Romantic Restaurants in Miami (2025)

A tiny, dimly lit charmer with serious cooking from chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer. Michelin-starred, often praised by local critics for pastas, caviar-topped bites, and a smart wine list—perfect for an intimate late reservation.

Coconut Grove’s refined mood and chef Michael Beltrán’s Cuban-American perspective set an elegant tone. The Michelin-starred tasting menu and polished service make it a reliable pick for anniversaries and milestone dates.

Chef Jeremy Ford’s Michelin-starred dining room glows with date-night energy: a glass-walled kitchen, seductive lighting, and precise, decadent tasting menus that keep this South of Fifth favorite in constant rotation with critics and locals.

A 1940s bungalow turned Aegean daydream. Lantern-lit courtyard tables, meze to share, and a breezy soundtrack. Recognized as a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide and beloved by design and travel editors for alfresco romance.

Macchialina is simply the best Italian restaurant in Miami - Review - Miami - The Infatuation

For over a decade, Macchialina has been the magic word you can use to derail any tirade against South Beach. And even after a round of major renovations, the magic word still works. This classic Italian restaurant is bigger now. It swallowed the defunct hostel that was once its neighbor and spit out a completely new space, with more room to breathe and bathrooms that no longer require a harrowing commute past the hot kitchen. Macchialina’s most impressive new feature is its outdoor patio, a covered space that’s exactly where you want to be on a 67-degree Friday night in December. photo credit: Maxson Media photo credit: Maxson Media photo credit: Maxson Media photo credit: Maxson Media Pause Unmute But what makes Macchialina stand out is its unchanged food—we’ll never hesitate to call this the best Italian restaurant in Miami Beach. Their six pastas are still the menu’s nucleus, supported by Macchialina classics such as the polenta made with new ingredients throughout the year so it always tastes a little different. The menu changes seasonally here and there, but those changes are subtle and feel natural, like the way a deer’s antlers grow from spring to summer. The restaurant has more than doubled in size, yet retained the unhurried service of a locals spot that greets regulars by their first name, and treats them to a South Beach rarity: a special occasion meal for non-billionaires. Macchialina's $70 four-course tasting menu comes with so much food, you’ll feel compelled to ask your server, “Are you sure?” when they drop the check. Despite all the above, you can still get a reservation here on a Saturday night at 8pm without wanting to heave your phone into Niagara Falls. So keep using Macchialina as a rhetorical tennis racket against anti-South Beach arguments. Or don’t, and let the cynics stay on the other side of Biscayne Bay. Food Rundown Chef’s Tasting Menu This tasting menu could end after the first course—which may include a round of porchetta-stuffed gnocco fritto, the polenta, and broccolini topped with a poached egg—and we’d feel like we got our money’s worth. But it keeps going with pasta, meat, fish, and takes a final bow with the best dessert menu in Miami (the tiramisu and bread pudding, if you’re lucky). The fact that this meal only costs $70 per person feels like one of those Costco price misprints that results in you going home with an entire cow for 93 cents. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc Gnocco Fritto Here's the gnocco fritto hack: don't just order the gnocco fritto. Order the prosciutto and porchetta too. Then you get to peel open the gnocco fritto, stuff it with Italian meats, and make your own little appetizer sandwiches. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings Creamy Polenta Macchialina’s polenta is always working on itself. One day it has savory chicken sausage and pops of sweet pickled cherry peppers, the next shiitake mushrooms and chives. But it never fails to be the most delicious thing on the menu. Lasagna This is a special, so ask your server if it's available. If it is—and you like lasagna—get it. It has layers of short rib, pasta sheets, bechamel, and rich taleggio fonduta. And it's not one of those lasagnas that's so massive it has to be the only thing you order. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings Cavatelli Macchialina Macchialina’s pastas are so good that if you order three it inevitably leads to a table debate about which one’s the best. There may be a battle for second and third place. But everyone will agree that this—with its bouncy baby meatballs and red sauce thick with shredded beef—is number one. photo credit: Liz Clayman Veal Parmigiana We understand if you're prioritizing pasta here, but you won’t be mad that this is on the table. It’s pounded nice and thin and there are slivers of parmigiano reggiano, arugula, and rich concentrated tomato on top. photo credit: Cleveland Jennings - Ryan Pfeffer

Modern Aegean meze, charcoal aromas, and a lush Wynwood patio set the mood. A Michelin Bib Gourmand, frequently cited by local writers for shareable plates, vibrant flavors, and an easy, celebratory vibe.

Little Havana romance: classic cantinero cocktails by Julio Cabrera, live Trova music, and Cuban dishes by Michelle Bernstein. Consistently ranked among North America’s Best Bars and celebrated by travel media.

A downtown classic with a sleek room, expert service, and a raw bar built for flirting over oysters and bubbles. Praised by Miami New Times and date-night roundups for consistency and understated elegance.

Beneath a towering banyan tree, the Jaguar Sun team created a dreamy indoor-outdoor steakhouse with a choose-your-own martini menu. Lauded by national and local editors for its transportive setting and celebratory cooking.

A candlelit French bistro with Miami soul: foie gras with guava, mussels, and vintage décor. Spotlighted by the Miami Herald for blending French technique with local flavor—a lovable detour for couples who savor character.

Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s Italian draw on pedestrian-only Giralda Avenue feels made for a slow stroll and a long dinner. Known for poetic pastas and those irresistible potato puffs; recommended by the Michelin Guide.

Upstairs in Coconut Grove, this intimate, chef-driven spot pairs seasonal plates with natural wines. A Michelin Green Star nod underscores its sustainability focus—great for couples who love thoughtful food and a mellow, refined atmosphere.