The 19 Most Romantic Restaurants in Dallas
Parisian-inspired Oak Lawn elegance, craft cocktails in Uptown, and so much more.
If you’re waiting until Valentine’s Day rolls around to treat your beloved to a romantic dinner, you’re missing out on the year-round joy of displaying your affection publicly over oysters and Champagne. (Or queso and margaritas, aphrodisiacs aren’t really scientifically proven.) Throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, certain restaurants make date night even better, whether you’re looking for a traditional fine dining atmosphere or some place where you can disappear into each other’s eyes without the server checking in on you every three minutes.
Love is in the air at each of the following places, from intimate candlelit dining rooms to subterranean steakhouses. Just don’t forget to make a reservation ahead of time, because nothing kills the mood more than an unexpected two-hour wait for a table.
Âme
Bishop Arts District
White tablecloths, candles, and exotic aromas set the scene for an internationally inspired affair. Traditional Indian cuisine meets French techniques for a unique evening of culinary adventure and sophistication. Seafood, lamb, chicken, and vegetarian options make it easy to create your own sampling of flavors that you can feed each other while staring deeply into each other’s eyes (if you’re that kind of couple).
How to book: Reserve via Resy.
Parigi
Oak Lawn
French-influenced restaurants always have a slight advantage over other eateries when it comes to setting a romantic scene, and Parigi is no exception. The intimate bistro features a new menu twice a month with a focus on seasonality and local sourcing to create masterful dishes that delight with elevation and impeccable flavors. Ask for a cozy two-top in the dining room or out front to recreate a Parisian sidewalk cafe experience in the heart of Dallas.
How to book: Call 214-521-0295 to reserve.
Dakota’s
Downtown Dallas
After shuttering for good during the height of the pandemic in 2020, it came as a welcome surprise when Meredith McEneny decided to resurrect this (literal) underground steakhouse. Request one of the cozy nook tables and slowly work your way through the menu of exquisite seafood, chops, and steaks along with a nice bottle of wine (two if you arrived via ride-share service).
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.
Encina
Bishop Arts District
For a casual date night where you can get lost in conversation (not to mention creamy chocolate peanut butter pie), this cozy spot at the edge of the Bishop Arts District has a coolness factor that rivals more traditionally romantic settings. Ask for a table tucked away in the main dining room or on the covered patio and let the world around you fade away.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.
Bowen House
Uptown
Known primarily for creative craft cocktails, this historic old home also has a kitchen doling out shareables ranging from chicken tenders to escargot, depending on how hard you’re trying to impress. Snuggle up by the fireplace to sip Yolko Onos and Bowen House G&Ts, or escape to the front patio to incorporate a little fresh air and moonlight into your evening.
How to book: Call 214-484-1385 to reserve.
Café Pacific
Highland Park
Expect to go on a proper date in proper attire at this quaint steak and seafood spot that’s been catering to the Highland Park set for nearly four decades. Even though you’ll find white tablecloths and fresh flowers at every table, you won’t find any pretense here—unless you decide to eat your Oysters Rockefeller with your pinky out.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.
Nobu Dallas
Uptown
Despite being a rather large space, you’ll find plenty of dimly lit corners in which to gaze lovingly at the person seated across from you. The world-class sushi here makes for a nice interactive meal for two, but don’t overlook the ponzu-soaked Oyster Shooters—after which you might also want to take advantage of the luxury hotel upstairs. Just sayin’.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable or order take-out and delivery via Postmates, Uber Eats, and DoorDash.
Fachini
Highland Park
Nestled on the white and black penny-tiled second floor above Yo! Lobster, you’ll find this retro red-sauce Italian spot, complete with crisp white tablecloths and dark wood accents. Get a free show with your dinner when you order the tableside Caesar Salad, then dig into the 100-layer Lasagna or one of the much-praised veal dishes. Whether or not you go full Lady and the Tramp on the linguini is up to you.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.
Gorji
North Dallas
If ever there was a restaurant specifically designed for romance, it would be the cozy, seven-table Gorji. With zero televisions, no children allowed, and a dedicated server to wait on you all night long, it may be hard to go on a date anywhere else after this experience. Better still, the gratuity is already included, so at the end of the meal you can focus on the person opposite you instead of a calculator.
How to book: Call 972-503-7080 to reserve.
Hôtel St. Germain
Uptown
Majestic chandeliers, flowing curtains, flickering candles, and floor-length tablecloths set the stage for food-lovers (and lovers in general) to feel transported to another place and time. With advance reservations, you can enjoy an elegant prix-fixe supper with a view of the ivy-covered courtyard. It probably goes without saying, but guys are required to wear jackets here.
How to book: Call 214-871-2516 to reserve.
Town Hearth
Design District
The restaurant is loud and the crowds are lively, but despite the boisterous vibe there’s something magical about dining beneath the warm electric glow of 64 chandeliers—not to mention the silver 1961 MGA convertible parked near the kitchen, or the gigantic aquarium housing its own yellow submarine. The whole experience is Dallas at its most over-the-top best, so why not plan a date night to match?
How to book: Call 214-761-1617 to reserve.
The Mansion Restaurant
Turtle Creek
Back in the day, men were required to wear a coat and tie to enter this see-and-be-seen space, and though the dress code has relaxed slightly (a blazer would still be appropriate), the seasonal menu and atmosphere are still some of the most coveted in the city. Tables for two can be found tucked away throughout the dining rooms, but you can also snag a seat on the terrace by the roaring fireplace—the perfect setting for popping a bottle of Champagne.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.
Sachet
Highland Park
Have a vegan or vegetarian in your life you wish to impress? They’ll have plenty to love here (and so will meat-eaters), as the entire mezze selection consists of colorful, fresh, vegetarian-friendly options that, along with a few orders of hot ciabatta or pita and a bottle of wine, make for one helluva fun meal without ever venturing into the menu’s entrée section.
How to book: Reserve via Resy or order take-out online.
The Lounge Here
Little Forest Hills
Sure, there’s a small sign and a tiny neon “here” lighting up the window, but amid a strip mall cluttered with wig shops, tattoo parlors, and vape stores, the restraint of this neighborhood gem’s exterior can be easy to overlook. Once inside the shotgun-style space, you’ll be treated to an ambiance that’s a little bit Palm Springs and a whole lot 1970s, yet somehow perfectly timeless. Booths offer the most privacy of the limited seating options, ideal for binging on a Chicken Fried Steak big enough to share.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable or order take-out online.
Tulum
Oak Lawn
The dining room at Tulum is romantic enough, but insiders know that the bar and lounge are where the majority of sweet nothings are whispered here. With comfy couches, dim lighting, and a sense of being far away from the main action, you can enjoy a full meal or come during happy hour for half-off tacos, enchiladas, wine, and cocktails. After all, a hot date doesn’t have to be an expensive one.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable.
Toulouse Cafe and Bar
Knox District & Plano
There’s something about a restaurant that pays such painstaking homage to Paris that romance practically envelops the place, whether via the food, ambiance, or a combination of the two. This outpost of the popular Texas mini-chain feels like an Epcot-worthy recreation of a Parisian sidewalk cafe that makes one want to write poetry while waiting for appetizers or draw a sultry portrait over dessert.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable (Dallas, Plano) or order take-out via Chownow (Dallas, Plano).
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
North Dallas
It’s not difficult to find a quiet spot in one of the multiple dining rooms at Pappas Bros., but ask for a table in the fireplace room for an added bit of ambiance. As you’d expect from a Texas steakhouse, portions run on the huge side, so consider splitting a main course and several sides so you have room for a slab of Chocolate Midnight Cake—even if it’s only 10pm.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable or order take-out online.
Rise No. 1
Park Cities & Fort Worth
One soufflé, two spoons—that’s the general experience at this charming spot dedicated to the fine French art of the fluffy soufflé. Start with the famous marshmallow soup, then choose a savory soufflé to share with options ranging from Smoked Salmon to Cauliflower and Brie. Save room for a dessert version, with Pecan Praline and Grand Marnier serving as can’t-miss options.
How to book: Call 214-366-9900 (Dallas) or 817-737-7473 (Fort Worth) to reserve.
Alice
Old East Dallas
Everything’s small at this quaint East Dallas spot, from the 50-seat dining room to the limited menu of pan-Asian specialties—and that’s what makes it so fantastic. Grab a table by the window and bask in the seductive red glow of the neon sign out front, then dive into crab dips, lettuce wraps, steamed buns, and sushi rolls, all perfect for sharing.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable or order take-out online.