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The 21 Most Romantic Restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul

most romantic restaurants twin cities

Looking for the most romantic restaurants in the Twin Cities?

We’ve got you covered.

Whether your perfect date night means candlelight dinner, award winning chef tasting experiences, or laid back patios, we’ve been to all the date night spots and are here to report back.

Today we’re sharing our 18 best romantic restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Twin Cities Map of Romantic Restaurants

Most Romantic Restaurants in Minneapolis

The foodie favorite: Spoon and Stable

Celebrity chef Gavin Kaysen’s Spoon & Stable is hands down one of the top date night destinations in the city.  Known to most casual foodies for his winning appearances on “Chopped” and to most serious foodies for his James Beard awards, he returned from NYC to Minneapolis (his hometown) to open Spoon & Stable in 2014. That decision has been met with endless local praise, and we promise that you and your date will be reminiscing about the always gorgeous entrees for weeks.

(For an even more exclusive Gavin Kaysen experience, try out Demi – his sister restaurant just down the block, known for its nearly impossible reservations and the 100% chef-driven tasting menu.)

  • Address: 211 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
  • Website: Spoon & Stable

Date night with live music: Dakota Jazz Club

If you’re looking for dinner and some live music, The Dakota has been a date-night spot for thousands of Twin Cities couples. Doesn’t matter the show, the seasonal “Upscale Midwestern” menu is always right, and the world-class music is always the good stuff.

Date night and more: Alma

Come for dinner (at a James Beard award-winning restaurant) and stay for the night. Alma is a hotel and a restaurant, which  means you can even check out brunch the next morning in the café downstairs. If you’re looking for a full weekend to spoil your date—or yourself—Alma’s the spot.

  • Address: 528 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
  • Website: Alma Restaurante

Most romantic casual patio: Aster Cafe

minneapolis - aster cafe

In our article about the best patios in Minneapolis, we highlighted Aster Cafe’s incredible courtyard.  And we’re sticking to it!  The patio includes tables nestled under the trees, stars, and strings of bistro lights, plus one of the best views of the Minneapolis skyline around.  The menu is that of a casual cafe, which makes this is the perfect spot to take it slow and take it all in. Afterwards, stroll down the cobblestone streets of St. Anthony Main – once named one of the most beautiful streets in America.

  • Address: 125 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414
  • Website: Aster Cafe

Most romantic patio with fancy food: The Bungalow Club

fancy romantic patio - bungalow club

Bungalow Club is fancy food (their chef is from Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City) in a totally approachable environment. Safe to say, the food can’t be beat, and if that environment happens to be a seat in their lush and green outdoor patio space, then it’s definitely one of the most romantic spots around.

Fanciest rooftop for a date: RH Rooftop

RH Rooftop is one of those places that’s hard to believe exists in our humble Midwestern city.  Endless crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, ornate water fountains that serenade you throughout the meal, and spiral staircases that sweep towards the star of the show – the glass topped patio with a view of the stars.  If you’re looking to impress your date with the swankiest atmosphere around, it’s RH Rooftop.

  • Address: 6801 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435
  • Website: RH Rooftop

Most romantic French cuisine: Barbette

One of the best spots for classic French fare in town, Barbette in Uptown is an excellent option for a getting-to-know-you date.  Open all day, you and your date can settle into the cozy brasserie for a quick catch-up or a lengthy conversation over a great local and sustainable menu.

  • Address: 1600 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
  • Website: Barbette

Rustic upscale: The Kenwood

Sometimes the best romance for date night is to enjoy a great meal, a great cocktail, and a great conversation.  The upscale rustic dining room and oh-so-good menu at the Kenwood set the stage for all those and more.

Turn up the heat with sizzlin’ South American fare: Martina

Want to dive into something a little less traditional for date night but still make a big impression?  The Argentinian-inspired menu, high ceilings, and extra-cool cocktails at Martina in the Linden Hills neighborhood promise to pour on the romance—South American style.

  • Address: 4312 Upton Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410
  • Website: Martina

Italian romance at a special price: Rinata

Couples looking for made-from-scratch Italian fare for date night have been coming to Rinata in the Lowry Hill neighborhood for more than a decade.  Hard to go wrong with candle-lit dining and house-made pasta.  The  $25 date night menu (half appetizer, half salad, full entrée, and half dessert) on Sunday nights is one of the best deals in the city.

  • Address: 2451 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
  • Website: Rinata

A date with a park: Bar Lurcat

Bar Lurcat is a classic date night spot for Minneapolis locals. Start with a casual cocktail and small plate at the bar, where you’ll find one of the romantic atmospheres around, and finish with a stroll through the always beautiful Loring Park just across the street.

  • Address: 1624 Harmon Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
  • Website: Café Lurcat

Most Romantic Restaurants in St. Paul

The “feel like a celebrity” date night: Meritage

We have a few ideas why Ely-native Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake got spotted on a date-night at Meritage during their visit for the 2018 Super Bowl.  It might be the “best seafood menu in St. Paul.” It might be the giant platters of fresh-caught oysters.  It might be the chance to snag a little slice of Paris right in Downtown St. Paul.  Either way, Meritage keeps celebrity and local couples coming back for more.

  • Address: 410 St Peter St, St Paul, MN 55102
  • Website: Meritage

Best foodie experience: Tongue in Cheek

romantic foodie experience - tongue in cheek

If you and your date are the foodie type, it doesn’t get any better in St. Paul than Tongue in Cheek. We’ve mentioned before that it’s one of the best farm to table restaurants in the Twin Cities, and we’ve also written a full feature about how fantastic the food is. The menu here is packed with small plates, shareables, and fancy entrees, but for the true experience – you’ve gotta go all-in on the chef’s tasting menu, which you can also pair with some of the best craft cocktails around.

Most romantic patio: La Grolla

What doesn’t the tiny, tucked away garden patio and traditional Italian menu at La Grolla have going for it? It’s a Cathedral Hill institution, one of the best restaurants on St. Paul’s Selby Avenue, one of the best patios in the city, AND one of the best spots for date night.

  • Address: 452 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
  • Website: La Grolla

Go to date night spot in Highland Park: Joan’s in the Park

Every time we go, we end up raving about dinners on the patio at Joan’s. When a dish shows up from their locally-sourced and seasonal menu, it’s worth marveling at— making this place Highland Park’s go-to date night spot, for sure.

Most unique date night restaurant: Moscow on the Hill

unique date night - moscow on the hill

For a date night atmosphere unlike any other, you’ve gotta try the city’s best Russian restaurant.  The indoor space sports sultry red mood lighting, and the patio is one of the most beautiful around.  And of course, the food is fantastic (check out our full review here). To calm any nerves or loosen up the vibe, the bar also packs some of the strongest and tastiest mixed drinks (and infused vodka shots!) around.  Don’t miss the weekend accordion player, who loves to wander the dining room and serenade couples.

Most romantic rooftop: Louis Ristorante

You may recognize this address as the home of Cossetta’s, the St. Paul deli icon.  But 211 is also the home to Cossetta’s upstairs and upscale full-service restaurant partner.  The rooftop patio is one of the best in the city and a great spot for date night.  Expect the same great Italian fare as downstairs, and be sure to save room for dessert at the downstairs’s patisserie.

The fancy hotel experience: St. Paul Grill

The St. Paul Hotel (home to St. Paul Grill) was once named one of the most romantic hotels in the United States.  Take your date for a show at the Ordway, a stroll around the lighted trees in Rice Park, and then dinner at one of downtown’s finest dining rooms.

Most impressive ambiance: W.A. Frost

wa frost patio

The classic, beautiful patio?  A great wine menu?  Do we have to say anything more to convince you that W.A. Frost is the perfect spot to dial up the romance on your next date night?  Stepping into the sunken garden in the summertime, or the cozy limestone basement in the winter, is like stepping back in timer. Either way, get gussied up with your favorite guy or gal and make a night of it.

  • Address: 374 Selby Ave #1825, St Paul, MN 55102
  • Website: W.A. Frost

For world fair: Ngon Vietnamese Bistro

Ready to head out of downtown for an extra special date-night?  From the outside, Ngon Vietnamese Bistro might not give you the dial-up-the- romance impression.  But the cozy dining room, gorgeous plates, and creative French-Vietnamese menu don’t disappoint.

  • Address: 799 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104
  • Website: Ngon Bistro

Best spot for a cozy beer: Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery

Most people know Waldmann for their sunny summer patio, but what most don’t know is just how warm and toasty their inside space can be. Located in an old historic home, their inside space is the perfect spot to grab a beer and some shareables off their always delicious food menu. Their soft warm pretzels and strudel desserts are always fantastic, as are their rotating entree plates. In the winter, be sure to arrive early and ask for a seat next to the cozy fireplace!

PS – Looking for the perfect end to your St. Paul date?

Head over to the always popular Grand Avenue and stroll through the street’s many options. For succulent cake, we love Cafe Latte, and for a classic scoop of ice cream – Grand Ole Creamery.

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About the Author
Discover The Cities

Discover The Cities

DiscoverTheCities exists for one simple goal: to help you discover everything that’s awesome about Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Twin Cities area. Here’s the ugly truth. Most of Minnesota’s “travel guides” are written by people with East Coast accents sitting New York City cubicles. They wouldn’t know a Jucy Lucy if it shot its molten hot-lava -cheese in their face. The DTC team is different. We're passionate Twin Cities locals writing from personal experience. We actually visit the sights, taste the food, and share the real local’s inside scoop.
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