Miami has one of the best food scenes in the U.S., and no one will convince me otherwise. Sure, I’m probably a biased local, but I can back up my claim: The city has 13 Michelin-starred restaurants and numerous spots in North America’s 100 Best Bars list. I credit our culinary flair to our multiethnic population, and it doesn’t hurt that we have year-round access to fresh tropical fruits and vegetables. The one thing missing from Miami’s culinary offering is affordability. In fact, we’ve ranked as themost expensive place to eat in the country, something that surprised a grand total of zero locals. However, the open secret to dining out without going broke in Miami is taking advantage of happy hours.
Many people think that happy hours are simply an excuse for restaurants to serve you unsold ingredients and watered-down drinks. We Miamians are too used to the good life, though, so we’d never fall for such things. We have excellent happy hours that deliver high-quality dishes and drinks at great prices. Even some of the most sought-after restaurants in the city partake in this iconic after-work tradition. If you’re excited about joining in the fun, these are my five favorite happy hours in Miami.
Cote Miami
Cote (pronounced “kkot”) is one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the U.S. In fact, this establishment in Miami’s swanky Design District claims to be the only Korean steakhouse to have earned the accolade. While steakhouses are typically expensive, high-end restaurants, Cote offers a daily Magic Hour that lasts from 5 to 7 p.m. at the standing-room bar, and offers cocktails, wines, and bar bites for $8.88 each. This very specific number is based on the common belief in many Asian countries that the number eight is lucky, and that three consecutive eights mean triple fortune.
You’ll certainly feel lucky as you enjoy a small Michelin-level meal for $20. Bite into the restaurant’s signature Korean “bacon,” made with smoked, crispy heritage pork belly and pickled jalapeño. (This dish would cost you $26 if ordered off the dinner menu.) Other must-try food items include the lobster and shrimp fritters served with truffle aioli, and the savory rice cakes glazed with gochujang — a Korean red pepper paste that goes well with absolutely everything, in my opinion. If you want more than a small bite, dish out $16 to try the famous chicken-and-shrimp sandwich. For drinks, I’d skip wine glasses in favor of signature cocktails like the Mynt, a take on the classic old fashioned, with Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey, plum, strawberry, and Peychaud’s bitters.
LPM Restaurant and Bar Miami
I love coming to LPM at any time of day. This effortlessly chic French restaurant and bar serves some of the best cocktails in all of Miami. Its Cinq à Sept happy hour offers drinks and bar bites for only $12 each from 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. You’ll get to hang out in the elegant bar or the welcoming terrace. Because LPM is in the busy Brickell neighborhood, I’d try to arrive a bit early and stay the entire aperitif hour to avoid post-work traffic…