"The Mediterranean food at Mandolin is excellent, but this place is always crowded because it’s one of the most beautiful outdoor dining options in Miami. The tables are almost all outside, shaded by trees in the gorgeous courtyard of a converted 1940s bungalow right on the edge of the Design District. Between the baba ghanoush and the restaurant's blue and white color scheme, the only thing that’ll remind you you’re not vacationing in Greece is the notification on your phone to extend your parking. If you're trying to have dinner here, start looking for a reservation now because Mandolin is one of the toughest reservations in Miami. But finding a table for lunch is less of a headache. Lunch is way easier to book than dinner. Whether or not Mandolin is slammed depends on the weather. If it's gorgeous out, you should have made that reservation three weeks ago. If it's not peak snowbird season, it's easier. They accept walk-ins, although walk-ins are usually seated inside. Luckily, all people with reservations are guaranteed an outdoor table." - virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer, mariana trabanino