Miami Spice 2017 Brings Most Sizzling Restaurant Deals of Year

MIAMI, FL — If you live to eat and you love Miami there is no better time to be in the Magic City. As we search for relief from the hottest days of summer, is it any wonder that we also welcome the most sizzling restaurant deals of the entire year every Aug. 1? The 16th annual Miami Spice runs though Sept. 30 and features brunch deals for the first time in addition to the cheap lunch and dinner deals we look forward to all year.

Since its inception in 2001, participating restaurants have now served up more than one million Miami Spice meals. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Patch.)

"The season of Spice heats up with an exciting new addition to this year’s line-up — for the first time, select restaurants will offer irresistible weekend brunch menus for $23 per person," according to organizers, who said that 236 restaurants are participating in Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Kendall, Pinecrest, Aventura and throughout the entire area.

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Lunch costs $23, while dinner will only set you back $39 per person at some of the restaurants you might not be able to afford the appetizers in at other times of the year. Prices include an appetizer, entrée and dessert but do not include alcohol, tax, tip and service charges.

There is no membership or sign-up required to enjoy Miami Spice. Simply head to the webpage Miami Spice listing of the restaurant you want to visit and check the days of the week that the restaurant offers a participating lunch/brunch or dinner service. Reservations are recommended.

Click here for a list of participating restaurants. You can narrow your search by location, type of food, day of the week or by brunch, lunch or dinner.

In addition to the regular Miami Spice deals, Patch also found some additional deals you may want to consider:

Miami Dade College’s award-winning rooftop restaurant, Tuyo, will unveil a new and exciting menu every two weeks during Miami Spice, offering an exclusive culinary experience that pays homage to Florida’s delicious fresh local ingredients and flavors. For the first time, Tuyo will also offer a lunch menu for Miami Spice diners to enjoy.

Tuyo is operated under the expert guidance of professional Executive Chef Victor Santos and with a professional wait staff during the dinner seating. It functions as a unique living lab for the students of the Miami Culinary Institute (MCI) at MiamiDade College, who aren’t involved in the food preparation or service during the evening, but are able to closely observe and learn. During the lunch hours at the Bistro@Tuyo, under the tutelage of Chef Victor, MCI students prepare the signature meals and menu items, handle the wait service and oversee the inventory directly, gaining ample insight into the reality of restaurant operations. All of this means that MCI graduates are truly “industry ready” when they complete their studies.

Tuyo will offer four new menus, created by Executive Chef Victor Santos, featuring a three-course meal with a gastronomic experience to remember. The delectable offerings begin with the Preserved menu (Aug. 1- 12) with appetizers including Chicken Liver Pate, Tartare and Marinated Tuna and House Made Charcuterie Plate with Smoked Duck Breast. Entrees feature Preserved Lemon Risotto, Pan Roasted Striped Bass, Agedashi Tofu and Dry Aged Strip Steak. Dessert options include Lemon Blueberry Mousse, Orange Poppy Seed Cake and Chocolate Terrine.

The Floribbean menu (Aug. 15- Sept. 2) includes starters of Conch and Corn Chowder, Lobster Fritters and Jerked Boneless Chicken Wings. Main dishes feature Plantain Tamale, Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, Pan Roasted Striped Bass and Lobster Enchilado. For dessert, guests can choose Twisted Key Lime Pie, Coconut Cream Pie and Guayaba y Queso.

The Share (Sept. 5 – 16) and Love (Sept. 19 – 30) menus will be unveiled soon.

The Tuyo lunch menu will offer a choice of the Soup of the Day or Kale and Quinoa Salad to start. Entrees feature theTuyo Burger with shallot marmalade and white cheddar on a brioche bun with fries, or Pan Roasted Black Grouper with chickpea and orzo salad, shaved radish and Dijon vinaigrette. Crème Brulee of the Day will be offered for dessert.

Located on the top floor of the Miami Culinary Institute (MCI) at MDC, Tuyo offers one of South Florida’s most elegant dining experiences, first-class service, and an unparalleled panoramic view of the downtown skyline and Biscayne Bay.

Sugar Factory (Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road locations)
Meals Offered: Lunch and dinner
Menu Details: This eatery and sweet shop, simultaneously known for its over-the-top dining experience, legendary desserts and candy shop is kicking off Miami Spice with an indulgent menu the whole family can enjoy. The special lunch and dinner menus feature a variety of Sugar Factory staples including the Big Cheesy Monster Burger, Mac n Cheese Pops, Chocolate Cake and much more. Still have room for more? Kids can stop by the candy shop on their way out and fill their Sugar Factory candy pales with gummies, chocolate, lollipops, and other sweet treats.

Lolo’s Surf Cantina
Meals Offered: lunch and dinner; Monday - Thursday, Sunday
Menu Details: Miami’s newest Baja-inspired eatery will feature authentic Mexican cuisine within the casual and inviting space - perfect for those families that consist of meat lovers, vegans and vegetarians (we all have that ONE family member who avoids the steak). Lolo's is also located next to a park and across from the beach, so families are encouraged to enjoy a stroll and walk off some of those dessert calories after their Spice meal (luckily, everyone can agree on dessert).

Gili’s Beach Club at the Trump International Beach Resort is certain to hit the spot. Every Friday and Saturday evening during the popular restaurant promotion, locals can choose an entree from Gili’s special three-course Miami Spice — Lava Stone Experience menu and then grill it right at the table on a scorching 700-degree lava stone — all while sitting steps away from the ocean.

“Our new lava stone grill experience is a great value and a popular addition to Gili’s Beach Club,” said the hotel’s Food & Beverage Director/Executive Chef Kurtis Jantz. “We wanted to offer Miami Spice fans a fun option that is outside-the-box. We invite everyone to experience our memorable lava stone grill dinners.”

Trump International Beach Resort also features a fancier Miami Spice alternative at its signature Neomi’s Grill restaurant. At this Sunny Isles hotspot, guests can select from an array of dishes, like the Truffle Risotto Arancini ‘Croquettes’ to start; Glazed Cod with red verjus, artichoke puree, pineapple relish and micro coriander; Lobster Ravioli deliciously accented with lemon, sage beurre noisette and tempura broccolini; and Caramel Roulade dessert.

Diners visit Miami-Dade College's Tuyo restaurant. Photo courtesy of Miami-Dade College.