Romantic Restaurants in St. Louis (2025)
Vegetable-forward dishes, flickering beams of light, and polished service make this Cortex favorite feel special. Praised by local critics and regularly spotlighted by regional magazines, Vicia’s seasonal menu is ideal for sharing and lingering.
A neighborhood Italian that feels like a date-night institution: wood-fired breads and pastas, gracious hospitality, and a hum of conversation. Consistently praised by St. Louis Magazine and other local critics for its warmth and precision.
An intimate Fox Park dining room where the cooking is bright and seasonal, the cocktails thoughtful, and the playlist just right. Praised by local food writers for confident flavors and a neighborhood feel that still reads as special.
Nick Bognar’s dramatic sushi destination blends Japanese technique and Thai accents with aged fish and an eight-seat sushi bar. Featured in Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America and celebrated by local critics.
A sultry, dimly lit room where Southeast Asian flavors meet Japanese craft—think silken sashimi, chili heat, and smart cocktails. Lauded by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Sauce Magazine for inventive, assured cooking.
Take Root Hospitality’s petite French bistro channels Paris with chandeliers, classic technique, and a love letter of a wine list. Spotlighted by Sauce Magazine and praised by local critics for refined, romantic details.
A white-tablecloth classic in a 19th-century building, long admired by local critics for polished service and celebratory plates. The wine list is deep, the pacing graceful, and the room glows at night.
Chef Jim Fiala’s candlelit fixture blends French and Italian influences with terrific service and a thoughtful tasting menu option. Frequently recommended by area critics for date nights and milestones.
Inside the historic Chase Park Plaza, this independently owned throwback glitters with woodwork and chandeliers. Known for tableside touches and its signature pepperloin, it’s a timeless, romantic splurge.
Chef Bernie Lee’s tiny dining room in Clayton delivers Malaysian-rooted, personal cooking and an intimate vibe. Highlighted in Sauce Magazine’s essential list and praised by the Post-Dispatch for date-night appeal.
Ben Poremba’s Iberian spot is moody and flirtatious—tinned seafood, sherry, and garlicky gambas served under soft light. St. Louis Magazine and the Riverfront Times praise its transportive Barcelona energy.
A lively Webster Groves favorite with polished service, a strong cocktail program, and seasonal plates. Regularly cited by regional publications for its enduring excellence and special-occasion feel.
A Lafayette Square standby with California–Tuscan leanings, a fireplace glow, and an inviting wine list. Frequently recommended by local media for intimate dinners and classic, from-scratch cooking.
