Sustainable and Green Miami Spice Restaurants

Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s culinary reputation has reached new heights. Miami was named Bon Appétit's 2023 “Food City of the Year,” and the destination has been recognized as one of the 10 “Best Cities in the World to Live for Your Health.” Meanwhile, its diverse food scene, featuring several eco-conscious restaurants, continues to flourish. Grassroots movements such as Slow Food USA, the Surfrider Foundation and the Green Restaurant Association have recognized this commitment to sustainability. The Slow Food Snail of Approval celebrates restaurants' dedication to slow food values, the environment and local communities. Surfrider’s network of ocean-friendly eateries works to prevent ocean pollution. The Green Restaurant certification acknowledges sustainability efforts, like energy and water conservation.

From August 1 through September 30, you can dine on specially curated three-course menus during Miami Spice Restaurant Months. Lunch and brunch are priced at $30 or $45, while dinner is $45 or $60. Here’s your guide to the participating restaurants where you can not only save money but feel good about what you’re eating.

Essensia Restaurant & Bar: A Taste of Florida With An African Touch

Essensia Restaurant & Bar at the historic Palms Hotel & Spa in Mid Beach exemplifies farm-to-table excellence with a dedication to premium sustainable ingredients, which explains why it’s both Snail of Approval- and Surfrider Ocean Friendly-certified. Led by Chef du Cuisine Diana Tandia, whose culinary roots trace back to Mauritania, Africa, Essensia showcases healthful and flavorful food featuring locally sourced Florida ingredients. Miami Spice offerings include lunch starters like beets hummus with za'atar flatbread and tomato-watermelon gazpacho with grilled peaches and toasted pumpkin seeds. For dinner, feast on braised short ribs with Okinawa sweet potato “espuma” (foam) and savor passion fruit mousse featuring honey passion fruit pulp and lime zest, a blend of tangy sweetness and natural tartness.

Balan's Bar & Brasserie: Your Place For An Eco-Friendly Miami Spice Brunch

London meets Miami at Surfrider Ocean Friendly-certified Balan’s Bar & Brasserie, a beloved Brickell spot that’s been reimagined as a chic brasserie specializing in European cuisine and craft cocktails. Foodies flock here for brunch, especially during Miami Spice, where the experience begins with appetizers like the freshly baked Pain au Chocolat Croissant or a homemade granola pot served with coconut yogurt and fresh berries. Savor the Balan’s Benedict – your choice of bacon, ham or spinach on a toasted English muffin with creamy hollandaise sauce, served with crispy potatoes or a house salad. Top off your brunch with PB&J French Toast, a decadent blend of creamy peanut butter, raspberry jelly, brioche, maple syrup and fresh berries.

Earls Kitchen + Bar: A Canadian Export With Something For Everyone

Originating as a burger and beer joint in Canada, Earls Kitchen + Bar has evolved into an international culinary hub with 67 locations, including its Kendall outpost at Dadeland Mall. With a diverse menu spanning plant-based and Asian food, pizza and pasta, there’s something for every palate. Celebrate Miami Spice 2024 with drinks like the Earls Old Fashioned or Don Julio Margarita, and enjoy dishes such as the Angry Lettuce Wraps Duo, featuring butter lettuce, puffed rice, shredded carrot and cucumber drizzled with spicy "angry" sauce, or truffle tortellini with truffle cream, ricotta, spinach and Grana Padano cheese. The Basque-style mini caramelized cheesecake with almond Florentine, fresh berries, honey and Chantilly cream promises a divine indulgence. Earls is Surfrider Ocean Friendly-certified.

Primo's Miami: Great Italian Food That’s Good For The World, Too

Primo’s Miami, located in the DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami, is the only Miami Spice participant to receive all three eco-friendly designations. What began as an intimate coffee shop has evolved into a celebrated Italian American eatery with a devoted local following. Begin lunch with the classic eggplant parmigiana … oven-baked layers of eggplant with marinara sauce, basil, parmesan cheese and mozzarella. For the main course, Bolognese beef lasagna, layered with hearty beef and creamy béchamel sauce, is an Italian staple. These classics nicely pair with a timeless American dessert, New York-style cheesecake.

Fabel Miami: Where The Food Tells A Story

At Snail of Approval-certified Fabel Miami in Wynwood, the whimsical, Mediterranean-inspired menu is organized into "chapters" rather than traditional courses. The dining experience unfolds with an appetizer "Foreward" followed by Chapters 1, 2 and 3. Begin with the prime beef carpaccio featuring charred caper berry and pickled red onion. Then, select from the main courses, a two-part story featuring crispy cauliflower tagine with almond butter, tamarind and pickled pear or braised short rib with beef jus and baby potatoes. Conclude your culinary journey with the Half Baked Halva Chocolate Chunk Cookie paired with ras el hanout ice cream.

Explore the many Miami Spice restaurants where you can enjoy two months of memorable meals at special prices.