer from the minds behind Casa Isola on Miami Beach. Miami Spice selections abound for lunch and dinner. Among the many standouts are the meatball parm sandwich, the Isola arancini with taleggio cheese, and the restaurant’s famed rigatoni alla vodka. Special to this Isola outpost is the vecchia signora pizza with braised short rib, taleggio white sauce, truffle oil and pecorino. No matter what you order, plan for a nap afterward. 

OPENINGS 

So much for slow season. New restaurants continue to pop up left and right around Miami. One new opening to keep

an eye on is Bayshore Club at 3391 Pan American Dr. in Coconut Grove (305.749.5859). The monstrous 300-seat waterfront restaurant is unsurprisingly heavy on seafood given its location. Bites include tuna tartare cones, smoked wahoo fish dip, crab cake sliders, seared snapper filet and more. Live music is big here as is weekday happy hour; there’s always something going on. 

Further North, guests can pop into Neya at 9491 Harding Ave., in Surfside (305.452.0768) for modern Israeli cuisine. The eatery is big on sharing with a nice mix of small plates, crudos, mezze and more substantial fare. Crispy Brussels sprouts, black truffle wild mushroom polenta, shakshuka and chicken shish kebabs are just a few of the items that will turn you into a repeat customer. 

CLOSINGS

Much to this writing duo’s dismay, Doraku on

has called it quits. Operating for over two decades, the sushi spot was one of the longest-running restaurants on the strip – and the site of our first date. Their sushi and generous happy hour will be missed.

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.