From romantic settings with breathtaking views to menus featuring some of the country's finest dishes, these US restaurants tick all the right boxes for date night. We've done the hard work for you and rounded up the most impressive restaurants in every state to help you spark a new romance or 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.
In a romantic setting in Alabama’s Orange Beach Marina, Fisher’s has two restaurants under one roof: the more casual Dockside and the smarter Upstairs, which is upscale without being pretentious. Here you can dine on produce from local fishermen and farmers next to the twinkling lights and boats on the marina. You'll also appreciate quirky design details like the reclaimed 19th-century hard pine floors, antique cypress tables, and an onyx bar top.
This Alaskan restaurant is not only one of the best in the state, but one of the most romantic too. Located at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, it offers jaw-dropping views of Denali and the Alaska Range while serving delicious seafood and game. Expect to see dishes like pan-seared halibut, Alaskan sea scallops, and braised short rib on the menu. (Note that it temporarily closes for the winter season.)
Kai, which means ‘seed’ in the Pima language, is the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in Arizona. The Native American-influenced menu isn't cheap, but it is certainly an experience. If you choose the tasting menu, you’ll be able to feast on the likes of escargot, grilled tenderloin of tribal buffalo, and Wagyu beef with chimichurri, all while gazing out onto beautiful views.
Embark on a gastronomic journey into the heart of American food at One Eleven at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock, which serves sophisticated, French-inspired plates. There's particular love for the pork belly and scallops, which comes with sweet potato polenta and a flavor-packed jus.
For an incredibly romantic date location with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, head to Sierra Mar, part of the Post Ranch Inn hotel in California’s Big Sur. With floor-to-ceiling windows, a prime location on a rugged cliff, and a luxurious outdoor patio, it’s one of California’s most romantic spots. When you tear your eyes away from the scenery, enjoy choosing from the enormous wine collection (more than 14,000 bottles) and feasting on the sophisticated tasting menus.
If cozy, snowy, wintry charm is what you seek, make sure you visit the USA’s highest restaurant. Alpino Vino, in Colorado’s Telluride Ski Resort, is as picturesque as it gets at nearly 12,000 feet (3,658m). Inside the quaint building surrounded by snow-capped trees, you'll find a wood-burning fireplace and sheepskin throws, an outdoor wine bar, and a menu of gourmet Italian comfort food. You can visit even if you’re not a skier, as a snow coach transports visitors to the snug spot. Note that it's only open during the winter season.
In a scenic waterfront setting in New Haven, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill is all about great seafood and steak, plus superb cocktails. The decor has a nautical theme, there’s a big brass and steel bar, and both indoor fireplaces and outdoor fire pits make for a cozy, romantic meal whatever the weather. There's an extensive raw bar menu featuring oysters, clams, and lobster while mains include black garlic cod and filet mignon.
The House of William & Merry, in Hockessin, is not just one of Delaware’s best-loved restaurants but is the actual home of husband and wife team William Hoffman and Merry Catanuto. When the chefs were looking for their first restaurant, they found a 1920s farmhouse and decided to create a restaurant on the first floor, place tables for outdoor dining on the front porch, and live with their growing family on the second floor. They serve creative dishes made from local, often foraged ingredients.
When it opened in 2018, St. Anselm in Northeast quickly became one of Washington's top restaurants. For extra privacy book one of the curtained booths and gorge on classic dishes with a modern twist, like deviled eggs, dorade with saffron pickled fennel, and a selection of steaks. And don't miss the dessert offerings – you won't go wrong with the sweet potato pie.
Prepare to be totally charmed by the diminutive but hugely memorable Boia De. The intimate Michelin-starred restaurant is run chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer (a couple themselves). The modern American menu with Italian influences is wonderfully creative and focuses on responsibly sourced ingredients, while the atmosphere is welcoming and laid-back. Seat yourself at the marble countertop, order a glass of natural wine and settle in for the evening.
With a beautiful oceanfront location in Hilo Bay on the Big Island, Hula Hulas is a casual restaurant specializing in farm-to-fork cuisine with a creative twist. The open-air restaurant not only offers panoramic ocean views and nightly live music, but also varied, seasonal menus with ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishermen. Look out for the colorful, floor-to-ceiling mural by Kim Taylor Reece and order ahi tuna poke, honey miso chicken or grilled fish tacos.
For prime steaks and fresh seafood served in a dimly lit lounge to the tunes of live jazz, head to Chandlers in Boise. This classic steakhouse offers both an à la carte and a prix-fixe menu. The latter features delights like veal picatta, beef bourguignon, and butterscotch crème brûlée for dessert.
Inspired by the bohemian lifestyle of the 1950s, Beatnik in Chicago surprises with its unique interior inspired by Moorish opulence, Mediterranean farmhouses and the tropical lushness of Bali. The menu is similarly wild – expect an explosion of flavors, textures and colors with ingredients sourced from around the world. The menu features a selection of mezzes, including beef cheek arepas, red curry noodles, and smoked burrata.
Run by two brothers, the first Melting Pot restaurant opened in 1975 and was dedicated to serving authentic Swiss-style fondue. Today the restaurant in Indianapolis offers a unique, hands-on dining experience. Four-course menu options feature everything from veggie-only dishes to indulgent filet mignon and cold-water lobster, as well as a chocolate fondue for dessert.
There's plenty about this contemporary Italian restaurant that will charm you. For starters, the Neo-Classical Italianate architecture wows before you get through the door – the restaurant is housed in the city's 1913 Masonic Temple, which has become something of a local landmark. The food is as impressive as the building, too, and the menu features updated Italian dishes, from imaginative tofu "gnocchi" to handmade cavatelli.
Since opening in 2011 this restaurant has racked up numerous awards, including James Beard semi-finalist for Best Chef in the Midwest. When dining at Story, it’s not hard to see why it’s proved so popular. There's a menu full of beautifully presented dishes with French and Italian influences – favorites include swordfish, a Wagyu beef burger and housemade ice cream for dessert.
At 610 Magnolia, fine dining and Southern comfort live in perfect harmony thanks to award-winning chef and owner Edward Lee. Tucked into a quiet corner in Old Louisville, the intimate restaurant offers ever-changing tasting menus – you might sample butternut squash and goat cheese agnolotti, or seared scallops with braised radish. The restaurant is also renowned for its beverage pairings that include wine and cocktails, as well as an extensive Kentucky bourbon collection.
Located in a renovated masonry warehouse in New Orleans, Bywater American Bistro is the second restaurant from the James Beard Award-winner and Top Chef runner-up Nina Compton. The open kitchen sends out a wealth of great dishes, like blackened octopus with sweet potato coconut puree, or roasted Gulf fish with brown butter hazelnuts.
Describing itself as 'an inspired bistro', this romantic spot offers a mouth-watering four-course fixed-price menu that benefits from both Asian and European influences. Enjoy the glazed pork belly with jasmine rice and sesame aioli, followed by seared scallops served with leek and mushroom risotto, or a flavor-packed yellow lentil daal.
Top Chef veteran Bryan Voltaggio deals in upscale mid-Atlantic cuisine, and he puts on a fantastic brunch and dinner menu at this minimalist restaurant in Frederick. Dive into the shellfish tower, which includes Chesapeake oysters, spiced shrimp and lobster, or go for house favorite: the lobster omelet. Pasta dishes such as orecchiette with mushroom bolognese are worth their salt too.
In the beautiful city of Cambridge, down a cobbled path in the heart of Harvard Square, is Harvest. This elegant restaurant presents the best of New England cuisine, with seasonal menus devised by working closely with local farmers to source the freshest ingredients. The interiors are smart, with dark woods and neutral tones. There’s also an outdoor terrace, a lovely spot full of flowers and heaters for cooler nights.
Located in Detroit’s most iconic mansion, The Whitney is world famous for upscale dining. This Michigan restaurant was voted one of the most romantic restaurants in the US by Gayot, and it’s easy to see why. The drinks are served at the stunning Ghostbar, before diners sit down in one of the opulent rooms for a meal. Weather permitting, dishes like beef Wellington and twin lobster tails can also be enjoyed fountain-side in The Whitney gardens.
For a romantic date in Minneapolis, head to the atmospheric Café Lurcat. The elegant comfort food here is made with fresh, artisanal ingredients, while the setting is magical. The dining room boasts sparkling chandeliers, exposed brick walls, and high ceilings and there’s also a lovely bar with over 200 wines to choose from.
In a picturesque setting on the Gulfport waterfront, The Chimneys combines Southern architecture and plenty of greenery and makes for an incredibly charming place to dine. As you look out across the water, enjoy fresh seafood dishes such as crab claws, seafood gumbo, stuffed flounder, and lobster tail.
Novel is an appropriate name for this modern restaurant in Kansas City. The interiors are modern but romantic, with decorative tile-work and heavy hanging curtains. The menu follows that lead with smart and imaginative dishes such as beef sirloin tartare with wasabi tofu, and ramen noodles with butter-poached Maine lobster.
There's something ultra romantic about an upscale Italian restaurant and Lucca's is just that. The spot deals in 'fine Italian fare'; with a sleek dining room and a charming red-brick façade to boot. Come by for perfectly executed pasta dishes such as fisherman's spaghetti or seared scallops and white shrimp with angel hair – and wash your dinner down with quality wines sourced from everywhere from California to Tuscany.
Tucked inside one of Omaha's architectural landmarks (the former Paxton Hotel, now luxury apartments), 801 Chophouse is a swish restaurant focused on top-notch service and fine cuts of meat. Slip into one of the luxurious leather booths and feast on filet mignon, Faroe Island salmon, and appetizers such as oysters Rockefeller and pancetta-wrapped scallops.
With all of Las Vegas' dazzling lights in the palm of your hand, there aren't many places more well-suited for a special meal than Vetri in Palms Casino Resort. Located on the 56th floor, the restaurant focuses on outstanding Italian dishes like saffron fusilli with lobster, grilled seafood misto, and ricotta gelato with a dark chocolate shell and warm orange olive oil.
For comfort food in a beautiful setting, head to Max’s Restaurant and Pub at the Snowvillage Inn in Eaton. Originally built as a summer home by Frank Simonds, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, the inn has welcomed guests since 1948, with its restaurant a particular highlight. Here you'll find sweeping views of Mount Washington, as well as tasty, fresh dishes such as Maine crab cakes and oysters on the half shell, sea scallops, and duck breast with parsnip purée and cranberry gastrique.
Run by chef Scott Anderson, elements in Princeton is a very special place to dine at. With a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the menu features wild king salmon and ribeye with cheesy, garlicky aligot potatoes. The $129 tasting menu includes nine courses, all showcasing the seasonality of the ingredients.
It's hard to find fresher dishes than at Campo, located at the Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm in Albuquerque. Situated on an organic farm, the restaurant serves dishes created from seasonal, organic ingredients from the property’s own fields, as well as local farmers and herdsmen. The restaurant is housed in a renovated barn with an open kitchen and amazing views of lavender fields and the Sandia Mountains.
There probably aren't many restaurants with a view better than this. Overlooking Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, The River Café is one of New York City's most iconic restaurants. With pan-roasted venison and poached Nova Scotia lobster tail on the menu, this Michelin-starred restaurant is perfect for a special occasion.
Enjoy a fairy-tale dining experience at Winston-Salem’s magical Ryan's Restaurant. From the cozy spot deep into a forest, gaze out at large oak trees and a stream, while inside the comfy sofas and crackling fireplace will keep you snug. The outdoor deck and window-side tables are great places to enjoy the restaurant’s selection of seafood, steaks, and soups while taking in the beautiful natural surroundings.
Housed in a 1917 building in Fargo just behind the Fargo Theatre, Mezzaluna is well-known for its excellent food and elegant decor. With high-backed banquette seating throughout the dining room and plenty of original architectural features, it’s definitely a charming spot. The menu has something for everyone, too, with plenty of vegetarian dishes as well as fresh seafood and inventive meat options.
Orchids' menu is the epitome of fine dining, featuring a creative selection of appetizers and entrées, alongside an impressive wine list. Dinner at this AAA five-diamond restaurant will require splashing out, but with plates including foie gras terrine, roasted halibut with morels, and chateaubriand with seasonal vegetables, it’s well worth it.
Cheever’s Café in Oklahoma City brims with charm. Once a florist, then a house and now a restaurant, the café retains many original features, including the terrazzo floors and the glass-walled flower case that now displays desserts and wine bottles. The menu is stuffed with delicious options, from healthy salads to creative pasta dishes, but the bestselling dish is the chicken-fried steak with jalapeño gravy and garlicky red-skinned mashed potatoes.
For beautiful views and delicious food, visit the Stephanie Inn Dining Room, about 80 miles from Portland, in beautiful Cannon Beach. With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, Haystack Rock and the Tillamook Lighthouse, it’ll be hard to tear your eyes away from the surroundings, but when you do, you’ll enjoy the open kitchen, wood-burning fireplace and dishes full of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Part of the family-owned Ledges Hotel in Hawley in the Pocono Mountains, Glass has wonderful views of the neighboring waterfalls, as well as an eclectic menu of small dishes perfect for sharing. Choose from plates such as crispy shrimp tacos and wild boar sausage and enjoy the ambience of the dining room and outdoor terraces.
Believed to be the USA’s oldest tavern building, and one of America's most fascinating historic restaurants, Newport’s White Horse Tavern is a real slice of history, established in 1673. Today the focus is fresh, local food: fish, clams, and lobsters caught in Narragansett Bay and artisan cheese, honey, and beef sourced from nearby farms.
Located in Wentworth Mansion, this romantic venue is the perfect place for feasting on seasonal and local dishes paired with fantastic wine. Chef Marc Collins draws inspiration from global cuisines to create an incredible menu featuring 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.
With a more casual vibe during the week and a fine dining mood at the weekend, the romantic Sioux Falls’ restaurant Parker's suits all kinds of diners. The menu changes each season, with locally sourced, organic ingredients and a variety of tempting dishes, while the decor is tasteful and smart, with soft lighting, flickering candles and exposed brick walls.
A Southern seafood restaurant in the heart of Nashville's Gulch neighborhood, Marsh House serves fresh, tasty dishes in a chic yet casual setting. The menu features a wealth of fish dishes, like mahi with grilled greens and a whole snapper for two – perfect for lovers of seafood.
Enjoy fairy-tale dining in a rustic treehouse at The Laurel Tree in Utopia, Uvalde County. It’s not just any treehouse, either, but a beautifully quaint dining room complete with antique furnishings perched in a 450-year-old oak tree. It's an intimate experience, too, with just one table seating up to six people. Dishes are prepared by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, with ingredients sourced from the garden and from local markets.
Head to Salt Lake City's swanky Kimpton Hotel Monaco and you'll find Bambara, an ultra-stylish restaurant dealing in upscale New American food. The interiors are a treat, with bold arched windows and grand sweeps of marble, and the menus are just as appealing. Try the gnocchi with chimichurri and walnut dukkah, or the braised lamb with herby spaetzle.
Set in an intimate venue in the heart of the woods beside the Green Mountains and Champlain valley, Hen of the Wood aims to serve as much produce from its local surroundings as possible. Menu highlights include the crispy duck breast, hanger steak, and signature mushroom toast.
You’ll really be blowing the budget by dining at The Inn, 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 it’s continually voted the best restaurant in Virginia by Washingtonian magazine. Guests are invited to sample one of the tasting menus, each priced at over $300 (with wine pairings). Expect to see luxurious items such as caviar, softshell crab, foie gras, and Wagyu beef on the menu.
Sourcing ingredients directly from farmers and producers, Art of the Table is all about celebrating food that's grown locally. Pick between the à la carte menu at the bar, or try one of the two tasting menus in the dining room and enjoy dishes like duck agnolotti, trout with smoked roe and marinated shiitake mushrooms, and scallop crudo.
The Resturant at Hillbrook Inn & Spa has become a must-have experience in the region. The seasonal menus highlight produce sourced from local farms and include delights like Icelandic cod with potato mousseline, Japanese Wagyu steak and duck filet with veggies.
Boasting a conservatory with Lake Michigan views, this modern American restaurant not only serves incredibly delicious dishes, but is also one of America's best restaurants for wine lovers. Opt for the chef's tasting menu created by executive chef Nick Wirth.
For dishes with the wow factor and a relaxed but cool atmosphere, visit Jackson Hole’s Snake River Grill. The dining room decor is smart but rustic with wood and brick details, roaring fireplaces, and flickering candles, and the food is seriously creative. A particular highlight is the steak tartare pizza topped with black Angus New York steak, garlic aioli, capers, parsley, and red onion.