Spring has arrived in South Florida, with it comes the perfect opportunity to indulge in outdoor dining. As the weather cools and humidity levels lower, enjoying a meal al fresco returns to life. These Magic City outdoor dining favorites offer the perfect ambiance.
Read More16 Fantastic Outdoor Patios for Alfresco Dining in Miami
Take in the fresh air
Ironside Pizza
Located in the vibrant Ironside complex, Ironside Pizza offers a prime patio view of the lively courtyard, ideal for families to enjoy classic Neapolitan pizzas, pasta, and salads. Known for its al fresco setting with ample covered outdoor seating, guests can savor the perfect pie with a breeze, and the BYOB policy welcomes diners to bring their preferred wine for just a $15 corkage fee.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Since its opening in 2009, this Greek and Turkish restaurant has cemented itself as a beloved destination for Miami diners. The enchanting Design District spot offers an idyllic setting for a romantic evening, with an outdoor patio adorned with bougainvillea, white-washed walls, and blue accents evocative of a Santorini villa. Memorable dishes include grilled octopus, cheese saganaki, mousaka, and sea bass.
Le Jardinier
The French translation of “the gardener” is a fitting moniker for this Design District gem, where lush greens feature prominently in the tasteful modern decor and vegetable-forward menu. This one-Michelin-star restaurant boasts an outdoor dining space perfect for enjoying the Miami weather while savoring a seasonal selection of dishes.
B-Side Miami Design District
The third (and latest) from the Chang family, this fast-casual Nikkei sushi counter — already present in 1-800-LUCKY food hall and Kaseya Center — replacing its more upscale sister restaurant, Itamae. Siblings Nando and Val Chang, along with their father Fernando Chang, have won discerning hearts and palates with their creativity and unique use of flavors showcased in dishes like the Lost In Translation Roll (salmon, tuna, tobiko, crispy quinoa, and aji Camarillo) and Thirty-Three + A Third Roll (crispy white fish, avocado, smoked fish and acechado sauce).
Amara at Paraiso
Amidst stunning vistas of Biscayne Bay, this chic and bustling restaurant offers one of Miami's most picturesque outdoor dining experiences. Chef Michael Schwartz’s Latin American-inspired modern restaurant has a new chef at the helm, Ivan Barros, who’s creating dishes like chicken la brass with crispy smashed potatoes, aji verde and pickled onions; moqueca, a as Brazilian fish stew, steamed with prawns, cobia, octopus, coconut milk and rice a masa honey cake served with roasted pineapples, honey, tajin and coconut cream.
Matador Room
For a memorable weekend brunch outing, head to Matador Room at the Miami Beach Edition and enjoy dishes from chef Jean-George Vongerichten that include eggs Benedict with country ham and citrus-chili hollandaise and coconut pancakes with grapefruit and lavender maple syrup.
Pastis Miami
This buzzy French bistro features a charming and very in demand outdoor garden and courtyard where diners can indulge in dishes like escargot, onion soup, warm shrimp salad, moules frites, and trout almondine in the heart of Wynwood.
Doya
Doya stands out for its unfussy take on Greek and Turkish fare and is a top choice for open-air dining. The restaurant embraces meze culture, featuring tapas-style plates for sharing, including standouts such as Branzino ceviche, sea beans with garlic yogurt, and turkey pastrami hummus. Guests shouldn’t miss the variety of wood-fired grilled dishes, and the intimate outdoor seating makes for an idyllic atmosphere at this Wynwood establishment.
Leku
Located inside the Rubell Museum, this Basque restaurant, under the helm of the chef Carlos Garcia, offers an upscale dining experience, complete with a lush outdoor seating area ideal for enjoying one of the many excellent Spanish wines. Highlights from the menu include foie gras and cocoa tart, braised Wagyu cheeks, slow-cooked rack of lamb, and crisp confit suckling pig with smoked piperade, all of which evoke the flavors and spirit of the Iberian peninsula.
Verde
Offering sweeping views of Biscayne Bay, this waterfront restaurant in Pérez Art Museum Miami serves a rotating seasonal menu that includes dishes like smoked swordfish carpaccio, mushroom risotto, and butternut squash soup. Pizza lovers will enjoy the varied selection, including “First Love," a blend of stracciatella cheese, tomato sauce, prosciutto, arugula, and sundried tomato puree.
Abbalé Telavivian Kitchen
This Israeli restaurant, modeled after the inviting alfresco cafes of Tel Aviv, boasts an outdoor seating area complete with plush, oversized pillows, potted plants, and ample shade. Chef Samuel “Sam” Gorenstein and Omer Horev present a menu with dishes like charred onion tahini, crunchy cauliflower with tamarind glaze, and Moroccan-spiced fish. Be sure to leave room for sweet treats like lemon olive oil pistachio cake and warm medjool date sticky cake with feta caramel sauce.
Quinto Miami
Enjoy Miami’s skyline at this South American staple nestled on the 5th floor of EAST Miami. Specializing in open-fire parrilla and wood-fired oven cooking, diners can relax in the large, lush outdoor setting and enjoy favorites like grilled octopus, baked provolone cheese, and avocado pizzette. Steaks are big here: don’t skip the Bife Angosto con Hueso (16-ounce Prime NY strip steak) or the Entrecôte con Hueso, a 32-oz. Prime cowboy steak bone-in served with chimichurri sauce.
Koko
KoKo by Bakan, the newest Grupo Bakan venture in Coconut Grove, features a pre-Hispanic Mexican menu with fresh nixtamal tortillas and wood-fired specialties, complemented by over 400 mezcal and tequila selections. The expansive 6,000-square-foot venue includes a covered outdoor dining space adorned with traditional Mexican furniture, brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures, murals, and natural fabric light fixtures from various Mexican regions.
Sadelle's Coconut Grove
This beautiful New York transplant has a large outdoor patio bustling with young families bearing strollers and adorable Labradoodles. Come for brunch and choose from the soft scrambled eggs (top it with caviar), crispy latkes, French toast, and grapefruit cocktail. Be sure to save room for Sadelle’s Tower, a lox and bagel celebration worth the visit alone. There are numerous salads and sandwiches to try as well.
Chug's Diner
This Coconut Grove restaurant, a beloved haunt among locals and furry friends, offers an expansive outdoor seating area. The menu features Cuban American fare, with must-try dishes such as Cuban spare ribs, pollo a la Milanese, and Abuelas Plate. Brunch is a bustling affair where diners can indulge in favorites like the cast iron pancake and pastelitos in unconventional flavors beyond the traditional guava and cheese.
Glass & Vine
Located within the serene confines of Peacock Park in Coconut Grove, this restaurant provides a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life, with a welcoming patio built for every occasion. From date nights to family brunches, the menu offers diverse favorites, including steak frites, chicken black truffle gnocchi, and spicy rigatoni.