Christmas is almost here, and South Florida restaurants are hosting all sorts of specials and events. Below, you’ll find a roundup to help you celebrate the holiday and make the most of your day(s) off. As always, details are subject to change without notice, so always contact the venue beforehand to confirm everything.
We here at Miami Food Pug wish you a very Merry Christmas!
15th & Vine
15th & Vine Kitchen and Bar is serving up a festive prix-fixe menu for Christmas.
Amuse Bouche
– A shared appetizer for the table of mini tartlets, foie gras mousse, figs jelly, steamed citrus shrimp, avocado foam, cured magret of duck, turnips, plum honey
*accompanied with a glass of hot or cold gluhwein
First Course Options
– Cinnamon spiced sweet potato soup
– Cranberry, caramelized walnut spinach salad with mustard dill dressing
Second Course Options
– Horseradish-Ranch New York Steak complete with braised seasonal vegetables and a Zataar chimichurri
– Seared Branzino fennel pollen, swiss chard, apricot and apple curry
Dessert offerings include a full platter of options of ginger bread cheesecake, eggnog panacotta, pumpkin apple pie.
Area31
Area31, the modern ocean-to-table restaurant in Downtown Miami, will open on Sunday, December 24th and Monday, December 25th. On Christmas Eve, the restaurant will open its doors for regular service hours and will offer its à la carte menus; on Christmas Day, the restaurant will close at 8PM, in observance of the holiday. On Monday, December 25th from 5PM to 8PM, the popular seafood restaurant will offer a limited à la carte dinner menu; Christmas specials will be available.
Bird & Bone
This Christmas, let Bird & Bone transport you to a contemporary countryside farmhouse with a special 4-course dinner menu for $55/pp on December 24th and December 25th from 6pm-10pm. The dinner menu includes:
Amuse: Poached Diver Scallop, Lima Bean Gremolata, Heirloom Grits
Appetizer: Hot Spiced Steak Tartare, Pickled Oyster, Soy-Cured Egg Yolk, Zak the Baker Bread
Entree: Double Center-cut pork chop, toasted pepitas with Root Beer BBQ Sauce and spiced apples
Dessert: Unconventional Yule Log
Biscayne Bay Brewing
It’s that time of the year where we dust off our ugly Christmas sweaters for another holiday season filled with parties. This year, Biscayne Bay Brewing will be hosting its very own Ugly Sweater Christmas party! Come in and enjoy Happy Hour specials from 3 pm – 7 pm and a contest at 10 pm for the best ugly sweater, the winner will receive a prize!
BLT Steak
Situated at the newly renovated Iberostar Berkley Hotel on South Beach, BLT Steak invites guests to celebrate Christmas in style with a special three course prix-fixe menu served from 3PM to 9PM on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 2017 and Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 2017. For $80 per person – excluding tax and gratuity – indulge in a selection of holiday dishes created by Chef Carlos Torres.
Appetizers will include choice of Stracciatella & Hearts of Palm Salad served with baby kale and apple coriander dressing or Calamari and Octopus Escabeche served with charred tomatoes and romesco.
For the entrée, guests can enjoy Grilled Colorado Lamb Chops served with a pistachio mint mojo or Roasted Lobster Aji Amarillo paired with Catalan spinach. A selection of Root Vegetable Melange, Sweet Potato and Shiitake Mash and BBQ Corn will be served family style for the table.
If there’s any room left for dessert, indulge in your choice of Chocolate Buche de Noel complete with chocolate pearls and dulce de leche or a delicious Mango Pavlova decorated with passion fruit and pomegranate seeds.
Bulla
This year, you don’t have fly to Spain to enjoy festive Christmas dishes! Bulla Gastrobar is bringing Spain to Miami with their new signature Sabores de Invierno menu. Notable items from the menu are the Slow Roasted Pig and Galician Soup. Items from the a la carte menu range from $8 to $28. Both locations will be open until 9:00 p.m.
Cantina La Veinte
Brickell’s culinary gem Cantina La Veinte is celebrating Christmas in style with gorgeous views of Brickell Key and Biscayne Bay and a special holiday menu beginning at 7PM on Christmas Eve. Priced at $45 per person, Cantina’s Christmas menu will offer traditional holiday fare such as tableside carved Roasted Turkey with all the fix-ins – Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Roasted Glazed Baby Carrots and Sweet Potato Puree. For a sweet finish, guests can indulge in decadent desserts from the Dessert Station. The regular a la carte menu will also be available.
DÔA
DÔA’s Executive Chef Carlos Estarita woos guests with his Christmas specials menu, which include the Japanese Wagyu with 55 Score 11 and truffle ponzu, Wagyu Tiradito with sweet plantain, ginger soy butter and fresh truffle, Gagyu Nigiri with truffle soy and wasabi, Grilled Oysters with uni butter, lemon and togarashi, Raw Oysters topped with ginger soy and rocoto daikon, Stone Crab with ponzu mustard, Japanese Uni Gunkan with Hokkaido and sea urchin, and Nehi Toro Maki with fatty tuna, scallions and ponzu.
Española Way
Española Way, Miami Beach’s historic and picturesque pedestrian-only street, is inviting visitors and locals alike to wrap up their holiday shopping at the first annual Española Way Holiday Market taking place on Sunday, December 17th, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Washington and Drexel Avenues.
Produced in collaboration with The Market Company, Miami’s leading green event producer since 1997, the festive one-stop holiday shopping extravaganza will feature handmade merchandise such as clothing, gourmet foods, gifts, art, children’s items, jewelry and more made by artisans from South Florida, The Florida Keys and across the country. Students from Homestead Senior High School will sing Christmas carols for the crowd. This rain or shine event will be free and open to the public.
Vendors at the Española Way Holiday Market will include: Italian styled jewelry by Joseph; salts and sugars by Patti Ruiz; silver jewelry by William Moffet; African Market Baskets; knitted purses by Made in Maine; still-life paintings by Lee Rowan; jewelry by Christine Peters; ethnic crafts, jewelry and clothing by Carol Paz; hand-made candles, jewelry and knitted scarves by Kitty Hart; prints by Pierre Marcel; Española Way watercolors by Michel Billardon; and fresh orchid plants.
There will also be a delectable selection of locally produced food items including: fresh French pastries, fresh squeezed orange juice, fine Italian olive oil, pappardelle pasta, local honey, fresh herb plants, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh fruit cups, and jam and jellies by Jen Isa.
Fado Irish Pub
The most wonderful time of the year is here: ‘Christmas on 10th St’ is popping up at Fado Irish Pub, turning it into Miami’s only holiday-themed bar. Instantly get into the holiday spirit with massive floor to ceiling festive decor, multi colored Christmas lights and trees, evergreen branches, stockings, mistletoes, grandma-inspired desserts and boozy holiday cocktails.
No need to worry about being on the naughty list: Everyone is welcomed at ‘Christmas on 10th St’! Start by sipping a Cold Chocolate with peppermint vodka under the chimney, Bailey’s, double chocolate cocoa and whipped cream. Then jingle your way to the Bulleit-Proof Nog, with Bulleit Bourbon, Rum Chata, spiced eggnog, whipped cream.
If you’re feeling extra nice enjoy the Peppermint Mule with peppermint vodka, add Crabbie’s alcoholic ginger beer, fresh mint, cranberries. The gigantic 94oz / 10lb Mega Peppermint Mule comes recommended by Santa himself if you’re looking to host an Ugly Sweater Party with the crew.
Fado Irish Pub is giving you a sweet gift with mouth-watering holiday layered cakes and pies for dessert! Indulge in Santa’s Red Velvet, a pound of red layers baked w/ buttermilk and cocoa, covered in cream cheese frosting and white chocolate curls. Fill your pie craving with Grandma’s Apple Crumble Pie, fresh apples, hand-rolled shortbread cookie crust, covered in streusel and whipped cream, to name a few. Christmas on 10th will be taking place till January 9. Fado is still taking reservations for private or corporate events.
For more information on visit https://www.christmason10th.com.
Forte Dei Marmi
Santa Claus makes an appearance at Forte dei Marmi’s Sunday Brunch, welcoming guests and children to the Italian eatery. The $85 pre-fixe menu gets a Christmas twist with offerings of Bronze Table Antipasti Bar with Marinated Artichokes, Stuffed Zucchini, Stuffed Red Peppers, Stuffed Red Tomatoes, Italian Caracheters: prosiutto, mortadella, bresaola and salami station, Selection of Cheeses, Eggplant Parmesan, Organic Farmed Lettuces with selection of house dressing, Mediterranean Style Grilled Organic Vegetables, Heirloom Tomato & Basil Salad and Homemade Bread Experience.
Entrees include Foie Gras Torchon with Fire Roasted Sourdough Bread and Mandarin Chutney, Linguine “alla Nerano” with zucchini and parmesan, Risotto Red Beets and gorgonzola blue cheese and 24 karat gold lazed leaves, Lamb with artichokes and hazelnuts or Branzino Filet with legumes soup, crispy bread and sundried tomatoes. For dessert, enjoy House made “Panettone”, Bitter Chocolate “Zabaglione” and the Grand Christmas Dessert Selection.
Habitat
Habitat by Chef José Mendín located inside the 1 Hotel South Beach is offering diners a decadent Christmas Eve brunch buffet priced at $80 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) from noon to 4PM on Sunday, December 24th. Featuring unlimited Bloody Mary’s and Micheladas and a menu inspired by Land, Sea and Fire, offers include Habitat’s twist on the classics; Oysters, Sushi Rolls, Danish & Tart Selections, Omelet’s, Chilaquiles, Waffles, Pancakes and more.
On Christmas Day, the brunch festivities will continue from noon to 4PM delighting guests with delectable buffet selections and will feature unlimited Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and Micheladas for $95 per person (excluding tax and gratuity).
Jack’s Miami
Jack’s Miami, an Italian home-cooking eatery in the heart of Wynwood, will be serving an amazing four-course Christmas Eve dinner for $39 per person. If you’d like to enjoy dessert or a glass of wine with your meal, the price per person is $49.
Jaya at the Setai
Jaya will host a special Christmas themed brunch with exclusive holiday dishes on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with free flowing Roederer Champagne, a live jazz band and special appearances by Mrs. Claus on Christmas Eve and Santa Claus on Christmas Day. Menu highlights include Christmas staples like gammon ham and free range organic turkey, an extensive array of fresh seafood options, as well as Jaya’s signature Indian-Asian inspired cuisine.
A kid’s station will serve child-friendly favorites, and a selection of premier caviar will also be available for purchase. Wash down a decadent assortment of desserts champagne, Mimosas, Bellinis and other holiday themed beverages.
Kitchen 305
Kitchen 305 at Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort will be offering a Noche Buena Buffet from 5 p.m. till 10 p.m. For just $38 per person, $20 per child ages 6 to 12 and free for ages five and under, enjoy a vast selection of tasty treats. Begin your evening with an assortment of fresh baked breads, several salad choices including a Penne Pasta Primavera Salad, a Citrus, Fennel and Frissee Salad, a Bruschetta Bar with tomato basil relish and olive tapenade and much more.
But don’t get too full because you wouldn’t want to miss out on any of the hot dishes such as, Oyster, Andouille and Corn Bread Stuffing, Grilled Fillet of Salmon with cucumber and dill Bruere Blanc, and from the carvery delight in Herbed Rubbed Prime Rib with Chimichurri, Creole Tom Turkey, and Succulent Suckling Pig. And if all of that wasn’t enough to make you leave feeling like Santa after a batch of cookies, try from our selection of desserts which include, a Christmas Yule Log, NY Style Cheese Cake, and more.
LEYNIA
It’s time to eat up and spread some cheer…Christmas is almost here! For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, guests are invited to experience a festive brunch at LEYNIA at Delano priced at $85/pp. Sample a variety of signature Argentinean holiday dishes from different food stations including a Lamb Station in the Orchard, an Empanada Station and Turkey & Ham Chef’s Station.
Those looking for the sweeter side of brunch can feast their eyes upon an array of sugary confections from the Chef’s World of Pies and Sweets Station featuring pies of all flavors ranging from apple, cranberry, sweet potato and more. Looking to add make the holiday extra spirited? Diners can add unlimited mimosas and Bloody Marys for an additional $25/pp or a sommelier wine pairing for an additional $35/pp.
For reservations, please call (305) 674-5752.
Macchialina
This holiday season, Macchialina, Miami Beach’s beloved brick-walled trattoria will be offering an exclusive Christmas Eve tasting menu hand-crafted by Chef Mike Pirolo in addition to the restaurant’s regular a la carte menu. Chef’s five-course tasting menu is $59 per person plus tax and gratuity. To start, diners will indulge in house favorites such as the Burrata Crostino, Broccolini al Cesare and Creamy Polenta with sausage ragu.
Enjoy a pasta course of either Cavatelli Macchialina with baby meatballs, porchetta, and pecorino; Beet Mezzaluna with hazelnuts, brown butter and ricotta salad; or the Taglione al Funghi with Abalone mushrooms and parmigiano. Main courses will feature a 21-day Dry Aged NY Steak with fingerlings and a mushroom trifolata or the Mediterranean Branzino served with Yukon gold potatoes, brown butter and capers.
Ending on a sweet note, Chef will reveal the dolce of the evening the night-of. Macchialina will be open their regular hours: Sunday thru Thursday 6PM to11PM and Friday/Saturday from 6PM to 11:30PM with the exception of Christmas Day when the restaurant will be closed.
Mr. Chow
For an alternative to the traditional Christmas dinner, iconic Beijing restaurant MR CHOW at W South Beach is featuring a Semi Prix Fixe featuring exclusive dishes by celebrated Chefs Lee and Tsui. Guests can enjoy a selection of signature dishes served family-style, including Glazed Prawns with Walnuts, Chicken Satay and Little Dragon Soup Dumplings paired with seasonal new cocktails or champagne selected by Beverage Director Michael Loomis. Price: $54pp
The National Hotel
Join The National Hotel for its 4th Annual Christmas Caroling down Lincoln Road on Thursday, December 21st at 7 p.m. The evening will be produced and presented by famed music and event producer, Randy Singer, in conjunction with Nicole Whitaker and The National Hotel. Festivities begin in front of Segafredo on Lincoln Road (1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach) and will end at The National Hotel (1677 Collins Ave, Miami Beach) for live music, festive libations, and a holiday costume contest.
At 7 p.m., carolers will gather at Segafredo on Lincoln Road for happy hour and rehearsal lead by Randy Singer. Singing will begin at 7:30 p.m. outside of Segafredo and will make its way down Lincoln Road with a stop in front of lululemon. Next, the group will prance over to Euclid Circle to sing for all who will listen. The singing will continue right up to Washington Avenue and then the group will stroll and sing their way over to The National Hotel for the official after party filled with drinks and tapas specials, music and live entertainment.
To RSVP, click here. The National Hotel will also be hosting a festive Christmas Eve Dinner on Sunday December 24th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cherish holiday memories over a fabulously affordable meal. At $49 a person, this menu is sure to delight family and friends.
Novecento
Celebrate the holidays at any of Novecento’s four locations (Brickell, Aventura, Midtown and Key Biscayne). Please note, Key Biscayne is the only location that will be closed on Christmas Eve. For reservations, guests can call the restaurant directly.
The restaurants will be offering prix-fixe menus. Menu highlights include:
- Chilled Shrimp – Potato Russian Salad, Beet Aioli and Hearts of Palm
- Risotto Negro – Black Risotto, Calamari, Octopus, Scallop and Chives
- Panna Cotta de Coco – Homemade Coconut Panna Cotta and Mixed Berries
*All locations will offer a complimentary Chandon toast and the price per person is $55
*A kid’s menu is also available for $30
Point Royal
Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s Coastal American restaurant is the Diplomat Beach Resort’s modern take on a seaside restaurant. On December 25th, the indoor-outdoor venue is offering a lavish Christmas Day Dinner Buffet which showcases expansive seasonal spread featuring everything from a roasted whole suckling pig to a traditional Bûche de Noël. Other standout dishes include Point Royal’s signature mac & cheese, a smoked whole Branzino and Christmas themed cookies, peppermint bark and much more. The experience also includes the choice between bottomless champagne, Le Colombe Drip coffee or tea!
Price: $65 Adults // $25 Children 12 and under. Reservations: (954) 602-8750.
Pueblito Viejo
This Christmas Eve at Pueblito Viejo they will be adding two more showings of their famous live comedy show, Trovadores, along with signature classics from the family-run and operated Colombian restaurant in Miami’s Westchester neighborhood.
From the moment you enter Pueblito Viejo, all your senses will come to life with their unique decorations, antiques to bring back memories of yesteryear, folkloric Colombian music that will soon have you on your feet dancing, and the rich, flavorful dishes to set your taste buds ablaze.
The menu is filled with traditional dishes, using high-quality, locally sourced products. Favorites include the Churrascos, flame grilled outside-skirt steak with fried sweet plantains, cassava, salted boiled potatoes and chimichurri; Bandejas, grilled or ground skirt steak red beans, long grain white rice, fried pork rinds, sweet plantains, egg and arepa; and Sancochos, rich beef rib stew with potatoes, cassava, green plantains and corn. Served with a side of long grain white rice, arepa and avocado.
Pullman Miami Hotel
Don’t limit yourself to just one Christmas meal this year. Available from December 18th to December 27th, Hotel Pullman Miami Hotel is offering a three-course Christmas dinner for only $30 per person.
This magical meal starts with a Pernod Shrimp Salad, which is topped with peppered bacon, walnuts and spicy cilantro. For the entrée, indulge in tender Roasted Prime Ribs drizzled with white natural rosemary au jus accompanied by rainbow potatoes and baby carrots. If that wasn’t enough, dive into the Mini Trio Oreo Tart Mousse for dessert. This affordable meal is the perfect decadent dinner to enjoy with friends and family this Christmas.
Pullman Miami Hotel will also have holiday cocktails available for $10 every day between 10am – 1 am, for the month of December, at Le Bar, including “Santa’s Eggnog Martini,” “Cranberry Crush,” and “Snowy Christmas” signature cocktails.
Scarpetta by Scott Conant
Those seeking a rustic yet elegant holiday meal can indulge in Scarpetta’s four-course prix-fixe menu available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Priced at $75 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, guests can enjoy Zuppa Di Mare with mussels, clams, prawns, and scallops followed by Tagliatelle with lobster, crab, and pickled ramps; Seared Branzino with roasted sun choke purée, concentrated tomatoes and salsa verde; and for dessert, Bread Pudding with panettone, rum and cranberry sorbet.
The regular A La Carte menu will also be available both evenings.
Tapas and Tintos
Available from December 24th to January 1st, Tapas and Tintos will offer a Special Holiday Menu highlighting house classics and some festive dishes. The limited menu includes two House Specialty Paellas: Paella Arroz Negro, Valencia rice, calamari, black tiger shrimp, clams, mussels, Madagascar prawns and squid ink and Paella De Bogavante, Valencia rice, calamari, black tiger shrimp, clams, mussels and a 1 ¼ pound Mediterranean Lobster.
Seafood fans must try the Parrillada de Marisco con Bogavante (for two) calamari, cutlet fish, clams, mussels, black tiger shrimp, giant Madagascar prawns, Mediterranean lobster all served in a sauce of garlic, parsley and olive oil. Meat lovers rejoice because they are offering a Parrillada de Carne which includes lamb rack, flank steak, New York strip steak, Chorizo parrilero and multiple sides. Enjoy the Gulas Del Norte al Ajillo, northern coast eels with extra virgin olive oil, fried garlic and cayenne pepper.
The Social Club
On Monday, December 25th, The Social Club, South Beach’s culinary gem, will offer an incredible prix fixe dinner menu. Executive Chef Jeffrey Williams’ succulent pre-fixe Christmas dinner offerings include a choice of Roasted Turkey with Giblet Gravy ($39) and a perfectly executed Roasted NY Strip ($49) served with roasted mushroom Bordelaise.
Diners will have the option to accompany their selected choice of protein with 2 delectable sides; side choices include asparagus and roasted tomato ragu, roasted butternut squash and apples, roasted peewee potatoes and Cipollini, and herb brown butter farro. A choice of dessert will round up the holiday meal, with options including crème brulée cake and red fruit tart. Social Club’s limited à la carte menu will also be available.
Toro Toro
Toro Toro will offer a 4-course, $72/pp Latin-inspired menu – think baby kale salad with crispy farro and serrano ham for starters; guajillo mole short ribs for the main course; and homemade churros and tres leches for dessert. See their menu here.
Via Emilia 9
The Miami Beach authentic Italian restaurant will take guests on a culinary journey to the Bologna region this Christmas with a six-course menu at $70 per guest. The menu includes an array of aged prosciutto, Tortellini in Capon broth, Tagliatelle with wild boar ragu, Rabbit in Lambrusco wine with tropia onions in balsamic vinegar, Pumpkin Pie with Castelmagno cheese and a Traditional Italian Scarpato Panettone with a Lambrusco eggnog.
Zuma Miami
Zuma Miami’s famed brunch offers the restaurant’s traditional, shared plate style of izakaya dining with a twist on its usual ordering experience even during the holidays. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a brunch cocktail and a new, interactive sake station as well as savory selection of starters on the buffet. Holiday upgrades to the buffet include a Braised Wagyu Brisket carving station and a Spicy Tuna Hand Roll station.
Diners may then order one of Zuma’s classic, signature or premium dishes including specials like Chilean Seabass or Langostine on the Signature menu or a 12 oz. Ribeye or Tiger Prawn on the Premium menu. To end the holiday on a sweet note, a lofty Zuma dessert platter —towering with house-made treats, sorbets and exotic fruits—is delivered to the table. Saturday, Dec. 23 Noon to 2:00 p.m. Pricing starts at $135 pp++.