The 12 most romantic restaurants in Miami

Lighting plays a major role at Three, where the dining room goes from dim and sexy to bright and safe. Seasoned couples should book a table nearest the window that faces the street, where it’s dark and moody and your significant other will be too shy to snap photos of your beautiful pork done two ways—hence, not embarrassing you with the incandescent flash. People still getting to know each other benefit from seats at the counter, facing the open kitchen. Awkward silences are replaced with witty banter about the food and musings on Three’s rockstar staff. Most dishes are shareable, which bodes well for all.

Who has time to light candles and set the mood? Not you, and that's fine because Komodo has it all under control. The upscale Asian restaurant and lounge, from nightlife impresario David Grutman (of LIV and Story), is about as sexy as it gets. Cozy up at one of the bird's nest tables suspended above the restaurant and order dim sum and crispy chicken salad (tossed tableside) to share. 

Take a pseudo trip to the Greek Isles via reservations at this Greek/Turkish spot in the Design District. The spacious outdoor area’s rustic blue-and-white design helps to keep up the illusion, while dishes such as the whole fried fish and the authentic Greek salad (without lettuce!) dupe your taste buds almost instantly. Any table in the restaurant’s courtyard is sure to impress, but on nights when it’s too hot, take a seat inside by the window. Nothing ruins a date like sweating through a meal. 

When your partner is a looker, they deserve an equally stunning view. Take them to La Mar and book a table on the terrace for a clear shot of Brickell's twinkling skyline. Next, you'll order up one of chef Diego Oka's delicate ceviches and the arroz chaufa (Peruvian fried rice), served tableside. Cocktail options are aplenty, but if this is your first time at La Mar, or trying Peruvian food altogether, the classic pisco sour is a must.    

The outdoor space at Mark Soyka’s Buena Vista restaurant is a total panty dropper. While the food is spectacular, it doesn’t matter what’s on your plate if you’re eating it at one of the tables nearest the small reservoir, under moonlight. And with nearly 100 artisanal wines on the menu, a romantic dinner in Miami could not be had at a better place.

The Matador Room from Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten looks like the kind of place where you might have spotted Frank Sinatra or Marilyn Monroe circa 1960. For ladies, this translates to a reason to dress up, meanwhile gentlemen get a turnkey date out of their reservation. The Art Deco decor and oversized supper-club-style booths, which you two can have all to yourselves, is about where the retro influences end. The menu, a modern take on traditional Latin cuisine, is composed of small and large plates packed with plenty of local flavors and Florida-sourced ingredients, all of which is meant for sharing. Take the Cuban homestyle arroz con pollo with crackling skin and lemon zest, or the chipotle chicken tacos, both down-home dishes done up to five-star standards.

One of the city’s finest and fussiest big-bucks restaurants, Casa Tua is a sleek and chic country Italian-style establishment set in a refurbished 1925 Mediterranean-style two-story house. It has several dining areas, including an outdoor garden, comfy Ralph Lauren-esque living room and a communal eat-in kitchen. Dreamed of hiring a notable chef to come over and cook you a fancy dinner? Avoid the cleanup and book an equally pricey experience at Casa Tua.

Dishes designed to arouse the senses is exactly the kind of the thing you want to eat on a romantic date in Miami. At Elcielo, you’ll have the opportunity to play with your food, lick your fingers and ooh and aah together as whimsical creations are brought to your table. Dinner here is coursed and meals can last anywhere from 90 minutes to three hours—but she likes it when you take your time.

Couples looking for a secluded spot away from prying eyes will want to reserve a table in the 300,000-bottle wine cellar. Although any seat in the house bodes well for romance. The place itself is a Rococo-lover’s fantasy: multi-chambered, ornately decorated (and priced) and completely over the top. You’ll find the typical steakhouse fare to pair with all the decadent wines, and a number of way to “accessorize” your entrée—from Maine lobster gratin to shrimp scampi to garden vegetable chimichurri. Made plans after dinner? Opt for something lighter, like one of chef Julia Doyne's new composed seafood dishes. 

Light Mediterranean-inspired dishes coupled with the charm of a Parisian bistro always bodes well for romance. Such is the case at Marion, where the lighting is also never too bright nor the music ever too loud, which is why you’ll find plenty of patrons cozying up to their dates. You’ll want to save room for one of Marion’s sweet creations, such as a trio of profiteroles served tableside with a drizzling of rich melted chocolate.

Special occasions call for a splurge, both fiscal and caloric. Blowing a wad and indulging with your SO over an extravagant dinner facing the water is what it’s all about at this pricey pasta joint, which is ideal for fans of garlic, truffles and homemade pasta that’s a far cry from Ragu. Service is old school, but what you’re paying for here is the view. 

Soho Beach House’s Italian restaurant (the club’s only area open to non-members) is a one-stop for good food and a good time—the menu of house-made pastas and an outdoor dining area practically set the mood for you. Be sure to reserve a center table near one of the trees covered in bistro lights: The soft yellow glow is subtle and sexy, and it will keep you from accidentally knocking anything over.