The Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Restaurants in Every State
Updated: Mar. 01, 2023We found the most romantic places to eat for Valentine's Day in each state, so all you need to do is make a reservation
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Table for two: Valentine’s Day restaurants
Sure, you could get fancy at home this Valentine’s Day, trying your hand at a soufflé. But if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day ideas that are a little less Master Chef and a little more relaxing, book a table at a romantic restaurant in your area. Like Valentine’s Day flowers, heart-shaped Valentine’s Day gifts and chubby winged Cupids, fine dining is something of a V-Day staple. Which begs the question: Which are the best traditional restaurants to eat at on Valentine’s Day?
This year, there’s no need to hunt for an intimate spot. We’ve identified a very special restaurant in each state that will ensure your evening is filled with delectable cuisine—and the taste of romance. Don’t forget that because Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, the weekend before the holiday is likely to be prime dining time. So do yourself a favor and book now: These seats will fill up fast.
Alabama: Cotton Row Restaurant
Location: Huntsville
Valentine’s Day guests can enjoy genuine southern hospitality at Cotton Row Restaurant in Huntsville, featuring chef James Boyce’s modern American cuisine in a setting that exudes comfort and elegance. Choose between the intimate wine cellar and one of the loft rooms, which are designed to provide a more private and personal experience. Start your meal with an artisanal charcuterie and cheese board, then choose a delectable entrée like the roasted king salmon or rosemary-garlic lamb chops. For dessert, don’t miss the basque cheesecake. And don’t forget your friends this Feb. 14. Buy one of these great Valentine’s Day gifts for friends to show you care.
Alaska: Crow’s Nest
Location: Anchorage
Crow’s Nest, a luxurious restaurant in Anchorage’s Hotel Captain Cook, offers 360-degree views, a romantic atmosphere and signature Alaskan entrees. The restaurant is known for its fresh seafood (think Kodiak scallops and king crab legs), and while the Valentine’s Day menu hasn’t been finalized, you can’t go wrong with fish or shellfish. Be sure to save room for dessert—and be sure to bring your heartfelt DIY Valentine’s card to truly touch your loved one’s heart.
Arizona: Cress on Oak Creek
Location: Sedona
Set along the banks of a majestic creek, Cress on Oak Creek at the famed L’Auberge de Sedona hotel offers a romantic prix fixe dining experience perfect for a Valentine’s Day celebration. Candlelit tables and a calming nature view set the mood for flavorful dishes by executive chef Shawn Applin. Applin has created a Valentine’s Day menu consisting of five courses that are perfect for a table of two. Choose from Blue Fin Tuna Tartare, Dungeness Crab Ravioli, Rack of Lamb and more on Feb. 14. Reservations are required, but good news: The restaurant is open to both guests who escape for a romantic weekend getaway and locals alike.
Arkansas: Ignite Steakhouse
Location: West Memphis
Located inside Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis, Ignite Steakhouse is a culinary gem of the Arkansas Delta. With its intimate ambiance and delectable menu, the restaurant is the perfect place to share an evening with your sweetheart. On the Valentine’s menu this year: a roasted beet salad to start, tomahawk for two as the main dish and red velvet ganache cake to top off the meal. For some conversation fodder, learn why roses are so popular on Valentine’s Day.
California: Castaway
Location: Burbank
Head to Burbank in the Golden State for a romantic dinner at Castaway, a lovely spot that doubles as an event venue. Make a reservation for Feb. 14 and experience a wonderful dinner with a gorgeous view. Choose from a four-course menu that includes options like fried burrata and big eye tuna carpaccio, or a three-course menu that includes dishes like seared Chilean sea bass and spinach spaghetti alla chitara. Here’s how to have an amazing celebration if you’re single on Valentine’s Day.
Colorado: Buckhorn Exchange
Location: Denver
Take your date to Buckhorn Exchange, the most iconic restaurant in Denver. It was established in 1893 and has spent the past 129 years perfecting the art of the steak. The ambiance is a mix of rustic lodge—its dark walls are covered in taxidermy busts of deer, moose and other animals—and an old-school cocktail bar. Get a little experimental with your evening by starting with the rattlesnake or alligator tail appetizer, and add some oysters for a Valentine’s Day aphrodisiac. Reservations are recommended for the big day. And if you’re looking to book a full Valentine’s weekend, find the most historic hotel in your state.
Connecticut: Arethusa al tavolo
Location: Bantam
Arethusa al tavolo in Bantam describes itself as a “dairy- and seed-to-table restaurant,” which is appropriate, considering that all the dairy on the menu comes from the 300 cows that live on the 300-acre property. The restaurant also maintains a year-round greenhouse, so you can be sure you’re eating the freshest produce this Valentine’s Day. The menu, which changes daily depending on what’s fresh and available in the greenhouse and on the farm, contains everything from smoked pork belly dumplings to Maine lobster and avocado salad. Although it’s also fun to visit the best diners in each state, for Valentine’s Day we prefer something a little fresher.
Delaware: Le Cavalier
Location: Wilmington
More than a restaurant, Le Cavalier in Wilmington’s iconic Hotel Du Pont is an experience in grandeur and one of the most ideal places to eat for Valentine’s Day. With an atmosphere right out of The Great Gatsby, luxury and sophistication are on the menu—along with unforgettable, seasonally inspired French cuisine. Savory appetizers include foie gras tartine, and you can’t go wrong with the elysian fields lamb shoulder for your main course. When you get home, get romantic by dancing with your sweetheart to your favorite love songs.
Florida: Four Marlins
Location: Key West
At Four Marlins in the Reach hotel in Key West, you’ll find beach views coupled with a can’t-miss menu of locally sourced ingredients, fresh-caught fish and an impressive wine list. Guests can enjoy a candlelit meal on the outdoor veranda with a soundtrack of crashing waves and a backdrop of swaying palms. Give your special someone a laugh along with your love by gifting one of these funny Valentine’s Day cards.
Georgia: Rice House Restaurant
Location: Adairsville
The Rice House Restaurant at the Barnsley Resort in Adairsville is housed in a 19th-century farmhouse that was carefully relocated from nearby Rome. Choose from starters like deviled eggs and seasonal oysters, as well as main dishes like venison meatloaf and farm-raised buttermilk fried chicken. Book a room at the resort to make a vacation of it, or discover the best weekend getaway in your state for other options.
Hawaii: Kamuela Provision Co.
Location: Waikoloa
Sitting on the Big Island’s volcanic coastline, Kamuela Provision Co. at the Hilton Waikoloa Village is rated one of the most romantic restaurants in Hawaii by OpenTable. And that’s saying a lot, considering Hawaii is one of the most romantic locations in the United States. The food is tops, but with the 180-degree views of the Kohala Coast and spectacular sunsets, you may not even pay attention to your dinner. Looking to book a trip to the Aloha State? These are the best beaches in Hawaii.
Idaho: Beverly’s
Location: Coeur d’Alene
Located in the Lake Tower at the Coeur d’Alene Golf and Spa Resort, glass-enclosed Beverly’s restaurant provides incredible views of Lake Coeur d’Alene, named by National Geographic as one of the top five most beautiful lakes in the world. Try the seafood paella or the Alaskan king crab legs, along with a bottle of wine from the restaurant’s cellar, one of the largest private wine collections in the Northwest, with more than 14,000 bottles. And don’t forget to try the truffle fries—after all, potatoes are the state food of Idaho!
Illinois: The English Room
Location: Chicago
One of the most celebrated fine-dining venues on Chicago’s North Shore, The English Room at the Deer Path Inn is the ideal setting for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day dinner. Sit down to a meal of British classics with a twist, including almond-crusted Dover sole and lobster-and-scallop risotto, in a quietly regal setting. You won’t need candy hearts on this date, because the desserts are worth the splurge. The restaurant is also known for its afternoon tea, so stick around for a day or two (the inn is lush), and you won’t regret it.
Indiana: Sinclair’s Restaurant
Location: West Baden
The most romantic day of the year calls for extra special treatment, and Sinclair’s Restaurant in the West Baden Springs Hotel won’t disappoint. It’s open to overnight guests, and indoor dining is available. Menu highlights include a Kansas City strip steak, filet mignon and the blackened arctic char.
Iowa: Cobble Hill Eatery and Dispensary
Location: Cedar Rapids
The menu at Cobble Hill Eatery and Dispensary in Cedar Rapids changes seasonally, but rest assured your V-Day meal will be the year’s best. Dine-in service is open, although seating is spaced and limited. Chef and co-owner Andy Schumacher encourages sustainable food practices in the restaurant, which features restored brick walls, salvaged wood floors and tables made from the floor joists of what was at one time the community’s oldest home. While you’re waiting on your food, share these romantic love quotes with your special someone.
Kansas: Scotch & Sirloin
Location: Wichita
Food-savvy Kansans are enamored with Scotch & Sirloin in Wichita, which features locally sourced, premium steaks and massive sides. The prime rib is famous across the state, and the wine list is as large as a book (the restaurant prides itself on having the largest wine wall in Kansas). You can get a bottle to share, though vino is available by the glass too. Just make sure to know this steakhouse etiquette before you head out for your next steak dinner.
Kentucky: Castle Farm
Location: Versailles
Amid the horse farms that dot the spectacular surrounding landscape, The Kentucky Castle hotel in Versailles is one of the most unique places to eat for Valentine’s Day. Castle Farm restaurant takes farm-to-table dining to a whole new level; not only does it grow its own produce, but it also sources other food locally and takes into consideration the soil in which the food was grown. The menu, which changes seasonally, contains a chef’s farmhouse charcuterie board, rigatoni with lamb ragù and braised short ribs. If you’ll be showing up to your date with flowers, be sure you know the meaning behind each color rose.
Louisiana: Bayona
Location: New Orleans
Serving eclectic cuisine out of its 254-year-old Creole cottage on Rue Dauphine in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Bayona welcomes guests into its secluded courtyard and intimate dining rooms. The culinary team crafts a sumptuous menu, which includes New Orleans classics with touches of Europe, the Mediterranean, India and Asia. Try the gulf shrimp, the crispy smoked quail salad or the crispy duck breast.
Maine: Sea Glass
Location: Cape Elizabeth
At Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, just 10 minutes from Portland, you’ll find the intimate Sea Glass Restaurant. Chef Andrew Chadwick’s Valentine’s menu will treat guests to an extravagant dining experience with local ingredients—think oysters, halibut and duck breast. The spectacular ocean views are all you’ll need to complete the romantic evening, though these Valentine’s Day memes, which will have you laughing from appetizer to entree, won’t hurt.
Maryland: Magdalena
Location: Baltimore
Magdalena, located inside Baltimore’s The Ivy Hotel, is elegant without being stuffy. Dine on smoked local blue catfish, or try the smoked duck breast. If you feel like splitting a meal, try the lamb for two. Couples can also share such decadent desserts as the apply-rye cake, pumpkin custard and deconstructed brownie sundae. An unforgettable meal awaits!
Massachusetts: Harvest
Location: Cambridge
Located in the heart of Harvard Square, Harvest restaurant is offering indoor and outdoor dining, the latter of which depends on the weather but features heaters, a gas fireplace and string lights for added ambiance. Dine on decadent food, including oysters, seared Atlantic salmon and grilled Berkshire pork loin. Tables fill up quickly, so reservations are recommended. Before the big date, consider availing yourself of one of these perfect printable Valentine’s Day cards.
Michigan: Rattlesnake Club
Location: Detroit
The Rattlesnake Club in Detroit serves locally grown, seasonally sourced food such as pistachio-encrusted halibut and braised Colorado lamb shank. The culinary team elevates the fare to something worthy of a special holiday, and the extensive wine list is a nice bonus. We highly recommend a reservation, as the Rattlesnake Club gets crowded even on non-holiday evenings. You can buy last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts, but you’d be hard pressed to find a last-minute reservation here on Feb. 14.
Minnesota: Pescara
Location: Rochester
With a name that translates to “abounding with fish,” Pescara in Rochester goes to great lengths to serve the most sustainable, line-caught fish available. Norwegian salmon, tuna and Arctic char are just some of the seafood shipped in from around the world. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special menu that includes a broiled shellfish platter, clams and red velvet cake. Yum!
Mississippi: Giardina’s Restaurant
Location: Greenwood
With 14 booths, Giardina’s Restaurant inside the Alluvian Hotel will feel like a private hideaway for you and your date. Located in the historic town of Greenwood, the charming restaurant serves Southern classics to tempt your palate, including duck gumbo, fried green tomatoes with crab salad, delta catfish cakes and mixed greens. Bread pudding with bourbon caramel is a lusciously rich way to end the meal.
Missouri: Osage Restaurant
Location: Ridgedale
This is the cornerstone dining experience at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, one of the top-ranked resorts in the Midwest. Featuring upscale regional cuisine in a stunning dining room with sweeping Ozark Mountain views, Osage Restaurant is a fascinating destination where guests can linger long after their meal. From 4 to 8 p.m. this Valentine’s Day, the restaurant is offering a four-course menu ($129 per person) that includes Chilean sea bass, butter-poached lobster and a heart-melting mousse cake.
Montana: Pompey’s Grill
Location: Three Forks
Pompey’s Grill, located in the historic Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks, aspires to envelop guests in a warm, elegant atmosphere. Don’t miss the signature smoked trout rillettes with crème fraîche, lamb-phyllo rolls, halibut cheeks and bison short ribs. If that doesn’t put your date in an amorous mood, we don’t know what will! Be sure to browse this Valentine’s Day gift guide so you don’t show up empty handed.
Nebraska: Spezia
Location: Omaha
Spezia is where to go in Omaha when you really want to up the romantic ante. You could throw a dart at the menu to choose your dish, and you’d love it. That said, the fried spicy calamari, steak, wood-grilled shrimp and scallops and rack of lamb are standouts. Don’t miss the molten cocoa cake if you have a sweet tooth. Service is top-notch too, making this one of the top places to eat for Valentine’s Day in Nebraska.
Nevada: Edgewood Restaurant
Location: Lake Tahoe
With stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and striking views of mountains, pines and glistening sapphire Lake Tahoe, Edgewood Restaurant is hard to beat. Diners can watch the sun set over the mountains surrounding the lake while enjoying a special Valentine’s Day menu featuring dishes like king crab salad and braised turbot. Flying solo? No worries. This makes for a great Galentine’s Day dinner celebration too.
New Hampshire: Bedford Village Inn
Location: Bedford
The Bedford Village Inn in Bedford is planning a special four-course, prix fixe dinner at its AAA four-diamond restaurant. Sit back and relax in the warm atmosphere with a handcrafted winter cocktail before indulging in regionally sourced cuisine, including various types of cheese by the ounce, Main lobster and duck breast.
New Jersey: Sax at the Reeds
Location: Stone Harbor
Couples don’t need to wait until summer for a reason to visit the Jersey Shore. Stone Harbor’s Sax at the Reeds offers a delicious selection of dishes, from bacon-wrapped meatloaf and white miso-roasted salmon to the house-made veggie burger and kung pao spaghetti. Save room for the chocolate fudge cake and pumpkin bread pudding. Dining with a tough-to-shop-for guy? Get him one of these fantastic Valentine’s gifts for men.
New Mexico: Antiquity Restaurant
Location: Albuquerque
It’s hard to top Antiquity Restaurant in Albuquerque when it comes to heart-racing romance. The locally owned and operated restaurant features fresh seafood, charcoal-grilled steaks and nightly specials. It’s a hot spot for Valentine’s Day, so make sure you get your reservation in!
New York: 1833 Kitchen and Bar
Location: Aurora
At 1833 Kitchen and Bar in upstate New York, couples can cozy up in front of a fireplace in this historic restaurant built, as the name implies, in 1833. The dining room’s location on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in Aurora guarantees that almost every meal is enhanced with gorgeous sunset views. The team serves award-winning locally sourced cuisine with a farm-to-table focus. There are numerous must-try options on the menu: cheese and charcuterie, grilled tenderloin and seared scallops. Finish the night with rich Valentine’s chocolate.
North Carolina: Herons
Location: Cary
Herons is the signature restaurant of the must-visit Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary. It offers dynamic, decadent and refined American cuisine inspired by the rich natural beauty of its region. Menu highlights include quail with carrots and vadouvan curry, bass, veal and lobster. And don’t skip dessert! Options include citrus custard and pear mousse. Indulge in the sweeter things in life with your sweetie.
North Dakota: Theodore’s Dining Room
Location: Medora
Luxury meets historic charm at the Rough Riders Hotel in the center of Medora. With an authentic turn-of-the-century atmosphere, the hotel’s dining experience, Theodore’s Dining Room, is not to be missed. This Valentine’s Day, couples will be treated to an intimate dining experience, which includes a meal of braised short ribs, scallops and more. The stunning scenery of the surrounding North Dakota Badlands is a reason to turn this Valentine’s Day date night into a North Dakota vacation.
Ohio: Kindred Spirits
Location: Logan
At the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls in Logan, you’ll find Kindred Spirits, a restaurant known for its cozy and secluded atmosphere, making it one of the most romantic places to eat for Valentine’s Day. Situated in the rural Hocking Hills region of southeastern Ohio, this quaint restaurant set in a 19th-century log cabin serves up a special menu that includes locally sourced foods like apple jack pork chops. Have little ones? Check out the most adorable Valentine’s Day gifts for kids.
Oklahoma: O Bar
Location: Oklahoma City
At O Bar, situated atop the Ambassador Hotel, you’ll find one of the best views of downtown Oklahoma City. Order delectable Mediterranean tapas followed by a signature dish, like duck à l’orange or pan-seared scallops.
Oregon: The Stephanie Inn Dining Room
Location: Cannon Beach
Dinner at The Stephanie Inn Dining Room in Cannon Beach is an intimate experience. Complete with Pacific Ocean views and incredible sunsets, the inn doesn’t disappoint, and the team creates a culinary tribute to the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. The menu changes daily but may include an apple and bacon salad and Dungeness crab cakes. Amuse your date with these silly Valentine’s Day puns.
Pennsylvania: Tree Restaurant
Location: Hawley
Nestled in the pristine Pocono Mountains, Tree Restaurant at the Lodge at Woodloch will make you and your date feel pampered from the moment you walk through the front door. Befitting a spa, the restaurant embraces the philosophy that good-for-you food can also be creative, artfully presented and graciously served. Don’t worry—you won’t leave hungry after dining on dishes that change seasonally and may range from fresh fish to vegetarian chickpea and lentil stew.
Rhode Island: Castle Hill Inn
Location: Newport
Newport’s Castle Hill Inn features a gorgeous restaurant with a lavish six-course tasting menu. Start with Rhode Island oysters or platinum osetra caviar and make your way to hearty plates of pan-roasted lobster and venison. And don’t forget dessert! Check out the chocolate bavarian. After a delightful meal, print these free Valentine’s bingo cards at home and cut loose.
South Carolina: Hook & Barrel and Croissants Bistro & Bakery
Location: Myrtle Beach
Heidi’s Corner restaurant group in Myrtle Beach owns two restaurants that offer extra-sweet options for Valentine’s Day. Both are ideal if you want a delicious restaurant meal. At Hook & Barrel, a sleek contemporary seafood spot with an open kitchen; check out the seafood tower and the golden spiced tuna. If brunch is more your speed, try the three-course champagne brunch at Croissants Bistro & Bakery.
South Dakota: Harvester Kitchen by Bryan
Location: Sioux Falls
Enjoy a magical evening of food and wine at Harvester Kitchen by Bryan in Sioux Falls. The contemporary restaurant has sunset views of the Old Courthouse clock tower, setting the stage for a romantic evening. The tasting menu is tops and includes russet potato gnocchi and gratin savoyard. The blood orange tart is the perfect end to a delicious meal.
Tennessee: Sinema
Location: Nashville
Housed in a 1940s theater, Sinema brings old Hollywood glamour and romance to Valentine’s Day. The Nashville eatery offers contemporary classics such as pan-seared scallops with spinach orzotto and fried capers, as well as more rare fare, like capellini with brown butter mushroom. The whipped horseradish mashed potatoes offer the perfect mix of comfort and spice. Don’t leave before digging into the skillet cookie—it’s the tastiest way to say happy Valentine’s Day.
Texas: Biga on the Banks
Location: San Antonio
Overlooking a quiet bend of the San Antonio River Walk, Biga on the Banks showcases some seriously creative cuisine. The spot is offering a delicious Valentine’s Day menu, which includes tequila-glazed lockhart quail and Texas Gulf chicken-fried oysters. Reservations are required for Feb. 14, though! Table 31, a private spot just off the main dining room, offers slightly secluded dining for the world’s rich and famous—and guests who want to dine like high-rollers.
Utah: Stanza Italian Bistro & Wine Bar
Location: Salt Lake City
An elegant contemporary restaurant, Stanza Italian Bistro & Wine Bar is one of the über-romantic Valentine’s Day destinations in Salt Lake City. Dramatic architecture, Italian cuisine, hand-picked Italian wines and discreet but attentive service set the scene for an incredibly romantic evening. Executive chef Paul Cafaro has created a special five-course, prix fixe menu that includes stuffed oysters Rockefeller, red snapper and strawberry panna cotta. Dinner’s $110 per person—snag your reservation while you can!
Vermont: Junction Restaurant
Location: Essex
It doesn’t get much more intimate than the 42-seat Junction Restaurant at The Essex Resort & Spa, designed to make diners feel like they’re in the chef’s home. The cozy fireplace offers a perfect backdrop for a cute couple photo you can upload to Instagram with a snappy caption. It’s also the perfect setting for a romantic Valentine’s Day meal. The restaurant’s menu changes seasonally but always includes food from its organic vegetable and herb gardens. Reservations are required.
Virginia: The Red Hen
Location: Lexington
Virginia is for lovers, and so is The Red Hen in Lexington, an ideal location to celebrate the romantic holiday. The 26-seat restaurant is the definition of cozy, celebrating locally grown ingredients and Southern food culture. The kitchen expertly prepares braised leg of lamb and Faroe Island salmon. For dessert, you and your sweetie can indulge in lemon meringue and a chocolate brownie like you’ve never had before.
Washington: The Dining Room at Salish Lodge and Spa
Location: Snoqualmie
The Dining Room at Salish Lodge and Spa in Snoqualmie, just 30 minutes east of Seattle, is perched over the 269-foot Snoqualmie Falls and features a stunning view of the valley and the Snoqualmie River. Tucked on the south side of the dining room are a handful of cozy nooks, each with a feeling of privacy and romance. Feast on a special Valentine’s Day menu consisting of parsnip bisque, pan-seared salmon and mousse for dessert. If your dinner splurge leaves less budget for gifting, here are some of the best cheap Valentine’s Day gifts that are still meaningful.
West Virginia: Sunrise Backcountry Hut
Location: Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Couples skiing at Snowshoe Mountain Resort can discover adventure dining with a romantic twist. What happens when gourmet chefs team up with wild adventure guides? You get an adrenaline-fueled off-road tour of the mountain that ends with a decadent meal prepared and served on-site at the Sunrise Backcountry Hut. This one-of-a-kind offering combines activity with an intimate dining experience you won’t soon forget.
Wisconsin: Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro
Location: Milwaukee
Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro features a beautiful setting: a park pavilion overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. The ambiance of the restaurant is perfect for couples on a date night, or celebrating an anniversary or Valentine’s Day. For more than 20 years, Bartolotta’s has been one of Milwaukee’s top places to eat for Valentine’s Day because of its intimate setting, decor and French-inspired menu. This year, the restaurant’s Valentine’s Day menu includes steak tartare, skate wing a’ la grenobloise and sorbet. The four-course meal is priced at $95 per person.
Wyoming: The Virginian
Location: Buffalo
Located inside The Historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, The Virginian combines fine dining with the area’s rich Western history in the heart of cowboy country. Start with a drink at the historic saloon before moseying to your table for specials such as tender and succulent bison rib eye, filet mignon and sensational seafood.
Additional reporting by Roger Sands.
Source:
- Snowshoe Mountain: “Offroad Adventure Tours”
