By Yours Truly and Jan Engoren

Did you know restaurant deals in Miami  can be had at leading five and four star restaurants at lunch? With dining out costs skyrocketing, these are the places and lunch is the time to get a deal. We’re talking about under $30 for a three course meal of their often signature dishes  plus tax and tip. Or, a bento box for less. Here’s a roundup of picks offering everything from Italian, French and Indian to Chinese, Greek, Asian cuisine and even  steakhouses. Check out seven favorites in Part 1. And in Part 2 find six more.

Swan

Swan, the brainchild of entrepreneur David Grutman and entertainer Pharrell Williams, located in the heart of Miami’s Design District, offers rustic lunch specials in their indoor/outdoor dining destination. Every Monday – Friday from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Swan offers a Social Lunch which includes a 3-course meal for $29 + tax and service charge.

The menu has something to satisfy everyone’s palette – including Swan-favorites such as the Little Gem Salad appetizer made with pear, Crispy Quinoa, Ricotta and Candied Walnuts; Blackened Mahi Tacos with avocado crema and pickled cabbage; Pistachio Pizza with Tallegio, pecorino and red onion; or the Steak Frites with Truffle Butter and fries, and more.  For dessert try the sorbet or the lemon meringue bread pudding with lemon curd and blueberry basil compote.

To make reservations visit https://swanbevy.com. 

Swan is located at: 90 Ne 39th Street Miami, Fl 33137

 Sea Grill

The Mediterranean-inspired prix fixe menu is a wonderful way to enjoy a three-course menu for $26.95 in either location – Merrick Park or North Miami Beach.  Choose from hot or cold appetizers to start your meal – (e.g., Melizanosalata, tzatziki, shrimp cocktail) ) followed by a wide selection of seafood, including lobster linguini, Chilean seabass,  and salmon ladoregano or a selection of lamb or veal chops, steak or chicken. followed by a choice of a half-dozen desserts, including baklava or karidopita a walnut-based cake with ice cream.

Sea Grill, Village of Merrick Park, 4250 Salzedo St #1425. Tel:  305-447-3990 and 3913 N.E.163rd St., North Miami Beach, Tel:  305-945-7555. Indoor and outdoor seating.  Visit Sea Grill (seagrillmiami.com)

Zaika

Zaika, (meaning, sense of flavor) is a local favorite Indian restaurant, offering one of the lowest priced lunch specials in Miami.

Their goal and philosophy are to offer a unique dining experience and to bring the best of regional Indian cuisine to Miami.  Zaika offers a new style of authentic, modern and traditional Indian dishes all inspired by the flavors of the country. In their busy kitchen, sauces are cooking, bread is baking and the aromas of fresh spices fill the air in this hidden gem in North Miami.

Although not a prix-fixe menu, the special includes a samosa and soup and comes with Basmati Rice and Naan, alongside a choice of entrée.  Also available are vegetarian options such as vegetable curry and channa masala.

The lunch special is served on weekdays with prices ranging from $10.50 – $14.55. The restaurant is open Tuesday – Sunday, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Zaika is located at:  2176 NE 123rd St, North Miami.   For more information visit Zaika Miami or call:  786-409-5187.

MILOS

Estiatorio Milos – known for its hospitality or philoxenia, offers one of the best restaurant deals in Miami for top quality and value. Offered seven days a week between noon and 3pm, their three-course menu is priced at $48 per person.

Choose between six appetizer selections, such as the Greek Meze plate or the Faroe Islands wild salmon tartare, etc., six main course selections, including a choice of the Dorado Royale, fresh lamb chops or Astake Makaronada (Bay of Fundy lobster) served Athenian style and five dessert options, including ice cream, baklava, cheesecake and fresh fruit.

Their trio of Greek spreads (Meze plate) served with toasted pita is a great choice to start with as well as the salmon tartare. Their Greek salad is one of the best in town with luscious tomatoes and big slab of feta cheese. For the main course, sample the Dorado Royale, a whole dorado that is deboned, filleted and served with Santorini capers, lemon and olive oil. Finish off the meal with fresh fruit or traditional baklava with honey and nuts.

Milos Miami is located at:  730 First Street, Miami Beach. Tel:  305-604-6800. Indoor and covered outdoor seating.

More Restaurant Deals in Miami

Toscana Divino

Toscana Divino, located in the Brickell neighborhood of Miami, offers very good, authentic Italian fare, and a Lite Lunch, prix fixe menu at $28 per person, which includes one appetizer, one main course and a dessert.

The classic menu is offered weekdays between noon and 4pm with choice of appetizer, main course and a dessert. Choose between six dishes for an appetizer such as pan con bistec, Florida caprese made with farm tomatoes and mozzarella fior di latte, salmon tartare or golden fish bites.

For a main course, select either a Spaghetti alla Calabra,  Risotto Cacio e Pepe or an organic roasted chicken breast with roasted potatoes or a grilled salmon with vegetables. For dessert choose between a selection of artisanal gelato and sorbets.

Toscana Divino, Mary Brickell Village is located at 900 South Miami Avenue Tel:  305-371-2767. Indoor and outdoor seating.

MAKOTO 

A New Year – A New Look.  Chef Makoto Okuwa’s eponymous Bal Harbour restaurant, Makoto, is undergoing renovations and moving to a new space on the 3rd floor of the Bal Harbour shops.

Before venturing out, to make sure they’re open for lunch, please check social media or reservation availability on Open Table. Re-envisioned by Paris-based designer India Mahdavi, the restaurant will sport a new look and bring your dining experience to a whole new level. Mahdavi brings bold, bright colors and cozy banquettes for an intimate experience, more outdoor dining and additional seats at the sushi counter.

For lunch, Makoto offers one of the lesser priced restaurant deals in Miami,  a bento box special ($20).  Choose between  chicken robata, a spicy tuna or California roll or the Ponzu salmon, accompanied by crispy brussel sprouts.

The bento box lunch special is available everyday between 11:30 am – 4 pm. 

Makoto Miami, Bal Harbour Shops is located at:  9700 Collins Ave. on the 3rd fl.   Tel:  305-864-8600. Indoor and outdoor seating. 

Hutong

We thoroughly enjoyed our business lunch special at Hutong ($29/person). Always a top choice in town, Hutong in Brickell boasts a stunning decor, the setting for its Northern Chinese fare.

The restaurant deal in Miami is served weekdays between noon – 3 p.m. The three-course menu includes soup, specialties like Hutong Dan Dan Noodles, Kung Po chicken (a standout), chili prawns, or a rice vermicelli dish.

For a $25 supplement per person you can enjoy the signature Peking duck with all the fixings.

My review of Hutong, click here.

Hutong is located at 600 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33131.  Tel:  786-388-0805. Indoor and outdoor seating.

Saffron at Grove

It has a simple decor but it has one of the best value lunch deals in town is at Saffron at Grove in Coconut Grove. For $18.95 you can choose the shrimp, lamb, beef, chicken, or vegetarian lunch. Get your protein in the style you want it such as chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, chicken saag (pictured here) or butter chicken. It comes with dal, cabbage slaw, naan, beans and the crispiest, tastiest samosa I’ve had in awhile. Everything is very fresh, tastes just made, and the service is friendly and accommodating. Saffron at Grove, 2982A  Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove.