Brunch in Miami and how to eat outdoors in the heat

Brunch in Miami runs from a quick Cuban breakfast of buttered toast and cafe con leche at a bakery counter to long weekend brunches with music and cocktails. The other thing to plan for is the weather: Miami is warm all year, very hot and humid in summer, and rainy most afternoons from late spring to fall, so when and where you sit outside makes a big difference.

What is a Cuban breakfast in Miami?

The simplest and most Miami breakfast is a tostada and a cafe con leche. A tostada here is a length of Cuban bread, buttered and pressed flat on the griddle until crisp, and the custom is to dip it into a big cup of cafe con leche, Cuban coffee with plenty of hot milk. Bakeries and cafeterias also serve:

• Pastelitos, flaky pastries filled with guava, guava and cheese, or meat.
• Croquetas, small fried ham or chicken croquettes.
• Eggs, often with ham, toast and sometimes fried potatoes.

It is fast, inexpensive and usually eaten at a counter, which makes it a good start to a day of walking. Order at the counter or the walk-up window, say whether you want your coffee sweet, and expect it to arrive already sugared unless you ask otherwise. Many bakeries are open early, so this is also the easiest breakfast to find on a weekday morning before a brunch crowd ever appears.

Where should you go for brunch in Miami?

Miami's weekend brunch scene is spread across the city, and the style changes with the neighborhood. Wynwood, Midtown and the Design District have many cafes and restaurants that serve brunch, good for combining with a walk past the murals or the shops. Some restaurants run big, social weekend brunches with cocktails and music, while bakeries and cafeterias keep it simple and quick. South Beach has plenty of sidewalk brunches, where the same advice applies as at dinner: read the full menu and check for service charges. For a quieter meal, look for a neighborhood cafe with a shaded patio away from the main tourist streets.

What do you order at a Miami brunch?

Beyond the usual eggs and pancakes, look for dishes that reflect the city:

Dish	What to expect
Tostada and cafe con leche	The Cuban breakfast, buttered pressed bread with milky coffee
Guava pastries	Pastelitos or guava-filled French toast and pancakes
Arepas	Venezuelan or Colombian corn cakes with eggs and cheese
Fried plantains	Sweet maduros alongside eggs
Tropical fruit	Mango, papaya and passion fruit in juices and bowls

When is the best time to eat outdoors in Miami?

The most comfortable months for outdoor dining are in the dry season. The National Weather Service in Miami notes that the dry season typically begins in mid to late October and lasts through April, with less humidity and rain mostly coming from passing fronts. The rainy season usually starts around late May, bringing heat, high humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms through the summer and early fall. Exact dates change from year to year.

How do you eat outdoors in the summer heat?

You can still enjoy a terrace in summer with a few habits:

• Eat early or late. Brunch at opening and dinner after sunset avoid the worst heat.
• Ask for shade or fans. Many patios have umbrellas, misting fans or covered areas.
• Sit inside at midday. The hours around noon and early afternoon are hottest.
• Drink water as well as coffee or cocktails. Ask for water when you sit down.
• Choose breezy spots near the bay or the ocean, where the air moves more.

What happens to outdoor tables when it rains?

From late spring to fall, short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms are common. They often blow through quickly, but they can empty a patio in minutes. If you book an outdoor table, ask whether the restaurant will move you inside if it rains, and keep an eye on the radar if your plans depend on sitting outside. Covered terraces are a safer choice in the rainy months, and a late brunch often finishes before the afternoon storms build.

Does hurricane season affect eating out?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the most active stretch usually from mid-August to mid-October. Most days are normal, but when a storm threatens, restaurants may close early or shut for a few days, and outdoor furniture gets taken inside. If you are visiting during these months, follow local news and the National Hurricane Center, and confirm reservations if a storm is forecast.

What should you know before booking brunch?

Popular weekend brunches book up, especially around holidays and big events, so reserve ahead for Saturdays and Sundays. Some brunches have a time limit on tables or a set menu for groups, so read the details when you book. At sit-down brunches, tip as you would at any US restaurant, and check the check first for an included service charge. If you find a brunch or a bakery breakfast you would go back to, Mosey lets you rate it with photos and keep a list of your favorite spots to share with friends.

More guides to read next:

• Little Havana food guide: Cuban food and how to order a cafecito
• The Miami Cuban sandwich: what goes in it and where it came from
• Latin American food in Miami: Venezuelan, Colombian, Peruvian, Haitian

More in the US food guides and the ranked lists of places.