For all its humidity and daily thunderstorms (and the occasional tropical storm—yay!), August in Miami is actually pretty great. For starters, the 16th edition of Miami Spice kicks off today, August 1. The citywide restaurant promo offers diners $23 prix-fixe lunches and $39 three-course dinners at 236 (!) participating restaurants in Miami-Dade. We know what you’re thinking: “Miami Spice, again? Who cares?” The deal is just kicking off and already it’s all you can read about (a full breakdown is available on the Miami Spice site). We get it. But before you write off the two-month-long special, here’s a non-exhaustive list of reasons why Miami Spice deserves your attention this year.
1. Lyft gives Spice diners 20 percent off rides. Unlike those bogus deals that claim to offer discounts but only extend them to first-time riders, Lyft is giving existing users 20 percent two rides with code MIAMITEMPTATIONS. New users also receive the same deal with code MIAMISPICE17. That’s like four discounted rides if you play it right.
2. Brunch! A slew of restaurants are jumping in on the brunch game, including Dragonfly in Doral and Fooq’s in Downtown. Booze is not included. Still, $23 for three brunch courses sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us. If eggs and French toast aren’t your thing, you can still take advantage of a returning favorite: dim sum lunch at Hakkasan, available Saturday and Sunday.
3. Spice cocktails. Speaking of booze, Ariete, Villa Azur and other restaurants are including discounted cocktails with their Spice menus. Instead of your usual $15 boozy pairing, enjoy $10 tipples, which—let's be honest—is a bargain in Miami.
4. Get a live cabaret show AND dinner at El Tucán for $39. We know you’ve been meaning to check out Brickell hotspot El Tucán, but then there’s the issue of the $85 price tag for dinner and a show (yikes!). Beginning this weekend and every Friday and Saturday through September 30, the restaurant will offer a three-course Miami Spice meal that also includes access to performances at 8pm and 10:30pm. Stop in August 11 for a one-night-only deal that includes complimentary cocktails for just $55.
5. Upland, Matador Room and more join in. Here’s your shot to dine at Matador Room, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s sexy restaurant inside the Miami Beach Edition, and at New York City transplant Upland, plus a string of other fine-dining joints you couldn't otherwise afford. All in all, Miami Spice has added 40 new restaurants to its list this year, padding your options for five-star-dining experience at three-star prices.
Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.