The best restaurants for date night in Miami
An ongoing list of where to go on a date right now
Aug
18
2026
You’ve been assigned the nerve-racking task of picking a restaurant for date night in Miami. It could be the first, second, third, or maybe you’re in a serious relationship where you’ve lost count.
This guide is worth your time if you are ready to share 10 to 15 small plates with someone that you potentially want to keep around. Just kidding about the 15 small plates. But, no, really, this one is for those who are committed to a 2-hour meal frame. Choose your partner wisely because we’ve got the best restaurants for date night in Miami.
DOUBLE LUCK CHINESE
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address: 1085 NE 79th St
Cuisine: Chinese, American
Double Luck Chinese is from the same team behind Tam Tam, and if you love Chinese food with a modern spin, add this one to your date night list. Located on 79th Street, the space feels intimate without being overly fancy, with red and pink tones, Chinese lanterns, sleek booths, and white tablecloths. You can dress up or keep it relaxed, and if you don’t have a reservation, try walking in and grabbing a seat at the bar.
Start with the char siu ribs. They’re juicy and a definite repeat order. Get the bacon and egg fried rice, made with house-cured Compart Family Farms pork belly, a sunny-side-up egg, and chili oil. We love that they’re sourcing from Compart Family Farms, a family-run farm known for its premium pork. The mushroom dumplings are filled with shiitake and cloud ear mushrooms, scallion, sesame, and soy. Definitely use a spoon for these. We also loved the Hennessy Orange Chicken with Mandarin Cognac sauce, their take on sweet and sour chicken.
If you’re into duck buns, order the tea smoked duck buns, but know these aren’t the typical Peking duck pancakes. The duck comes in different cuts, so you’ll have to debone some of it and then build your own buns with lotus buns, cucumber salad, duck hoisin, pickles, white sesame sauce, and chili oil.
Save room for dessert because the desserts here are freaking unreal. We tried a seasonal mango and black sesame ice cream sandwich and the red bean Black Forest cake with chocolate cake, red bean cream, and chocolate buttercream.
For drinks, there’s wine and sake, plus a non alcoholic lychee spritz. Or go for one of the two lychee martinis. Lychee Martini No. 1 is vodka based and fruity, while Lychee Martini No. 2 is made with gin and sake and is much drier.
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SUNNY’S
Neighborhood: Little River
Address: 7357 NW Miami Ct
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Sunny’s Steakhouse, created by the talented team behind Jaguar Sun, is where we want to live. If they allowed it, we’d bring our sleeping bag and just stay there forever. It’s the best backdrop for all occasions—your neighborhood bar for a chill terrace hang, a destination for happy hour cocktails, the setting for an intimate date night, or a lively group dinner party.
The space features a charming outdoor courtyard with its iconic banyan tree. Inside, there’s a sleek stainless-steel kitchen, a dining room with old-school Palm Beach charm, an incredible indoor bar with golden lights, and an outdoor terrace bar for a more casual night out.
You can expect top-notch service and killer cocktails like the new Circus Permit, a delicious take on the spicy margarita with watermelon and elderflower. Of course, all your favorite variations of martinis are available. On the menu, you’ll find playful questions like “Feeling flirty?” or “Feeling nerdy?” Choose your path, and the amazing team will guide you from there. We’re also obsessed with their new Mezcal Service—a must for any dinner party. It comes with a flask of smooth Espadin Mezcal, homemade sangrita, and a slice of orange with tajín.
As for the food, there wasn’t a dish we didn’t love. Favorites like Hiramasa Crudo, Agnolotti with blue crab, and Wagyu Carpaccio make a return. New highlights include the Octopus Ceviche with grapefruit, cucumber, and peanuts, and the Grilled Pork Sausage with comté. The Prime Hanger Steak is reasonably priced and just as good as you’d expect, and the potato butter and Béarnaise are perfect for dipping those crispy fries.
Oh, and if you want the burger, here’s a little pro tip: The Limited Edition Sunny’s Burger, featuring dry-aged beef with sweet onion, secret sauce, and pickles, is only available on the terrace menu. Our move is to arrive between 5:20 PM and 5:30 PM to grab a spot, since the terrace is first-come, first-served and doesn’t take reservations. Worth it, friends.
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PALMA
Neighborhood: Little Havana
Address: 240 NW 8th Ave
Cuisine: Contemporary, undefined
From the minute you walk inside Palma, there’s an energy that tells you this is going to be good. Located near the Miami River on NW 8th Street, you wouldn’t expect cooking of this caliber. Chef Juan Camilo Liscano trained in Michelin-starred kitchens in the US and Europe and opened Palma in January 2024 in his hometown.
Originally, Palma was known for its seasonal tasting menu, and now they have a short à la carte menu that delivers some of the best flavors in Miami’s dining scene. Their tagline, Intentionally Undefined, says it all. You can see it in every dish. They don’t want to be defined by a specific cuisine because their dishes are not bound or defined by geography. You can see that the menu is inspired by Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and Mediterranean influences.
Chef Juan Camilo is a mastermind when it comes to oysters and crudos, so definitely start with the West Coast Oysters with ginger and white soy mignonette and the Crudo with fermented habanada, Buddha’s hand, hibiscus, and daikon. We also love the Crispy Potato Rosti with Parmesan cheese sauce and chive. And save room for dessert because the Triple Chocolate Cookies with barley miso, vanilla, and malted milk are delicious.
TO BE DETERMINED
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 2240 Southwest 32nd Ave
Cuisine: Seasonal
To Be Determined is the coziest and most romantic restaurant concept brought to life by Chef Richard Ortega of The Maiz Project and Chef Jhonny Delgado of Sandoches. Located in Coral Way, this dynamic dining experience offers a rotating menu that changes every two weeks, so that there’s always something new and exciting to try.
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THE GIBSON ROOM
Neighborhood: Coral Way
Address: 2224 SW 22nd St
Cuisine: American, pizza, cocktail bar
The Gibson Room is back under Miami Slice Hospitality and operating as a true neighborhood bar on Coral Way. It’s an easy place to stop in for a drink, grab a slice, a burger, enjoy el buen ambiente, and stay longer than planned.
The menu focuses on familiar, well-executed comfort food: Proper Tequeños, a Bacon Cheeseburger, Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Pepperoni Proper pizza, and Churro Bites. The cocktails are straightforward and well-made like the Sliced Spritz, Espresso Martini, and the Gibson Martini.
It works for after-office drinks, a chill hang with a big group of friends, or late night with a date.
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TÂM TÂM
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 97 NW 1st St
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Tâm Tâm, a lively Vietnamese spot that went from pop-up to permanent restaurant in Downtown, is one of the best restaurants in Miami. Drawing inspiration from the concept of “quán nhậu,” which represents the joy of gathering with friends while enjoying food and drinks, Tam Tam has mastered the art of creating an atmosphere that honestly is good for all types of vibes, that includes a FUN date night. We’d bring someone we’re really into here, with plans to bop around Downtown afterward. You’ll want to stay hanging for as long as your reservation allows for it (even at the bar).
Start with their Shimeji Mushroom creation, where earthy mushrooms take center stage in a savory La Vong sauce with scallions and peanuts. And make sure to save room for their Tamarind Glazed Pork Ribs: tender and juicy pork ribs, meticulously cooked to perfection, boasting a beautiful caramelized glaze infused with the bold flavors of tamarind. As you take your first bite, the meat effortlessly falls off the bone, revealing a harmony of sweet, tangy, and savory notes dancing on your palate. Oh, and if you are into karaoke, make sure to visit the bathroom.
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PASTIS
Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 380 NW 26th St
Cuisine: French
The iconic NYC staple, Pastis, expanded its presence from the Meatpacking District to the vibrant neighborhood of Wynwood. The restaurant stays true to its New York roots, offering the same menu filled with classic Parisian bistro-style dishes and an incredible ambiance that won’t make you feel like you’re in Miami, and even less in Wynwood.
You’re heading here for a dinner, lunch, or even brunch date. If the weather permits, we recommend sitting at their gorgeous outdoor patio decorated with ceiling fans, red patio umbrellas, and twinkly lights. We’d start with some drinks (of course). If you’re a spritz person looking to relax, start your meal with their St. Tropez Spritz made with St. Germain, lemon, aperitif, sparkling wine, and strawberries. But if you’ve had a long day (or week), then kick off your meal with a tiny Le Petit Pickle martini.
As for the food, we like to start with a few hors d’oeuvres for the table. We usually go for the Tuna Carpaccio with lemon vinaigrette, Escargots with garlic-parsley butter, Onion Soup, and Crispy Artichokes with garlic aioli. Moving on to the entrées, we love their Chicken Paillard with almonds and picholine olives, and we always love to get an order of the Moules Frites with white wine and garlic for the table (don’t forget to dip the bread in the sauce). We also love their Cheeseburger À L’américaine for any time of the day. It’s a double-decker with two beef patties, American cheese, loaded with pickles, thinly sliced red onions, and lots of their special pink sauce.
If you still have a little room, the grand finale is the airy Profiteroles, delicately filled with velvety smooth vanilla ice cream, and generously drizzled with warm chocolate sauce.
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LPM RESTAURANT & BAR
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1300 Brickell Bay Dr
Cuisine: French, Mediterranean
LPM was a welcome addition to the Brickell scene in 2017, as it stands out for its unique French Mediterranean and Nicoise cuisine and beautiful decor inspired by the French Riviera. LPM just got a facelift and it’s a crisp, clean, and consistent choice for that couple that loves to dress up, see and be seen, eat well, and has some cocktail knowledge.
They serve delicious pasta, seafood, and meat dishes using fresh Mediterranean produce such as lemons, artichokes, and olives. It has impeccable service, ambiance, and food.
Start your meal with a Tomatini (it’s a cherry tomato in drink form). Once you’ve enjoyed your drink, move on to the Warm Prawns with olive oil and lemon juice and Escargots with garlic butter and parsley. For your main course, we recommend the slow-cooked coquelet au citron confit. This Marinated Baby Chicken is probably one of the best chicken dishes we’ve had. We’re never ones to order chicken at a restaurant, but this one is worth it. Please order the Gâteau au Fromage Frais, which is the vanilla cheesecake with berry compote. It’s delicate, smooth, creamy, and will melt in your mouth.
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VICEVERSA APERITIVO BAR
Neighborhood: Downtown
Address: 398 NE 5th St
Cuisine: Italian, pizza, aperitivo bar
Allora!! The team behind our favorite Miami bar, Jaguar Sun (now closed), opened a second bar in collaboration with one of the city’s most talented bartenders, Valentino Longo. Located inside The Elser Hotel in Downtown, ViceVersa is a funky Italian aperitivo bar offering classic Italian cocktails made with Italian spirits and Miami’s seasonal ingredients. Longo, known for his work at The Champagne Bar at the Four Seasons, has crafted a list of drinks divided into Negroni Family, Martinis, and Signature Cocktails.
We’re coming here with that partner who loves a cozy yet lively date night. Together you will nerd out about Negronis, Americanos, and basically any vermouth-forward Italian cocktail.
The menu, designed by Jaguar Sun’s chefs Carey Hynes and Justin Flit, includes raw bar offerings like the most delicious Scallops and neo-Neapolitan pizzas. We love the white sauce Clam Pizza with middleneck clams, lemons, and scallions, and the simple Margherita.
Oh and if the seasonal Mango or Passion Fruit Gelato is available, get it. But honestly, all their homemade gelatos are incredible. Shout out to the team for adding a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt to our scoops. ViceVersa is open every day from 5 p.m. to Midnight. Don’t have a reservation, the bar is a great seat if you’re looking for less food and more drinks. Also, they serve one of the best burgers in Miami, but it’s only available on Mondays in limited quantities.
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MACCHIALINA
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Address: 820 Alton Road
Cuisine: Italian
Macchialina is that rustic Italian restaurant we have loved since 2012, a rare find in Miami Beach. They’ve always stayed true to who they are and have consistently prepared some of the most flavorful Italian dishes, making it one of the best restaurants in Miami. It’s dark, romantic, and great for a date night with a quaint bar inside. And it also has the cutest outdoor “Giardino” setup.
Stop by, of course, for all our favorite red sauce pasta like the Cavatelli Macchialina and the Spaghetti Pomodoro. We also can’t get enough of their specials, which change often. Oh, and if you love a little vino with dinner, they’ve always had an excellent wine program. They also have a full bar if you’re looking for a stiff cocktail.
For dessert, don’t skip the most refreshing Tiramisu you’ve had. It’s made with dulce de leche and an espresso granita, giving it an additional texture that is not usual when eating tiramisu. Make sure you dive in deep with your spoon.
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THE SURF CLUB RESTAURANT
Neighborhood: Surfside
Address: 9011 Collins Ave
Cuisine: Modern American
As one of the best restaurants in Miami, The Surf Club Restaurant is worth the drive. And if you’re looking to wow a date, this is it. Take the good ones here. The ones that truly deserve the world.
With a Michelin star and Thomas Keller’s name attached, expectations are high, and The Surf Club Restaurant delivers. Chef Keller is famously known for The French Laundry in Yountville, California, and Per Se in New York City. Chances are that if and when you decide to stop by The Surf Club Restaurant, Chef Keller won’t be there. But it doesn’t matter. Excellence exists here. And now we want to celebrate any major life achievements at the Surf Club Restaurant.
We could talk forever about how beautiful and regal the Surf Club Restaurant is, but this guide isn’t really about that. It’s a plus, though. But what we want to talk about is the food.
The à la carte menu interprets classic Continental cuisine, delivering a sense of nostalgia through every dish. Start your meal with a beautifully executed cocktail at the bar before heading to your table. We loved the refreshing Basil Smash with gin.
From the appetizers, we recommend the best crispy Jumbo Lump Crab Cake of your life and the Hass Avocado & Garden Vegetable Louie. Moving on to the main event, let us introduce you to the best Fettuccine we’ve ever had. It wasn’t overpowering. It was light and creamy. Normally, we’re meh about truffles, but in this dish, it made sense. And I can’t believe we’re saying this, but we would order it again. This is a splurge experience, and if you’re going to spend $55 for pasta in Miami. This is where you should do it.
If it’s your first time at The Surf Club Restaurant, order the Prime Beef Short Rib Wellington. The dish comes with a Périgourdine sauce and serves two. This is an intricate dish, so if you’re going to try it somewhere, try it at The Surf Club Restaurant. Worth the splurge.
When booking, choose your room wisely: the Club Room for classic and pristine, the Banyan Room for a bright, al fresco-feeling experience (with AC), or the Lounge for a more vibey night with live music. Great for an elevated date when you want to impress without saying too much.
We can’t wait to go back for the monthly fried chicken and to order the rest of the menu.
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RECOVECO
Neighborhood: South Miami
Address: 6000 SW 74th St Ste 1
Cuisine: Modern American, International
Recoveco is hands down the best restaurant in South Miami and one of the best restaurants in Miami right now. It’s the cutest date spot for a relaxed night out and for those who genuinely love good food and interesting flavor combinations. You may not know every ingredient listed on the menu, but you’re intrigued and curious enough to ask about it and try something different.
This newer establishment, created with love by Chefs Maria Teresa Gallina, Chef Nico Martinez, and wine expert Shannon Gable, is where we want to live. From the silverware to the lighting, the amazing wine selection, and the carefully crafted dishes, Recoveco shows us how great Miami restaurants can be.
The menu changes based on the best available ingredients and is cooked in their open kitchen, intentionally keeping things simple yet bursting with flavor. They have a way of making salads sexy. We’re currently loving the bright pink Radicchio Salad with rhubarb, manchego, and pickled almonds, as well as the staple Grassfed Beef Tongue with whipped sesame, chimichurri, paired with the crispiest carta di musica crackers. Oh, and for sure order the Fig Leaf & Starfruit with juniper berry meringue. They literally can’t do anything wrong, and we just love them and the special restaurant they have created.
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MIKA
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 3005 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Suite 248
Cuisine: Italian
Chef Michael White, known for his six Michelin stars and a James Beard Award, has opened MIKA in Coral Gables. Located in The Plaza Coral Gables, the restaurant draws inspiration from the coasts of Italy and France, blending those influences with its signature style of cooking. The menu features crudos, house-made pasta, and standout dishes include the Bistecca Fiorentina and the Spaghetti with blue crab, caviar, and lemon butter. Some of their pastas come in very generous half sizes, which we loved.
The bar is first-come, first-served, and offers the full menu along with an Aperitivo Menu (Happy Hour), available exclusively at the bar and lounge. It’s a vibe on Friday, so we recommend stopping by on the earlier side to snag a seat with a date.
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KOJIN
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 804 Ponce de Leon
Cuisine: Modern American, Japanese
Kojin is a chef-driven experience in Coral Gables with an incredible menu. It works for all occasions, including a date night, especially if you’re taking someone who’s a worldly diner. We also love a non-Italian dinner in a neighborhood that has a fixation with Italian restaurants. Yes, Coral Gables, we’re talking about you.
Chef Pedro Mederos & his team are cooking over wood, and while the menu is influenced by Japanese cooking and flavors, to say that this restaurant is Japanese would be putting them in a box. It’s the food of fine dining, but they’re back in the kitchen wearing their kicks. Think of really pro chefs cooking what they love to eat in a very relaxed vibe.
They have à la carte dining and tasting menu options. And the best part is that if your date wants the à la carte menu and you want the tasting menu, you can both get what you want.
Menu changes often and these are some of the dishes we loved from past visits: the Maitake mushroom with parmesan, wild rice risotto, and some apricot; the most deliciously cooked brown butter Scallop we’ve had in a very long time with smoked pork in a white bean sauce; and the Kojin Caesar, which they describe as a Flangian’s salad that was dropped off in Kyoto for a year.
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THE ROOFTOP BY KLAW
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Address: 1737 N Bayshore Dr
Cuisine: Seafood
It’s not easy to find a restaurant that offers both great views, great food, and great drinks. And a rooftop? We would have said “good luck” until Klaw came into the picture.
The rooftop has a more condensed menu compared to the main dining room; however, you can still order the Norwegian King Crab Legs.
Additionally, on the rooftop menu, you will find the Shrimp Aguachile, Beef Tartare, Shellfish Platter, Caviar Service, House Burger, and Maine Lobster Roll.
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LIDO RESTAURANT AT THE SURF CLUB
Neighborhood: Surfside
Address: 9011 Collins Ave
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Lido at the Surf Club is where you want to bring your significant other on a surprise day date. Or if you’ve messed up and want to make it up to them. Trust us, this is the spot. Once you step inside the Four Seasons in Surfside, all negative thoughts and any anger will go out the window. At least while you are there. After that, you’re on your own.
You’re going to Lido for an Italian Mediterranean dining and retro glamour experience. We recommend sitting outside on the oceanfront terrace. The menu highlights simple Mediterranean cuisine and we love their Vitello Tonnato, thinly sliced veal, tonnato sauce, crispy capers, and Aged Balsamic.
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MANDOLIN AEGEAN BISTRO
Neighborhood: Design District
Address: 4312 NE 2nd Ave
Cuisine: Mediterranean
For those who love Rom-Coms and all the gushy love stuff, Mandolin is calling your name. This Miami favorite serves Greek and Turkish dishes. It’s almost always fully booked, so we suggest you plan and take someone you really like, you might even love.
If there is a place to see-and-be-seen in Miami, Mandolin’s patio is definitely it. Head over to the Design District and enjoy a little trip to the Mediterranean with an Aegean white sangria inside this picturesque white and blue house. It’s almost always fully booked, so we definitely suggest you plan.
We recommend the Mussels with white wine, garlic, lemon, and oregano, and the Grilled Octopus to start.
From the sandwich section, we’d go for the Spicy Mandolin Kebab, with a grilled house blend of ground beef and lamb, onion, parsley, sumac, and spicy Greek yogurt. If you are trying to cut back on calories, the whole Mediterranean sea bass grilled with extra virgin Aegean olive oil, lemon, and oregano is the way to go. But don’t forget to order a side of house-cut fries with garlic Greek yogurt to share.
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CARBONE VINO
Neighborhood: Coconut Grove
Address: 2911 Grand Ave Suite 194
Cuisine: Italian, pasta
Carbone Vino in Coconut Grove is a great choice for a date night if you’re looking for somewhere trendy and sexy, especially on a rainy evening.
The dim lighting, turquoise velvet couches, and candlelit bar set the mood, with classic tunes by Frank Sinatra and The Supremes creating a romantic feel. Pair a glass of wine with their famed Spicy Rigatoni Vodka with buttery sous vide onions or the Tortellini Tartufo Nero.
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BOIA DE
Neighborhood: Little Haiti
Address: 5205 NE 2nd Ave
Cuisine: New American
If you’ve driven past an unassuming strip mall near Little River and seen a glowing pink exclamation point, then you have found your destination.
Since 2019, Boia De has consistently delivered some of the best food in Miami, if not the best food, earning Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer their Michelin star for a second year in a row. So naturally, it’s challenging to score a table at Boia De. However, if being flexible and/or spontaneous is your thing, keep this restaurant in mind.
There is a walk-in counter specifically held for those without a reservation. You can also use the “notify” feature on the Resy app to be alerted when a table is available. Or if you’re a planner and know you’ll be with your significant other for at least another month, then you can plan your dinner 30 days out. Either way, this will be one of the best meals of your Miami life, so maybe make sure your date is worth it.
Yes, you will find a tiramisu on the menu; however, this isn’t a traditional Italian
Of course, all the pastas are made from scratch, but here you aren’t getting typical Italian food. At Boia, they are pushing the boundaries of what you would expect. There is a depth in flavor.
Order the Crispy Polenta with marinated eggplant and ricotta salata, or Luci’s Chopped Salad to start (one of our favorite salads in Miami). If they’re in season, get the Baby Artichokes with brown butter hollandaise and pine nuts. Work yourself down to the pasta section and try out the Gnocchi Pomodoro and the Tagliolini Nero (served cold) with king crab, vin juane, truffle, and herbs. End the meal with a Crispy Tiramisu or Carrot Cake. You really can’t go wrong here with whatever you order. They’re constantly adding new dishes to the menu, so make sure to ask what’s new.
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WALRUS RODEO
Neighborhood: Little River
Address: 5143 NE 2nd Avenue
Cuisine: Wood-fired kitchen
If your date has taste and a refined palate, bring them to Walrus Rodeo. This is Boia De’s sister restaurant, located in the same Little Haiti shopping center.
There are three things you need to remember about Walrus Rodeo: porchetta, pizza, and green mustard lasagna. This is one of the best restaurants in Miami for wine and Italian-esque dishes. It’s def not traditional Italian, but there is a modern Italian take throughout the dishes.
The menu theme is “charred”. They’re all about those wood-fired oven flavors. From the pizza selection (a.k.a Za’s), don’t skip the Rodeo Za with anchovies, spicy tomatoes, and maple-brown butter.
Finally, if you go to Walrus Rodeo and don’t order their signature Mustard Green Lasagna with lamb ragu, grana padano, and stracchino, then did you even go to Walrus Rodeo? This is truly the most unique lasagna we’ve ever had in Miami.
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BOUCHON BISTRO
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 2101 Galiano St
Cuisine: French
Want to impress your date with a Michelin-starred chef? You’ll get brownie points if they love French food.
Bouchon Bistro is the second restaurant by Chef Thomas Keller to open in Miami. If you’re into fine dining, you’ve heard of Chef Keller’s acclaimed restaurants, The French Laundry in Napa Valley and Per Se in New York City, as well as his first restaurant in South Florida, The Surf Club Restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club.
Bouchon, situated in the historic La Palma building in Coral Gables, is a classic French restaurant offering dishes like Beef Tartare, Steak Frites, a Seafood Tower, Roasted Chicken, Gnocchi à la Parisienne, and buttery Escargots. Get the chicken, it’s so juicy, and we barely ever order chicken at a restaurant.
They also serve the delicious TAK Room Burger—made with American Wagyu beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, red onion, tomato, dill pickles, and secret sauce, served with French fries. You can find it Friday through Sunday during lunch and brunch, and at Happy Hour from Wednesday to Sunday at the bar and in the garden between 4 PM and 6 PM (along with $2 oysters).
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MAGIE WINE BAR
Neighborhood: Coconut Grove | Little River
Address: 3540 Main Hwy | 8281 NE 2nd Ave
Cuisine: Mediterranean, wine bar
If you’re looking for an elevated yet playful wine bar—think Lagniappe but mostly indoors—stop by Magie. This casual and cozy counter-service spot, inspired by the Mediterranean “tin-to-table” lifestyle, has two locations, in Little River and Coconut Grove.
Created by Miami restaurateur Caroline Strauss, Magie is great for a first date, where you can stay for two hours or go home after an hour. They offer fun snacks, craft beer, and a wine list primarily from Spain and Portugal, focused on lesser-known grapes that are biodynamic, organic, and produced in small batches. The menu by Chef Ivan Barros features fun snacks that change often.
Designed by Sofia Cirincione, the space blends old-world café elegance with neighborhood charm, featuring dark tones, mismatched furniture, and eclectic knick-knacks. Magie is more than just a wine bar and a casual spot for drinks—it’s a community hub, hosting live music, showcasing local artists, and putting on weekly events inspired by Strauss’s travels to Barcelona and Ibiza.
OSAKA
Neighborhood: Brickell
Address: 1300 Brickell Bay Dr
Cuisine: Nikkei
Osaka landed in Brickell as the first North American location of an internationally acclaimed Nikkei restaurant known for its Japanese techniques and Peruvian flavors. The menu features ceviche, tiraditos, makimono, nigiris, and Peruvian izakaya. The restaurant is sleek and upscale – a great spot for that hip couple that loves a loungey vibe that is far away from Miami Beach.
If you’re going on a weekend and you plan to go out after dinner, well then, we recommend you do drinks and shared appetizers at KERO, their cocktail lounge inside the restaurant. It has a fun ambiente.
Sip on inventive cocktails with Fresno pepper, shizo salt, chicha morada ice cubes, and yuzu honey. As far as food goes, some of our favorites include the Osk Ceviche with tuna, crispy quinoa, kyuri, yuzu ponzu sauce; Carpassion, salmon carpaccio with passion fruit honey, watercress, and crispy strips. From the nigiri section, we love the Inca with cured tuna, ají amarillo, chalaquita, and black quinoa; the Katsu with salmon belly, lemon zest, and white truffle oil; and the Hotate Truffle with Hokkaido scallop, truffle butter, and lime.
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DOYA
Neighborhood: Wynwood
Address: 347 NW 24th St
Cuisine: Aegean
We love Doya for a first dinner date. The space has lively energy, plus the cocktails and food are spot on.
Doya, located in Wynwood, is serving Aegean and Mediterranean flavors from the coast of Turkey. We are talking dips, local produce, refreshing and light plates, plus an amazing octopus dish that keeps us coming back for more. We blindly recommend it for all types of occasions. It’s great for birthdays, large groups, date nights, double dates, and families. It also has a lively vibe at the bar if you’re interested in making new friends.
At Doya, you are stopping by for the top-notch hospitality and the meze dining experience. Order for the center of the table, because you’re sharing. We love the Cretan Feta dip, the Manti, beef dumplings, drenched in a garlic yogurt sauce, and the Adana Kebap with lavash bread. Oh, and if they have the Dolmas cabbage leaves, get them.If you’ve saved room for dessert, don’t miss the homemade Pistachio Baklava.
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KRÜS KITCHEN
Neighborhood: Coconut Grove
Address: 3413 Main Hwy
Cuisine: Globally-inspired, seasonal kitchen
If you haven’t been to Krüs Kitchen in Coconut Grove for dinner, NOW is the time. Chef Sebas Vargas and the incredible Krüs team have created a menu from the heart. Everything has been carefully thought out and made from scratch (even the bread and butter). Their dedication to sustainability has earned them a Michelin Green Star in gastronomy.
They use fine dining techniques to compose all their dishes, except it’s in a chill, market setting located on the second floor. It’s a great first-date spot to drink some amazing wine, or great for recurring dates. You can dress nicely, but also wear sneakers.
Enter through sister restaurant Los Félix, and head upstairs to Krüs Kitchen. The space is vibrant, with so much natural light and a cornered open kitchen. It is decorated with biodynamic wines and other products on display, which is always nice to look at while waiting for your dishes to arrive.
This evolving menu will change with the seasons, but for now, after trying the entire menu, our favorites include the Heirloom Tomatoes, Oyster Mushrooms, Smoked Coconut Rice, and the Tagliatelle with grass-fed oxtail with Meyer lemon.
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PORTOSOLE
Neighborhood: Coral Gables
Address: 2530 Ponce de Leon
Cuisine: Italian, pasta
Portosole is one of the best restaurants in Coral Gables (and also one of the best in Miami). Half the guests are Italian, which is always a good sign. Here, you’ll feel important and well taken care of in a brightly lit, white tablecloth setting.
We love it for a bright lunch with los suegros. It’s also great for clients or a cute day dress situation with your amigas. That said, this spot is great for a classic date night—one to take your future husband or wife. If you’re not serious about your date, we wouldn’t bring them here.
Make sure you order one of the best Melanzane alla Parmigiana we’ve had in Miami, Ravioli di Ossobuco allo Zafferano for those who love saffron, and the classic and traditionally executed Tonnarelli al Cacio e Pepe.
Don’t skip the Sgroppino Veneziano, a dessert cocktail made with Prosecco, vanilla ice cream, and vodka, finished off with lemon zest and ground coffee. Trust us.
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BEYBEY (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
Neighborhood: South Beach
Address: 1330 18th St
Cuisine: Lebanese, Mexican, Middle Eastern
If Cabo and Beirut had a baby, it would be BeyBey.
BeyBey is back in Sunset Harbor and is now led by Chef Roberto Solís. The Yucatán-born chef behind Huniik brings a menu rooted in Mexican and Middle Eastern flavors, all built around open fire. Our favorite dishes include kibbeh crudo, aguachile, charred tacos al pastor with a nod to Lebanese shawarma, and a cheesecake you’re not skipping.
This space in Miami Beach still carries that late-night energy, with a great outdoor setting. The vibes are still late-night friendly, making BeyBey an easy pick for a lively date that doesn’t plan to go to bed early.
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