As the temperatures rise and crowds fall, the restaurant industry, already hit hard by the pandemic, struggles to bring in business during the off-season
That’s why there are special dining events up and down the coast, from Miami to Jupiter that might tempt you to try a restaurant that may have been beyond your budget otherwise or to just grab a great deal.
There are some restrictions. Most are offering special prix fixe menus with limited selection, but some places open the deal to the entire menu. Hours and days of availability may be restricted. For all the specials listed, it’s a good idea to check with the restaurant ahead of time, no matter what the promotional website says.
Dine Out Lauderdale, runs throughout Broward County until Sept. 30, offering dozens of deeply discounted dinners at the area’s top dining destinations (how’s that for some fancy alliteration?). The annual promotion from local favorites and new spots features prix-fixe three-course meals that run $35 for lunch and $45 for dinner (plus tax and tip, of course). Less than 50 restaurants are participating this year, as compared to 70 in 2019, so your choices aren’t as numerous, but are still varied. Among some of the favorites are 3030 Ocean, Aruba Beach Café, Casablanca Café, and Sistrunk Marketplace. For a complete list of participating restaurants go to sunny.org.
Lack of participation is not a problem with Miami Spice, running through Sept. 30. There are more than 190 eateries taking part! The Miami Spice format is similar to Fort Lauderdale’s event; three-course prix-fixe menus are $28 for lunch and brunch and $42 for dinner. While the prices are less than those in Dine Out Fort Lauderdale, they are a slight increase over last year’s (offering of $25 for lunch $39 for dinner), which, of course, doesn’t include tax, tip, and drinks. The price hike is, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau website, “to help offset rising costs of ingredients and operations since the pandemic.” Considering the higher prices of everything now, that’s not much of a price-hike, making it an even better deal. For more information, go to miamitemptations.com.
Palm Beach County has no less than three promotions. Downtown Delray Beach Restaurant Month has already started and runs through Aug. 31. Expanded from last year’s week-long event, the dine-out deals range from breakfast offerings starting at $6.50, to lunch and dinner prix fixe menus ranging from $18.95 to $75, and cocktail specials starting at $9. For a list of participating restaurants and the different events they are doing, go to DowntownDelrayBeach.com/restaurantmonth.
From Boca to Jupiter, check out the first Palm Beaches Restaurant Week, Aug. 16-31. A broad range of restaurants, ranging from casual at a low price point up to fine dining, is organized by Discover The Palm Beaches. The prix fixe menus include brunch and lunch specials from $25, with dinner options priced from and $45 and $55. For a list of participating restaurants and menus, go to PalmBeachesDining.com.
In its lucky 13th year, Flavor Palm Beach will include more than 40 restaurants throughout Palm Beach County. Taking place Sept. 1-30 it will feature three-course lunches starting at $23 and dinners from $39-$45. For a list of participating restaurants and menus, go to FlavorPB.com.
Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
