Eat, drink and be merry at these establishments.
A poolside happy hour setup at Baia at the Mondrian South Beach
1. Baia Beach Club
This waterfront oasis’ new weekday Sundown Social (4 to 7PM) offers signature cocktails ($8 to $10), as well as bites that include spicy tuna roll and spanakopita. The views of Biscayne Bay at sunset are a definite plus. Mondrian South Beach, 1100 West Ave., Miami Beach, 305.514.1500, baiabeachclubmiami.com
The Expat cocktail from Chica Miami
2. Benh Mi
Make it a Vietnamese lunch at Benh Mi, where chef Benjamin Murray’s menu highlights include sandwiches in various protein styles (from lemon grass meatballs to herb-roasted pork), extra-crunchy spicy chicken tenders and green papaya salad with mango. 1436 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, benhmi.com
3. The Biltmore
After a long COVID hiatus, The Biltmore’s brunch is back—albeit in a new format. In addition to its buffet, the Sunday ritual (with seatings at 10AM, noon and 2PM) now features an a la carte menu by executive chef Carlos Aguilera that includes beef tenderloin, Alaskan king crab, poached lobster, ceviche, caviar and more. 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables, 305.445.8066, ext. 2407, biltmorehotel.com
Avocado brasa from Osaka Nikkei
4. Cafe Americano
This restaurant’s new a la carte brunch menu is available all day seven days a week. Among the most popular selections are huevos rancheros, Southwestern avocado toast, Denver omelet, vegetable egg white omelet, carrot cake French toast and more. Redbury Hotel, 1776 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305.604.1776, redburymiami.com
Roasted squash and chickpea skillet from Le Chick
5. Chica Miami
On the heels of its reopening, chef Lorena Garcia’s Biscayne favorite has introduced new lunch and happy hour menus. For lunch (weekdays from 11AM to 4PM), selections include appetizers such as beef empanadas and watercress Caesar salad, and entrees such as pork belly tacos and grilled shrimp with quinoa. Happy hour (weekdays from 4 to 7PM) at the bar and lounge offers margaritas, mojitos and Palomas for $14 and bites such as crispy shrimp, chicken chicharrones and the hearty Chica burger (meant for big appetites). 5556 NE Fourth Court, Miami, 786.632.7725, chicarestaurant.com
6. Jaya
Chef Vijayudu Veena is now making his pan-Asian cuisine an express experience with a $29-per-person prix fixe lunch menu. Available Monday through Saturday (from 11AM to 1PM), the meal offers a first-course choice of Japanese leaf salad, tuna tacos or truffle dumplings; a second-course choice of spaghetti, chicken panang or Faroe Island salmon; and a dessert choice of vanilla bean cheesecake, mango and pistachio kulfi, or a fruit plate. More options for appetizers and entrees are available. The Setai Miami Beach, 2001 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 855.923.7899, setai.com
7. Le Chick
Lunch at Le Chick is all about smart choices. The restaurant now offers a slew of healthy dishes that includes roasted squash and chickpea skillet, tuna tartare with fennel, chives and pickled onion, and blackened Vadouvan salmon paired with baby kale and other vegetables. Low-carb cocktails include the Spanish-style gin and tonic and Ketel One botanical spritzes that don’t sacrifice taste in any way. 310 NW 24th St., Miami, 786.216.7086, lechickmiami.com
Hamachi appetizer from Jaya
8. Osaka Nikkei
Sundays in Brickell just got better thanks to Osaka’s new brunch. The a la carte menu for the weekend meal includes makimono selections such as crispy quinoa, tuna tartare, lime salmon and veggie truffle, as well as nigiri options including tuna foie gras, spicy hamachi, salmon belly and cured tuna with aji amarillo. An omakase experience with ceviche, sashimi, sushi, tiradito and hosomaki is also available. 1300 Brickell Bay Drive, Miami, 786.627.4800, osakanikkei.com
9. Osteria Morini
The new weekend brunch at Morini is a joint effort between executive chef Bill Dorrler and chef de cuisine Julio Cesar Ramos. The menu includes fried burrata with kale pesto, polenta with mushroom ragu, steak and eggs, smoked salmon with American caviar, and ricotta and ham. Desserts come from pastry chef Antonio Bachour and include his popular bombolini ricotta doughnuts with Key lime Anglaise. Kimpton Palomar South Beach, 1750 Alton Road, Miami Beach, 305.918.1037, osteriamorini.com/miami
10. Perl by Chef IP
Chef Isaac Perlman brings what he calls “fine-casual cuisine” to North Miami Beach with his new lunch menu, served every day of the week. Appetizers include grilled fresh hearts of palm, local burrata and maitake mushroom, as well as various types of crudos. Entrees run the gamut from Faroe Island salmon to filet mignon. 2420 NE 186th St., North Miami Beach, 786.654.2854, perlrestaurant.com
A brunch setup at The Biltmore
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF RESTAURANTS
