Best romantic restaurants in the Daytona area? Here are my 6 favorites
As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, you may be teetering between several dining options. With a plethora of criteria to keep in mind — culinary variety, breathtaking views or timeless charm — it’s no small feat deciding on the ideal romantic date night destination.
For many of us, we’re looking for eateries that are sure to impress, those that deliver on all fronts — from a serene ambiance and exceptional service to captivating design and elevated flavors — those that know how to do date night right.
If you're still deciding where to make reservations, here are six of my favorite romantic restaurants in the Daytona Beach area.
31 Supper Club
31 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach; 386-275-1625, 31supperclub.com
"Captivating" barely scratches the surface of 31 Supper Club. This Granada Boulevard gem whisks diners into an enchanting 1930s-inspired escape, where traces of New York City and Chicago's finest former nightclubs are found through the eatery’s animal print seating, dimmed disco lighting and funky, posh décor. The upscale restaurant captivates the essence of the art deco era, offering visitors a romantic experience like no other.
The elegant eatery’s mainly steak and seafood menu includes the USDA prime ribeye; the New Zealand rack of lamb; the popular pistachio-crusted sea bass — a textured and mild pistachio-crusted Chilean sea bass served over sweet potato silk and chef’s seasonal vegetable; the crab cakes — Maryland-style blue crab cakes paired with a creamy, rich béarnaise aioli; and the whiskey-glazed polpette — a helping of three tenderloin and ribeye meatballs in a tangy, BBQ whiskey glaze and paired with blue cheese grits and house-made pickled veggies.
Whether looking to enjoy an elevated dinner for two or a New York Sour at the restaurant’s historic, Cicero-salvaged bar, there’s no experience quite like that of the elegant, jazzy 31 Supper Club.
Riverpark Terrace
302 S. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach; 386-427-2903, riverparkterrace.com
Whether enjoying a cocktail indoors at the charming Riverside Drive home or outdoors in the twinkling, tropical garden, Riverpark Terrace is the ideal date night destination for those looking for a cozy, special-occasion getaway. The romantic eatery’s light-strung patio captivates guests with its surrounding lush greenery, beaming golden hues and inviting, relaxed atmosphere.
The eatery’s seasonal menu is comprised of made-to-order classic American fare, using homemade sauces and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Options include the fried green tomatoes — buttermilk-fried and layered with roasted corn salsa and ranch drizzle; the vegetarian coconut curry — wild rice pilaf, seasonal vegetables and an optional fish of the day, chicken or shrimp addition; the Terrace Burger — a juicy, layered favorite combining certified Angus ground sirloin, garlic aioli, Gruyere cheese, tobacco onions, bacon, lettuce, tomato and hand-cut fries; and the top-selling tender short rib — accompanied by creamy, parmesan risotto, pan jus and chef’s vegetables.
Top of Daytona
2625 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Shores; 386-310-7849, topofdaytona29.com
Top of Daytona is more than a restaurant; it’s truly an experience. The luxurious eatery boasts a European-inspired menu to be enjoyed while overlooking unforgettable views of the Atlantic from the Peck Plaza Condominium's 29th floor. Although quite the splurge, the eatery’s ambiance and exceptional, start-to-finish service leaves a lasting impression, and its menu follows suit with a plethora of seafood, poultry, steak and pasta plates available.
Options include the Russian dumplings — homemade pork and beef filled dumplings layered with caramelized onions and mushrooms; the pan-seared duck breast — served with a mandarin demi-glace, fresh vegetables and rustic mashed potatoes; my personal favorite, the oven-baked gnocchi — tossed in a slightly sweetened, rich marinara and melted mozzarella; and the New York strip au poivre — 14-ounce strip steak cooked to your liking and paired with a brandy peppercorn sauce, golden brown potatoes and fresh vegetables.
As timeless as date night itself, Top of Daytona’s secluded, romantic ambiance is one that simply never gets old.
Martini's Organic Restaurant
1815 S. Ridgewood Ave., South Daytona; 386-763-1090, martinisorganic.com
This sleek South Daytona restaurant radiates with sophistication, embraces bold flavors and ensures exceptional service for customers new and returning. Tucked away in the area’s surrounding greenery, the local eatery showcases its upscale, modern design with black velour seating, candle-lit dining, and luxe gold accents throughout, serving as an ideal romantic escape for the upcoming holiday.
The eatery prides itself on being “the one place to truly experience organic” cuisine, with a menu of seasonally changing, fresh selections, using local grass-fed beef and wild-caught seafood.
During my recent visit, Martini’s menu included the pan-seared Cheshire pork belly with Mongolian pan sauce and grilled pineapple; the Bahamian lobster sauté — lobster and sea scallops served in a lemon caper sauce alongside seasonal veggies and jasmine rice; the wild-caught Chilean seabass — served with a citrus-herb compound butter and citrus aioli, jasmine rice and seasonal veggies; and the DemKota Ranch grass-fed Delmonico steak — an exceptionally juicy, cedar-grilled selection with sautéed baby bella mushrooms and onions, au jus, seasonal veggies and mashed potatoes.
With curtains drawn and candles lit, this local gem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Cress Restaurant
103 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand; 386-734-3740, Cressrestaurant.com
Cress captures the essence of a true special occasion restaurant, one whose white tablecloth ambience, exceptional service and understated elegance envelopes diners into an evening layered with mastered flavors and relaxation — one they won't soon forget or find replicated.
The beloved downtown eatery serves elevated cuisine in a timeless setting, with brick wall detailing, hushed music, and warm, earthy tones decorating its interior, and its upscale menu changes seasonally with new and fresh flavors prepared by Chef de Cuisine Amanda Czekaj.
During my recent visit, the "Smart Catch" leader's menu featured the garlic escargot — house clarified butter, cremini mushroom, parsley, garlic and a warm baguette; the deconstructed duck ravioli — Maple Leaf Farms duck confit, house-made pasta, herb-roasted butternut squash, local greens, duck jus, and fresh herb and local mustard green pistou; and the robust, juicy herb-rubbed USDA prime ribeye — served with blue cheese Yukon au gratin potatoes, bacon, garlic brussels sprouts and salsa verde.
Reservations are recommended, as the popular spot's quaint interior fills up quickly.
The Garlic
556 E. Third Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-424-6660, thegarlic.net
Described as an Italian country grille, The Garlic is a date night no-brainer, captivating customers with its rustic vibe, whimsical design and twinkling greenery. Whether enjoying the vintage décor and grabbing a seat by the Blu Bar’s wood-burning fireplace or taking a walk under the glowing, vine-covered arbor to a seat in the eclectic courtyard, The Garlic's ambiance is truly half of the experience.
The restaurant offers a plethora of rotating daily specials, while its menu contains a full range of chicken, beef and seafood dishes, including the pasta puttanesca — a flavorful mingling of chunky tomatoes, imported olives, capers, meatballs and a pinch of spice from the house sauce; the char-grilled filet mignon — 8-ounce filet topped with caramelized onions and roasted garlic cloves, over house-made au jus and served with garlic mashed potatoes; the garlic rack of lamb; the chicken alfredo; and the ravioli bolognaise — a four-cheese ravioli smothered in a filet mignon-filled bolognaise sauce.
Whether making your first appearance or returning for another memorable dinner, be sure to arrive early, as the local eatery opens daily at 4 p.m. and does not take reservations.
Helena Perray is the restaurant and dining writer for The Daytona Beach News-Journal. A New Jersey native and passionate storyteller, she can be contacted at hperray@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Support local journalism by subscribing
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Valentine's Day reservations in Daytona Beach, NSB, Ormond Beach, more
