The extreme heat and chance of hurricanes may keep the tourists away and may even keep us locals at home more than usual, so the hospitality industry goes into overdrive to lure us out with all sorts of offers.
Two of the biggest of these are “Dine Out Lauderdale” and “Miami Spice.” Add to those unique events and other enticements from local restaurants, and it hardly makes it worth it to heat up the kitchen. Check out these deals.
Visit Lauderdale’s “Dine Out Lauderdale” promotion returns, running Aug. 1 through Sept. 30. With more than 100 participating restaurants, there are plenty of delicious options from which to choose. For example, Oceanic at Pompano Beach Pier features a three-course prix-fixe lunch menu for $35 per person, as well as a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $45 per person. For a complete list of “Dine Out Lauderdale” events, go to visitlauderdale.com/dineout.
“Miami Spice” 2025, also taking place from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, offers specially curated prix-fixe menus at top restaurants in Miami, with lunch and brunch priced at $35 and dinner options ranging from $45 to $60. Enjoy curated three-course menus from some of Miami’s most celebrated chefs, while also giving back. A small optional donation during your meal helps support local communities, one plate at a time. Some of the restaurants taking part are Cafe La Trova, Daniel’s, Isabelle’s, Jarana, and Pasta. For a complete list of participating restaurants and special events, go to miamiandbeaches.com/deals/spice-restaurant-months.
Experience the new Sea La Vie Sundeck “Seafood + Spritz Happy Hour” at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, available daily from 3-4 p.m. For $25, patrons can select their choice of an Aperol Spritz, Hugo Spritz, or St. Germain Spritz, paired with the choice of fish dip, shrimp cocktail, or hummus.
Back for its 13th year, the 2025 South Beach Seafood Festival returns to the sands of Miami Beach, Oct. 22-25. On Friday night, Oct. 24, the festival heats up as the rousing weekend events begin with the ever-popular Tequila Herradura “VIP Chef Showdown.” Taking over Lummus Park at 7 p.m., this high-energy competition pits 20 of Miami’s top chefs against one another in 10 thrilling head-to-head seafood showdowns. The grand finale arrives Saturday, Oct. 25 with the main event, the “Seafood Slam,” a full-day beachfront party featuring unlimited food and beverage tastings from 1 p.m. to sunset. For more information and to purchase tickets to the 13th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival, visit sobeseafoodfest.com.
“Eat Your Heart Out” presented by BBI, the Heart Gallery of Broward County’s signature culinary fundraiser, returns to Galleria Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, Sept. 25. The event benefits the Heart Gallery of Broward County, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting adoption and enrichment programs for Broward’s foster youth. Confirmed restaurant partners include The Capital Grille, P.F. Chang’s, Sicilian Oven, Sweeter Days Bake Shop, Todd's Catering, and Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale, with more to be announced. Previous participating restaurants have included Boatyard, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Eddie V’s, Tulio’s Tacos and Tequila, Press & Grind Café, Takato, Seasons 52, Moksha, and Funky Buddha. Tickets are $100 per person and include complimentary valet parking. Tickets are on sale at www.heartgalleryofbroward.org/event/eyho.
Jarana continues its Chef Collaboration Series with a three-night culinary event featuring Chef Victoriano of La Mar San Francisco and Chef Martha Palacios of Jarana. The $75-per-person, family-style menu is a vibrant celebration of coastal Peruvian flavors, where tradition meets innovation. Part of Jarana’s monthly series spotlighting leading and emerging Peruvian chefs, this special collaboration brings bold, creative flavors to the forefront of Miami’s culinary scene. Available Aug. 14-16, for more information, go to jaranarestaurant.com.
