Brasserie Brickell Key

Brasserie Brickell Key brings country-style Italian cooking to a quiet corner of Brickell Key Island, across the bridge from downtown Miami. Originally established in 1993 and recently remodeled under the same management, the restaurant pairs a rustic-chic dining room of exposed brick and soft lighting with a large outdoor patio looking out over the water.

The kitchen turns out housemade pastas, grilled octopus, chicken paillard, and ossobuco alongside a full wine list and craft cocktails, with live music on Fridays adding to the evening pace. Expect a relaxed, romantic setting favored by Brickell Key residents and visitors looking for a dependable neighborhood Italian spot rather than a scene.

Dinner for two typically runs $30-40 per person, putting it solidly in upscale-casual territory. With indoor and patio seating, a kids' menu, and both lunch and dinner service daily, it works equally well for a quiet weekday lunch or a celebratory dinner.