Friends of Eater Miami Share Their Go-To Spots for Takeout, Delivery, and Outdoor Dining

As we (finally!) put a cap on 2020, Eater surveyed a group of friends, writers, and all around experts for their take on the past year. We asked them ten questions: from top standbys to top newcomers, from best meals to restaurants they’ve broken up with. All will be answered by the time we turn off the lights at the end of the 2020. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. Responses do not necessarily reflect the views of Eater and Eater Miami.

Laine Doss (Miami New Times): I don’t do takeout or delivery and this year was no exception. Since Im in Hollywood, I found myself at the local pirate bar on Hollywood Beach It’s called Bonny & Read’s and it’s directly on the Broadwalk, so the Ocean breezes made me feel some sanity.

Belkys Nerey (WSVN 7): My regular go to during the pandemic was Lee Schrager’s Bake Sale to help the restaurant industry. I worked the bake sale many weeks to lend a hand and always left with treats from the cities best food spots.

Amber Love Bond (Eater Miami contributor): Even with the mess of a year that it’s been, my go to spots were pretty much still my old faithful standbys: Jaguar Sun and Macchialina. Both of them did a phenomenal job at jumping into the takeout game back in March and then pivoting to a comfortable and vibey outdoor dining situation that was true to who they are. I’m super thankful for the many martinis and bowls of pastas from them both!

Giovanny Gutierrez (Chat Chow TV/Eater Miami photographer): LPM Miami was my go-to destination this year as they killed it with their takeout and delivery during Quarantine and then outdoor dining.

Matthew Meltzer (Thrillist Miami): Coyo margarita gallons literally got me through lockdown, though I guess the included chips and guac were good too. Ghee and Crust also translated well to takeout. Blue Collar effectively catered all the Jewish holidays for me this year. Although the matzoh ball soup at Tarpon River Brewing was maybe my favorite dining surprise of the year.

David Rosendorf (Food For Thought): My last meal in a restaurant, indoors or out, was March 11, 2020. Since then it’s been all take-out, delivery and home cooking. For the past nine months, I’ve eaten my weight in El Bagel bagels, ordered so many take-out omakase platters from Wabi Sabi that they now just answer the phone and say “Hi David, how many and what time do you want to pick up?”, and extensively compared the relative merits of Boia De’s La Pollita and Muffuletta sandwiches. We pick up totopos and tacos from Taquiza, an occasional Silverlake Bistro burger gets worked into the mix, along with pizzas from Ash, or when they’re popping up, Square Pie City or Old Greg’s. I’ve been very happy to have a supply of Dumpling Lady dumplings in the freezer ready for quick lunches at home, when I’m not picking up take-out from Sushi Erika, or sandwiches from Botta Italian Street Food.

Stacy Moya (Eater Miami Contributor): I did a lot of cooking at home this year but when I did go or ordered out, Chef Adrianne’s, Redfish by Chef Adrianne, Sushi Maki, Pita Grill, and El Rinconcito were my go-to’s.

Virginia Gil (Time Out Miami): Jaguar Sun’s pop-ups (both the taco and the subsequent steakhouse iteration) were my go-tos for outdoor dining. Takeout really depended on who’d just opened and what new Instagram pop-up or delivery menu I wanted to try that week, like Phuc Yea’s limited-time fried chicken dinner, Zitz Sum’s dumplings, WhatSoup Miami’s lentils… the list goes on. I drove the distance for food this year. As for delivery, Thai II in my neighborhood has a permanent hold on my wallet.

Alona Martinez (Eater Miami Contributor): Carrot Express. Easy, quick and uber fresh, I found myself swinging by time and time again for either the Impossible Burger (the mashed sweet plantain and mustard aioli sauce combo with the plant-based patty is too good to resist) or their latest addition, picadillo bowl (a vegan ode to Miami) if you are going easy on carbs.

Sara Liss (Author of Miami Cooks): We got a bunch of Coyo Taco takeout (shoutout to those margarita gallons!) and got to know some amazing chef-driven gourmet delivery meals like Le Food Daily and Folklore Culinary. And thankfully we had some great outdoor dining spots to keep in rotation like Kiki on the River, Pubbelly Sushi, Seaspice, La Santa Taqueria and the rooftop of the Citadel which has a great vibe.

Kelly Blanco (NBC 6): Lucali, My Ceviche, LPM, George’s stone crab, and Oliver’s Bistro

Olee Fowler (Eater Miami): Hometown BBQ was always tasty and hit the spot when comfort cravings came calling. LPM is one of my all-time favorites, and it certainly didn't disappoint in the takeout category — it even came in a beautiful hand painted tote bag that my friends and all rocked all summer long.