
South Beach Seafood Festival’s Chef Showdown Returns
September 24, 2025If Friday night’s Chef Showdown is the South Beach Seafood Festival’s high-octane culinary competition, then Saturday’s Seafood Slam is its ultimate victory lap. Taking over Lummus Park on Saturday, October 25, 2025, this all-inclusive, all-access experience is where South Florida’s most celebrated restaurants bring their very best to the table—literally.
Presented by Tequila Herradura, and brought to life by Jack Daniel’s and GOYA Foods, the 13th annual Seafood Slam is less a festival day and more a gastronomic playground, one that turns Miami Beach into a true temple of seafood indulgence.
A Feast Without Limits
Forget tasting tickets or à la carte bites—your entry to Seafood Slam unlocks an all-inclusive experience. Over 40 to 50 top South Florida restaurants will showcase 2–3 signature dishes each, meaning guests will have upwards of 50–60 menu items to sample. From stone crab claws chilled on ice to lobster tail pairings, briny oysters, snapper crudos, and rich paellas, the festival is designed to overwhelm—in the best way possible.
And this isn’t just a tasting; it’s a competition. Guests become the judges in the Best of the Fest showdown, voting for the dish that defines Miami’s seafood scene. It’s a democratic—and delicious—pursuit to crown the champion of South Florida dining.
Beyond the Plate
Seafood Slam isn’t only about food—it’s an experience that stretches across every sensory detail of a perfect Miami Saturday. Guests can sip their way through wine and spirits samplings, discover new favorites at interactive cocktail activations, and caffeinate with Castaway Coffee’s espresso martinis and cafecitos.
For those craving indulgence, the Premium Stone Crab Pavilion offers an elevated upgrade: colossal claws, cracked fresh and served chilled, a true homage to Miami’s most iconic seafood delicacy.
Adding to the flavor, the Milam’s Market Culinary Showcase Kitchen brings a slate of demos and tastings, highlighted by a 2:30 p.m. appearance from none other than Food Network’s Chef Robert Irvine.
A Soundtrack to Match the Flavor
Of course, no South Beach celebration is complete without music. The Demesmin & Dover Live Music Stage presented by Jack Daniel’s ensures the beats flow as freely as the cocktails. DJ PaulE’s legendary pop-up will keep the energy high with an all-day dance party, while satellite stages—from the Pacifico Beer Beach Club to Sun Sips by High Noon—invite festivalgoers to sip, sway, and savor.
And for football fans? A College Football Watch Party ensures no one has to miss a moment of Saturday’s big games while enjoying a plate of ceviche in one hand and a cocktail in the other.
The Details That Matter
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Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
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Time: 1 p.m.
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Location: Lummus Park, 1130 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
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Tickets: Get them here.
Why It’s the Can’t-Miss Festival of the Season
What makes the Seafood Slam extraordinary isn’t just its sheer scale—it’s the way it captures the essence of South Florida dining. It’s a chance to see beloved local restaurants and rising stars alike in a new light, as they bring their most ambitious flavors to an audience of seafood devotees.
The festival’s format gives diners what they crave most: access. Not just to incredible dishes, but to the chefs, restaurateurs, and brands that define Miami’s food culture. It’s communal, celebratory, and as sun-soaked as only Miami Beach can be.
With the Atlantic just steps away, cocktails in hand, and a plate piled high with South Florida’s finest, Seafood Slam is more than a festival—it’s a testament to Miami’s place at the center of America’s seafood story.