Aside from the expected chocolates, flowers and teddy bears, going out to eat is a Valentine’s Day staple. Finding the perfect restaurant for a date night can feel overwhelming in a diverse city like Miami, especially with the booming food scene. Narrowing down what kind of setting, atmosphere and cuisine is important when wanting to impress your partner. However, this does not mean you have to go bankrupt paying for dinner — Miami has a wide array of options for you and your date. Here are my top five romantic restaurant recommendations to reserve this February:
1. Meraki
Stepping into Meraki in Coconut Grove transports you into what feels like the Mamma Mia movie. Meraki is a great option for those looking to spend less on their dinner, but still eat out at an intimate location. Serving authentic Greek cuisine and using the purest extra virgin olive oil, this restaurant offers one of the most romantic and genuine restaurant settings in Miami. Customers can eat inside surrounded by beautiful blue and white decor or enjoy the more private outdoor dining area.
2. Ariete
Executive Chef and owner, Michael Beltran, shares his Cuban heritage, French technique and devotion to Miami tradition through his world-renowned cuisine at Ariete, once again located in Coconut Grove. Surrounded by greenery and dim ambient lighting, Ariete emanates romance in the air. Beneath the restaurant is a private dining area for special occasions called “The Cave.” Beltran’s dishes, such as his Fluke and Venison Tartare even earned Ariete a Michelin Star in 2022.
The Rusty Pelican has been an iconic Miami location since its opening in 1972. Overlooking Biscayne Bay, the Rusty Pelican serves all types of food, focusing primarily on seafood. The main attraction, the Miami Skyline, will give you and your date an evening of enchantment, especially at sunset.
4. Pasta Mia
Located in South Miami off of Sunset Drive, Pasta Mia offers a more cozy and quaint atmosphere compared to other restaurants. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Pasta Mia serves authentic Italian food and fresh pasta straight from Italy. Some of their most loved menu items include the Truffle Potato Croquettes, Cacio e Pepe, Tagliatelle Al Ragu and Tiramisu. Pasta Mia falls more on the affordable side, with most entrees falling between the $20 to $30 price range. Though the restaurant is not as spacious as others, the small space will bring you and your date closer together.
For sushi lovers, Pubbelly fuses high-end, yet affordable Japanese and Latin cuisine. Winning the 2020 Miami New Times Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Sushi,” Pubbelly has a lively environment and a large dinner menu with items like the Big Eye Tuna Roll, Butter Crab Roll, Grilled Octopus and Tuna Pizza. Pubbelly has locations in Downtown Dadeland, Miami Beach, Brickell City Centre, Aventura and Pembroke Pines.
