Restaurant too busy? Sit at the Bar.

After a few hectic months (thanks, omicron!), local restaurants are starting to fill up again. That means snagging a table at your favorite spots might be a little tougher than usual. If you’re having trouble securing a reservation, here’s our recommendation: Sit at the bar.

A restaurant’s full menu will often also be available at its bar, and there’s usually an empty seat (or two). In fact, bar seating is probably your best bet for some of the more popular spots in South Florida – like the ones we’re highlighting in this month’s column.

A perfect example: Leku (1100 NW 23rd St., 786.464.0615) in Allapattah. This Basque restaurant is one of the hottest tables in town, and it’s become even harder to get a reservation thanks to its new Josper double grill. The outdoor range allows for an expanded menu packed with noteworthy selections like picanha steak, seasonal shellfish and Maine lobster. Other highlights include the roasted duck breast, roasted guinea hen and truffled Spanish tortilla – all available at the bar. Another benefit of bar seating here is watching the talented mixologists at work making gorgeous gin and tonics – a staple of the Leku experience.

For a more laid-back bar-side experience, there’s Off Site Nano Brewery + Kitchen (8250 NE 2nd Ave., 786.360.4237) in Little River. It made a low-key debut back in November, but good luck finding a table nowadays. Locals and out-of-towners alike are flocking in for the eatery’s signature Super Good Lager and its assortment of

elevated bar fare. On the menu are items like fried chicken sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, chicken wings and massive hot dogs. While tables fill up fast, you can usually grab a bar chair even when the place is at its busiest.

Just a little further south, Pinch Kitchen + Bar (8601 Biscayne Blvd., 305.631.2018) serves up the best of two worlds. At this MiMo find, you can get a table for a more traditional meal service, but the bar is where you want to sit should you be flying solo. The full menu is up for grabs, including beloved bites like the ham croquetas, the bucatini al pomodoro and the famous Pinch Burger – a mouthwatering, meaty blend complemented by Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and aioli with a brioche bun.

Diners looking for a stellar seafood outing should look no further than Stiltsville Fish Bar (1787 Purdy Ave., 786.353.0477) on South Beach. The Sunset Harbor neighborhood gem is packed every night, so bar seating is likely your only option without a reservation. At the bar, you can indulge in everything from the popular coconut shrimp and cobia tiradito to the shrimp and grits and crab-crusted New York strip. Pro tip: Arrive early for its generous happy hour: $8 cocktails on the beach are a steal.

Openings

Once you’ve dined at all the spots we’ve mentioned, there are plenty of new places to check out. Among the most notable openings is Sexy Fish (1001 S Miami Ave., 305.889.7888), a new Asian eatery hailing from London. Expect selections like smoked tuna belly, duck salad and king crab and bone marrow – just to name a few. Be sure to come early if what you’re looking for is a dinner experience that’s more on the chill side, as late-night entertainment is the norm at this opulent addition to the Brickell neighborhood.

Another big opening is Manjay (2618 NW 5th Ave.) in Wynwood, which we first teased exactly a year ago. The long-anticipated restaurant has officially opened its doors, inviting guests to try some delicious Caribbean cuisine. Fans of the original Little River outpost will find old and new favorites like jerk chicken bites, vegan roti, red beans and rice, and slow-braised pork.

Last but not least, Aventura residents have a new sushi spot to visit: Asiatiko (2906 NE 207th St., 786.786.0626). This certified-kosher Asian-inspired establishment boasts a tasty selection of rolls full of hamachi, yellowfin tuna and other super-fresh fish. Hot items like Peking duck, hot pot rice and teriyaki salmon are also available. A full bar with whimsical drinks like Autumn in Japan and Singapore Gardens brings the dining experience here full circle.

Geoffrey Anderson Jr. and Dianne Rubin-Anderson are co-founders of Miami Food Pug, an award-winning South Florida food blog that fuses the couple’s love of dogs and food.