10 June 19-25, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Barter System You can pay in mangos at these Miami businesses. BY CINDY FERREIRO O nly in Miami could a piece of fruit double as currency. Come June, the city practically bursts with mangos, falling from backyard trees, traded between neighbors, and folded into every- thing from pastelitos to poke bowls. Fueled by Miami’s tropical climate and deep Latin roots, mango season is more than a time of year; it’s a local ritual. Miami even has a festi- val every year dedi- cated to all things mango. This summer, a few inventive res- taurants are leaning into the city’s mango obsession and letting custom- ers pay with fruit. Yes, really. In a sweet twist on lit- eral farm-to-table, mangos have be- come legal tender. It may sound surreal, but in the 305, it somehow makes perfect sense. For those shocked that Miamians have more than five or six pounds they can give away at once, a single tree can produce doz- ens of mangos every summer (that’s a lotta mangos). So, whether your tree is overflow- ing or you just love the idea of edible cur- rency, now’s the time to trade up. In Miami, even your mangos get you a seat at the table. Below, check out where you can trade your mango haul for something delicious. Narbona Coconut Grove 3015 Grand Ave., Ste. 116, Coconut Grove 305-340-3242 coconutgrove.narbona.com At Narbona’s Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne locations, mango season is getting deliciously sweet. Now through June 30, anyone who brings four fresh, undamaged mangos (bigger than a fist) can trade them in for a scoop of creamy mango gelato. This “Mango Trade” for gelato is limited to one per person per day. Peel 175 NE 96th St., Miami Shores peelsoftserve.com Even Peel, the playful dessert bar in Miami Shores known for its banana-based soft serve, couldn’t resist the mango madness. Bring in five pounds of ripe mangos and get a small Peel bowl, swirled with your flavor of choice and topped with up to two toppings. Due to overwhelming response, Peel has capped donations at 20 pounds per person and requests that fruit be clean and intact (no broken skin or bites). Tâm Tâm 99 NW First St., Miami 786-359-4647 tam-tam-mia.com Known for its contemporary Vietnamese cui- sine and bold, comforting flavors, Tâm Tâm is putting a tropical spin on its menu this sum- mer. Guests who bring in 5 pounds of ripe mangos will receive a free order of their crave-worthy Tâm Tâm Wings, sticky with fish sauce caramel, topped with crispy garlic, fresh cilantro, and lime. Flavor-packed and finger-licking good, these wings are one of the restaurant’s signature items, and now you can barter for them with fruit. Tomorrowland Miami 1368 N. Miami Ave., Miami 786-542-9994 tomorrowlandmiami.com Tomorrowland in downtown Miami is em- bracing the mango madness by letting guests trade in fresh mangoes for one of the bar’s most beloved cocktails: “The Spicy Nikki” (also known as “The OG”). Normally priced at $14, it’s a tropical-meets-fiery blend made with house-infused jalapeño and pineapple Jose Cuervo Tradicional, fresh lime juice, agave, and a touch of mango purée that ties it all together. This cocktail originally debuted in 2018, disappeared from the menu for a while, and has now made a comeback, just in time to shine during mango season. Whip ‘n Dip Ice Cream Shoppe 1407 Sunset Dr., Miami 305-665-2565 whipndip.com Founded in 1985, this family-run South Mi- ami staple is truly one of the very best old- fashioned ice cream shops in Miami. The smooth, creamy deliciousness that is Whip ‘n Dip ice cream makes the after-school lines worthwhile. With deep ties to the University of Miami and the surrounding South Miami/ Coral Gables community, this family-run shop has been a local favorite for decades. This summer, the shop’s “Mango Swap” re- turns. Got a backyard overflowing with ripe mangoes? Bring them in. Whip ‘n Dip will trade your homegrown haul for scoops of mango-inspired ice cream creations made with the very fruit you just dropped off. It’s a delicious, hyperlocal way to celebrate mango season while keeping things cool. Zak The Baker 295 NW 26th St., Miami 786-294-0876 zakthebaker.com Wynwood’s iconic bakery was the first to turn mangos into money. In 2023, Zak the Baker launched a seasonal mango-for-bread pro- gram to collect fruit for house-made jams. What began as a fun, community-focused ex- periment quickly turned into a full-fledged summer tradition. Locals showed up in droves with fruit from their yards, and the team started incorporating the bounty into cheesecakes, parfaits, and refreshing mango sodas. To take part, bring six ripe mangos to the counter and walk away with a fresh- baked loaf of your choice. It’s a win-win: less food waste, more community connection, and a treat for your taste buds. [email protected] ▼ Café Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar It’s Miami mango currency season, baby. A FEW INVENTIVE RESTAURANTS ARE LEANING INTO THE CITY’S MANGO OBSESSION AND LETTING CUSTOMERS PAY WITH FRUIT.
