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Rainbow Lodge table set-up.
Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge

13 Excellent Date Night Restaurants in Houston

Sophisticated and intimate spots for a romantic night out.

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Rainbow Lodge
| Rainbow Lodge

Finding the perfect romantic match might not be the easiest thing to do in Houston, but at least the city is packed with plenty of restaurants that can serve as a solid setting for anything from a meet-cute to the perfect proposal.

Whether the night calls for drinks in a dimly lit Downtown bar, a first class dinner in a 100 year old log cabin or an intimate Montrose patio, this map of Houston’s best date night restaurants will certainly make hunting down the perfect romantic locale a little easier.

As always, let us know if we forgot to swipe right on one of your date night destinations in the comments.

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Etoile Cuisine Et Bar

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The French are notorious for speaking the language of love and at this Uptown Park restaurant, Chef Philippe Verpiand’s does just that. Impress your date by ordering up classic dishes like foie gras, coq au vin, escargot and duck à l’orange or stick with more comfortable offerings like the vegetable risotto, roasted chicken or salmon steak. Consider dropping in for brunch for a less traditional date, because Etoile serves some excellent brunch items like gruyere omelettes, benedicts, and croque madames.

Etoile Cuisine et Bar
Etoile Cuisine et Bar

Rainbow Lodge

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A quaint 100 year old log cabin is the quintessential romantic backdrop, what with its soft lighting, mounted animal heads and hearth fireplace. Just make sure taxidermy won’t be a mood killer. Wild game and Gulf seafood covers the menu with best sellers like the lobster and summer corn risotto, rainbow trout with lump crab, and pan seared duck breast with foie gras. For a really special night out, consider six courses of petite seasonal features and favorites for $79 per person.

Rainbow Lodge table set-up.
Rainbow Lodge

State of Grace

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Overhanging gilded light pieces, marble counters and dark leather will greet you at this sexy River Oaks restaurant. Whether the night calls for a dry aged strip steak, sticky, smoky beef ribs, a pan roasted flounder or squid ink pasta, State of Grace has it all and a seven course tasting menu with wine pairings. If the dining room is full (seriously, make reservations) ask to be seated in the side room. The circular oyster bar is ideal for intimate conversations.

State of Grace / Jay Tovar
State of Grace / Jay Tovar

Brenner's on the Bayou

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For those less inclined to spent $100 on a meal, the Blue Bar at Brenner’s On the Bayou is a stunning alternative. Sit outside (moderate weather permitting) on plush blue and white patio furniture with fire pits, enjoy blue mood lighting and an expansive view overlooking the adjacent Buffalo Bayou. Happy hour cocktails and small plates from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday though Thursday will make this an even more enchanting option. For those who desire more, step into Brenner’s afterwards for venison chops, bison filets or shrimp and grits.

brenner's

Camerata at Paulie's

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Unpretentious Montrose bar Camerata (connected to adjoining Paulie’s) is a simple, no frills option for date night drinks. The industrial space tends to draw a mixed crowd who enjoy the artisanal cheese and salami plates, and impeccably chosen glasses of vino. Bonus, stop into Paulie’s for dinner either before or after casual pre-dinner drinks.

Da Marco Cucina E Vino

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A favorite amongst love birds for many years, Chef Marco Wiles pulls out all the stops in this luxurious upscale eatery that showcases the taste of Tuscany in a refined setting. While this might not be the place to meet in the middle of spaghetti à la Lady and the Tramp, couples can nonetheless enjoy inventive pasta dishes like spaghetti with sea urchin or homemade garganelli with slow-cooked rabbit. End a perfect meal with sheep’s milk ricotta cannoli or a creamy panna cotta.

Da Marco interior dining room (resized for map)

Share a plate of Bangkok fries while basking in the sultry ambiance of Montrose haunt Boheme, a longtime favorite amongst lovers. The dim lighting inside, stunning outdoor space with glittering twinkle lights from overhanging trees and stiff drinks like the Wu Tang (aperol, vodka and grapefruit) or Delhi Sour (rye, tamarind and lemon) will easily alleviate any first date jitters.

MF Sushi Houston Museum District

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Any partner would be impressed with the sleek and elegant MF Sushi. The Museum District’s premiere sushi spot serves up consummate fresh fish in the form of high quality sushi, nigiri and sashimi. The minimal woodsy décor is the perfect accompaniment to excellent service and an original drink menu. Make reservations, because this place fills up fast.

MF Sushi
MF Sushi

The Pass

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No date will be able to resist a stellar dinner at this show-stopping restaurant with a tasting menu. The five course Omnivore or Vegetarian menus are $105 with wine pairings and $65 without, so settle in for the long haul with truly unparalleled dishes by James Beard semifinalist Chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan. The menu changes seasonally so you may never have the same meal, or date, twice.

The Pass & Provisions

Nouveau Antique Art Bar

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Break the ice under the soft yellow glow of a sundry of reproduced Tiffany’s lamps made from vintage stained glass. Perch atop simple wooden stools or antique furniture for quiet conversation and choose a hand crafted cocktail from an impressive collection.

13 Celsius

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A personal favorite, 13 Celsius sits on the outskirts of Midtown and maintains the previous structure’s gritty warehouse appearance while complimenting it with a full white marble bar and a glass wine storage structure set at the perfect temperature. Nosh on a classic cheese and charcuterie plate or tableside s’mores and choose from over 100 plus wines (and beers) carefully curated by the hands of vino gods Mike Sammons and Adele Corrigan. For added romance, take a seat on the outdoor patio reminiscent of a European countryside café.

13_celsius

Public Services Wine & Whisky

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Art deco-style cocktail bar Public Services is housed on the first floor of the 1884 Cotton Exchange building and carefully preserves its old world charm. The striking arches, gilded accents and plush seating will certainly take any date’s breath away, as will the boutique assortment of wines, beers, ciders and mixed drinks chosen by alcohol ingénue/sommelier Justin Vann and snacks from culinary virtuoso Justin Yu.

Public Services Facebook
Public Services Facebook

Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge

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Be prepared to leave a tad boozed up when visiting Justin Burrow’s undeniably cool downtown bar. The night will start with a dark, weathered staircase that leads to a massive 25 seat bar surrounded by more intimate nooks and crannies. End the night outside on small balcony space to enjoy an expertly mixed libation, cigarette and maybe a smooch.

Captain Foxhearts/Facebook

Etoile Cuisine Et Bar

The French are notorious for speaking the language of love and at this Uptown Park restaurant, Chef Philippe Verpiand’s does just that. Impress your date by ordering up classic dishes like foie gras, coq au vin, escargot and duck à l’orange or stick with more comfortable offerings like the vegetable risotto, roasted chicken or salmon steak. Consider dropping in for brunch for a less traditional date, because Etoile serves some excellent brunch items like gruyere omelettes, benedicts, and croque madames.

Etoile Cuisine et Bar
Etoile Cuisine et Bar

Rainbow Lodge

A quaint 100 year old log cabin is the quintessential romantic backdrop, what with its soft lighting, mounted animal heads and hearth fireplace. Just make sure taxidermy won’t be a mood killer. Wild game and Gulf seafood covers the menu with best sellers like the lobster and summer corn risotto, rainbow trout with lump crab, and pan seared duck breast with foie gras. For a really special night out, consider six courses of petite seasonal features and favorites for $79 per person.

Rainbow Lodge table set-up.
Rainbow Lodge

State of Grace

Overhanging gilded light pieces, marble counters and dark leather will greet you at this sexy River Oaks restaurant. Whether the night calls for a dry aged strip steak, sticky, smoky beef ribs, a pan roasted flounder or squid ink pasta, State of Grace has it all and a seven course tasting menu with wine pairings. If the dining room is full (seriously, make reservations) ask to be seated in the side room. The circular oyster bar is ideal for intimate conversations.

State of Grace / Jay Tovar
State of Grace / Jay Tovar

Brenner's on the Bayou

For those less inclined to spent $100 on a meal, the Blue Bar at Brenner’s On the Bayou is a stunning alternative. Sit outside (moderate weather permitting) on plush blue and white patio furniture with fire pits, enjoy blue mood lighting and an expansive view overlooking the adjacent Buffalo Bayou. Happy hour cocktails and small plates from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday though Thursday will make this an even more enchanting option. For those who desire more, step into Brenner’s afterwards for venison chops, bison filets or shrimp and grits.

brenner's

Camerata at Paulie's

Unpretentious Montrose bar Camerata (connected to adjoining Paulie’s) is a simple, no frills option for date night drinks. The industrial space tends to draw a mixed crowd who enjoy the artisanal cheese and salami plates, and impeccably chosen glasses of vino. Bonus, stop into Paulie’s for dinner either before or after casual pre-dinner drinks.

Da Marco Cucina E Vino

A favorite amongst love birds for many years, Chef Marco Wiles pulls out all the stops in this luxurious upscale eatery that showcases the taste of Tuscany in a refined setting. While this might not be the place to meet in the middle of spaghetti à la Lady and the Tramp, couples can nonetheless enjoy inventive pasta dishes like spaghetti with sea urchin or homemade garganelli with slow-cooked rabbit. End a perfect meal with sheep’s milk ricotta cannoli or a creamy panna cotta.

Da Marco interior dining room (resized for map)

Boheme

Share a plate of Bangkok fries while basking in the sultry ambiance of Montrose haunt Boheme, a longtime favorite amongst lovers. The dim lighting inside, stunning outdoor space with glittering twinkle lights from overhanging trees and stiff drinks like the Wu Tang (aperol, vodka and grapefruit) or Delhi Sour (rye, tamarind and lemon) will easily alleviate any first date jitters.

MF Sushi Houston Museum District

Any partner would be impressed with the sleek and elegant MF Sushi. The Museum District’s premiere sushi spot serves up consummate fresh fish in the form of high quality sushi, nigiri and sashimi. The minimal woodsy décor is the perfect accompaniment to excellent service and an original drink menu. Make reservations, because this place fills up fast.

MF Sushi
MF Sushi

The Pass

No date will be able to resist a stellar dinner at this show-stopping restaurant with a tasting menu. The five course Omnivore or Vegetarian menus are $105 with wine pairings and $65 without, so settle in for the long haul with truly unparalleled dishes by James Beard semifinalist Chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan. The menu changes seasonally so you may never have the same meal, or date, twice.

The Pass & Provisions

Nouveau Antique Art Bar

Break the ice under the soft yellow glow of a sundry of reproduced Tiffany’s lamps made from vintage stained glass. Perch atop simple wooden stools or antique furniture for quiet conversation and choose a hand crafted cocktail from an impressive collection.

13 Celsius

A personal favorite, 13 Celsius sits on the outskirts of Midtown and maintains the previous structure’s gritty warehouse appearance while complimenting it with a full white marble bar and a glass wine storage structure set at the perfect temperature. Nosh on a classic cheese and charcuterie plate or tableside s’mores and choose from over 100 plus wines (and beers) carefully curated by the hands of vino gods Mike Sammons and Adele Corrigan. For added romance, take a seat on the outdoor patio reminiscent of a European countryside café.

13_celsius

Public Services Wine & Whisky

Art deco-style cocktail bar Public Services is housed on the first floor of the 1884 Cotton Exchange building and carefully preserves its old world charm. The striking arches, gilded accents and plush seating will certainly take any date’s breath away, as will the boutique assortment of wines, beers, ciders and mixed drinks chosen by alcohol ingénue/sommelier Justin Vann and snacks from culinary virtuoso Justin Yu.

Public Services Facebook
Public Services Facebook

Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge

Be prepared to leave a tad boozed up when visiting Justin Burrow’s undeniably cool downtown bar. The night will start with a dark, weathered staircase that leads to a massive 25 seat bar surrounded by more intimate nooks and crannies. End the night outside on small balcony space to enjoy an expertly mixed libation, cigarette and maybe a smooch.

Captain Foxhearts/Facebook

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