Find Love in all the Right Places at Seattle’s 11 Most Romantic Restaurants

This dim, candle-lit space nestled beneath the iconic Pike Place Market embraces diners in an aura of intrigue. Buzzing with more than 45 years of stolen moments over sexy amaro cocktails, the ambience seems designed for love, while the menu combines Tuscan classics with local ingredients to make diners swoon — over the food and their date — with just the hushed environment needed for a meaningful moment.

Japanese kaiseki is all about aesthetics, meaning not just a beautiful and delicious meal, but also a balanced one so you feel really great even at the end of many courses of watching the chefs work their magic right in front of you. Every bite of local seafood, meat, and produce looks like a piece of art, but fits together into the puzzle of a seasonal meal adhering to the traditional Japanese menu structure. The finesse and finery set the ultimate stage for impressing a certain someone.

Vibrant colors and soft lighting match the rich food and gentle service at this classic French bistro tucked into the heart of Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market. Cassoulet, escargot, and steak frites transport diners to the Parisian sidewalk table of their dreams in the evenings, and the wine list completes the journey with simple, intriguing offerings from lesser-known wine regions of France, such as rosé from Ardèche or pet nat from Bergerac. Order two glasses, share a bottle, and toast to a momentous occasion, like an anniversary, third date, or Friday.

This breathtaking restaurant, dominated by a big marble bar, keeps the intimate space beautifully lit and, by nature of being adults-only, peacefully mature. The je-ne-sais-quoi that makes it such a comfortable place to sip Champagne and nibble on snacks comes as much from the stunning design as the service, which offers drink suggestions like they’re letting a friend in on an exciting secret. The menu of vegetable-driven starters and meatier mains makes Single Shot work for a light meal or a longer date — and the perfect place for when you don’t know where the night might take you, but you hope it never ends.

The appetizers take the meal at this thin-crust Neapolitan specialist up a notch from a typical pizza place, with dishes such as veal meatballs and a prosciutto platter. A true locals’ spot, Pizzeria 22 feels warm, inviting, and casual in the kind of way that feels like eating at home — but with someone else to make your pancetta pizza, pour your Italian wine, and do the dishes. Pizzeria 22 proves that a romantic restaurant doesn’t have to be fancy, ideal for a low-key date night with a touch of excitement.

When a gin company opens a small-plates spot, the cocktails are good and the atmosphere is — as the name implies — electric. Kick off dinner with the ultimate in romantic apps, an oyster and vodka pairing flight, and continue the romp with a second set of little bites paired with mini-cocktails. Rife with local ingredients, particularly seafood, the small plates section of the menu also brings in Nordic flavors that work well with gin — sharp, floral, and herbal, such as lingonberry, beet, and tarragon. Pick from the acoustic or electric selections of cocktails and prepare to make music with the person you like the most.

This spicy take on the classic steakhouse, infused with Korean flavors and modern, chef-driven techniques, makes a fun way to add some sizzle to a celebratory evening. Chef Rachel Yang serves high-quality cuts of meat paired with her innovative takes on side dishes, such as the grilled kimchi with short ribs or the yellow curry and cornbread panzanella served with grass-fed rib eye. The broad menu keeps plenty of options open for pescatarians and vegetarians, too.

Sit side-by-side with your special someone and sip some sake at this sustainability focused spot, all while the passionate chef hands over slices of salmon sashimi. The lively space and open kitchen make it all the more fun to watch Taichi Kitamura use seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients and Japanese techniques to put together impressive sushi-centered meals.

Casual but precise, this cozy Piedmont-inspired trattoria exchanges showiness for perfection. Simple dishes such as the signature hand-cut noodles with butter and sage or roasted carrots in barolo vinegar make it an easy delight while the extensive wine list and excellent cocktails lift Spinasse from any occasion to special status. The tasting menu offers a chance to eat through the whole menu without breaking the bank, plus takes the pressure of choice off the table.

“Let’s pretend we’re in Greece,” invites the menu in this gorgeous white-walled, multi-level restaurant, which feels far from Seattle’s damp and dark days. Dishes such as grilled octopus and whole sea bass make Omega Ouzeri great for sharing a moment gazing out at the colors, sounds, and smells of elsewhere and imagining that you are eating a romantic rooftop dinner in the Cyclades.

Sustainability is sexy, and this stunning French-inspired steakhouse from local star chef Renee Erickson shows how to use the full animal in swoonworthy and simple prepreperations. The centerpiece beef board hanging on the wall lists that day’s unique cuts of grass-fed, dry-aged meat and where it came from. The sides include steakhouse standards, but approached in a slightly French, mostly seasonal way — kale gratin with aged cheddar — and fresh, creative appetizers such as chickpea salad or chicories with apple.