In the mood for a romantic evening surrounded by fire pits, string lights, and plates of delicious food? Then you’ve come to the right place. We gathered 8 of our favorite, coziest, most romantic restaurants in the city that you can enjoy all-year round to show that special someone a lovely evening.
1. Tamayo
If you’re taking a stroll through Larimer Square, you could enjoy a cozy evening out at Tamayo, who specializes in Mexican cuisine and cocktails. For Valentine’s Day, they’ll be offering a 3-course special for $65 per person, where you’ll get a few options for a starter, entree, and dessert. Some of their delicious menu offerings include Ceviche de Amor, Pan Seared Scallops, or Fresh Strawberry Salad to start, Lamb Enchiladas, Sea Bass a la Veracruzana, Duck with a habanero fig sauce, or Wild Mushroom Enchiladas for an entree, and Pink Raspberry Layer Cake or Chocolate Cake for dessert. The menu will be one night only on February 13th with reservation times available from 5pm to 7:30 and reservations are strongly recommended.
Where: 1400 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
2. Spuntino
Spuntino is Denver’s love letter to old school Italian pasta, and the perfect place to take a sweetie. Dive head first into their dinner menu that’s got delicious ravioli filled with butternut squash, toasted walnut cream, sage, and brown butter, goat ragu lasagna with bechamel sauce, and handmade strand pasta with special garlic, olive oil, garlic breadcrumbs, and an egg. Simple yet delicious.
Where: 2639 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
3. Rioja
Rioja specializes in Mediterranean ingredients for their dishes, like their Spanish Grilled Octopus or their Black truffle Red Wine Braised Beef. If the name of the place is any indication, they must serve up some good red wines as well. Don’t skimp on the dessert either, where they borrow from a variety of different cultures like their Japanese Cloud Cake and their Caramelized Phyllo Bavarian Napoleon.
Where: 1431 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
4. Mizuna
Mizuna is a top rated restaurant serving elegant and innovative takes on American cuisine. They encourage their chefs to play and experiment with different ingredients and dishes, resulting in delicious and interesting combinations. They’re doing a special tasting menu for Valentine’s Day which you can make a reservation for here, which costs $180 per person, but promises not so skimp on flavor, experimentation, and quality.
Where: 225 E 7th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
5. Osteria Marco
Another restaurant located in the coziest neighborhood in Denver, Larimer Square, is Osteria Marco. A casual Italian restaurant that doesn’t skimp on quality, Osteria Marco opened in 2007 and hasn’t quit since. Reenact that iconic scene from Lady and the Tramp with a warm plate of carbonara, split a wood-fire pizza, like their Wild Mushroom or Fig & Gorgonzola, and finish the night off with a tiramisu for two.
Where: 1453 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
6. Barolo Grill
This classy and romantic spot focuses their fare on Northern Italy so get ready for dishes laden with heavy cream, polenta, and rice as opposed to traditional tomato dishes. They’ve got a slim menu where you can choose from appetizers, two courses, and desserts at a price point of $89 per person with a $55 optional wine pairing. Their menu is meat and seafood-heavy with delicious plates like grilled pork tenderloin, braised duck, or shoestring pasta with Maine lobster. If you’re vegetarian, they have options like risotto or a goat cheese soufflé. What’s even better, these delicious dishes are paired with a cozy interior or a romantic al-fresco patio.
Where: 3030 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
7. Guard and Grace
Guard and Grace is an elegant steakhouse–voted best steakhouse in Denver 7 years in a row and 50 best in the US–with a beautiful interior to match. Try their steaks–which come in classic cuts, grass-fed, and wagyu–or go for Alaskan Black Cod or Oak Grilled Ahi Tuna. Add a lobster tail or peppercorn to your steak for an additional cost, then split a bottle from their international dessert wine list.
Where: 1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202
8. Potager
Potager does New American fare that’s always garden and seasonally-inspired with a rustic, farm and garden-inspired interior. A perfect Saturday evening can be spent at Potager trying out small plates of herb-potato gnocchi, larger plates of chicken confit, or chocolate pecan pie.
Where: 1109 N Ogden St, Denver, CO 80218