The most romantic restaurants in Austin for a perfect date night

West Central newbie Yamas is a quaint, family-owned restaurant full of heart and homemade goodness. The dishes are distinctly Greek, for example, the chicken souvlaki, keftedakia (Greek meatballs), and fried feta, and there’s an extensive Mediterranean seafood selection that encompasses a raw bar. The goal of the husband and wife team, Roxie and Hristos Nikolakos, is to transport their diners to the Mediterranean coast. Lovers are mesmerized when they see the Aegean blue decor, let alone sample the treats in store. The Greek wines are a must.

Located in Green Pastures in a picturesque 1800s home, Mattie's is the epitome of dreamy dining. Stroll among the peacocks (the birds roam freely throughout the property) and towering oak trees with your dinner date before stopping for a drink in the robin's-egg-blue parlor. If that doesn't leave you smitten, the Southern fare will: Menu items have included fried chicken with bacon and buttermilk ranch, Texas Redfish, and the best buttermilk biscuits in town. No visit is complete without an after-meal toast of the boozy bourbon-based 1965 milk punch made with sweet vanilla cream, aged Kentucky bourbon, VSOP cognac, aged rum, and nutmeg.

Garrison doesn’t feel like it’s in Austin, mainly because it’s one of the few local digs for which you can get dressed up. The swanky downtown grill, helmed by top Chef Jakub Czyszczon, can be found at the back of the Fairmont, where you and your date will tuck into oak-fired delights such as smoked duck breast and a 24 oz prime porterhouse steak. The tater tots with aerated gruyere cheese and black truffle are seriously addictive and best enjoyed with a vintage bottle from their grand cabinet.

Eberly's beautiful concept space—a mixture of new and old—has become one of Austin's top spots for a night out. Dine at the mahogany bar (transported from NYC’s historic Cedar Tavern), in the study (a narrow room boasting steel flying buttresses and lined with books), on the open-air patio, or in the beautiful dining room, in which curved booths and shapely wood wall panels serve as a nod to Frank Lloyd Wright’s aesthetic. The New American fare and classic cocktails don’t disappoint, either. Share kampachi crudo and salmon rillettes with your true love and get a late-night kick on espresso martinis with vanilla, Kahlua, and cold brew.

Sushi|Bar ATX is one of Austin’s premier date spots: with just two rooms and 10 seats apiece, effort must be made for reservation, and it’s well worth it. A dapper team prepares 17 courses of creativity-designed sushi in front of your eyes. The menu is rotating, but sample items include roasted bone marrow with fresh wasabi and soy sauce and a Wagyu that’s so soft and buttery that it retains the texture of toro (oh, there’s that, too). Don’t say no to a sake pairing or a chance to add special savory surprises at the end—more is more. Finish with the toasted coconut shaved ice to beat the heat. Reservations are released at noon on the first of every month for the next month.

Hot new opening Nômadé is sending local lovers in a spin. The Mexican restaurant is like a tropical getaway on South First: a verdant jungle garden dotted with candlelit tables and serving a selection of open-fire grilled goodies that celebrate the gulf coast farms of Quintana Roo, and the market spices of Lebanese, Portuguese, and African flavors. Think mahi mahi glazed with recado rojo butter and crispy braised pasilla glazed short rib. Agave-based cocktails complement the flavors of the Yucatan region, like the Smoke Show (mezcal, xtabentun, lime juice, Mexican sunflower orgeat).

Just across the street from Violet Crown and Via 313 sits Buenos Aires Cafe, an East Austin mainstay that quietly exudes the sensual spirit of the country where tango was born. Sharing is caring, so nosh on Argentine tapas like charred provolone with fresh herbs or house-marinated olives with citrus zest before moving on to grilled meats drizzled in Buenos Aires’ famous—and very garlicky—chimichurri sauce. Don’t fret about goodnight pleasantries; the display case desserts feature treats that’ll sweeten the smooch, including a delicious signature Quatro Leches sponge cake.

The LINE’s lakeside restaurant by Top Chef winner Kristen Kish, is a surefire way to impress any date. Dishes reflect the bountiful ingredients of Central Texas and are fused with influences from France, Italy, and the Midwest. Our must-try is the Fried Steamed Buns made with eggplant, confit oyster mushrooms zaatar, and dill—the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Desserts aren’t your traditional, with tastes and textures veering on the lighter side, such as the toasted sourdough ice cream. A full bar is also available; the best seats are at the back overlooking the bat bridge.

An artfully sexy hangout, Justine’s is where the creative crowd has taken residence. Let’s start with the wine: the venue’s list is full of picks described with flirtatious adjectives like penetrating, succulent, and thirst-quenching. While basking in the crisp, warm sound of actual vinyl playing in the background, order the famous steak frites—a heavily seasoned, fatty rib-eye topped with herbed butter and served with a mountain of perfectly seasoned fries. A classic creme brûlée makes for an ideal ending—show you care by allowing your date to break the caramelized sugar.

A meal at Jeffrey’s, a fine dining institution in historic Clarksville, is worthy of any Austin bucket list. The restaurant doesn’t overlook details, from the servers’ crisp uniforms to the warm, elegant atmosphere and unrivaled service. Treat yourself to the full Jeffrey’s experience by ordering a martini or old-fashioned made tableside. Opt for the all-natural certified Angus beef, a 14oz rib-eye topped with fancy toppings (think foie gras butter or a single slice of funky Roquefort cheese). Mimic the sweetness of your love by splitting desserts like Jeffrey’s chocolate soufflé with pecan praline and stracciatella ice cream.

Grizzelda’s is like being on a #goals Pinterest board. From the rose-colored glassware and the strategically mismatched seating to the black, floral wallpaper, every detail within the space has been thoughtfully designed by co-owners Kris Swift and Adam Jacoby. You and your date will delight in playful cocktails like the Bad Girl Ri Ri (pisco, mezcal, lime, passionfruit), crave-worthy queso (queso Oaxaca and chihuahua, raja peppers) and dry-aged steak sourced from Jacoby’s ranch. Grizzelda’s relaxed, beachy vibe guarantees your date night will be muy romantico.

Prove to your date that you are the bon vivant you claimed to be on your Tinder profile by treating them to an evening at Péché. Located in the Warehouse District, Péché serves classic French fare with a nod to 19th-century New Orleans via a dim, chandelier-lit space and a pre-Prohibition–inspired cocktail menu with an exciting selection of absinthe. Forget tiny plates: Péché’s generous portions mean everything is shareable. We love the classic French onion soup, pommes frites, and the Bouillabaisse mussels in a saffron tomato broth.

South Congress’ Aba incorporates a light cooking style with flavors from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece. If on a lunch date, go for the spreads with a selection of hummus and housebread alongside whipped feta, charred eggplant, and muhammara. Evening diners shouldn't miss the kebabs, like the grilled halloumi and grilled salmon, served on a bed of basmati rice. The bar showcases Mediterranean-inspired wines and spirits, and the whole venue is gorgeous, especially on the outside terrace if you don’t mind the Texan heat (consider it an excuse to order boozy iced cocktails).

Looking to take your date on a wild (gastronomic) ride? Then Lonesome Dove might be the ticket. The lodge-chic restaurant from Chef Tim Love offers an opportunity to sample urban Western cuisine centered around game. Ever tried wild boar? Here, you can savor Lonesome Dove’s signature BBQ sauce on Texas boar ribs. How about elk? Options include elk-Foie gras sliders with sweet blueberry jam and the elk loin, where the berries are candied alongside broccolini and parsnip puree. There is also a rabbit-rattlesnake sausage, which errs more on the lean rabbit side and is seasoned to perfection.

Offering Texas-influenced Italian cuisine in sophisticated digs, Juniper is a great way to say: “I really like you.” The dramatic architecture, plush cobalt seating, and open kitchen are impressive. Cocktails are variations on Italian classics like the Mezcal Last Word (mezcal union uno, maraschino, green chartreuse, lime), and the small plate menu means lots of room for sharing and exploring. Expect artful plating and a modern interpretation of classics, like the gnocchi with ‘nduja, lobster, garlic bread crumbs, or the roasted cabbage with white bean, parmesan, and egg yolk.