The One Who Keeps the Book Miami
How to Get the Toughest Reservations in Miami
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At any given time, there are a handful of Miami restaurants where trying to get a table is like trying to get a parking spot in Brickell on a Saturday night — you just can’t. Right now, these are those restaurants.
You know, all the ones you set countless Notifies for, and the ones you’ve set alarms for in anticipation of their next reservation release?
Well, that’s where we come in.
For years, we’ve been going straight to the source to ask restaurant hosts, maître d’s, and general managers for all the secret tips, tricks, and shortcuts to getting into the city’s most in-demand restaurants. We want to make it easier for you to find out all the intel you need, so consider this your ultimate cheat sheet for getting into those much-loved restaurants, and check back here on the regular; we’ll be updating this list frequently.
From The One Who Keeps The Book
Sunny’s Little River
There’s a lot about this Little River steakhouse that makes any day better. Maybe it’s the expertly crafted martinis plucked from a “pick your path” menu, the shrimp cocktail and chilled oysters, steaks grilled over oak with fantastic sauces, and a black cod in mussel broth if you’re sticking to the seafood route. Most of all, it’s the vibe that’s equally vintage and contemporary at the same time.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance.
Should You Walk In? You can, since both the indoor bar and outdoor terrace operate with walk-in availability. Getting a table in one of the main dining areas may prove to be more difficult. If you do try to walk in, show up around 5:30 p.m. to snag a bar seat.
Must Orders: The Parker House rolls; Caesar salad; blue crab agnolotti, and the hanger steak.
AVIV Miami Beach
Chef Michael Solomonov’s name is synonymous with Israeli food in America — move through the menu here, and you’ll see why. For his first foray south of Philly, he’s bringing his expertise to a dynamic lineup of hummus, salatim, mezze, and charcoal-grilled meats, with a touch of Miami flair (amba-marinated short ribs, anyone?). You’ll want to order something from every section of the menu and pair your meal with some well-curated Middle Eastern wine.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance, starting at 10 a.m. each day.
Should You Walk In? Yes, if you don’t mind sitting at the bar which takes walk-ins. You may be able to score a table in the dining room if you get there at 5 p.m.
Must Orders: Hummus Yerushalmi; Moroccan cigar; rice pilaf; and beef shishlik.
COTE Miami Design District
Michelin-starred in two cities — the Design District and original NYC outpost have many accolades between them — Cote marries the best of Korean barbecue with American steakhouse panache.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance at 10 a.m.
Should You Walk In? You can, but it may be tough. Walk-ins are accommodated by the maître d’ on a cancellation basis and you can also order almost everything at the bar. The team recommends arriving before 5 p.m., or swinging by around 9:30 p.m.
Must Orders: Butcher’s Feast; the crispy “Shicken” sandwich for lunch. To drink, a Chopin Family Reserve Martini, or a bottle from the restaurant’s award-winning wine list.
Pro Tip: Lunch reservations or visiting during the restaurant’s Magic Hour seem easier to come by than prime time dinner reservations. The reservations team is available daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. by phone at (305) 434-4668 or email at reservations@cotekoreansteakhouse.com.
For more on how to get into COTE, read more here.
Boia De Buena Vista
Boia De is what you get when you combine the collective talents of two chefs trained in the kitchens of Scarpetta, Carbone, Animal, Son of a Gun, Eleven Madison Park, and The Nomad. Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer have created a true delight, nestled in the middle of a shopping complex. Don’t sleep on the incredible pastas.
Reservations Drop: Noon each day for the dinner service, 30 days in the future.
Should You Walk In? All of the tables and most of the counter seats are accounted for online, so if you do, you’d be trying your luck to say the least. That said, several counter seats and the outdoor patio (14 seats) are reserved for walk-ins.
Must Orders: Crispy polenta; beef tartare; Luci’s chopped salad; and lamb ribs fra diavola. The pasta and crispy tiramisù are legendary, with good reason.
CARBONE VINO Coconut Grove Coconut Grove
Consider this Carbone a cozier enoteca, something more for your every day. Of course you’ll find favorites (Caesar alla ZZ, spicy rigatoni vodka, veal parm), but don’t overlook the daily specials and something extra for the kids (spaghetti bambini, anyone?). While the wine list is beyond expansive, daily by-the-glass selections keep things interesting.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance, starting at 10 a.m.
Should You Walk In? Yes, walk-ins are more likely to get a table here than at Carbone, and there’s a lounge with a small bites menu that’s also available.
Must Orders: Spicy rigatoni; Calabrian calamari; and lobster fettuccini.
MILA Miami Beach
A South Beach stunner in every sense, from the show-stopping outdoor terrace complete with cabanas and a water feature (don’t attempt walking across the floating stones, especially after cocktails) to the sizzling dining room. Mediterranean and Asian elements come together in surprising ways, like snapper crudo with tom yum vinaigrette.
Reservations Drop:Three months in advance for the restaurant. For the lounge, reservations open one month in advance.
Should You Walk In? You can walk-in for the bar, which is first-come, first-served, but they don’t accept walk-ins in the lounge.
Must Orders: Crispy Brussels sprouts; truffle cream spaghetti; nigiri sampler; and tableside grated wasabi.
Pro Tip: The dress code here is “smart casual” so dress to impress (everyone else does).
Mandolin Aegean Bistro Miami Design District
You’ll feel completely at home in this restaurant, housed inside a converted bungalow from the 1940s, and lovingly transformed by co-founders Ahmet Erkaya and Anastasia Koutsioukis. Together, they opened Mandolin as a showcase for Greek and Turkish cuisine from the Aegean coast, like freshly grilled fish, ali nazik, köfte, and manti.
Reservations Drop: 60 days in advance.
Should You Walk In? Yes, they welcome walk-ins.
Must Orders: Zucchini chips; grilled prawns; baked feta; lamb lahmacun; moussaka; and spiny lobster orzo.
Pro Tip: They don’t serve hard liquor here, but with their Greek-heavy list of wines, you won’t miss it.
The Living Room by Cipriani Brickell
It’s a (poorly kept) secret lounge below Cipriani Downtown Miami, serving cocktails and classic dishes in a moody, chic atmosphere.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance.
Should You Walk In? You can try, but they tend to fill up.
Must Orders: Carpaccio; baked tagliolini; and caviar service.
Pro Tip: As the hours grow later, DJs take the stage, so plan accordingly. Plus, the terrace is ideal for an al fresco drink, if the weather allows.
Tâm Tâm Downtown Miami
From the worn wood paneling to the mismatched yard-sale plates and Barbarella poster on the wall, everything about Tâm Tâm feels like it’s been around forever. Born out of a pop-up, these Vietnamese dishes (think sweet-sticky wings and lemongrass coconut clams) win over everyone. The food is meant for drinking, the wine and beers go with everything, and yes, that is a karaoke machine in the bathroom.
Reservations Drop: Two weeks in advance.
Should You Walk In? Absolutely. They welcome it, but know you may have to wait a bit as the space is a small one.
Must Orders: The menu changes fairly frequently but take note if you see the grilled oysters, fish sauce caramel wings, lotus root salad, and Saigon-style mushrooms. For dessert, don’t skip the pumpkin tres leches.
Daniel’s Miami Coral Gables
The group behind Fort Lauderdale favorite Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse, has made their way down the coast, bringing their signature steakhouse-and-then-some approach to Coral Gables. The menu is balanced with both surf and turf, highlighting premium cuts of beef and locally sourced seafood. And if that wasn’t enough, go for the wagyu tasting experience for a progressive meal of beef-inspired bites.
Reservations Drop: Typically, 60 days in advance.
Should You Walk In? They don’t hold any tables for walk-ins, so you can try but the chances are low.
Must Orders: Foie gras crème brûlée; Florida blue crab cake; Wagyu Experience; Dover sole; lobster mac and cheese; and rosemary fries.
Pro Tip: Pay special attention to the cuts here — they’re been named number 40 on the World’s Best Steak Restaurants list.
Carbone Miami South Beach
Photo courtesy of Carbone Miami
Like the original in New York City’s West Village, this Miami outpost of Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi’s retro-glam stunner doesn’t disappoint with its elegant and inventive renditions of Italian American standards.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance at 10 a.m.
Should You Walk In? You might be able to, if you arrive super early. Reservations are recommended, though.
Must Orders: Spicy rigatoni vodka; lasagna bianco; veal marsala; and baked clams.
Pro Tip: No shorts, open-toed shoes, or tanks allowed.
Photo courtesy of Carbone Miami
Walrus Rodeo Buena Vista
Photo by David Bley, courtesy of Walrus Rodeo
Just steps from its sibling Boia De in Little Haiti, vibrant hues, custom wallpaper and murals, and tin ceilings create a colorful palate of this small space. The menu revolves around the wood-burning oven, which adds a kiss of smoke to lamb ragu lasagna and creative pizzas, like the OG topped with boquerones and maple brown butter.
Reservations Drop: One month in advance.
Should You Walk In? You can, yes, but reservations are recommended.
Must Orders: Charred cabbage with burnt garlic gastrique; mustard green lasagna with lamb ragu; anchovy, spicy tomato, and maple brown butter pizza. For dessert, the PB&J, with honey butter toast, blackberry jelly, and banana gelato.
Pro Tip: Come for happy hour at the bar for $12 pies and $8 beer and wine, Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Photo by David Bley, courtesy of Walrus Rodeo
Lucali Miami Sunset Harbour- Miami Beach
Lucali Miami brings a taste of Brooklyn soul to Miami with handmade thin-crust pies and calzones with just the right touch of char. The room is unfussy, with an open kitchen, flickering oven, and a warm, rustic vibe. It’s perfect for laid-back date nights or lingering pizza parties with friends.
Reservations Drop: Never for dinner — they’re walk-ins only. For lunch, reservations drop one week out.
Should You Walk In? It’s all you can do, if you want to join them for dinner.
Must Orders: Baked artichokes; signature pie; calzone; and Nutella pie.
Mother Wolf Miami Design District
Once you take in the spectacle of Roman influences throughout the space — Murano glass chandeliers, terrazzo floors, gold marble tables — you get to the root of chef Evan Funke’s menu. The staples are all here: cacio e pepe, rigatoni alla carbonara, pizzas, fried squash blossoms, and the cream-filled maritozzi, or Rome’s most famous dessert.
Reservations Drop: 14 days out at 9 a.m.
Should You Walk In? It’ll be tough – but you can try.
Must Orders: Focaccia Romana; fresh ricotta squash blossoms; pizza diavola; pappardelle al cinghiale; and rigatoni carbonara.
Sexy Fish – Miami Brickell
With coral leather seats, illuminated agate floors, and a massive fish tank with live coral and tropical fish along one entire wall, the London import really lives up to its name. If you fancy yourself a mermaid, the bathrooms are spectacular.
Reservations Drop: 30 days in advance.
Should You Walk In? Yes. They serve the full menu at the bar, and it’s first-come, first-served.
Must Orders: Salt and pepper squid; chicken yakitori; wagyu and foie gras nigiri; Sexy Fish maki; caramelized black cod. To drink, get the Miso Thirsty and Super Magic Monkey cocktails.
Pro Tip: If you’re booking after 6:45 p.m., know that they become 21+ starting then.
Macchialina Taverna Rustica Miami Beach
Serious pasta lovers know this is the place for some of the city’s best handmade bucatini, tagliolini, spaghetti, and much more, and they’ve been returning in droves since 2012 for chef-owner Michael Pirolo’s bold takes on rustic Italian cooking.
Reservations Drop: Three months in advance.
Should You Walk In? You can, but it’s not recommended, especially on the weekends or during prime dinner hours.
Must Orders: Gnoccho fritto; creamy polenta; spaghetti pomodoro; cavatelli Macchialina; and veal Milanese.
Pro Tip: Like what you drank? Join their wine club, which delivers curated bottles right to your door every month.
