The South’s Most Romantic Restaurants
For a lavish dinner, look no further than these romantic Southern restaurants. Southern towns are home to some of the coziest dinner spots, best wine lists, and most delectable dishes offered anywhere. Your senses will be indulged, and you’ll be left starry-eyed after a visit to any one of these romantic restaurants. Romance is on the menu: Make reservations soon for an unforgettable meal in an idyllic setting, and bring along the perfect person to share it with.
Alexander’s | Roanoke, Virginia
Alexander’s is replete with flickering candlelight and more beautifully plated dishes than we can count. Try the Barbecue Shrimp for Two as a starter, then dive headfirst into the steak and seafood offerings. Its sophisticated vintage style is inspired by Roanoke’s architectural history; the ambience, along with the unparalled entrees, will transport you.
Casa Tua | Miami Beach, Florida
Casa Tua provides a languid Mediterranean atmosphere underneath trees glowing with lamplight. It is a complete escape, hidden within dreamy hedges and offering a menu that will delight your senses. You can’t go wrong, so try something new. And save room for dessert. The likes of tiramisu—and Panna Cotta with Sweet Basil, Pink Peppercorn, White Chocolate, Rum Sorbet, and Candied Pineapple—await you.
Da Marco | Houston, Texas
This romantic spot is so upscale that it even has a dress code. Elegance is the name of the game at Da Marco, and the menu—as well as the atmosphere—is absolutely lovely. Where to begin? Fish, quail, duck, ribs, and pasta—oh, the pasta! No matter what you order, a night at this romantic restaurant is a night to remember.
Related: 120 Romantic Messages for Your Loved One
Empire State South | Atlanta, Georgia
For a dose of good, old-fashioned Southern romance and an infusion of modern flavor, head over to chef Hugh Acheson’s Empire State South. They’re open breakfast through dinner and for brunch on Sundays. The Valentine’s Day menu showcases such masterpieces as Duck a L’Orange and Beef Wellington, but the day-to-day offerings are just as memorable.
High Point Restaurant | Monteagle, Tennessee
Set atop the Cumberland Plateau is High Point Restaurant, a dinner destination that exudes elegance. Housed in a majestic 1929 mansion, it is said that Al Capone was known to stop in for dinner and drinks at High Point on his way through Tennessee. Order a steak and a sampling of appetizers (don’t miss the lobster and tuna), then relax and enjoy.
Hot and Hot Fish Club | Birmingham, Alabama
James Beard-award winning chef Chris Hastings helms Hot and Hot Fish Club, a dinner spot that pulls out all the romantic stops. Order a glass of wine and the charcuterie and cheese to start. An intimate atmosphere of tinkling glasses, glowing lamps and inspired flavors will follow.
Related: Dinner in Birmingham
New York Prime | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Make reservations for a classically elegant dinner at New York Prime, and you’ll be treated to unforgettable seafood—oysters on the half shell, oysters Rockefeller, and baked shrimp for starters. You can’t go wrong with the steaks and sides; you’ll find the meat and vegetables cooked to mouth-watering perfection. Other New York Prime locations can be found in Boca Raton, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia.
Parlor Market | Jackson, Mississippi
For upscale Southern cuisine that is as beautiful as it is delicious, plan a dinner at Parlor Market. Housed in an 1898 building with brick walls, wood beams, and flickering lamplight, a dinner here is sure to provide the most romantic meal of the year. It’s a restaurant with a distinctive sense of place—just don’t forget to visit the marble-topped spirits bar as well as the also-marble-topped raw bar that is tucked in the back of the restaurant.
Restaurant August | New Orleans, Louisiana
In a city filled with romantic locales, Restaurant August is one of the most memorable. Founder John Besh has filled the menu with dishes that are both astonishing and delicious. Located in a 19th-century building in the Central Business District, Restaurant August invites you to linger under glowing chandeliers while the city hums outside.
The Dining Room at Biltmore Estate | Asheville, North Carolina
Could there be a more romantic dining destination than the Biltmore? With stunning Blue Ridge views and white-tablecloth ambience, The Dining Room at Biltmore Estate offers imaginative dishes made with locally sourced ingredients—as well as handcrafted pasta offerings that you won’t want to miss.
The Miller House Restaurant | Owensboro, Kentucky
Located in a grand old home adorned with Corinthian columns, The Miller House Restaurant provides fine dining from an expansive menu in an intimate setting. Nestled under The Miller House is a cozy spirits bar; thanks to the over-400 bourbons stocked there, it's the largest bourbon bar in the state.
Check out some of our other favorite Southern restaurants, inns, and ideal locales for a romantic weekend getaway.
