Romantic Dinner-Date Hotspots

Gulfport is a relaxed little town that invites a romantic outing any day of the week. At Pia's Trattoria, a little wine, fresh pasta and authentic Italian music paired with the most adorable outdoor patio under twinkling lights will make your sugarplum feel like you’re dining in the Tuscan countryside. Pia's menu items are affordably priced, and gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are on the menu. Dinner is served daily, and lunch is available Friday through Sunday. Expect friendly, professional service that doesn't make you feel rushed.

Romantic dining doesn’t need to be pretentious. At The Living Room, you can unwind and indulge with your honey over shareables inspired by world cuisine. Take a culinary adventure with saffron fennel seared salmon, braised pork ossobucco, truffled ricotta gnocchi or a few of their small plates, and be sure to leave room for their signature creme brulee or the decadent Nutella banana bread pudding. Also, live music is a regular affair, so practice your sway just in case. 

Your special someone will fall in love with you all over again at this foodie haven, which was named among Creative Loafing's Top 50 Restaurants. At The Restorative, husband and wife chef-owners Erin and Jason Borajkiewicz deliver a small menu that changes two to three times each week. Expect elevated dishes such as pork tenderloin with bacon-braised cabbage and butternut squash with ham hock jus; or scallops, mussels, shrimp and halibut with roasted garlic polenta agnolotti and spicy lobster broth. Desserts might include goat cheese flan or chocolate cake with peanut butter and caramel.

Parts of Paris Bistro & Bar has the delicious French fare your amour desires without the stuffiness that sometimes comes along with it. Snuggled inside a bungalow-style house, this bistro serves up highly acclaimed cuisine and friendly service that create smiles brighter than its white linen tablecloths. Start your date night off at the POP Bar with signature cocktails, champagne or wine from a modest but diverse list. Forgot to make a reservation and can’t get a table? You can still save date night – the POP Bar offers the full menu. 

Water Oak Grill in charming Safety Harbor is a favorite local spot for amazing steak, seafood and fresh produce in a casual indoor/outdoor setting. Savor menu items from the fresh raw bar, burgers and handhelds, as well as “Harbor Faves” such as crab cakes or short ribs. The restaurant is located adjacent to Baranoff Park, home to Safety Harbor’s famous Baranoff oak tree, which makes for a romantic post-dinner stroll and selfie spot.

Easily one of the area's most popular new restaurants, Allello in St. Pete serves a menu of fresh Mediterranean fare amid a friendly ambience that invites gathering. In fact, the restaurant’s name comes from the word “allelomimesis,” or the phenomenon of coming together. So, lean in to romance as you share small plates brimming with flavor, from a mezze platter to a seafood tower. Enjoy a glass of wine from the extensive selection as you toast to togetherness.

Get ready to tempt your taste buds together at Fortu, known for its Pan-Asian cuisine with bold flavors and bright presentation. Using locally sourced ingredients, dishes here celebrate the diversity of Asian culture with a tasty twist. Try the Wonton Tacos or Pork Belly Bao Buns to start, and then study the steak options carefully, which include curated A5 wagyu beef. Add craft cocktails, music, and a romantically moody ambience... and you have a delicious recipe for date night.

It's true that great things come in tiny packages, especially when you're talking about the intimate Calida Kitchen & Wine in St. Pete's MLK North District. The locally owned and operated restaurant is a cozy spot for sharing, so consider ordering the chef’s choice cheese and charcuterie board followed by one of the artfully presented main dishes (the menu changes frequently). Locals say this new restaurant is a hidden gem, so don’t miss this special dining experience.

If your idea of a perfect romantic night out calls for fun, vibrant surroundings with a friendly neighborhood feel, then head for the one and only Wild Child. Meet out on the patio, and dine on inventive appetizers like Tuna Tostados or Crispy Brussels Sprouts. True to its name, the Wild Child drink menu includes fun concoctions like the "Lost Weekend", a playful spin on a watermelon mojito, and a green chili-infused drink called "Hot Lips," sure to warm up your date. 

Serving a delicious combination of French, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, Alesia is a contemporary, cozy café that showcases these different cultures on its menu. Think Paté Chaud, Bánh mì Bowls and Asian-style beef stew as well as plenty of vegan and vegetarian selections. There’s even a KNOOUK Market & Provisions store on premises that offers specialty items like artisan foods and clothing. There's also a wine shop so you can grab a bottle to-go for your night cap. 

If the way to your heart is through authentic Italian cuisine, you’ll find plenty to be passionate about at Taverna Costale. Choose from a menu of fresh pizza, pasta, salads and signature seafood dishes created by acclaimed chef Fabio Viviani at this fabulously rustic restaurant where local tavern meets upscale restaurant. A just-as-Italian-inspired cocktail menu features crafty beverages like the Strega Nonna and the Vecchio Amore, which are perfect for toasting to your amore.

Looking for a low-key, but still stellar gourmet experience to charm your main squeeze? Wine and dine your date at Brick & Mortar, an award-winning rustic-chic restaurant on Central Ave. in downtown St. Pete. Savor their New American fare, unique wine and craft beer menu as well as the cozy vibe. 

Date night is the perfect opportunity to escape the everyday – and Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant on chic Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete is the perfect spot to transport you and your honey to a more relaxed, tuned-in place. Get into the carefree vibe by ordering a "Spanglish" cocktail made with tequila plata, pink grapefruit liqueur, ruby red grapefruit and lime juice, or ask for a refreshing sangria to accompany a beautiful cheese and charcuterie board. Ceviche’s tapas menu offers a great excuse to cozy up and share small plates (try the Patatas Bravas in spicy aioli or the Manchego Croquetas). Whatever you do, be sure to save room for the decadent Espresso Chocolate Tres Leche. Most of the menu is gluten free, and vegetarians will find options, too. Outdoor seating is available, too, so you can enjoy the beautiful Florida weather. 

If you can get past the name (which doesn’t exactly shout “Date Night!"), you’re in for a treat at Dirty Laundry, a fresh dining and nightlife concept in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. Whether you’re a newbie couple hoping to move past that early awkwardness or a long-paired duo looking for a fun evening, Dirty Laundry provides plenty to talk about. Enter the “laundromat” and café, then head to the old pay phone with the “Talk Dirty to Me” sign just above it. In no time at all, you’ll enter a speakeasy with Havana-themed cocktails, tasty Cuban fare and live music and DJs. There’s a great outdoor patio, too. The laundromat/café is open every day; the speakeasy is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

With its location at the St. Pete Pier, Teak can certainly lay claim to the most impressive views in downtown St. Pete. Featuring a seafood-focused menu with delicious dishes such as paella, hazelnut-crusted mahi or handheld like fish tacos or the grouper sandwich – Teak serves up savory meals and glorious views of the downtown skyline at sunset, truly ideal for a memorable date. Perhaps more in the realm of fun fact than romantic recommendation, the restaurant has the only waterfront view from a ladies' restroom that we're aware of.

At Latitude 28, the tantalizing aroma of fresh herbs and spices welcomes you, setting the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey. The soft sounds of waves caressing the shore in this restaurant inside the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach creates a symphony of tranquility, perfect for an intimate dinner date. Dinner items might include entrees such as minted lamb, fresh branzino or their signature waygu strip steak. Ask your server about their favorite beverage or take a pick from any of the hand-crafted cocktails or mocktails.