Fine-dining restaurants have to take reservations or they’d have long waitlists and disgruntled diners. But how do diners get those in-demand reservations? It depends on the restaurant, its seating capacity, location, and the type of food they offer. (Japanese omakase restaurants are always small -- book way in advance.) You have to book some restaurants three weeks in advance, and others only a week, but the norm in Miami seems to be about two weeks advance booking. Some make weekly or monthly standing reservations in their favorite restaurants.
Got a sudden hankering to dine out at a fancy restaurant on a Saturday night at 8 p.m.? Your chances are slim. You should have booked that reservation a few weeks ago. If you can't plan that far in advance, check for same-day cancellations.
(Christian Gonzalez for CG Media)
A tablescape at Casadonna.
Since Miamians don't tend to dine early, you can sometimes squeeze in a last-minute reservation at 9:30 p.m. When booking for a group of 10 or more, make sure the restaurant can accommodate the number in your party. Some restaurants require completing an events form in advance for a large group.
The best opportunity to snag a seat at some of Miami's coveted hot spots such as Groot Hospitality's Casadonna (305.475.2272) at 1737 Bayshore Dr., in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood, is to call on the day you want to go to check on cancellations or go early right when the restaurant's doors open. A restaurant's different seating areas sometime lends themselves to more availability. Casadonna has indoor dining, al fresco patio spaces, and lounge seating, offering more options. For reservations, keep an eye on availability at casadonnamiami.com. Reservations become available 90 days out.
(Ngoc Minh Ngo)
The interior of Casadonna.
Gekkō (305.423.8884) at 8 SE 8th St., in Miami's Brickell area, is a Japanese-themed steakhouse and lounge envisioned by Groot Hospitality’s David Grutman and renowned recording artist Bad Bunny. The celeb factor and really cool lounge interiors boosts demand. For reservations: Keep an eye on Gekkō’s website, gekko.com, for reservations. They become available at the start of each month.
Shingo (305.476.0942) at 112 Alhambra Circle in Coral Gables is a 14-seat omakase restaurant celebrating Japanese culture with a new Michelin-star that transports guests to the small, traditional omakase dens one finds in Japan. Since seating is limited, a reservation is always tough to get, but Shingo opens reservations for the following month at the start of each month. For the best dates and times, book at least two weeks in advance at exploretock.com.
(Courtesy of Gekko)
The interior of Gekko.
Chateau ZZ (212.254.3000) at 100 Brickell Ave., in Miami, Major Food Group's first Mexican restaurant, features a variety of gorgeous environments, including the main dining room, a solarium, a bar and lounge, and lush gardens, increasing your chances for seating. If you want to grab a cocktail, the energetic bar is friendly to walk-ins, and you might just get a table. The draw here is the choice of over 1,000 tequilas and mezcals, but the only food available at the bar is guacamole and chips. Reservations for parties of three or four can be easier to get than tables for two. Reservations go live on Resy.com 30 days in advance. Set your notifications so you can snap up the reservation if someone cancels.
(FujifilmGirl)
Crispy potato skins at Boia De.
Boia De, (786.209.6310) located in a shopping center at 5205 NE 2nd Ave., in Miami's Buena Vista neighborhood, just celebrated its fifth birthday and is still one of Miami's most in-demand reservations. It's no surprise that the talented chef duo, Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, captured the hearts and appetites of South Florida’s dining community with their delicious Italian American cuisine and carefully curated wine program. The restaurant and chefs have received accolades ranging from one Michelin star (twice retained), a James Beard Award semi-finalist nod and countless other recognitions from critics and diners alike. Current sommelier, Gabriella Ospina, recently won the 2024 Michelin Award for Best Florida Sommelier. The restaurant holds spaces for nightly walk-ins. Arrive right before they open at 5:30 p.m. and chances are you'll get lucky. Reservations go live on Resy.com at noon 30 days in advance. Turn on your Resy notifications because spots open up only a month ahead and fill up quickly.
Carbone (212-254-3000) opened at 49 Collins Ave., in Miami Beach's south of Fifth neighborhood more than three years ago and a reservation at this Italian eatery has been one of the toughest to snag ever since. Like its NYC original, this Miami Beach hot spot is the in-crowd's place to see and be seen. For reservations, try on weekdays either very early at 5 p.m. or very late at 11 p.m., Tues.-Sat. (the restaurant is open until midnight). You can try to do a walk-in, but don't bet on it. Reservations are released 30 days in advance at 10 a.m. If none are available, add yourself to the "Notify Me" list. Once reservations become available, you will get an alert and be able to book.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro (305.749.9140) at 4312 NE 2nd Ave., in Miami's Buena Vista neighborhood, featuring Greek and Turkish cuisine, has always been popular and reservations can be challenging. Lunch is far easier to book than dinner. They accept walk-ins, who are usually seated inside on a first-come first-serve basis. People with reservations are guaranteed an outdoor table. Dinner reservations are available mostly at 4:30 and 10:30 p.m. The insider tip is that this restaurant doesn’t close between lunch and dinner, so showing up early gives you a better shot. Make reservations on Resy.com up to three months in advance or check back frequently. Try emailing reservations@mandolinmiami.com a week in advance.
Mila (786.706.0744) at 1636 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach, offering MediterrAsian cuisine, is one of the toughest reservations to get. No surprise there because it's been voted the ninth most beautiful restaurant in the U.S. by People magazine. If you’re looking to eat dinner past 6 p.m., you'll have to book reservations at least two weeks in advance on Open Table. You can also apply for membership at Mila MM, Mila's private club, which gives reservation preference to members.
Irene Moore is a Miami based writer and certified sommelier whose vivid descriptions take readers through culinary cultures around the world
