Locals and Tourists Enjoy Miami’s Culinary Scene
August 1 – September 30
One of the most exciting times of year to visit Miami is back once more. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love visiting Miami during the months of August and September for the 13th annual Miami Spice restaurant promotion. From August 1 to September 30, meals are offered at various restaurants throughout Miami for reduced prices, allowing everyone to experience Miami’s culinary scene without breaking the bank. Lunch prices start at $23 and dinner prices start at $39 for three courses each.
Miami Spice starts off this year with their Iron Fork kick-off event, sponsored by the Miami New Times. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency Miami Downtown (400 SE 2nd Ave.) on Thursday, July 31, with VIP entry beginning at 6 p.m. and general admission doors opening at 7 p.m. This evening includes a preview of dishes from various participant restaurants, as well as the fan favorite Iron Fork competition, moderated by Allen Susser, in which two well-known Miami chefs will face off in an epic “Iron Chef”-esque battle to produce the best dish. The VIP option allows for the aforementioned early admission as well as access to a VIP area and complimentary bar sponsored Botran and Stella Artois. General admission tickets cost $50 and VIP tickets cost $85; they can be purchased online at miamispice.com.
Speaking of participating restaurants, the sheer number of establishments has skyrocketed this year. Over 65 restaurants in the Miami Beach area will be participating in Miami Spice this year, as will over 50 in Mainland South (Coral Gables, Kendall, Key Biscayne, etc.) and over 40 in Mainland North (Aventura, Doral, Downtown, Morningside, North Miami, etc.). No matter where you live, work or play in Miami-Dade County, you will be able to dine at a Miami Spice participant restaurant without having to venture too far.
If you’re coming to South Florida just for Miami Spice, there are many hotels that are running special Miami Spice packages which include discounts for you! There are 12 hotels offering promotions, including Conrad Downtown Miami (Espirito Santo Plaza, 305-503-6500); Epic Hotel Downtown Miami (270 Biscayne Blvd., 305-424-5226); Fontainebleau Miami Beach (4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-538-2000); Hilton Cabana Miami Beach (6261 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 786-483-1631); and the Lord Balfour Hotel Miami Beach (350 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, 305-673-0401). For a complete list of special offers, visit miamispice.com.
This year Miami Spice’s sponsors are Mastercard Priceless Miami, Stella Artois, Botran Aged Rum, and ProChile: Healthy and Organic Foods Grown in Chile. Botran Aged Rum joins as a sponsor for the first time this year.
Be sure to visit miamispice.com. You will be pleasantly surprised! Not only will they be able to answer all your questions, they have special Miami Spice-themed content for you to view. These articles include features on the Top 10 Ethnic Restaurants in Miami, Miami’s ethnic dining scene, great outdoor dining spots, “Miami Mixology,” celebrity chefs, and 10 great things about Miami Spice. As for the latter, did you know you can find out if a restaurant you’ve been having your eye on has tables open during a busy dinner rush? You can find out by using the OpenTable application on the Miami Spice website.
Miami Spice is a yearly cultural event organized by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). For more information, visit miamispice.com. Like them on facebook as well at facebook.com/ilovemiamispice.
