Floataway Café
Courtesy of Floataway Cafe1123 Zonolite Rd NE #15, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA
PHONE
+1 404-892-1414
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Tucked away in a hidden corner of Zonolite Park, Floataway Café is one of Atlanta’s most romantic hidden gems. A renovated warehouse dishing up rustic, country French, Italian, and Mediterranean plates (think oven-roasted fish, handmade pasta, and farm fresh produce), Floataway is the ultimate farm-to-table restaurant, sourcing 90 percent of its ingredients from family-owned farms (including the owner’s personal farm, Summerland). For the most intimate experience, make sure to cozy up at a table in their courtyard that doubles as a romantic garden-style cafe with a starry canopy at night. We recommend their steak tartare and burrata with chimichurri, best when paired with a crisp Rosé, for an unforgettable meal.
Bacchanalia
Anthony Lee
1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA
PHONE
+1 404-365-0410
WEB
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Renowned chef and restaurateur Anne Quatrano (also of Floataway Café) put Atlanta on the national culinary map when she opened Bacchanalia, one of the only high-end restaurants in Atlanta offering multi-course tasting menus made from local, seasonal ingredients (many from Quatrano’s own farm). Impress your date by ordering their four-course menu (three savory courses plus dessert for $95), best when coupled with their carefully selected wine pairings (ranging from an additional $8 to $24 per plate depending on the wine). Though the menu is updated weekly, some of our favorites include the legendary Gulf crab fitter, Kumamoto oysters, and their irresistible Georgia peach beignet.
Aria
490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
PHONE
+1 404-233-7673
WEB
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With more than 15 years experience serving some of the best contemporary American dishes in Atlanta, Aria continuously tops nearly every “hot” restaurant list in the city. A glam atmosphere (the restaurant is dotted with modern art, metallic curtains, and striking chandeliers) in the heart of ritzy Buckhead, Aria is perfect for special occasions and amorous evenings. To up the romance factor, sit downstairs in their cozy, candlelit wine cellar. Be sure to order their time-perfected butter braised lobster.
BoccaLupo
Courtesy of BoccaLupo753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307-2458, USA
PHONE
+1 404-577-2332
WEB
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FOOD OBSESSED
Italians know that food is the language of love, and chef-owner Bruce Logue has weaved this attitude in his own restaurant, BoccaLupo, home to Atlanta’s best Italian-American soul food. With made-from-scratch pasta, BoccaLupo offers incredible classic Italian dishes, like luxurious tagliatelle (made with 20 egg yolks!) or vibrant squid-ink spaghetti, alongside dimly lit tables and a warm atmosphere. On their patio sits a private, lush L-shaped couch, known by regulars as “table 800,” which is arguably the best spot in the house for an ultra-intimate meal separated from the rest of the crowd. Though BoccaLupo serves impeccable dishes in a cozy ambiance, no plate is over $19, making it an extremely affordable option for a romantic meal.
Canoe
4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, USA
PHONE
+1 770-432-2663
WEB
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ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS
Since 1995, Canoe has epitomized the true southern experience—exceptional service, great food, and a picturesque view—the restaurant is nestled on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, with a postcard-worthy garden and terrace to boot. With a menu of modern American cuisine composed of fresh, seasonal ingredients, there’s something for everyone here, whether you’re a meat-and-potatoes dinner (get the “duck n’ beef” burger topped with a sunny-side-up egg, spinach and pickled cabbage, served with truffle pommes frites) or an adventurous eater (go for the slow-roasted Georgia rabbit with ravioli, house bacon, and candied garlic sauce). With a relaxed, welcoming ambiance, there’s not a bad seat in the house for a romantic, memorable evening, though we recommend a cocktail at their River Bar before dinner, where you'll find more than 300 quality wine selections, with nearly 30 available by the glass.
Ecco
40 7th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA
PHONE
+1 404-347-9555
WEB
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Midtown’s Euro-chic Ecco is a great romantic meal option, particularly before or after a show at the nearby Fox Theatre. With more than 95 percent of its products recycled or composed, Ecco is impressively eco-friendly without skimping on taste. Ecco is known for blending exotic flavors of Europe with unique dishes such as fried goat cheese drizzled with honey. Perhaps most impressive is its extensive wine list (featuring many European wines exclusive to Ecco.
No. 246
129 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030, USA
PHONE
+1 678-399-8246
WEB
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Ford Fry's Italian-inspired No. 246’s food speaks for itself. Chef Drew Belline blends high-quality and locally grown ingredients, letting in-season vegetables call the shots. A great way to start (or end) the night is with the beverage manger’s special house-made limoncello flight in fun flavors, like watermelon, peach, and cucumber—an authentic Italian tradition. For something truly special, pull up a chair at the “chef’s counter.” Guests get a private view of the kitchen, interacting with the chefs with behind-the-scenes glimpses of them in action.
Umi
Two Buckhead Plaza, 3050 Peachtreet St NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
PHONE
+1 404-841-0040
WEB
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FINE DINING
Arguably Atlanta’s best sushi restaurant, Umi flies in over two dozen varieties of fish from around the world, primarily from Japan’s Tsukiji Market, daily. Though a table in their swanky dining room may be more private, the best seat in the house is at Umi’s impressive 23-foot custom white oak sushi bar, where chef Fuyuhiko Ito entertains and nourishes diners with his sashimi, nigiri, and modern Japanese small plates. Really wow your date by ordering the omakase menu, which means chef’s choice and starts at $75 per person. Though the quality fish is unparalleled in Atlanta, Umi has other comforts not normally found in sushi restaurants, such as craft coffee service, a full bar and an incredible dessert menu (don’t miss chef Lisa Ito’s legendary green tea soufflé—the perfect ending to any romantic evening).
The Sun Dial
210 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
PHONE
+1 404-589-7506
WEB
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Housed atop The Westin Peachtree Plaza, 723 feet above Peachtree Street, The Sun Dial is a stunning choice for a romantic dinner with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Atlanta skyline. Between tantalizing plates and live jazz, the restaurant carries a soothing, sophisticated ambiance. Featuring a top-notch menu, our favorite items are their seared sea scallops with purple rice and andouille sausage, and the butter poached lobster 'bake' with heirloom orange grits, baby carrots, cream corn sauce, and chive oil.
Kevin Rathbun Steak
154 Krog St NE #200, Atlanta, GA 30307-2484, USA
PHONE
+1 404-524-5600
WEB
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Steps away from the Atlanta Beltline, dinner at Kevin Rathbun Steak is truly a five-star dining experience. Boasting an exceptional wine list of more than 200 labels and a big-flavor menu including, perhaps, the best steaks in town. Cozy up in one of their plush booths and choose from their seasonal menu, including dishes like house-cured, grilled, thick-cut bacon with Sriracha-molasses, lobster fritters with lemon zest honey mustard or the always popular dry-aged Cowboy ribeye. For a small wedding reception or party, cozy up in their wine cellar, where you can play your own music.
Restaurant Eugene
2277 Peachtree Rd Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
PHONE
+1 404-355-0321
WEB
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Chef Linton Hopkins was one of Atlanta’s fine dining pioneers when he opened Restaurant Eugene back in 2004. Still today, Eugene tops every “best of” list thanks in large part to the locally grown and chef-driven dishes, like warm vegetables à la grecque with cheddar and crisp ham. For a special occasion, try their extravagant Siberian Sturgeon Caviar, served with potato chips, capers, clabber, and chives. Their five-course tasting and wine pairing menu allow you to sample some of the chef’s best plates and scores some bonus points on your date. Restaurant Eugene is many locals’ favorite spot to spend special occasions, known for its luxurious, intimate atmosphere and unparalleled service.
10 Degrees South
4183 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342-3715, USA
PHONE
+1 404-705-8870
WEB
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The sexy, sophisticated 10 Degrees South is one of Atlanta’s best-kept secrets, specializing in bold South African flavor. With white tablecloths, wood floors, dim lighting, and beautiful wooden chairs, the indoor patio at 10 Degrees South exudes the romantic, intimate feel of a South African bungalow. The exotic menu fuses together French, Portuguese, Dutch, German and Malaysian tastes in dishes like chicken curry with traditional South African spices and herbs and giant prawns butterflied and grilled in the shells and bathed in lemon butter sauce. Make sure to order a glass of wine from their extensive South African wine list to complete your romantic meal.
Nikolai's Roof
Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
PHONE
+1 404-221-6362
WEB
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Nikolai’s Roof, home to one of the best skyline views in Atlanta, is an upscale restaurant specializing in French-Russian cuisine. Housed on the 30th floor of the Hilton Atlanta hotel, floor-to-ceiling windows surround the plush booths and tables decked in white tablecloths. Diners can choose a window-facing table for the most breathtaking views to accompany their decadent seasonal tasting menu (starting at $44 per person for three courses). Sip on a glass of wine from the award-winning wine selection and cozy up to celebrate any special occasion in impeccable fashion.
The Blind Pig Parlour
The Blind Pig Parlour Bar
128 E Andrews Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305-1315, USA
PHONE
+1 678-705-7697
WEB
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The Blind Pig Parlor is an exclusive speakeasy—you need a password to enter—perfect for craft cocktails and shared small plates. Open only from Wednesday to Saturday, reservations are not available, so arrive early. Once you’ve arrived, head to the cushioned booths near the fireplace for a cozy, intimate date where you can order several small plates such as a cured salmon plate with pickled okra, julienne onion, and horseradish cream and pickled shrimp with shaved celery, pickled julienne vegetables, and crackers, alongside a live jazz trio. Pair it with their “find thing to say” cocktail—whiskey, black tea, aquavit, crème de cacao and lemon—to warm up your evening even more.
BoccaLupo
Matthew Wong
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753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307-2458, USA
PHONE
+1 404-577-2332
WEB
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Located in a charming renovated bungalow in the heart of Inman Park, BuccoLuppo is the ultimate neighborhood Italian restaurant. Come for the homemade and extruded pasta—including the black spaghetti with hot calabrese sausage, red shrimp, and scallions—but save room for the seasonal antipasti like the crispy brussels sprouts with blood orange, soppressata, and chicory. At just $42, the chef's four-course tasting menu is one of the city's most affordable.
Sotto Sotto
313 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
PHONE
+1 404-523-6678
WEB
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This Inman Park restaurant has been serving up fresh pasta, stellar wine, and cozy vibes for over 15 years. A favorite of Top Chef alum and El Super Pan chef and owner Hector Santiago, Sotto Sotto specializes in traditional Italian cuisine like the Tortelli di Michelangelo—pillowy ravioli stuffed with chicken, pork and veal in a decadent sage and butter sauce—served with seasonal and local ingredients. Pro tip: grab a seat on the patio, weather permitting.
La Tavola
992 Virginia Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA
PHONE
+1 404-873-5430
WEB
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Tucked away in a narrow space in the heart of Virginia-Highland, this Fifth Group concept flies under the radar but is well worth a visit. "Molto Mondays," which includes a heaping bowl of pasta with a glass of wine for just $15, is one of the city's best kept secrets.
Pricci
500 Pharr Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
PHONE
+1 404-237-2941
WEB
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If you fancy white tablecloth Italian with exceptional service, look no further than this Buckhead institution. Dine a la carte on house favorites like the gnocchi formaggi e tartufo—billowy ricotta dumplings with shaved black truffles and pickled chanterelles—or splurge for the five course wine dinner, which is just $100 per person.
St. Cecilia
3455 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, USA
PHONE
+1 404-554-9995
WEB
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This Buckhead stunner (a 2017 James Beard award-winner for best restaurant design) specializes in coastal Mediterranean cuisine. While the pastas like cacio e pepe and the short rib agnolotti are excellent, the seafood—like the charred octopus and Harissa-marinated swordfish—is the real standout here. Don't miss the weekly Sunday brunch, which includes all-you-can-eat antipasti at the chef’s counter.
The Capital Grille
Located in: The Shops at Buckhead
Address: 255 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 11:30AM
Menu: thecapitalgrille.com
Reservations: thecapitalgrille.com, opentable.com
Phone: (404) 262-1162
"Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for its expertly prepared steaks, which are dry-aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. See you soon."
City Winery Atlanta
Located in: Ponce City Market
Address: 650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 11AM
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Reservations: opentable.com
Phone: (404) 946-3791
City Winery Atlanta, in Ponce City Market across from Historic Fourth Ward Park, is a full-function winemaking facility and barrel room that also offers a concert venue, full-service restaurant and bar. Dishes on this menu are globally influenced and made to pair with wine since more than 400 different wines are available by the glass, including some made on site.
A “dinner and a show” date night is simple here since concert tickets automatically include dinner reservations. But if you prefer to skip live performances, you can opt for dining only.
The Painted Pin
Located in: Shops of Miami Circle
Address: 737 Miami Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Hours: Opens 5PM
Phone: (404) 814-8736
The Painted Pin, located on Buckhead’s industrial Miami Circle, is an upscale boutique adults-oriented bowling alley with impressive food and wine menus. Bowling is a classic date night activity, but this place surpasses the average alley: “We have well-rounded, high-quality beverage offerings with depth and breadth you’d expect of a fine dining restaurant,” says proprietor Justin Amick, who also happens to be one of Atlanta’s leading sommeliers.
Every wine on this menu is available by the glass and bottle, with an average of about 20 different labels featured on any given night. High-quality food options include fried oyster sliders, blackened mahi tacos, and prosciutto and pineapple wood-fired pizza, among other temptations.
Polaris
Located in: Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Address: 265 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 5PM
Reservations: opentable.com
Phone: (404) 460-6425
Polaris revolves atop the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Downtown Atlanta. Alongside its chic retro vibe, the bar and restaurant offers a view that changes throughout the visit since the entire blue dome completes a full rotation every 45 minutes. Every seat in this dining room is a good one, since all tables are near the windows. Bold flavors and creative presentations define these indulgent handcrafted cocktails, small plates and seasonal entrées.
Red Phone Booth
Address: 17 Andrew Young International Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 4PM
Phone: (404) 228-7528
Red Phone Booth, located downtown Atlanta in the Dailey’s building, is a Prohibition-inspired speakeasy that’s so authentic to history the entry is hidden (inside an easy-to-spot red phone booth on the sidewalk) and a secret code is required for access. The code is so protected that we can’t publish it here, but we can reveal one way to get it: Dine at Amalfi Pizza upstairs and the server can share the code if you ask nicely after the meal.
It’s worth the effort to gain access to Red Phone Booth because the cocktails are top-notch, made to order with impressive details like fresh-squeezed juice, hand-chipped double-reverse osmosis ice, fresh-cut garnishes, and rare spirits. Cocktails are the primary focus, but small plate options include Neapolitan pizza (from the sister restaurant upstairs), fresh seafood, carpaccio, and an array of desserts.
The space has a rich masculine vibe with big leather couches and dark woods. Cigar smokers are welcome to light up; a complex air filtration system is in place to help ensure all visitors can breathe easy.
South City Kitchen
Address: 1144 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Hours:
Closed ⋅ Opens 11AM
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Reservations: opentable.com
Phone: (404) 873-7358
South City Kitchen, in Midtown, feels extra warm and cozy when the weather outside is frightful thanks to its fabulous fireplace, but the Atlanta mainstay is a great date night option year-round. The menu offers sophisticated preparations of Southern favorites like she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, Carolina trout, shrimp and Geechee Boy grits, pulled pork and other delights.
Plentiful drink options and attentive service also help make dinner here feel like a special treat. (Note that the restaurant is located inside a 1920s bungalow that’s not wheelchair accessible.)
Southern Art and Bourbon Bar
Located in: InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
Address: 3315 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Hours:
Open ⋅ Closes 10:30AM ⋅ Reopens 11:30AM
Reservations: southernart.com, opentable.com
Order: ubereats.com
Phone: (404) 946-9070
Southern Art and Bourbon Bar, on the ground floor of the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, showcases contemporary Southern cuisine from James Beard Award-winning celebrity Chef Art Smith. Oprah Winfrey’s former personal chef opened this Atlanta date night destination in 2011.
The Georgia native’s menu showcases Southern classics like chicken and dumplings, shrimp and grits, Carolina gold rice risotto, bourbon-glazed pork shank, 12-layer red velvet cake and more. The stylish Bourbon Bar serves more than 70 distinct bourbons plus an array of cocktails from every era including pre-Prohibition classics.
TWO Urban Licks
Address: 820 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Hours:
Closed ⋅ Opens 5:30PM
Menu: twourbanlicks.com
Reservations: twourbanlicks.com, opentable.com
Phone: (404) 522-4622
Two Urban Licks, in Poncey-Highland, combines dinner and a show with its knockout menu of fiery American cooking and live musical entertainment. Among the vast array of mouthwatering dishes on this menu are several featuring smoked meats and shellfish. What’s more, you can feel like thieves, “stealing” wine from the first-ever barrel tower of wine—a perfect date night experience to share with the one who stole your heart.
Blues performers take the stage every Tuesday through Saturday night from 8 p.m. to Midnight while radios blare on Sundays and Mondays. Note that the volume and energy of this place is ramped up, so come to enjoy foot-tapping togetherness rather than hushed intimate conversation.
Vino Venue
Located in: Georgetown Shopping Center
Address: 4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Hours:
Closed ⋅ Opens 10AM
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Reservations: vinovenue.com
Phone: (770) 668-0435
Vino Venue, in Dunwoody, endures as one of our date night favs. Whether you’re heading in for a few samples of fine, a dinner or a full-on cooking class, you just can’t go wrong.
PHONE
+1 404-892-1414
WEB
Visit website
Tucked away in a hidden corner of Zonolite Park, Floataway Café is one of Atlanta’s most romantic hidden gems. A renovated warehouse dishing up rustic, country French, Italian, and Mediterranean plates (think oven-roasted fish, handmade pasta, and farm fresh produce), Floataway is the ultimate farm-to-table restaurant, sourcing 90 percent of its ingredients from family-owned farms (including the owner’s personal farm, Summerland). For the most intimate experience, make sure to cozy up at a table in their courtyard that doubles as a romantic garden-style cafe with a starry canopy at night. We recommend their steak tartare and burrata with chimichurri, best when paired with a crisp Rosé, for an unforgettable meal.
Bacchanalia
Anthony Lee
1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA
PHONE
+1 404-365-0410
WEB
Visit website
Renowned chef and restaurateur Anne Quatrano (also of Floataway Café) put Atlanta on the national culinary map when she opened Bacchanalia, one of the only high-end restaurants in Atlanta offering multi-course tasting menus made from local, seasonal ingredients (many from Quatrano’s own farm). Impress your date by ordering their four-course menu (three savory courses plus dessert for $95), best when coupled with their carefully selected wine pairings (ranging from an additional $8 to $24 per plate depending on the wine). Though the menu is updated weekly, some of our favorites include the legendary Gulf crab fitter, Kumamoto oysters, and their irresistible Georgia peach beignet.
Aria
490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
PHONE
+1 404-233-7673
WEB
Visit website
With more than 15 years experience serving some of the best contemporary American dishes in Atlanta, Aria continuously tops nearly every “hot” restaurant list in the city. A glam atmosphere (the restaurant is dotted with modern art, metallic curtains, and striking chandeliers) in the heart of ritzy Buckhead, Aria is perfect for special occasions and amorous evenings. To up the romance factor, sit downstairs in their cozy, candlelit wine cellar. Be sure to order their time-perfected butter braised lobster.
BoccaLupo
PHONE
+1 404-577-2332
WEB
Visit website
FOOD OBSESSED
Italians know that food is the language of love, and chef-owner Bruce Logue has weaved this attitude in his own restaurant, BoccaLupo, home to Atlanta’s best Italian-American soul food. With made-from-scratch pasta, BoccaLupo offers incredible classic Italian dishes, like luxurious tagliatelle (made with 20 egg yolks!) or vibrant squid-ink spaghetti, alongside dimly lit tables and a warm atmosphere. On their patio sits a private, lush L-shaped couch, known by regulars as “table 800,” which is arguably the best spot in the house for an ultra-intimate meal separated from the rest of the crowd. Though BoccaLupo serves impeccable dishes in a cozy ambiance, no plate is over $19, making it an extremely affordable option for a romantic meal.
Canoe
4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, USA
PHONE
+1 770-432-2663
WEB
Visit website
ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS
Since 1995, Canoe has epitomized the true southern experience—exceptional service, great food, and a picturesque view—the restaurant is nestled on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, with a postcard-worthy garden and terrace to boot. With a menu of modern American cuisine composed of fresh, seasonal ingredients, there’s something for everyone here, whether you’re a meat-and-potatoes dinner (get the “duck n’ beef” burger topped with a sunny-side-up egg, spinach and pickled cabbage, served with truffle pommes frites) or an adventurous eater (go for the slow-roasted Georgia rabbit with ravioli, house bacon, and candied garlic sauce). With a relaxed, welcoming ambiance, there’s not a bad seat in the house for a romantic, memorable evening, though we recommend a cocktail at their River Bar before dinner, where you'll find more than 300 quality wine selections, with nearly 30 available by the glass.
Ecco
40 7th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA
PHONE
+1 404-347-9555
WEB
Visit website
Midtown’s Euro-chic Ecco is a great romantic meal option, particularly before or after a show at the nearby Fox Theatre. With more than 95 percent of its products recycled or composed, Ecco is impressively eco-friendly without skimping on taste. Ecco is known for blending exotic flavors of Europe with unique dishes such as fried goat cheese drizzled with honey. Perhaps most impressive is its extensive wine list (featuring many European wines exclusive to Ecco.
No. 246
129 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030, USA
PHONE
+1 678-399-8246
WEB
Visit website
Ford Fry's Italian-inspired No. 246’s food speaks for itself. Chef Drew Belline blends high-quality and locally grown ingredients, letting in-season vegetables call the shots. A great way to start (or end) the night is with the beverage manger’s special house-made limoncello flight in fun flavors, like watermelon, peach, and cucumber—an authentic Italian tradition. For something truly special, pull up a chair at the “chef’s counter.” Guests get a private view of the kitchen, interacting with the chefs with behind-the-scenes glimpses of them in action.
Umi
Two Buckhead Plaza, 3050 Peachtreet St NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
PHONE
+1 404-841-0040
WEB
Visit website
FINE DINING
Arguably Atlanta’s best sushi restaurant, Umi flies in over two dozen varieties of fish from around the world, primarily from Japan’s Tsukiji Market, daily. Though a table in their swanky dining room may be more private, the best seat in the house is at Umi’s impressive 23-foot custom white oak sushi bar, where chef Fuyuhiko Ito entertains and nourishes diners with his sashimi, nigiri, and modern Japanese small plates. Really wow your date by ordering the omakase menu, which means chef’s choice and starts at $75 per person. Though the quality fish is unparalleled in Atlanta, Umi has other comforts not normally found in sushi restaurants, such as craft coffee service, a full bar and an incredible dessert menu (don’t miss chef Lisa Ito’s legendary green tea soufflé—the perfect ending to any romantic evening).
The Sun Dial
210 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
PHONE
+1 404-589-7506
WEB
Visit website
Housed atop The Westin Peachtree Plaza, 723 feet above Peachtree Street, The Sun Dial is a stunning choice for a romantic dinner with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Atlanta skyline. Between tantalizing plates and live jazz, the restaurant carries a soothing, sophisticated ambiance. Featuring a top-notch menu, our favorite items are their seared sea scallops with purple rice and andouille sausage, and the butter poached lobster 'bake' with heirloom orange grits, baby carrots, cream corn sauce, and chive oil.
Kevin Rathbun Steak
154 Krog St NE #200, Atlanta, GA 30307-2484, USA
PHONE
+1 404-524-5600
WEB
Visit website
Steps away from the Atlanta Beltline, dinner at Kevin Rathbun Steak is truly a five-star dining experience. Boasting an exceptional wine list of more than 200 labels and a big-flavor menu including, perhaps, the best steaks in town. Cozy up in one of their plush booths and choose from their seasonal menu, including dishes like house-cured, grilled, thick-cut bacon with Sriracha-molasses, lobster fritters with lemon zest honey mustard or the always popular dry-aged Cowboy ribeye. For a small wedding reception or party, cozy up in their wine cellar, where you can play your own music.
Restaurant Eugene
2277 Peachtree Rd Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
PHONE
+1 404-355-0321
WEB
Visit website
Chef Linton Hopkins was one of Atlanta’s fine dining pioneers when he opened Restaurant Eugene back in 2004. Still today, Eugene tops every “best of” list thanks in large part to the locally grown and chef-driven dishes, like warm vegetables à la grecque with cheddar and crisp ham. For a special occasion, try their extravagant Siberian Sturgeon Caviar, served with potato chips, capers, clabber, and chives. Their five-course tasting and wine pairing menu allow you to sample some of the chef’s best plates and scores some bonus points on your date. Restaurant Eugene is many locals’ favorite spot to spend special occasions, known for its luxurious, intimate atmosphere and unparalleled service.
10 Degrees South
4183 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342-3715, USA
PHONE
+1 404-705-8870
WEB
Visit website
The sexy, sophisticated 10 Degrees South is one of Atlanta’s best-kept secrets, specializing in bold South African flavor. With white tablecloths, wood floors, dim lighting, and beautiful wooden chairs, the indoor patio at 10 Degrees South exudes the romantic, intimate feel of a South African bungalow. The exotic menu fuses together French, Portuguese, Dutch, German and Malaysian tastes in dishes like chicken curry with traditional South African spices and herbs and giant prawns butterflied and grilled in the shells and bathed in lemon butter sauce. Make sure to order a glass of wine from their extensive South African wine list to complete your romantic meal.
Nikolai's Roof
Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
PHONE
+1 404-221-6362
WEB
Visit website
Nikolai’s Roof, home to one of the best skyline views in Atlanta, is an upscale restaurant specializing in French-Russian cuisine. Housed on the 30th floor of the Hilton Atlanta hotel, floor-to-ceiling windows surround the plush booths and tables decked in white tablecloths. Diners can choose a window-facing table for the most breathtaking views to accompany their decadent seasonal tasting menu (starting at $44 per person for three courses). Sip on a glass of wine from the award-winning wine selection and cozy up to celebrate any special occasion in impeccable fashion.
The Blind Pig Parlour
The Blind Pig Parlour Bar
128 E Andrews Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305-1315, USA
PHONE
+1 678-705-7697
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The Blind Pig Parlor is an exclusive speakeasy—you need a password to enter—perfect for craft cocktails and shared small plates. Open only from Wednesday to Saturday, reservations are not available, so arrive early. Once you’ve arrived, head to the cushioned booths near the fireplace for a cozy, intimate date where you can order several small plates such as a cured salmon plate with pickled okra, julienne onion, and horseradish cream and pickled shrimp with shaved celery, pickled julienne vegetables, and crackers, alongside a live jazz trio. Pair it with their “find thing to say” cocktail—whiskey, black tea, aquavit, crème de cacao and lemon—to warm up your evening even more.
BoccaLupo
Matthew Wong
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753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307-2458, USA
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+1 404-577-2332
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Located in a charming renovated bungalow in the heart of Inman Park, BuccoLuppo is the ultimate neighborhood Italian restaurant. Come for the homemade and extruded pasta—including the black spaghetti with hot calabrese sausage, red shrimp, and scallions—but save room for the seasonal antipasti like the crispy brussels sprouts with blood orange, soppressata, and chicory. At just $42, the chef's four-course tasting menu is one of the city's most affordable.
Sotto Sotto
313 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
PHONE
+1 404-523-6678
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This Inman Park restaurant has been serving up fresh pasta, stellar wine, and cozy vibes for over 15 years. A favorite of Top Chef alum and El Super Pan chef and owner Hector Santiago, Sotto Sotto specializes in traditional Italian cuisine like the Tortelli di Michelangelo—pillowy ravioli stuffed with chicken, pork and veal in a decadent sage and butter sauce—served with seasonal and local ingredients. Pro tip: grab a seat on the patio, weather permitting.
La Tavola
992 Virginia Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA
PHONE
+1 404-873-5430
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Tucked away in a narrow space in the heart of Virginia-Highland, this Fifth Group concept flies under the radar but is well worth a visit. "Molto Mondays," which includes a heaping bowl of pasta with a glass of wine for just $15, is one of the city's best kept secrets.
Pricci
500 Pharr Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
PHONE
+1 404-237-2941
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If you fancy white tablecloth Italian with exceptional service, look no further than this Buckhead institution. Dine a la carte on house favorites like the gnocchi formaggi e tartufo—billowy ricotta dumplings with shaved black truffles and pickled chanterelles—or splurge for the five course wine dinner, which is just $100 per person.
St. Cecilia
3455 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, USA
PHONE
+1 404-554-9995
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This Buckhead stunner (a 2017 James Beard award-winner for best restaurant design) specializes in coastal Mediterranean cuisine. While the pastas like cacio e pepe and the short rib agnolotti are excellent, the seafood—like the charred octopus and Harissa-marinated swordfish—is the real standout here. Don't miss the weekly Sunday brunch, which includes all-you-can-eat antipasti at the chef’s counter.
The Capital Grille
Located in: The Shops at Buckhead
Address: 255 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 11:30AM
Menu: thecapitalgrille.com
Reservations: thecapitalgrille.com, opentable.com
Phone: (404) 262-1162
"Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for its expertly prepared steaks, which are dry-aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. See you soon."
City Winery Atlanta
Located in: Ponce City Market
Address: 650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 11AM
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Reservations: opentable.com
Phone: (404) 946-3791
City Winery Atlanta, in Ponce City Market across from Historic Fourth Ward Park, is a full-function winemaking facility and barrel room that also offers a concert venue, full-service restaurant and bar. Dishes on this menu are globally influenced and made to pair with wine since more than 400 different wines are available by the glass, including some made on site.
A “dinner and a show” date night is simple here since concert tickets automatically include dinner reservations. But if you prefer to skip live performances, you can opt for dining only.
The Painted Pin
Located in: Shops of Miami Circle
Address: 737 Miami Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Hours: Opens 5PM
Phone: (404) 814-8736
The Painted Pin, located on Buckhead’s industrial Miami Circle, is an upscale boutique adults-oriented bowling alley with impressive food and wine menus. Bowling is a classic date night activity, but this place surpasses the average alley: “We have well-rounded, high-quality beverage offerings with depth and breadth you’d expect of a fine dining restaurant,” says proprietor Justin Amick, who also happens to be one of Atlanta’s leading sommeliers.
Every wine on this menu is available by the glass and bottle, with an average of about 20 different labels featured on any given night. High-quality food options include fried oyster sliders, blackened mahi tacos, and prosciutto and pineapple wood-fired pizza, among other temptations.
Polaris
Located in: Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Address: 265 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 5PM
Reservations: opentable.com
Phone: (404) 460-6425
Polaris revolves atop the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Downtown Atlanta. Alongside its chic retro vibe, the bar and restaurant offers a view that changes throughout the visit since the entire blue dome completes a full rotation every 45 minutes. Every seat in this dining room is a good one, since all tables are near the windows. Bold flavors and creative presentations define these indulgent handcrafted cocktails, small plates and seasonal entrées.
Red Phone Booth
Address: 17 Andrew Young International Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 4PM
Phone: (404) 228-7528
Red Phone Booth, located downtown Atlanta in the Dailey’s building, is a Prohibition-inspired speakeasy that’s so authentic to history the entry is hidden (inside an easy-to-spot red phone booth on the sidewalk) and a secret code is required for access. The code is so protected that we can’t publish it here, but we can reveal one way to get it: Dine at Amalfi Pizza upstairs and the server can share the code if you ask nicely after the meal.
It’s worth the effort to gain access to Red Phone Booth because the cocktails are top-notch, made to order with impressive details like fresh-squeezed juice, hand-chipped double-reverse osmosis ice, fresh-cut garnishes, and rare spirits. Cocktails are the primary focus, but small plate options include Neapolitan pizza (from the sister restaurant upstairs), fresh seafood, carpaccio, and an array of desserts.
The space has a rich masculine vibe with big leather couches and dark woods. Cigar smokers are welcome to light up; a complex air filtration system is in place to help ensure all visitors can breathe easy.
South City Kitchen
Address: 1144 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Hours:
Closed ⋅ Opens 11AM
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Reservations: opentable.com
Phone: (404) 873-7358
South City Kitchen, in Midtown, feels extra warm and cozy when the weather outside is frightful thanks to its fabulous fireplace, but the Atlanta mainstay is a great date night option year-round. The menu offers sophisticated preparations of Southern favorites like she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, Carolina trout, shrimp and Geechee Boy grits, pulled pork and other delights.
Plentiful drink options and attentive service also help make dinner here feel like a special treat. (Note that the restaurant is located inside a 1920s bungalow that’s not wheelchair accessible.)
Southern Art and Bourbon Bar
Located in: InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
Address: 3315 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Hours:
Open ⋅ Closes 10:30AM ⋅ Reopens 11:30AM
Reservations: southernart.com, opentable.com
Order: ubereats.com
Phone: (404) 946-9070
Southern Art and Bourbon Bar, on the ground floor of the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, showcases contemporary Southern cuisine from James Beard Award-winning celebrity Chef Art Smith. Oprah Winfrey’s former personal chef opened this Atlanta date night destination in 2011.
The Georgia native’s menu showcases Southern classics like chicken and dumplings, shrimp and grits, Carolina gold rice risotto, bourbon-glazed pork shank, 12-layer red velvet cake and more. The stylish Bourbon Bar serves more than 70 distinct bourbons plus an array of cocktails from every era including pre-Prohibition classics.
TWO Urban Licks
Address: 820 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Hours:
Closed ⋅ Opens 5:30PM
Menu: twourbanlicks.com
Reservations: twourbanlicks.com, opentable.com
Phone: (404) 522-4622
Two Urban Licks, in Poncey-Highland, combines dinner and a show with its knockout menu of fiery American cooking and live musical entertainment. Among the vast array of mouthwatering dishes on this menu are several featuring smoked meats and shellfish. What’s more, you can feel like thieves, “stealing” wine from the first-ever barrel tower of wine—a perfect date night experience to share with the one who stole your heart.
Blues performers take the stage every Tuesday through Saturday night from 8 p.m. to Midnight while radios blare on Sundays and Mondays. Note that the volume and energy of this place is ramped up, so come to enjoy foot-tapping togetherness rather than hushed intimate conversation.
Vino Venue
Located in: Georgetown Shopping Center
Address: 4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Hours:
Closed ⋅ Opens 10AM
Menu: places.singleplatform.com
Reservations: vinovenue.com
Phone: (770) 668-0435
Vino Venue, in Dunwoody, endures as one of our date night favs. Whether you’re heading in for a few samples of fine, a dinner or a full-on cooking class, you just can’t go wrong.
