Public Service Announcement: You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to impress your date. At these six restaurants, you can indulge in high-quality food without a huge check at the end.
BBQ & Craft Company
You can find decent BBQ all over Miami. But stellar BBQ? That’s a lot harder to find. Enter BBQ & Craft Company., a restaurant in Brickell that stands well above its peers. The approachable eatery features all the staples, including brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis spare rib, smoked chicken, mac and cheese, potato salad … if you can think of it, BBQ & Craft Company has it—and at a manageable price. While BBQ might not be the sexiest cuisine for a date, all it takes is one bite for your date to know that your taste in food is impeccable. And if things don’t work out, at least you got a great meal out of it.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in Coconut Grove is the ultimate date destination. Here’s why: You can start your evening chowing down on tacos and other specialties at the front of the venue and then transition to the secret back bar or the next-door mezcal tasting area. Should things not pan out, no biggie: Bodega’s offerings are super affordable, and you’re most likely out $30-$40 max for two people. Everything on the menu is delicious, but if you had to twist our arm, we suggest the carnitas taco, short rib burrito, and rib eye bowl. Honestly, though, you can’t go wrong with anything.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is located at 3419 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
Ironside Pizza
Intimate and affordable are just two of the many adjectives we could use to describe Ironside Pizza—and they’re all good. This pizza-centric place is hidden in the Ironside neighborhood far from crowds, so if you want to get away from everything and enjoy your company, this is the spot. On the menu, you’ll find a wide range of Italian specialties with a big emphasis on—surprise!—pizza. Some standouts include the speck gorgonzola (self-explanatory) and the pesto e ricotta pizzas (also self-explanatory). Even the classic margherita pizza will wow you! Besides pies, Ironside also has plenty of pastas like mushroom pappardelle and gnocchi pesto. Their sister restaurant is Toscana Divino in Brickell, so you know the pasta is going to be great.
Paperfish Sushi
There’s an affordable sushi restaurant in Brickell?! Sign us up! At Paperfish Sushi, guests can find some stellar Japanese cuisine at a surprisingly reasonable price for the area—some items even fall into the single digits. Maki and nigiri make up most of the menu, and most rolls can be had for under $20; ordering several for the table is encouraged. Save even more money by making it a lunch date: Paperfish offers a number of generous bento box options during the week, so take advantage. And in case you were wondering, there’s a full bar.
Paperfish Sushi is located at 1421 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33131. For more information, visit their official website.
Patio Isola
Nothing says romance like Italian food, and Patio Isola has one of the biggest and tastiest menus in town. In the mood for pasta? Take a look at the Isola spaghetti and meatballs or ricotta ravioli. Want to split a pie? Pepperoni pizza never disappoints and neither does Patio Isola’s signature Vecchia Signora with braised short rib taleggio. The chicken parm and branzino are always worth considering, as they’re priced at a steal for the portion; expect a lot of leftovers no matter what you get. In short, expect two things at Patio Isola: value and quality.
The Wagyu Bar
What’s the first word that comes to mind when you hear “steakhouse”? If you thought “expensive,” you’re not alone: Steakhouses can get very pricey. But what if we told you that you don’t have to use your life’s savings for an unforgettable steak dinner? That’s exactly the case at The Wagyu Bar, Coral Way’s casual steakhouse. You’ll find one of the largest steak menus here at prices that can work into any budget. Sure, you can still drop a hefty chunk of change here on specialty steaks if you want, but there are just so many options to choose from at all price points. Can’t decide on what to order? To keep your bill low and your taste buds happy, we recommend the G1-certified USDA Choice filet mignon, the outside skirt steak, and the picanha.
