This summer, a few inventive restaurants are leaning into the city's mango obsession and letting customers pay with fruit. Yes, really. In a sweet twist on literal farm-to-table, mangos have become 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 dozens of mangos every summer (that's a lotta mangos). So, whether your tree is overflowing or you just love the idea of edible currency, 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.
Now through June 30, anyone who brings four fresh, undamaged mangos can trade them in for a scoop of creamy mango gelato.
Narbona photo
Narbona Coconut Grove
3015 Grand Ave., Ste. 116, Coconut Grove305-340-3242
coconutgrove.narbona.comAt 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 Shorespeelsoftserve.comEven 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., Miami786-359-4647
tam-tam-mia.comKnown for its contemporary Vietnamese cuisine and bold, comforting flavors, Tâm Tâm is putting a tropical spin on its menu this summer. 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 in downtown Miami is embracing the mango madness by letting guests trade in fresh mangoes for one of the bar's most beloved cocktails
Tomorrowland Miami photo
Tomorrowland Miami
1368 N. Miami Ave., Miami786-542-9994
tomorrowlandmiami.comTomorrowland in downtown Miami is embracing the mango madness by letting guests trade in fresh mangos 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 is doing a mango swap in exchange for ice cream this year
Whip 'n Dip Ice Cream Shoppe photo
Whip 'n Dip Ice Cream Shoppe
1407 Sunset Dr., Miami305-665-2565
whipndip.comFounded in 1985, this family-run South Miami 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" returns. Got a backyard overflowing with ripe mangos? 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, hyper-local way to celebrate mango season while keeping things cool.
Zak the Baker spearheaded the mango currency movement in Miami and is most known for it.
Screenshot via Instagram/@zakthebaker
Zak The Baker
295 NW 26th St., Miami786-294-0876
zakthebaker.comWynwood's iconic bakery was the first to turn mangos into money. In 2023, Zak the Baker launched a seasonal mango-for-bread program to collect fruit for house-made jams. What began as a fun, community-focused experiment 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.
