12 romantic restaurants in Miami for the best date night 

With a dining landscape that celebrates upscale seafood, steakhouses, Cuban cuisine, and ultra-high-end bars and restaurants, Miami is one of the best places in the country to take a romantic rendezvous. Something about your prototypical Miami establishment translates so well to date night. From Downtown Miami to tiny islands in Biscayne Bay, there are romantic restaurants all over Magic City. Whether it’s an upscale restaurant overlooking Miami Beach, or an intimate no-frills diner, you’ll find the perfect date spot to celebrate Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or any other special occasion. 

With Miami’s gorgeous geographical location and layout, many of these restaurants have incredible views of the skyline, the Miami Beach strip, the ocean, or the bay. Patios and rooftops are very common, not just for expensive restaurants. You can dine under the stars at every price point. The best date spots tend to serve refined menus, so you won’t have to worry about having to choose between buffalo wings and jalapeno poppers. 

The city’s nightlife and dining scene are perfect for setting the mood. But what's not romantic is carrying around suitcases and heavy backpacks. So before you head to one of our recommendations for the best romantic restaurants in Miami, drop everything off at a Bounce luggage storage service to ensure you have a memorable date night: 

Ariete

Coconut Grove has been a revelation for Miami’s already stellar dining landscape. While it’s certainly a nice place to live, the quiet locale offers a scrappy alternative to the high-end obsessed downtown and Miami Beach areas. With a cozy and almost “mood lighting” atmosphere, Ariete’s dining room is one of the most intimate settings you can find for date night. 

This one is popular, but you don’t always need a reservation to get in. If you’re heading to Coconut Grove from another part of town and want to make sure you have a table, making a reservation is recommended. 

Our recommendation:

Ariete serves a rustic American menu, which is a refreshing change from the all-too-common upscale seafood approach that might be considered too formulaic in Miami. Ariete’s chefs have taken this theme a little further with creative dishes like their duck confit prepared and served with a French press. While that sounds a little crazy, it’s the perfect conversation starter for date night. 

Location:

3540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Price level:

$$

Boia De

Magic City has no shortage of Italian restaurants with amazing food, and one of the best date night options is located right in the Little Haiti neighborhood north of downtown. The cozy Italian ristorante vibes definitely translate well to a romantic dinner, which might be the result of the chef duo being an actual married couple. 

Make a reservation. This place isn’t huge, and Boia De’s reputation is one of the best for date night.

Our recommendation:

Like the best Italian restaurants, Boia De’s menu features an excellent selection of rotating pasta options. These tend to feature fresh and seasonal ingredients, and the chefs pull out some surprising regional Italian dishes, so definitely don’t sleep on the specials when ordering. 

Boia De has a surprising selection of natural wines from Italy and the US, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your beverage ordering.  Always finish the meal with the tiramisu. It’ll cap off an amazing evening or even salvage a bad date.

Location:

5205 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137

Price level:

$$$

Gianni's At The Former Versace Mansion

The name explains it all. This restaurant is located literally in the former Miami residence of one of fashion’s true legends. It is the most quintessentially Miami Beach establishment in the city. This is a delightfully splashy, gaudy, and excessive fine dining restaurant to bring a date. And yet, Gianni’s never fails to impress (or meet the expectations set by the price point). 

This romantic restaurant is the perfect place to start off an epic evening in Miami Beach. Reservations need to be made weeks or even months out. Also, you’re eating at the Versace Mansion; dress like it. 

Our recommendation:

Upscale but approachable favorites are the name of the game at this South Beach spot. Porterhouse steaks, huge plates of pasta, and familiar dessert favorites are all mainstays. 

Location:

1116 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Price level:

$$$$

Glass & Vine

While Miami’s restaurant scene leans towards flashy and clubby, there are more than a few spots that will appeal to more discerning tastes. The best option for a romantic meal on a leafy patio is right near Peacock Park. Glass & Vine is an elegant but understated restaurant tucked away in Coconut Grove. It's Miami’s best place for a quiet and relaxing date. The outdoor patio is shaded with massive oak trees, which make it lovely for an upscale brunch, but Miami’s weather makes it perfect for a romantic dinner. 

Reservations are all but required for the patio, but finding a table in the main dining room isn’t impossible. It's a cozy restaurant indoors, which can definitely lend itself to the perfect date night. The dress code, while understated, leans dressy. 

Our recommendation:

The menu features American and continental European cuisine that varies widely depending on seasonal ingredients. There is usually a nice selection of seafood prepared in French or Italian fashion. Ceviche, oysters Rockefeller, and deep-fried red snapper are some of the highlights, depending on availability. You may not find the most creative dishes in town here, but the quality is undeniable. 

Location:

2820 McFarlane Rd, Miami, FL 33133

Price level:

$$

Contessa Miami

The Miami Design District has swiftly become one of the buzziest places in the city for drinking and dining, and Contessa is at the forefront. This upscale restaurant specializes in creative dishes inspired by Northern Italian cuisine. The rotating menu features seasonal pasta and traditional dishes, but the decor and vibe are what bring people to Contessa. The art-deco dining room and bar appear to be plucked out of yesteryear. The clientele is generally well-dressed, and reservations will take the guesswork out of navigating the bar area. 

Our recommendation:

Definitely explore the wine menu here, there’s a sommelier on staff that’s curated one of the deepest lists in Miami, and the staff is exceptionally helpful in navigating guests to the perfect bottle. 

Location:

111 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137

Price level:

$$$$

Juvia

A cocktail lounge and restaurant overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami Beach strip is the perfect place to impress your date. Juvia, located essentially where a penthouse suite would be, is one of the most luxurious restaurants in Miami Beach. As such, you’ll want to dress to the nines and make a reservation well in advance. 

Our recommendation:

It’s an ultra-modern dining room serving fusion food that combines Peruvian, Japanese, and French flavors and techniques. Expect creative dishes based on classics. The menu changes constantly, so you can only plan for the luxurious view. Local foodies head to South Beach for the menus, but you should head here for the perfect date night.

Location:

1111 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Price level:

$$$ 

Klaw Restaurant & Rooftop Bar

Romantic dinners inherently have fancy expectations, so places like Klaw are go-to romantic restaurants in Miami. The views of the Bay, along with the downtown Miami skyline, are absolutely incredible, but the food is still the main attraction here. Of course, there’s a catch-of-the-day along with a luxurious menu of aged steaks, but creative dishes like Alaskan king crab tempura and seafood pasta keep this menu enticing. Hopefully, your date will want to share because there will surely be more than one menu item you’ll want to try. 

Our recommendation:

Miami has no shortage of upscale seafood restaurants, so if you can’t find a reservation here, try somewhere else. If you’re doing the right thing and planning your romantic dinner ahead of time, opt for Klaw. This restaurant is high-end, with a high-end vibe and high-end expectations, so try not to show up directly from the beach.

Location:

1737 N Bayshore Dr, Miami, FL 33132

Price level:

$$$

CHICA Miami

Miami’s culinary strong suit has always been Latin-inspired cuisine, which certainly translates exceptionally well to a romantic night out. The drinks will be delicious, the food will be spicy but approachable, and the ambiance will suit the occasion. One place that checks all these boxes is CHICA, which is situated right in downtown Miami in a leafy space made more intimate by the mood lighting. 

The vibrant decor matches the high-energy atmosphere most nights, so you can wear something a little more relaxed. Reservations are recommended, but there is a bar area that makes for a lively night out. 

Our recommendation:

This is your spot if you’re celebrating and want delicious specialty cocktails. The Chica-Rita pineapple margarita will set things off right. The drinks pair well with the Cuban-inspired appetizers and zesty flavors of their meat and seafood options. 

Location:

5556 NE 4th Ct, Miami, FL 33137

Price level:

$$

La Mar by Gaston Acurio

Located in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, this buzzy Peruvian spot is one of the most romantic restaurants in Miami. As such, reservations are highly recommended, especially if you want a table on the terrace. With views of Biscayne Bay, you definitely want a table on the terrace.

Our recommendation:

The menu is seafood-heavy, but there’s something on the menu for just about everyone. Lomo saltado will satisfy the carnivore in your life with stir-fried tenderloin, veggies, and potatoes that are reminiscent of greek fries. Arroz con mariscos is popular for a reason. It’s essentially a seafood fried rice with Peruvian flavors. Being a South American restaurant, the wine list is out of this world. 

Location:

500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami, FL 33131

Price level:

$$$

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Magic City has never been associated with French food, but this cuisine is well-represented by the Miami Design District’s best date night spot. There’s hardly a restaurant in the city more suitable for celebrating a special occasion. For one, the main dining room features some of the most attractive and romantic decor of any restaurant in Miami. L'Atelier boasts an extensive wine list regularly rated at the top of sommelier lists. 

Our recommendation:

If you can’t find a reservation (or are winging it), try to sit at the counter to watch the chefs at work in their open-face kitchen. The rotating menu makes it hard to plan ahead, but the reviews do not lie; everything will be delicious. 

Location:

151 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137

Price level:

$$$

Cote Miami

The classic American steakhouse meets Korean BBQ at this surprisingly romantic place. If your significant other loves red meat, this is one of the best places (and most romantic restaurants) to bring them to celebrate a special occasion. With a Korean omakase menu showcasing American cuts of meat, this will satisfy you. Just remember to make a reservation because Cote’s Miami location is small, and spaces fill up fast. 

Our recommendation:

With a menu inspired by Korean barbecue, opt for the short rib tacos. If you’re looking for something upscale, there is a fine selection of American steaks to pair with fusion sides and apps. The cocktail list features a few signature creations from their expert bar staff. 

Location:

3900 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137

Price level:

$$$

Rusty Pelican

For an open-air but intimate experience with stellar views, opt for one of Miami’s most iconic restaurants. A place called “The Rusty Pelican'' may sound more like a seaside shack slinging rum shots than Chilean seabass and upscale wine, but you can’t go wrong with this Miami institution. 

With an outdoor seating area boasting amazing views of Biscayne Bay and ambiance from twinkling lights, Rusty Pelican really checks all the boxes. 

Our recommendation:

Seafood is the best thing to get at Rusty Pelican, especially their catch of the day (usually grilled seabass cooked to flaky perfection). You can also get surf 'n turf options with their amazing tomahawk ribeye. To drink, they have a solid wine menu, and their signature cocktail program has a number of house creations. You’ll doubtless do the smart thing and make a reservation on the patio, so order a breezy cocktail and wear something nice-but-casual to fit the vibes. 

Location:

3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Price level:

$$$

Conclusion

Whether you hit up a steakhouse in Downtown Miami or a nightclub in Miami Beach, finding the perfect date spot is the best way to make sparks fly. Finding the perfect place to take your significant other can be a stressful process, you never know which restaurants will work best. Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing romantic restaurants to check out. If it’s too late and you can’t find a reservation, there’s always Miami’s amazing street food scene, or hanging out on a rooftop bar can also set the mood. However you end up celebrating, Magic City has a way of turning up the romance on every evening.