South Beach Seafood Festival 2025: Miami’s Premier Coastal Culinary Celebration Returns with Exclusive Dinners and Chef Showdowns
When autumn arrives in Miami, it doesn’t bring a drop in temperature—but it does bring the return of South Florida’s most celebrated coastal event: the 13th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival, set for October 22–25, 2025. Recognized by USA Today, Forbes, and the Travel Channel as one of the country’s premier culinary gatherings, this four-day festival delivers more than just stellar seafood. It sets the tone for stone crab season, showcases Miami’s top culinary talent, and now, introduces a refined new experience designed for those who savor elegance with every bite.
Presented by GOYA Foods, with support from Tequila Herradura, Jack Daniel’s, and Breakthru Beverage Florida, this year’s festival goes beyond the beach bash status it’s earned over the past decade. It evolves into a full-fledged culinary institution with the debut of a two-night, multi-course dinner series titled “Experience Miami Beach.”
A Sophisticated Start: “Experience Miami Beach” Dinner Series
The festival opens with the launch of Experience Miami Beach, a curated two-night affair hosted across some of the city’s most sought-after restaurants. On Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23, diners will indulge in four- to five-course seated dinners paired with top-tier wines and handcrafted cocktails, with each dish composed by South Florida’s leading culinary voices.
Wednesday evening kicks off at Carbone, where classic Italian-American dishes are elevated with theatrical flair, and Mimi Chinese, known for its rich, modern interpretation of regional Chinese fare. The following night brings guests to iconic institutions like Rao’s, Pubbelly, and Catch Miami Beach—each offering its own distinctive culinary narrative. These exclusive pairing dinners, made possible through partnerships with Halperns’ and Breakthru Beverage, promise more than just fine dining. They create intimate moments around the table where food, drink, and hospitality converge to reflect the essence of Miami Beach.
Tickets for Experience Miami Beach will go on sale later this summer and are expected to be in high demand.
Friday’s Culinary Cage Match: VIP Chef Showdown
As the sun sets on Friday, October 24, the tempo rises with the return of the Tequila Herradura VIP Chef Showdown, a spirited evening of gastronomic competition hosted by Pacifico Beer at Lummus Park. Twenty of Miami’s top chefs enter ten head-to-head culinary battles, each dedicated to a different seafood category—tacos, crab, sushi, ceviche, shrimp, tuna, and more.
Guests don’t just watch—they taste, sip, and vote. Each ticket includes access to sampling stations and full-service bars, transforming attendees into judges who determine the winners of each round. The energy crescendos inside the GOYA Culinary Pavilion, where live DJ sets meet sizzling chef demos in a celebration of Miami’s competitive culinary edge.
Tickets for the Chef Showdown are $175 all-inclusive and available now.
Saturday’s Grand Finale: The Seafood Slam
Capping off the weekend is the Seafood Slam on Saturday, October 25—a full-day, all-inclusive beachside tasting experience unlike any other. With 40+ local restaurants participating and unlimited food and drink included, this year’s lineup reads like a who’s who of Miami’s culinary scene.
Expect returning crowd-pleasers like American Social, Catch, Pubbelly Sushi, and Sala O’Cuban, alongside rising stars including Dalido Beach Club, Marc Bynum Concepts, and Temple Street Eatery. Guests can explore themed seafood zones and vote on the “Best of the Fest” dishes, all while enjoying live performances at the Jack Daniel’s Music Stage, plus beach club vibes courtesy of Pacifico and High Noon.
General admission is $160 and includes unlimited tastings from 1 PM until sunset.
A Celebration of Community and Culinary Culture
More than just an indulgent long weekend, the South Beach Seafood Festival also serves a greater purpose. A portion of proceeds benefits the CI Foundation’s EAT SMART program, a nonprofit that provides nutritious meals and wellness education to students in Miami-Dade County public schools.
Valerie Roy, Director of Marketing and Client Strategy at CI Management, commented, “This year, more than ever, we want to be a voice for our local restaurants, chefs, and culinary partners.”
She continued:
“More than just incredible food, we see this event as a platform to celebrate the people behind the food, to connect them with new audiences, and to highlight what makes Miami Beach one of the most exciting culinary destinations in the world.”
Valerie Roy, Director of Marketing and Client Strategy at CI Management
Key Event Details and Tickets
Wednesday, October 22: Experience Miami Beach
Location: Multiple venues | Time: 7 PM | Tickets: On sale later this summer
Thursday, October 23: Experience Miami Beach
Location: Multiple venues | Time: 7 PM | Tickets: On sale later this summer
Friday, October 24: VIP Chef Showdown
Location: Lummus Park, 1130 Ocean Dr. | Time: 7 PM | Tickets: $175 All Inclusive
Saturday, October 25: Seafood Slam
Location: Lummus Park, 1400 Ocean Dr. | Time: 1 PM–Sunset | Tickets: $160 All Inclusive