More than 40 South Florida restaurants will set up along the sand at Lummus Park when the 14th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival takes over Ocean Drive from Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Saturday, Oct. 24.

The four-day event marks the official kickoff to Florida's stone crab season and the start of Miami's hospitality season, according to event organizers. Last year's edition drew more than 16,000 attendees, according to Food & Beverage Magazine.

Tickets for the two main Lummus Park events are on sale at sobeseafoodfest.com.

Opening Night Kicks Off With Dinner at Phuc Yea

The festival begins Wednesday, Oct. 21, with "Made in Miami presented by GOYA Foods," an intimate dinner at Phuc Yea, 7100 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Chef Cesar Zapata, whose Vietnamese-Latin fusion restaurant holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, will host alongside Chef Jose Mendin and GOYA's Chef Fernando Desa. Six regional chefs will collaborate on a multicourse meal. Tickets go on sale soon.

Thursday Brings Collaborative Dinners to Collins Avenue

On Thursday, Oct. 22, the festival moves to Miami Beach proper with "An Evening in Miami Beach," a series of collaborative multicourse dinners at several restaurants, including Rao's Miami Beach at 1601 Collins Ave. inside the historic St. Moritz Tower adjacent to Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Additional participating restaurants and menus have not yet been announced.

VIP Chef Showdown Returns Friday Night

Friday, Oct. 23, brings the fan-favorite VIP Chef Showdown back to Lummus Park at 1130 Ocean Drive. Twenty chefs will compete in 10 head-to-head seafood battles starting at 7 p.m. Guests vote at each restaurant's Battle Pavilion before the action moves to the Jack Daniel's Live Stage. The evening also features the Pacifico Beer Bartender Showdown and Tequila Herradura Bartender Showdown. Tickets cost $175 for an all-inclusive experience.

Saturday's Seafood Slam Serves as Signature Event

The signature main event, "Seafood Slam presented by Tequila Herradura," fills Lummus Park at 1400 Ocean Drive on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 5 p.m. Unlimited tastings from more than 40 restaurants, cocktail and wine pavilions, live culinary demonstrations from Milam's Culinary Kitchen, and a Home Chef Competition are all included in the $160 general admission ticket. Children 10 and under get in free.

Festival Seen as Boost for Local Hospitality Industry

Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority Chairwoman Peggy Benua has called the festival one of the city's most beloved annual traditions. "The city's hotels and restaurants welcome new and returning travelers with special deals and incentives to take advantage of the traditional shoulder season," Benua said in a September 2025 press release promoting that year's fall events.

The full restaurant lineup and Thursday dinner tickets are expected to be announced in the coming weeks at sobeseafoodfest.com.