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Romance Is in the Air: Houston’s Top Date Night Restaurants

Romance Is in the Air Houston's Top Date Night Restaurants

How We Picked

Atmosphere: When we were choosing a restaurant for our date nights, one of the things we thought about was the atmosphere. We searched for warm and intimate places, taking into account the lighting, noise level, and overall atmosphere.
Menu: When planning a date night, it’s important to think about the menu since we may not always know our date’s food preferences. So, we picked out restaurants that have a good selection of food options and took into account our date’s preferences and any dietary restrictions they may have. 
Service: We wanted to have an amazing experience for our date night, so we made sure to choose a restaurant that would provide us with the best possible service.  We paid attention to how attentive and knowledgeable the staff was, and whether they made us feel valued or ignored.
Cost: Cost is definitely an important factor to consider, as budget plays a significant role in most relationships. So, we searched for restaurants that have a range of prices, so you can find one that fits your budget and still feel like you’re getting your money’s worth.

1. BCN Taste & Tradition 

Website: BCN Taste & Tradition 

Address: 4210 Roseland St, Houston, TX 77006, United States

Contact Info: +1 832-834-3411

Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 5 PM to 9 PM 
  • Friday: 5 PM to 10 PM 
  • Saturday: 4 PM to 10 PM 
  • Sunday: Closed
Google Reviews Score4.7/5
Yelp Reviews Score4.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score4.3/5
Total Reviews4.6/5
Score Consistency4.6/5
Atmosphere4.6/5
Menu4.7/5
Service4.4/5
Cost 4.7/5

Pros

  • Flavorful seafood paella
  • Fresh octopus carpaccio

Cons

  • Rushed service

BCN Taste and Tradition is worth considering if you’re looking for a fancy and romantic spot for your next date night. Well, at least, that’s what we were told, so we had to try it for a date night. 

For starters, we noted that the atmosphere was snug and intimate—perfect for a date night. The ambiance was not too loud or busy but still lively enough.

We also liked that their menu offers various dishes satisfying anyone’s taste buds.

From start to finish, our waiter was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. However, we did feel a bit rushed to finish our meal, which did not contribute to making our date night special. 

Despite being rushed to finish our dinner, we absolutely savored the food we had here! We thought every dish was expertly prepared and tasted amazing. 

From seafood paella to grilled octopus, our food was beautifully presented and flavorful. 

We especially enjoyed the seafood paella—it was perfectly cooked and had just the right amount of seasoning. Another standout dish was the octopus carpaccio, which was so fresh and delicious that we couldn’t help but order seconds. 

Not to mention the wine list, which was impressive and had plenty of options to choose from. 

2. Rainbow Lodge 

Website: Rainbow Lodge 

Address: 2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008, United States

Contact Info: +1 713-861-8666

Hours: 

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday to Friday: 11 AM to 10 PM 
  • Saturday: 5 PM to 10 PM 
  • Sunday: 10:30 AM to 9 PM 
Google Reviews Score4.5/5
Yelp Reviews Score4/5
Total Reviews4.4/5
Score Consistency4.4/5
Atmosphere4.8/5
Menu4.5/5
Service4.4/5
Cost 4.6/5

Pros

  • Sustainable seafood dishes
  • Wild game entrees 

Cons

  • Noisy atmosphere

If you’re looking for a romantic date night spot in Houston, Rainbow Lodge might be your perfect choice! At least that’s what we were told!

Although it took us a while to get there, as it’s slightly out of the way compared to other restaurants in the city, we couldn’t wait to see what all the hype was about. 

One thing we thought was great about Rainbow Lodge is their commitment to using local ingredients and sustainable seafood. This means that not only do they support the community but also that the food is always fresh and delicious.

When we walked inside, the rustic atmosphere of the lodge set the tone for our dinner date. But it was the menu that got our tastebuds dancing with eagerness. 

We thought it was great that they specialize in wild game dishes, adding exciting variety to the dining experience. 

In our opinion, we recommend starting with the bison tartare or venison carpaccio—both were incredibly flavorful and beautifully presented. For mains, the quail stuffed with chorizo was a standout dish, as was the elk loin with blackberry demi-glace. 

Don’t even get us started on the sides—the roasted brussels sprouts with bacon are a must-try. We also liked how the portions were generous enough to easily share an entree and still feel satisfied. 

One thing we didn’t like, however, was the noise level. It would have been nice if the background music had been turned down a bit to allow for easier conversation.

3. Roka Akor 

Website: 

Address: 2929 Weslayan St, Houston, TX 77027, United States

Contact Info: +1 713-622-1777

Hours: 

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 4:30 PM to 10 PM 
Google Reviews Score4.6/5
Yelp Reviews Score4.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score4/5
Total Reviews4.4/5
Score Consistency4.4/5
Atmosphere4.7/5
Menu4.5/5
Service4.8/5
Cost 4.5/5

Pros

  • Sushi bar
  • Crafted cocktails
  • Delicious wagyu dumplings 

Cons

  • Small portions
  • Pricey bill 

After hearing great things about Roka Akor in Houston, we knew we had to check it out.  

From the moment we walked in, the ambiance set the tone for our intimate evening. The dim lighting, modern decor and attentive staff made us feel welcomed. 

It was great that we were seated at the sushi bar, as it allowed us to watch the chefs work their magic as they prepared our food right before our eyes. It was like dinner and a show!

First, we started with the wagyu dumplings, which were small but packed a flavor punch. We then had the yellowtail sashimi which melted in our mouths and left us wanting more. 

We also ordered the robata grilled lamb chops and the marinated black cod. Both dishes were cooked flawlessly and bursting with flavor.

Another thing we liked about dining at Roka Akor for our date was their crafted cocktails. 

While we thoroughly enjoyed our meals, there were a few minor drawbacks. 

To be honest, we thought the portions were on the smaller side, which could be a concern if you’re particularly hungry. Also while we knew going in that Roka Akor wouldn’t be cheap, the bill still made our jaws drop a bit.

4. Nobie’s 

Website: Nobie’s

Address: 2048 Colquitt St, Houston, TX 77098, United States

Contact Info: +1 346-319-5919

Hours: 

  • Monday & Tuesday: Closed
  • Sunday, Wednesday & Thursday: 5 PM to 11 PM 
  • Friday & Saturday: 5 PM to 12 AM 
Google Reviews Score4.7/5
Yelp Reviews Score4.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score4.3/5
Total Reviews4.5/5
Score Consistency4.5/5
Atmosphere4.7/5
Menu4.8/5
Service4.5/5
Cost 4.5/5

Pros

  • Rustic and intimate atmosphere
  • Flavorful smoked salmon dip
  • Flavorful short rib agnolotti 
  • Delicious chocolate cake

Cons

  • Slow waitstaff
  • Expensive

We found Nobie’s in Houston a date night delight! For starters, we liked that the atmosphere was intimate with dim lighting and rustic decor that gave it a touch of sophistication.  

But for us, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the food. Each dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor, making us feel like culinary royalty. 

We started off with the smoked salmon dip and it was oh-so-smooth and flavorful. The bread they served with it was freshly baked and still warm. 

Then we moved on to the roasted pork belly which was both crispy and juicy. And don’t even get us started on the short rib agnolotti.

We especially loved the tuna tartare and the beef short rib, which had a perfect balance of tenderness and richness. 

The dessert menu also did not disappoint—the chocolate cake was out-of-this-world good!

Of course, there were some things we weren’t crazy about. We thought some of the prices were a little high —but then again, when the food is this good, exceptions can be made. 

Another downside was the service.  Although our waiter was friendly, he seemed to be stretched thin as there were quite a few tables to attend to. 

This meant our food and drinks took longer than expected to arrive and we had to wait a while between courses.

5. Brennan’s of Houston 

Website: Brennan’s of Houston 

Address: 3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006, United States

Contact Info: +1 713-522-9711

Hours: 

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday to Saturday: 11 AM to 2 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM 
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 2 PM and 5:30 PM to 9 PM 
Google Reviews Score4.6/5
Yelp Reviews Score4/5
Facebook Reviews Score4.2/5
Total Reviews4.3/5
Score Consistency4.3/5
Atmosphere4.8/5
Menu4.8/5
Service4.9/5
Cost 4.3/5

Pros

  • Elegant and cozy ambiance
  • Nonintrusive waiters 
  • Rich turtle soup
  • Creamy shrimp and grits
  • Blissful banana foster dessert 

Cons

  • Noise level 
  • Steep prices

From the moment we walked in the door, we were transported to a world of classic Southern charm and hospitality. We liked that the staff made us feel like royalty as they guided us to our table, where we immediately fell in love with the elegant decor and cozy ambiance.

What we also liked about the staff was throughout the evening, the service was attentive without being intrusive. Our waiter made great recommendations and was happy to answer any questions we had about the menu.

Now let’s talk about the food—wowza! Every bite we took was bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection.

We started off with their famous turtle soup, which was rich and flavorful. We thought it was the perfect way to start our night as it was a bit chilly that evening. 

But our entrees were even better. We ordered the shrimp and grits, which had just the right amount of spice and creaminess. 

We also had the filet mignon and it practically melted in our mouths. And of course, no visit to Brennan’s would be complete without trying their famous Bananas Foster dessert—pure bliss!

However, we do have to say that the prices were a bit on the steep side, but honestly, it was worth every penny for the experience we had. 

The only other slight downside was the noise level—it did get quite loud at times.

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