Miami Restaurants Get Creative To Weather The Summer Slowdown

Forbes

a day ago

Unlike much of the country, summer in Miami—from June to September—is considered the 'low' season, due to factors like hot, humid weather and hurricane season. For those who visit during big events like Art Basel, South Beach Wine and Food Festival, and Formula One, there is a drastic shift at this time of the year— the city is quiet, traffic is scarce, and there's basically just not a lot of people around.
This isn't ideal for most local businesses, especially the food and beverage industry, and Miami has faced a slew of restaurant and bar closings in recent months, ranging from well-loved homegrown concepts to buzzy foreign outposts— accolades notwithstanding.
However, there are plenty of restaurants and bars that aren't letting this dampen their spirits. In fact, they are taking this on creatively— offering exciting value-driven experiences to guests, and supporting each other in the process.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from now until September 30, Michelin-starred Shingo in Coral Gables, is offering 'Nigiri nights.' Priced at $180 (instead of their usual $275), the nigiri-focused omakase experience features 15 courses which include kasugodai (baby sea bream), kiromatsu aburi (slightly torched sea perch), and three cuts of tuna, akam (lean) chūtoro (medium-fatty) and ōtoro (most marbled part of the belly). "Nigiri Nights was created as a return to the fundamentals of my training in Tokyo, where nigiri takes center stage,' shares chef-owner Shingo Akikuni. 'It gives us a chance to celebrate this tradition, and the reduced price point makes this experience more accessible, reflecting our commitment to sharing the art of nigiri with a broader audience.'
Don't miss head sommelier and restaurant manager Kaori's seasonal sake flights—which include Spring Nama and a limited Summer edition— priced favorably at $55 for three. (Note: The restaurant will be closed from July 22 to August 18 while the restaurant team takes its annual trip to Japan.)
Michelin-starred Shingo in Coral Gables, is offering a nigiri-focused omakase priced at $180 (instead of their usual $275) every Tuesday and Wednesday through September Salar Abduaziz/ Shingo
Magie Wine Bar in Little River is hosting a series of pop-up events that feature— and give back— to local talent. Running through Labor Day Weekend (August 31 and September 1), 'The Not So Serious Summer Series" are budget-friendly, chef-driven pop-ups that celebrate South Florida's culinary talent— with 100% of vendor sales going directly to them. 'We wanted to highlight local chefs during the slow time and give them a platform to shine and be expressive— many of them don't have a brick and mortar or full kitchen,' shares owner Caroline Strauss. With no cover, and everything à la carte, guests enjoy these specialty offerings alongside Magie's by the glass options, or extensive bottle selection.
They recently had Atomica, a modern Peruvian concept in the Design District led by chefs Javier Cussato and Carmen Florencia Ibarra; and upcoming ones include: Lazy Oyster Raw Bar and Seafood Boil (July 6); Iced Coffee Party with Oori Bakeshop, Mr. Black and Imperial Moto (July 20); Sidewalk Bottle Shop Bros (July 27); Pirolo's Paninos (August 20); and Beaker and Gray (August 24); and a special guest finale forLabor Day Weekend (August 31 and September 1).
Magie Wine Bar in Little River is hosting 'The Not So Serious Summer Series' pop-ups this summer, with 100% of vendor sales going directly to the chefs and collaborators. This has included Atomica, a modern Peruvian concept led by chefs and life partners Javier Cussato and Carmen Florencia Ibarra, with featured dishes like a summer crudo of Florida red snapper with jalapeño leche de tigre, their signature fried Key West pink shrimps in a black secret sauce, and a beef pocket with olive sauce and pickles Cheryl Tiu
Otto e Pepe in Wynwood, Miami's first pasta bar-enoteca known for their thoughtfully curated selection of low-intervention wines, has rolled out an entirely new summer wine list for the season. 'We understand that summers in Miami can be quite intense, so we've focused on offering a selection of wines that are lighter [and more] refreshing,' shares wine director Karina Igleasias. These include the Portuguese sparkling rose, Luis Pato Baga Espumante Rose, NV— a stunner on its own or with food; and the crowd-pleasing food-friendly albariño from Bodegas Albamar. For those who enjoy bold reds, Iglesias assures that 'we have some fantastic [ones] waiting in our cellar, ready to be enjoyed whenever you're in the mood!"
To complement, executive chef Nancy Dominguez has created a selection of summer specials, including roasted corn–stuffed cappelletti with basil butter fondue, and calamarata dressed with an assortment of mushrooms. They also recently launched a weekday Happy Hour from 4:00 to 6:30 PM, Monday through Friday, featuring select full-sized pastas for $15 and cocktails—including their signature Caprese Highball—for $9
Otto e Pepe in Wynwood, Miami's first pasta bar-enoteca known for their thoughtfully curated selection of low-intervention wines, has created an entirely new summer wine list for the season. JORDAN BRAUN/ OTTO E PEPE
Palma in Little Havana, led by Michelin Florida 2025 Young Chef Award winner Juan Camilo Liscano, is hosting a series of fun kitchen pop-ups. 'I decided this year that the slower season was an opportunity to collaborate with friends and other chefs not just to have fun and see each other but to hopefully drive some business from each other's customer bases,' Liscano shares.
On July 13 from 1:00 to 9:00 PM, Shingo sous chef Yuta Sakakibara and pastry chef Lania Andrade are bringing a taste of Japanese konbini culture to Miami, serving comfort favorites like tamago sando, ebi katsu sando, onigiri and chuka soba. The afternoon will also feature cup sakes, matcha beers, and hi fi music from Tremendo Sound System.
This will be succeeded by a tasting menu dinner prepared by Mandolin Aegean Bistro (July 20), a collaboration dinner with Shingo (September 7), and a takeover by Jonas Offenbach of Matilda Catskills (September 14).
Palma in Little Havana will be hosting a series of summer events beginning on July 13 with a Japanese konbini pop-up Jaime Bolin/ Palma
From July 19 through August 17, Michelin-recognized Hiyakawa in Wynwood will be transformed into a Tokyo-style izakaya. Master sushi chef Masayuki 'Masa' Komatsu and chef de cuisine Jammie Liu, both from sister Michelin-starred restaurant Ogawa, will be serving up small plates like pork gyoza, gobo stick, chicken katsu curry, miso cod and tofu, with prices ranging from $9 to $26 per plate. 'Izakaya feels very nostalgic to me,' shares Komatsu. 'While creating this menu, I wanted to bring back my mom's recipes—mixing warm, familiar flavors with a fun, playful spirit.' They will also be offering a sushi menu. 'We wanted to do something fun and engaging this summer—a way for locals and visitors alike to enjoy delicious bites at accessible prices in a more casual atmosphere,' adds owner Alvaro Perez Miranda.
From July 19 through August 17, Michelin-recognized Hiyakawa in Wynwood will temporarily transform into a lively Izakaya, with small plates in a dimmer, livelier setting. James Jackman/ Hiyakawa
Other Miami restaurants and bars are hosting a series of collaboration dinners and bartender takeovers. Uchi in Wynwood is teaming up with local restaurants: Ghee (July 14), Mimi Chinese (August 11) and Fluke (September 8) for its 2025 Summer Dinner Series. Tickets are priced at $195 per person. Four Seasons Hotel Miami's 14 Thirty-Five cocktail bar has kicked off its guest bartender series with Vice Versa's Valentino Longo, and will soon have Bar Kaiju's Derek Stilmann, Chat Chow's Gio Gutierrez, and Sweet Liberty's Naren Young, each a one-night-only experience alongside Beverage Director Jacopo Rosito. (Dates TBA.)
And others are offering specially priced menus and offerings for the season: Claudie ($85 summer prix fixe menu through July 31); LPM Restaurant and Bar (rotating summer menus priced at $60 for lunch, and $90 for dinner); Stubborn Seed (Six-course tasting menu priced at $95); Walrus Rodeo ($12 pizzas and $12 glasses of wine on M&M Magnums and Marinara on Mondays).