There are few things more romantic than breaking bread with your date, and the US has plenty of fine eating spots you're sure to be smitten with. From places where you'll dine al fresco under the stars, to those where you can feast on some of the country's best food, we look at the most romantic restaurant in every state. Prepare to fall in love all over again.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
You only need look at the setting to see why Galley and Garden is one of the most romantic restaurants in the South. It's set in a gorgeous columned mansion, fronted by flower-filled grounds, and the tables inside are dressed with white cloths and bouquets. The menu keeps the love alive, too; feast on comforting Southern classics such as fried green tomatoes and Gulf shrimp and grits, or French-inspired dishes such as coq au vin.
This Alaskan restaurant will have you falling head over heels for its epic vistas and tempting menu. Located at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, it offers jaw-dropping views of Denali and the Alaska Range while serving delicious seafood dishes. Tuck into everything from crab cacio e pepe to seared Alaska salmon with a soy-ginger glaze. Note that the restaurant closes for the winter season.
Kai, which means ‘seed’ in the Pima language, is the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in Arizona and has also been named one of OpenTable’s top 10 restaurants in America on more than one occasion. The Native American–influenced menu is designed to 'help tell the story of The Akimal O'otham and The Pee Posh peoples' – and, though it isn't cheap, it's certainly an experience. If you choose to embark on the tasting menu journey, you’ll feast on the likes of butter-poached lobster tail, grilled bison tenderloin, and mushrooms with herby mille feuille and black garlic purée.
You can't go wrong with a date at Arthur's Prime Steakhouse. As its name suggests, this special occasion spot specializes in steak (with all meat cuts aged for a minimum of 28 days), but there's plenty else to pique your interest. Lock eyes over the tropical salmon (pictured), with a mango ginger habanero glaze, or try the lobster mac 'n' cheese, which is decadently doused in truffle oil. The sophisticated wood-clad setting adds extra romance.
It's hard to imagine a restaurant more adorable, or more romantic, than The Little Door, which has the perfect ambiance for date number one, or even date 101. The Mediterranean-inspired menu includes the likes of filet mignon with truffled celery root, seared seabass with capers and yellow-raisin purée, and black mussels in a spicy curry broth. You can make things even more romantic by taking your date up to the open-air courtyard.
At this special-occasion restaurant in Boulder, head chef Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson celebrates the cuisine of Italy’s Friuli region with hand-cut pasta and fresh fish dishes, all served in a romantic, white tablecloth setting. There's a four-course (or quattro piatti, meaning four dishes) fixed-price menu on offer, sit back and be served plates such as cured scallops, suckling pig, and swordfish.
Luxurious Winvian Farm in Connecticut's Litchfield Hills comprises a string of resort cottages and this dazzling fine-dining restaurant. The spot takes farm-to-fork dining to new heights, with a menu that shifts effortlessly with the seasons. Expect tempting treats such as seared tuna with caponata, or delectable handmade eggplant ravioli 'alla Norma'.
Elegant Le Cavalier thrives on a heady mix of North African and Provençal influences, with a menu built on classic French cooking. Sample indulgent delights such as duck cassoulet with Toulouse sausage, lamb tagine with pine-nut cous cous, or seafood dishes such as mussels or scallop crudo. The setting will have you falling in love, too; it features elaborately molded ceilings, chandeliers, potted ferns, and giant arched windows.
Intimate and charming, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, this slip of a spot is just the place for a relaxed yet utterly romantic meal for two. The modern Italian menu is concise and considered, with around 20 dishes, and the selection of natural wines is fantastic, too. It can be a little tricky to secure a reservation, but once you and your date are locking eyes over the famed chopped salad, all that effort will have been well worth it.
Regularly making it towards the top of best restaurants lists, this Georgia bolthole is the epitome of romance, in a setting filled with art and history. The menu has both classic French and Southern influences, and champions local produce throughout. Begin by grazing on the 'Georgia on my plate' platter – a selection of local gourmet goodies from salami and cheese to peanut hummus.
It's the views that really set the tone for romance at this elegant hotel restaurant. You'll look right out onto a palm-fringed ocean as you feast on delectable plates of seafood. The tasting menu is an elaborate affair with a long string of fancy courses – think poached lobster with Romanesco puree and almond syrup, and beef with truffle mash.
For something a little less pricey but equally romantic, head to Chandlers in cool Idaho capital Boise. This classic steakhouse offers a three-course prix fixe dinner, beginning with your choice of soup or salad, then moving on to delicacies such as veal picatta and beef bourguignon. There's also a long list of steak plates and seafood dishes, and some stellar vegetarian options. You'll dine in an atmospheric, dimly lit lounge with low-key music.
At Chicago restaurant Alinea, the food is more than just a meal – it’s a work of art. Diners must purchase a ticket in advance to experience head chef Grant Achatz’s molecular gastronomy, which will set you back a tidy sum. While the menu is ever-evolving, you can expect elaborate delights such as flavored helium balloons, truffle explosions, vaporized ingredients, and colorful foams.
Run by two brothers, The Melting Pot opened in 1975 and was dedicated to serving an authentic Swiss-style fondue. Today the restaurant still focuses on the classic dish, which was built for sharing and will inevitably bring you and your date closer. If you're feeling indulgent, opt for the four-course menu for two: you'll get cheese fondue, salad, an entrée, and chocolate fondue, with entrée choices including teriyaki-marinated steak and wild mushroom ravioli.
You'll feel as though you've been scooped up and whisked away to France as you taste your way through the menu at this sophisticated restaurant in Coralville. The delectable prix fixe menu changes by the day, but includes simple yet perfectly executed dishes such as steak with peppercorn sauce and buttery potatoes, or Chilean sea bass with Champagne risotto.
Since opening just over a decade ago, this restaurant in the Prairie Village Shopping Center has racked up numerous awards, including James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef in the Midwest. And it's not hard to see why it’s proved so popular – there's a menu of eclectic and beautifully presented dishes with French and Italian influences. The Wagyu burger (only available on Thursdays) is a house favorite, layered up with bacon, fontina cheese, and avocado mustard.
Southern food is elevated to new heights at this charming spot, spearheaded by award-winning chef and owner Edward Lee. Tucked into a quiet corner in Old Louisville, the intimate restaurant offers an ever-changing prix fixe-only menu – example dishes include perfectly cooked halibut with squash terrine, roasted corn, pickled mussels, and a lemon beurre blanc sauce. There's a mighty list of Kentucky bourbon on offer, too.
Where better to feel the love than the purported birthplace of oysters Rockefeller? The seafood delicacy is said to be an aphrodisiac, after all. This classic dish is joined on the menu by other fine French-Creole plates, such as seafood gumbo and chicken Rochambeau, and the restaurant, established way back in 1840, is proudly New Orleans' oldest. The Sunday Jazz Brunch is something extra special, too.
Natalie's Restaurant at the Camden Harbour Inn perfectly distills coastal New England cuisine, and is said to be inspired by the 'fresh salt air and fruitful crops' of the region. You shouldn't miss the luxurious tasting menu, dreamt up by Executive Chef Jose Ochoa; you can expect dishes such as butternut squash velouté or torched mackerel with white gazpacho. There's also a dedicated lobster tasting menu, with the delicacy served in a cocktail with avocado, jalapeños and tomato, or with kelp and shiitake mushrooms.
Baltimore's culinary scene is often overlooked, but there are plenty of gourmet jewels in this underrated city – many of which are perfect for date night. Among them is Charleston, the brainchild of lauded chef Cindy Wolf, and a wonderful cocktail of French and Low Country cooking. You can choose fixed price menus ranging from three to six courses, with changing options such as curried lobster soup or goats' cheese agnolotti.
'Modern fine dining' is the promise at Menton, which regularly graces round-ups of America's best restaurants. Come by for an elaborate chef's tasting menu that changes with the season – for fall, there's the likes of grilled lobster with celery root and green apple, and pan-seared quail with Brussels sprouts. You'll find the restaurant in Boston's well-heeled Fort Point neighborhood, where upscale restaurants jostle for space.
Located in Detroit’s most iconic mansion, which dates back to 1894, The Whitney is world famous for upscale dining. Diners can indulge in dishes such as lobster bisque, perfectly prepared filet mignon, and imaginative Michigan sweetcorn risotto, with jalapeños and caramelized leeks. There are special deals for birthdays and anniversaries, too, so come by to celebrate with your loved one.
Set on historic Cathedral Hill since 1975, and surrounded by greenery with romantic patio dining available in summer, W.A Frost and Company serves contemporary American food. There's plenty to choose from, with mains such as cacio e pepe with house ricotta, or salmon with cauliflower chowder. There are also fantastic deals during the regular afternoon cocktail hours.
Calling all seafood lovers – this place is for you. The Chimneys brings fine dining to the Mississippi coast with an array of delicious seafood creations like creole pasta, stuffed flounder, fried oysters, and lobster tail. The setting is dreamy, too; you'll chow down on your dinner with views of twisted live oak trees and the Gulf of Mexico.
Head to St. Louis to discover one of the finest and most romantic culinary experiences in Missouri. ELAIA is the flagship restaurant of Ben Poremba, a lauded Israeli-born chef, who puts out imaginative and ever-changing menus centered on local produce. Work your way through an indulgent string of courses, such as burnt eggplant with buttermilk caviar or sturgeon with dashi beurre blanc.
Located in Helena, this fine Italian restaurant isn’t your regular pizza and pasta haunt. On the menu you’ll find dishes such as seared scallops and white shrimp with angel hair pasta, or Alaskan halibut smothered in lemon-garlic butter. There's an impressive world wine list, too, with everything from Italian Chianti to Californian Pinot Noir.
This modern, industrial-chic restaurant will certainly impress your date, with its tasteful bare-brick walls and stellar food menu. The kitchen is led by chef Tim Nicholson, an Omaha native who milks the bounty of the region's local growers. Book in and feast on everything from Waygu steak to beautiful hamachi crudo (pictured).
With a well-deserved two Michelin stars, Guy Savoy’s restaurant – which has a sought-after home in plush Caesar's Palace – serves up a selection of classic French dishes with a twist. Indulge in the tasting menu or go a la carte, with top menu options including the octopus terrine and the artichoke and black truffle soup. You pay for the fine dining experience, though – this is one of the most expensive restaurants in America, period.
There's something ultra-romantic about a traditional Italian ristorante, and Massimo is a perfect example. The intimate restaurant promises 'world-class Italian cuisine' in a charming setting, with lots of bare brick, wooden beams, and white tablecloths. When it comes to the menu, you'll find updated Italian classics – think agnolotti ravioli with butter-poached lobster, and heirloom pork pressé with roasted porcini mushrooms (pictured).
Princeton’s elements has an almost flawless reputation for its imaginative dishes, which are proudly whipped up with local ingredients. The chef's tasting menu is an elaborate affair, with a long string of courses including dishes like caviar with egg, turnip, and potato, or ribeye steak with potato aligot, mushrooms, and plenty of thyme. There's also the slightly cheaper five-course tasting menu, which includes pasta, fish and meat courses.
Santa Fe's food scene is going from strength to strength, and it's seriously bolstered by this well-established spot. Creative chef Sllin Cruz heads up the kitchen, and his offering is described as 'global eclectic'. Linger over courses such as ahi tuna sashimi and tartare with buttermilk-scallion pancakes, followed by green miso sea bass with ramen noodles.
There probably aren't many restaurants with a view better than this. Overlooking Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, The River Café offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, all with a mighty fine side of New York City vistas. The menu is heavy on fine meat and seafood; think poached Nova Scotia lobster tail with a chanterelle mushroom lasagna, or duck breast with confit risotto cake.
Located in a restored Victorian house, McNinch isn’t your traditional date-night restaurant – but if you’re looking for something refined and unique, this is a great bet. The cozy and quaint house has all the ambiance of a dinner party, but with the romance of small tables, candlelight, and, of course, fantastic food. On the menu, you’ll find crab cakes, pork belly, pan-seared duck, and New Zealand lamb dishes.
Down-to-earth North Dakota isn't necessarily known for its fine dining – but this is one of the most classy and upscale restaurants in the state. Located in downtown Fargo, Mezzaluna dresses up comfort food and homemade classics with great results. Menu items include everything from shrimp fettucine to salmon with sweetcorn purée and fava bean succotash.
The cozy ambiance of this Westlake restaurant makes it a perfect place for romance. There are no less than six fireplaces, plus giant windows that look out onto leafy views. The food is comforting, too; tuck into generous plates of steamed clams, beef Wellington with mushroom Bordelaise sauce, and prime rib dinners.
A combination of an upscale restaurant and fish market, Bodean Seafood serves only the freshest fish available. On the menu, you’ll find the likes of hazelnut-crusted halibut, chipotle-glazed Atlantic salmon, and pan-seared jumbo sea scallops.
With a longstanding reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in the state, chef Marc Vetri’s Italian eatery is now one of the finest places to dine. It's beloved for its tasting-menu format – you’ll receive a menu tailored to your individual needs, including dishes such as tempura-fried catfish, chestnut fettuccine with wild boar ragu, and duck lasagnetta.
Portland's dining scene is rightly celebrated, but this elevated restaurant (now also with a location in Oregon City) still stands head and shoulders above the rest. It's beloved for its simple, French-inspired menu – think foie gras dumplings and steak frites – and decadent desserts that beg to be shared (we love the funfetti pancakes). The elegant setting makes for a lovely date night spot, too.
With a dress code requiring ‘proper attire, no sneakers, flip-flops, jeans or T-shirts’, Chanterelle (formerly Bouchard Inn) is the place to go if you want an excuse to dress up. The menu boasts decadent dishes such as re-stuffed roasted lobster, and escargot with parsley and garlic, all served in elegant, low-lit surrounds, with a robust wine list to boot.
Located in Wentworth Mansion, this romantic venue is the perfect place to feast on seasonal and local dishes, paired with fantastic wine. Chef Marc Collins draws inspiration from cuisines around the world to create a menu boasting plates such as antelope and lamb osso bucco. Alternatively, you can travel around the world through Collins’ five-course tasting menu, which changes almost daily.
Steakhouses are almost always on the pricier side, but it's worth it when the quality is this high. Dakotah Steakhouse serves corn-fed Black Angus, which is aged on the premises for up to 35 days before cutting. The menu features everything from filet mignon to dry-aged prime rib-eye.
Set on a corner in Nashville’s Music Row, this restaurant doesn’t look like much from the outside. But, inside, the setting is as dramatic as the food. Sitting at the pass with 28 diners, you’ll get a front-row seat to the food creation. Here, they do away with menus, instead thrilling customers with surprising dishes like Parmesan and porcini mushroom 'oreos', and local pigeon served with soy-infused, caramelized yogurt.
Chef Tyson Cole’s contemporary Japanese restaurant is one of the best places to eat in the state, whether you're looking for romance or not. Cole, who holds a 2011 James Beard Award for best chef in the Southwest, serves up a selection of fine tasting dishes, as well as an abundance of fresh sushi, sashimi, and makimono. If you're are on a budget, come by for special happy hour deals. There are now locations in other cities, including Miami and Denver, too.
Valter’s Osteria Italian restaurant is well-loved among the local community for its fine, homemade Italian food, and for its late founder Valter Nassi (pictured), who passed away in 2022 and whose legacy lives on in the Tuscan-inspired dishes. You can sample a whole range of different pastas, such as white truffle gnocchi and limoncello capellini. The spinach and butternut squash ravioli, served with the restaurant's signature meat sauce, is a house favorite.
Set in an intimate, woodland venue beside the Green Mountains and Champlain Valley (home to the famous lake of the same name), Hen of the Wood aims to serve as much produce from its local surroundings as possible. As you'd expect, that means dishes change often, and certainly with the seasons – but expect treats along the lines of extra-special mushroom toast (pictured), hanger steak, and cast-iron seared loin.
You’ll really be blowing the paycheck at this establishment, but it’s guaranteed to be well worth it. Self-taught chef Patrick O’Connell first opened the restaurant in 1978, in what was just a garage. Now this spot – located in the tiny town of Washington, often known as Little Washington – is regularly voted the best restaurant in Virginia, and allows guests to take part in one of the three tasting menus. Expect to see caviar, softshell crab, foie gras, and Wagyu beef on the menu.
Not only does this family-run restaurant have a reputation for serving beautiful and decadent dishes, but it has also been nominated for the James Beard Outstanding Service award four times. Stop in for delicate, prettily presented plates, such as halibut with sweet peas and mussels and duck with summer squash, all served in an eye-catchling glass building.
It's not cheap at this American/French restaurant, but it is well worth the price. Re-opened in the past few years after extensive renovations, Laury’s is looking swankier than ever, and has a menu to match. You can dine on the likes of roast duck, shrimp and scallops, lobster tail, and bone-in ribeye, while making your way through the extensive (and expensive) wine list.
While it might look like many other American eateries, what earns Milwaukee restaurant Sanford a place on our list is its swoon-worthy menu. Dishes here are influenced by chef and owner Justin Aprahamian’s Armenian heritage and family recipes. You’ll find plates like cheese bourek with a pickled watermelon salad, and duck breast glazed with prune butter and roasted apricots.
Wyoming's restaurants err on the down-to-earth side, but at Snake River Grill you can enjoy fresh, New American cuisine in a decadent and romantic setting. Diners praise the ambiance and the friendly service, while the menu features tempting dishes such as pan-roasted snapper, fettucine ragu, and bison ribeye.