October 9, 2026
Each Friday, we try to compile South Florida food-related news and events that we couldn’t fit on the site earlier in the week, as well as other local news that piques our interest. Want to be included in our next roundup? Shoot us an email at bark@miamifoodpug.com.
South Florida Seafood Festival Returns
New Cocktail Menu at Sexy Fish
North Italia Rolls Out New Offerings
Diwali Celebration at Rishtedar
South Florida Seafood Festival Returns
The South Florida Seafood Festival returns for its 13th year at Wynwood Marketplace on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 11 AM to 7 PM, bringing together the city’s best seafood joints and seafood enthusiasts for an unforgettable day of flavor, music, and family fun.
Hosted by SWARM, this annual celebration of coastal cuisine captures the spirit of South Florida’s vibrant food scene with 15+ local seafood favorites, signature cocktails, live cooking demos, and immersive activities for guests of all ages. Kids under 12 enter free.
Event Highlights
15+ Seafood Vendors: Featuring everything from oysters and lobster rolls to stone crabs and ceviche.
Kitchen Lab Stage: Watch Miami’s top chefs bring their dishes to life with live demos and tastings.
Mixology & Sips: Enjoy mixologist-led live cocktail demos and sip samples throughout the day.
Family & Fun: Live music, and immersive activations to keep the whole family entertained.
VIP Experience: Upgrade to the Open Bar VIP Ticket for unlimited cocktails, shaded seating, private A/C restrooms, and lounge access.
Tickets (Kids under 12 enter free)
General Admission: Includes general entry to the festival
Open Bar VIP Ticket: Includes festival admission, unlimited complimentary cocktails, VIP lounge access, shaded seating, and private restrooms
Early-bird pricing is now live on Eventbrite — prices increase at the door.
Photo Credit: Swarm
New Cocktail Menu at Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish, the world-renowned Japanese-inspired restaurant and bar known for its award-winning, boundary-pushing drinks program, launches Depths, a new global cocktail menu inspired by the ever-changing world beneath the ocean’s surface.
Launching simultaneously across London, Manchester, Miami and Dubai on October 8, Depths marks the latest chapter in Sexy Fish’s evolution as a global bar destination. Developed collectively by the teams across all four cities, the menu has been created with the guest experience as its starting point, exploring how an evening naturally shifts in mood and energy – from the first aperitif through dinner and after dinner, to the late-night party.
Drawing on the changing light, atmosphere and energy of the ocean, Depths follows four distinct chapters – Surface, Sunlight, Twilight and Abyss – each reflecting a different moment of the evening.
THE FOUR DEPTHS:
SURFACE opens the journey with bright, crisp cocktails designed to awaken the palate, lift the mood and create anticipation for what lies ahead.
Clover Society – Cygnet 22 Gin, grapefruit, raspberry, lime, Aperitif Rosso (mid-strength)
Open Your Eyes – Haku Vodka, Aperol, thyme, strawberry, verjus
Champagne: Billecart-Salmon – Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru N.V.
As the evening progresses, SUNLIGHT brings color and energy to the table, with beautifully balanced cocktails designed to complement Sexy Fish’s Japanese-inspired cuisine and the rich, aromatic, and umami-led flavors of the menu.
Voy A Mi – Mijenta Blanco Tequila, prickly pear, sage, marigold, honeysuckle
Another Matcha? – Another Hendrick’s Gin, matcha, yuzu, Curaçao
Champagne: Laurent-Perrier – Grand Siècle No. 27
TWILIGHT marks a shift in pace, with richer, more contemplative cocktails made for conversation and the hours that unfold after dinner.
Last Dance in Havana- Zacapa No. 23 Rum, guava, corn, coconut, butter
Halcyon – Grey Goose Vodka, chamomile, pandan, passion fruit, yogurt
Champagne: Drappier – Rosé de Saignée N.V.
Finally, ABYSS descends to the ocean floor, where sunlight gives way to strange illuminations. The music grows louder, the cocktails become bolder, and the night becomes increasingly energetic as the experience shifts into the late-night party.
She’s Electric- Condesa Gin, rosé wine aperitif, suze, pomelo, sancho
Coral Margarita – Casamigos Blanco Tequila, yuzushu, watermelon, wasabi
Champagne: Perrier-Jouët – Grand Brut N.V. – from Magnum
The menu has also been designed with choice at its heart. Across each chapter, guests will find full-strength cocktails alongside mid-strength and no-alcohol options, creating a drinks experience that is deliberately more inclusive without compromising on creativity, technique, or presentation.
A defining feature of Depths is the integration of Champagne with cocktails on the menu, reflecting its longstanding importance to the Sexy Fish experience. Already a cornerstone of Sexy Fish’s wine program, Champagne now sits alongside the cocktails across each stage of the evening – from bright, aperitif-friendly styles and richer, gastronomic Champagnes chosen to complement the restaurant’s umami-led cuisine, through to celebratory serves designed for the late-night atmosphere.
Photo Credit: Caprice Holdings LTD
North Italia Rolls Out New Offerings
North Italia is launching its new seasonal menu on October 14, featuring new menu items, inspired by traditional Italian dishes, for both dine-in and takeout along with seasonal updates. Those looking to sample more of the menu for less can also indulge in North’s recent happy hour menu refresh and limited-time prix fixe dining deals, bringing its signature Italian fare and value-packed offerings to guests this fall.
A few highlights to look forward to…
Fusili Al Telefono – inspired by Rome’s famous Supli al Telefono, this new pasta dish features dinapoli tomato, mozzarella, and roasted garlic breadcrumb
Tripoline Alfredo – North’s modern take on a classic Italian pasta is made with tripoline instead of fettucine, complimented by grana padano and white vodka crema
Crispy Chicken Piccata – featuring strozzapreti, lemon, capers, arugula, roasted chicken jus, and marinated artichoke hearts (a first for North!)
Fontina & Ricotta Omelete (brunch) – North’s spin on the brunch staple is served with chives, toasted ciabatta, and hash potatoes
Double Pepperoni – this new pizza is made with mozzarella, ricotta, and grana padano. Pro tip: enjoy a flatbread version of the Double Pepperoni, exclusively during happy hour
Burrata di Stagione – the seasonal version of this fan-favorite starter is made with fuji apple, roasted butternut squash, hazelnut, herb breadcrumb, and calabrian agrodolce
Seasonal Vegetable Salad – a go-to for fall & winter, the salad features roasted brussel sprouts, cauliflower, grilled broccolini, golden raisin, crushed hazelnut, and white balsamic vinaigrette
Seasonal Sips – featuring Meet Me in Capri with limoncello, elderflower, smashed lemon, and prosecco; the Diavolo featuring banhez mezcal, calabrian chili amaro, tuscan spice, and lemon; and the Jam Session, a new zero-proof with smashed strawberry, pineapple, lime, and bubbles.
Those who leave room for dessert can indulge in the Wake Up Call made with shaken espresso topped with tiramisu cold foam and chocolate pearls or the Hazelnut Torta, served with salted caramel gelato.
Diwali Celebration at Rishtedar
This November, Miami diners won’t have to travel far to India to experience the colors, traditions and flavors of Diwali (Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and new beginnings).
From November 2–7, Rishtedar, Wynwood’s immersive Indian dining destination, will transform for Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with six days of special programming celebrating Indian culture through food, light, music, dance and tradition.
The celebration begins November 2 as the restaurant fills with rangoli decorations and traditional oil lamps, with an altar honoring Lakshmi adorned with flowers, incense and coins. Throughout the festival, each table will receive a candle symbolizing light, prosperity and unity, and guests who sign up for Rishtedar’s loyalty program will receive 20% off the regular menu throughout the celebration.
The week continues with special cultural experiences:
Thursday, Nov. 5 – Bollywood Night: A vibrant evening of music, dance, color and Bollywood-inspired entertainment.
Friday, Nov. 6 – Mehndi Night: An evening celebrating the traditional art of henna alongside music and Indian traditions.
Saturday, Nov. 7 – Grand Diwali Party at Rishtedar 305: The celebration culminates with lights, dancing, authentic Indian cuisine and a festive night at Rishtedar’s bar concept.