Treat your sweetest to dinner at one of the most romantic restaurants in Dayton

Here are a dozen of the most romantic restaurants in the Miami Valley, in alphabetical order. We recommend calling ahead to check availability and make reservations early.

?BLACK ROCK BAR & GRILL

Credit: Black Rock Bar & Grill- Toledo

Basics: 2745 Fairfield Commons Blvd., Beavercreek | (937) 988-0026

Why it rates: Here’s a destination for a unique evening out. Black Rock Bar & Grill serves steaks, seafood and other entrees on a 755-degree volcanic rock, allowing diners to cook their meals to their liking. It also features an assortment of appetizers, sandwiches and desserts, as well as a full-service bar that includes 17 craft beer taps and signature cocktails. Dayton’s Black Rock opened in May 2019 and is one of two Ohio locations.

More info: Website | Facebook

?THE CAROLINE

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The Caroline restaurant, 5 South Market Street on the square in downtown Troy. STAFF

Credit: HANDOUT

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The Caroline restaurant, 5 South Market Street on the square in downtown Troy. STAFF

Credit: HANDOUT

Basics: 5 S. Market St., Troy | (937) 552-7676

Why it rates: Great blend of an intimate atmosphere and well-crafted dishes and cocktails. This restaurant, located on the picturesque Public Square in downtown Troy, specializes in American cuisine and also offers craft beer, a wide variety of wines and craft cocktails.

More info: Website | Facebook

?CLUB OCEANO SEAFOOD & BAR

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The Chilean Sea Bass at Club Oceano at The Greene.

Credit: Mark Fisher

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The Chilean Sea Bass at Club Oceano at The Greene.

Credit: Mark Fisher

Basics: 4429 Cedar Park Dr., Beavercreek | (937) 988-0909

Why it rates: Club Oceano Seafood & Bar at The Greene Town Center is the newest entry on the local fine-dining seafood scene. Great service and well prepared food including Agave Salmon, Fresh Cut Chilean Sea Bass and Fish & Chips has already earned it a delicious reputation.

More info: Website

?COCO’S BISTRO

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Mouth-watering yet? Here’s a close-up of the Maple duck dish being served at Coco’s Bistro in Dayton. ALEXIS LARSEN

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Mouth-watering yet? Here’s a close-up of the Maple duck dish being served at Coco’s Bistro in Dayton. ALEXIS LARSEN

Basics: 250 Warren St., Dayton | (937) 228-2626

Why it rates: This restaurant has carved a strong reputation with its eclectic menu and inviting atmosphere. It’s the reigning champ in the Best of Dayton contest for Best Place for a Business Lunch — perfect for business or pleasure.

More info: Website | Facebook

?COLDWATER CAFE

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Scallops with butternut squash risotto, fried leeks, balsamic reduction and brown butter, on the menu at Coldwater Cafe & Catering. Photo from Coldwater Cafe Facebook page

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Scallops with butternut squash risotto, fried leeks, balsamic reduction and brown butter, on the menu at Coldwater Cafe & Catering. Photo from Coldwater Cafe Facebook page

Basics: 19 E. Main St., Tipp City | (937) 667-0007

Why it rates: This restaurant in downtown Tipp City serves up perfectly executed, creative dishes in a charming atmosphere with A-plus service. It was recently named the best restaurant for fine dining in Ohio magazine’s latest Best of Ohio awards.

More info: Website | Facebook

>> Local restaurant named one of ‘100 Most Romantic’ in U.S.

?COOPER’S HAWK WINERY & RESTAURANT

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Cooperâs Hawk Winery & Restaurant, located in the Cornerstone of Centerville, opens Monday, Aug. 26. Ginger soy glazed center-cut NY strip with wasabi-buttered mashed potatos and oven-roasted vegetables is among the entrees. LISA POWELL / STAFF

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Basics: 5220 Cornerstone North Blvd. | (937) 900-9463

Why it rates: Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is an upscale/casual wine-themed restaurant with a full -service bar, private barrel-aging room and Napa Valley-style tasting room. This new restaurant, located in the Cornerstone of Centerville development, is known for wine but also serves inventive dishes and full-strength cocktails, some of which utilize wine as an ingredient.

More info: Website | Facebook

>> New Cooper’s Hawk brings some imaginative new dishes to Dayton

?JAY’S RESTAURANT

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Jay’s Seafood in Dayton. PHOTO BY E.L. HUBBARD, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: HANDOUT

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Jay’s Seafood in Dayton. PHOTO BY E.L. HUBBARD, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: HANDOUT

Basics: 225 E. Sixth St., Dayton’s Oregon Historic District | (937) 222-2892

Why it rates: Jay’s antique bar is breathtaking, it has the best wine list in the city, and the decadently rich chocolate mousse is guaranteed to melt a woman’s (or man’s) heart. Jay’s is the reigning winner of Best Seafood in the Best of Dayton contest.

>> The best fine dining destinations in the Oregon District

>> 40 things we love about Jay’s Seafood

More info: Website | Facebook

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Lily’s Bistro in Dayton served this marsala chicken pasta with local, free-range roasted chicken, egg noodles, spinach, and mushrooms in creamy marsala sauce during a past Restaurant Week. (Submitted)

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?LILY’S BISTRO

Basics: 329 E. 5th St., Dayton | (937) 723-7637

Why it rates: Lily’s has it all. It boasts a romantic atmosphere, numerous nooks and crannies for privacy and a laid-back attitude, not to mention killer cocktails, killer brunch and killer patios. It’s easy to see why it’s been a frequent Best of Dayton winner.

More info: Website | Facebook

>> The story behind the name of one of Dayton’s favorite restaurants

>> The best restaurant and bar patios in Dayton

?MEADOWLARK

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Aaron Braun, a chef at Meadowlark Restaurant won the top honors at the Ohio Pork Council’s 2019 Taste of Elegance Chef Competition and Legislative Reception in New Albany. His cider-glazed pork loin with spicy pickled apple, butternut squash gratin and shredded Brussels sprouts is pictured.

Credit: Ohio Pork Council

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Credit: Ohio Pork Council

Basics: 5531 Far Hills Ave., Washington Twp. | (937) 434-4750

Why it rates: An eclectic but comfortable vibe, inspired cuisine and a well-chosen wine list make this an inviting destination. Meadowlark Chef Elizabeth Wiley was named the best chef in Dayton in the most recent Best of Dayton contest.

More info: Website | Facebook

?THE MELTING POT

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Photo credit: The Melting Pot

Credit: Carolyn Desalu

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Photo credit: The Melting Pot

Credit: Carolyn Desalu

Basics: 453 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Washington Twp. | (937) 567-8888

Why it rates: This fondue restaurant’s subdued lighting, glass-walled wine cellar and wine-themed artwork create an undeniably romantic atmosphere. And if you find chocolate an aphrodisiac, save room for dessert.

More info: Website | Facebook

?SHEN’S SZECHUAN & SUSHI

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Shen’s Szechuan & Sushi Miso Sake roll Contributed photo by Alexis Larsen

Credit: HANDOUT

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Shen’s Szechuan & Sushi Miso Sake roll Contributed photo by Alexis Larsen

Credit: HANDOUT

Basics: 7580 Poe Ave., Vandalia | (937) 898-3860

Why it rates: The soft lighting and rich woods of this restaurant’s interior make it one of the most inviting atmospheres in the Miami Valley. It’s famous for its sushi and Asian cuisine.

More info: Website | Facebook

?SALAR RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

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Salar Restaurant and Lounge has been closed since a December fire. The restaurant in Dayton Oregon District is celebrating its reopening with event Sept 27 to 30, 2018.
Northern Peruvian style braised lamb shank is pictured.

Credit: Amelia Robinson

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Credit: Amelia Robinson

Basics: 400 E. Fifth St. | (937) 203-3999

Why it rates: With strong influences of Peruvian French and Mediterranean, the food at Salar is world class and locally sourced or made fresh in house daily. The menu is updated seasonally. Its cocktails are inventive. It’s also a beautifully renovated restaurant after extensive damage from a 2017 fire.

More info: Website | Facebook

?ROOST MODERN ITALIAN

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Salt-crusted scallops with brussel chips, applewood smoked bacon and pecans served with Laurent-Perrier champagne at Roost Modern Italian in the Oregon District. The restaurant was founded by chef Dana Downs who takes traditional Italian foods and uses modern techniques and ingredients to develop unique flavors. The dinner-only restaurant is located at 524 E. Fifth St. in Dayton. LISA POWELL / STAFF

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Basics: 524 E Fifth St., Dayton | (937) 222-3100

Why it rates: Roost Italian is the Oregon District’s destination for an unforgettable Italian dinner. Cozy and dim atmosphere, and upscale Italian cuisine combine to boost the romance quotient.

More info: Website | Facebook

>> PHOTOS: The Oregon District’s Roost Modern Italian is a feast for the eyes and the palate

?WATERMARK

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Eric and Maria Walusis of Watermark restaurant in Miamisburg. AMELIA ROBINSON/STAFF/FILE

Credit: Amelia Robinson

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Eric and Maria Walusis of Watermark restaurant in Miamisburg. AMELIA ROBINSON/STAFF/FILE

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Basics: 20 S. First St., Miamisburg; call (937) 802-0891

Why it rates: A quiet, intimate atmosphere and an ever-changing, yet consistently fine, menu, enhanced by some creative cocktails. A relative newbie to Dayton’s dining scene, it was a finalist for Best Hidden Gem in the most recent Best of Dayton contest.

More info: Website | Facebook

>> Owners of Watermark planning new restaurant in downtown Dayton

?WELLINGTON GRILLE

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Mary Miller has quietly owned and operated Miami Valley restaurants that are very diverse in their concepts and geography: The Barnsider in Harrison Twp., the Wellington Grille in Beavercreek, Harrison’s in Tipp City, and recently became co-founder of an Asian restaurant, Ginger & Spice, on Brown Street near the University of Dayton. This is a woman in her ’70s who tried to retire once and couldn’t do it, choosing to come back and work seven days a week in her restaurants.JIM WITMER / STAFF

Credit: Jim Witmer

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Credit: Jim Witmer

Basics: 2450 Dayton Xenia Road, Beavercreek. Call (937) 426-4600.

Why it rates: With high-backed, comfortable booths and elegant comfort food, it’s got the best of all worlds. The words “extraordinary” and “incredible” have been used by many a diner to describe the dishes here.

More info: Website | Facebook

Other romantic restaurant options

If none of the options above struck your fancy, give one of these a whirl, or, if your favorite doesn’t appear here, suggest it by sending us an email at contact@dayton.com:

Basil’s on Market, Troy and Dayton
Bonefish Grille, Miami Twp.
Brio Tuscan Grille, Beavercreek
Carvers Steaks & Chops, Washington Twp.
Greenfire Bistro, Tipp City
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Beavercreek
J. Alexanders, Washington Twp.
Mamma DiSalvo’s, Kettering
Michael Anthony’s at the Inn, Versailles (currently closed after fire)
Oakwood Club, Oakwood
Pasha Grill, Beavercreek
P.F. Chang’s, Miami Twp.
View 162 Restaurant & Lounge in the Crowne Plaza hotel, Dayton
Thai 9, Dayton
The Winds, Yellow Springs