Looking for a romantic date night out? We've got you covered! David and I like to go out to eat A LOT. Way more than we should. It's probably our favorite thing to do together. I only wish I liked to exercise half as much as I like to go out to dinner.
We've tried a lot of places in town, but we definitely have our go-to date night spots. So in our humble opinion - Here are the best date night spots in RVA.
This is probably our very favorite date night spot. If you love seafood or even just a good steak, you have to try East Coast. The decor provides a nice cozy atmosphere to enjoy a romantic meal. Everything we have ever had from here has been delicious. Here are a couple of absolute musts: Tuna tartare, octopus, crispy fried Va oysters, corn and miso soup, blackend mahi, crabcakes, and grilled lobster tail.
The Savory Grain has such a quaint and cozy atmosphere that it makes you want to stay for hours. Not only is the food delicious, but their drink selection is equally as satisfying. The menu changes up every couple of months which leaves you always wanting to do back to try more. The fried brussel sprouts, grilled stuffed jalapeño, beet salad, shrimp po' boy, spaghetti squash, and bistro filet are some of our favorites.
This local joint nestled in Church Hill, Richmond's oldest neighborhood, is a perfect date night spot if your looking for a great meal and drinks. It's menu features a mix of southern favorites and some fabulous craft cocktails. Fried chicken night on Tuesday nights is an absolute must!
Hands down the best sushi restaurant in Richmond! David and I have been coming here for years. In fact, right after we got engaged, this is where we came. The sushi is amazing and the cool, hip atmosphere makes this the perfect date night go-to. It's also great for takeout, if you're planning on cuddling up on the couch with wine and a movie. At this point we have probably tried everything on the menu. Some of our very favorite menu items include: The Summer Salad, Fried Calamari, Spicy Mini Dumplings, Rainbow Roll, Dragon Roll, and The Power Roll.
David and I go here a ton. Even to photograph weddings. This is our go-to spot whenever we have something exciting to celebrate. Our favorite Boathouse is the one at Rockett's Landing because of the gorgeous view of the river and the city, although the Shortpump location is a close second. The waitstaff is always top-notch, and we are never disappointed. On Wednesdays bottles of wine are half off too! My favorite is the Whole Maine Lobster and David always goes for the Filet Mingon. And you HAVE TO GET a Pizzookie for dessert! This is my favorite dessert and it's AHH-MAZING. Trust me on this one!
If you want some delicious Italian food in a cozy setting, this is your place!! The dim lighting, intimate space, and endless wine supply make for a super romantic date night. The broccoli rabe is exceptional and their pasta dishes will definitely leave your belly very satisfied.
If you're looking for a date night that's a little more laid back, definitely check out Boulevard Burger & Brew! The 50's diner atmosphere is the perfect place to enjoy a burger, fries, and some ice cold brews. The adult milkshakes are crazy delicious and such a fun spin on a childhood classic. David loves basic burgers and always goes for the Kelly's Classic. I like to be a little more experimental and get the Fatty D - an asian inspired burger topped with cilantro, tomato, pickled ginger, and wasabi aioli - it sounds weird but it's so good!! Also be sure to get an order of the loaded fries!
Good seafood can be hard to come by. Thank goodness Rappahannock has brought lots of it to RVA. From octopus to oysters to seafood paella, they have something delicious for everyone. The oysters fresh from the Chesapeake really are the shinning star. I cannot get enough of them!
This fresh take on Italian cuisine makes my mouth water just thinking about it. It's located in Shockoe Bottom a few blocks up from our studio, and it quickly became one of our favorite spots. I think they serve some of the best food in town. I've done my due diligence in exploring this menu, and everything has been beyond delicious. I'd suggest starting your meal with their house made bread and warm castelvetrano olives followed with a mushroom salad. As for entrees, David is a huge fan of the Fig & Pizza, and my heart is torn between the Squid Ink Spaghettini with Crab and the Torchio Pork Ragout.
You can't beat Stella's!! Their rustic and modern Greek cuisine and wide variety of flavors always leaves me wanting more. I can also never decide what to get because everything is so good! I love the atmosphere with the dim lighting, communal table, and happy chatter from surrounding tables. This is an incredibly romantic spot to take your special someone. My favorite appetizer is the Saganaki, which is flaming Kefalograviera cheese. Not only is it delicious, it's so much fun to watch and will definitely impress your date!