2024 Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in USA

Dining out on Valentine’s Day is no longer just for couples, it’s also for families and friends.

The top 100 romantic restaurants in the USA offer a mix of steakhouses, Italian, French, Japanese and seafood menus, in various price ranges, not all of which are super-expensive.

If you want a reservation on the most romantic day of the year, book it now.

According to  OpenTable which just published its annual survey of the Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America for 2024 last year more than half of all reservations were made at least six days out.

The results are from more than 12 million diner reviews and metrics including ratings and the percentage of restaurant reviews diners tagged as “romantic,” the list is perfect for couples or anyone seeking a cozy atmosphere.

Whether seeking an intimate spot with candlelit ambiance or a lively atmosphere with stunning views, there’s a restaurant for everyone.

This year, the list spans 34 states and Washington D.C. and once again, California takes the top spot with 12 restaurants, followed by Florida with seven.

See also

Scam Alert: Valentine’s Day Romance Frauds

Valentine’s Day Dining Trends

Before we get to the state-by-state list, here are some dining trends –

The survey also indicates that Valentine’s Day is no longer just for couples:

Americans will consider dining out with family (18%) or friends (15%) this year.

The hottest Valentine’s Day reservation isn’t just the 14th:

Like 2023, Valentine’s Day falls midweek – if last year’s trends are any indication, diners will be competing for hot tables on the Saturdays before and after the holiday.

For a better shot at securing that coveted reservation, look for tables on Thursday, February 15th or Friday, February 16th.

Americans plan to spend the same or more as last year:

70% of those surveyed plan to spend the same or more on Valentine’s Day than last year.

OpenTable data also suggests diners will splurge for the occasion: in 2023, diners spent more on Valentine’s Day than any other holiday.

People want experiences and gifts:

28% of survey respondents hope to receive an experience this Valentine’s Day, edging out the 23% who want a tangible gift.

Tips to Discover the Perfect Valentine’s Day Dining Destination

Book before February 9th:

In 2023, the majority (52%) of reservations were made at least 6 days out, so book before February 9th to increase your chances of securing that hot table.

Set an alert:

For diners whose top spot is already booked, they can try their luck with OpenTable’s “Notify Me” feature, but competition could be fierce: last year, diners set 13x the number of alerts on Valentine’s Day compared to non-holidays.

Use OpenTable’s filters:

For the 20% of survey respondents who said they find “the cost” most stressful when planning where to dine on Valentine’s Day, OpenTable’s price filters can help diners discover the perfect venue for any budget.

Something for everyone on OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list

Whether seeking an intimate spot with candlelit ambiance or a lively atmosphere with stunning views, there’s a restaurant for everyone on OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list. This year, it spans 34 states and Washington D.C. and once again, California takes the top spot with 12 restaurants, followed by Florida with seven.

Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America in alphabetical order by state:

Arizona
Cafe Monarch – Scottsdale, AZ
Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante Italiano – Sedona, AZ
Lon’s at The Hermosa – Paradise Valley, AZ
Mariposa – Sedona, AZ
Vivace Restaurant – Tucson, AZ

California
71Above – Los Angeles, CA
Allora – Sacramento, CA
Bouchon Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara, CA
Copley’s on Palm Canyon – Palm Springs, CA
FARM – Palm Springs, CA
Jeune et Jolie – Carlsbad, CA
Le Vallauris – Palm Springs, CA
Mister A’s – San Diego, CA
Orto Santa Monica – Santa Monica, CA
Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch – Santa Barbara, CA
Summit House – Fullerton – Fullerton, CA
The Marine Room – San Diego, CA

Colorado
Flagstaff House – Boulder, CO

Connecticut
J. Gilbert’s – Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood – Glastonbury, CT
Millwright’s Restaurant – Simsbury, CT

District of Columbia
Iron Gate – Washington D.C.

Delaware
1776 Steakhouse – Rehoboth Beach, DE

Florida
Angelina’s Ristorante – Bonita Springs, FL
Bern’s Steak House – Tampa, FL
Bijoux – Miramar Beach, FL
Christini’s Ristorante Italiano – Orlando, FL
Collage Restaurant – St. Augustine, FL
Latitudes Key West, FL on Sunset Key – Key West, FL
Michael’s On East – Sarasota, FL

Georgia
Alligator Soul – Savannah, GA
Elizabeth on 37th – Savannah, GA
The Olde Pink House Restaurant – Savannah, GA

Hawaii
Michel’s at the Colony Surf – Honolulu, HI
Tidepools – Grand Hyatt Kauai – Poipu, HI

Idaho
Chandlers Steakhouse – Boise, ID

Illinois
Geja’s Café – Chicago, IL
North Pond – Chicago, IL

Kansas
Cafe Provence – Prairie Village, KS

Louisiana
Irene’s – New Orleans, LA
St Francisville Inn & Restaurant – Saint Francisville, LA

Maine
Earth at Hidden Pond – Kennebunkport, ME

Michigan
Copper Rock Steakhouse – Four Winds Casino Resort – New Buffalo, MI
Leo’s – Grand Rapids, MI
MDRD – Grand Rapids, MI

Minnesota
Baldamar – Roseville, MN
Murray’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge – Minneapolis, MN
Porterhouse Steak and Seafood – Lakeville, MN

Missouri
Charlie Gitto’s ‘On the Hill’ – St. Louis, MO

North Carolina
JOLO Winery & Vineyards – Pilot Mountain, NC
Madison’s – Highlands, NC
Ryan’s Restaurant – Winston-Salem, NC
Steak 48 – Charlotte, NC
The Dining Room – Biltmore Estate – Asheville, NC

North Dakota
Harry’s Steakhouse – Grand Forks, ND

New Hampshire
Ristorante Massimo – Portsmouth, NH

New Jersey
618 – Freehold, NJ
Franklinville Inn – Franklinville, NJ
Il Mulino New York – Atlantic City – Atlantic City, NJ
The Gables – Beach Haven, NJ
Washington Inn – Cape May, NJ

New Mexico
Geronimo – Santa Fe, NM

Nevada
Eiffel Tower – Las Vegas, NV
Hugo’s Cellar Four Queens – Las Vegas, NV

New York
Club A Steakhouse – New York, NY
One if by Land, Two if by Sea – New York, NY
River Café – Brooklyn, NY
Russell’s Steaks, Chops, and More – Williamsville, NY
TS Steakhouse at Turning Stone – Verona, NY

Ohio
Carlo & Johnny – Cincinnati, OH
Pier W – Cleveland, OH
Primavista – Cincinnati, OH
The Bistro at Gervasi Vineyard – Canton, OH

Oregon
RingSide Steakhouse – Uptown – Portland, OR

Pennsylvania
Altius – Pittsburgh, PA
Belvedere Inn Restaurant and Bar – Lancaster, PA
Josephine’s – Lancaster, PA
Monterey Bay Fish Grotto – Mt. Washington – Pittsburgh, PA
SkyHigh – Philadelphia, PA

Rhode Island
Chanterelle – Newport, RI
White Horse Tavern – Newport, RI

South Carolina
Chez Georges Bistro & Bar – Hilton Head Island, SC
Frank’s Outback – Outside Dining – Pawleys Island, SC
Peninsula Grill – Charleston, SC
Saluda’s – Columbia, SC

Tennessee
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro – Townsend, TN
Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar – Memphis, TN
Itta Bena – Memphis, TN
Porch & Parlor Prime Steakhouse – Memphis, TN

Texas
1011 Bistro – Kerrville, TX
Truluck’s – Ocean’s Finest Seafood & Crab – Southlake – Southlake, TX

Utah
Log Haven – Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia
2941 Restaurant – Falls Church, VA
Bistro L’Hermitage – Woodbridge, VA
Fahrenheit 132 – Fredericksburg, VA
L’Auberge Chez Francois – Great Falls, VA
Le Yaca – Williamsburg, VA
Lemaire at The Jefferson Hotel – Richmond, VA
The Ivy Inn Restaurant – Charlottesville, VA

Washington
Il Terrazzo Carmine – Seattle, WA
Over The Moon Café – Tacoma, WA

For additional Valentine’s Day dining inspiration, head to OpenTable.com and app.  There also are specific search categories, including date night and city guides.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a current member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.

Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter