MIAbites: Miami Spice 2026
IT’S HERE! The Greater Miami Convention and Vistors Bureau (GMCVB) Miami Spice two-month long Summer special dining program prix fix 3 course menus begins August 1- September 30th with lunch/brunch at $40 and dinner options at $50 or $65.
Here are our MIAbites Contributor picks:
Laurita Santacaterina
There are so many great Miami Spice choices this year that it’s hard to decide where to start! Here are a few that caught my eye and ones that I’m especially excited to try.
Tam Tam
I have been wanting to try Tam Tam ever since this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant opened three years ago. Now may finally be the time!
Their $50 Miami Spice dinner sounds like an incredible value. Each guest who orders the Spice menu gets their own personal order of wings, plus a choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert.
Cactus Club
Opened earlier this year, Cactus Club Cafe is a Canadian upscale-casual restaurant with a super cool vibe. Located near the InterContinental, I would make an evening of it, come for dinner and then take a stroll along the bay afterward.
The Miami Spice dinner menu for $65 starts with Warm Pull Apart Brioche, which literally melts in your mouth, plus a glass of Prosecco Zero. Then you can choose an appetizer from Sticky Garlic Ribs, Hamachi Sashimi, Salmon Aburi, or Wagyu Beef Carpaccio for an additional $5. For your entrée, the choices include Truffle Parmesan Chicken, Prime Sirloin, Spaghetti Portofino, or Miso Caramel Sea Bass for an additional $12. And then there’s dessert which includes a Midnight Hour Espresso Martini (2 oz.) for an additional $7.
Pari Pari
Pari Pari is a 25-seat handroll bar in Wynwood born from the vision of three lifelong friends from Paris, who teamed up with Michelin-starred chef Yasu Tanaka of Sushi by Yasu Tanaka. I haven’t been yet, but their Miami Spice menu is definitely on my must-try list because I am a huge fan of handrolls. And this menu sounds like such a fabulous deal at $50 for Miami Spice Dinner!
The Mexican
I recommend stopping by The Mexican for lunch. Not only is the food worth the visit, but the restaurant itself is beautiful, and the views on Brickell Key make it an especially lovely spot for a leisurely meal.
For the Miami Spice lunch menu $40, you get your choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert. And definitely save room for dessert, which includes their famous Cuatro Leches. This feels like the perfect spot for a nice, extended lunch with friends.
Ariete
I chose this one, well, because…it’s Ariete! Experience award-winning Cuban American cuisine from Chef Michael Beltran at this Michelin-starred Coconut Grove favorite for $65. This is a definite yes for me. You’ll get to choose from appetizers including Tuna Conserva, Crudo, Summer Salad, or Tamal, followed by your choice of entrée. And I already know which one I’m going for: the Chivo Guisado. Then, of course, you’ll finish with your choice of dessert. Ariete is one of those Miami restaurants that has been on my list for a while, and Miami Spice feels like the perfect excuse to finally make it happen.
Drinking Pig
It’s not always easy to find great barbecue in Miami, but we have it right here in Coconut Grove and what a deal!
For $25, the Miami Spice BBQ Platter at Drinking Pig BBQ features a curated selection of the restaurant’s slow-smoked meats, paired with house-made sides that showcase the authentic flavors and time-honored techniques behind their award- winning barbecue.
If you’re craving BBQ and looking for a great Miami Spice value, this one definite deserves a spot on your list.
Lilia Temple
JARANA Aventura- Located at The Abbey at Aventura, for $50 dinner all days of the week JARANA serves impeccably fresh and creative Peruvian cuisine rich in bold flavors. Great cocktails too!! The dining room is bright and festive.
Makoto Bal Harbour- Relocated and now on the third floor of The Bal Harbour Shops, the $40 lunch only Spice menu features fresh, Japanese inspired cuisine in a beautiful setting. A great spot for people-watching as well!
AVA- Coconut Grove-Delicious Greek/Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant is beautiful, sophisticated, without feeling “stuffy.” Great service! Perfect for a romantic date night, but also a great spot for larger gatherings.
Bunbury- Downtown Miami- At $40 for brunch or $50 for dinner Bunbury offers soul-satisfying Argentinean food; great for a pre-theater weekend lunch/dinner, extensive wine list in a cozy setting hidden behind a bookshelf.
Cafe La Trova-Little Havana- One of Miami's own, Chef Michelle Bernstein’s best! The $50 dinner features great Cuban food in a colorful and buzzy festive setting. Live music too; fun for listening (and a little dancing!!). Save room for Michy’s bread pudding for dessert.
Patrica Kinne
I like to use Miami Spice as an excuse to get away from my old standbys and try something new.
I have wanted to try Los Fuegos at Faena on Miami Beach although they are only offering Miami Spice for lunch from M-F for $40.
I also wanted to try Fooq's in Little River (Miami Spice dinner $50) and what looks like an awesome $40 Sunday Brunch.
In the downtown area, I would like to try Casa Neos $65 dinner (Sun and Tues-Fri), and Casadonna for Miami Spice dinner (Sun-Th) and Casadonna offers Miami Spice lunch at $40 on Saturdays as well.
I have heard good things about Double Luck in El Portal, with $50 Miami Spice dinner offered from Wed - Sun.
And as always, I will go back to Milos (South of Fifth) for their $65 Miami Spice dinner (7 day/week) every year!
Kaiti Tarajano
Azabu - ALWAYS a favorite! The $65 menu allows you to pick two dishes from appetizer, 2 dishes from entrees and one dessert. Great service, and great drinks and sake menu to pair with meal
Nusr-Et Steakhouse has wagyu steak options as entree selections - but with no up charge! Usually, a big expense account or tourist destination, but for Spice, why not?
Mamo Restaurant Miami - 4 courses for the $65 menu. Entree section, guests can choose one primi and one secondo
Amazónico – Offers the standard 3 courses, but every person also gets a yellowtail crispy rice. Typically known to be overpriced, but Miami Spice makes it affordable.
Ellen Bowen
I am a “MIAMI BEACH” resident and fan, so I always like to support the Miami Beach restaurants as much as I can during Miami Spice. For two months, Miami Spice is a chance to visit those top spots I might not normally spring for. Paying attention to Michelin star, cool vibe, creative menu.
Stubborn Seed- Michelin star Stubborn Seed and Top Chef, Chef Jeremy Ford continues to impress with his restaurant South of Fifth. While I keep missing out on his farm dinners in The Redlands, I can dine at Stubborn Seed for dinner for $65 every night but Friday and Saturday.
Abbale Televivian- Still my favorite Israeli/Mediterranean restaurant in Miami, I would pass on the $40 lunch and go right to the $50 or $65 dinner menu which offers both mezze, delicious choice of entrees and dessert.
Blue Ribbon Sushi- Located inside and poolside at the retro Plymouth Hotel, Blue Ribbon also offers the $40 lunch and $50/65 dinner menu. In this case it is the lunch menu that seems more interesting to me, with sushi rolls and entrée options.
Prime Italian- Usually packed with out of towners, Prime Italian is known for large portions and lots of red sauce. Their Spice menu at $50 for dinner all seven days of the week is one of the best deals and you will leave a fan.
CHŌ Funky Asian Bistro is new to Miami Beach and new to Miami Spice and based on recent MIAbites feature, will be my first Spice Night Out. At $50 for all 7 nights of the week, the menu looks fun, creative and delicious.
Please review the Miami Spice website to confirm particpating restaurant menus, prices and any date/time restrictions and supplements.
And as always reservations are required.