The Top 50 Outdoor Restaurants
The Best Establishments In Gables That Have Al Fresco Dining.
Usually, our dining guide is a listing of the finest restaurants Coral Gables has to offer, sorted by types of cuisine. Once the coronavirus forced dining rooms to shut down, we switched to listing restaurants that were offering takeout options, then those with outdoor dining. Even though indoor dining is allowed again, we’re sticking with our listing of outdoor dining, which feels like a safer bet when venturing out. We list the best establishments that have al fresco dining in some form or another.
$ …………Under $25
$$ ……….$25-$40
$$$ …….. $35-$75
$$$$ …… $70-$100+
Prices are per person for appetizer and entrée, no tax, tip, or drinks. Prices are approximate.
American
Bachour
Known for their pastries, Bachour also serves innovative breakfast and lunch items in their expansive courtyard, which has plenty of outdoor seating options and a constant breeze circulating fresh air throughout. $-$$
2020 Salzedo St. 305.203.0552 – www.antoniobachour.com
Cheesecake Factory
We still don’t know how they can deliver a menu with over 250 menu items. But they do, with something for everyone, including a covered outdoor patio with a fire pit on Andalusia Avenue. $$
2418 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.529.0703 – www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Doc B’s
With some of the nicest outdoor seating on the Mile, this American eatery has the best fried chicken in the Gables, along with wok bowls and a popular shredded brussel sprout salad – not to mention cinnamon swirl pancakes. $$
301 Miracle Mile 786.864.1220 – www.docbsrestaurant.com
Public Square
This popular re-configuration of the former Shula’s steakhouse still serves great steaks, but with lots of other options (seafood, pasta, sushi, salads) and plentiful outdoor seating on Red Road and San Ignacio Ave. $$$
6915 Red Rd. 305.665.9661 – www.publicsquarerestaurant.com
Seasons 52
The restaurant itself is massive – especially for a space on Miracle Mile – which means they have plenty of sidewalk real estate. Their desserts alone are worth the visit. $$
321 Miracle Mile 305.442.8552 – www.seasons52.com
The Globe
Plenty of tables on Alhambra Circle, and wide, open doors, so you can sit inside and enjoy the cooler air while munching on incomparable conch fritters and their famous Globe salad. $ – $$
377 Alhambra Circle 305.455.3555 –www.theglobecafe.com
Titanic Restaurant and Brewery
The venerable brewery/restaurant next to the University of Miami has teamed up with the university to create outdoor seating on picnic tables in a big yard behind the restaurant. $-$$
5813 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.667.2537 – www.titanicbrewery.com
Yard House
Plenty of outdoor patio seating under umbrellas in the courtyard of The Shops at Merrick Park lets you enjoy their extensive American menu with lots of Asian twists (garlic noodles, Korean ribs, etc.) $-$$
320 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.9273 – www.yardhouse.com
Asian
Canton Chinese
The only sit-down Chinese restaurant in the Gables now has outdoor seating on Ponce. Their fried rice, lo mein and sweet and sour chicken is just the comfort food we need right now. $$
2614 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.448.3736 – www.cantonrestaurants.com
Izakaya
Across from the Colonnade hotel on Aragon, Izakaya is a must for lunch, with lots of excellent specials and the best bento box around. Now they have a few outdoor tables, too. $
159 Aragon Ave. 305.445.2584 – www.izakayarestaurant.com
Kao Sushi & Grill
This Miracle Mile eatery has a plethora of tables outside, from tables out on the sidewalk to the entrance-way alcove. Amazing deals on rolls and their Peruvian chaufa fried rice. $$
127 Miracle Mile 786.864.1212 – www.kaosushigrill.com
Khaosan Road
Formerly Bangkok, Bangkok, this Giralda Plaza mainstay – with plenty of outdoor tables – has reinvented itself as the new home for Thai street food. Think you know Thai food? Be prepared for new and delicious tastes. $$
157 Giralda Plaza 305.444.2397 – www.khaosan-road.com
Malakor Thai Isaan
Malakor prides itself on authentic, tasty Thai food (pork skewers with sticky rice, great pad Thai, and Thai curries). Now they have tables on the Mile. $$
90 Miracle Mile 786.558.4862 – www.malakorthaiisaan.com
Miss Saigon
Being on Giralda Plaza, Miss Saigon has plenty of seating for excellent, healthy Vietnamese fare. You can’t beat their special pho or their fried seafood rolls. A favorite in the Gables. $$
148 Giralda Ave. 305.446.8006
Moon Thai
With lots of tables and an umbrella at each, this is a great spot to eat outside if you don’t mind the noise from U.S. 1. Highly recommend the Japanese house salad (who doesn’t love ginger dressing?) and anything duck. $ – $$
1118 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.668.9890 – www.moonthai.com
French
Brasserie Central
This little slice of the Parisian bistro is a tad pricey but top quality. Plus, in addition to seating in the vast Shops at Merrick Park courtyard, they have more tables in the San Lorenzo Avenue underpass for when the rain comes. $$$
320 San Lorenzo Ave. 786.536.9388 – www.brasseriecentralmiami.com
Chocolate Fashion
This tiny but delightful French bakery café on Valencia nowhas a handful of tables outside, spreading into the parking spaces streetside. Great for breakfast and lunch; excellent baked goods. $$
248 Andalusia Ave. 305.461.3200 – www.chocolatefashiononline.com
Gustave
Still relatively new to the Gables dining scene, this part bakery/ part Parisian café serves wonderful classic French food (along with the best baguette you can buy in the city) for reasonable prices. The new brunch hotspot, under tents on the Mile. $$
366 Miracle Mile. 305.640.5675 – www.gustaverestaurant.com
Stephanie’s Crepes
Adorable eatery with a couple of street-side tables under a shade tree, Stephanie’s serves inventive and delicious crepes, from scrambled organic eggs & bacon crêpes to vegetarian crêpes like brie-apple-walnut. $-$$
2423 Galiano St. 786.636.8939 – www.stephaniescrepes.com
Italian
Bugatti
Known for its pasta (it started as a pasta factory before it became a restaurant), Bugatti now has outdoor seating, including next door at the historic Fink house courtyard. $$$
2504 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.441.2545 – www.bugattirestaurant.com
Caffe Abbracci
Nino Pernetti’s superb Italian restaurant is both a power lunch favorite for the business elite and an evening gathering place for families and couples. Now it has a dozen tables on Aragon for outdoor dining. $$$
318 Aragon Ave. 305.441.0700 – www.caffeabbracci.com
Fiola
This upscale Italian restaurant offers intimate al fresco dining with tables tucked away on the side of the building facing San Ignacio Avenue or street-side under a tent. Expensive but brilliant cuisine. $$$$
1500 San Ignacio Avenue 305.912.2639 – www.fiolamiami.com
Fontana
The setting is as elegant as it comes: The Biltmore’s famed fountain courtyard. You can sit under the stars in a covered archway to enjoy classic Italian dishes. $$$.
1200 Anastasia Ave. (Biltmore Hotel) 305.913.3200 – www.biltmorehotel.com
Portosole
Wonderfully friendly, with open walls and sidewalk tables, this latest entry in the battle for Italian food lovers in downtown Gables serves superb northern Italian food. Great branzino, excellent pasta.
2530 Ponce de Leon Blvd. $$$ 786.359.4275 – www.portosolemiami.com
Salumeria 104
You can sit underneath the alcove overhang or right on the street to enjoy the best shaved Italian meats in town. And don’t miss Pasta Monday! $-$$
117 Miracle Mile 305.640.5547 – www.salumeria104.com
Terre del Sapore
We love eating here (seriously, they have the best pizza in the downtown), and their small outdoor seating on Giralda west of Ponce has expanded – as has their menu. $$
246 Giralda Ave. 786.870.5955 – www.terredelsapore.com
Villagio
One of the most popular Italian restaurants in town, with lots of outdoor seating in the Shops at Merrick Park courtyard and down the “tunnel” of San Lorenzo Avenue. Great apple pie dessert. $$-$$$
358 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.8144 – www.villagiorestaurants.com
Latin & South American
Aromas Del Peru
There is more to Peruvian cuisine than ceviche, and Aromas Del Peru is the place to discover that. Lots of grilled fish, various stews with white beans, beef, or shredded chicken, creamy shrimp chowder, or bouillabaisse Peruvian style. $$
1930 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.476.5885 – aromasperu.com
Buenos Aires Bistro
Every table has wide, cushioned chairs and couches, under the arches of the Colonnade Building. Perfect for relaxing with a cool cocktail, or dining on their Argentine grill – or healthy quinoa and salmon bowl. $$ – $$$
180 Aragon Ave. 786.409.5121 – www.bairesgrill.com
Caja Caliente
Prior to Covid, Caja didn’t have any tables outside. Now they have tons of tables (all six feet apart, of course) on the sidewalk on Ponce. Great place to enjoy the lechon tacos, voted the best in the state of Florida. $
808 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.431.1947 – www.caja-caliente.com
Divino Ceviche
Divino takes ceviche to another level, along with lots of other authentic Peruvian foods and beer. Add to that their cluster of tables under umbrellas on Giralda Plaza for a winning formula. $$
160 Giralda Ave. 786.360.3775 – www.divinoceviche.com
Talavera Cocina Mexicana
The only Mexican restaurant in Coral Gables also happens to be its best, with plenty of seating on Giralda Plaza. All your Mexican favorites plus some off-beat authentic dishes, like iguana soup. $-$$
2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2955 – www.talaveracocinamexicana.com
Mediterranean
Sawa Restaurant & Lounge
Sawa has some of the prettiest outdoor seating at the Shops at Merrick Park, with a reflecting pool, greenery and umbrellas – along with Sawa’s parallel Lebanese-Japanese menu. Daily fresh hummus and inventive rolls. $$-$$$
360 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.6555 – sawarestaurant.com
TUR Kitchen
This relative newcomer to the Gables has a wonderfully inventive menu of Mediterranean cuisine, including excellent lamb and Aegean seafood dishes. Elegant seating under the arches along Giralda. $$$-$$$$
259 Giralda Ave. 786.483.8014 – www.turkitchen.com
Seafood
Gringo’s Oyster Bar
A shrine for fresh seafood with the tastiest oysters you will find anywhere (as they should be at $3 each). Also, great lobster rolls. Seating in an alleyway on the side of the restaurant with overhead fans, plus out front. $$ – $$$
1549 Sunset Dr. 305.284.9989 – www.gringosoysterbar.com
MesaMar Seafood Table
Is this the best seafood place in the Gables? Their customers think so, with super fresh local fish that is heightened by a delicious, inventive overlay of oriental and Latin flavors. Tables are under umbrellas along Giralda. $$$
264 Giralda Ave. 305.640.8448 – www.facebook.com/mesamarseafood
Redfish by Chef Adrianne
The only waterfront restaurant in the Gables, Redfish was reborn last year after being closed for years from hurricane damage. With the addition of Chef Adrianne, the menu presents a stellar display of gourmet seafood. $$$$
9610 Old Cutler Rd. 305.668.8788 – www.redfishmiami.com
Sea Grill
Tucked away in a corner of the courtyard at Shops at Merrick Park, plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy Greek-style seafood flown in from the Agean. $$$-$$$$
4250 Salzedo St. 305.447.3990 – www.seagrillmiami.com
Spanish
Bellmónt Spanish Restaurant
Their new alfresco seating on Miracle Mile is the perfect way to enjoy their very authentic Spanish food (including the world’s best-cured ham). $$$
339 Miracle Mile 786.502.4684 – www.bellmontrestaurant.com
Bulla Gastrobar
Bulla has created a pleasant outdoor space on Andalusia, surrounded by large planters, so guests can enjoy their great selection of Spanish tapas al fresco. Also superb sangrias. $$
2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.810.6215 – bullagastrobar.com
La Taberna Giralda
Only a few tables out front on the sidewalk, but a spacious, lovely courtyard outback. From tapas to paella, great Spanish food and wine, and amazing lunch specials. $$
254 Giralda Ave. 786.362.5677 – www.giralda254.com
Tapeo Eatery & Bar
The former home to the only Basque cuisine in the Gables, Tapeo has morphed into a popular tapas bar with tastes from across Spain. Lots of seating outside. $-$$
112 Giralda Ave. 786.452.9902 – www.tapeomiami.squarespace.com
Steak
Morton’s the Steakhouse
Morton’s in the Gables is not just another Morton’s. Its setting in the Colonnade gives it a unique elegance with outdoor seating under the arches. Prime aged beef, excellent salads. $$$
2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.442.1662 – www.mortons.com
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
Fantastic aged steaks, a seafood tower that won’t quit, and a wine cellar that appears to have no end of its depth – and now tables wrapped around the building, under arches, if you wish to eat outside. $$$-$$$$
2525 Ponce de Leon Bvld. 305.569.7995 – www.flemingssteakhouse.com
Perry’s Steakhouse
In the battle for the hearts of steak lovers, Perry’s also brings it with the world’s biggest pork chop and surprisingly good salad entrees. Lots of outdoor seating at the Shops at Merrick Park. $$$$
4251 Salzedo St. 786.703.9094 – www.perryssteakhouse.com
Miscellaneous
Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen
Yes, it’s largely Australian pub food – salmon Rangoon, chicken skewers, meat pies, fish & chips – but the setting is spectacular and the beer unbeatable at this newest hot spot. $$
65 Alhambra Plaza. 786.452.0935 – www.bay13brewery.com
Fritz and Franz Bierhaus
Their massive outdoor patio on Merrick Way is the perfect venue for German fare and beer. Enjoy schnitzel and Weissbier in a two-liter boot, sans fear of getting infected with Covid. $$
60 Merrick Way 305.774.1883 – www.bierhaus.cc
Mamey
It is hard to pigeonhole thisnew restaurant, with its mix of Caribbean, Polynesian and Thai gastronomy. The good news is that they have massive outdoor seating so you can sample its fascinating new taste palate. $$$
At Thēsis Hotel, 1350 S. Dixie Highway. 305.266.2639 www.mameymiami.com
Pinch Me Gastrobar & Market
Who says there aren’t cool neighborhood pubs in the Gables? And they have a leafy patio out back! Happy hour sliders, bennies, and crepes for brunch, and a tasty dinner selection of meat and fish. $$-$$$
216 Palermo Ave. 786.801.1074 www.pinchmegastrobar.com
Sacha’s
One of the best places to eat outside is the pleasant and hidden courtyard of Sacha’s Café, located down a walkway behind Fleming’s on Ponce. Here you will find luncheon sandwiches and plates that are decidedly gourmet yet reasonably priced at $9-$11. $
2525 Ponce de Leon. 305.569.1300 – www.sachas-cafe.com