Happily, more restaurants are starting to reopen and retool with safety protocols. Wherever possible, they’re looking to add space for outside dining, since surveys show that at this point diners prefer to eat outside. And, to that point, I’ve laid out my picks for outdoor dining in Miami. They offer different kinds of cuisine at varying price points. If you’re still on the fence about in- restaurant dining, don’t miss my post last week on a my first experience dining out since the onset of COVID-19. Click here for the post. And don’t miss a lot more places that have come onstream since I wrote this original post. Look at the end for links to other choices and which are participating in Miami Spice 2020 that runs through October.
Doma, a Mediterranean-inspired, southern Italian restaurant is a solid bet for outdoor dining in Wynwood. It is a reliable choice for fine dining and stylish décor with a big plus, a garden courtyard. Its Neopolitan Chef Marco Giugliano has trained with some of the best chefs on Italy’s Amalfi Coast and in Mykonos, Greece and served as executive chef in Michelin-starred restaurants, including Quattro Passi in London’s Mayfair District and Taverna Estia in Brusciano, Italy.
The menu features classic Italian dishes as well as modern plates.The garden courtyard has a retractable awning in case it rains, and 8 tables accommodating 4 guests max per table. It’s featuring its new summer menu with dishes including linguine vongole & porcini, gnocchi prawns & burrata and fine herb marinated Hamachi crudo. Snag good values with their Miami Spice menus offered now through September. Reservations and walk ins are accepted, and they do takeout and delivery.Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Street parking. 35 N.E. 26th Street, T.(786)953-6946.
Smith & Wollensky, one of Miami’s traditional steakhouses with branches across the country, is always a solid bet for a casual meal or celebration. Adjacent to South Pointe Park, it features a lovely waterside, treelined setting with spacious outdoor patios, some seats with a roof cover ,and others with umbrellas. It’s a top choice for outdoor dining in Miami Beach.Together with an upper deck, it can accomodate over 100 guests outdoors while adhering to social distancing. Reservations are required. The menu of course is heavy with beef options and all the sides that make a perfect match, but also, popular seafood choices, salads and sandwiches.
I had the steak tartar with bone marrow and Szechuan string beans with a glass of wine, a perfect lunch. Takeout is offered with pre payment online, and they’re also offering a “S&W at Home” program of hand-butchered USDA Prime steaks as well as dinner packages with prepared sides, grill kits, and takeaway bottled wines at a 25% discount. It’s open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Valet parking is $9. 1 Washington Avenue, T.(305)673-2800.
Bakan is a place I hadn’t been, but it has been getting good reviews on online forums, so off we went for another pick for outdoor dining in Wynwood. It was Mr. W’s first dinner out, and he was loving it. Tasty Mexican food is the name of the game here along with over 300 tequilas and mezcals, almost one for every day of the year. The menu was especially appealing , so there was a lot I wanted to try. We settled on the green mole, a dish that isn’t easy to find at Miami Mexican restaurants. Seabass was covered in the traditional sauce from Oaxaca made with mint, parsley, epazote, hoja santa, cilantro, tomatillo and serrano chile with crunchy pumpkin seeds, served with a side of rice and green beans. Delicious. Mr. W had a specialty, a dish from the wood burning grill that uses oak and cherry woods.
He opted for the prime rib eye taco which came with a small corn cob (elote), melted cheese filled poblano chile, refried black beans and tortillas. It’s a great choice if you want to sample a lot of the dishes and can’t choose which one. Tortillas here are the real thing — blue corn and baked rather than fried. When you come, be sure to get the guacamole which tasted uber fresh, and had just the right mix of chunky and creamy. Order churros for dessert. This space was built within a cactus wall and was inspired by the culture and sights of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Oaxaca. Forty one guests can be accommodated outdoors in a covered patio with cooling fans. Service is friendly and good. The full menu is offered along with happy hour Monday to Friday, 4 to 7. It’s open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday. Reservations and walk ins are accepted. Delivery is available.2801 N.W. 2nd Street, T.(305)396-7080.
Another favorite, The Deck at Island Gardens has always one of my “go to” places to enjoy a signature view of Miami’s skyline and soak in a “buzzy”, glamorous atmosphere with loungey music.The Deck’s dining area is covered by a full awning with large umbrellas covering walkways and fans keep the restaurant cool. Cabanas are fully covered.
Tables are appropriately spaced throughout the expansive dining area, including cabanas. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday for dinner and Saturday and Sunday, also for lunch with dishes including berry stuffed pancakes and carbonara pizza.
Takeout and delivery are also available. Reservations are encouraged but walk ins are accepted if capacity permits. Self parking is $10 and valet parking is $20. 888 MacArthur Causeway,T.(786-627-4949).
Award winning chef Antonio Bachour’s namesake restaurant and bakery features a Spanish style outdoor courtyard for 72 that’s covered to protect it from sun and rain. It’s a good choice for casual outdoor dining in Miami. This year, Bachour was named a semifinalist for Pastry Chef of the Year as part of its 2020 Restaurant and Chef Awards by The James Beard Foundation. In late 2019, Bachour was named Esquire magazine’s top pastry chef in the U.S. and the only South Florida-based chef included on the list.
The restaurant is serving its full menu and delectable pastry creations along with new dishes including Wild Salmon with Summer peas Fricassee, Slow Roasted Bone In Short Rib, quiche croissants, and Spanish Egg Scramble. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday; Sundays and Mondays for breakfast, lunch and late-night snacks. Takeout and delivery are also offered. Reservations are preferred. Bachour Restaurant & Bakery, 2020 Salzedo St,, T.(305)203-0552.
Azabu Miami Beach is low key, but those in the know, know about the cuisine of famed Chef Yasu Tanaka: Head Sushi Chef. Tanaka’s culinary talent and dedication propelled him to positions in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world. In Tokyo, he worked at the renowned Sushi Iwa for three years. He later moved to New York City and joined the team at Sushi Azabu. After three years, Tanaka moved to Miami Beach to open The Den at Azabu Miami Beach. His specialty is traditional Edomae sushi. In the outdoor courtyard 30 diners can be accommodated. It’s protected from the rain and has cooling fans. Dinner is served seven days a week, a limited menu. Takeout and delivery are also offered. Reservations only. Valet is offered for $15 when validated. 161 Ocean Drive, T. (786) 276-0520.
A Coral Gables/South Miami favorite, Fiola, is offering its veranda retooled for social distancing for those wanting to eating outdoors. The full menu is offered, inspired by regional Italian classics and with an artistic eye on presentation. There are also new dishes including a raw bar with West or East coast oysters, Amalfi style tomato salad with produce from local farms, charcoal grilled pork chop, hand made pasta with vegetables and tiramisu that uses five year aged Madeira. Lunch and dinner are offered Tuesday to Friday and Sunday, Saturday dinner only. There’s a very good three course lunch special for $29 plus tip and tax. Reservations are required. Delivery and takeout are offered. There’s also the Fiola Market on Sat 12 pm – 4 pm where you can shop Fiola’s premium ingredients to cook at home. Valet parking. 1500 San Ignacio Avenue, T. (305)912-2639.
More Places for Outdoor Dining in Miami
Top New Picks for Outdoor Dining in Miami
Outdoor Dining in Miami, More Top Picks
9 Responses
Love this list and the post on the Best Fish Markets! Casablanca has been a long time fave of mine :). Do you need to make a reso for the fish market?
They don’t take reservations. But a tip is, go when they open, at 9 a.m. I went then the other day and I was the only customer there.
Excellent list! We lunched at Bakan this week and enjoyed it immensely. Our salads and ceviche were yummy, and every Covid-prevention tactic one could think of was in place.
Great post! Going to check these out, especially the smaller less known !
5 of us enjoyed a delicious meal outside at Ristorante Via Emilia Garden in mid-town. The others had not been there before and loved it. Thank you for the post
HELP please.. my son and girlfriend are coming from NYC for a week. She has never been to Miami and we want to take her to a great Cuban restaurant. HELP!!
My favorite is Cafe La Trova in Little Havana. It has a great bar that transported me back to Havana, with creative, cool cocktails, live music, and a good menu.
Unfortunately, Cafe La Trova is closed except for takeout on certain nights.
Yes, it’s too bad. I did read though today Michele Bernstein brought back her fried chicken dinners! Comfort food anyone? Also, stay tuned as I’m doing a post on more outdoor dining options.