Date night in Coral Gables: dinner, shows and late openings

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Hours come from each venue’s own website, linked in each entry; they change, so book directly and check before you go. This is a guide, not a ranking. Sources also include the City of Coral Gables attractions listings and events calendar.

A Coral Gables date night usually pairs two things within a few blocks: dinner on Giralda Plaza or at the Biltmore Hotel, and a show, a film or a concert. The city’s 1920s architecture does a lot of the work, and the free trolley runs until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Three easy plans

• Classic: dinner at the Biltmore’s Fontana, then a GableStage show at the hotel.
• Downtown: dinner on Giralda Plaza, then Actors’ Playhouse on Miracle Mile or the Art Cinema on Aragon Avenue.
• First Friday: Gallery Night downtown, 6 to 10 p.m., then a late dinner on Giralda.

Dinner

The hotel describes the Fontana as an Italian-inspired restaurant whose courtyard surrounds the fountain, with indoor and outdoor seating, and says its wine list is one of the area’s most exceptional. Eating House is chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s restaurant, drawing on his Argentine and Italian heritage. Costazul serves Peruvian dishes from ceviche to lomo saltado.

Giralda Plaza has more restaurants, bars and coffee shops along its pedestrian block, with Mexican, Italian, Thai, Vietnamese, Greek and Mediterranean cuisine among them, according to the city’s listing.

Shows and films

Actors’ Playhouse stages musicals, dramas and comedies in the 1948 Miracle Theatre; GableStage is in its 2026-2027 season at the Biltmore; and the nonprofit Art Cinema shows independent, foreign and classic films and is open 365 days a year.

Music and art nights

• Coral Gables Woman’s Club music series: a monthly concert at the club, 1001 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd., through April; proceeds support the club’s community work (city listing).
• Gables Gallery Night: first Fridays, 6 to 10 p.m., with galleries open and live music downtown; the Coral Gables Museum is free that night.
• Art in the Park: live music, art and food at Ponce Circle Park, 7 to 11 p.m.; next on Friday, Nov. 13.

More venues are on our live music and nightlife guide.

Seasonal date nights

• NightGarden at Fairchild: the garden’s evening light show, listed for Nov. 7 to Jan. 11; tickets by night (Fairchild).
• Valentine’s Day: the city’s Romance Under the Stars dinner at the Venetian Pool (ages 21 and older) and Fairchild’s Garden D’Amore concert; see Valentine’s Day.
• New Year’s Eve: the Biltmore’s ticketed dessert party and midnight fireworks; see New Year’s Eve.

Daytime dates

• Venetian Pool, 2701 De Soto Blvd.: a swim in the 1923 spring-fed pool, Tuesday to Sunday (city page).
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road: open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• Matheson Hammock Park, 9610 Old Cutler Road: the beach and atoll pool on Biscayne Bay, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday brunch at the Biltmore, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; see our brunch guide.

Getting there and home

The free trolley runs along Ponce de Leon Boulevard until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and does not run on Sundays. City garages sit behind Miracle Mile, including 245 Andalusia Ave. and 99 Aragon Ave. See getting around.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Fontana’s dinner hours? Daily, 6 to 10 p.m.

Where can I go for dinner and a show? Giralda Plaza and Actors’ Playhouse, or the Fontana and GableStage at the Biltmore.

Which restaurants are open late? Eating House and Costazul until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Is there a romantic Valentine’s event? Yes; see our Valentine’s Day page.

What this means for you

• Book dinner and show tickets separately; each venue sells its own.
• The trolley stops at 10 p.m., so plan the ride home.
• Check holiday hours directly with each restaurant.

Related: brunch, live music and nightlife, Miracle Mile and downtown and Valentine’s Day.