DO Miami's Ultimate Miami Spice 2017 List
[caption id="attachment_4703" align="alignnone" width="618"] La Mar by Gastón Acurio[/caption] It's that time of year, Miami! Miami Spice is back in the Magic City for the 16th year—and with it, Miami diners get two months of affordable
It’s that time of year, Miami! Miami Spice is back in the Magic City for the 16th year—and with it, Miami diners get two months of affordable prix-fixe menus at some of Miami’s hottest restaurants. In addition to its usual $23 lunch and $39 dinner menus, this year’s Spice will include a $23 weekend brunch at select restaurants. While drinks, tax, and gratuity are priced separately, every menu promises diners one appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert; making this one of the best dining deals in the Magic City all year long.
And of the 239 restaurants participating, we’ve narrowed down the list to our top 20 picks. Here are our favorite places to wine and dine during Miami Spice 2017, which will run from now through September 30:
Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room
While you get a primo view of all of Brickell Avenue, enjoy lunch and dinner plates like Lamb Spare Rib, Slow Barolo Wine Braised Oxtail Cannelloni, Sweet Potato Gnocchi, and Raspberry Macarons with chocolate ganache.
Available for Lunch, Monday – Friday; Dinner, Monday – Saturday
Bistro One LR
There are many reasons to go to this fancy American bistro, but some key ones to point out are its direct views of the Atlantic Ocean, fresh seafood and steaks, and its impressive wine list. Go for Miami Spice, and get that Ritz-Carlton-level cuisine at a reduced price. Plates like Provoleta, Goat Cheese and Beet Salad, Cobia Sancocho, Fresh Black Pepper Linguini, Churrasco “Saltado,” Pastelitos with guava macarons and cream cheese ice cream, and a Caramelized Key Lime Tart won’t disappoint.
Available for Dinner every night of the week
Cantina La 20
This dazzling, four-star waterfront restaurant is known for its elevated Mexican cuisine and sparkling views of Biscayne Bay and Brickell Key. During Miami Spice, get Sopes de Pollo, Burrata with a balsamic-vanilla chipotle reduction, Calamares Fritos, Tampiqueña, Arroz Verde de Cilantro con Camarones, Churros, and Panna Cotta de Mango.
Available for Lunch, Sunday – Thursday; Dinner, Sunday – Thursday
DiLido Beach Club
At this casual-chic restaurant and lounge, couple breathtaking ocean views with Spicy Ahi Tuna Tartare, Hummus, Grilled Salmon or Snapper with chargrilled vegetables, Classic Bacon Cheeseburgers, a Lemon Meringue “Beach Pail” dessert, and a DiLido Sundae with house-made dulce de leche ice cream, tres leches cake, pretzel nougat, strawberry guava sauce, and an almond “cigar.”
Available for Dinner every night of the week
Fogo de Chão
Coming straight from Brazil, this authentic churrascaria has set the global standard for delicious Brazilian cuisine for 35+ years. During Miami Spice, get a firsthand taste of its delectable cuts of fire-roasted meats–expect endless sirloins like Picanha, Alcatra, bacon-wrapped Fraldinha, Linguiça, Bisteca de Porco, and more. For a sweet ending, choose desserts like Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Mousse Cake and New York Cheesecake.
Available for Dinner every night of the week
Fontana at The Biltmore
At this pristine Italian restaurant, expect upscale Spice menus with Carpaccio di Salmoni, Calamari Ripeni con Spinaci e Gamberi, Polpette di Carne con Pomodoro e Ricotta, Bistecca alla Brace con Burro di Erbe, Torta al Cioccolato and more.
Available for Lunch, Monday – Saturday; Dinner, every night of the week
Hakkasan
This Miami Spice, head to Miami’s sexiest Cantonese restaurant and lounge, Hakkasan. When you go, enjoy family-style plates of Steamed Flounder Fish with Black Bean Sauce, Stir-Fry Baby Pak Choi, Chicken Fried Rice with Salted Egg, Spicy Beef with Lotus Root Shui Mai, Old Beijing Noodles, Mango Custard and more.
Available for Lunch, Saturday – Sunday; Dinner, every night of the week
Jaya at The Setai
Go to Jaya at The Setai for haute Pan-Asian cuisine. On the Miami Spice menu, you’ll find some of the restaurant’s most popular plates, from Vietnamese Chicken, Poke Salmon, and Goy-Kai No Ceviche, to Barbeque Pork Ribs, Tuna, Edamame, Chicken Poke, and more.
Available for Lunch, Monday – Friday; Dinner, Monday – Sunday
La Mar by Gaston Acurio
Come here for Executive Chef Diego Oka’s inventive twist on traditional Peruvian cuisine. During Miami Spice, expect haute dishes like the Criollo Sampler with Tiradito Bachiche and La Casera, Cachetes de Ternera, Picante de Mariscos, Hummus Salad, Paleta de Lucuma, and the La Pina dessert topped with dulce de leche foam, ginger jelly, and orange sauce.
Available for Lunch, Monday – Saturday; Dinner, Monday – Thursday
Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann
Helmed by Argentine grillmaster Francis Mallmann, this swanky spot is known for its South American live-fire cooking and fancy “asado” experience. On the Spice menu? There will be popular plates like Carrots and Blood Orange Salad, Local Grouper “Crudo,” Potato Gnocchi “A La Plancha,” Wood Oven Empanadas with hand-cut prime fillet, Wood Oven Summer Squash with sweet corn and feta cheese, Slow Cooked “Carrillera” with confit potato, Pink Grapefruit Tartlet, Dulce de Leche Flan, and more.
Available for Lunch, Monday – Saturday; Dinner, Sunday – Thursday
Mare Mio Restaurant
Brought to us by Italian restaurateur Claudio Giordano, the man behind Altamare, this charming seafood spot sits right on enchanting Española Way. During Spice season, go here for Wahoo Crudo, Salmon Tartare, Oysters, Wild Mushroom Ravioli with truffled porcini cream, Sautéed White Canaveral Shrimp with curry, a Deconstructed Tiramisu Shot of Espresso with a shot of Baileys Irish Cream, and more.
Available for Lunch and Dinner every day of the week
Market at EDITION
This is famed chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s answer to a European marketplace right here in the Magic City. Inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean, expect East and West Coast Oysters, Tomato Gazpacho with summer berries, Black Truffle and Fontina Pizza, Walnut and Coconut Cream Cake, Chocolate Marshmallow Cake, and an Ice Cream Sundae piled high with salted caramel ice cream, candied peanuts, candied popcorn, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and more.
Available for Lunch, every day of the week; Dinner, Wednesday – Sunday
Mr. Chow
Everyone’s heard of the prestigious Mr. Chow. When Miami Spice comes to town, you can get it’s delectable Asian cuisine at an unusually affordable price—like family-style Shrimp Water Dumplings, Chicken Satay, Mr. Chow Noodles, Beijing Shredded Chicken, Pineapple Fish, Beef and Green Onions, and more. Then, for dessert, get individual servings of Mixed Sorbet or Ice Cream.
Available for Dinner, Sunday – Thursday
NaiYaRa
This retro-contemporary Sunset Harbour restaurant gives us a taste of Chef Bee’s delicious Thai-inspired cuisine. Go during Spice, and get some of the best: like Thai Street Dumplings, Salmon Tacos, the Miami Heat Roll, Green Curry, Drunken Udon, Veggie Fried Rice, and desserts like Pandan Vanilla Flan with passion fruit sorbet and Milk Chocolate Pots de Creme.
Available for Dinner, Sunday – Thursday
Ortanique on the Mile
Known for its “Cuisine of the Sun,” this Miracle Mile restaurant serves an eclectic fusion of American, Caribbean, Latin and Asian cuisine in a colorful tropical setting. The menu changes daily, but guests can expect flavorful plates like Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke with Asian-style pickled cucumbers and ginger, Certified Angus Center Cut Skirt Steak, Coffee and Cocoa Encrusted Faroe Island Salmon, Three Mushroom Lasagna, and Passion Fruit Sabyon.
Available for Lunch, Monday – Thursday; Dinner, every night of the week
Sarsaparilla Club
The brainchild of unstoppable chef husband-and-wife duo, Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth, this modern-American dim sum restaurant has become a Collins Avenue staple. When you’re there, browse the Spice menu for three courses of some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes: like Carrot and Beet Tartare, Short Rib Meat Loaf, Key West Pink Shrimp Laksa, and Sarsaparilla’s Fried Chicken.
Available for Dinner every night of the week
Scarpetta
This is hands-down one of the best Italian restaurants in Miami, and with Scott Conant’s name behind it, it’s easy to see why. During Miami Spice, Scarpetta diners can feast on some of the restaurant’s signature dishes, like Creamy Polenta with Fricassee of Truffled Mushrooms, Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil, Beef Short Rib Agnolotti, Coconut Panna Cotta, and more.
Available for Dinner every night of the week
StripSteak by Michael Mina
At this Michael Mina mainstay, choose from Ricotta Cavatelli, Roasted Corn Soup, Grilled Beef Churrasco, Pan-Seared Striped Bass, Passion Fruit Panna Cotta, and more. No matter what you order, it will all keep you craving more.
Available for Dinner every night of the week
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor