Best Outdoor Restaurants in Miami

Outdoor restaurants in Miami abound, which is no surprise considering the idyllic year-round weather. From breezy afternoons on a patio to al fresco eats along the water’s edge, you’ll find plenty of spots to kick back and soak it all in with delicious food and drinks.

Rooftop restaurants, backyard gardens, oceanfront hideaways and riverfront hotspots – are you ready to discover why eating outside really is one of Miami’s great pastimes? Here are our picks for the best outdoor dining in Miami.

Sunny

Sunny’s is considered one of the best restaurants in Miami for good reason. Once a pop-up, the beautifully built out Little River steakhouse consistently books up with diners craving the beloved corn and blue crab agnolotti, juicy dry-aged ribeye and ice-cold martinis.

The interior is gorgeous, but we recommend grabbing a seat on the outdoor patio centered around the twinkling banyan tree. No reservation? A section of the terrace is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with its own bar and a pared down version of the food menu. Order a Green Ghoul cocktail, the spinach artichoke dip and limited-edition Sunny's Burger (if it’s available).

Gramps Getaway

Head to Key Biscayne, and within the bustling Rickenbacker Marina, you’ll find the buzzing palapa that holds Gramps Getaway. This casual and lively dock-and-dine restaurant has an old Miami vibe, where flip-flops and shorts are as welcome as those who like to dress up a little.

Grab a refreshing cocktail and dine al fresco with views of boats gliding through Biscayne Bay, with the Downtown and Brickell skyline behind them. Popular food options include smoked fish dip, wings, an incredible smash burger, selections from the raw bar and lobster rolls from the Lazy Oyster.

Amara at Paraiso 

Eating outside at Amara at Paraiso in Edgewater never gets old, thanks to its beachy outdoor patio that embraces its tropical waterfront overlooking Biscayne Bay. Here, James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz and his team serve bold Latin American flavors and coastal ingredients across dishes like yucca cheese puffs, spicy charcoal-grilled prawns and a half chicken a la Brasa. Stop by during golden hour or make a reservation for brunch to sip and savor during peak ambiance.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

Beyond the blue gates of a restored 1940s bungalow and through the blooming bougainvillea, Mandolin Aegean Bistro awaits. The Miami Design District eatery, with MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recognition, draws crowds for its take on Aegean food inspired by traditional Greek and Turkish coastal cooking. Its shaded outdoor patio is a chic and understated space to sip on a glass of chilled white wine and enjoy your meal of grilled octopus and juicy lamb chops over orzo pilaf.

Elia on the River

The Miami River continues heating up with new outdoor restaurant openings, including Elia on the River, located at River Landing Shops & Residences. Stop by for brunch, lunch or dinner to savor a menu that draws inspiration from the coastal flavors of Southern Italy.

Favorites range from a deep-fried Italian pastry pocket with four cheeses and pesto to braised lamb tagliatelle and grilled branzino. Thursday afternoons are for “Tipsy Tea” featuring three-tier towers, spritzes, cocktails, live entertainment and those iconic riverfront views.

Lido Bayside Grill at The Standard Spa

One of the top restaurants in Miami for golden hour is Lido Bayside Grill at The Standard Spa. Its sweeping views of Biscayne Bay are reason enough to stop in for a fresh, seafood-forward lunch, brunch or dinner. The ambiance is buzzy yet relaxed, and the crowd is a fun mix of local creatives and trendy jet-setters.

You can’t go wrong with the hamachi crudo and jumbo shrimp cocktail or the whole grilled branzino. Happy hour runs Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and includes frozen cocktails and small plates like tuna carpaccio and Greek guacamole.

Pastis

Rosemary bushes, bistro tables and a cobblestone floor give the garden patio at Pastis the feel of a Parisian brasserie, tucked away from Wynwood's lively streets. The atmosphere is great for lingering over a leisurely dinner, whether you’re on a date or catching up with friends over a bottle of wine.

The kitchen sticks to French bistro classics, such as escargot, French onion soup, duck confit, steak frites and profiteroles, rich with vanilla ice cream and bittersweet chocolate. For drinks, try Le Petit Pickle, a mini vodka martini made with house brine and an assortment of pickled things.

MILA

Getting a reservation here can be tough, but there’s a reason MILA is one of Miami Beach's most coveted tables. The rooftop restaurant perched above Lincoln Road pairs a lush, open-air terrace with cabanas, reflecting pools and evening fire performances that make dinner feel like an event.

MILA fuses Mediterranean and Japanese influences in dishes like bluefin chu-toro tartare with caviar and crispy nori chips, truffle cream spaghetti with shaved black truffle and spicy miso-glazed black cod. If you can't decide, opt for the five-course signature tasting menu and let the kitchen take the lead.