When you think of the perfect date night, images of cozy corners, charming ambience, and easy conversation over plates of delicious food might come to mind. Then there are those fine-dining spots with crisp white tablecloths with leather-bound menus, perfect for special anniversaries and times you want to be a bit fancy. Whatever style of restaurant you choose, it needs to be something special. Read on to discover the best date night restaurant in every US state.
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.
Located at the top of the Marriott Shoals Hotel in pretty Florence, 360 Grille is Alabama’s only revolving restaurant. Go before sunset to gaze at the changing light as the tables slowly move past the Tennessee River and surrounding valley. Diners love the beautiful views and the menu of steaks and Southern-influenced seafood.
You could walk straight past and not notice this charming restaurant, hidden inside a 1930s home. However, we definitely recommend dropping by – because inside, you'll find one of the cutest, coziest, and most romantic spots around. There are just 60 seats, some at tables tucked away in the wine cellar. Conversation (and wine) is bound to flow as you feast on top-rated dishes like bacon-wrapped dates and roasted duck.
Classic Italian restaurants will always be a good bet for date night, and CiBO packs in plenty of old-school charm. The cozy tables are arranged inside a cute 1913 bungalow, yet the menu is anything but old-fashioned. Antipasti dishes like oozing burrata are great for sharing, and guests love the perfect pizzas and romantic atmosphere.
Quaint Ciao Baci is the type of warm, welcoming spot people return to date night after date night (and for other occasions, too). The setting – intimate tables in a bungalow nestled among trees – is a good start. But it’s the warm and inviting atmosphere, impeccable food, and carefully curated wine list that keep couples coming back.
Hark back to the days when a date meant dinner and a movie at this gorgeous boho-chic spot. At Foreign Cinema, Mediterranean cuisine is given a Californian twist with seasonal, regionally sourced ingredients. Go full 'ooh la la' with Champagne and oysters on the heated, twinkly patio, where classic and cult movies play on a big screen – a romantic touch that diners love.
A combination of a romantic ambience, divine pasta dishes, and perfectly paired wines make Rioja, a restaurant inspired by Mediterranean ingredients, a real winner. The restaurant is also popular for innovative brunch dishes served with cocktails like fruity, fragrant Sangria – in case you prefer a day date.
If your ideal date is top food with a glass of fine wine on the side, Vinted is the spot for you and your beloved. The pork belly tacos are a hit with customers; order them with other sharing dishes like cheese and charcuterie plates, which are all perfect for intimate dinners for two.
One Coastal is all about local, seasonal, and artisanal food, so many of the ingredients are sourced from small producers and farmers. The restaurant itself is tiny, which means reservations are essential, and it has an intimate, homely, feel which is ideal for date night. Guests praise the scallops and hand-crafted cocktails.
Lagniappe means 'a little gift' and, in a city that does glitz and glam so well, this well-loved garden restaurant is just that. With a vintage feel and a semi self-service style, this spot bucks the city's high-maintenance trend. Under a canopy of fairy lights strung across trees, with music playing, it's a favorite for dates – especially if you’re just starting to get know someone. The charcuterie and cheese boards are a firm favorite, as well as the selection of wines.
The elegant gardens of this farm-to-table restaurant look like something from the pages of a glossy magazine. Sit outside on the plant-filled patio, or grab a table in the equally lovely dining room, filled with perfectly mismatched vintage furniture and chandeliers. Favorite dishes include the perfectly cooked and seasoned 8oz filet of beef and the shrimp risotto.
Gorgeous views, a chilled-out atmosphere, and delicious cocktails – what more could you want for a successful 'just us' evening? Maybe a little live music to serenade you, and huge platters of steak and succulent seafood that long to be shared? Chart House Waikiki, with tables right by a yacht harbor, has all that, with zero pretension. Diners praise its old-school charm and warm atmosphere, with food to match (and particularly great desserts).
Dine on crowd-pleasing food and sip craft cocktails at Fork, a modern and relaxed spot in downtown Boise. If you prefer your date nights low-key and informal, with winning dishes like shrimp and grits and sweet butter cake, this is the place. Grab a table on the twinkling patio when it’s warm out.
There’s no shortage of choices for a romantic meal in the Windy City, but we reckon this fondue restaurant is one of the cutest for a little old-fashioned romance. And, apart from the gooey stuff you’ll be dipping into, it’s more charming than cheesy. Take a table by the outdoor fireplaces, or sit inside to sway (and dunk) while live music plays. Round off the meal with – what else? – chocolate fondue.
Bloomington has a quietly growing reputation for fabulous food and craft beer, and this relaxed spot combines the two. It’s attached to Bloomington Brewing Company, which is known for unfiltered amber and pale ales, with a menu of wood-fired pizzas and strombolis (turnovers with cheese, meat, or vegetables). You can always pop to the bar after dinner to stretch your date night out a little longer.
You have to be fine with sharing when tapas is on the menu, and there are a lot of tasty morsels to choose from at The Stuffed Olive. The chicken skewers come highly recommended, as do the potent, perfectly stirred Martinis, which should help to keep the conversation flowing.
With impeccably prepared mains from seafood to steak, pretty cocktails, and some seriously decadent desserts on offer, it’s no wonder Georges French Bistro is the go-to date night spot for those in the know. There are classics like steak tartare and French onion soup, plenty of shareable appetizers, and desserts (from crème brûlée to a perfect pavlova) designed for two spoons.
Bella Notte is the kind of neighborhood spot that locals love and visitors feel lucky to have found. Dim lighting and warm, attentive service add to the romantic atmosphere, while menu favorites include the rigatoni and seasonally changing salads.
You could go to any number of old-school establishments in the French Quarter, have a terrific time, and eat top-notch Louisiana Creole dishes. But this bar, in the hip Marigny district, is perfect for a night of connecting over strong cocktails and flavorsome small plates, like grilled swordfish and grits with seasonal ingredients. The chic interior is all nooks, crannies, and dim lighting, while, for balmy evenings, there’s a dreamy plant-filled patio.
It’s all about the sharing plates at this laid-back spot in Portland’s atmospheric Old Port area. Oh, and the wine. Grab a table in the warmly decorated dining room, filled with colorful art, and cozy up over platters of charcuterie, regional cheeses, and stuffed flatbreads.
This cute, cottage-style restaurant serves farm-to-table dishes like Moroccan-spiced skirt steak and what some reckon is the best pizza in town. Guests also come here for the excellent wine list and fun atmosphere that’ll make you want to linger all night.
New England ingredients are given a little je ne sais quoi at the French-inspired Bistro du Midi, which oozes European elegance and sophistication without a whiff of haughtiness. The bouillabaisse, packed with regional seafood, and the desserts come highly recommended.
What could be better than a table for two? A booth for two, that’s what – so you can huddle even closer together. Wright & Company’s warm, relaxed decor, with exposed brick, chandeliers, and curved leather booths, makes it the perfect place to enjoy a deliciously languid evening over sharing plates like pork belly sliders and blue crab udon.
Italian restaurant Rinata has the romance down – customers say it's cozy, dimly lit, and atmospheric, with friendly service. The freshly made pastas are a hit, with the pappardelle being a favorite. It would be rude to not finish an Italian dinner without a tiramisu, and this one comes soaked in sambuca.
Filled with peppery-spicy Creole and Cajun flavors, the freshly caught seafood – in particular the blackened catfish – is a firm favorite at Patio 44, a sleek but relaxed spot close to Biloxi’s white-sand beaches. Make the most of year-round mild weather with a table on the patio and order shareable dishes like dreamy, creamy, crawfish mac ‘n’ cheese.
This little French bistro is loved for its fun and romantic atmosphere, and it's a spot that people have been coming back to for years. The lobster bisque is a favorite, as are the steaks – and when the weather is lovely, you can enjoy the night stars at Le Fou Frog's patio dining space.
Colorful, charming, and classic without being outdated, Ciao Mambo is a go-to place for date night in downtown Billings. People love the fact there are decent gluten-free pasta options while, for those who fancy double carbs, the fresh garlic bread comes particularly recommended. Finish with zeppolis, mini donuts that come with dipping sauces.
With a wonderfully cozy, tucked-away feel and a menu that wows customers, Dolce knows it’s the perfect date night spot. Favorite dishes include risotto, lamb rack, and bread pudding – some say it's hard not to lick the plate clean. (Perhaps not on a first date.)
Swerve the glitzy Strip for a more relaxed, intimate meal at this rustic-chic Italian spot in the trendy Arts District. The interior of Esther's Kitchen is warm and bright, with wood-paneled walls and an open kitchen that sends out crowd-pleasing plates of porchetta and incredible house-made pasta. It’s also great for weekend brunch. Whenever you visit, order the sourdough bread, which is served warm, soft, and with just the right amount of chewiness.
Seafood is the order of the day at Surf, a chic spot in Nashua. Sample shellfish from the raw bar (the oysters come particularly recommended) followed by Surf's excellent selection of sushi – the buttered lobster maki is a standout choice. The friendly service just completes the dining experience.
New York City might have some incredible views but. for a view of the Manhattan skyline, you can’t really beat a window-side table at this sleek restaurant, which overlooks the Hudson River. Chart House is definitely on the posh (read: pricey) side, although it’s worth it for its luxurious ambience (and, of course, those vistas). The menu is dominated by impeccably prepared surf ‘n’ turf dishes while, for dessert, it has to be the lava cake.
Tequila cocktails and brightly flavored, shareable Mexican dishes – what could be better for a chilled-out date night? Sazón’s softly lit, art-filled dining room oozes subtle romance and passion, as do its spot-on dishes. Diners love the mole tasting, where you get to sample the various rich, complex sauces on offer before choosing your favorite and deciding what meat or seafood to pair it with.
The cute name alone might be reason enough to visit Peekamoose in the Catskill Mountains but, even if it had a dull moniker, it would still make the cut. This charming restored farmhouse has an equally charming dining room, with warm lighting and vintage vibes. Standout dishes include the seasonal lamb and the chocolate pudding with caramel.
Sometimes all you want is some good old comfort food. This elevated canteen-style spot in downtown Raleigh serves up just that, albeit the best versions you can possibly imagine. Think chicken waffles that are perfectly tender and encased in crisp, spicy batter, and mac ‘n’ cheese that's so good you might not want to share.
There’s something joyously romantic about restaurants that are a little tucked away; it feels like you’ve stumbled across a brilliant secret together. This downtown Fargo restaurant – behind the Art Deco Fargo Theatre – continues that feeling inside, with dark, sophisticated decor and clamshell booths. Reviewers love the cool vibes, and from a menu of elevated New American classics, the burger is a standout.
Italian food with an Argentinian twist – it’s tough to imagine a more seductive combination. The menu at Alfio’s Buon Cibo focuses on the flavors of Argentina’s Italian-influenced foods, such as diner favorites short rib ravioli and goats' cheese cheesecake. The relaxed ambience and decor, all dark wood and low lighting, is equally romantic.
A little different from the usual bistro or restaurant, Shuffles is ideal for couples who want some good-old geeky fun over a game of Connect Four. There’s nothing fancy about the menu – it's really more about huddling over board games. But people love that, especially with tasty bites like tempura broccoli and pizzas 'to die for'.
Sometimes all you want from a date night is a cozy table, well-mixed drinks, good food, and great company. Angel Face has all this, serving impeccably crafted cocktails and seasonal small plates that pack in huge flavors. The relaxed yet chic speakeasy vibe is a winner, as are the knowledgeable bartenders, who know what you want, even if you don’t.
You'll feel like you’re having a clandestine tête-à-tête at Umami, a Japanese pub (known as an izakaya) in Pittsburgh. There's a cool, intimate cocktail bar downstairs, plus an upstairs dining space serving incredible sushi and robatayaki, where Wagyu beef, pork belly, and tofu are cooked over charcoal. Food is served into the early hours, so you can be dirty stop-outs.
Whether it's your first date or your 50th date, this restaurant and bar inside an antiques store is just perfect for a romantic evening, thanks to its eclectic decor and fun atmosphere. The menu is a creative selection of global plates, and diners agree they’re pretty much all delicious.
From its green-and-white checkered tablecloths to its stiff Martinis, Little Jack’s Tavern has the old-school atmosphere down pat. This feels like the kind of place Frank Sinatra might have taken a date. The menu includes freshly shucked oysters, juicy burgers, and crab cakes. The shrimp burger comes highly recommended.
Grab a table at Wine Cellar Restaurant for the coziest date in town. The vast wine list is a big draw, but the food – from the blue cheese stuffed date starters to the bittersweet chocolate cake dessert – is pretty impressive too. Regular live music just adds to the romantic ambience.
The cutest tables at this hip, much-loved spot in Memphis’ cool Cooper Young district have chairs underneath vintage hair-dryers (not turned on, thankfully). It isn’t a completely random touch – this space was a beauty parlor, and one that Priscilla Presley used to frequent, no less. Everything about The Beauty Shop is wonderfully whimsical, and the food – from the duck starter to the Lucky Pot, a red curry in coconut broth – is simply delicious.
Chic Gemma feels like it should be perched by the coast in California rather than in Dallas’ sleek, cosmopolitan center. In fact, the owners moved here from Napa Valley, something that shows in the impressive wine list and the breezy blue, grey, and white tones that run through the dining room. People rave about the incredible food, with standout dishes like rabbit pappardelle.
This funky restaurant, inside an old theater, is all mismatched crockery and warm charm. Tin Angel is the type of place where you’ll want to spend every date night thanks to its cool vibes, perfectly balanced cocktails, and menu of global dishes like charcuterie, chicken Parmesan, and braised short ribs.
Parisian chic meets Vermont charm at this cute spot, which serves elevated takes on regional specialties. Highlights include the cheeses and the duck poutine, which are regularly served with a side of live music. If it’s a warm night, grab a table on the patio, where fire pits add to the ambience and help stave off any evening chills.
This classic red-and-white tablecloth joint oozes sophistication and charm. The menu at chic Orofino in Fredericksburg goes beyond pasta (although the ragu is fabulous) with authentic regional specialties that change with the seasons, and the gelato is not to be missed.
This restaurant is a Seattle stalwart for a reason, with white tablecloths and candles, and zero pretension. The owner, Jackie Roberts, is committed to working with small-to-medium-sized farms for ingredients. Come for the cool theme and decor, stay for the delicious food. There's also live entertainment to make the experience even more special.
Set in a house in the South Hills area of Charleston, Lola's is an incredibly cute restaurant that makes you feel at home straight away. People love the Neapolitan-style pizzas, which are made in a stone oven and served with a great Martini or local beer. The crust is the perfect texture, and the toppings are interesting and delicious.
A blend of industrial chic, vintage charm, and romantic lighting, 1919 Kitchen & Tap is a fabulous choice if your idea of the perfect date night involves tasty food like beer cheese and pretzels, or chicken pot pie – plus sports (it’s attached to Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers football team). Don’t miss the highly recommended desserts.
The Kitchen is a perfect date night spot, with a casual but refined take on dining that makes it feel special without being over the top. The miso butter shrimp and grits is a favorite, but the quality of food in general makes the restaurant the hottest spot in town.
Now discover the best restaurant to impress your date in every state and DC