South Florida’s dining scene is no joke — each neighborhood here brims with incredible restaurants from across the culinary spectrum. Amazing Indian spots? Check. Sushi counters and izakayas that will transport you to Japan? Double-check. Latin cafes where the food could rival that of any abuelita?You got it. But every now and then, a few spots manage to rise above the competition with standout dishes we think should be on everyone’s radar. Read on for our picks this month.
Stubborn Seed’s Snickerdoodle Cookies
There’s no such thing as a bad meal at Stubborn Seed. Dishes here are as delicious as they are beautiful, and the hardest part about any visit is choosing between one tantalizing work of art and another (thank goodness for those tasting menus). But this month, we want to shine a light on the restaurant’s snickerdoodle cookies. Baked with brown butter, Valrhona Gianduja chocolate hazelnut, and cinnamon, each bite is literal heaven.
101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 786-460-5962.
Alloy Bistro’s Black Tagliatelle
In addition to being one of the most romantic spots for date night in the city, our beloved Downtown Miami gem Alloy Bistro wins this month for the most original entree: we’re obsessed with their black tagliatelle, made with activated charcoal dough, fresh aromatic herbs, organic mushrooms, soya sauce, and sesame oil. It’s completely vegan, too.
154 SE 1st Avenue, Miami; 786-773-2742.
Los Fuegos’s Fish Parrillada
If you’re a seafood lover, you have to try Francis Mallman’s fish parrillada at Los Fuegos. It’ll set you back $160, but don’t worry, it’s well worth the splurge. This beauty comes heaped with branzino, locally caught lobster, snapper, tender octopus, sweet and domino potatoes, aioli, and criolla.
3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; 786-655-5600.
Malibu Farm’s Winter Burrata
Malibu Farm recently introduced a winter menu filled with delicious locally-sourced goodness. One of the best things on it is the winter burrata, served with roasted candy beets, tart pomegranate, green beans, roasted pine nuts, and sweet maple balsamic. Order it as a starter, or share it with your friends while sipping some of Malibu Farm’s signature cocktails.
4525 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786-801-6886.
Bird & Bone’s Hales’ Hot Chicken
If you’re craving some hits-the-spot southern cooking, head to Bird & Bone. Their cheddar and chive biscuits are legendary, but this month we’ve set our sights on their Hales’ Hot Chicken. Served with Miami honey, house mustard, cucumber pickle, and thick country bread, it was named Best Fried Chicken in Miami. ‘Nuff said.
There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a Thanksgiving meal. Between the turkey, multiple sides and decadent desserts, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleasing treat. For those that want to enjoy the food without the backbreaking work involved to get it on the table (or deal with the mountain of dishes left to clean), these Miami restaurants are offering tempting Turkey Day specials.
ARIETE 3540 Main Highway, Coconut Grove (305) 640-5862 Website
Ariete
Chef Michael Beltran has captured food lover’s hearts with an innovative fare that blends modern-American with the chef’s Cuban roots. Showcasing seasonal ingredients, the cozy Coconut Grove space marries exquisite food in a relaxed space. For Thanksgiving, the restaurant will be offering a New American feast from 3 pm to 10 pm where diners will be treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet ($75 per adult and $35 per child under 10 years old, excluding tax and gratuity.) Menu offerings include an assortment of holiday favorites and Chef Michael Beltran’s beloved family recipes with a contemporary twist. Guests can enjoy dishes like Smoked Turkey Legs, Fried Turkey Breast, Green Bean Casserole, Cheddar and Fresno Cornbread and Candied Yams. Deserts include Pecan Pie, Goat Cheese Flan and Apple Streusel Pie.
Set in Coral Gables’ stunning Biltmore Hotel, this elegant award-winning restaurant is a go-to destination for special occasions. For Thanksgiving, the restaurant will be offering a tasting menu (priced at $95 with an additional $75 for wine pairing, excluding tax and gratuity) featuring classic fall dishes. Begin with the Pumpkin Soup, served with Crispy Cranberry Bread, Sunflower Seed tuile and Spinach Cream Cheese followed by a Fall Salad (kale, fresh cranberries, roasted butternut squash, and apples.) Beyond the Oven-Roasted Turkey (served with Sweet Potato Confit and Cranberry Compote) main courses include Jumbo Sea Scallops with Honey-Roasted Carrots, Celery Root Confit, Carrot Purée and Lentil Cake, Sea Bass with Cauliflower Purée, Baby Leeks and Ginger Beurre Blanc and Wagyu Strip Steak with Truffle Mashed Potato, Sauté Shiitake Mushroom and Vermouth Veal Jus. Follow dinner with the restaurant’s legendary cheese cart followed by dessert options of Pecan Pie, Crème Anglaise, Caramel Sorbet and Warm Apple Tart.
Pair Thanksgiving celebration with a quintessential Miami sunset by heading to this long-standing favorite. For $89 per adult and $35 per child (excluding tax and gratuity), the Brunch Buffet served from 10 am to 3 pm includes a wide assortment such a Banana French Toast, Baby Kale and Goat Cheese Scrambled Eggs and Applewood Smoked Bacon and Pork Sausage. Beyond breakfast, diners will enjoy a raw bar, sushi, and ceviche plus carving stations with Rosemary Crusted Leg of Lamb, Garlic Crusted Tomahawk Prime Rib, Miso Glazed Mahi-Mahi and of course, a Hickory-Smoked Whole Turkey. End the meal on a sweet note with an assortment of Mini Desserts and Pastries like Pumpkin Pie, Carrot Cake, Pecan Cheesecake, Apple Tart and Chocolate Mousse Cake.
BIRD & BONE 4041 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140 305.424.1234
Bird & Bone
Chef Richard Hales dishes out Southern-inspired cooking in a modern farmhouse setting at the Confidante Miami Beach. From 5 pm to 10 pm, the restaurant will be offering a Thanksgiving prix fixe dinner ($60 per person) with a choice of a starter, main dish, accompaniments, and dessert. Diners can enjoy a Seasonal Squash Bisque, Turkey Cooked Two Ways, Cornbread Dressing and a Trio of Sweets: Chocolate Pecan Tart, Dutch Apple Cobbler, and Pumpkin Brûlée.
Celebrated chef Daniel Boulud’s Miami eatery is an ode to refined Mediterranean cuisine. The South Florida outpost to New York’s original is a welcome addition to Downtown. For Thanksgiving day, Boulud Sud is serving a three-course prix-fixe menu featuring starters like Spiced Pumpkin Soup and Italian Chicory Salad and Pumpkin Agnolotti, Seared Mediterranean Branzino and Lamb Chops for the main course. Desserts range from Spiced Pumpkin Sundae to Pecan Tarte. Prices are $65 per person, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm or $75 per person from 2:30 pm to 10 pm
Set in the posh Palms Hotel & Spa, this restaurant has a keen focus on seasonal fare, promoting the use of local and sustainable ingredients, beginning with their own on-site organic garden. For Thanksgiving, a buffet dinner priced at $54/per person, and $22 for children 12 and under gains access to a bounty of dishes like Deviled Eggs with Salmon Caviar and Smoked Paprika, Winter Harvest Salad with Arugula, Pickled Golden Beets, pomegranate, feta, toasted pine nuts, and lemon vinaigrette dressing and Slow-Roasted Heritage Turkey with Turkey Gravy, Rosemary and Cranberry-Orange Chutney. Prime Rib Roast and Salt-Baked Salmon will also be served along with signature sides like Caramelized Butternut Squash Wedges with Sage Hazelnut Pesto and Roasted Roots of Parsnip, Yams, Carrots and Ginger-Maple Glaze. They’ll be an assortment of seasonal desserts and pies as well. The buffet will run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Renowned Chef Thomas Keller is the mastermind behind this elegant eatery with a nod to the property’s historic past. The restaurant will be offering a special menu priced at $150 per person featuring starters of Crudités, Deviled Eggs, Fall Spiced Nuts and Cheese and Crackers followed by a Waldorf Salad. Main courses include the choice of Slow-Roasted Turkey Breast with Confit Leg En Persillade, Sage Gravy, Cranberry and Blood Orange Relish, Olive Oil Poached Halibut, or The French Laundry Garden Pumpkin Cannelloni. Cornbread stuffing with Garlic Sausage and Leek Confit and Garnet Yam with Brown-butter Gingersnap Streusel are among the delectable sides. Dessert features Bourbon Pecan Pie or Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Cranberry Cherry Coulis
DIEZ Y SEIS 1901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach 305-695-3226
Turkey Tamale
Mexican cuisine is mastered by Argentinian Chef Jose Icardi at this Shore Club signature spot. For those looking to step outside the traditional Thanksgiving box, head over to the poolside restaurant for Turkey Tamales made with braised turkey in tomato chipotle sauce, cotija cheese, and topped with pickled red onions, Mexican cream and tamale sauce. They pair well with anything off of the beloved tequila cart making the rounds.
Chef Brad Kilgore’s contemporary American bistro has garnered South Florida’s attention with unique dishes like Fire-roasted Lasagna and Roasted Cornbread Custard with Bone Marrow Butter. Come Thanksgiving, the restaurant will serve a pre-fixe dinner ($65 per person from 4 pm to 9 pm) offering holiday favorites like Pumpkin Soup with Bacon, Pecan, Maple and Pumpkin Seed Oil, Slow Roasted Heritage Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing and Smoked Neck Gravy. Dessert comes by way of a Pie Station featuring Sweet Potato Pie, Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, and Peanut Butter Pie.
CORSAIR kitchen + bar 19999 West Country Club Drive (inside of JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa) 786-279-6800
CORSAIR kitchen + bar
Tucked away in Aventura’s Turnberry Isle Miami, this venerated brunch-spot favorite is the second South Florida restaurant of celebrity Italian chef Scott Conant. The contemporary American boasts a 45-seat bar and an overall festival vibe that makes it an ideal Thanksgiving destination. Appetizers include Calabaza Soup, Prosciutto, and Figs, Seared Sea Scallops or Sweet Potato Gnocchi. For entrees select Roasted Turkey Breast with Stuffing, Buttermilk Mash, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce, and Gravy Stuffed Roasted Acorn Squash, Seared Chilean Sea Bass or Pan-Roasted Filet Mignon. The trifecta of Thanksgiving Day pies (pumpkin, apple, and pecan) are offered for dessert. Prices are $65 per person, $32 for children 5-12 and will run from noon-10pm.
