The Definitive List of the Most Romantic Restaurants in Miami for Every Occasion

Dining out in Miami has never been better, with one hot new restaurant opening after the next. For couples visiting Miami or looking for something special for date night or a birthday, the options are nearly endless—which is part of what's transforming the city into a culinary capital. Interested in Michelin-starred tasting menus with cocktails just as gastronomic? Check. Italian cuisine on par with what you'd find in Rome? Miami's got that, too.

Multiple neighborhoods offer options both on the water or above it, with rooftop restaurants that show off some of the city's best skyline views. Miami is a place where you'll be spoiled for choice, since you can find nearly every style of cuisine and restaurant, from laid-back, Greek island-inspired tavernas to upscale, lounge-like eateries where the fashion and people-watching are as good as the menu. Whether you're looking for an affordable spot for a first date or a cozy restaurant for Valentine's Day, an anniversary or a proposal, we've got the list for you.

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The Knot's Top Picks for Romantic Restaurants in Miami

Photo: Carbone Miami

In a hurry to pick somewhere? Our short list below will help you get started.

The Most Romantic Restaurant in Miami: Casa Tua

Favorite Affordable Date Night Restaurant in Miami: Mandolin Aegean Bistro

Best Romantic Restaurant in Miami on the Water: La Mar by Gaston Acurio

Romantic Restaurant with the Best View: Klaw

Cozy Valentine's Day Restaurant: COTE

Read on for our complete list of the 15 most romantic restaurants in Miami.

Komodo, Brickell

Photo: Groot Hospitality

An unexpected hideaway in the heart of Brickell—one of the city's buzziest neighborhoods—this three-story indoor-outdoor eatery marries Miami's sultry vibe with Southeast Asian flavors. Order sushi or one of the house favorites, like miso Chilean sea bass skewers and Peking Duck. Komodo may sport a late-night lounge with bottle service, but you'll have plenty of privacy dining in the floating, treehouse-like Bird's Nest, an intimate area surrounded by lush tropical foliage and glowing lanterns.

801 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131

Uchi, Wynwood

Photo: Uchi Miami

A great spot to start your evening, the buzzy Japanese eatery's happy hour at the bar is one of the best in town (it even has an eight-course omakase tasting). If you want to sit and stay a while, order Uchi's 10-course tasting menu (or the six-course vegetarian option) or select a la carte sushi and sashimi; specials like wagyu tartare and ora king crudo; or small bites like salmon belly with ginger and lychee.

252 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33127

Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Design District

Photo: Mandolin Aegean Bistro

Slightly removed from the flashy boutiques in the Design District, Mandolin Aegean Bistro has long been a local fave for lunch. Set in a restored 1940s home and inspired by tavernas in Aegean coastal towns, the outdoor patio and garden is one of the most stunning in the city. The husband-wife duo behind the concept combined their cultures to create a menu of seasonal Greek and Turkish cuisine that weaves in Florida flavors.

312 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137

La Mar by Gaston Acurio, Brickell

Photo: Ruben Cabrera

In a city known for its beaches, Miami restaurants certainly capitalize on the views. Choosing a favorite restaurant on the water in Miami is like asking a parent to name a favorite child, but La Mar by Gaston Acurio at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami has long been a go-to. From the patio seating, you'll have sweeping views of Miami's iconic skyline—a romantic setting on the water to enjoy chef Diego Oka's Asian-Peruvian fare like duck tiradito and made-to-order ceviche.

500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, FL 33131

Pastis, Wynwood

Photo: Joshua Perez

The iconic New York eatery has moved to Miami and it's just as hot in the Magic City as it is in the Meatpacking District of NYC. Mimicking Paris's classic brasseries, Pastis is decorated with white subway tiles and gold-framed mirrors scrawled with the daily specials. The tree-lined terrace will also feel like you've been transported to France. You can't go wrong with steak frites or onion soup, but it's worth glancing at the plat du jour, which could be anything from duck à l'orange to bouillabaisse.

380 NW 26th Street, Miami, FL 33127

Contessa, Miami Design District

Photo: Michael Stavaridis

Since opening last year, Contessa has been one of the toughest tables to snag in town. From the same team behind another Miami hotspot, New York transplant Carbone, the Northern Italian-inspired eatery is equal parts sexy and sophisticated (think 1960s Lake Como vibes)—definitely where you go if you want to see and be seen. A great date night spot after an afternoon of shopping in the Design District, the two-floor restaurant is decked out in Italian Murano Glass light fixtures, jewel-toned marble floors and a grand staircase leading to the second floor. The upper floor is our favorite spot since it's on the more intimate side and features a gorgeous cocktail bar that's perfect for drinks before dinner.

111 NE 41st Street, Miami, FL 33137

Casa Tua, Miami Beach

Photo: Casa Tua

In a city that seems to be constantly on the hunt for the next new thing, the fact that Casa Tua has reigned supreme for more than two decades definitely says something. The flagship behind the intimate eatery that's expanded to jetset locales like Aspen and Paris, this location in Miami Beach's Art Deco District couldn't be more romantic. The historic villa feels like it was plucked out of Positano or Puglia. If the weather is nice (which it usually is), take a seat in the garden under the lantern-lit trees, or—for those who want to watch the chefs' artistry at work—opt for the 20-seat chef's table and prepare for an Italian feast.

1700 James Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Beauty and the Butcher, Coral Gables

Photo: Michael Pisarri

Jeremy Ford, a talented young Top Chef star, blew everyone away with his first restaurant, Michelin-starred Stubborn Seed, on Miami Beach. For his next concept, he's moved over to the mainland with seasonally driven, contemporary American Beauty and the Butcher, which focuses on community and collaboration. Couples who love innovative cocktails will get their fix here with drinks like the Little Piggy, a riff on an old fashioned, or the gin-focused Belle Rose (the presentation alone is worth ordering it for an Instagram pic). Cozy up in one of the forest-green leather booths and order the eight-course chef's tasting menu for an experience you'll really want to linger over.

6915 Red Road, Coral Gables, FL 33143

Klaw, Edgewater

Photo: James Livingston

A mix of mid-century modern and nautical chic, Klaw sprawls across three floors of a historic, five-story Spanish Renaissance building (the former Miami Women's Club) with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Biscayne Bay. Sustainably sourced cuts and crustaceans are at the core of the menu here, so indulge in beef from local cattle ranchers (the original herd dates back to the 1500s). Start with a cocktail on the neighborhood's only rooftop bar (our pick is the Mignonette Martini with an oyster sidecar) before feasting on king crab harvested from a fishing village in northern Norway or Japanese Kobe beef with housemade kimchi and fresh wasabi.

1737 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33132

Carbone, South of Fifth

Photo: Douglas Friedman

If you really want a spot that will feel like a treat, Carbone's opulent dining room is it. Start with a negroni at the bar before cozying up in a banquette and indulging in house favorites: the tableside Caesar salad and spicy rigatoni vodka. This is one table you'll definitely want to reserve far in advance.

49 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Macchialina, Miami Beach

The buzzy sidewalk gives off New York vibes while the intimate, candlelit interior feels like a secret you stumbled upon while strolling the streets of Rome or Florence. Located off the tourist trail, this local hotspot is a favorite for its rustic Italian fare that has a slightly elevated vibe—think short rib lasagna and homemade cavatelli with baby meatballs, porchetta and pecorino. Macchialina's selection of Italian wines is also one of the best in town, and you'll find rotating by-the-glass specials.

820 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139

COTE, Design District

Photo: World Red Eye

This sultry Korean steakhouse certainly packs sex appeal (think dim lighting and cozy booths), but by far the best part about dining here is the Michelin-starred barbecue prepared tableside by the team. You can't go wrong with COTE's signature Butcher's Feast, a spread of American Wagyu with an array of sides like savory egg soufflé and pickled vegetables. Dessert lovers will instantly be hooked on the soft serve ice cream drizzled with soy sauce caramel, and the wine list is one of the most dynamic in the city, with by-the-glass picks poured from magnums and a selection from lesser-known regions and growers.

3900 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33137

Doma, Wynwood

Photo: Doma

If you want to hop between a few spots in the artsy neighborhood of Wynwood on date night, Doma is the perfect place to start or end your evening. Sit on the intimate patio and you'll experience the energy of the vibrant neighborhood while still feeling like you're the only ones in Wynwood. The menu mixes modern and traditional Italian fare, so you can go light with crudo and tartare or go all-out with whole Maine lobster risotto or black truffle-crusted filet mignon.

35 NE 26th Street, Miami, FL 33137

Joe's Stone Crab, South of Fifth

Photo: Joe's Stone Crab

A landmark in the city for more than a decade, Joe's Stone Crab combines old-world elegance with Florida's highly sought-after seafood in a dining room that feels like something Hemingway would enjoy. This will be a splurge, but it's worth it for the chilled stone crab claws when they're in season. Plus, the key lime pie is among the best in town.

11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Il Mulino New York, Sunny Isles

Photo: Il Mulino New York

It's worth spending the night at Acqualina Resort and Residences in Sunny Isles just so you don't have to go too far after indulging in the decadent Sunday brunch spread at Il Mulino New York. Take a seat outside on the Italian-inspired terrace and plan to linger over ocean views and endless mimosas or bloody marys. The best part is that you can sample a selection of the eatery's signature Italian dishes at the pasta station, which will inspire your next order when you return for dinner.

17875 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160