Best Outdoor Dining in Miami

Start a day of business meetings or sightseeing by fueling up at this popular, buzzing cafe located in the bustling neighborhood of Coconut Grove. Whether you're grabbing a bagel, pastry or croissant to go or you're settling in to while away the morning with a full meal and the daily news, this is the perfect choice for locals and tourists alike. GreenStreet offers indoor seating but it's the outdoor tables that are always busiest, often with patrons who bring their furry friends to this dog-friendly establishment. On the weekends, the dining room is especially crowded with couples and families enjoying fresh coffee and plates brimming with omelets, pancakes and fruit-topped waffles.

Wynwood remains one of the hottest places in town to hang out, eat, drink, and be merry—"and one of the best places within the neighborhood to do that is thedeck. Part of the always hoppin Wynwood Marketplace, thedeck is where you go to grab drinks and grub before, during, and after doing a little shopping and art walking. Note that i's not a traditional dining experience here as rather than ordering off a kitchen menu, you're actually ordering from a selection of local food trucks (but you won't have to wait in line for it). That means not having to compromise on dinner plans so you can still get the wings from DJ Khaled's Another Wing, while your friend (or date) enjoys a cachapa from Doggie's Arepas no problem. It's a laid-back atmosphere with frequent live entertainment (and the people watching ain't bad either).

Daytime dates belong to the Perez Art Museum and its waterfront eatery, Verde. Inside, floor to ceiling windows brighten a neutrally colored, laid-back dining room, opening up to views of Biscayne Bay. Though simple in decor, the slanted ceiling and specks of green add intrigue to the crisp space. Guests may also sit outside, noshing below the museum's airy, hanging gardens. Powered by Starr Restaurants, Verde serves brunch, lunch, and dinner (depending on the day) and is anchored by dishes like the squash blossom pizza, pan seared salmon, and snapper tiradito. And don't forget to stop by for a cocktail if you're short on time.

Situated inside The Palms Hotel and Spa on Miami Beach, this gourmet restaurant features New American cuisine in a laid back garden atmosphere. At Essensia, it's all about using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients, often times straight from the chef's own organic garden hidden behind the hotel's Tiki Bar. With a clear slant toward wanting guests to enjoy not only a sustainable but also a health-conscious and earth-friendly meal, you can bet there are wonderful menu options for vegans and vegetarians as well as omnivores. And when it comes to drinks, you'll be pleased to find organic and biodynamic wines, eco-conscious cocktails, and many local craft beers on the list. A phenomenal Sunday brunch with an extensive menu featuring everything from BLTA Benedict and Blue Corn Chilaquiles to Vegan Chocolate Mousse is not to be missed.

La Mar by Gaston Acurio made the Mandarin Oriental its home in 2014, dazzling patrons with passionately prepared Peruvian food by their namesake global icon. A table on La Mar's deck frames Brickell's concrete landscape, its soothing bay waters reflecting the city's rising towers. The al fresco decor is minimal, with only a handful of over-sized umbrellas acting as sun shields. La Mar's serenity seeps inside as well; an open ceviche bar and vertical garden line the far walls, while teal chairs carry the eye to the bayside windows. Enjoy Peruvian-style sushi, lomo saltado, chaufa, tiraditos, and other Latin American favorites with a view that can't be beat.

Located off the breathtakingly scenic Old Cutler Road, this classy-but-cozy restaurant is for many the ideal spot for a romantic seafood dinner. Red Fish's Old Florida interior pairs perfectly with the surrounding lush nature of Matheson Hammock Park and the sweeping views of Biscayne Bay. The stone exterior once harbored the beach's pavilion and is steps away from the park's pristine cove. Red Fish is well known for its exceptionally prepared seafood: pan fried red snapper, Caribbean bouillabase, steamed mussels--the list goes on. An impressive wine list and delectable desserts round off your experience here. With enchanting sunsets visible from your seat, it's no wonder this is a frequent venue for weddings.

Miami Beach's Juvia is a rooftop sparkler flaunting French, Japanese, and Peruvian inspired cuisine. Situated atop Lincoln Road's illustrious 1111 Garage, this James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurant Design offers wondrous, unobstructed views of Miami Beach and Downtown Miami. Juvia's stylish, urban-meets-Eden polishings include a lavender and white color palette and Wonderland-worthy vertical garden. Wood flanks the walls and ceiling while marble tops mark the bar. A retractable roof allows for service year round, rain or shine. Prix fixe lunches are available, featuring an appetizer, main, and dessert, and are a perfect option for a first visit to this impressive culinary locale.

Located in Kimpton's Epic Hotel, this restaurant's setting affords skyline views of both Miami (to the north and west) and Biscayne Bay (to the east and south) that guests find truly breathtaking--that is, if they aren't too focused on the incredible cuisine. Executive Chef Wolfgang Birk gleans most of his seafare--items such as jumbo lump crab salad with spicy seared watermelon, heirloom tomato, avocado, mint and basil or yellowfin tuna with mixed grains, smoked black beans, shrimp guacamole and ginger juice--either locally or from the region of the ocean for which the restaurant is named, Area 31, one of the only self-sustaining spots that is said to be left in the ocean. Meat and pasta dishes are just as delicious and contain sustainable items from nearby farms and other trusted sources. So not only should you leave you leave your diet at home, but drop your guilt behind, too.

If you're seeking to eat out somewhere a bit out of the ordinary, consider a trip to the illustrious Villa Azur. This Mid-beach restaurant offers French Mediterranean fare with obvious, within the confines of an elegant dining room and lounge area. Among its physical attributes are white walls with high ceilings lined with bronze crown moldings, cozy tables with comfortable beige seats, and a small, intimate library with plush couches and superb mood lighting. Outside, you'll find ample seating on chairs and love seats, surrounded by verdant foliage, underneath a white linen canopy. As for their menu, oysters, tiger prawns, caviar, and Maine lobster precede truffle ravioli, Iberico pork tenderloin, and prime porterhouse. It all goes down smoothly with any selection from the in-house wine cellar, La Cave d'Azur.

This hidden gem situated next to the Coconut Grove Library is easy to miss if you don't know where to look—"but trust us when we say it's worth a bit of mystery. A simple sign is all you see, but once you walk in, you'll find yourself in a magical "secret garden" filled with palms and orchids and other lush greenery, plus tall tree canopies to keep you cool on those extra-warm Miami days. The ambiance can't be beat if you're seeking a bit of romance (especially at night), or simply a charming vibe for lunch with mom, dad, or anyone else. The food, fortunately, is just as impressive, and features a wide variety from crispy brie to ceviche, cowboy steak to cacio e pepe.