Restaurants
Playa Largo Defines Island Time in the Keys
From Floating Sunset Bonfires and Calm Florida Bay Waters to Memorable Dining and Genuine Hospitality, Playa Largo Captures Everything Travelers Love About the Florida Keys.
July 28th – 29th, 2026
The escape begins before Playa Largo Resort & Spa ever comes into view.
South Florida’s traffic gradually loosens its grip as the Overseas Highway narrows, mangroves crowd the roadside and flashes of blue begin appearing between the trees. The farther travelers move from the mainland, the less urgent everything feels.
Emails can wait. Notifications lose their authority. Even the steering wheel seems to relax.
By the time guests arrive at Playa Largo, Key Largo has already begun lowering their blood pressure.
“I think a sense of relief comes over you,” said Heather Turkay, Area Director of Sales and Marketing at Playa Largo Resort & Spa. “You’re heading to a spot to relax, maybe reconnect with family, celebrate something special or get something back for yourself.”
That last part may be the resort’s real luxury.
Playa Largo gives guests space to recover pieces of themselves that often disappear somewhere between work deadlines, errands, traffic lights and the endless glow of a phone screen.
“We’re always in such a go, go, go atmosphere,” Turkay said. “This allows you to slow down, breathe, really take it in and get back to yourself.”
Happily Captive in Key Largo
Playa Largo stretches across 14.5 waterfront acres, yet it never feels like one of those resorts where finding breakfast requires a map, a shuttle and perhaps a wilderness guide.
Its 178 rooms, suites, villas and beach house are arranged around a layout that feels natural rather than enormous. Paths curve through tropical landscaping. Hammocks rest beneath the trees. The main pool, beach and restaurants remain close enough to keep guests connected without making the property feel crowded.
Turkay has a fitting phrase for the effect.
“We keep our guests happily captive,” she said.
It is not captivity in the traditional sense. There are no locked gates, unless one counts the emotional difficulty of leaving.
Instead, Playa Largo offers enough to fill a five-day vacation while remaining manageable enough for travelers dropping in for only a night or two. Guests can move from poolside cocktails to a quiet hammock, from kayaking to dinner, and from dinner to sunset without sacrificing half the day simply getting from one end of the property to the other.
The resort’s center of gravity is the main pool, where water seems to continue in stages from swimming pool to hot tub to Florida Bay.
“You see pools, and hot tub, and then the ocean,” Turkay said. “Everyone is kind of centrally located in that space.”
A few steps away, the mood softens. Tropical pathways lead toward shaded corners where guests can disappear with a book, a conversation or no agenda whatsoever.
“You can have a nice quiet walk through our hammocks, where it feels like you’re in a little neighborhood,” Turkay said. “Then you can come over and have a little bit more life at the main pool.”
Playa Largo never forces visitors to choose between energy and escape. It simply keeps both nearby.
Where the Water Behaves Itself
The Florida Keys offer a gentler version of the beach.
There are no heavy Atlantic waves launching children toward shore like misplaced boogie boards. The water along Playa Largo’s bayfront remains calm and shallow, allowing guests to wade surprisingly far while still keeping their footing.
During our stay, children jumped from the dock and floated across the water while their parents watched from nearby with drinks in hand and shoulders noticeably free of tension.
The kids were active. The parents were technically supervising. Everyone appeared to be winning.
A designated swim line helps separate swimmers from boats anchored farther offshore, while the naturally protected bay creates a setting that feels safe without becoming dull.
“You can keep an eye on your child and feel comfortable because it’s not waves crashing down,” Turkay said. “You can walk out quite far from our seawall and still just kind of hang out.”
For guests hoping to do more than hang out, the water invites paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, boating and fishing. Key Largo’s renowned reefs and dive sites wait nearby, along with John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and an underwater world that draws travelers from well beyond Florida.
Yet Playa Largo never treats inactivity as a failure of imagination.
“I think we all need to relish in the fact that it’s okay not to always be busy,” Turkay said. “It’s okay to not have our phone, not even read a book, just sit there and breathe and enjoy where you are.”
At most resorts, doing nothing can feel like wasting time.
Here, it feels like finally using it correctly.
The Softer Side of the Keys
Playa Largo sits along Florida Bay, where mangroves, shallow water and the nearby Everglades help shelter the shoreline.
The result is a calmer waterfront, one where ripples replace crashing surf and the scenery seems to move at the same unhurried pace as the guests.
Those mangrove ecosystems are more than decoration. They serve as nurseries and feeding areas for fish, manatees, nurse sharks and other marine life that may occasionally wander near the resort’s dock.
“It’s calmer over here,” Turkay said. “You truly feel like you’re transported to the Caribbean when you’re here.”
The illusion is surprisingly convincing.
Palm trees bend over turquoise water. Boats drift beyond the beach. Sunsets melt into the bay without a high-rise interrupting the view.
The difference is that reaching this particular island mood does not require a passport, an international flight or a debate with an airline over whether a backpack counts as a personal item.
For South Floridians, the getaway may be sitting only a few hours from home.
“There’s so much to offer even more so in your own backyard,” Turkay said.
The drive itself becomes part of the transition. Once travelers reach the stretch of highway leading into the Keys, scenery begins replacing stress.
“The very end of your trip is the relaxing trip,” she said. “It’s the beautiful water.”
Seafood With a Side of Sunset
Playa Largo’s restaurants move comfortably between poolside ease and waterfront occasion.
Sol by the Sea serves as the resort’s signature dining experience, pairing Caribbean-influenced seafood with an open-air setting overlooking Florida Bay. Guests do not need to stay at the resort to dine there, and boaters can arrive directly from the water.
That means even travelers continuing toward Islamorada, Marathon or Key West can stop for lunch or dinner and briefly borrow Playa Largo’s sunset.
The menu includes mahi tacos, grouper, sandwiches, salads and a whole Thai snapper served with its head intact.
“It’s not always everyone’s cup of tea,” Turkay said. “It’s delicious, and it looks really cool.”
It also arrives looking considerably more prepared for a photo shoot than most dinner entrées.
La Marea brings Italian and Mediterranean coastal flavors indoors, while Sand Bar handles poolside meals, handheld favorites and the type of food guests can eat without abandoning their swimsuit. Las Olas, located near the lobby, shifts into an evening lounge with cocktails, mocktails and small plates.
The culinary identity is shaped partly by Playa Largo’s diverse kitchen and service teams.
“They bring who they are and flavors that they have from home,” Turkay said. “They bring different suggestions, techniques and things to the table.”
That human touch matters to her, particularly as hotels increasingly experiment with artificial intelligence.
Technology may make schedules more efficient, streamline procedures and reduce paperwork. It cannot notice when a guest looks lost, remember a returning family or instinctively know when someone needs help before they ask.
“You still need people in a people industry,” Turkay said. “You can have AI make things efficient, but you need people to serve people.”
Hospitality, after all, is difficult to automate when its most memorable moments are deeply personal.
The Bartender Never Forgets
Turkay has spent more than two decades in the hotel industry, learning through mentors, colleagues and years of hands-on experience.
She has worked in different parts of the country, including Ohio, before a professional opportunity presented one of life’s easier questions: Would she consider leaving the Midwest for the Florida Keys?
She considered it.
Briefly.
Five years later, she speaks proudly about the employees who give Playa Largo its personality. Some have been with the property since it opened. Others have grown into leadership positions and now guide new team members through the same lessons once taught to them.
Then there are the bartenders.
Several possess the mysterious ability to remember guests they have not seen in years, along with their names and preferred drinks.
“They’re like, ‘Oh, hey, Steve. Do you still like mai tais?’” Turkay said. “That is a special talent.”
Remembering a face after three years is impressive.
Remembering that face belongs to Steve, who drinks mai tais, suggests either world-class hospitality or a secret database hidden beneath the bar.
Those small moments help explain why guests return. Playa Largo may first catch their attention with water views and sunsets, but people often remember how someone made them feel.
A Sunset Ceremony for Letting Go
As afternoon fades, Playa Largo’s mood begins shifting toward Eventide, its nightly sunset ritual.
The experience starts 30 minutes before sunset with the ringing of a bell. Music drifts across the beach as guests gather around tables for drinks and small activities centered on reflection, connection and the closing of the day.
One table offers a signature pineapple cocktail or mocktail. Another invites guests to write down a worry, burden, hope or intention on parchment paper.
The note is then crumpled and placed inside an unlit floating bonfire.
As sunset approaches, the bonfire is lit, paddled into the bay by kayak and anchored offshore. The flames flicker against the darkening water while everything written inside begins to disappear.
“You can let something go and continue on,” Turkay said. “Or you can say, ‘This is a clean start for me, and I’m going to put good things out into the universe.’”
Some worries deserve careful discussion.
Others apparently need to be stuffed into a floating fire and sent into Florida Bay.
Another table offers postcards embedded with wildflower seeds. Guests can write to someone, mail the card and allow its recipient to plant a small piece of the experience. Families can also create memory bracelets, adding a colorful, slightly Taylor Swift-inspired touch to the evening.
Rain may relocate parts of Eventide into the lobby, but the ritual continues. The fire can wait. The intention does not have to.
By sunset, guests gather along the shoreline whether they are participating for the first time or returning for another look at the sky.
The ceremony asks very little of them.
Pause. Reflect. Release.
Then watch the day dissolve into the bay.
A Vacation Home Hidden Inside a Resort
Guests needing more space can retreat to The Hammocks, a quieter section of the property featuring two-story, one-bedroom villas.
Each includes a full kitchen, two bathrooms, living space and flexible sleeping arrangements suited for families, couples or groups traveling together. A three-bedroom beach house adds its own pool and private waterfront area.
The villas offer the independence of a vacation home without giving up the pool, restaurants, activities or services of the resort.
“You can all still literally be together in that area, but still have your space,” Turkay said.
That phrase may sound contradictory until several relatives share one vacation.
Then it sounds like an architectural genius.
The Hammocks became especially popular when travelers wanted more privacy, but their appeal has continued among multigenerational families, groups of friends and anyone who prefers a kitchen stocked with familiar snacks.
A larger resort cart helps transport luggage and supplies to the villas, which is particularly useful for families arriving with enough belongings to suggest they are relocating permanently.
The area remains open for guests to explore, even when they are staying elsewhere on the property. Its shaded paths and quieter atmosphere make it one of Playa Largo’s most peaceful corners.
Stretching the Vacation at Both Ends
Playa Largo also understands that hotel schedules and travel schedules rarely cooperate.
Rooms may not be ready when guests arrive. Checkout may come hours before a flight or long drive home.
Club Playa helps solve both problems.
The space offers showers, changing facilities and pool access, allowing visitors to begin enjoying the resort before officially entering their room or continue using the property after giving up their key.
Instead of spending the final hours of vacation dressed for departure and staring sadly at the pool, guests can swim, freshen up and postpone reality a little longer.
The resort fee also includes several extras, including bicycles, sports-court equipment, fishing poles and bait, bottled water, nightly s’mores and wellness smoothies.
Guests can also collect the welcome cocktail more than once.
“You can come up to the front desk and get the welcome cocktail on the second day you’re here,” Turkay said.
Apparently, Playa Largo believes the welcoming process should continue until guests fully accept that they have arrived.
The multipurpose court can be configured for basketball, volleyball, tennis or pickleball, while bocce and catch-and-release fishing offer slower alternatives.
Along the beach, guests can rent smaller chimineas surrounded by Adirondack chairs and add s’mores, cheese or charcuterie.
Romantic evening or sugar-fueled family gathering?
Playa Largo has wisely prepared for both.
Protecting the Paradise in the Postcard
The beauty surrounding Playa Largo is not treated as an unlimited resource.
The resort supports and works with organizations connected to coral restoration, dolphin research, marine education and wildlife rescue. Staff members also learn how to respond when animals appear injured or distressed.
“If we didn’t take care of the beautiful properties that we have, these things would go away,” Turkay said.
That responsibility reaches beyond the resort itself.
Key Largo depends on healthy reefs, clean water, mangroves and marine life. Guests travel from around the world to snorkel, dive, fish and explore natural environments many Floridians have never visited despite living only a short drive away.
Turkay believes the surrounding community understands that connection deeply.
“If we didn’t have each other, we wouldn’t exist,” she said.
Local charter companies tailor trips based on what guests want to see. Businesses recommend neighboring attractions. Guides share hidden areas not because they are reading from a script, but because they are proud of the place they call home.
“You’re not another number,” Turkay said. “People here really take the time to listen because they’re so proud of where they live, and they want everyone to experience that.”
The Luxury of Not Rushing
Playa Largo provides plenty of ways to fill a day.
Guests can kayak across the bay, snorkel nearby reefs, pedal into Key Largo, float in the pool, cast a fishing line, order another plate of mahi tacos or debate whether writing someone’s name inside the Eventide fire would be spiritually cleansing or slightly dramatic.
Still, the resort’s most meaningful experience may be the simplest one.
Stand in the warm, shallow water. Watch sunlight scatter across Florida Bay. Let the phone remain somewhere else.
There is no award for answering an email quickly from paradise.
“I think it’s about investing in yourself and giving back to yourself,” Turkay said. “Being able to relax and really recoup.”
Playa Largo is close enough to reach without boarding a plane, yet distant enough to make everyday life feel temporarily misplaced.
Paradise does not always wait across an ocean.
Sometimes it begins where the highway narrows, the mangroves rise and a sunset ceremony reminds you that not everything needs to be carried into tomorrow.
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Forget sweater weather. Palace Miami Beach’s new Fall Harvest Menu is bringing pumpkin season to South Beach, and one dish was genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.
September 4, 2026
Miami has never needed changing leaves, chilly temperatures, or a reason to order another cocktail.
So when Palace invited us in for an early taste of its new Fall Harvest Menu, launching September 21st, I was curious. Pumpkin on Ocean Drive? Sure. Pumpkin in cocktails, arepas, gnocchi, tres leches, and flan?
Now you have my attention.
The idea is actually perfect for Miami. Palace wanted to capture that nostalgic feeling of fall for a city where September still feels very much like summer. Rather than throwing pumpkin spice into everything and calling it seasonal, the kitchen challenged itself to use actual pumpkin across cocktails, savory dishes, and desserts in ways that made sense for the Palace.
And after tasting the menu, I can tell you this: do not dismiss this as a pumpkin-spice gimmick.
Because I am still thinking about that gnocchi.
Let’s Talk About This Gnocchi
I need to start here because pretending otherwise would be dishonest.
The Brown Butter Pumpkin Gnocchi was not simply my favorite dish on the menu.
It was one of the best things I have ever eaten in my entire life.
Yes, I realize how dramatic that sounds.
I stand by it.
Roasted pumpkin, Parmesan, crispy sage, and pancetta come together with brown butter in what can only be described as a ridiculously good bowl of fall comfort food.
It is rich. It is savory. It has that warm nuttiness from the brown butter, saltiness from the Parmesan and pancetta, and just enough pumpkin to make the whole thing unmistakably seasonal without turning dinner into dessert.
And the crispy sage? Do not underestimate the crispy sage.
This was one of those dishes where I took a bite and immediately had to make sure everyone else at the table understood what was happening.
If you order one thing from this menu, order the gnocchi.
Actually, Palace, I have a request: please don’t take this one away when fall ends.
Yes, We Had to Try the Pumpkin Espresso Martini
If there was ever a cocktail designed for Instagram in September, this is probably it.
The Pumpkin Espresso Martini combines fresh espresso, Licor 43, and house-made roasted pumpkin syrup.
Palace predicted this would be one of the stars of the new menu before it even launched, and I understand why.
The important distinction here is that this isn’t simply an espresso martini buried beneath pumpkin spice. The roasted pumpkin syrup makes it seasonal while the espresso and Licor 43 keep it firmly in cocktail territory.
It feels like fall.
It also feels like Miami.
Which is basically the entire point.
Then Palace Put Pumpkin in a Margarita
Because of course they did.
The Harvest Pumpkin Margarita takes reposado and roasted pumpkin, adds Ancho Reyes and finishes everything with a Tajín-cinnamon salt rim.
And I love that Palace didn’t make its two pumpkin cocktails variations of the same drink.
The espresso martini leans into cozy fall flavors. The margarita goes straight back to Miami with tequila, chile and Tajín.
This is pumpkin season with absolutely no intention of putting on a cable-knit sweater.
Burrata, Hot Honey and Pumpkin Walk Into an Arepa…
This might be one of the more unexpected combinations on the menu.
The Pumpkin & Burrata Arepa brings together hot honey, toasted pepitas and crispy sage with pumpkin and burrata.
And this is where I started appreciating what Palace was trying to do with the menu.
Pumpkin isn’t being treated like a flavor that automatically needs cinnamon, sugar and whipped cream. It’s an ingredient.
That was intentional. Palace’s team told us they specifically didn’t want pumpkin to feel forced. They started with dishes and flavors that already made sense for the restaurant and incorporated pumpkin where it could complement them rather than take them over.
That philosophy makes a lot more sense once you’re actually sitting there eating your way through the menu.
And then you remember you’re on Ocean Drive.
In September.
Eating pumpkin and burrata.
Miami is weird. I love it here.
Save Room. Seriously.
Just when you’ve eaten enough pumpkin to reasonably believe you’ve reached your limit, Palace brings out dessert.
And apparently, no, you have not reached your limit.
The Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake layers those fall flavors with mascarpone, dulce de leche and candied pecans.
Then there’s the Pumpkin Coconut Flan, finished with coconut caramel, toasted coconut and candied pepitas.
I particularly like the decision to bring coconut into the flan because this menu works best when it stops trying to imitate fall somewhere else and starts asking what fall should taste like here.
Pumpkin and coconut?
On South Beach?
That makes sense.
This Is What Fall Looks Like in Miami
There is something inherently funny about celebrating fall in South Florida.
Our leaves aren’t changing.
Nobody needs a fireplace.
And if you wear the cute fall outfit you saved on Pinterest in September, you’re probably going to regret it before you make it from the parking garage to the restaurant.
But we still want the season.
That’s exactly what Palace tapped into.
“Miami is full of people who grew up somewhere else,” the Palace team explained, noting that there’s a nostalgia surrounding fall even when South Florida’s weather refuses to participate. The Fall Harvest Menu is their way of bringing some of that feeling to Ocean Drive.
And honestly?
I’ll take brown butter pumpkin gnocchi over sweater weather.
Come for Palace. Stay for the Food.
Palace obviously doesn’t need an introduction when it comes to entertainment. The restaurant has built its identity around the larger-than-life drag experience that has become synonymous with the venue.
But there’s another message behind this menu that Palace clearly wants people to hear:
Pay attention to the food.
The team acknowledges that many guests initially know Palace for its drag and entertainment, but they want the cocktails and dishes to become just as memorable as the show.
After this tasting, I get it.
Because I expected a fun seasonal menu.
I did not expect to leave contemplating how quickly I could reasonably return for another bowl of pumpkin gnocchi.
And yet, here we are.
What You Absolutely Need to Order
If you’re heading to Palace for the Fall Harvest Menu, the Brown Butter Pumpkin Gnocchi is non-negotiable. I don’t give “one of the best things I’ve ever eaten” status lightly.
The Pumpkin Espresso Martini is the obvious cocktail order if you want the full fall experience, while the rest of the menu proves pumpkin deserves considerably more culinary respect than we’ve given it after years of turning it into coffee syrup.
The Fall Harvest Menu launches September 21 at Palace Miami Beach, bringing pumpkin cocktails, savory dishes, and desserts to Ocean Drive.
No sweaters required.
Just please save me some gnocchi.
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UKIYO Miami Beach Is About to Make Conveyor Belt Sushi Seriously Sexy
September 2, 2026
There are new restaurant openings we want to check out, and then there are the ones that immediately make us think: I NEED TO GO.
UKIYO is definitely the latter.
Opening this October at 818 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, the newest concept from NOAH Hospitality Group takes Japan’s iconic kaiten, or conveyor belt sushi, tradition and gives it a Miami makeover.
We’re talking premium seafood from Japan traveling through the dining room on a custom-designed conveyor belt, live culinary performances, tableside cooking, a roaming dumpling cart and a gorgeous 7,431-square-foot space designed to keep the experience moving all night.
And judging by the first renderings and menu details, UKIYO already has our attention.
UKIYO’s custom kaiten conveyor belt will serve as the centerpiece of the new Miami Beach restaurant. Courtesy of Casa Medina Design Studio/UKIYO.
Not Your Average Conveyor Belt Sushi
Inspired by the Japanese concept of ukiyo, meaning “the floating world,” the restaurant is designed around movement.
The conveyor belt isn’t simply there to deliver sushi. It’s essentially the stage.
Handcrafted nigiri, sashimi and specialty rolls will continuously circulate through the dining room, while chefs work in view of guests and new creations make their way from the sushi counter onto the belt through choreographed presentations.
Live culinary performances will add another layer of entertainment throughout dinner.
NOAH Hospitality Group founder Philippe Kalifa says that sense of experience was intentional.
“For me, hospitality has never been about simply serving food. It’s about creating emotion.”
His goal? To create a restaurant people remember not just for what they ate, but for how the entire evening made them feel.
We’re listening.
The Menu Is Where Things Get Really Interesting
Executive Chef Nono Shigetomi will lead UKIYO’s kitchen, with premium seafood sourced from carefully selected fisheries across Japan and fish coming from Tokyo’s Toyosu and Tsukiji markets.
The signature Ukiyo Roll alone sounds like it deserves a visit: tuna, salmon, hiramasa and Hokkaido scallop topped with soy-glazed wagyu and umami crunch.
“Freshness isn’t our goal, it’s our starting point,” Shigetomi said. “Every ingredient is selected with intention because great sushi begins long before the fish reaches the plate.”
Beyond the conveyor belt, the menu ventures into robata, tempura, crudo, carpaccio and Japanese comfort dishes.
Expect cumin-soy glazed wagyu and yakitori-glazed chicken from the robata grill, plus a rich paitan ramen loaded with braised duck, sous vide chicken, pork chashu and pork wonton.
There’s also crispy yakisoba finished with ankake sauce and seafood fried rice made with seasoned takikomi gohan rather than standard steamed white rice.
And then things get even better.
Did Someone Say Tableside Kamameshi?
UKIYO’s traditional kamameshi will be cooked fresh at the table in individual kama pots.
The rice is prepared with dashi, soy, sake, mirin, hijiki, carrot and mushroom, then finished with grilled marinated skirt steak and a Jidori egg.
But there’s another menu feature that may have already won us over.
A roaming dumpling cart. Yes, really.
A signature House Dumpling Cart will travel around the dining room carrying a rotating selection of freshly handcrafted beef, pork, chicken, shrimp and vegetarian dumplings. Guests can choose them pan-fried, steamed or deep-fried.
We have a feeling “No, thank you” is going to be extremely difficult when a cart of hot dumplings rolls up to the table.
Japanese-inspired lanterns and warm woodwork lead guests toward UKIYO’s open culinary experience. Courtesy of Casa Medina Design Studio/UKIYO.
And Just Look at This Place
The food may move, but UKIYO’s design gives you plenty of reasons to stop and look around.
Casa Medina Design Studio is behind the 7,431-square-foot restaurant, blending traditional Japanese influences with the darker, sexier energy of Miami Beach after dark.
Rosso Lepanto stone, emerald-toned leathered marble, aged brass, handcrafted millwork and warm Japanese-inspired lanterns fill the interior. A flowing water feature reinforces the restaurant’s “floating world” inspiration.
And at the center of everything sits the custom conveyor belt.
Based on the renderings, chefs will work within the heart of the restaurant as the belt winds around the dining room, placing the food preparation directly into the action rather than hiding it behind the scenes.
It looks intimate, dramatic and just theatrical enough.
UKIYO’s dramatic bar pairs sculptural stone, handcrafted millwork and softly illuminated Japanese-inspired details. Courtesy of Casa Medina Design Studio/UKIYO.
Sushi at 10. Cocktails at Midnight?
This is still Miami Beach, after all.
UKIYO isn’t positioning itself as somewhere you grab an early sushi dinner and head home.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant plans to remain open until 2 a.m.
And that gorgeous bar suddenly makes a lot more sense.
The restaurant is being designed as a meeting point between Japanese hospitality and Miami’s international, nightlife-driven personality. Traditional techniques and Japanese ingredients form the foundation, while theatrical presentations, dramatic interiors and late-night hours give the concept a distinctly Miami edge.
It’s easy to imagine coming for sushi and staying considerably longer than planned.
When Does UKIYO Miami Beach Open?
Unfortunately, not tomorrow.
UKIYO is scheduled to open in mid-October 2026 at 818 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.
Dinner will be served from 6 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, with Friday and Saturday service continuing until 2 a.m. The restaurant will be closed Mondays.
And yes, SFL Insider will be getting an early look.
We’ll be heading to UKIYO ahead of its official debut to experience the restaurant firsthand, which means we’ll be back with the sushi, the cocktails, the space and, most importantly, a full investigation into this roaming dumpling cart.
For now, UKIYO has officially made our list of Miami restaurant openings we cannot wait to try this fall.
October, hurry up!
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Some restaurants are where you go for dinner. Maple & Ash is where you go when you want to celebrate absolutely anything.
July 31, 2026
When most people think of Miami Spice, they think about trying somewhere new.
I think about finally booking the restaurants I’ve been saving for a special occasion.
That’s exactly how I felt walking into Maple & Ash for a preview of its 2026 Miami Spice menu. Known for its premium steaks, dramatic presentations, exceptional seafood, and lively atmosphere, Maple & Ash has quickly become one of Miami Worldcenter’s premier dining destinations. After spending the evening there, I can confidently say this is one reservation worth making early.
From the moment I walked through the doors, the energy was unmistakable. Music filled the dining room, beautifully crafted cocktails made their way through the restaurant, and every table seemed to be celebrating something. Maple & Ash manages to feel sophisticated without ever feeling stuffy. It’s glamorous, energetic, and unapologetically indulgent, exactly what you hope for from a modern steakhouse.
An Opening Course Worth Celebrating
The evening began with Maple & Ash’s optional Fire Roasted Seafood Tower, and if first impressions matter, this one makes quite an entrance.
Loaded with king crab, oysters, prawns, and clams finished with garlic butter and chili oil, it immediately transformed dinner into an event. It’s designed for sharing, making it the perfect way to start the evening if you’re celebrating with friends or family.
Choosing a starter wasn’t easy.
The Bluefin Tuna Tartare immediately caught my attention, pairing fresh tuna with watermelon, white soy, and crème fraîche. Every bite was bright, delicate, and incredibly refreshing.
The Lobster Bisque was equally memorable. Rich, silky, and finished with a buttery brioche crouton, it struck that perfect balance between comforting and elegant. Meanwhile, the Tableside Sesame Caesar Salad and the restaurant’s famous Dry Aged Meatballs looked just as tempting as they passed by our table.
Steak, Seafood, and Pasta That Steal the Show
If the appetizers make choosing difficult, the entrées make it nearly impossible.
Steak lovers can choose between an 8 ounce Filet Mignon or a beautifully marbled 12 ounce New York Strip, both served with black truffle pomme purée. Seafood fans will appreciate the Mediterranean Branzino, prepared with preserved lemon, Castelvetrano olives, capers, and smoked tomato for a light yet flavorful entrée.
One of my personal favorites, however, was the Lobster Mafaldine.
Featuring generous pieces of Maine lobster tossed with saffron, basil, and Aleppo pepper, the pasta was rich without feeling heavy and showcased exactly why Maple & Ash has earned such a devoted following.
For guests looking to indulge even further, there’s also the option to upgrade to an A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Ribeye, one of the most luxurious cuts of beef available.
Save Room for Dessert
Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly eat another bite, dessert arrived.
The rich Chocolate Cake, refreshing Strawberry Tres Leches, and creamy Coconut Cream Pie all make a convincing argument for ignoring the fact that you’re already full.
If you’re dining with a group, though, the real showstopper is the optional Sundae Tower. Served with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice creams alongside an assortment of toppings, it’s a playful ending that perfectly matches Maple & Ash’s celebratory atmosphere.
More Than Dinner at Miami Worldcenter
One of my favorite parts of the evening wasn’t just dinner. It was the location.
Situated in the heart of Miami Worldcenter, Maple & Ash is surrounded by one of downtown Miami’s fastest growing entertainment districts. Beautiful pedestrian streets connect restaurants, bars, cafés, shopping, and public gathering spaces, creating an atmosphere that encourages you to make an entire evening of your visit.
Whether you’re heading to a Miami Heat game or concert at nearby Kaseya Center, meeting friends for cocktails, or simply exploring one of Miami’s newest neighborhoods, Maple & Ash is perfectly positioned to be the centerpiece of your night.
With convenient parking, a walkable layout, and an ever expanding collection of dining destinations, Miami Worldcenter has quickly become one of my favorite places to spend an evening in downtown Miami.
Why Maple & Ash Should Be on Your Miami Spice List
One of the things I love most about Miami Spice is that it gives diners the opportunity to experience some of Miami’s best restaurants at an incredible value.
Maple & Ash delivers exactly that.
Between premium steaks, fresh seafood, luxurious pastas, exceptional service, and an atmosphere that’s equal parts elegant and energetic, it offers one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had this season. It’s the kind of restaurant where every course feels like an occasion, and where you’ll probably find yourself planning your next visit before you’ve even finished dessert.
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to experience one of Miami’s most talked about steakhouses, consider this your sign.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself to an unforgettable dinner, Maple & Ash is one of the standout Miami Spice experiences this season. From premium steaks and fresh seafood to decadent desserts and an atmosphere that’s as lively as the cuisine, it’s the kind of restaurant you’ll want to return to long after Miami Spice ends.
Located in the heart of Miami Worldcenter, Maple & Ash is just steps from Kaseya Center, making it an excellent choice before a concert, Miami Heat game, or an evening exploring downtown’s newest dining and entertainment district.
To view the complete Miami Spice menu, make a reservation, or learn more, visit https://www.mapleandash.com/miami.
Follow @mapleandash_miami on Instagram for signature dishes, seasonal specials, and a behind the scenes look at one of Miami’s most talked about steakhouses: https://www.instagram.com/mapleandash/
One of my favorite parts of Miami Spice is discovering restaurants that make you want to linger long after dessert. After attending a preview of Serafina‘s upcoming Miami Spice menu, I left thinking exactly that.
July 31, 2026
Nestled in the heart of Miami Worldcenter, Serafina feels like a little slice of Italy tucked into one of downtown Miami’s fastest growing neighborhoods. One of the first things I noticed was just how easy it is to visit. There’s a convenient parking garage attached to the building, and the restaurant opens onto a beautiful pedestrian promenade lined with bars, cafés, and restaurants. It has the kind of atmosphere that invites you to arrive early for a cocktail or stay late for a leisurely stroll after dinner.
Originally founded in New York, Serafina has earned an international following for its approachable Italian cuisine, welcoming hospitality, and stylish yet comfortable atmosphere. The Miami location carries on that tradition with handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, an extensive wine list, and one of the prettiest dining rooms in the neighborhood. (Greater Miami & Miami Beach)
For the preview, I tried several dishes that are expected to appear on this year’s Miami Spice menu, and every course reminded me why Italian food never goes out of style.
The house-made focaccia arrived warm with a perfectly chewy texture that made it almost impossible to stop reaching for another piece. It was simple, comforting, and exactly what great Italian bread should be.
Next came the Beef Carpaccio, which was one of my favorite dishes of the evening. Delicate slices of beef were topped with generous shavings of fresh truffle, peppery arugula, and crispy potatoes that added just the right amount of texture. Every bite felt balanced without being overly rich.
The Burrata and Prosciutto appetizer was equally impressive. Creamy burrata paired beautifully with thin slices of prosciutto and fresh greens, creating one of those classic combinations that never disappoints.
Pizza lovers will definitely want to order the Mortadella Pizza. The crust was beautifully thin and crisp while still maintaining that satisfying chew authentic Italian pizzas are known for. Topped with mortadella and finished with a drizzle of hot honey, it struck the perfect balance between savory and sweet.
For my entrée, I chose the Branzino served in a delicate white wine sauce. Light, fresh, and beautifully prepared, it allowed the quality of the fish to shine while keeping the flavors clean and elegant.
Of course, no visit to Serafina would be complete without mentioning its most famous dish.
The restaurant’s Lobster Ravioli has developed something of a celebrity following after receiving a shoutout from Drake in his song What Did I Miss? Since then, the dish has become one of Serafina‘s biggest attractions, and the presentation only adds to the experience. Servers deliver it wearing a sparkling sequined glove, turning one of the restaurant’s signature pastas into a memorable tableside moment that guests can’t help but photograph. (Instagram)
To accompany dinner, I ordered a glass of Emblem Cabernet Sauvignon by Robert Mondavi, which paired beautifully with the richer dishes. Bold enough to stand up to the carpaccio and pizza yet fruit forward enough to remain easy drinking, it also felt very reasonably priced for a restaurant of this caliber.
Then came dessert.
If you’re the type of person who says you’re “too full” before somehow finding room for something sweet, Serafina understands you perfectly. The dessert selection is outstanding, from classic Italian favorites like tiramisu and gelato to indulgent cheesecakes and seasonal specialties. It’s the kind of menu where sharing is encouraged because narrowing it down to just one is nearly impossible. (Greater Miami & Miami Beach)
Miami Spice is always about finding restaurants that deliver exceptional value without compromising quality, and Serafina does exactly that. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, celebrating with friends, or simply looking for an excuse to enjoy outstanding Italian cuisine, this is one reservation I’d recommend making early.
One More Reason to Visit
One of the unexpected highlights of the evening was simply spending time at Miami Worldcenter. The area has transformed into one of downtown Miami’s most exciting neighborhoods, with beautifully landscaped pedestrian streets, outdoor dining, bars, cafés, and entertainment all within walking distance.
After dinner, it was easy to imagine grabbing a cocktail, wandering the promenade, or making a full evening of it before a concert or Heat game at nearby Kaseya Center. Serafina feels perfectly at home here, offering the kind of relaxed yet elevated dining experience that complements everything Miami Worldcenter has become.
Plan Your Visit
Serafina is located at Miami Worldcenter, just steps from Kaseya Center and some of downtown Miami’s newest attractions. With its beautiful outdoor promenade, easy parking, and inviting atmosphere, it’s an ideal destination before a concert, a Heat game, or simply a night out exploring the city.
To view the Miami Spice menu, make a reservation, or learn more, visit Serafina Miami.
Follow @serafinamiami on Instagram for menu updates, signature dishes, and a closer look at the famous Lobster Ravioli that has everyone talking.
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