Bouchon Unveils Stunning Reimagined Outdoor Space
A tropical sanctuary has blossomed in downtown Coral Gables — quite literally. Chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro recently unveiled The Garden at Bouchon, a transformed outdoor dining space furnished with new tropical landscaping, arriving in time for the spring season. The new space was created in partnership with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the local nonprofit known for its lush 83 acres of tropical gardens, rainforest, and coastal habitat about 25 minutes away in the southern stretch of the city.
The outdoor dining space is part of the larger role that Bouchon Bistro plays in the neighborhood, explains Keller. “Bouchon has always been designed to serve as a hub for the community,” says Keller. “A proper bistro is more than just a restaurant — it’s a place where people gather, connect, and feel at home.”
Keller says it’s important that his restaurants feel like part of the neighborhoods where they reside – and selecting Coral Gables to be the home of a local Bouchon Bistro location was no accident. The neighborhood’s vibrancy and laid-back atmosphere made it a natural fit for the restaurant’s all-day approach to dining. Notably, the historic La Palma building that houses Bouchon Bistro is a 1924 landmark with Mediterranean-style architecture and a central courtyard (now transformed into The Garden), providing a fitting backdrop for the restaurant and its guests.
“Integrating into this neighborhood allows us to build meaningful relationships and offer something that feels familiar yet special. The Garden at Bouchon embodies this by creating a warm, inviting space where locals can unwind and celebrate,” Keller says.
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As part of Fairchild Garden’s Million Orchid Project – a conservation initiative to restore native orchids throughout South Florida – trees throughout The Garden at Bouchon are embellished with rare orchids, creating a living canvas that Keller says reflects Coral Gables’ natural beauty while supporting the initiative. Here, locals can dine under the shade of native plants like Lignum Vitae, Calamondin, and Flaming Glorybower.
The garden’s revitalization arrives in time for diners to dip into the restaurant’s spring menu, best taken — where else — al fresco. Plates that reflect traditional seasonal French fare are on offer, with highlights including the kitchen’s take on épaule d’agneau (lamb shoulder), braised slowly and accompanied with spring vegetables including young sweet carrots, turnips, leeks and fava beans, plus Keller’s take on classic trout amandine, here spotlighting Idaho rainbow trout with green beans, toasted almonds, and brown butter. Later in May, a dish of white asparagus will showcase the coveted vegetable in time for F1 Week as a tender, crunchy salad, with a soft poached egg for an indulgent flourish.
Keller says The Garden brings an additional dimension to a meal at Bouchon by inviting guests to enjoy their meal in a serene, open-air setting surrounded by native plants and trees. “We’ve embraced the lifestyle of the area,” Keller says, “where guests value an experience that feels both elegant and relaxed.”
Lyssa Goldberg is a Miami-based freelance writer and content strategist. She loves telling stories about food, wellness, and travel, and you can find her byline in Parade, The Points Guy, U.S. News & World Report, American Way, Mashable, Time Out, and more. Follow her on Instagram and X. Follow Resy, too.
