Miami’s steamy tropics, beaches, and views of the ocean create the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening. Whether you’re looking to book a table for a first date or to rekindle the passion with your spouse, these restaurants couple Miami’s sultry scenery with decadent dining.
Talk about setting the mood. Casa Tua offers dreamy candlelit outdoor seating surrounded by foliage and lantern-lit trees—a secret hideaway from the tumultuous South Beach. The cocooned exterior makes for an intimate space to enjoy one-on-one conversation over wine, flowers, and Northern Italian cuisine. With its multi-course dinners and balmy night air, this spot is all about taking it slow.
If you’re looking for a getaway to the Greek islands, you might as well save on airfare and visit Mandolin instead. Housed in a 1940s home, this quaint blue and white restaurant covered under blooming bougainvillea is reminiscent of the Greek tavernas. Tables are set in a lush garden lit by dainty patio lights where the soft murmur of conversation makes it all the more romantic. Order the moussaka with delicious béchamel or a Greek salad—served fresh with crunchy cucumbers soaked just right in olive oil. If you’re not planning to get much sleep afterward, then be sure to finish off with a powerful Turkish coffee.
Designed by Philippe Stark, this luxe spot shines for its presentation. A dizzying array of marble tables, marble floors, and ocean-themed walls make it a spectacular feast for the eyes, all decked in the lavish SLS Brickell hotel in the Brickell business district. The eatery offers a bountiful list of seafood creations by renowned chef José Andrés, a raw bar, and cocktails to complement. The food is savory, freshly fished, and best of all, Instagram-worthy.
Set up in a modern penthouse with views of Miami Beach, Juvia is the local’s go-to when it comes to rooftop restaurants. The menu matches the avant-garde décor—offering an eclectic mix of French, Japanese, and Peruvian meals varying from tuna poke to duck confit. Decorated in a lovely lilac and white motif underneath the starry-night sky, this outdoor restaurant checks all the boxes so that you can focus on sealing the deal.
You want to show your new fling that you’re crazy about them, so wow them with some waterfront dining at Crazy About You. The stylish restaurant sits on the bay overlooking Brickell Key, making it ideally romantic for an evening rendezvous. The menu offers a fusion of Asian, European and Latin American cooking, such as the Chino-Latino Mahi Mahi and Iberico Pork—plus house wines are only $5 a glass or about $20 a bottle. With a gentle breeze from the sea, and a view of Miami’s glittering skyline, what’s not to love?
Soyka, located in a former warehouse and the locals’ favorite since 1999, offers a casual and cozy ambiance to relax your first date jitters. A narrow alley between the garden room and the main room is covered wall to wall with lush plants, antique mirrors, chandeliers and lined with tables for two with charming wicker chairs—a romantic spot to spend time getting to know your love interest. Their menu varies from charcuterie to quinoa salad, with a diverse list of options for all budgets. Also, you don’t want to miss their live jazz nights on the weekends!
Nothing’s better than Versace, Versace, Versace, so if shelling out several hundred dollars on a date doesn’t scare you, book a table at the ultra-lavish Gianni’s at the Villa. Housed in the late designer’s infamous Miami residence (where he was killed on the villa’s steps in 1997), this frescoed wonderland gives guests a peek into the epic lifestyle and wild celebrity parties that he hosted. The restaurant features several dining rooms decorated by mosaic walls and lustrous geometric floors with an Italian flair—all followed up by exceptional service and, of course, decadent food. If you’re looking to propose, getting on one knee in front of the extravagant Versace pool can almost guarantee a “yes.”
