Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or just a memorable dinner to share with your significant other, when you’re looking to book a nice night out, you may Google “something romantic” and hope for the best result. But the definition means a little something different to everyone: Some picture a classic white-tablecloth restaurant for the ultimate romantic dining destination; others prefer an intimate hideaway with eclectic decor. Highlighting 15 restaurants in and around Boston, this map aims to cover a variety of vibes, neighborhoods, and price points that guarantee a romantic night out.
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The 15 Most Romantic Restaurants Around Boston
From white-tablecloth classics to eclectic hideaways

Spoke Wine Bar
Gorgeous small plates come out of Spoke’s tiny kitchen; one might find a dish such as sunchoke doughnuts with XO gouda and powdered leeks on the compact menu, or perhaps chocolate-beet torte with pistachio and fennel shortbread. Nestle in with a glass of wine you’ve never tried, and get to know your date over a Wagyu beef cheeks or crudo.
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Field & Vine
Sitting inside Field & Vine is like being inside a woodland fairytale thanks to its plant accents and dangling vines. The ever-changing menu emphasizes all things local, especially vegetables; while there’s some seafood and meat on the menu, gorgeous seasonal produce takes center stage. Round out the night with an excellent cocktail next door at Backbar after dinner.
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Dali
As one might hope from a restaurant called Dali, the interior is a fever dream of colors, art, and Spanish decorations: Look one way to find a clothesline full of lingerie; find a beaded curtain in another direction. A couple of secluded window tables are particularly cozy for a date. Open since 1989, the Somerville mainstay has been offering traditional tapas from all over Spain at an affordable price. Don’t miss the albondigas de cordero (lamb meatballs) or costillas de vaca (beef rib).
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Zuzu's Petals
This little nook in Inman Square features the best desserts around by co-owner Alexandra Whisnant, the master chocolatier behind Gâté Comme Des Filles — think ultra-rich chocolate mousse, made-from-scratch tiramisu, and more. It’s positioned as a wine and dessert bar, so don’t feel weird about going just for dessert, but there are also cheese and charcuterie boards available. Romantic bonus: This is a cell-phone-free zone.
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Pammy's
Beautiful space, hospitable staff, impeccable food — Pammy’s is a great fit for a wide variety of occasions, including date night. The gochujang-spiked lumache Bolognese is a must at this self-described new American trattoria.
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Cicada
There’s something magical about Cambridge’s Cicada, an artsy little Vietnamese cafe by day that turns the lights down low at night and serves a flavor-packed dinner menu alongside delicious natural wines. The chef and co-owner behind the innovative menu, Vinh Le, was recently named a semifinalist for a prestigious James Beard Award. Diners will feel right at home in the cozy space, which is filled with lush greenery. If it’s outdoor dining season, try to get a seat in the hidden back garden, one of Central Square’s best secret spots.
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Mamma Maria
Pasta is for lovers, and this North End classic boasts plenty of pasta and plenty of romantic vibes. It features a variety of rooms, each with a different personality, great for private event bookings small and large, but it’s just as nice for a regular date night. The restaurant follows Italian cuisine’s ethos in terms of local sourcing, showcasing New England ingredients in traditional Italian dishes that lean northern in the fall and winter and southern in the spring and summer.
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Mooo
Sure, the name is a little silly, but Beacon Hill destination Mooo is a serious steakhouse, the perfect choice for the type of date where one wants to dress up in a reasonably fancy outfit and drop a lot of money on a perfectly seared porterhouse steak. You’ll want to fill up on the complimentary Parker House rolls, but don’t miss the wagyu beef dumplings. It has two new locations, one in Seaport and one in Burlington.
No. 9 Park
You can’t beat a classic: Barbara Lynch’s No. 9 Park has been a Beacon Hill staple for over two decades, serving upscale fare that draws inspiration from French and Italian cuisines. Head here for a classy special occasion, and go all-in on a chef’s tasting menu or choose among a la carte options like the prune-stuffed gnocchi, which has been on the menu since day one.
O Ya
For those who seek out high-end omakase, O Ya is one of the best options around, and the small, quiet space lends a romantic ambiance to the hours-long, many-course meal. Be sure to reserve a table several weeks in advance.
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Krasi
This relative newcomer to Back Bay serves some of the best Greek food in town — and features a deep Greek wine list — but it also serves up some major sensual vibes. Snuggle into a corner booth and share some DIY tzatziki; fried dough with thyme honey; and a hearty entree, like giouvetsi, a traditional Greek dish made with lamb osso buco and pasta.
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Coquette
Really, any restaurant from COJE Management Group is suitable for a romantic date; they’re all gorgeous and intricately designed in their own ways. For something brighter and frillier, try the group’s Seaport brasserie Coquette, which offers coastal French fare that includes shellfish towers, a raw bar, and an assortment of hearty dishes such as joues de boeuf (beef cheeks) and lamb meatballs.
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Fox & The Knife
The North End isn’t the only place in Boston for pasta and romance. At the Fox & the Knife in South Boston — tagline “stay foxy” — settle in with an amaro flight, share some cheese-stuffed focaccia with a date, and enjoy dishes inspired by Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region.
Ten Tables
For years, Ten Tables — named for its size — has deftly straddled that line between special occasion destination and comfortable neighborhood spot. Time your visit to coincide with a wine dinner for the ultimate date night: a three-course menu for two, with a bottle of wine, is $75, and the menu is always changing.
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Tonino
This Jamaica Plain newcomer is extremely buzzy right now — for good reason. This cozy, neighborhood restaurant serves Sicilian-style pizzas and housemade pasta like cappelletti and chitarra with clams, a dish that pays homage to longstanding Naples restaurant Osteria da Tonino, on which Boston’s Tonino based its name.
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