Miami diners want a table outside. Here are some places where dining al fresco is easy

With restaurants in Miami-Dade County reopening as coronavirus quarantine ends, many diners are ready to put down their pots and pans and let somebody else do the cooking.

But with medical professionals saying that outdoor dining is less risky than indoor dining, eating outside is more desirable than ever, despite South Florida’s punishing heat.

With social distancing rules in effect, just about every restaurant has turned to outdoor seating. Spots that never dreamed of serving under the sun and/or moon now have tables and chairs on the sidewalk and even the parking lot. Hand sanitizing stations have sprung up, and social distancing is mandatory (and most places want you wearing a mask except when you’re eating).

Here’s what you can expect at some — not all — of Miami-Dade’s favorite outdoor dining spots if you venture out.

Ocean Drive

At long last, the traffic-choked Ocean Drive is closed to cars, as are eight other Miami Beach streets (temporarily, at least). Restaurants are setting up in the streets with umbrellas and tables while cyclists and walkers can use the easternmost lane.

Nikki Beach

Miami Beach’s best spot for day drinking (and eating) has reopened with new rules and improved sanitation measures. Gone (for now) are the days of swilling pitchers of mojitos with 15 of your best friends around crowded tables. It’s four to a table (six if you’re all from the same household), with tables socially distanced as per county rules. There’s no more valet parking, and you’re required to wear a mask until you get to your table. Then you can dive into tempura shrimp tacos, chicken satay, wood-fired pizzas or whatever strikes your fancy on the contact-free menu. There’s also takeout.

1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

Monty’s Raw Bar

There’s no more happy hour raw bar at this casual, outdoor Coconut Grove legend, but you can still order items like oysters via the kitchen. The tables are now nine feet apart, and Monty’s will now also offer indoor dining options, using the area once reserved for event space. There will also be an outdoor bar set up on the boardwalk for drinks and bar snacks. Most importantly, you’ll now need a reservation via Resy. Without a reservation you’ll have to wait and pray for an opening, and nobody’s got time for that.

2550 S. Bayshore Dr, Miami

Lincoln Road

About half of Lincoln Road’s restaurants are open, with the rest aiming to return for beaches and Miami Beach hotels to reopen June 1. Lincoln Road is already a pedestrian street, but expect tables to be further apart.

Española Way

Many restaurants are reopening along Miami Beach’s European-and-Mediterranean style pedestrian street; some spots are eyeing June reopenings.

Downtown Dadeland

Only pedestrian traffic will be permitted so that restaurants can spread out tables and chairs for dine-in guests. Remember: There’s free underground parking. Open now are Lime, Brass Tap, Teriyaki Madness, Iron Sushi, Pasión del Cielo, Ghee, The Brick, Pubbelly, Chilis, Abi Maria and Panera Bread.

Wynwood

Everybody’s is in the process of making on-street parking spaces available to restaurants so they can expand outdoor seating. If you prefer a take-out option, many restaurant pick-up locations have been expanded, and the Miami Parking Authority is offering one hour of free on-street parking per day (good for the whole city, but it’ll really help picking up your dinner in Wynwood.)

The Clevelander South Beach

The Clevelander Kitchen & Bar reopens June 5 with expanded seating on Ocean Drive and a brand new weekend brunch menu (plus lunch and dinner options all week long). The Game On Sports Bar, C-LEVEL Rooftop Terrace and SPF 4 Sun Deck at the South Beach hot spot are still closed, but the poolside restaurant is offering 20 percent off food and drink to locals all summer long with a valid ID.

1020 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

The Deck at Island Gardens

This outdoor spot with a view of Biscayne Bay and Miami sunsets opens for lunch June 6 and 7, with dinner service beginning June 11., when hours will be 6-11 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; noon-11 p.m. on weekends.

888 MacArthur Causeway, Miami

This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 2:06 PM.