Perfect Miami Date-Night Ideas (No Matter What Stage Your Relationship Is In)

If you’re looking for a laid-back place to meet someone, plan your date in Wynwood. Arrive a half hour before sunset, which is the best time for exploring the neighborhood’s many graffiti-clad walls. Walk up and down the main strip on NW Second Avenue and pop into a few open galleries. By 6:30 p.m., make your way to the rooftop bar No. 3 Social for a fancy drink or a boozy ice pop before an 8 p.m. reservation at Kyu, a wood-fired restaurant known for its Japanese barbecue–style eats and dimly lit vibe. After dinner, head across the street to Wood Tavern for a casual beer, a game of giant Jenga and live music.

Surrounded by large banyan trees, Upper Buena Vista has all the fixings for a perfect (and quiet!) afternoon-into-evening date. This serene enclave is filled with local shops, restaurants and the area’s first rooftop bar. (Hint: That’s where you’ll end the night.) First, stroll through the micro-boutiques, stocked with everything from bohemian clothing and sunglasses to home goods. Once you’re both hungry, claim a table at Vista, a modern Italian restaurant. Order a bottle of wine and enjoy conversation over a charcuterie and cheese board and pistachio-mint gnocchi. Keep the night going at Vista’s rooftop bar, which offers music and a spate of drinks (wine, beer, cocktails) to enjoy while gazing at the unobstructed views of the downtown skyline.

When you and your date are ready to take your relationship to the next level, it’s time for an evening in the Design District. The pedestrian-friendly area is filled with art, restaurants and shops. Arrive just after 7:30 p.m. for dinner at Swan, a modern American-French restaurant by hospitality vet David Grutman and Pharrell Williams. It’s one of the most gorgeous restaurants to open in the past year, and the food is next-level. (Order the “Corn Corn Corn,” a creamy polenta and popcorn dish, and a bowl of caviar spaghetti.) When you’re finished, stroll through the open-air mall and make your way to Brad Kilgore’s Kaido, a swank Japanese-inspired cocktail lounge with high-end drinks and small bites. While you may not be hungry, nurse a cocktail at the bar or sit outside near the DJ.

When you’ve exhausted every Miami hangout option and you’re ready to go on an adventure—not necessarily a multiday trip, but somewhere you can spend an entire day—drive north to Boynton Beach. First, when you hit Delray Beach, head west toward Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market and pick your own produce, or peruse the indoor market for farm-to-fork items, like freshly grown veggies, homemade jams and even bioorganic wines. (Psst: Buy a bottle of rosé and a couple baskets of berries. They’ll come in handy later.) Then journey to Oceanfront Park, which is easily one of South Florida’s most gorgeous beaches. Think of it as a private island–style stretch of sand, except it’s within driving distance and totally free. Remember the rosé and strawberries we told you to pick up? Make yourself a beachside picnic and enjoy the calming sounds of the waves. Yep, you’re definitely not in Miami Beach anymore.

You’ve been dating for a few months, you’ve met each other’s friends and you’re even planning a summer vacation in Cabo. But when it comes to date night, you’ve run out of things to do, which means it’s time to get creative. You don’t have time to go far, but you want something that’s romantic and fresh. Enter Sunset Harbour, a charming neighborhood in South Beach. This relaxed area offers minimal crowds, pristine beaches and delicious detours. Start with a late lunch at Dirt, a farm-to-counter fast-casual eatery replete with fresh salads, wraps and bowls. Then set up beach towels in South Pointe Park and relax with books and a bottle of wine. Once the sun sets, grab dinner at Joe’s Take Away. We’re thinking stone crabs (it’s the season, after all) and, of course, key lime pie.