Miami, FL
8 Perfect Eats For A Boat Day In Miami
The best boat days always include an epic food spread
One thing is sure about Miamians: we freaking love a boat day. Put us out on the water and let us live our best lives. All that sun (and likely day drinking) is bound to work up an appetite and having the perfect boat day eats is key to curating the best boat day ever.
From a build your own taco bar to stone crabs and fried chicken to family-sized bowls of some of Miami’s most iconic bites, there’s really no shortage of great spots offering easy to transport, large format food for a crowd that plans on hanging outside all day.
Here are 8 Miami spots to grab boat day eats for a group that are guaranteed crowd pleasers every time.
For a true Miami staple: Chicken Kitchen
Chicken Kitchen Chop Chop bowls make boat days better
Forever one of the absolute best boat day options, Chicken Kitchen is a local chain with locations all over the city meaning, you’re likely close to one as you prepare to head to the marina. Family (serves 4 to 5) and Party-sized (serves 8 to 10) Chop-Chop bowls are the go to move here. Pair a bowl or two — might we suggest the Cuban featuring chicken, black beans, tomato, and lettuce — with a quesadilla platter and perhaps a family-sized salad and an order of balsamic tomatoes and you’re good to go. They even provide plates, utensils, and plenty of curry mustard (and other sauces as well). And the best part? No need to worry about ordering in advance. In fact, you can even order the large format bowls via Uber Eats for delivery right to the dock just before you set sail just as easily as you can pop into one of their locations and order on the spot.
For those keeping it as classic as possible: Publix
Publix Chicken Tender Platter
Those from Miami (or really Florida and the South in general) know Publix is the ultimate favorite when it comes to feeding a large group delicious platters of food. From mini sandwiches to fruit and veggie platters to the legendary chicken tender platters, there’s no shortage of easy-to-order ideal boat day food at this favorite supermarket. The ultimate order will most definitely include a chicken tender platter, maybe a mix and match deli wrap platter, a fruit tray, and cookie platter. Make sure to stock up on plenty of sauces for the tenders. Orders can be placed online and need to be done 24-hours in advance.
For the fancy boat days: Joe’s Stone Crab
Joe’s Stone Crab for an epic boat day meal
There’s nothing more iconic in Miami than stone crabs from Joe’s Stone Crab. As the first restaurant to ever serve stone crabs, this spot has perfected the art of delicious stone crabs all year long. Thanks to Joe’s Takeaway, ordering from Joe’s on your boat day is super simple. Pair those stone crabs with Joe’s legendary fried chicken, peel & eat shrimp, Joe’s coleslaw, a chopped salad, and the Miami-style fish and chips aka fried grouper in lemon garlic spices served with yuca fries and mango guava sauce and garlic aioli for the dreamiest order. Don’t forget to order Key Lime pie, because everyone deserves a sweet treat.
For those who can’t get enough sushi: Poke OG
Poke OG makes for a perfect boat day spread
From omakase boxes to large scale sides of seaweed salad, krab salad, and zucchini noodles, Poke OG is one of the most refreshing boat day options. Opt for a few omakase boxes that each feature 10 nigiri, maki rolls, 5 sashimi, edamame, and seaweed salad for easy to pick at options or go hard with a build your own poke bowl bar. With your choice of two mixes (tuna, salmon, Japanese yellowtail, shrimp, watermelon, or tofu), rice, greens, toppings, and even nori sheets so you can make your own handrolls, it’s a super solid boat day option that’s easy to customize for a crowd. Orders can be placed in advance on Poke OG’s website.
For taco and tequila loving crowd: Coyo Taco
Nothing beats a salsa bar on a boat
Who doesn’t love a build-your-own taco bar at sea? Coyo Taco makes it easy with their catering options — featuring your choice of proteins, all the ingredients needed to make tacos (or burrito bowls), a salsa bar, chips, plenty of guacamole, rice and beans — it’s ideal for a boat day where people can eat at their own pace and make whatever taco creations they want. Add a few quesadillas and an order or two of esquite (street corn) and you’re all set. Orders can be placed on Coyo Taco’s website.
For those trying to stay healthy during the boat day: Carrot Express
Carrot Express makes being healthy on a boat easy
Keeping healthy on a boat day is easy thanks to Carrot Express. No matter what time of day your day begins, this spot has a wide range of options from all-day breakfast, wrap and ciabatta platters, family style salads, power bowls, dessert trays, juice bundles and more. Wrap and sandwich trays feed up to 10 to 12 people and include two different variations of your choosing including the Chicken Caesar Wrap filled with chicken breast, romaine, kale, homemade croutons, parmesan cheese and homemade Caesar dressing or the Pesto Passion featuring Free range grilled chicken, arugula, tomato, mozzarella, pesto, balsamic glaze, lemon and olive oil. Salads are served family style also feed 10 to 12 people with choices like their Oriental Crunch Salad made with mixed greens, romaine, avocado, carrots, bean sprouts, roasted cashews, toasted sesame seeds & crispy tortilla strips tossed with honey-lime peanut vinaigrette. For something more hearty, Power Bowls are large enough for 10-12 people including the popular Mario’s Favorite Chicken Bowl mixed with arugula, kale, spinach, almonds, peas, golden raisins, quinoa, cilantro brown rice in their tangy citrus sauce. Carrot Express’s dessert tray includes a choice of three different treats where guests will have to decide between their homemade vegan banana bread, chocolate chunk walnut cookies, oatmeal cookies and guava cookies. Catering orders can be placed online here and must be placed 24-hours in advance.
For the burger lovers: Shake Shack
Large Order options for Shake Shack for the win
Burgers on a boat? Look no further. Did you know Shake Shack’s menu has a Large Orders section of the menu? Perfect for groups of up to 12, these orders come with a variety of sandwich options — including the ShackBurger, Chicken Shack, Veggie Shack, and even SmokeShack. A perfect classic order would be the ShackBurger Box and the Crinkle Cut Fry Box. Orders can be placed via shakeshack.com or by using the app.
For those looking for a chic option: Maman
For light bites Maman is the clear winner
This New York transplant located in the heart of Wynwood makes the ultimate boat day lunch for those who are looking for chic French sandwiches and easy mini bites. Snag a platter of 16 half sandwiches for including bestselling options like the Katie Sandwich with herb-roasted chicken with basil aioli, roasted red peppers, arugula, and roasted tomato on a baguette or Bibian’s Turkey Sandwich with sliced turkey with kale spring pea and ricotta spread, pickled onions, and melted Swiss on seeded sourdough. For those who prefer mini bites, choose from a selection of mini sandwiches or mini quiches, sold by the dozen featuring delicious options like the Croissant de Sud, Mini Everything Croissants, and Quiche Sophie made with Spinach, feta, and artichoke quiche. Of course, finishing off on a sweet note is everything, and Maman offers cookies by the dozen ranging from Oprah’s favorite Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies to S’mores Cookies and Lime Cilantro Sugar Cookies. To place an order visit Maman’s website or use the Maman app.
Miami, FL
South Florida Dirt: A timeline of the Vacchi vs. Stern legal battle
Developer Michael Stern teamed up with Italian investor and TikToker Gianluca Vacchi in 2024.
At the time, Stern said that Vacchi “understands new media and how to cut through the noise on social media in a way most real estate people don’t,” calling him an effective marketer and tastemaker. Online to his 22.1 million Instagram followers and 22.3 million TikTok followers, Vacchi has showcased his jetsetting lifestyle, workouts, cold plunges, and maybe most frequently, his dancing.
Two years ago, Stern and Vacchi said they were 50-50 partners on a $4 billion pipeline of JDS Development’s projects (Stern’s firm). That included Mercedes-Benz Places Miami, the Dolce & Gabbana-branded 888 Brickell and the planned 1250 West Avenue project in Miami Beach. It later also encompassed a proposed condo buyout of the Casablanca Miami Beach.
Since then, JDS and its partners have exited the 1250 West Avenue project. Both the Mercedes-Benz and Dolce & Gabbana condo projects are tied up in litigation, though sources previously told The Real Deal that JDS is in the process of securing new debt, and a new partner in developer Jeff Soffer for the stalled Mercedes-Benz Places, which would rescue the project.
Meanwhile, Stern’s relationship with Vacchi has imploded. Vacchi sued Stern months ago, but that lawsuit was on hold, and further details of their dispute remained behind closed doors.
Until recently.
Vacchi is accusing Stern of running a Ponzi scheme. In a new lawsuit, he alleges that Stern misrepresented the state of the projects, promising to use Vacchi’s investment in one development but instead diverting them to another. He also accuses Stern of violating a settlement agreement they reached this year. He wants Stern removed from the Mercedes-Benz project.
Stern called Vacchi’s original lawsuit an abuse of the legal system that was filed “for the sole purpose of maliciously creating reputational destruction” and to extract a settlement from Stern, according to a separate lawsuit obtained by TRD. It’s unclear whether that suit was filed. Stern alleges that Vacchi failed to meet his capital obligations (in other words, didn’t invest on time, or at all).
What we’re thinking about: What happens next with Stern? If the partnership with Soffer and the new financing closes, is all resolved? Send me a note at kk@therealdeal.com.
CLOSING TIME
Residential: A trust paid $41.6 million for the 9,100-square-foot mansion at 8565 Old Cutler Road. The seller was 8565 Old Cutler LLC, which purchased the property in 2022 for $38 million. The property, considered a teardown, has previously housed former presidents of the University of Miami, including former U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala.
Commercial: The industrial complex at 333 South West 12th Avenue in Deerfield Beach, the printing press for the Sun Sentinel newspaper, sold for $65 million. Gramercy Property Trust sold the property to 333 Deerfield Industrial LLC.
— Research by Mary Diduch
NEW TO THE MARKET
The waterfront mansion at 9720 West Broadview Drive in Bay Harbor Islands hit the market for $36.5 million. The 0.3-acre property, with 83 feet of waterfront, a dock, boat lift, pool, outdoor kitchen, cabana and 2,000-square-foot deck, was recently developed. It’s listed with Daniela Levtov of NG International LLC. The 10,450-square-foot house has seven en-suite bedrooms, a home theater, office and library, according to the listing. Property records show Shaul and Danielle Dina own the home through a trust.
A thing we’ve learned
Port Canaveral officials are backing a new federal bill that would make unauthorized drone flights over U.S. seaports a felony, after more than 500 drones flew over the port in 2025, raising concerns about the security of military, space and cruise operations.
Elsewhere in Florida
- West Palm Beach residents pushed back on the city’s rapid development and developer influence at a public meeting this week, WPTV reported. The proposed appointment of a Stephen Ross executive to the Downtown Development Authority fueled the protest.
- About 50 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasite that’s been sickening people in several states, have been confirmed in Florida. That includes five cases in Miami-Dade and five cases in Broward, according to NBC Miami.
- The FBI is investigating whether Aventura-based TourProdEnter LLC funneled more than $300 million in Argentine Football Association sponsorship payments through U.S. banks for the personal benefit of top AFA officials, the Miami Herald reported. The company moved into an office in Aventura at the start of the year but moved out in the spring.
Miami, FL
Oregon Battling Miami, Mario Cristobal for Four-Star EDGE Recruit
The Oregon Ducks come off a chaotic recruiting period in the 2027 cycle, where they hosted official visitors and added to their list of commitments. Coach Dan Lanning and the Oregon staff are simultaneously looking ahead to future recruiting classes.
As the 2027 cycle starts to wind down and the 2028 cycle begins to pick up, the Ducks entered the recruiting sweepstakes for four-star edge rusher Elijah Tillman.
Oregon Ducks in the Mix for Four-Star EDGE Elijah Tillman
Tillman is a 6-7, 210-pound edge rusher from Loganville, Georgia. He’s listed as a consensus four-star recruit and is ranked as high as No. 152 in the class by Rivals.
In a recent interview with Rivals’ Chad Simmons, Tillman revealed that Oregon and the Miami Hurricanes are among the schools that he wants to visit. According to 247Sports, the Ducks offered him back on April 30, 2026, while the Hurricanes extended an offer all the way on January 25, 2025.
Tillman told Rivals that the different schools in the mix are even at the moment, but that Oregon and Miami were two of the schools that he wants to go out and see.
Four-Star Elijah Tillman’s Potential Oregon Ducks Fit
Sports Spring Football | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
With Tillman’s large frame, which still has the opportunity to grow, he would provide the Ducks with size on the edge right away.
The 2027 recruiting class currently features five-star edge rusher Rashad Streets, three-star Achilles Reyna and three-star Josh Christensen at the position. The program prepares for current starters Matayo Uiagelelei and Teitum Tuioti to head to the NFL Draft at the conclusion of the 2026 season, leaving opportunities for the next couple of recruiting classes.
Additionally, the Ducks haven’t earned any commitments from the state of Georgia in their 2027 recruiting class. The last commit Lanning landed from Georgia was Dayton Raiola in the 2026 class, who made his decision on February 4, 2026. Making a big push for Tillman could possibly reignite the program’s recruiting in the Peach State.
Miami Hurricanes vs. Oregon Ducks Recruiting Battle
Miami is the other program that appears to be making a big push early for Tillman. Oregon fans are very familiar with former Ducks coach Mario Cristobal, who took Oregon recruiting to a different level before leading the Hurricanes to the National Championship game last season.
Cristobal and the Hurricanes have battled Lanning and the Ducks for blue-chip recruits more and more over the recent recruiting cycles. Most notably, Miami flipped four-star cornerback Ai’King Hall’s commitment from Oregon earlier in the 2027 cycle.
The two rivals also emerged as finalists for linebacker recruit Jalaythan Mayfield, who ended up choosing the Indiana Hoosiers. Oregon got the best of the Hurricanes once in the 2027 cycle when four-star offensive lineman Gus Corsair committed to the Pacific Northwest program over the Vanderbilt Commodores and Miami.
While the Hurricanes aren’t a Big Ten rival that the Ducks commonly go toe-to-toe with on the field and in the recruiting realm, Cristobal’s role in the recruiting rivalry adds a little bit more fuel to battles for recruits like Tillman.
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Miami, FL
Can Jason Marshall push for a starting spot – The Splash Zone 7/10/26
The Miami Dolphins will have new starters at their cornerback positions since both Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas are not back with the team. The team drafted Chris Johnson in the first round and it’s pretty likely he’ll have a large role and should claim the one starting spot. The other starting spot should be up for grabs among the rest of the group. Jason Marshall is one of those players who has a better chance of claiming that starting spot after showing some flashes his rookie season. Jeff Hafley has already said he envision Marshall playing on the outside and the second-year corner should get plenty of chances to prove himself during the preseason.
You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
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