The 13 Best Restaurants in Dallas for a Romantic Date Night

From the swankiest fine dining to the most iconic barbecue joints and taquerias, Dallas’s culinary establishments offer a nest to every pair of love birds. Whether you’re looking for soft candlelight and a carefully curated wine list, instant transportation to the streets of Marrakech (without leaving the West Village, of course), sushi shaped like a bouquet of flowers, or the kind of buzzy passion that only a festive crowd and great cocktails can ignite, this list has you covered.

The most romantic restaurants in Dallas are right this way — all you need is an appetite and, of course, the cool confidence you’ll glean from booking your table in advance.

With four locations throughout the Metroplex, including the newest one in Plano, Oishii has proven itself to be a fan favorite since it opened on Wycliff Avenue in 2003. Executive chef Thanh Nguyen dazzles with fresh sushi, delicious cocktails, and a chic vibe. Couples love sharing the riceless flower roll — salmon, crab meat, spicy tuna, avocado, yellowtail, tempura flakes, and a few spicy sauces — plated beautifully to resemble a bouquet.

Dining in the restaurant: Whether cozied up to the bar or enjoying a private corner of the restaurant, couples will enjoy the sake selection and creative menu.

Takeout: Oishii offers pickup but not delivery.

Dallas:

Plano:

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Nothing says “I love you” quite like zipping your date up the elevator of a skyscraper to the forty-ninth floor to dine surrounded by glass walls that offer the most stunning 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the city. Award-winning chef Danny Grant’s modern Italian fare includes prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella salad and a whole menu of house-made pasta dishes (the black truffle risotto is a don’t-miss). Add wine pairings and impeccable service and you’ll see why Monarch, despite its newness, is one of the most talked-about restaurants in Dallas.

Dining in the restaurant: In addition to the views, rich, patterned wallpapers, a spiral staircase, and (truly) the most gorgeous restroom in Dallas all make for great photo backdrops. 

Takeout: Monarch offers neither takeout nor delivery.

Situated in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the swankiest restaurant in Dallas is romantic year-round, not just on Valentine’s Day when there’s a “lover’s menu” on offer. Couples can get cozy in plush booths or belly up to the Rattlesnake Bar, as local celebrity chef Dean Fearing cooks up his famous Southwestern cuisine. Split Fearing’s version of surf and turf — barbecue-spiced beef filet and chicken-fried Maine lobster over whipped potatoes and spinach tacos with smoked tomato gravy — and don’t skimp on the wine pairings.

Dining in the restaurant: Both indoor and outdoor seating offer beautiful settings, but the open kitchen and carefully curated wall art inside conjure a particularly special ambiance.

Takeout: Fearing’s does not deliver, but couples who prefer to slurp Dean Fearing’s renowned tortilla soup at home can pick up their food at the restaurant.

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Dining options inside the luxurious Hotel Crescent Court include the charming glass-walled breakfast and lunch nook The Conservatory and the 17th-floor The Crescent Club with beautiful views of downtown. At The Crescent Club, richly patterned throw rugs, oversized windows, elegant brass, and framed 19th century art complement simple yet decadent dishes — steak with whipped potatoes, lobster ravioli, burrata with tomato. The Conservatory is just right for couples looking for a lazy Sunday brunch spot. Bright and casual-chic, this restaurant serves up farm-to-table omelets, buttermilk pancakes, and steaming hot coffee.

Dining in the restaurant: Aim for a window seat at The Crescent Club or grab a cozy booth at The Conservatory to enjoy the courtyard garden views. The Crescent Club members and hotel guests can also enjoy Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory. Aside from special occasions, The Crescent Club is open only to members and hotel guests, but The Conservatory is open to the public.

Takeout: These restaurants are dine-in only.

The Crescent Club:

The Conservatory:

Impress your date with a reservation at the buzziest Mexican restaurant in Dallas, where renowned executive chef Anastacia Quinoñes, Eater Dallas’s 2018 Chef of The Year, prepares Jaliscan delicacies — elotes, pozole, carne asada, aguachile, and of course, plenty of tequila cocktails for pairing. The smoked tequila old fashioned (añejo tequila, raw amber agave, orange bitters, mole bitters, and chocolate bitters) plays well with spicy food. 

Dining in the restaurant: Jose offers both indoor and patio seating. The vibe is trendy and festive, with string lights on the patio and a colorful modern interior. The lobster tacos might be the tastiest in town.

Takeout: Jose offers curbside pickup.

From the most celebrated collection of Japanese restaurants in Texas, Uchi makes for the perfect romantic evening in the Arts District with its low ceilings, dim lighting, high-quality sake selection, and recipes only James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole could dream up. Inventive dishes include thinly sliced flounder with candied quinoa and olive oil, smoked amberjack with yuca crisp and marcona almond, and Japanese sea bream with Asian pear. Cole trained under sushi masters in Tokyo and beyond, and his name is now synonymous with greatness in the Texas sushi world. His restaurants in Austin and Houston are just as popular and impressive.

Dining in the restaurant: From intimate booths to sleek wooden tables to chic bar seating, this Dallas hotspot nails the art of ambiance. The service is impeccable.

Takeout: Uchi offers both curbside pickup and delivery.

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For a one-of-a-kind cowboy dining experience, bring your date to Fort Worth’s most iconic restaurant and enjoy the Texas-centric fare, from chicken-fried steak with cracked-pepper cream gravy to jalapeño- and cilantro-crusted Texas red fish to dessert tacos with caramelized bananas and chocolate “gravy.” Since 1996, locals and tourists alike have flocked to Reata for its famous steaks, distinctly Fort Worth vibe, and fun cocktails. Try a cowboy cosmo (orange vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry, and lime), or, if you really want to impress, go for the billionaire margarita (añejo tequila, cognac, simple syrup, and lime).

Dining in the restaurant: Walls adorned with hunting trophies and paintings of cowboys on horseback complete the ambiance, while patio seating offers nice views of downtown Fort Worth.

Takeout: Reata offers both pickup and delivery.

Nothing spells romance quite like the unexpected, so check out this eclectic international restaurant set in the suburbs. Chef Kevin Ashade’s roots in African and Jamaican cooking fuse with recipes from all continents, rendering Pangea’s menu a round-the-world trip, all from the comfort of your table in Garland. Spacious but cozy, casual but top-quality, Pangea delivers delicacies such as snow crab scampi in creamy butter sauce, thyme- and rosemary-crusted lamb chops, and Ashade’s coq au vin that toppled Bobby Flay in Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay.

Dining in the restaurant: Diners climb up into raised booths inside or relax outdoors on the patio. Pairs split the Cajun duo, blackened catfish filet with white rice and crawfish étouffée.

Takeout: Place orders for curbside pickup through OpenTable or order delivery for a cozy night at home with sopapilla cheesecake topped with buttery cinnamon sugar.

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If you can’t swing a romantic getaway to Morocco, you can at least book a table at Baboush for Moroccan and Lebanese dishes served in a space modeled after a Marrakesh marketplace. Moroccan lanterns light the ceiling, brightly colored poufs accent the more conventional furnishings, and mosaic patterns throughout the restaurant complete the Eastern Mediterranean vibe. Share some hummus, kebabs, and tagines while sipping a blackberry cocktail. For dessert, the baklava is a standout.

Dining in the restaurant: Baboush offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Share a mezze platter and a hookah on the patio. On warm evenings, there’s nothing more refreshing than a cucumber delight (gin, cucumber, lemon juice, and crushed mint).

Takeout: Both takeout and delivery are available though Baboush’s website.

The second location of this restaurant with an upscale bar atmosphere just opened in Uptown, and it’s just as much fun as the Plano Haywire. Though the vibe centers on drinking, the menu is far from pub grub. Delicious Southern dishes — fried green tomatoes, cornmeal-crusted catfish, shrimp and white-cheddar grits — meet recipes straight from the Texas-Mexico border: spicy tortilla soup, charred jalapeño creamed corn, and grilled chipotle meatloaf with smoked tomato poblano salsa. Add to that a long steak menu and any cocktail you can imagine.

Dining in the restaurant: Either cozy up to the oversized bar or reserve a table for two. Through OpenTable, you can also book the outdoor patio complete with a roaring fireplace and retractable roof.

Takeout: Opt for pickup to enjoy a night in with wagyu burgers and onion rings. This location does not deliver.

Uptown:

Plano:

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America’s favorite upscale steak and seafood chain from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants is among the gems of Dallas’s Uptown fine-dining scene. If you want a romantic night out on the town, this white-tablecloth restaurant almost makes it too easy, delivering classic elegance complete with flawless wine service and mix-and-match steaks and “accessories.” That translates to dishes such as filet mignon with béarnaise sauce, blue cheese crust, or even a whole lobster tail. Like any steakhouse worth its salt, Ocean Prime’s sides — smoked gouda tater tots, black truffle mac and cheese, bacon creamed spinach — steal the show, and they’re perfect for sharing.

Dining in the restaurant: When the weather is right, opt for the outdoor terrace and enjoy a grand añejo (añejo tequila, cognac, and fresh lime) with some oysters on the half shell.

Takeout: Call the restaurant to order pickup, and enjoy a decadent night at home with some sea scallops over parmesan risotto.

If the way to your date’s heart is through the stomach, book a table at this neighborhood favorite. Dominican chef Miriam Jimenez cooks up traditional Mexican dishes, throws in a little Tex-Mex, and adds some recipes from the D.R., too. Think house-made mole, lobster tacos on blue corn tortillas, and brisket enchiladas with Oaxaca cheese. Wash dinner down with a cold Mexican beer or a michelada, or one of the house specialty cocktails, such as the house mimosa made with prosecco, Italian bitters apéritif, orange or mango habañero juice, and fresh fruit. Colorful wall art lends the space a sleek, contemporary ambiance, and the bar itself is another work of art.

Dining in the restaurant: With its park view, the patio makes a choice spot for chips and salsa and margaritas. Famously friendly Jimenez just might stop by your table to chat.

Takeout: The restaurant offers both pickup and delivery.