Restaurants have been given the go-ahead to resume indoor dining on August 31, which means more options to satisfy your cravings. What’s more, Miami Spice is still in full swing, with discounted lunch and dinner menus slated to continue until September 30. We’ve put together a list of four upscale South Florida spots serving up Miami Spice specials that need to be on your radar right now — from Asian fusion to authentic Italian cuisine.
Juvia
One of the most iconic rooftop restaurants in Miami Beach, Juvia is as well-known for its views as it is for its delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes. If you’re trying their Miami Spice dinner menu, start with the shrimp anticucho or the Asian beef carpaccio, then order the Mediterranean branzino, the lamb shank, or the New York strip steak. For dessert, we’re all about the tres leches. If you make a reservation at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, you’ll enjoy a complimentary bottle of Syltbar premium prosecco.
Details: Juvia is located at 1111 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach. For reservations, call 305-763-8272.
Novikov
Novikov is offering Miami Spice menus for both lunch and dinner, which means you can treat yourself to all your favorite Asian-inspired dishes for less. Think chicken and morel siu mai, shrimp and cilantro dim sum, crispy Peking duck, truffle hamachi carpaccio, Singapore noodles, and more. Save room for the refreshing key lime tapioca or the decadent umeshu black forest.
Details: Novikov is located at 300 S Biscayne Blvd, Miami. For reservations, call 305-489-1000.
Forte dei Marmi
Tucked away in Miami Beach’s quiet South of Fifth neighborhood, Forte dei Marmi specializes in fine Italian dining by Michelin-star chef Antonio Mellino and his son, Raffaele. The contemporary, candlelit setting provides the perfect ambiance for a special occasion dinner, but it’s the food you’ll remember best about your visit. The Miami Spice dinner menu features standout dishes like swordfish carpaccio, grilled octopus, Tuscan seafood soup, lamb chops with truffled mashed potatoes, and the restaurant’s iconic linguini ‘alla nerano.’ For dessert, there’s a tiramisu espresso, a coconut panna cotta, a Sicilian-style cannoli, or a fresh fruit sorbet.
Details: Forte dei Marmi is located at 150 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach. For reservations, call 786-276-3095.
Truluck’s
When you’re craving surf and turf, it doesn’t get better than Truluck’s. The seafood, steak and crab house is offering a three-course Miami Spice dinner menu filled with plenty of options, like creamy lobster bisque or crisp salad to start, followed by beef tenderloin medallions, sesame-crusted ahi tuna, savory vegan bolognese, and succulent pan-seared New England sea scallops. Dessert is your choice of carrot cake or chocolate malt cake.
Details: Truluck’s is located at 777 Brickell Ave, Suite 100, Miami. For reservations, call 305-579-0035.
While travel is beginning to open up, many people are still opting for staycations and mini getaways close to home. If you live in South Florida, you have plenty of options to choose from — the beach is always close at hand, and lots of hotels are currently offering great rates for locals. If you’re craving an elevated shoreside experience with acclaimed food, service, and savings, you should definitely consider penciling in a weekend at The Setai in Miami Beach. Here’s how to do it right.
Have lunch al fresco at The Ocean Grill, then hit the beach
The summer menu at The Ocean Grill is an incredible deal on dining. Priced at $29 and available daily from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., it includes your choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert from a specially curated selection of Mediterranean-inspired dishes like strawberry gazpacho, chicken paillard with caper citronette dressing, and creamy ice cream. After lunch, hit the beach and unwind with one of the hotel’s signature spiked coconut drinks. You don’t have to spend the night to enjoy shoreside amenities — the hotel is offering full-service beach chairs with umbrellas for $95 plus tax; the cost includes a $50 gift card towards food and drinks from the Ocean Grill or the pool and beach menu.
Book a spa service and enjoy even more savings
Valmont Spa at The Setai is currently offering 50-minute treatments from facials to massages as low as $109 through September 30 for Spa Month. What’s more, if you book a treatment longer than 60 minutes, you’ll get a complimentary $50 gift card which you can apply toward food and drinks. All spa treatments include access to the pool, based on limited availability, and the beach. For more information, you can contact the spa directly at 1-855-923-7098.
Indulge in Jaya’s Miami Spice menu for dinner
There’s no better way to wrap up a day of sea, sun, and relaxation than with a tantalizing dinner at Jaya. Through September 30 you can taste your way through some of Chef Vijayudu Veena’s mouthwatering creations with a Miami Spice menu starting at $39 per person. Dishes include a refreshing cucumber salad with avocado and cilantro-mint yogurt, salmon tartar with chili citrus dressing, chicken siu mai in a Szechuan glaze, or Jaya’s signature truffle dumplings with shrimp and scallops.
Stay and save
Right now, The Setai is offering a slew of unbeatable offers if you’re looking to book a room. With the Your Setai package, you’ll enjoy a Setai Grand Breakfast for two, a $50 food and beverage credit, complimentary overnight valet parking, and two complimentary glasses of Louis Roederer champagne if you stay for at least two nights. With the Taste of Setai package, you’ll enjoy a three-course dinner for two and two complimentary cocktails at Jaya and a daily Setai Grand Breakfast for two with your booking. And Florida residents score even more savings, including complimentary overnight valet parking for one vehicle, daily Setai Grand Breakfast for two guests at Jaya, and two complimentary glasses of champagne.
Takeout may not typically be associated with elevated eats, but the pandemic has redefined all the rules of dining. Some South Florida restaurants, like Azabu, LPM Restaurant & Bar, Fiola, Macchialina, and La Mar have created takeout and delivery options that will make you feel as fancy as if you were dining onsite — shoes and pants optional. Order one of these luxe packages to go and make it a bougie night in.
The Den at Azabu
The Den, Azabu’s exclusive omakase experience, recently debuted a luxurious omakase takeout box. The box features a selection of nigiri, seasonal sashimi, cold dishes, and wagyu and uni bara chirashi, all hand-selected by Chef Yasu Tanaka. Priced at $120, the presentation is as beautiful as the contents are delicious. In addition to the omakase takeout option, you can also order all your favorite Azabu items to go as well, like signature rolls, appetizers, and entrees.
Details: Azabu is located at 161 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach. For more information, call (786) 276-0520.
LPM Restaurant & Bar
Craving some French Mediterranean cuisine? LPM Restaurant & Bar has you covered. Their menu features fresh, tasty dishes like delicate tuna carpaccio, succulent prawns doused in olive oil, homemade pappardelle tossed in a hearty veal ragu, slow-cooked duck a l’Orange, and decadent strawberry mille-feuille — all delivered straight to your home in a stunning branded tote you’re going to want to use for everything from your next grocery run to a day at the beach.
Fiola Miami was one of the first spots in the city to step up its takeout game, and you can still enjoy white-glove curbside pickup and elevated delivery options. Browse a selection of fully prepared dinners, or opt for meals you can assemble at home, like pasta kits, locally sourced farm baskets, and a now-iconic seafood bucket. And don’t forget to pair your meal with a bottle of wine, your favorite beer, batched drinks, and even DIY cocktail kits. It all comes packaged beautifully.
Details: Fiola Miami is located at 1500 San Ignacio Ave, Coral Gables. Order online here.
Macchialina
If you’d rather get a little more hands-on in the kitchen, you’re in luck. This beloved Miami Beach Italian spot is inviting guests to put their own cooking skills to the test with #MacchAtMyHouse. Choose from three pasta kits — spaghetti pomodoro, spaghetti puttanesca, and spaghetti caccio e pepe — and get all the ingredients delivered to your home. Designed to feed two, each kit comes with an easy-to-follow recipe card that will walk you through whipping up one of Chef Pirolo’s creations. The kits range from $28-$32.
Details: Macchialina is located at 820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach. Order online here.
La Mar
Gaston Acurio’s swanky spot at the Mandarin Oriental offers one of the most luxurious takeout offerings in Miami. Feast on refreshing tiraditos and ceviches and creamy aji de gallina, or dig into a flavorful lomo saltado with crispy yuca fries at home. La Mar’s takeout and delivery menu brims with options to please any palate. Everything comes packaged in a beautifully curated box with all kinds of foodie gifts and Peruvian delights.
Details: La Mar is located at 500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami. Order online here.
The beloved foodie event Cochon555 will return to Miami for five days of pork-focused feasting beginning Tuesday, September 22 through Sunday, September 27 — with a twist. Presented by Citi, the cross-country culinary tour will be rebranded as Carryout with Cochon555, a virtual spin on the original complete with Zoom dinners, virtual cooking demonstrations, takeout kits, and more. It will visit 15 major cities featuring more than 2,200 chefs, more than 150 family farms, and a slew of culinary schools.
The Miami leg of the tour will spotlight five of South Florida’s leading chefs, including Michael Lewis representing KYU, Michael Schwartz representing Amara at Paraiso, Janine Booth and Jeff McGinnis representing Root & Bone and Stiltsville, Giorgio Rapicavoli representing Eating House, and Brad Kilgore representing Ember. Each will conduct “virtual dinners” by Zoom, where guests can enjoy an interactive dining experience equipped with wine, cocktails, and all the ingredients they need to savor a delicious pork-focused meal.
“Regretfully, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt our lives and community, we recognized we could not produce our event tour as we had hoped,” said Brett Friedman, partner and CEO of Agency 21 Consulting, which owns and operates Cochon555. “As a result, we decided to create a carryout program with an online component as a creative alternative for our fan base while supporting local restauranteurs and raising awareness for heritage breed pigs. People are hungry to connect, so transitioning into something virtual was a natural reallocation of the brand. By inviting food lovers to enjoy a meal prepared by Florida’s top culinary minds, while engaging in intimate cooking demonstrations, we are still able to generate excitement while supporting our local restaurant community.”
Starting August 20, guests can buy tickets priced at $115 for one or $200 for two. Tickets include a multi-course meal prepared by the featured chef using ingredients sourced from heritage breed pig farms. The meal also comes with a bottle of red or white wine from Bodegas Ontañón and a cocktail kit or pre-mixed drink featuring Buffalo Trace or Wheatly Vodka. Guests can pick up their kits from each featured chef’s restaurant or opt for delivery for an additional fee of $30. Cochon555 will donate 80% of the ticket proceeds to the participating restaurants.
Participating Chefs and Schedule
Tuesday, September 22: Chef Michael Lewis of KYU
Wednesday, September 23: Chef Michael Schwartz of Amara at Paraiso
Thursday, September 24: Chefs Janine Booth and Jeff McGinnis of Stilltsville/Root & Bone
Friday, September 25: Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli of Eating House
Restaurants and bars are among the businesses that have been hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Having struggled through a months-long shutdown that forced many out of business, and now working under government ordinances that have hampered many establishments’ abilities to serve guests, restaurateurs have had to reassess costs, lay off staff, and pivot their business models and menus to focus on takeout and delivery services. Despite these challenges and the ever-present shadow of uncertainty that most of us find ourselves in today, chef couple Luci Giangrandi and Alex Meyer have striven to adapt, learning from the challenges they’ve encountered over the past few months and looking ahead to what is hopefully a brighter future for the industry.
The pandemic has affected everyone in the food/beverage and hospitality industries. How has it most affected you and your businesses? In broader terms, how do you think it has most affected the local food scene?
Luci: Besides the devastating financial impacts on our business, the loss of longtime staff members has been a huge blow. Until the pandemic, we had excellent staff retention, but throughout COVID, the upheaval and risk caused a few longtime members of our team to step back from their roles. Turnover in the hospitality industry is a fact of life but these circumstances blindsided us all so it feels especially difficult during these times.
Alex: There was already a slow movement away from flashy beach hotel restaurants, but this pandemic has flipped the local scene on its head. Now, the people doing well are the little guys who are able to pivot quickly, have low overhead, local appeal, and affordable menus. The pandemic also accelerated many closures. There we so many restaurants hanging on by a thread — the pandemic hit them all like a ton of bricks.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned going through this ordeal?
Alex: To trust our gut and throw hesitation to the wind. The easiest and safest thing we could have done for the survival of the business would have been to just close the doors and take all the government-backed loans and grants we could. We have serious hesitations each time we want to make a big change to the business, but just like opening in the first place, you have to just say “go for it.”
How have you managed to surmount obstacles presented by the pandemic and subsequent social distancing/serving policies and Miami-Dade County restaurant restrictions that came into effect?
Luci: Our willingness to be flexible and adapt has been key. We knew we had to think outside of the box because our pre-COVID business model was all about a small, intimate, dine-in restaurant. We didn’t even allow takeout beforehand. Then all of a sudden, with safety as our top priority, we had to find a new way to provide that same warmth and quality experience.
Our loyal customers have also been a huge part of our survival. They’ve stuck with us through only takeout, a quick 10-day return to dine in, then closed again, and now are willing to sit outside in our rustic parking lot in the middle of the Miami summer. If it weren’t for great customers like these, we would have likely closed months ago.
Tell us about the new takeout menu — how did you go about curating it?
Luci: After the first shutdown we learned a lot about what it took to run a to-go business. The second time around we were more prepared to approach the menu in a practical yet fun way. We wanted to make the food we wanted to make, but cold dishes and other items that traveled well made the cut, while we kept a few special dishes for dining in only. The most important thing to us is that the food you receive to go is equally as enjoyable as what you might eat when dining with us.
Several restaurants have begun switching to a takeout-only model. Do you think we’ll see more of this in the future, even as restrictions around onsite dining ease?
Luci: There will always be a need for takeout concepts but there will also always be a strong desire for an onsite restaurant experience. Takeout only will not replace onsite dining, but we will definitely see business owners gravitate towards locations with outdoor space and curbside access. Hopefully, delivery services will also begin adapting and building a more equitable relationship with small, independent restaurants.
Have orders for items from the larder increased as more people turn to cooking at home?
Luci: The larder has been a very fun experiment for us. It’s something we had always wanted to explore but lacked the time. Then, during the lockdown, various regulars began asking us to source certain products for them and we saw we could fill a need and also provide business to our purveyors. As our offerings have grown, so have the orders.
While the pandemic has certainly been a devastating experience for so many businesses, can you think of any opportunities it has created for the restaurant industry? Any silver lining here?
Alex: The shutdown shined a light for the rest of the country on just how large a part of the economy and how large of an employer the hospitality industry is, with over 16 million workers. The revenue and employment are both greater than those of the airline industry, which begs a lot of questions about “bailouts,” for another time, of course.
It also really illuminated how every independent restaurant is really dancing on a tightrope as a business. The industry shut down for a couple of weeks and 16,000 restaurants permanently closed.
We’ve personally found ourselves in survival mode, piecing together several different revenue streams to keep the ship afloat, but as we come out of the pandemic, there will have to be a lot of soul-searching as an industry and its structural resilience: workers need to be paid more; tips need to go away; sick leave needs to be mandatory; leases need to have built-in safety measures for business interruption occurrences; and unfortunately, all of this costs money, which means menu prices need to go up. As much as we want to do all those things, we simply can’t afford it. Until every restaurant decides to make these moves, the leaders in that will never survive the menu price backlash.
All that said, the silver lining may just be using this as an opportunity to reset and restart this industry from the ground up.
How do you and your team remain hopeful at a time like this? Any advice to those out there in the industry who are struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Luci: It is hard to be constantly thinking about the long term when there is so much uncertainty, but working day to day together as a team is comforting. It was tough to adjust at first but every day it feels better. A lot is about perspective — things may not be as [they were] before, but it still feels wonderful when we look around our parking lot dining room and see guests safely and full-heartedly enjoying themselves.
If you find yourself craving something sweet over the coming days, treat yourself to some indulgent creations from Miami’s best bakeries and pastry shops. Whether you’re all about fresh-baked cookies, rich, fudgy brownies, fluffy cakes, or frothy pies, you’ll find plenty of options on this list to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Pamela Wasabi Bakery
For vegan and gluten-free sweets made with natural, plant-based ingredients, add Pamela Wasabi Bakery to your radar. We’re obsessed with her vegan cheesecakes and pies, including her bestselling vegan tiramisu, sugar-free orange and chocolate tart, and elderflower-mango cheesecake. Her Celestial Chunk cookies, peppered with chocolate chips and charcoal salt, and her fudgy gluten-free Mother Bean brownies, are also irresistible.
Details: For a full list of retail locations offering Pamela Wasabi Bakery goods, visit here. You can shop dessert collections online for delivery here.
Zak the Baker
Though he’s best known for his incredible bread, Zak the Baker’s pastries are just as addictive. His flourless chocolate almond cookie is rich, gooey, and delightfully decadent, his cinnamon rolls and rugalach are flaky, satisfying perfection, and his crumbly blueberry muffins and apple turnovers go great with a bit of piping hot espresso. Order all your favorite Zak the Baker pastries online now for pickup Sunday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., or have them delivered to your home.
Details: Zak the Baker is located at 295 NW 26th St., Miami, and is currently only open for pickup or delivery. Place an order for takeout online here, or call 305-570-5860, or order delivery via Uber Eats.
Bachour
World renown pastry chef Antonio Bachour delivers stunning confectionary creations at his Coral Gables bakery and outpost at Time Out Market on Lincoln Road. Dig into a Bachour Brownie, made with Valrhona and cinnamon caramel, and coated in dark chocolate cocoa nib. Or take a crunchy bite out of a Bachour Rocher, filled with hazelnut praline cremeux and gianduja chocolate ganache. Our current summertime craving, though, is the mango tart, made with coconut cake, mango pastry cream, mango jelly, and coconut ganache.
Details: Bachour has locations in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. Place an order for takeout at their Coral Gables bakery by calling (305) 203-0552, or order delivery via GrubHub, UberEats, Postmates, or DoorDash.
Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop
This Miami staple offers all kinds of tasty, indulgent treats to satisfy any sweet tooth. Choose one of their iconic pies, which come in flavors like key lime, salted caramel, brownie bomb, and guavaberry. Or go for ooey, gooey guava white chocolate cookies (though the classic sugar and chocolate chip versions are just as heavenly). If you’re a cake lover, their coconut custard, guava coconut rum, and Nutella red velvet are also great options.
Details: Fireman Derek’s has locations in Wynwood and Coconut Grove. Place an order online for pickup here.
Sweet Hedy
Acclaimed pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith is offering her baked goods for delivery online or via text — all you have to do is visit her site, find the creation you’re craving, and either text its code to an order number or add it to your digital shopping cart. You’ll find all her top hits here, like her signature Junk in da Trunk® chocolate chunk cookies, her tasty chocolate chip ginger snaps (made with locally sourced, organic ingredients), and her rich sour cream coffee cake, made with chocolate chunks, cinnamon streusel, and espresso.
Details: Browse and order treats from Sweet Hedy here.
B Bistro + Bakery
This Brickell eatery is known for its morning pastries and signature desserts, which range from mini lemon meringue tarts and fluffy macaroons to Nutella croissants, amaretti cookies, and flaky cream-filled cruffins. We especially like their strawberry goat cheese croissant and their fruity Passionata, made with passion fruit mousse, pistachio biscuit, and raspberry. If you’re a chocolate fan, go for the Merlat — it’s a delectable blend of dark chocolate and creme brulee mousse.
Details: B Bistro + Bakery is located at 600 Brickell Ave., Miami. To place an order online here for delivery or pickup.
The beautiful outdoor seating at this Merrick Park restaurant offers the perfect atmosphere for al fresco dining, but you can also opt to bring Sawa’s signature fusion of Japanese and Mediterranean dishes home. Start with a piping hot bowl of miso soup or a citrusy tabouli salad, then indulge in sushi rolls, kefta fingers with tahini sauce, hearty moussaka, or filet mignon yakitori.
Details: Sawa is located at 360 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables. To place an order for takeout, call 305-447-6555.
Le Chick
Those craving elevated comfort foods like street corn with manchego cheese and truffle aioli, BBQ baby back ribs with spiced sweet potato fries, lobster mac and cheese in housemade lobster cream, and, of course, crispy buttermilk fried chicken can order plenty of dishes that hit the spot for takeout by calling the restaurant directly.
Details: Le Chick is located at 310 NW 24th St., Miami. To place an order for takeout, call 786-216-7086.
Atchana’s Homegrown Thai
For authentic Thai dishes prepared with locally grown herbs and spices, this Coconut Grove spot is a favorite among foodies. Standouts from their lunch and dinner menus include Bangkok wings served three ways, refreshing summer rolls stuffed with fresh basil and shrimp, and all kinds of tasty curry.
Details: Atchana’s Homegrown Thai is located at 3194 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove. To place an order for takeout, call 305-774-0404.
Tutto Pizza
When you’re hungry, few things hit the spot like a delicious slice of pizza — and the pies at Tutto are perfect. Chef Juca (the man behind Tutto Pasta, just next door) serves up what Zagat dubbed “the best pizza in town,” made with fresh, locally sourced herbs and vegetables, and meats, cheeses and oils from Italy. The pizza dough is homemade and allowed 24 hours to rise in order for a light consistency. Pizza isn’t the only thing you can order from Tutto, though; the paninis, salads, desserts, and even burgers are incredible.
Details: Tutto Pizza is located at 1763 SW 3rd Ave, Miami. To place an order for takeout, call 305-858-0909.
Doce Provisions
Nestled in the heart of Little Havana, Doce Provisions has earned a reputation for serving up mouthwatering global fusion cuisine — including the “best croquetas in Miami,” a title they won at Burger Beast’s Croquetapalooza. Order those, as well as some vaca Frita tostones, lechon asado buns, Doce’s pad Thai, and their legendary Disco Fries for takeout.
Details: Doce Provisions is located at 541 SW 12th Ave, Miami. To place an order for takeout, call 786-452-0161.
Akash Miami Beach
Akash serves some mindblowing Indian food, and they’re offering all their best dishes for takeout. We love their vegetable samosas, served crispy with a dash of spice, their Amritsari fish, marinated with ginger, yogurt and garlic paste, and their dal soup, but anything from the menu is a tasty bet.
Details: Akash Miami Beach is located at 1435 Alton Rd, Miami Beach. To place an order for takeout, call 305-397-8846.
If you’re in the mood for delicious fresh seafood, you’re in the right city. The waters that surround South Florida and the Keys teem with fish, making it easy for local restaurants to source the finest fresh-caught ingredients. From upscale global cuisine to casual market-meets-restaurant concepts, here are six South Florida eateries that do seafood right.
Seaspice
Meals at Seaspice always come served with a side of stunning waterfront views. Having welcomed celebrities like Beyoncé, David Beckham, Dwayne Wade, and Marc Anthony, this is one of the top spots in Miami to see and be seen. They also serve some of the most delicious seafood dishes in the city — like tender Spanish octopus a la plancha, barbacoa-grilled oysters, succulent grilled Maine lobster, and seafood casserole that includes the works: Chilean sea bass, Alaskan King Crab, jumbo wild prawns and more in a dash clam tomato broth.
Details: Seaspice is located at 422 NW N River Dr., Miami. Dine in or order by calling 305-440-4200.
Riviera Focacceria Italiana
Specializing in cuisine from Liguria, Riviera Focacceria Italiana is famous for its incredible — you guessed it — focaccia with cheese. But their heavenly bread isn’t the only star on the menu; you’ll also love their amazing selection of seafood dishes, like pan-seared red snapper in a white wine sauce, grilled branzino with sauteed artichokes, and seared tuna filet prepared Ligurian-style over pureed chickpeas, with capers, tomatoes, pine nuts, parsley, and Taggiasca olives gremolata.
Details: Riviera Focacceria Italiana is located at 3252 NE Buena Vista Blvd, Suite 110, Miami. For more information, call 786-220-6251.
Garcia’s Brothers Seafood
A Miami institution that’s been around since 1966, Garcia’s Brothers Seafood is hands-down one of the best restaurants in Miami for fish and fresh-caught goodness. Initially a fresh fish market, this family-owned spot now serves up tasty dishes like mussels in Creole sauce, crispy conch fritters, spicy gumbo, Garcia’s famous fish dip, and the catch of the day any way you like it.
Details: Garcia’s Brothers Seafood is located at 398 NW N River Dr. To order for takeout, call 305-375-0765.
Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill
This riverfront fish market and restaurant serves up some of South Florida’s best seafood, caught daily. The casual spot channels major Key West vibes, and the views of Downtown Miami are awe-inspiring as the food is delicious. Savor local and international fresh seafood dishes, like cod fritters, Creole shrimp tostones, hearty paella, and a grilled parillada that comes with prawns, calamari, oysters, octopus and more.
Details: Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill is located at 400 NW N River Dr, Miami. For more information or to order, call 305-371-4107.
Estiatorio Milos
If you’re looking for top-notch Greek food, head to Estiatorio Milos, open for dining outdoors and takeout. At this Miami favorite, every dish doubles as a getaway to the Mediterranean and the Aegean. Start with a tasty tartare, then order some grilled octopus and Athenian-style lobster with linguini. Finish your meal off with some flaky baklava.
Details: Estiatorio Milos is located at 730 1st St, Miami. For reservations, visit here. To place an order, call 305-604-6800.
Captain Jim’s Seafood Market & Restaurant
Captain Jim’s started as a distribution center for his daily catches, and now it’s one of the top restaurants to enjoy a bite straight from the sea. You’ll find classic seafood dishes here, like conch chowder and golden-fried crab cakes, plus locally sourced lobster, hogfish, and stone crab claws during season.
Details: Captain Jim’s is located at 12950 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami. You can order online here. For more information, call 305-892-2812.
Sapore di Mare
For fine Italian dining with an emphasis on crave-worthy seafood specialties, it doesn’t get better than Sapore di Mare in Coconut Grove. Order any of their amazing options for pickup or delivery — like their grilled Mediterannean branzino, their chef’s selection of seafood antipasto, their fried calamari, and their fresh catch of the day. Add a bottle of wine to your order — all bottles from their market are 50% off.
Details: Sapore di Mare is located at 3111 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove. To place an order, call 305-476-8292.
Today is International Beer Day — don’t be caught without your favorite ice-cold brew in hand! These five South Florida spots feature great selections that include domestic, international, and local favorites. What’s more, nearly all of them also offer unbeatable happy hour specials you can take advantage of tomorrow. Raise a glass to that.
Jaguar Restaurant
You’ll find all your favorite brews at this Coconut Grove mainstay, including Estrella, Polar, Modelo, Dos Equis, Corona, Presidente, Lagunitas IPA, and more. Come during Hora Jaguar (the restaurant’s happy hour, which runs weekdays from 3-6 p.m.) and enjoy $4 beers along with $5 bar bites, like quesadillas, popcorn shrimp, mini cheeseburgers, and ceviche tostadas.
Details: Jaguar Restaurant is located at 3067 Grand Ave, Miami. For more information, call 305-444-0216.
Caja Caliente
Pair your ice-cold beer with tropical vibes at Caja Caliente, which serves domestic and international beer brands along with local favorites from Wynwood Brewing. Pair your sips with tasty tacos, tamales, and other Latin-inspired comfort foods. Happy hour takes place weekdays from 5-8 p.m. and includes $4 select beers, $6 mimosas, and $6 wine (in case you’d rather opt for a sauvignon blanc instead of a Saison).
Details: Caja Caliente is located at 808 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables. For more information, call 786-431-1947.
Back Door Monkey
Crack open a Kirin or Monkey Fist IPA for just $7 at Back Door Monkey’s bar in honor of International Beer Day, then head to the restaurant’s outdoor patio to enjoy delicious crudos, fresh maki, and Asian-inspired entrees, like Angry “Curry” Chicken and roasted salmon teriyaki. Happy hour at Back Door Monkey runs every Friday from 5-7 p.m.
Details: Back Door Monkey is located at 2328 N Miami Ave, Miami. For more information, call 305-951-6143.
Crema Gourmet
Come for a coffee, stay for a beer — with locations in Miami Beach and Coral Gables, Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar has you covered. Order up a delicious Floridian from locally loved brewery Funky Buddha and pair it with something tasty off Crema’s menu — like a chicken bowl or one of their classic sandwiches.
Details: Crema Gourmet is located at 1601 Washington Ave #20, Miami Beach and 169 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables.
La Tiendita Taqueria
Celebrate International Beer Day with a mental vacation to Mexico at La Tiendita Taqueria. Savor your beer by itself or pair it with a margarita while enjoying authentic Michoacán street-style cuisine. La Tiendita’s Mexican beer selection includes Corona, Victoria, Pacifico, Modelo, Negra Modelo, Tecate, and Dos Equis. Happy hour happens every day from 4-8 p.m. with 50% off all drinks (including beer).
Details: La Tiendita Taqueria is located at 218 NW 25th St, Miami. For more information, call 786-351-7240.
Wynwood Brewing Company
Wynwood Brewing Company is offering curbside pickup service at their brewery in Wynwood, as well as delivery within 10 miles of the brewery — in case you want to celebrate International Beer Day from the comfort of your home. Choose from favorites like their fan-favorite Bohemian Rhapsody, Sushi Roll Pils, Magic City Pale Ale and more, all available for order in six packs.
Details: Wynwood Brewing Company is located at 565 NW 24th St, Miami. For more information, call 305-982-8732.
Miami has tons of amazing sushi restaurants to choose between, ranging from traditional and authentic omakase experiences to fusion concepts that work global flavors into every roll. If you’re in the mood for the latter, here are seven restaurants known for their imaginative, non-traditional sushi selections.
Kazumi Modern Japanese
Located in Key Biscayne, this chic, contemporary spot is known for its fusion cuisine. Blending Japanese flavors with Latin touches and inventive flare, the team serves up unexpected options like a Jalapeno Popper packed with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese, an eel Ichigo Roll topped with fresh strawberries andavocado, and a Sex on the Beach roll made with fried chanquetes, crab salad, and shrimp tempura.
Details: Kazumi Modern Japanese is located at 260 Crandon Blvd., Suite #16, Key Biscayne. To order, call 305-361-2675.
Sushi Kong
Another go-to if you’re craving Japanese-Latin fusion, Sushi Kong on Coral Way delivers signature rolls that go all out with presentation and all in with flavor. We love the Florida Roll, made with crab, salmon, deep-fried salmon skin, chicharron, cream cheese, honey mustard and more. The riceless Akita Linda Roll is also a must — it comes with sweet plantain, crab, and smoked salmon, topped with melted Raclette cheese and a balsamic reduction.
Details: Sushi Kong is located at 3000 Coral Way # Cu-4, Coral Gables. To order, call 305-800-5664.
Back Door Monkey
This buzzed-about spot in Wynwood transports guests to the 1940s with its crazy cool decor, but what really keeps folks coming back is their amazing maki selection. Try the hamachi serrano, for instance, which comes with King Crab salad, serrano pepper, chives, mango, yuzu-truffle mayo, and red onion. Or the famous Octopussy, made with octopus, shrimp tempura, creamy avocado, peanut masago, and eel sauce.
Details: Back Door Monkey is located at 2328 North Miami Ave., Miami. Order online here.
Nobu Miami
For impeccable Nikkei cuisine in an upscale setting, head to Nobu at the Eden Roc Miami Beach, where Chef Nobu Matsuhisa flawlessly marries Japanese and Peruvian flavors. Taste your way through the restaurant’s extensive sashimi and nigiri selection, then move on to hand and cut rolls featuring shrimp tempura, softshell crab, Japanese eel and cucumber, spicy salmon, and scallops with smelt eggs, just to name a few.
Details: Nobu is located at 4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Dine in, or order takeout here.
Doraku Izakaya & Sushi
This fan-favorite izakaya offers plenty of traditional Japanese plates, but if you’re looking to order something a little more avant-garde, opt for the Big Wave “Takanami” Roll, made with coconut shrimp and topped with mango salsa, or the hearty “East Meets West” Roll, packed with shrimp tempura, asparagus, cream cheese, and scallions and topped with seared steak, spicy aioli, and eel sauce.
If you happen to be in Coral Gables of South Miami, don’t miss this neighborhood gem. Executive Chef Efrain Landa infuses every roll with a bit of Miami flavor. You’ll taste it in creations like the sweet plantain-topped Miami Roll, made with raw tuna, shrimp, cream cheese, avocado, togarashi and cilantro, and the Jalepeño Yaito Roll, baked with shrimp, cream cheese, jalepeños, parmesan cheese, and spicy mayo.
Details: Kae has locations in Coral Gables and South Miami. Order online here.
