In a place nicknamed the Sunshine State, it seems a shame to be cooped up indoors. After all, studies do show that spending time outdoors improves overall well-being. And with mild winters and balmy breezes, South Florida is the perfect place to get outdoors, particularly with alfresco dining options of all descriptions. Want waterfront views? You got it. Street art? No problem. Prime people-watching? Of course. Here are the best places to dine outdoors, from South Beach to West Palm. 

A perky offshoot of the Manhattan original, Miami’s Smith & Wollensky is a first-rate destination for steak dinner. Prime USDA cuts are dry-aged on site. Fresh lobsters are flown in every day. Every side and pastry is made from scratch. And then there’s the extensive, award-winning wine list. The Miami location is set right above the cerulean waters of Government Cut, the shipping channel, and the two-story building offers stunning views of Fisher Island, the Miami skyline and passing yachts. The Intracoastal Waterway-front patio has long been a local favorite for catching the sunset. 

Once just another industrial neighborhood, Wynwood is now basically a free open-air museum, with buildings that have been decked with stunning murals by local and international street artists. The most-acclaimed collection may be at Wynwood Walls, where the exteriors of six adjoining buildings are the canvas for more than a dozen masters from Asia, Europe and the Americas. Set right on the property, Wynwood Kitchen offers the perfect place to admire the outdoor gallery. Snack on Latin-influenced small plates, such as ropa vieja empanadas and gambas al ajillo, while contemplating the massive Shepard Fairey mural 20 feet away. It’s also the ideal place to break for drinks during the monthly Art Walk. 

 

Photo courtesy of Andrew Meade

After a full, well-deserved renovation, longtime grand dame Bimini Boatyard is once again one of the best outdoor dining spots in Broward County. Embracing the city’s yachting culture, the space is bright with nautical-chic touches, including a mix of vintage boathouse and sleek mid-century design. The interior features vintage porthole windows and an 800-pound chandelier made from 70 cascading oars. Outside, the restaurant offers dock space and boat valet services, so diners can sail right up for a meal on the 120-foot Intracoastal patio by the fire pit or beneath the 35-foot gumbo limbo tree. The rustic lanterns suspended from the branches illuminate the area with a soft glow, creating the ultimate backdrop for a meal of "seacuterie," Wagyu beef tartare and charred sous-vide octopus.