There are casual dates and then there are fancy dates. If you really want to treat your date to a memorable night out, these Miami hot spots pull out all the spots.
Casa Isola
Nothing says romance like Italian food, and Casa Isola is one of the best Italian restaurants in Miami. The South Beach eatery has only been around for a little bit, but it’s already a neighborhood favorite. Put on some of your best digs and enjoy an extensive selection of pastas and specialties like polenta al funghi, casarecce, milanesa carpaccio and calamari fritti. Save room for the parmesan cheesecake.
Casa Isola is located at 1418 20th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
Costa Med
Costa Med has everything you could want in a restaurant: great food, great wine, and a great atmosphere. The Key Biscayne gem features an array of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine that doesn’t disappoint. Your date will be impressed by delicious selections such as the burrata and prosciutto, Creole tuna tataki, Eiffel Tower salad, lobster ravioli, and veal chop—to name a few favorites. If it’s your first time here, it definitely won’t be your last time.
Costa Med is located at 260 Crandon Boulevard, #46, Key Biscayne, FL 33149. For more information, visit their official website.
Hiyakawa
For delicious sushi in Wynwood, Hiyakawa is hard to beat. The gorgeous restaurant is home to a bevy of a la carte and omakase options, all of which will impress your date. Let’s be upfront: This will be an expensive meal. But Hiyakawa is an experience like no other—and worth every penny. We won’t waste your time describing the menu… just go.
Hiyakawa is located at 2700 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33127. For more information, visit their official website.
Jia
South of Fifth has become a culinary hotspot, and Jia is one of the latest additions to the area. This place oozes cool: You’ll feel like a million bucks walking in, and you’ll feel just as great leaving thanks to a satisfying menu of dumplings, noodles, and other Asian delights. While you’re seated, you can’t help but look around at all the stunning décor. Our recommendation: Consider ordering one or two plates from each section to try a little bit of everything.
Jia is located at 808 1st Street, #3, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
Pascal’s on Ponce
French cuisine is the star at Pascal’s on Ponce, a Coral Gables eatery that’s among the oldest restaurants in the neighborhood. One meal here is all it takes to see why this unassuming eatery has stood the test of time. Presentation, taste, service… It’s a five-star experience. Some standouts: the duck terrine, dover sole meuniere, beef tenderloin, and diver sea scallops.
Pascal’s on Ponce is located at 2611 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33134. For more information, visit their official website.
Plant Miami
We’ve been noticing more and more vegan-friendly restaurants pop up lately, but few can compare to the experience that awaits at the tried-and-true Plant Miami. The modern plant-based restaurant boasts a creative and appetizing menu that includes the likes of kimchi dumplings, melon ceviche, truffle noodles, masala cauliflower, and tonkatsu ramen. Don’t miss out on the deconstructed ginger lemon tart for dessert.
Plant Miami is located at 105 NE 24th Street, Miami, FL 33137. For more information, visit their official website.
RED South Beach
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think “fancy date”? Odds are it’s a steakhouse—they’re always reliable. Case in point: RED South Beach, the South of Fifth institution that has dazzled diners for years. Dress in your best and head over to enjoy some of the best cuts in town, along with one of our favorite raw bar selections. There’s something for everyone here, so even if you’re not feeling steak, you’re in for a treat.
RED South Beach is located at 801 South Pointe Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.