Best Romantic Dining in Dallas

For over twenty-five years, this endlessly buzzing tapas joint has been the destination of choice for area Hispanophiles. And with a charmingly casual vibe, a menu made for sharing and tables out front for alfresco carousing, Cafe Madrid is always a solid option for a date-night. Cozy up over classics like tortilla Española, boquerones fritos, and Andalucian meatballs as well as paella, grilled quail, and other Spanish delicacies. Wash it all down with Spanish wine, sherry or beer, and finish off with flan or flourless chocolate cake. Did we mention the flamenco dancing and live jazz?

If your sweetie has a penchant for sweets, then this dessert-fueled paradise for grown-ups is your destination. Here you'll find a range of decadent treats with cheeky names like the Italian Stallion (a take on tiramisu), and Popcorn Pimp Cheesecake (cheesecake topped with salted popcorn chocolate bark and caramel), backed up with a selection of signature "rim job" wines, coffees and cordials. Whether the desserts are better than sex may be debatable, but the 1940's bordello vibe (think red and gold décor, dim lighting and crystal chandeliers) is undoubtedly a shoo-in for seduction. Unsurprisingly, it's a very popular place to pop the question. Best to book in advance, otherwise expect a wait.

Tucked behind an unmarked door in what formally housed a 1940s era gas station, this sultry, speakeasy-style cocktaileria makes you feel like you stepped into a San Miguel de Allende cantina. After all, what could be more romantic than dining at a cozy candlelit table under a retractable skylight? Along with a cocktail program focused on agave-based spirits, find a solid range of Mexico-inspired dishes: think mini sopes, tacos, and smoked chicken tinga empanadas. And for those who like to incorporate a little dancing with their drinking and dining, head here on the weekend where after 10 p.m. when the venue transforms into a dance party complete with a DJ spinning Latin, hip-hop, and electronica.

It's a rarity to find soufflé on a restaurant menu these days, much less a place boasting a menu almost entirely devoted to this puffed up French classic. Enter Rise, a rustic French-inspired bistro and wine bar specializing in soufflés both savory and sweet. We're talking everything from souffles with lobster to truffle infused mushrooms to chocolate and praline pecan. The restaurant also offers artisanal cheeses, salads, sandwiches, and even steak frites. All of which is served against a magical backdrop of birch tree branches festooned in twinkling lights. If you want to feel as if you've been transported to a countryside cottage somewhere in France, this is the place.

Arguably one of the best date-night eateries in the city has now reopened in the space that formerly housed sibling restaurant, Macellaio's. And though it's not quite as cozy as it was in its smaller digs, diners will still find Lucia's standout selection of creative Italian fare. That, and the new larger space includes a nice covered patio, complete with fans and heaters. The menu changes seasonally, but expect to find options like smoked sweetbread francobolli with brown butter, and dry-aged duck breast with sunchoke puree, escarole and prunes. Must-tries include housemade charcuterie and foie-gras-stuffed prunes. Desserts are also worth pursuing.

Located inside the 5-star Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek hotel, The Mansion Restaurant, with its hand-carved ceilings, ornate fireplaces and stained-glass windows feels tailor-made for romance. Equally lavish is the seasonally changing menu, featuring new American cuisine with a French touch. To that end, expect to find items such as wild mushroom and escargot terrine, Japanese A5 wagyu striploin, and seared halibut with squid ink huarache. For times that call for something extra special, splash out on the seven-course gourmand tasting menu. It's guaranteed to make your partner swoon. Round out the meal with a drink in the bar, where live jazz is on offer Thursday through Saturday evenings.

If you can't swing a trip to Tokyo, this sleek, moodily lit Japanese spot in the Dallas Arts District might be the next best option. Helmed by renowned chef Teiichi Sakurai, the extensive menu features an array of sushi and sashimi (flown in fresh from Kyushu, Japan) along with a variety of both raw and cooked dishes. Sakurai's specialty is hand-crafted soba noodles, which can be ordered cold or warm and come with an assortment of rich broths and sauces. The omakase (tasting menu), while not easy on the wallet, is the best way to experience all Tei-An has to offer. End the night with a Japanese whisky or cocktail on the roof-top terrace and let Cupid do the rest.

Often billed as one of the most romantic restaurants in Dallas, this Greenville Avenue stalwart oozes charm with its dimly lit Victorian decor, intimate little nooks, live piano bar entertainment and a menu that shines with comforting, Francophile classics. Try to snag the alcove table in the back, then delve into things like country-style pate, followed by beet & pear salad with pecans and Stilton cheese, grilled rack of lamb, and roasted duck. Oh, and we'd be remiss not to mention the champagne brie soup, it's the stuff of legends. Equally impressive is the global wine list, many of which are offered by the glass. End on a sweet note with a chocolate terrine or Grand Marnier souffle.

There's always something pleasing to look at and spectacular to devour at this sleek and intimate eatery tucked away in the historic Boyd Hotel building in Deep Ellum. The modern American menu, designed by owner/chef Tracy Miller, features à la carte options ranging from pan-seared lobster cakes to cornflake-panko crusted sea bass, grilled steaks, and grass-fed beef burgers. But what makes this restaurant even more special is its seven-course chef's tasting, which for $120 (including wine pairings) is an incredible deal. While Local serves wine and beer only, creative cocktails like the prosecco mojito and sake pear martini more than make up for the lack of spirits. The signature "chocolate composed" dessert, consisting of a chocolate soufflé, brownie cookies and a mini Ovaltine malt, is a must.

Arguably one of the most buzzworthy dining destinations in the city right now. This glitzy newcomer, led by two-time Michelin-starred chef Danny Grant, opened at the top (49th floor) of The National alongside the Thompson Dallas hotel in March 2021. Food-wise, the menu features modern Italian dishes with a focus on wood-fired specialties and handmade pastas. That translates to everything from whole Maine lobster spaghetti and fire-roasted lasagna to wood-fired salt-crusted fish, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina. All of this comes complete with amazing views of the Dallas skyline. The complimentary glass of champagne for the elevator ride is also a nice touch.