1. Savor the start of cooler outdoor dining…
… at Mandolin Aegean Bistro, home to one of Miami’s most popular patios. The shady tree cover, the blue and white decor — it will all make you feel like you’ve been immediately swept away on a Greek vacation.
[We’ve also got more outdoor dining options for you right here.]
2. Toast to the new season by…
… discovering a new favorite natural wine at a cozy wine bar like NIU Wine or Margot Natural Wine Bar. The accompanying menus at each spot are curated by some of Miami’s finest (27 Restaurant’s chef Jimmy Lebron at Margot and the team at NIU Kitchen next door), so don’t miss the small plates, either.
3. Put some time on your calendar…
… to check out all the new restaurants opening this season, from Miami’s first Kosher French restaurant, Ostrow Brasserie, to Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro (open right now!) and the highly anticipated Itamae Ao, coming later this fall.
4. Take your neighbor’s boat for a spin…
… and then dock and dine at GG’s Waterfront on the Intracoastal or Boathouse at the Riverside along Fort Lauderdale’s New River. Fall is prime time for boating in the breezy South Florida sunshine, and nothing goes better with a boat day than fresh seafood for lunch or dinner.
5. Indulge in comfort food…
… German-style at The New Schnitzel House, the revival of the original Schnitzel Haus from the Gramps team. Plus, it’s Oktoberfest season, so what better time is there to nosh on crispy schnitzel, brats, sauerkraut, and giant Bavarian pretzels the size of your face?
6. Hang onto summer Fridays…
… with a power lunch at Kaori, one of the best meals – and lunch deals – in the Financial District. The inventive Asian restaurant offers a $28 bento box with your pick of chicken teriyaki, king salmon, katsu donburi, or spicy chili-garlic vegetables as your main, plus steamed rice, Japanese pickled vegetables, a salad of local greens or miso cucumbers, and kimchi or spicy veggies.
7. Now that everyone’s back from vacation…
… it’s time to gather the crew for brunch, and we’re choosing Rosie’s soulful Southern food every time. We’re talking lemon ricotta pancakes, wild mushroom polenta, and anything else chef Akino West dreams up for the day.
8. … Or bring everyone together for dinner.
COTE is where you want to go to gather a group around the communal Korean barbecue tabletop grill for a fun and memorable meal featuring some of the finest prime and Wagyu steaks in town.
9. Cozy up to a good book…
… at Silverlake Bistro, a neighborhood spot in quiet Normandy Isle that’s perfect for solo dining. The menu is rooted in French cuisine, but you’re getting their signature Silverlake Burger – and you’ll be glad you came alone because you’re not going to want to share (or let anyone watch you shamelessly devour it).
