This is “Small Bites,” a South Florida Sun Sentinel feature with tiny tidbits on the food and beverage scene — because we know that sometimes you just don’t have room for a long article. You want a little news brief instead, an amuse bouche of information, if you will. Enjoy!
WHAT:
Patio power is a real thing with South Florida restaurants.
And yet OpenTable.com diners has given just three of our eateries props for al fresco fabulousness this year.
The online dining reservation site released the 2023 edition of the “100 Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America,” with two spots in Fort Lauderdale and one in Miami.
THE WINNERS:
- Louie Bossi’s Ristorante Bar Pizzeria in Fort Lauderdale, a popular traditional Italian restaurant with a made-from-scratch kitchen. Co-owner Todd Herbst says, “Although there are many fabulous restaurants that offer outdoor dining in Florida, what we’ve done with what we call the Piazza at Louie Bossi’s is just very, very special, and we lucked out that we were able to get a location where the outdoor space was available to create this Italian piazza masterpiece.” 1032 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-356-6699; louiebossi.com/fortlauderdale
- Takato on Fort Lauderdale beach, a Japanese and Korean fusion concept in the Conrad Hotel. Takato can accommodate 60 guests indoors and 100 outdoors at tables and chairs sprawled around two waterfront terraces. General manager Paul-Antoine Fabre says, “Takato is the perfect location for an al fresco dining experience. Beyond a beautiful view, we’ve worked hard to make sure the atmosphere is welcoming and trendy, the curated music is upbeat and fun, the service is extremely attentive, and the cocktails and food are delicious. Every touch point has been carefully thought of, and we’re proud to have created a special outdoor ambiance that’s only enhanced by our view.” 551 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-414-5160; takatorestaurant.com
- Doya in the Wynwood neighborhood in Miami, billed as a modern Aegean restaurant that embodies the food, lifestyle and experiences of Greece and Turkey. That’s the region where executive chef/partner Erhan Kostepen grew up and had Doya’s design embody, including, “An expansive covered patio decorated with lush greenery,” according to its website. 347 NW 24th St., Miami; 305-501-2848; doyarestaurant.com
HOW DID THEY DO IT?
OpenTable says it analyzed more than 13 million diner reviews on the platform. If you look beyond SoFlo, the state took second place with 17 restaurants in the ranking, behind California with their 31 mentions
INFORMATION:
For the entire list, go to opentable.com/lists/most-popular-outdoor-dining-us-2023.
Takato
Takato at the Conrad Hotel on Fort Lauderdale beach has two ocean-facing terraces. (Takato/Courtesy)
Daniel Zuliani
Doya in Miami’s Wynwood enclave is designed to evoke the Aegean region of Greece and Turkey. (Daniel Zuliani/Courtesy)