If you are visiting in Miami in October, you have another month to discover new favourite restaurants, revisit the restaurants you already love and experience Miami’s diverse culinary scene at a great value. For the first time in its 25 years, Miami Spice Restaurant Months has been extended to 31 October.

Hundreds of restaurants across Greater Miami and Miami Beach are participating in Miami Spice, offering three-course menus for USD$40 at lunch and brunch, USD50 or USD65 at dinner and a Reserve tier from USD95. (Note: prices do not include service charge and taxes). On a recent visit to Miami, I was able to enjoy dining at a few of these.

I enjoyed a late lunch at The Henry, at Brickell City Centre, an all-day American room that is such a welcoming neighbourhood restaurant. The super friendly staff earned extra points in my book when an hour after leaving the restaurant I discovered I had left my credit card and was relieved to find they had secured it, waiting for my return to claim it back. But the real delight was the food. The Miami Spice menu at USD40 for 3 courses is superb value. I particularly enjoyed the Spanish Tortilla Soup as an appetizer. It was a perfect complement to the Roasted Chicken and Avocado Salad entree.  

Dinner for our first night in Miami was at Ahu | Mar which is inside the very stylish Dua Miami, an Autograph Collection hotel on South Miami Avenue. Dua Miami boasts an expansive rooftop pool deck with two infinity pools, jacuzzi, and cold plunge and a luxurious spa. 

Ahu | Mar offers Italian cuisine elevated by their wood fired approach to bring out the best in seasonal ingredients. I relished the Branzino Fillet with a salsa harissa crust that was my entree. This was sandwiched by a grilled octopus served with hummus, a herb puree and crispy chickpeas as the appetizer and an absolutely decadent Italian dark chocolate cake for dessert. 

On another evening we visited Amazónico for a multi-sensory dining experience that is not to be missed. The restaurant covers three floors at 800 Brickell Avenue with amazing décor that that transports you to a luxurious rainforest. Dining at Amazonico is a culinary journey inspired by the rich traditions of the Amazon. We enjoyed a meal accompanied by a live band who appropriately opened their set with a warm, slow and low rendition of “The Girl From Ipanema.”  Dishes on the Miami Spice menu had intriguing names. These include Hamachi Crocano as a small bite at the start of the meal, the Salmon Tiradito starter and Bacalao – a black cod with tamarind glaze, cassava puree, yuzu butter and fennel. My dessert selection was Crema de Chocio – a corn crème brulee with coconut sponge and corn meringue. 

My final morning in Miami was spent dining at the historic News Café in Miami Beach for breakfast. And what a breakfast that was! It certainly powered me up for the shopping on Lincoln Road that was to follow. A bright, citrusy mimosa was the perfect precursor to a Salmon & Avocado Omelette – a 3-egg omelette filled with smoked salmon, avocado, asparagus, green onion & Boursin cheese, served with house potatoes & toast. News Café is a landmark in Miami Beach that was a favourite breakfast stop for the late fashion designer Gianni Versace. Although we had breakfast, News Café is offering Miami Spice value menus only for lunch and dinner.  

Four restaurants, four completely different experiences – a neighbourhood lunch, a stylish Italian dinner, a rainforest fantasy and a slice of Ocean Drive history. These Miami Spice offerings were full menus, generous portions and all the restaurants extended genuine hospitality. 

Miami Spice is the perfect reason to say yes to dining somewhere you might otherwise not have considered. There’s still time – if you are in Miami between now and 31 October, do take advantage of the opportunity.