29 Romantic Restaurants for Date Night in Atlanta
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published January 21, 2021 and last updated October 24, 2024.
Call us biased, but we think ATL is one of the most romantic (and delicious) cities in the U.S.A.! And we can prove it with these restaurants that truly deliver both gourmet cuisine and romance. Here are our top picks for the top 29 romantic restaurants and places in Atlanta, perfect for you and your boo’s next night out on the town. Restaurants listed below in no particular order.
1. Aria
490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Buckhead mainstay Aria is consistently named as one of the top restaurants in Atlanta, and we invite you to come see why for yourself! To start off your meal, enjoy their lobster appetizer consisting of soft, buttery lobster and smooth, creamy truffle potatoes. For a main course, their scallops are always perfectly seared. Linger over dessert and enjoy their gorgeous interiors; they’re truly a sight to behold.
2. Lucian Books & Wine
The intimate, elegant atmosphere at this Buckhead gem with a French inspired menu is perfect for date night. It can be a little pricey here, but it’s a splurge that’s worth it! Unlike other places where it’s all style and no substance, you really feel that each dish is exquisitely crafted here. You can taste the care and attention to detail they put into everything. Try the omelette topped with caviar, and get an order of their truffle fries as well as the portions can be a little small.
3. Kimball House
The ambiance is very special at this New American Decatur stalwart. Known for their fabulously fresh oysters, every dish is like a work of art–they pay special attention to plating here. The menu changes from time to time, and they always have something delicious on the dessert menu if you have a sweet tooth. The cocktails are also some of the most raved about in the city. Is it expensive? Yes, but is it delicious and worth it and will have you coming back and back again for every special occasion? Absolutely.
4. Casi Cielo
Is it just us or is the dining scene in Sandy Springs like, really heating up? Casi Cielo is serving upscale Oaxacan fare. The octopus is to die for, their blue corn tortillas are handmade and cooked the traditional way, and all of their mezcal drinks are super tasty. We’re obsessed! Also not to be missed: their underrated brunch service. Order the pastry basket for an array of Mexican breads and sweets, and dig into their savory avocado dishes while you sip on a mezcal mimosa! It’s A+ stuff.
5. Canoe
Enjoy delicious Southern and New American food with a view with your boo at classic Canoe. Nestled along the Chattahoochee River, Canoe has been delighting Atlanta diners for decades and truly is one of the most romantic restaurants in Atlanta. Plan ahead and book your reservation in advance as they get filled up, and be sure to come back to try their brunch!
6. BoccaLupo
Enjoy handmade pasta right in the heart of Inman Park at BoccaLupo! Their risotto is perfectly savory, and their bruschetta is a great way to start your meal. Black spaghetti is also their specialty if you want a dish that’s truly authentic Italian. Boccalupo also nabbed some awards from the Michelin guide when they came to town for the first time.
7. Le Bilboquet
3027 Bolling Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Le Bilboquet is a total experience. Enjoy top tier French cuisine in their light and airy dining room, or on their gorgeous patio on a summer day. Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert! Their pastries are to die for. You can even make a whole evening out of it with a meander around Buckhead Village!
8. Rock Steady
This West Midtown/Georgia Tech spot is a must for date night! Jerk chicken sliders, oxtail pappardelle, brown stew lamb shank… are you salivating yet? The interiors are gorgeous, with an eclectic mix of modern and island touches that lend to its modern Caribbean fare. The service is fantastic, and there’s a selection of drinks with Caribbean flavors too, like their “Mr. Killa” with Appleton 12 rum, Habanero Tamarind Curry, Lemon, and Pineapple and their guava lemonade is also worth trying. Be aware the music does give it a club feel, so if you prefer a more lively date night then this would be your place but if you prefer something more quiet and intimate, it’d be best to choose somewhere else. There’s some valet parking as well as street parking.
9. The Garden Room
You can catch us and the rest of Atlanta snapping pics for IG at the Garden Room. This gorgeous cocktail bar and restaurant has breathtaking interiors full of rich greenery and artfully arranged florals that you have to see to believe. Some items on the menu include wagyu coulotte and lemon lobster rolls, but it’s their cocktail and drink menu that really shines.
10. Le Colonial
3035 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
The Buckhead crowd knows Le Colonial is the real deal. This French-Vietnamese place is always packed and has the best of both of those worlds: Parisian-Style leather banquettes and seating, Vietnamese staples like pho and bo luc lac (shaking beef), and a French tarte au citron (lemon tart) that will have you saying, “Je l’adore!”
11. Chai Yo Modern Thai
3050 Peachtree Rd NW Suite 8, Atlanta, GA 30305
Chai Yo Modern Thai is an Atlanta Eats staff favorite and with just one date night visit, you’ll understand why. This sexy, upscale Buckhead spot is serving Thai cuisine that truly impresses! The lobster tom kha is silky smooth, and the saku sai kai is a ridiculously tasty and unusual starter. You’ll love the authentic Thai decor and touches throughout the space, as well as the creative cocktail menu. It’s Buckhead at its best!
12. Bistro Niko
Take your sweetie to enjoy classic French fare at this Buckhead staple. You’ll love the classic red French bistro booths, the open kitchen giving you a sneak peak into your meal being made, and classic French fare like escargot, perfectly cooked scallops, and profiteroles.
13. The Alden
For a meal you and your sweetheart will always remember, you really have to check out the Alden. It’s truly a gem right in the heart of Chamblee. The interiors are simple but clean and elegant–the chef’s desire was for the restaurant to be somewhat of a blank slate and for the focus to be on the food and service. Go all out with a tasting menu or order a la carte. You’ll love the seasonally changing menu, and how the cuisine pulls from the chef’s travels all over the world. It’s totally underrated!
14. Tiny Lou’s
Enjoy classic French fare with a visit to Tiny Lou’s at Hotel Clermont. We love their intimate and sexy atmosphere with vintage inspired decor that nods to the past. The pastries are also quite the experience!
15. Bacchanalia
Michelin rated restaurant Bacchanalia continues to serve up excellence year after year. Their seasonally changing four-course, prix fixe meal runs about $125 these days, but note that you’ll probably get to enjoy tons of little chef’s treats all night long. The ingredients are mostly sourced from the owner’s farm so freshness is guaranteed, and the flavors they are creating night after night are sensational.
16. 9-Mile Station
675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
A gorgeous location/view + an outstanding menu is sometimes a hard combo to come by, but honestly, 9 Mile Station on top of Ponce City Market delivers on both fronts. We love their brunch offerings, like the skirt steak and egg frites. After your dinner, you can enjoy some more rooftop fun with all the other rooftop happenings that always are going on at PCM.
17. LaGrotta
It’s safe to say there’s been exponential growth in the restaurant scene in Atlanta. But before the medley of new restaurants that currently exists, there were just a few stalwarts in the community, one of them being LaGrotta. It’s a bit of a journey to get there–enter in through the Peachtree Condominums then take the elevator to the basement and navigate the tunnel-like corridor to the host stand and check in. You could say it’s a testament to the cuisine that its unusual location has not deterred diners one bit in the decades it’s been open. You’ll enjoy the coziness of this place and the white tablecloth restaurant type of service and attention to detail. Many an anniversary and engagement has been celebrated and had here. It’s simply an icon in Atlanta!
18. Delbar
The drinks. The flavors. The tahdig! Delbar is continuing the thread of Persian excellence in Atlanta with its amazing blend of Middle Eastern cuisine. Definitely make reservations, as this spot is booked and busy, and if you’re in search of a quieter, more intimate meal, this isn’t the place as it has a much livelier atmosphere. But the food! Start your meal with the labneh and kashk bademjoon, but whatever you do, don’t miss out on ordering tahdig, a crispy and flavorful take on rice that’s out-of-this-world. Beverage manager Francis Coligado also is always doing his thing behind the bar. Try the Dubai Drift for a fabulous cocktail.
19. Barcelona Wine Bar
Multiple Locations
With new restaurants in Atlanta popping up every day, we still find ourselves coming back again and again to Barcelona… for brunch, for birthdays, and for date night. It really is one of the most romantic restaurants in Atlanta. It also seems like the rest of Atlanta is just as impressed, as both their West Midtown and Inman Park locations are always bustling. Always! Split a carafe of sangria with your date, share some patatas bravas and albondigas, and have a fabulous time at this Spanish spot.
20. St. Cecilia
3455 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
A Chef Ford Fry spot, St. Cecilia, is a great date night spot for freshly made pasta. High ceilings, excellent service, and fresh crudo that’ll delight your senses. It’s totally worth it for the complimentary focaccia bread alone. You and your date will love this elegant, airy Italian option!
21. Poor Calvin’s
510 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Something to love about the South is you’ll find restaurants like these with an amazing mash-up of Southern and Asian flavors. It shouldn’t work, but it does!! Dig into spectacular creations like lobster crawfish wontons and fried frog legs served alongside Thai curry. Every visit is a flavor explosion, and they always have excellent service.
22. Ruby Chow’s
Ruby Chow’s is a small and gorgeous spot by Ponce City Market and it’s perfect for date night. The interiors are luxe and there is some heated outdoor seating as well if you prefer to dine outside. Their menu is an eclectic mix of pan-Asian tapas, with baos and pork belly and very interesting soy sauce egg dish called Shoyu Tomago. Take a short walk over to Ponce City Market for some gelato from Honeysuckle Gelato post date!
23. Lyla Lila
693 Peachtree St NE UNIT 118, Atlanta, GA 30308
We have the ultimate date night idea that is sure to impress your date, may it be the first one or the 50th one. Lyla Lila is just across the street from The Fox Theater, making it the go-to place for dinner before a show or drinks after. Cozy up at the bar and enjoy a hand crafted cocktail, or make a reservation and sit in the main dining room to enjoy dinner. Their menu changes seasonally but it always revolves around a Southern European theme and you can expect dishes like crispy duck lasagna, squid ink spaghetti, snapper and more decadent entrees.
This Brookhaven spot has been serving up some of the best classic French and European fare in the Metro area for decades. 50 years, in fact! The stucco walls, white tablecloths, ambient candles and table lamps throughout the space make this beautiful but unpretentious restaurant feel so homey and intimate. Despite being quite large, the way they section off the restaurant into separate rooms also makes it feel very cozy. Now, let’s talk about the food. It’s great French and European inspired cuisine, with portions that are a little more American, meaning you aren’t going to leave hungry. The Beef Wellington is a spectacular option, and the extra silky creme brulee is the perfect ending to your meal. Make a trip, stat!
25. A Mano
A Mano has us coming back time and again for their classic pasta dishes. Their carbonara always hits the spot, and their cacio e pepe has just the right amount of creaminess and pepper to satisfy. The patio is cute-as-a-button, and you’re going to love the Italian skillet bread, drenched in olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. Gluten-free options are also available.
26. Little Sparrow
1198 Howell Mill Rd #18, Atlanta, GA 30318
Chef Ford Fry creates yet another hit. His newest stylish French brasserie, Little Sparrow, was a huge hit with Atlanta Eats staff this past year. Head upstairs to Bar Blanc for a nightcap after your meal!
27. Forza Storico
1198 Howell Mill Rd #020, Atlanta, GA 30318
Forza Storico, right across the way from Little Sparrow, has easily become one of the most happening spots in West Midtown. Their patio is a wonderful place to share a smooch with your loved one, with plenty of heaters to keep you both cozy in the fall and winter time. The energy is somehow simultaneously both lively and cozy, leading to a date that will earn you tons of brownie points. And did we also mention that the pasta is fantastic?
28. Cabernet Steakhouse
Cabernet Steakhouse is a date night spot that the guys will love just as much as the ladies. There are some serious Mad Men vibes inside at their cigar bar, where you can enjoy a smoke with your meal. A true gem that’s stood the test of time, and worth the trip to Alpharetta.
29. The Select
With its sweeping, luxe interiors and chic cocktails, The Select is one of those restaurants where it’s equally about the ambiance as it is about the food. A part of the new Sandy Springs City Springs development, The Select has been making a name for itself in the community with rave reviews from diners and food critics alike. You’re going to love the miso sea bass and ever-changing pastry menu, as well as their patio with plentiful seating. The Select is also now open for brunch!
