It’s officially spicy times here in Miami! The yearly Miami Spice specials have arrived. From August 1st through September, restaurants all over the city participate in a special 3- course meal for either lunch or dinner at a discounted price. It’s a great opportunity to visit restaurants that would normally be out of your budget. 

 

You can imagine the amount of absolutely delicious things these menus have to offer. Here’s my list of the healthiest Miami Spice menus to keep it nice and lean! 

 

ESTIATORIO MILOS

Neighborhood: Miami Beach

Cuisine: Mediterranean/Greek

More information found here

This menu is definitely for all the seafood lovers out there. If a little texture freaks you out, maybe pass on this one. Milos is offering a $60 dinner menu only which is seafood heaven. The starters include oysters, octopus, crudo or a tomato salad which means all 4 options are qualified as a healthy order. 

 

For your main, I’m going to recommend the grilled dorade royale which is a delicious white fish. This comes with an olive oil lemon dressing which I would request on the side. The salt crust lavraki is another great fish option along with the salmon. If seafood isn’t your thing, there is a lamb chop option which is perfectly acceptable as long as the fat is trimmed off. Luckily, lamb doesn’t marble like beef does so you can easily cut off that fat and enjoy the delicious lean portion. The lamb portion comes with fried potatoes so we would skip those. 

 

Normally, you all know my rule is no dessert if we are being healthy. But the Greeks are famous for their yogurt and they have an incredible one at Milos. Greek yogurt is packed with protein and good sources of fat. The dessert option does come with honey so just don’t over do it. 

 

MORTON’S STEAKHOUSE

Neighborhood: Coral Gables/Aventura

Cuisine: Steakhouse

More information found here 

Steakhouses are always an easy way to order healthy since their meats are always grilled and quite simple. Out of all the great steakhouses listed, I chose Morton’s because their side dishes were the lightest and they do offer filet mignon. Morton’s is offering a $60 dinner menu only.

 

For appetizers, I would say you should opt for one of the salads with dressing on the side. Neither is a great option. Caesar dressing is extremely high in fat and wedge salads come with chunky bleu cheese dressing which is equally bad. If you are able to change your dressing to a vinaigrette, you will be in better shape. Otherwise, order it on the side.

 

For mains, the star of the show here is the filet mignon. The NY strip might look tempting since it is a delicious cut of meat but it’s not as lean as a filet. For sides, go for the green beans. 

 

For dessert, no healthy options here kids! If you can manage one or two bites, then order whatever you want. If you have no self control, hard pass on dessert. 

 

AZABU

Neighborhood: South of Fifth-Miami Beach

Cuisine: Japanese

More information HERE

Recently crowned with a Michelin star, Azabu is one of Miami’s best Japanese restaurants. Considering their rise to fame, it’s quite generous for them to be offering such a great deal. They are offering two dinner options: one for $45 and one for $60. I wouldn’t miss out on this if I were you!

 

Since it’s such a great deal, I’ll review the $45 one. For starters, I would opt for the house salad or the hamachi. Spicy tuna rolls are delicious but contain a lot of mayonnaise. The baby gem lettuce salad contains caesar dressing and parmesan cheese both of which are high in saturated fat.

 

For entrees, I would go for the hanger steak, the steamed salmon or you can upgrade to the sashimi and nigiri platter. 

For dessert, you already know! Two bites or pass !

CHOTTO MATTE

Neighborhood: Miami Beach

Cuisine: Peruvian

More information here

I’m pretty excited about this one because this restaurant setting is really spectacular. This makes for a fabulous date night or a great dinner with friends. Chotto Matte is offering a $45 or $60 dinner special. The $45 is strictly vegetarian so we will review the $60 offer. 

For your starters, opt for the ceviche or the tartare. The edamame option comes with a BBQ sauce and I am uncertain on the sugar levels there so I would skip. The shrimp spring rolls are likely deep fried so we will pass on that too. 

For your mains, you actually receive all 4 options family style. You have a roasted sweet potato, a spicy chicken, spicy tuna maki and some sort of barbecued beef. You need to have good self control with these family style menus! You can quickly rack up the calories if you aren’t mindful. I would stick to your chicken and sweet potato. If the beef isn’t drenched in a sauce, then you can try some of that as well. It is most likely a very fatty cut of beef so we want to avoid having alot of that. The maki is made with mayonaise so just a small offering of that as well. 

SERENA

Neighborhood: Miami Beach

Cuisine: Mexican

More information HERE

I’ve visited this rooftop for the occasional margarita and it’s a lovely vibe! Serena is offering a $45 dinner menu. 

For starters, go for the shrimp tostada. If they can swap out the tortilla chips for vegetables, then you can safely order the guacamole as well. 

For entrees, opt for the delicious fish tacos or the island salmon.

If you’re feeling frisky given the Mexican vibes, you can have a tequila soda with lime and stay within your health goals 🙂