We found the best Valentine's Day restaurants in each state, so all you need to do is make a reservation
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The Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Restaurants in Every State for 2025
Updated on Dec. 16, 2024
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. Enjoy a dish from their ever-changing menu, with entrées that range from duck breasts and sea scallops to Canadian Veal Tornedos Rossini and Gulf flounder Meuniere. For dessert, try their Banana’s Foster in Phyllo.
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. Past Valentine’s Day menus consisted of five courses that are perfect for a table of two, where guests have chosen 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
Set 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 steakhouse is one of the best Valentine’s Day restaurants to share an evening with your sweetheart. Like last year, expect an appetizer, soup or salad, and an entrée. Potential Valentine’s Day cuisine includes a roasted beet salad to start, tomahawk for two as the main dish and red velvet ganache cake to top off the meal.
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—perfect for anyone single on Valentine’s Day. Choose from a five-course tasting menu with an optional wine pairing that includes options like Filet Mignon Sammie and Hamachi and Ahi Tuna Crudo.
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 130 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.
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. This Valentine’s Day restaurant also maintains a year-round greenhouse, so you can be sure you’re eating the freshest produce this holiday. The menu, which changes daily depending on what’s fresh and available in the greenhouse and on the farm, can contain anything 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 more upscale.
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 Valentine’s Day restaurants. With an atmosphere right out of The Great Gatsby, luxury and sophistication are on the menu—along with unforgettable, seasonally inspired French cuisine. Enjoy a three-course menu on Valentine’s Day, with savory starters including Oysters with cranberry mignonette and Foie Gras Mousse—and you can’t go wrong with Pan-Roasted King Salmon or Roasted Graffiti Eggplant with tahini soubise for your main.
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.
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. Starters have ranged from deviled eggs to seasonal oysters, with main dishes including venison meatloaf and farm-raised buttermilk fried chicken. Book a room at the resort to make a mini vacation of it.
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.
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 wild mushroom risotto, in a quietly regal setting. You won’t need candy hearts on this date, because the desserts are worth the splurge. This Valentine’s Day restaurant is also known for its afternoon tea, so stick around for a day or two (the inn is lush)—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 the chicken scallopini, shrimp pappardelle and stuffed fire-roasted bell pepper.
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.
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.
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 wish your loved one a “Happy 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 dinner menu, which changes seasonally, can range from beef filet and white sea bass to duck and lamb pot pie.
Louisiana
Bayona
Location: New Orleans
Mardi Gras isn’t the only reason you should visit Louisiana. 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 pan-seared scallops.
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. Their past Valentine’s Day menu has treated 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 decadent desserts, like the apply-rye cake, pumpkin custard and deconstructed brownie sundae. An unforgettable meal awaits!
Massachusetts
Harvest
Location: Cambridge
Along with your Valentine’s Day card, gift a romantic dining experience in Cambridge. Located in the heart of Harvard Square, Harvest restaurant is offering indoor and outdoor dining—the latter will depend on the weather but features heaters, a gas fireplace and string lights for added ambiance. Dine on decadent food, including oysters, salmon and swordfish. Tables fill up quickly, so reservations are recommended.
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.
Minnesota
Domaćin Restaurant & Wine Bar
Location: Stillwater
Domaćin Restaurant & Wine Bar is a stellar choice for an enchanting Valentine’s Day date night. This gem stands out for its intimate ambiance and glowing reviews. Reviewers have applauded their extensive wine list and indulged in culinary delights, from the scallops and shrimp to the sumptuous risotto. And we can’t forget dessert (salted caramel cheesecake, anyone?).
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 Valentine’s Day 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. This Valentine’s Day, the restaurant is offering a five-course menu ($135 per person) that includes beef tartar, strawberry burrata salad, pan-seared red snapper and more.
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 herb-marinated rack of lamb, lamb-phyllo rolls, red bird chicken fricassee and cajun blackened beef tips. If that doesn’t put your date in an amorous mood, we don’t know what will!
Nebraska
Spezia
Location: Omaha
Spezia is one of the best Valentine’s Day restaurants in Omaha when you really want to ramp up the romance. 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, 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. Past features included dishes like king crab salad and braised turbot. Flying solo? No worries. Send your friends a Galentine’s Day quote and invite them as this is the perfect place 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, Maine 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.
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 restaurant 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 suggests, 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. The numerous must-try options on the menu include cheese and charcuterie, beef tenderloin and scallops.
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. This Valentine’s Day restaurant will be having a special dinner on Feb. 13 and 14 where you can indulge in a romantic five-course dinner by executive chef Steven Devereaux Greene.
North Dakota
Theodore’s Dining Room
Location: Medora
Luxury meets historic charm at the Rough Riders Hotel in the center of Medora. With authentic turn-of-the-century atmosphere, the romantic hotel‘s dining experience, Theodore’s Dining Room, is not to be missed. On Feb. 7 to 8 and Feb. 14 to 25, couples will be treated to an intimate dining experience for Valentine’s Day, which might include a meal of garlic butter shrimp, New York steak, lobster ravioli 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 Valentine’s Day restaurants. 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.
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, with past options including apple and bacon salad and Dungeness crab cakes. While there, amuse your date with some of 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
Aurelia at Castle Hill
Location: Newport
Newport’s Castle Hill Inn features a gorgeous restaurant with a lavish 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.
South Carolina
Hook & Barrel
Location: Myrtle Beach
Heidi’s Corner restaurant group in Myrtle Beach has extra-sweet options for Valentine’s Day. At Hook & Barrel, a sleek contemporary seafood spot with an open kitchen, check out the seafood tower and the golden spiced tuna.
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 Valentine’s Day restaurant has sunset views of the Old Courthouse clock tower, setting the stage for a romantic evening. The chef’s menu includes Columbia River Steelhead, Ember Grilled Pork Belly and Mushroom Brined Chicken Breast.
Tennessee
Carne Mare
Location: Nashville
This modern Italian chophouse is one of the best Valentine’s Day restaurants in Nashville! Visit on Feb. 14 for their 2025 Valentine’s Day special, which features a special prix-fixe menu for $180 per person. But take note, their Valentine’s Day dinner offering—which focuses on Italian specialties, steak and fine seafood—will be served from 5:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m.
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 has always offered a delicious Valentine’s Day menu, which included 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 is one of the über-romantic Valentine’s Day restaurants 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. In the past, Executive chef Paul Cafaro created a special five-course, prix fixe menu that includes charbroiled stuffed oysters, barbecue shrimp, Australian lobster tail and chocolate panna cotta. Visit their website closer to Valentine’s Day to find out what’ll be on their 2025 Valentine’s Day menu!
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 lovey-dovey caption. It’s also the perfect setting for a romantic Valentine’s Day meal. The restaurant’s menu changes seasonally but always includes ingredients from its organic vegetable and herb gardens. Reservations are required.
Virginia
L’Auberge Chez Francois
Location: Great Falls
This Valentine’s Day restaurant has been family-owned since 1954. Guests can enjoy an extensive menu, full of Alsatian and traditional French cuisine. This Valentine’s Day, book a spot to join their seven-course musical celebration, which ranges from $150.00 to $170.00 per person. Hurry and book your spot because they started taking reservations on Jan. 9!
Washington
The Dining Room at Salish Lodge & Spa
Location: Snoqualmie
The Dining Room at Salish Lodge 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. Past Valentine’s Day menus consisted of parsnip bisque, pan-seared salmon and mousse for dessert.
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 Valentine’s Day restaurant is also perfect for couples on a date night or celebrating an anniversary. 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. On Feb. 14 and Feb. 15, enjoy a three-course menu from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., starting at $125 per person.
Wyoming
Westbank Grill
Location: Teton Village
Discover romance at Westbank Grill, a highly praised Valentine’s Day restaurant in Teton Village. Immerse yourselves in an inviting atmosphere, with a menu that boasts prime steaks, tantalizing fresh seafood and a curated selection of wines. This Valentine’s Day, consider savoring the red trout or bison tenderloin and enjoy the spectacular views of Teton Village and Rendezvous Peak.
How were these Valentine’s Day restaurants chosen?
We handpicked restaurants in each state that promised not just a meal, but a memorable experience. These venues boast a wide range of positive reviews and high ratings on TripAdvisor—some even standing as top-rated gems, not only in their states but also in their respective cities.
Additional reporting by Roger Sands.
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