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It’s officially Miami Spice season again. Every August and September — and now October, due to an extension in the promotion caused by Hurricane Irma — eager restaurant go-ers head to one of the more than 200 participating restaurants to celebrate Miami Spice a.k.a. Miami’s restaurant month(s). The deal offers a three course dinner at $39 a person, while lunch and brunch deals are available for $23 a person.
With so many options available, which ones are worth the visit — and which meals aren’t? Eater Miami has done some extensive research and put together a list of the 10 best dinner bets for Miami Spice for 2017. (For a comprehensive guide to the best Miami Spice lunch deals, visit here.)
Each restaurant on this list must offer Miami Spice every night of the week it is open — yes, that includes the coveted Friday and Saturday night time slots that so many restaurants skimp out on. Restaurants must offer a wide array of menu options and offer the diner a solid bang for their buck. Plus, many are current or former Eater 38 members. So with that in mind, it’s time to dive into the choices listed in alphabetical order.
BRAVA by Brad Kilgore
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Brad Kilgore’s sophomore restaurant, BRAVA by Brad Kilgore, which is housed inside of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, features a Miami Spice menu that is worthy of the spotlight. Offering five different choices for starters including options like seafood charcuterie and lamb tongue agnoletti, three different entrees such as whole roasted chicken and strawberry grouper, plus a choice of a chocolate souffle or nectarine tart tartin, it’s a way to get a taste of this much buzzed about chef’s cuisine at a fraction of the price. (Not available on Monday and Tuesday nights. 1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami. )
Byblos
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A Mediterranean feast awaits at this South Beach’s Byblos. Diners start their meal with the choice of two appetizers from a menu of ten options, including items like lamb ribs, shakshouka, and baked hummus. Then it’s on to the entrees where guests pick one main like Middle Eastern inspired fried chicken or flank steak that’s paired with one side such as sweet jeweled rice or seared cauliflower. Finally for dessert options like its popular pizzelle filled with pistachio ice cream or a strawberry cheesecake round out the menu. (Available nightly. 1545 Collins Ave, Miami Beach)
The Dutch
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This American eatery has been a staple inside of the W South Beach for years now, but it hasn’t relaxed on its Miami Spice game. The Dutch’s menu features four starters like piri chicken and chilled corn soup, along with three main course options along with three Instagram worthy dessert choices including its coconut cream pie, making for one Miami Spice stop that shouldn’t be missed. (Available nightly. 2201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach)
El Tucán
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Consider this the most fun Miami Spice option out there. While only available on Friday and Saturday nights, El Tucán offers the perfect dinner and a show combo for just $39. The live cabaret and entertainment venue features a similar menu for $85, so getting dinner and a show for half the price is a steal. Dine on items like miso glazed sea bass skewers, ahi tuna taquitos and matcha molten lava cake, while taking in the live music, dancers, contortionists and performers. (Available Friday and Saturday nights for both the 8 and 10:30 p.m. seatings. 1111 SW 1st Street, Miami)
Estiatorio Milos
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This swanky Greek go-to, Milos usually runs a pretty penny for a meal, making its nightly Miami Spice menu that much more of a deal. The lamb chops found on this year’s Spice menu will usually set you back $40+ and that’s without the sides. Get the charred octopus and authentic Greek yogurt drizzled with honey, and dine like a (Greek) king — on a budget. (Available nightly. 730 1st St, Miami Beach.)
Jaya
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Housed inside the always chic Setai Hotel, Jaya’s menu showcases a variety of high-end Asian influenced dishes like Vietnamese chicken, barbecue pork ribs, and green tea cheesecake. Tack on a wine pairing for each course for $28 more. (Available nightly. 2001 Collins Ave, Miami Beach)
Mignonette Downtown
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When oysters and steak are on a Miami Spice menu, you know you’ve hit the jackpot. Such is the case at Mignonette, who offers half a dozen of the bivalves to start, or seared scallops with ‘dirty’ polenta is cooked seafood is the craving. Other highlights include lamb chops; pan roasted grouper; and its bread pudding filled with butterscotch and heath bar. (Available nightly. 210 NE 18th St, Miami)
Quality Meats
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This NYC steakhouse import has embraced Miami Spice as its own, offering one of the best menus around. At Quality Meats, five different options are available to begin the meal ranging from everything from restaurant staples like the house-cured bacon with peanut butter and jalapeño jelly to seafood charcuterie plate. For entrees it goes the rather rare route for steakhouse Miami Spice menus and actually serves steak on the menu — sans the pesky up charge. For dessert, the choice of a dressed up ice cream scoop or coconut cake topped with dulce de leche gives a sweet ending to a proper steak dinner. (Available nightly. 1501 Collins Ave, Miami Beach)
RED, The Steakhouse
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As it likes to do, RED is mixing things up with its Miami Spice menu, offering a different theme each week. First up is a classic steakhouse menu, followed by a themed weeks such as a seafood-filled feast, and Italian menu and "greatest hits" menu, and more. (Available nightly. 119 Washington Ave., Miami Beach)
Scarpetta
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Scott Conant’s Italian eatery is still going strong on South Beach after all these years — and Scarpetta still offers an impressive Miami Spice menu to boot. Perfect for a date night or when trying to win someone over, opt for the octopus, beef short rib agnolotti and tiramisu. Or, if carbs are what is being craved, its classic spaghetti and polenta both make the Spice menu as well. (Available nightly. 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach)