While Dense Bean Salad Girl Violet Witchel was in Miami, she was nice enough to share this special recipe with The Leftovers. Try it and let us know how it goes in the comments.

Sundried Tomato Chicken DBS

This is my most popular recipe of all time across pretty much every platform. When I say it truly launched the dense bean salad trend and changed my life I mean it. This recipe is bright and flavorful without being overly spicy or intense. It’s packed with fiber and protein and the mozzarella soaks up all the seasoning. I love to use the sundried tomato oil as part of the dressing so it doesn’t go to waste.

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Summer in Miami is almost upon us. If you’re new here, this is the part of the year where you start wondering why you ever left a place that didn’t require thrice-daily showers. To help with the summer heat, the Kimpton Surfcomber in South Beach is opening a brand new beach club this weekend called Soleil, complete with beach chairs, a shady pool, and plenty of private cabanas.

The only thing better than a day at the beach club is having a hotel room to retire to afterwards. So the Surfcomber is teaming up with The Leftovers to give one lucky subscriber a two-night stay at the hotel, so they can escape to Soleil and never have to leave.

Three steps to win a two-night staycation at the Surfcomber:

1. Subscribe to The Leftovers Miami (you’re reading this email, so you probably already did)

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2. Follow @surfcomberhotel on Instagram
   

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3. Get five friends (or more!) to subscribe to The Leftovers using your custom referral link below. Copy it, send it to five people, you're done in under a minute, and you’re that much closer to a two-day beachside staycation.

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We’ll pick a winner on Tuesday, May 26. You can get even more entries the more people you get to subscribe – get 10 friends to subscribe and you’ll get three entries. Fifteen friends gets you five entries.

Good luck, and we’ll see you at the Surfcomber this summer!

South Beach restaurant years are beyond dog years. They’re like fruit fly years. Last a decade, and you’re a legend. Go beyond that, and you’re probably part vampire. Not that I’m accusing Semilla’s Fred Joulin of secretly sleeping in a crypt. But the chef/owner knows something about restaurant longevity that most people don’t, helming one of the best French restaurants in Miami since 2013.

The secret to Semilla’s success is a mix of great food, consistent service, and being the kind of place locals want to keep coming back. If you eat there once, Fred remembers you by name. He might even remember what kind of wine you drink. The prices are reasonable, the staff doesn’t turn over, and there’s not an ounce of pretension in the place – a seemingly impossible achievement when running a French restaurant.

The scene: Semilla sits at the line just above Brasserie, and just below gourmet French restaurant, with French photos and framed posters on the wall and a walk-in wine room you can see from everywhere. It gives serious neighborhood vibes, where every table can choose to watch the open kitchen, and seats at the bar allow you to chat with either the bartender or the chef. Everything about the place feels social, with tables just close enough you can have conversations if you want to, but not so close you feel like you’re on a date with stranges. Fred helps the ambience along by making the rounds making everyone feel welcome.

What to eat and drink: For meat eaters, you don’t get any better than the classic New York Steak Au Poivre, topped with possibly the top peppercorn sauce in Miami and served with fries. The boeuf bourguignon is classic cold-weather French comfort food, which might not seem like the first thing you want after losing half your body weight in sweat on the beach. But relax in the AC long enough and it hits the spot. If you insist on lighter fare, the Mediterranean grill octopus with butter bean chorizo ragu does the job. And the brussels sprouts tempura, while not “French,” per se, prove that everything is delicious when fried.

For drinks, my advice is to ask Fred which wine pairs best with what you ordered, and take his advice. In 12 years, he’s never steered me wrong.

Pro tip: Go for happy hour, where there’s an entirely different menu of stuff like escargot, wagyu beef sliders, and braised beef brisket shepherd’s pie. There’s also small-vintage French wine by the bottle for under $50.

Perfect for: Relaxing dinner out. It’s about the easiest place to dine in South Beach.

Expect to pay: Around $60-80 per person, depending on how much wine you get. Not cheap, but nobody’s ever left feeling like they didn’t get their money’s worth.

How’s the parking? Rough. During the week you can find street spaces along Alton Road, but be prepared to walk.

@semillamiami // 1330 Alton Road, South Beach

Ironside

Every Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM, a room inside the Miami Ironside campus in the Upper Eastside hosts a two-hour beginner mahjong class run by Mahjong Club Miami, with tiles, racks, NMJL card, and light snacks all provided. Order from Ironside Café to sip while you play, and then Ironside Pizza is right there when you’re done. Sessions have been selling out, so register on Eventbrite before you show up.

@ironside_pizza // 7580 NE 4th Ct, Miami, FL 33138

Crema Dadeland

“The table everyone talks about” is Mahjong Club Miami‘s Thursday night residency at Crema Dadeland in Kendall, running 6:30 to 8:30 PM every week with open play and beginner lessons with a drink from the espresso bar in hand. Come solo or bring a table, but registration is required.

@crema_gourmet // 8915 SW 72nd Pl, Kendall, FL 33156

Sadelle’s Coconut Grove

Rachel Weissman (@TheMahjBoss) brought her Mahjong Social to Sadelle’s Coconut Grove in April, and it’s been running every other Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The $70 ticket covers a seat, door prize entry, and bites off Sadelle’s brand new dinner menu with options like pigs in a blanket, pizza, salads, and dessert. Players need to bring their own tiles, rack, and NMJL card.

@sadellescoconutgrove // 3321 Mary St, Miami, FL 33133

Dom’s

On Friday, May 15 from noon to 2 PM, Dom’s, the cocktail lounge behind DC Pie Co. in Brickell, is hosting a one-time Mahjong & Mangia with Rachel Weissman (@TheMahjBoss). The $60 ticket includes a seat, a family style spread with pepperoni chips with hot honey, kale Caesar, brick-oven pies, and a zero-proof Aplós drink. Wine and other beverages available for purchase. Players bring their own set, card, and mat rack. Book on Resy.

@DCPieCo // 1010 Brickell Ave #200, Miami, FL 33131

Cafe Avanti

Happy hour with tiles at Cafe Avanti, the Miami Beach mainstay, which is hosting a Happy Hour Mahj with Rachel Weissman (@TheMahjBoss) on June 5 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Twenty-five dollars includes your first drink, but the à la carte menu is there if you want to stay for dinner. Register here.

@cafeavantimiamibeach // 732 W 41st St, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Dear Olivia

Every Wednesday night, Dear Olivia‘s outdoor covered patio in Parkland belongs to Kari Long (@Mahj on the Beach). The spread includes mahjong, wine, and social play from 6 to 8:30 PM. Check their bio for tickets and upcoming dates.

@dearoliviabarandkitchen // 7805 N University Dr, Parkland, FL

Burlock Coast

Kari Long (@Mahj on the Beach) is also running a summer series at Burlock Coast at The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale, June through July, Thursdays and Saturdays, in two formats: Mahjong 101 for newcomers at $70+ (capped at 16 seats) and open play at $40+ (8 seats). A welcome cocktail and snack board come with both tickets. Make sure to book ahead.

@burlockcoast // 1 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

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Live in Miami long enough, and you have that friend. The one who casually posts that it’s opening day in St. Tropez, with the same ease you might mention it’s the first day of cinnamon rolls at Knaus Berry Farm. You don’t know how they make their money. You definitely don’t want to know. But they seem to constantly be eating at places where dinner costs more than your mortgage.

And when that person tells you, “This is my favorite restaurant in London/Dubai/Place you can’t afford,” you take note.

Such is the case with Gaia, a luxe new import from a bunch of cities with F1 races and Chanel stores, that just opened in SoFi. It specializes in fresh seafood and gourmet Greek fare, with heavy sides of opulence and global sophistication. You can pick your fish from the fresh catch on ice in the front, and watch your food bake in a live-fire oven. But watching the people is really the most entertaining part.

So, it’s basically Milos.

Not neccesarily. The Milos vs. Gaia debate is the kind of conversation they’ll probably slip into the new season of White Lotus. Gaia leans a little heavier into traditional Greek food, so if you’re not into seafood there’s plenty here for you. The vibe is also a little more classic elegance than modern chic – more London than Dubai.

The scene: Feels like real money. You know how you go into trendy restaurants in Miami and you know everyone in there is paying with crypto or debtmaxxxing? Yeah, not this place. This place feels like everyone in there could buy the entire restaurant if they wanted to, in cash, then walk across the street and buy a penthouse at Murano. The wealthy Europeans who populate SoFi high rises pack Gaia, familiar with its works in Monaco, London, Dubai, Doha, etc. That said, it’s not stuffy, and if you can afford the check they’ll still treat you like royalty.

What to eat and drink: The seafood is the main event at Gaia, and if you haven’t already picked your entrée from the ice pack go for the smoked tuna carpaccio with truffle to start. The wood-oven prawns with rosemary and harissa and the chili-garlic scallops give you a sense of what the wood-fired oven can do. Though nothing shows off Gaia’s smoky prowess quite like the lamb cutlets, served over wood-fired pita that soaks up the juices. For sides, go with the baked veggies, though they may ruin you on any grilled vegetables. For dessert, opt for the blueberry pie, which is more like a round muffin, baked fresh and topped with ice cream.

The cocktail list is extensive and expensive, and though well-crafted your budget is better spent on Gaia’s impressive wine list. If you insist on a pre-dinner drink, the Santorini Spritz with Grey Goose vodka, lychee, hibiscus, rose, citrus, and sparkling wine is the move. It tastes like the kind of thing you’d be drinking while watching 40-something women with a lot of plastic surgery dance on tables.

Perfect for: Dropping a bunch of money on dinner. Miami is full of places that will cost you $200 a person. This one is actually worth it.

Don’t miss: A walk around the restaurant, at least once. Your odds of spotting a celebrity – a real one, not one with a Twitch handle – are pretty high.

Expect to pay: Around $200 a person. You saw that intro, right?

How’s the parking: There’s a $25 valet in the back, or you can try and find a spot in South Pointe Park.

@gaia_miami // 801 South Pointe Drive, SoFi

Key Biscayne likes to call itself the “island paradise,” but really, it’s Mayberry with a beach. A beach, and houses that cost roughly the GDP of Paraguay. The Key is, at its heart, a small town. And every small town needs a diner where old men go to drink coffee and watch Fox News, and kids go to soak up their hangover in the morning.

You wouldn’t think Key Biscayne had a spot like this. Then again, you wouldn’t think Key Biscayne had a Winn-Dixie. This island is full of surprises. And that’s what I found just past the 7-11 at the beginning of the Village as I wandered into Donut Gallery Diner. At first, I was disappointed with its complete lack of donuts and rubber duckie shooting games. But I got over it quickly when I tried the menu of big, classic breakfast foods, and immersed myself in a diner atmosphere that’s dying in Dade County.

The scene: Is like stepping into Small Town USA, albeit a Small Town that for some reason speaks lightning-speed Spanish. Regulars line stools on the left side of the narrow diner, just like they have since Donut Gallery opened in 1972. A strict hierarchy dictates who gets to sit closest to the kitchen - longest-running customers first. A longtime regular told us, between rants about the Democrats, that it’s customary to get up and move when someone who has priority walks in, lest you get some very nasty looks, and possibly some cosmetic damage to your golf cart.

What to eat and drink: The essential menu item at Donut Gallery is the Ted’s Special, named after a real estate mogul and Key Rat named Ted, who used to do most of his big deals at the diner. It’s an English muffin topped with bacon, ham, cheese, and an egg that’s perfect for yolk porn. If breakfast meats aren’t your bag, the Nutella croissant donut is an indulgence that’s absolutely worth the diabetes. The pancakes are big and fluffy, fresh made in front of you, and the best way to soak up your hangover.

If you come in after lunchtime, the smash burger is the move, an elevated take on the kind of smashed patty you’d find at a drive-thru, but with fresher ingredients and a sweet bun. They also have a handful of local beers on draft and a surprisingly large selection of wines. Oh, and Donut Gallery’s open until 9 pm, if you want to keep the party going after Key Biscayne rolls up its streets.

Pro tip: Sit at the bar and talk to whoever is there. You’ll hear stories about everyone from famous actors to Super Bowl champions who’ve eaten here. Whether or not they’re true is completely irrelevant.

Perfect for: Breakfast meetings, hungover brunch, a reward at the end of your bike ride.

Expect to spend: About $20 per person with tip.

How’s the parking: Easy-peasy. Just watch out for golf carts.

@donutgallerydiner1972 // 83 Harbor Dr., Key Biscayne

Editor’s Note: Don’t call me a hater, but I’ve always felt that eating a hotdog in public is rather phallic.

So, as you know - my life is a myriad journey of stories. And collecting friendships around the world. So I want to preface this hot take by sharing that this is by no means a FU to the viral epicurean spot Chevre, which I actually featured in my column in Aventura Magazine recently. Nor is it an intended insult to its founder Mario, whose wedding I actually crashed in Panama a long, long time ago with my ‘brother’ Kenny Baboun. But it’s rather a little piece on the ad nauseam images that have been circulating on all of our social media accounts over the past few months.

I must admit that a few months back when this golden situation hit the cyber world at a rather fast pace in honor of The Miami Open, I asked Chevre’s PR guru Mike Hicks to host me to try the ‘Golden Glizzy’ alongside my fearless cousin Danielle of Old Miami, who claims she once did something viral with a hotdog on YouTube and could take one for the team on camera for our Leftovers Tik Tok. But with my relentless travel schedule, that was ‘God’s Plan’ for me to not break my public aesthetic protocols. So here I am to say that yes, it was a brilliant marketing ploy. Yes, I was willing to try it back then. And yes, it’s time for it to go away. After it was served at F1 this past week, maybe it’s adieu for good?

Wagyu this, Wagyu that… and even though I love caviar, I agree with Matthew Meltzer’s piece titled ‘Enough With The F***ing Caviar.’ Like give it a break as it’s currently splattered on everything. Love it on a blini per se at a cocktail party at Colin Cowie’s home, but exploding on a piece of meat with gold? Chill!

As aforementioned, Wagyu is another annoying over-used word. However, congrats to Chevre because no matter how nauseated I feel seeing it over and over - now the whole world knows about it. But the thought of a coronary as a result from a tacky Australian Wagyu hot dog on a Ficelle Bakery croissant bun, topped with crème fraîche, mascarpone, 30 g of Classic Ossetra, chives and 24-karat edible gold flakes is simply not chic. I mean, who needs all of those ingredients in one bite - it’s like BOGO, spend 100 and walk away with a clogged artery?

Decadence is cute, but no gracias.

Lastly, while I was in India most recently doom scrolling, I noticed that they launched the ‘Gold Digger’ for F1. Once again, brilliant as we know how many GD’s are in this beloved Magic City and were likely meandering around Hard Rock Stadium. A Wagyu beef bresaola, Black truffle mayo, Golden Goat Caviar (my fave), onion confit, crispy onion and 24k gold most certainly would seem more up my alley with a side order of a diuretic. But if I’m not banned from Mike’s pitches moving forward, I’ll keep you posted on what’s happening at this trending, epicurean joint that is expanding brilliantly throughout SoFla. Stay tuned. XX.

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The best new restaurants in Miami run the gamut from a 1930s-inspired steakhouse in Bal Harbour to a fried chicken sandwich shop in Coral Gables.

Fooq’s

The original Fooq’s was an eleven-table nook near Club Space downtown, a genuine “if you know you know” spot that shuttered in 2021 and spent five years away. It came back in January in a very different form: a 14,000-square-foot former warehouse in Little River with three-story ceilings, a custom wood-fire grill, and a Persian-influenced American menu. Roel Alcudia, who ran kitchens like Mandolin and The Cypress Room back in the day (the OG’s know), just joined as Culinary Director with a brand new menu. Seems like if you haven’t been yet, there’s no better time to check it out

Pro Tip: The $95 Fooq’s Feast is the move for groups – shared dishes across the menu, and you come out well under the à la carte average.

@fooqsmiami // 150 NW 73rd St., Little River

Slim’s Steakhouse

Stephen Starr named his Bal Harbour steakhouse after the nickname Lauren Bacall’s character carries in To Have and Have Not, and inside Slim’s, that reference feels right with a space filled with checkered marble floors, brass fixtures, plush banquettes, and walls covered in murals by New Yorker illustrator Christoph Niemann. It opened in March in the original Makoto space at Bal Harbour Shops. Start with the pigs in a blanket, and the crab stuffed avocado, where they fill a half with crab salad, press it back together, and coat the outside so it arrives looking like an intact whole avocado. Steaks naturally are the star of the menu, and worth the order, alongside the Chinese Chicken salad on the lunch menu. The $100 cheesesteak, wagyu with black truffle, foie gras, and fried onions, is big enough to share and as ridiculous as it sounds.

Pro Tip: Martini lovers will have a great time here, with a whole menu dedicated to the boozy libation.

@slimsbalharbour // Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour

KARYU

KARYU is the U.S. debut of Tokyo’s Michelin-starred Oniku Karyu, a ten-seat omakase counter in the Design District serving wagyu-dedicated menu – think omakase, but with wagyu instead of sushi. Sushi omakase usually leaves me searching for a snack afterward; the meat course has always been my favorite part of any meal, and at KARYU, it is the entire point. The famous Beef Cutlet Sandwich made its way over from Japan with Kobe tenderloin breaded, fried, and tucked into toasted milk bread with sauce oozing from each side, is the most fun course on the menu; the Sukiyaki that closes the savory portion comes with a raw egg yolk you mix yourself at the table.

Pro Tip: Book well in advance. Only ten seats, two seatings a night.

@karyu_mia // 40 NE 41st St., Miami Design District

Fuku

You’d think the combination of a celebrity chef and a chicken sandwich would result in an exponential factor of overhype. But Fuku, David Chang’s fast casual chicken joint, gives Miracle Mile something it badly needed: An affordable, high quality, delicious lunch spot. The signature sandwich comes in at well under $15, a spicy-sweet fried chicken masterpiece that uses chicken breast for a leaner, higher-quality sandwich. Lines move quickly, the décor is a fun blend of Miami-themed apocalyptic anime, and you can easily be out the door with cross-cut fries and a drink for under $20.

Pro tip: Try the chicken smashburger. It’s all the smashburger flavors you love, without the onslaught of grease.

@fuku // 135 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables

La Traila Barbecue

When restaurants close and say they’ll be “reopening soon in a new location,” it’s about as promising as that friend who has a kid and swears they’ll still come out. La Traila is the odd spot that’s delivered on that promise, and boy are we grateful it did. Mel Rodriguez’s pit mastery continues in this full-service spot near Sunset Place, where he’s added a list of Latin-inspired items like smoked brisket empanadas and smoked beef cheek tostadas to his lineup of meats. The brisket and turkey are still the standouts, and the smoked brisket mac and cheese will ruin you on anything from a steakhouse.

Pro tip: Take a few minutes to watch the assistant pitmasters do their thing at the trailer-sized outdoor smokers. Just be prepared to change your clothes if you stand there too long.

@latrailabarbecue // 5840 SW 71^st St., South Miami

Seahawk Prime

I like to think David Burke planned to name his new West Palm Beach steakhouse after whoever won the Super Bowl. And thank GOD Seattle did, because could you imagine how intolerable a place called “Patriot Prime” would have been? Colorful naming aside, Seahawk Prime is this spring’s champion of new restaurants, where Burke’s creativity is on full display in dishes like octopus with chorizo and black linguini, lobster dumplings with tomato miso, and the dry-aged beef burger on an English muffin. That’s not even getting into the big menu of pink salt aged-steaks, which you can top with everything from mozzarella ravioli to Alaskan king crab.

Pro tip: Arrive early and grab a drink at the outdoor bar. The view over the Intracoastal will calm you down from the shlep you just endured to get here.

@seahawkprimebydb // 220 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Park

Gangnam

Gangnam, for those who thought it was just a style, is the affluent, densely-populated area of Seoul known for its pretty people and abundance of yoga studios. Sound familiar? That’s why this authentic Korean spot feels right at home in Brickell, though it feels like a neighborhood strip mall restaurant - in the best possible ways. The menu is strict Korean classics: Bibimbap bowls, bulgogi steaks, kimchi, and a homemade gochujang sauce, though the Japche noodles and La Galbi beef ribs are worth branching out for.

Pro tip: Go around 8 pm and you’ll find tables of Koreans packing the place. See what they’re getting and order the same.

@gangnamkfood // 35 SE 6th St, Brickell

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Everyone has a Delano story. Ok, not everyone, but everyone who even sniffed being cool in Miami between 1998 and 2020 has a memory from the Ian Schraeger icon. Maybe you ran into Lenny Kravitz while sneaking through the kitchen to the Florida Room opening party. Maybe you met your wife at the Rose Bar. Maybe you did things in the pool you can’t tell your husband about.

No matter your story, the Delano’s luxury and accessibility made it that rare combination of tourist siren and locals’ hangout. And if it stood as a symbol of what South Beach was during those days, this new Delano is similarly symbolic of Miami in 2026.

Its first restaurant, Mimi Kakushi, is an Asian stunner, direct from Dubai and done up in intricate detail with exquisite food. The bar was rated #35 in the world by some people who apparently know a lot about cocktail bars. The food is a beautiful blend of fresh sushi and grilled meats. And it’s everything Miami has become in the past five years – imported from somewhere else, beautiful, expensive, and only open to members.

So how’s this Delano compare to the old one?

Listen South Beach old head, your days of dancing on tables at FDR and sneaking into the bathroom with Chris Paciello are long behind you. Accept it. Your extended 20s died when the Delano auctioned off its lobby chairs, and it’s time to understand that you – and the hotel – have both changed. You’ll still see the big white columns and the long back pool. The Rose Bar looks pretty much the same. There’s a pool table in the back. But the vibe is less locals’ party and more out-of-town opulence. Take it for what it is rather than comparing it to what used to be.

And hold up, this spot is members-only?

Yes, Mimi Kakushi is only open to members of Delano’s new club, along with the special members’ pool, members’ gym, members’ valet parking, and members’ “You Can’t Sit With Us” T-shirts. Like I said, it’s everything Miami is in 2026. The open-to-the-public restaurant, Gigi Rigolatto, will open later this month.

The Scene: Mimi Kakushi is a masterpiece of teak, bamboo, and mirrors. Meant to evoke pre World War 2 Japan, it feels like an understated tropical speakeasy, where there’s no window to the outside world. But no need for one either. A live band softly plays jazz and instrumental Sinatra, and the open kitchen gets you in on the action without being intrusive. And the low ceilings make everything feel intimate.

What to eat and drink: This place gained acclaim as a cocktail lounge in Dubai, and the drink program is unlike anything I’ve seen. Literally. The drink menu comes with a wooden View Master, where you can insert film slides and take a look at scenes that inspired the cocktails. The beverage program is all inspired by Sessue Hayakawa, the first Asian actor to make it in Hollywood. All the drinks are tributes to his roles -the Yamaki is a smoky, mezcal take on the spicy margarita. For something sweeter, opt for the Tahona with Don Julio Blanco, mango, and hibiscus lemongrass.

The food looks familiar – if you’re into Asian grills with long sushi menus you’re going to love it. The wagyu and foie gras gyoza are a rich, complex way to start your meal. Though if you want something lighter, the spinach salad with spicy black sesame sauce packs just as much flavor and still leaves room for dinner. The black cod in miso is the dish your server will undoubtedly suggest, and its light, umami overtones don’t disappoint. The Japanese A5 striploin is the odd piece of wagyu that brings more meat than fat, and is the move for a hungry group that’s sharing. The sushi is, well, sushi, and holds its own with any high-end place of this ilk.

Don’t miss: The wooden View Master that comes with the drink menu. You didn’t come here for the subtlety.

Perfect for: Hiding from…the people.

Expect to pay: $100-$150 per person.

How’s the parking: Valet at the Delano is $45 for up to three hours. If you don’t feel like dropping the price of a drink on parking, the 17^th Street city garage is about a ten-minute walk. But that wouldn’t be very Delano of you, would it?

@mimikakushimiami // 1685 Collins Ave., South Beach

Where are the best Cinco de Mayo parties in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale? Even though it’s a Tuesday, that’s not going to stop the party in South Florida, where the terms “job” and “work week” have always had a slightly different definition. From all-you-can-eat tacos to an immersive tequila-and-food tour of Mexico, here are the best Cinco de Mayo parties in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.

A $40 Open Bar at Wynwood Marketplace

Wynwood

Is it really Cinco de Mayo if you’re not getting thrown off a mechanical bull in front of 4,000 tequila-fueled strangers? Just me? Well, you too can be a public spectacle at Cinco de Wynwood, Wynwood Marketplace’s epic block party that serves as ground zero for Cinco celebrations. It’s also easily the best deal for those who don’t plan on working Wednesday, as a $40 VIP ticket rates you an open bar from 6 – 10 pm, or as long as you can safely stay there. GA tickets are free, RSVP here.

@wynwood_marketplace // 2250 NW 2^nd Ave., Wynwood

All-You-Can-Eat Tacos at Uptown 66

Hallandale Beach

How many tacos do you think you can eat in 15 hours? 50? 100? Game on, says Uptown 66, whose new Broward County location at Atlantic Village in Hallandale is slinging all-you-can-eat tacos from 11 am – 2 am. The tacos called “Best in America” by GMA are all yours for 50 bucks, which also gets you a drink ticket, a live mariachi, and a DJ. Bonus: Your bottomless pit of a child gets AYCE tacos for $20. Get your tickets here.

@uptown66hallandale // 801 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach

Hot Pepper Eating Contest at THRōW Social Miami

Wynwood

If you’re the kind of sick individual who enjoys eating peppers that sound more like prison yard nicknames, THRōW Social Miami is your Cinco de Mayo destination. They’ll be hosting a Scorpion Pepper eating contest from 7-9 pm, where the person who can stand the pain the longest wins $150. If spending May 6 on the toilet isn’t in your plans, you can also enjoy $5 Modelos and Coronas and $60 Patron Margarita Trees which, sadly, do not regrow themselves. RSVP HERE.

@throwsocialmiami // 2335 N. Miami Ave., Wynwood

Broward County Block Party at Tacocraft

Plantation and Coral Springs

If you live out in the Broward County suburbs, that 45-minute uber ride home can be a real Cinco de Buzzkill. Keep it close to home at Tacocraft’s all-day block parties going down at the Plantation Walk and Coral Springs locations. The festivities start at noon, for those who called in sick, with live bands, DJs, mariachis, and food and drink stations to make stuffing your face easy. And getting home even easier.

@tacocrafttaqueria // 301 N. University Drive, Plantation; 3240 N. University Dr. Coral Springs

Custom Jean Jackets and Birria Cronuts at COYO Taco

South Miami

Any college kid can wake up May 6 on a random dorm floor with a sombrero on their head. At UM, they wake up with customized jean jackets from a brand partnership. God bless Influencer U, whose students will be flocking to Coyo Taco in South Miami where Levi’s is crafting customized, Coyo-inspired denim jackets for anyone who orders food from 3-5 pm. The Salty will also be on hand with a birria croissant, horchata donut, and churro cruller. No college party is complete without cheap drinks, so Coyo’s serving up $5 beers and $6 margs.

@coyotaco // 1514 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables

$5 Beers By The Beach at Lucky Fish

Pompano Beach, Dania Beach

Did you know there are parts of America where it’s still so cold they have to celebrate Cinco de Mayo inside? The horror. Lucky you, you live in South Florida, where you can post up at a bar literally 50 feet from the beach and sip on $5 Coronas and $5 tacos like you’re on vacation in Cabo. That’s the scene at Lucky Fish, whose beachside locations in Pompano and Dania Beach let you live the Kenny Chesney dream, with $7 margaritas to boot.

@luckyfishbeachbar // 65 N Beach Road, Dania Beach; 222 N Pompano Beach Blvd, Pompano Beach

Immersive Food and Tequila Pairings at Tequila Town

Hialeah

If you haven’t been to the Agave amusement park that is Tequila Town, Cinco de Mayo is your last chance. The immersive popup ends its Miami run on Cinco de Mayo, taking you on a virtual tequila tour of Mexico. The special Cinco tour offers eight different bars, each with their own special artisan tequila cocktail and food pairing. There’ll also be a live DJ, dancers, performers, and a build-your-own margarita station. Tickets start at $45.

@tequilatownmiami // 4710 NW 37^th Ave., Hialeah

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Editor's note: The Miami Grand Prix has a fancy, premium hospitality tier with high-end restaurants, but you'll need an expensive ticket to access any of it. This guide covers the general campus only — everything here is available no matter where you're sitting.

Doggi’s Arepa Bar

Doggi’s is one of my favorites arepa spots/cheap eats in town, and the handheld arepa format makes perfect sense for race day than almost anything else on campus. The combo of corn, cheese, protein filling of your choice all wrapped up in a tightly packed, handheld meal. Don’t forget to ask for extra green sauce.

@doggis // North Campus

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If you can’t make it to the track this year to chow down on the frankly annoying frank (yea - I said it), we have compiled a list of wondrous opportunities throughout the Magic City for you to sip and sup on.

The Loews Bistro Collins

I discovered Golden Goat Classic Osetra Caviar a few months back at Collin Cowie’s dinner party. And calling it delicious would be an understatement. Golden Goat since gone viral with that $100 caviar-topped hot dog, and now you too can enjoy it from April 30 to May 3rd at the iconic Loews oceanfront resort’s Bistro Collins. This exclusive steakhouse menu will offer caviar on everything - like Fast Lane Caviar Sliders with Black Opal wagyu, quail egg, aioli, micro-greens, and a generous hit of caviar. The menu’s designed to pair with the kind of wine or martini that makes you forget you’re not actually trackside. So why not sip on a Belvedere 10 martini served with a caviar-topped oyster? J’adore!

Pro Tip: You don’t nee…

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AVA MediterrAegean

AVA MediterrAegean, a swanky Mediterranean outpost in Coconut Grove is hosting its first Mother’s Day since opening, and it is going big with a sophisticated multi-course spread. For $75 per person, from 11:30 AM to 3 PM, diners can kick off their brunch with appetizers like hummus or crispy zucchini. Mains include a golden chicken tajine, truffle cream spaghetti, charred salmon, and a Black Angus tenderloin if Mom is feeling extra hungry, while desserts like gelato or French toast round out the meal. Beverage packages range from $35 all-you-can-drink mimosas to Dom Pérignon packages at $225, for those really wanting to ball out. There is even an on-site flower cart with bouquets available for purchase — in case you forgot to grab one ahead of time. No judgment here. @avamediterrAegean// 2900 McFarlane Rd, Miami, FL 33133

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Texans, as a whole, are about as subtle as Pride parade. You’ll realize this if you ever actually go to Texas, and see a state flag the size of Paraguay flying over a doghouse. Or hear Texans tell you, with complete seriousness, that human civilization actually started somewhere outside Marfa. Hyperbole is the official language of the Texan, but one place they don’t exaggerate is when bragging about the quality of their barbecue. And to their credit, I’ve never once heard a Texan say, “it’s in the water.”

Texan Mel Rodriguez is no exception, knowing full well that smoking brisket is in his blood. Last week, he re-opened La Traila Texas Craft Barbecue in South Miami in a much bigger space with a totally revamped menu. I’m not from Texas, so I’m not going to say his barbecue is the biggest, best, or endorsed by Jesus Christ himself . But I will say that unlike most people from Texas, La Traila’s food makes bold statements without saying a word.

So how’s this La Traila…

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Like it or not, we live in an era where it’s completely normal to go into a restaurant, order a bacon cheeseburger, then ask that it contain absolutely no bacon, cheese, or meat. On a gluten-free bun. Is this the world our caveman ancestors envisioned when they first began serving grilled mammoth on checkered tablecloths? Probably not, since surprisingly few cavemen had gluten intolerances.

I say this because we found a romantic little Italian restaurant in Hallandale that says, “You know what? Instead of telling us all the things you don’t want, just build the damn entrée yourself.” It’s called Pastino’s Pasta & Vinos, a picky eater’s paradise where instead of chef’s ego, the menu is a collection of options from which you can craft your own pasta dish. And if you’re the sort of person whose dinner order has more instructions than Ikea furniture, it’s going to be your new favorite spot.

So how’s this work? I just go in and they’ll make whatever I ask?

Nah, bro, this…

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Raised on the same land in Argentina where his family had been ranching cattle for over 130 years, this descendant of the ‘Jewish gauchos’ who settled in Argentina in the late 19th century. Go figure that his upbringing was shaped by a deep connection to the land, livestock, and the traditions of asado that define his beloved culture.

Gaining experience in Argentina, Uruguay, and Spain, he worked under the helm of the renowned Basque guru, Chef Martín Berasategui. So by his mid-20s, he had already begun establishing himself as one of Buenos Aires’ most exciting young chefs.

Fast forward, Sitz would become one of the most notable in the land of meat and that’s courtesy of his ethos paired with his ranch-to-table philosophy where quality, traceability, and respect for the product are central to everything.

Since 2014, Germán has been working alongside his friend and business partner Pedro Peña and together they expanded their portfolio internationally. Enter Niñ…

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Editor's note: This list is focused mainly on Mexican restaurants, not taquerias. So before I get an onslaught of hate emails, please keep that in mind. Our plans are to run a taco guide at some point, but today is not that day.

Also inspired by Matt’s post on free Mexican chips and salsa, we've noted below if each spot offers them complimentary or not.

Don Maguey

Angelica spent years at Mi Rinconcito Mexicano before she and Chef Daniel Zeledón opened this cozy spot called Don Maguey on West Flagler in 2021.The aguachile with shrimp, fish, and pomegranate is bright and worth starting with. The Oaxacan mole is the star– deeply complex, the kind that takes days to build, best ordered over the enmoladas. The quesabirria tacos and the short rib tacos have built their own following. Tortillas are made in-house, ingredients come from Mexico, but sadly, no free chips and salsa.

Pro Tip: Breakfast is also offered here daily. @donmagueymiami

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If you're a fan of The New Yorker magazine, boy oh boy, do I have some good news for you. The moment you step inside Stephen Starr's newcomer to Bal Harbour, Slim's, you're almost immediately transported into its pages. The walls are covered in murals by Christoph Niemann - the illustrator behind some of the magazine's most iconic covers - commissioned specifically for this space. As an avid reader, I clocked it immediately and nerded out.

That’s just one of the many small details that make Slim’s such an interesting addition to the scene. While Miami doesn’t have a shortage of fancy steakhouses, this one, with its 1940s throwback feel and menu, offers a fresh take on a familiar concept, complete with all the signature Stephen …

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“Happy Hour” has some interesting interpretations in Miami. While some spots offer legitimate deals, others see “happy hour” as a chance to slash cocktail prices to the low, low price of $14, with $12 sliders if you’re hungry. Is it cheaper than their usual lineup of menu-gouging? Sure. Do you walk out feeling like you got a bargain? Only if you weren’t planning on ever paying off that credit card anyway.

One great happy hour that criminally few people know about is at Tutto Pizza, a Coral Way neighborhood staple that’s been putting out 00 flour pizza since the late-1900s. It’s a family-run spot helmed by chef Joao “Juca” Olivera, a Brazilian who cut his teeth at Bice before founding Tutto in 1995. He’s helped in the kitchen by his sons, who make fresh pasta and pizza dough every day. And if you go between 3-6 pm, you’ll get a whole pizza and an ice cold beer for under $20, out the door.

Ok, so what’s this mind-blowing happy hour?

It’s half-off all the pizzas. And n…

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When I was a kid growing up on the West Coast, I always looked forward to eating in Mexican restaurants. Because I knew as soon as I sat down, I’d be greeted with a hearty “Buenos dias, senor!” and a basket of chips and salsa so big it could, in a pinch, play shooting guard for the Sacramento Kings.

When I moved to Miami, like any good transplant I complained about the lack of good Mexican food, insisting California’s was better because of our tap water, which was filtered with carne asada. The waiters stared at me blankly, because all they knew how to say in English was, “More chips?”

Even those pretty-awful Mexican restaurants gave you free chips and salsa as soon as you sat down, and would sometimes follow you outside to give you another basket of chips after you left. Sadly, that practice is dying.

“Upscale” Mexican Means No Chips For You

Flash forward to 2026, and this year has seen as many new Mexican restaurants come to Miami as it has live-streami…

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