While some may sneer at the idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day, we can all admit that taking a day to celebrate love in all its forms isn’t such a bad thing, especially if it involves a memorable meal. After all — food is love. Valentine’s Day 2025 falls on Friday, so many restaurants are stepping up to make this day extra-special. If you’re still not sure on plans, we’ve put together a list of Houston-area restaurants offering romantic meals. Make your reservations now! 

All items are subject to change and prices do not include tax and gratuity.

Allen Parkway

Toca Madera, 1744 Allen Parkway: This modern Mexican steakhouse keeps date nights hot with live entertainment featuring fire performers, DJs and musicians. On Valentine’s Day, it is offering its regular menu along with a special entrée and dessert — beef short rib barbacoa with sweet pepper salsa and pickled onions served with tortillas, and  Velvet Love, a red velvet cake with caramel chocolate chantilly and raspberry sauce. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. 

Bellaire

Aya Sushi, 5407 Bellaire: Join chef Yoshi Katsuyama at his modern sushi spot in the Bellaire Triangle for an extravagant 20-bite “True Love” omakase experience for $298 for two ($149 per person). Sit back,relax and enjoy time with your sweetheart while you leave it up to the chef. Diners can likely expect hot dishes and a selection of crudo and nigiri. Add to the festivities with a hand-crafted cocktail such as the Onimasa made with Kikori rice whisky infused with hōjicha, a Japanese green tea, amaretto, pandan syrup, cacao and black truffle bitters. Choose a sake from the over 100 bottles available, or a bottle of wine offered at 50% off for this special day. Reservations are required and can be made on OpenTable.

Galleria

Artisans, 5745 Westheimer: Celebrate La Saint-Valentin at this elegant and eclectic Galleria-area French restaurant. It will offer its “French Kiss” menu from 5 to 10 p.m. on February 14. For $189 per person, diners can enjoy such dishes as Le Foie Gras Torchon au Cognac — foie gras torchon with black truffle Ice cream, dark chocolate hazelnut brioche and cherry gastrique, Le Filet de Boeuf Wellington served with green beans, carrot purée and truffle potato croquettes, and Un Gâteau Napolitain Glacé à la Pistache — a chocolate mousse cake with pistachio ice cream. To make reservations, call the restaurant directly at (713) 529-9111. 

Hidden Omakase, 5353 West Alabama: Impress your date with a 15-course experience at this Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant. The scene will be set with candle light, and chef Marcos Juarez and team will guide diners through courses that include oysters and housemade pasta. There will be complimentary wine and a sweet treat to take home. The menu is available both Thursday, February 13 and Friday, February 14 for $225 per couple, and there are two seating times each night — at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made on Resy.  

Rumi’s Kitchen, 1801 Post Oak: The elegant Galleria-area Persian restaurant is offering a five-course, prix fixe menu for $145 per person with optional wine pairings available at two price points of $65 and $120. The beautiful dining room is a romantic setting for menu highlights that include labneh (strained thick yogurt) charred tomato with basil purée and urfa chili, Apricot Braised Kofta (beef and lamb meatballs), Wagyu Zabuton, goat’s milk feta with beets, Za’atar and Pistachio Preserves. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. 

Tavola, 1800 Post Oak: The upscale Italian eatery is celebrating love with a prix-fixe menu crafted by chef de cuisine Michael Lara. The three-course menu, aptly named “The Romeo and Giulietta”, is priced at $90 per person. Starters include options such as Artichoke Salad, burrata with beets or Crab Croquettes with an optional caviar upgrade. For the main course, guests can choose from dishes such as Agnolotti with Artichokes and Pecorino Romano, Pollo Al Mattone, or a New York strip with gorgonzola and potatoes. Desserts include Tiramisu Grazie Mille, raspberry panna cotta, or housemade gelato. Toast to romance with special wine selections and speciality cocktails while live music sets a romantic ambiance. Reservations are recommended and can be made on OpenTable. 

Heights

B&B Butchers & Restaurant, 1814 Washington: Berg Hospitality’s flagship boutique steakhouse is offering an experience for duos with its Lover’s Package. Priced at $225 per couple, the meal starts with a choice of Caesar salad or a half dozen East Coast oysters, followed by a Chateaubriand surf and turf served with two sides. For a sweet ending choose between chocolate cake or New York style cheesecake. The regular menu with a la carte options of favorites like Chef Tommy’s bacon, caviar service and rigatoni alla vodka, will also be available. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website.

MAVEN at Sawyer Yards, 1501 Silver Street: Spend Valentine’s evening cozied up at this  all-day café that transforms into an intimate, modern space for dinner. Diners can partake in a four-course menu for $66 per guest with an optional $28 wine pairing. Start with a choice of shrimp cocktail or oysters on the half shell, followed by a tableside Caesar salad. The main course features a selection of Beef Wellington or Ibiza lobster with fried potato and egg yolk jam. Choose between Smoked S’mores or butter pound cake with raspberry sauce to end your meal. Reservations are recommended and can be made on Resy. 

Mutiny Wine Room, 1124 Usener:  This Heights wine bar is cozy and intimate any day but on Valentine’s Day, love is definitely in the air. A three-course menu for $75 per person is available from 4 to 9 p.m. (The regular menu will also be available.) Savor dishes like fresh East Coast oysters with a Thai twist, house-smoked Peking duck breast served with ginger stir-fried rice, and a decadent chocolate and red wine Pot de Crème topped with candied hazelnuts. Enjoy dinner and a bottle of wine in the elegant dining room or on one of the two sizable patios. Reservations are recommended and can be made on Resy. 

Midtown

Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith: Let the romance roll, and treat your special someone to a three-course Creole dinner. For $89 per person, diners can choose from starters such as the signature Snapping Turtle Soup or seafood gumbo. Entrée options include Pecan-Crusted Gulf Fish or Mint Julep Rack of Lamb. Finish with the famous tableside Bananas Foster. There will be an elegant balloon display that will serve as the perfect backdrop to document your evening. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the restaurant at (713) 522-9711. 

Montrose

Doris Metropolitan, 2815 South Shepherd: The upscale Israeli steakhouse from Sof Hospitality (Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy are James Beard Award semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurateur) is always a good choice for special occasions. For Valentine’s Day it dials up the romance with candles and decorations scattered around the restaurant and specialty cocktails. The regular menu will be offered along with featured dishes, including Lobster with Pomegranate Beurre Blanc and a Date Mousse for dessert. Guests will take home complimentary custom chocolate truffles. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. 

Little’s Oyster Bar, 3001 South Shepherd: Pappas Restaurants’ first chef-driven concept led by Jason Ryczek is the perfect spot for seafood-loving couples. On Valentine’s Day, guests can enjoy a four-course prix fixe menu priced at $125 per person. Start with a Matagorda Pearl oyster topped with Little’s caviar with rosé seafoam and chive oil, and Candy Stripe Beet Salad with Maine lobster, hazelnuts, mint and blood orange. For the entrée, choose between Yellow Edge Grouper served with grits, Swiss chard, blue crab and a radish beurre blanc or a filet of beef with marble potatoes, bacon, baby spinach and horseradish béarnaise. End on a sweet note with a chocolate pot de creme with strawberries and vanilla chantilly. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. 

Rosie Cannonball, 1620 Westheimer: Good Night Hospitality’s trendy spot for European comfort food makes for a fun, casual date night. The playful vibes will be in full swing Valentine’s weekend with ABBA’s greatest hits on deck.  A four-course prix fixe special “red-sauce Italian menu” priced at $85 per person, will be featured on Thursday, February 13 and Friday, February 14. Start with Caesar salad with Osetra caviar to share, antipasti of Focaccia di Recco or a heart-shaped pizza (choose from pepperoni, cacio or 3-cheese) to share, a secondi of blistered salad for the table and a choice for each of chicken parmesan or truffled white lasagna. Dessert options include tiramisu or white chocolate gelato for each person. Reservations are recommended and can be made on OpenTable.

Andiron Grille & Patio, 3201 Allen Parkway: Treat your special someone at the newly retooled Montrose restaurant, led by notable Houston chef Michael O’Connor. (The changes allowed it to make our 2024 Best New Houston Restaurants list.) Along with its regular menu, a Valentine’s Day menu of limited time dishes, will be available February 13 through 15 featuring appetizers such as Gulf stone crab cocktail, pimento cheese with grilled focaccia and jamón ibérico, and entrées such as filet with scallop and shrimp and Ōra King salmon. Guests can complete their meal with the featured dessert, Love You Berry Much, made with berries, white chocolate and almond. Reservations are recommended and can be made on Resy.

Cuchara and Cucharita, 214 & 315 Fairview: Treat your sweetheart to a little taste of Mexico City at this vibrant Montrose restaurant. Dine on savory, traditional dishes such as mole verde and pollo poblano and sip on smoky mezcal cocktails. Diners can then walk hand-in-hand down the street to its sister concept Cucharita for an evening of bubbles and a charcuterie board of cakes and snacks all inclusive for $30 per person, available from 6 to 8 p.m. Romance will be in the air as live violin music sets the mood. Reserve and pre-pay online. 

Annabelle Brasserie,  811 Buffalo Pk: One of Ben Berg’s most-beautiful restaurants is always dressed up for any occasion, and Valentine’s day is no exception. A floral canopy adorned with glittering hearts floats above the main dining room. Celebrate l’amour with a three-course prix fixe menu for $150 per person. Menu highlights include the lobster bisque, pan-seared Gulf snapper, a grilled 6 oz. filet, duck à l’orange, Parisienne steak frites and a rose crème brûlée. Complete your romantic dinner with themed Valentine’s Day cocktails and exclusive drink specials. Reservations are recommended and can be made on OpenTable.

Georgia James, 3503 West Dallas: The modern Montrose steakhouse is now under the ownership team of Bari Hospitality Group. The revamped dining room and stellar service makes for a memorable Valentine’s dinner with your person. A special menu will be available starting Thursday, February 13 through Sunday, February 16. The menu is available as pre-fixe for $125 per person or à la carte in addition to the regular dining menu. Dishes include lobster bisque, foie gras terrine, Chilean sea bass and Beef Wellington. A pistachio and chocolate mousse will make for a sweet finish. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website.

Rice Village

Milton’s, 5117 Kelvin: The Rice Village Italian-American trattoria (named one of our best new restaurants of 2024) is celebrating love with a five-course prix fixe dinner for $95 per person (wine pairings are available for an additional $65/per person). The menu starts off with options such as hearts of palm with fennel, pistachios, and citrus vinaigrette and steak tartare, truffle ricotta ravioli serves as a secondi, mains feature prime rib and grilled branzino. Dessert options include classic tiramisu or olive oil cake. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website. 

River Oaks

Leo’s River Oaks, 2009 West Gray:  The elegant new restaurant located alongside the historic River Oaks Theatre is the ideal backdrop for a romantic evening (and one of our Best New Restaurant picks). It is offering a five-course chef’s tasting menu, priced at $199 per person or $375 per couple. The menu features dishes such as an East Coast oyster trio, lobster ravioli and a luxurious chocolate tart. Leo’s will also be serving a specialty cocktail to celebrate the holiday with Love Potion No. 9, made tableside with Tito’s vodka, dry curaçao, triple sec, lemon juice, Chambord, grenadine and simple syrup. These specials are available Thursday, February 13 through Monday, February 17. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website.  

Ojo de Agua, 4444 Westheimer: The Mexico City based all-day cafe in the River Oaks District is a relaxed and intimate choice for your Valentine’s Day date. Dinner is full-service both inside the chic dining room and the charming patio. It is offering a three-course dinner February 13 to February 16. Priced at $50 per person the menu features starters such as pozole and caesar kale salad, entree choices including octopus mole or filet medallions. For dessert guests can choose between tres leches, churro cheesecake or Mexican flan. Add wine or a cocktail from their extensive menu. Reservations are recommended and can be made on OpenTable. 

Upper Kirby/Greenway

Tony’s, 3755 Richmond: Celebrate your special someone Tony’s-style and enjoy a three-course, prix fixe menu available February 13 through February 15. There will be two seating times available each night with prices ranging from $120 per person to $155 per person.  Options on the menu include pansoti, a butternut squash-filled pasta, and broiled rock lobster tail. Each evening will feature live music to make the night even more memorable. Reservations are required and can be made on OpenTable. 

Minh Truong

Minh Truong is an avid lover of the Houston food scene and has written about it since 2011, starting as a freelance contributor for the Houston Press. She never stops exploring all that Houston has to offer.