Is there anything better than sitting down and enjoying a night out with the person you love? It could be your first date. Or, you may be in a long-term relationship and ready to pop the question. Perhaps you’ve been married for decades. No matter your situation, you can plan the perfect Valentine’s Day using our list of the best romantic spots in and around Denver.
Whether you’re into steak, fondue, epic views, or shared activities, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy a fantastic date night all along the Front Range. Here’s a list of the best date night restaurants in metro Denver.
- 🏙️ Central Denver Restaurants
- ⛰️ Northwest Denver Restaurants
- ✈️ Northeast Denver Restaurants
- 🌲 West Denver Restaurants
- ⛵️ Southeast Denver Restaurants
Central
Bastien’s Restaurant
East Colfax
Price per person: $30-60
This old-school, art deco steakhouse has been one of the best date night restaurants in Denver for decades, and for good reason. Order a martini, snag a spot either in the wooded main dining room or at the historic bar, and take a trip back to the 60s. This is a popular spot, so be sure to snag a reservation before you go, and come hungry: Bastien’s famous sugar steaks are an experience that’s hard to beat. Pro tip: After dinner, snag a nightcap across the street at the PS Lounge, which is easily one of the best dive bars in Denver.
Bistro Vendome
Park Hill
Price per person: $30-60
This cozy restaurant in Park Hill takes its name from a historic square in the heart of romantic Paris — something that immediately puts it on the list of the best date night restaurants in Denver by default. Bistro Vendome also has the dining experience to recognize the ambiance. The chef, who has been recognized twice by the James Beard Foundation, has honed a menu of classic French bistro fare that revolves around local and seasonal ingredients. The drink menu is also on point, with a combination of French wines and unique cocktails. Given all of its awards, it’s unlikely to walk into this restaurant and snag a table, so be sure to make a reservation beforehand.
54Thirty Rooftop
Downtown
Price per person: $20-30
Obviously, your date is the best view in town, but the panorama of the Front Range from the 54Thirty Rooftop is a close second (you’re welcome to borrow this line, by the way). What makes this one of the best date night spots in Denver? To start, with its perch atop the Le Meridien Denver Downtown, it has the distinction of being the highest open-air rooftop bar in the Mile High City. Beyond that, it also serves up some of the best cocktails in town (the winter seasonal menu includes spiked hot cocoas and multiple types of old fashioneds), and an array of small bites that even includes s’mores. Heads up: This is a popular spot, and it doesn’t take reservations, so be sure to add your name to the list early to snag a seat.
Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club
River North
Price per person: $30-60
Between the live jazz music, dark and mysterious ambiance, and classy food and drink menu, Nocturne is a no-brainer for a list of the best date night spots in Denver. Sure, you can just stop in for a cocktail, but we recommend really making a night out of your trip and making a “dinner and a show reservation.” This allows guests to choose between several offerings for a three-course dinner (one example: grilled Palisade peaches!), all of which use products sourced from local farmers and ranchers. If you really want to go big, diners can try wine and cocktail pairings for each course hand-selected by a sommelier.
The Wolf’s Tailor
Sunnyside
Price per person: More than $60
If your Valentine’s Day date happens to be a foodie, they’ll have a lot to enjoy at this Michelin-starred restaurant in West Denver. Chef Taylor Stark’s multi-course menu changes by the season, with the Valentine’s Day winter menu featuring spins on local grains and fermentation. Seats at this unique dining service are hard to come by, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.
Northwest
Black Cat Bistro
Longmont
Price per person: $145
This dining experience is the definition of a splurge — and a surefire way to show a date how special they are to you. It’s a literal farm-to-table experience. Guests are immediately greeted with hors d’oeuvres and an aperitif and then have the opportunity to enjoy the working organic farm before being seated fireside at one of seven greenhouse cabanas. From there, visitors get to enjoy a four-course feast that happens to be served “blind” — meaning that guests have no idea what the menu is before they arrive. This allows the chefs to make the most out of seasonal ingredients. Be sure to make a reservation early — given that it’s one of the best date night spots near Boulder, tables fill up fast.
The Flagstaff House
Boulder
Price per person: More than $60
OpenTable recently ranked this idyllic spot nestled on a mountaintop at 6,000 feet as one of the 100 most romantic restaurants in the U.S. — and for good reason. Even without the epic views of city lights, the menu alone would make this one of the best date night restaurants in Boulder. Chef Don Monette’s menu includes influences from France, American cuisine, and even the spices of Asia, with a heavy focus on seasonal ingredients and herbs from the restaurant’s organic garden. Pair the food with a selection from the restaurant’s 15,000-bottle cellar and have a date night that you’ll never forget. Reservations are required, and you can make them online here.
24 Carrot Bistro
Erie
Price per person: $20-30
The historic exposed brick and intricate woodwork give this cozy spot in the heart of downtown Erie the perfect date night vibes. The food is also sure to impress. This restaurant prides itself on sourcing seasonal and local ingredients for an ever-changing menu that combines all types of New American cuisine. And since this is date night and you should treat yourself, cozy up to the 25-foot bar to try one of a variety of cocktails, curated wines, and craft beers. Reservations are available here.
Martinis Bistro
Longmont
Price per person: $20-30
Between its setting in a transformed 1890s home to its stylish cocktail bar vibe, there’s no wonder why this cozy spot is considered one of the best date night restaurants in Longmont. The menu focuses on adding a unique twist to classic American fare, including New York Strip and sherry-braised boneless short ribs. Definitely stick around for a glass of wine or a handmade cocktail. A bonus? Reservations are available in advance online.
Nora’s Speakeasy
Louisville
Price per person: $20-30
This underground speakeasy in the heart of downtown Louisville pays tribute to a mother and grandmother who was known for her love of hospitality and bringing people together. This sentiment is very much on display in the cozy atmosphere and the menu full of comforting but creative old-school cocktails. A pro tip? Nora’s has a great happy hour from 5-6 p.m. nightly, with $10 cocktails, half-off wine, and $5 beer. Seating is first-come, first-served, so be sure to stop by early — but plan on staying for a while.
Northeast
El Jardin
Commerce City
Price per person: $20-30
This quintessential Colorado Mexican restaurant has been considered one of the best in the area for more than 40 years. Grab your date, and try something smothered in some of the best green chile in town. A pro tip? The margaritas are also clutch. This old school establishment doesn’t do reservations online, meaning it’s first-come, first-served, but there’s almost always a table.
The Grill on Main Street
Brighton
Price per person: $20-30
Who says date night always needs to be a black-tie affair? At its core, it’s all about having fun with your partner, and the Grill on Main Street is one of the best places to do that. This Brighton mainstay prides itself on the cornhole on its patio, live music, and good deals on mimosas. The food menu includes everything from burgers to avocado toast to tacos. Numerous flavors of vodka and soda chillers are on sale for $8. You can often walk in and get a table or make reservations ahead of time.
Old Hickory Steakhouse
Gaylord Rockies
Price per person: $30-60
If you lived in Denver 20 years ago, you probably couldn’t imagine making a special trip out to a hotel by the airport to try steak. Things have changed, and now the Gaylord Rockies Resort is a destination unto itself. One of its premier restaurants is the Old History Steakhouse, a date night staple with a roaring fire, intimate seating, and a menu full of high-quality beef, fresh seafood, caviar, artisanal cheeses, cocktails, and more. Be sure to make a reservation before you visit.
Spice Kitchen
Thornton
Price per person: $20-30
This romantic restaurant in the heart of Thornton prides itself on sharing the rich and diverse flavors of India and Nepal — the perfect opportunity to fall in love with new foods with the person you love. Try the fresh-baked naan and Nepali thukpa, and immerse yourself in the recipes the owners’ family has passed down for generations. Guests can book a table online.
Wholly Stromboli
Fort Lupton
Price per person: $20-30
If you want to spend date night pretending to be Lady and the Tramp (or just enjoy Italian food), Fort Lupton’s Wholly Stromboli is the place to be. This cozy spot prides itself on authentic East Coast Italian food, serving up delicious handcrafted pizzas, pasta dishes, and mouthwater strombolis (hence the name). Another cool feature? The speakeasy, where you can snag prohibition-era cocktails. This can be a popular spot, so join the waitlist online before you go.
West
Evoke 1923
Evergreen
Price per person: $20-30
Evoke 1923 (formerly the Bistro at Marshdale) prides itself both on its heritage as the Rocky Mountain Tea Room 100 years ago as well as its expansive views of Evergreen — making it one of the best date night spots in Jefferson County. The menu (which includes loaves of fresh, daily-baked breads) is made from scratch using local sources, and frequently changes. Don’t worry: There’s also a curated wine list, plenty of craft beer, and creative cocktails. Reservations are available through OpenTable.
Miners Saloon
Golden
Price per person: $20-30
Sometimes, the perfect date night involves, as the kids say (no, they don’t), kickin’ it old school. There’s no better place to do just that than Miners Saloon, a hidden bar in downtown Golden that is very much in tune with its late 1800s vibes. Bring a special someone and enjoy one of the 24 beers on tap (they have a bunch more in cans and bottles, too), and cozy up to the lighted Onyx bar or one of the two fireplaces for a quintessential Colorado evening. Don’t worry: There’s also a food menu featuring a combination of classic bar fare as well as a modern take on what people were eating back in the 1890s. Seating is first-come, first-serve, but there’s usually a spot.
The Melting Pot
Littleton
Price per person: More than $60
Located in a historic building at the end of Littleton Boulevard, the Melting Pot has been considered one of the best date night spots near Denver for decades. Each table is cozy and private (an ideal date night situation), and guests get to enjoy a leisurely four-course dinner that includes your choice of cheese fondue, salad, an entree, and delicious chocolate fondue dessert. Like we said, The Melting Pot is a legendary date night spot, so be sure to snag a reservation early.
Sakana
Westminster
Price per person: $20-30
Sushi is the ultimate treat, and that obviously also makes it the ultimate date night splurge. Sakana in Westminster has some of the best sushi in town, as well as a wide variety of other popular Japanese dishes (including ramen and salads). Seating is first-come, first-served.
T Street Roadhouse
Lakewood
Price per person: $20-30
This upscale bar located right off Belmar Square is easily one of the best date night spots in Lakewood thanks to the dim yet flattering lighting, cozy seating, and large bar. The menu features everything from crispy brussel sprouts to build-your-own burgers to mahi-mahi tacos. A pro tip? Most of the best items (including the cocktails) are discounted at happy hour, which is from 3-5 p.m. every day. You can make reservations ahead of time online.
Southeast
Annette
Aurora
Price per person: $30-60
Between the ample opportunities for shopping and sampling lots of bars and restaurants, the Stanley Marketplace is an evergreen pick for the best date night spot in Aurora. Arguably its crown jewel? Annette, a restaurant whose chef, Caroline Glover, has been recognized by everything from the James Beard Foundation to Food and Wine Magazine. The modern and bright dining room offers the perfect ambiance for guests to enjoy a menu full of seasonal, wood-fired cooking. Some of the favorites include deviled eggs and roasted chicken. Since it’s often listed as one of the best restaurants in Denver, be sure to make a reservation before you go.
Courtyard Social
Castle Rock
Price per person: $20-30
This family-owned spot right in the heart of downtown has been considered one of the best date night restaurants in Castle Rock for years. Stop by and see why for yourself as you enjoy a menu that includes fresh oysters (long considered the ultimate date night food), a wide array of burgers, sandwiches, and flatbreads, and a curated cocktail, craft beer, and wine menu. Reservations are encouraged.
The Douglas
Parker
Price per person: $20-30
Located in Main Street’s Parker Hotel and named for the county in which it resides, The Douglas brings sophisticated urban vibes to Denver’s southern suburbs — making it a no-brainer as one of the best date night restaurants on the Front Range. Chef Matthew Ericson’s artisanal menu includes everything from lobster mac and cheese to pork chop pomodoro. Seating is first-come, first-serve, so be prepared for a potential wait. Luckily, there’s plenty of seating at the bar and lots of craft beer on tap.
Upstairs Circus
Greenwood Village
There are few better ways to bond with the person you love than to work on a shared project, and Upstairs Circus in Greenwood Village enjoys plenty of opportunities to do just that — as well as a full bar to make things a little more fun. Select from more than 25 DIY projects ranging from leather koozies to custom tennis shoes, and create a masterpiece at your own pace with help and supplies from Upstairs Circus’ creative assistants. Along the way, you can enjoy a menu of beer, wine, mocktails, and special drinks, and finish your date night with a custom souvenir. Reservations are required and available here.
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(Editor’s Note: Our articles focus on five metro Denver regions: central, northeast, northwest; west; southeast. Some cities span across more than one region. See map.)
