From first dates to milestone celebrations, the best date night restaurants in Austin deliver romantic vibes for days.
Get to know a date over canapés and killer cocktails at a swanky bar Downtown. Celebrate milestones at a splashy Southern steakhouse in Central Austin. Enjoy an interactive Japanese shabu-shabu destination in Allandale.
This guide pairs all types of dates, from first dates to double dates and more, with 10 of Austin’s best date night restaurants.
Don’t miss the chance to experience one of the best date night restaurants in Austin. Secure your spot now by making a reservation on OpenTable.
Read on to discover the 10 best date night restaurants in Austin.
For sophisticated cocktails and downtown views — reserve a table at Prélude (Downtown)
Set the tone for a romantic evening with a date at Prélude, a sophisticated cocktail bar nestled in a historic house. Mathew Peters, the only US chef to win the Bocuse d’Or, whips up fancy canapés like shrimp toast and beef tartare, best paired with whimsical cocktails like a tequila-forward highball with cornflakes and toasted rice. Don’t miss the back lounge, which overlooks an expansive lawn and offers stunning views of downtown Austin.
For top-notch, award-winning American food at one of the best Austin date night restaurants — check out Emmer & Rye (Downtown)
Emmer & Rye’s approach to sustainable farm-to-table American cuisine is evident in the laid-back interior, which features touches of open shelving and artfully displayed tributes to the venue’s namesake grain. Get closer on your second date in a corner spot or sit outside on the wood-paneled covered patio at this MICHELIN Green Star and Bib Gourmand restaurant. Whatever you order from the hyperlocal menu, don’t skip out on the fresh sourdough bread.
For modern Mexican hits at one of the best restaurants for Valentine’s Day in Austin — book a table at Comedor (Downtown)
Downtown’s award-winning Comedor serves up stellar modern Mexican cuisine in a striking, Tom Kundig-designed building. Sit in the sleek dining room with high-glass windows or outside on the lush courtyard for a feast of hits like bone marrow tacos and seasonal steaks. Top it all off with a sweet dessert like the masa blondie sundae.
For a fancy steak dinner at one of the best Austin date night restaurants — grab a table at Jeffrey’s Restaurant (Central Austin)
Legendary Jeffrey’s Restaurant has been an Austin fine-dining staple since opening in 1975. Decades later, the stunner remains a special occasion favorite for its elegant steakhouse vibe, complete with red-hued leather booths while abstract art hangs on colorful walls. Settle in for a memorable feast of dry-aged prime steaks and locally sourced produce. Finish your big night out with the baked Alaska dessert.
For an interactive date night starring Japanese hot pots — make a reservation at dipdipdip Tatsu-ya (Allandale)
For an interactive date night, head to dipdipdip Tatsu-ya. Founder and chef Tatsu Aikawa brings the Japanese hot pot tradition to Austin with this one-of-a-kind experience. This Allandale gem has a dining room designed specifically for sharing shabu-shabu and hot pot dishes paired with stellar cocktails and sakes. For special occasions, go all in on the multi-course omakase experience, featuring exclusive chef-curated bites.
For a fancy French-inspired speakeasy experience at one of the best Austin date night restaurants — swing by The Honey Moon Spirit Lounge (Central Austin)
The Honey Moon Spirit Lounge is a vintage-chic restaurant and speakeasy known for its elevated comfort food and modern American shared plates. Settle into the quirky spot with a custom-made bar inside and an outdoor patio adorned with chandeliers, for dishes like crab hushpuppies and steak frites. Wash it all down with refreshing cocktails like the house margarita.
For Italian fare at one of Austin’s best date night restaurants — go to L’Oca d’Oro (North Central)
Take your date to L’Oca d’Oro for seasonal, farm-to-table Italian cuisine. Dig into refined dishes like polpette (meatballs), squid ink spaghetti, and black pepper pappardelle in the stylish, light-filled dining room with hanging plants. Level up date night with the multi-course tasting menu, including a vegetarian option. Or keep it casual with happy hour at the lively bar or on the lush patio.
For MICHELIN-Starred contemporary American dishes at one of the best Austin date night restaurants — head to Hestia (Downtown)
Dates at MICHELIN-Starred Hestia revolve around a custom, 20-foot live fire hearth in the charcoal-toned dining room. Expect a contemporary American menu with a la carte options like a scallop in beef tallow or a 12-course tasting menu starring dry-aged Texas wagyu. Pair your meal with one of the restaurant’s killer martinis or choose from the 400-bottle-strong wine list.
For a chic French bar with serious cocktails — reserve a table at Justine’s Brasserie (East Austin)
Chic French menu, check. Serious cocktails, check. Celebrity sightings, check. This East Austin hotspot is the next-best thing to a romantic Parisian getaway, fueled by French brasserie-inspired fare like onion soup, duck confit, and steamed mussels. Bartenders spin vintage vinyl while shaking up killer drinks in the red-hued, art-filled bungalow. Whether you get cozy in the velvet-draped oyster bar or dimly lit dining room, you’re in for one transportive night.
For a seafood extravaganza at one of the best Austin date night restaurants — visit Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar (Downtown)
Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar is a must-try downtown neighborhood gem for killer fresh seafood. It has a shaded and sought-after patio with white and blue striped umbrellas. The indoor dining room is welcoming and home to a giant fish tank. Menus change daily, but expect seafood staples such as oysters on the half shell, jalapeno-fried calamari, and Texas Gulf grouper. Cap romantic meals here with the German chocolate cake.
Austin’s date night scene is dynamic and diverse, with options that cater to every occasion and relationship milestone. From a MICHELIN-Starred tasting destination to a swanky cocktail bar, there’s an Austin date night restaurant for you. Whether it’s a first date, double date, or a special occasion, make the experience unforgettable by reserving a table at one of Austin’s best date night restaurants.
