Date Nights in Denver for Each Type of Valentine

Love is in the air, and it’s making us hungry! If you’re wondering where to take your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, there’s no shortage of romantic ways to wine and dine your honey in the Mile High City. Whether you’re feeling adventurous, sexy, sweet, swanky, or budget-conscious (inflation, am I right?), we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of unique date nights happening in Denver to match your vibe. The best part about this list: At the time of publishing, all restaurants still have reservations available.

The Epicurious

For the adventurous couple, take your daring darling on a culinary journey at one of the 303’s locally lauded tasting menu experiences.

Sleek and contemporary Uchi is offering a special Valentine’s Day omakase menu curated by chef de cuisine Andres Araujo. The delectable tasting experience includes creations like cured hamachi crudo, shiso-wrapped scallop, rib-eye cap, plus chef’s choice nigiri and okashi (a selection of sweets). Uchi is also offering a six-course takeout special designed for sharing. Starting at $375 per couple to dine in; $275 for the takeout special; book your reservation or order takeout; 2500 Lawrence St.

James Beard Award–winning chef Alex Seidel is preparing a romantic five-course tasting menu at his Michelin-recommended restaurant in Union Station, Mercantile Dining & Provision. The night starts with a chef’s amuse-bouche and progresses through dishes like pepper-crusted beet tartare, lobster tortellini, juniper-crusted venison loin, and grapefruit panna cotta. Cocktail or wine pairings handpicked by the sommelier team can be purchased for an additional cost. $95 per person; reserve a table online or email jamie@mercantiledenver.com for chef’s counter seating; 1701 Wynkoop St., Suite 155

Aphrodisiac Aphrodite

For the couple that can’t keep their hands off each other, these sensual dining options feature everyone’s favorite aphrodisiac: oysters (and I’m not talking about the Rocky Mountain kind).

Get cozy with your lover inside the Rally Hotel’s Call Me Pearl lounge in LoDo, where you can slurp down oysters while sipping on the bar’s February-themed Stages of Love cocktail. For more privacy, book the Rally Hotel’s Romantic Retreat package, which includes a stay in the penthouse condo; oysters, black pearl caviar, crab salad, and a bottle of bubbles delivered from Call Me Pearl; a private rooftop dinner for two with Champagne pairings; nightcap reservations at Fortissimo Dueling Pianos; and other romantic activities and amenities. The Romantic Retreat package is $2,500; to book, call Taylor Bradley at 720-757-1036 or email her at taylor.bradley@therallyhotel.com; 1600 20th St.

Diners at Water Grill in LoDo will be feeling the love with an intimate, four-course prix fixe menu that includes a half-dozen oyster sampler (Water Grill has more than 15 different varieties available on a nightly basis), as well as dishes like roasted beet salad, surf and turf entrées, multiple dessert choices, and an optional wine pairing. Starting at $135 per person; reserve a table; 1691 Market St.

As part of its free Love Letter to Denver event on Feb. 14, the Block Distilling Co. in RiNo is hosting an oyster pop-up by Denver-based mobile raw bar Oyster Bae, and all attendees will receive a complimentary cocktail. We recommend trying the featured drink, A Love Letter to Denver, built around a dry, pink gin that the Block will release as part of its single-barrel Every Damn Drop series. 2990 Larimer St.

Sweetie with a Sweet Tooth

For the sickeningly sweet couple, these dates are sure to give you and your honey a sugar high.

Are hearts made to be broken? At Cherry Creek’s Local Jones, they are. As part of its Valentine’s Day dinner, guests can pre-order the Don’t Go Breaking My Heart smashable chocolate heart dessert, filled with sweets and served with a wooden mallet. Dinner also includes a dessert menu curated by pastry chef Saura Kline. Book a reservation; 249 Columbine St.

If you want to go all out for your sweet-toothed sweetheart, the Art Hotel Denver’s Valentine’s Day package welcomes guests with an assortment of chocolates, macaroons, and the hotel’s signature Cava. It also includes a $100 food and beverage credit, which you can put toward a romantic dinner at Fire Restaurant & Lounge (the menu includes raspberry cheesecake and strawberry jubilee tart) and a late checkout at 2 p.m. $329 for the package; book a reservation; 1201 Broadway

Bougie Boo

For the couple that appreciates the finer things, Denver has several swanky dining experiences for you and your boo to try.

Le French, helmed by 2024 James Beard semifinalists Aminata and Rougui Dia, is offering an elegant four-course dinner inspired by French cuisine and the founders’ Senegalese heritage. Guests can enjoy the special Valentine’s Day menu with an optional wine pairing at either of the Parisian-style bistro’s locations in Belleview Station and the 9+CO development in Hale. Starting at $99 per person; reserve a table; 4901 S. Newport St. and 846 Albion St.

The entire week of Valentine’s Day, Toro, a concept in Cherry Creek by global restaurateur and celebrity chef Richard Sandoval, is bringing the passion with a pan-Latin, three-course prix fixe menu featuring tuna bonito with leche de tigre, roasted chicken topped with a pink mole, and the Mi Dulce Amor dessert with crispy brioche and lychee foam. $140 per couple; reserve a table; 150 Clayton Lane, Suite B

For dinner and a show, head over to Nocturne, RiNo’s sultry jazz supper club. The intimate three-course dinner will include lamb chops with pistachio-mint butter and black cherry demi, a steak tenderloin roulade, and Queen Anne dark chocolate panna cotta with basil-cherry purée. Guests can also choose to add wine pairings, Champagne, a half dozen West Coast oysters, and caviar crowns. All of this will be set to smoldering ballads from renowned jazz trumpeter Derek Banach and his quintet. Starting at $195 per person; book a reservation; 1330 27th St.

Budget Bae

For the budget-conscious couple, these options manage to say “I love you” without breaking the bank.

For a charming meet cute that won’t leave you broke, head to Leven Deli Co. in the Golden Triangle for happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Build your own charcuterie board for only $18 and sip on the house red wine for $6 a glass. 123 W. 12th Ave.

Vegan valentines should visit Next Level Burger near the University of Denver campus. For less than $25, you can get two 100-percent plant-based burgers and share one of the February strawberry cookies and cream shakes (hand-spun with house-made soy- or coconut-based soft-serve ice cream). 1605 E. Evans Ave.

If fried chicken is your love language, the Post Chicken & Beer is offering a heart-shaped box of hand-breaded chicken tenders served with red velvet gooey butter cake. Pair it all with a Loverspritz cocktail or a chocolate martini. Starting at $14; visit the Post’s website to order online or book a reservation; locations across Colorado

Galentine Group

Who needs a partner when you can celebrate with your girls?

The Infinite Monkey Theorem’s Galentine’s event on February 14 will feature $20 bottles of rosé, bottle and chocolate bonbon pairings from Denver-based chocolate company Temper, and a custom hat bar by Gem Hats. Tickets are $25, which can be put towards your custom hat purchase; 3200 Larimer St.

If you just want dinner with the gals, take your gang to the Velvet Cellar on February 13 for a Galentine’s prix fixe menu. Some featured dishes include chicken cordon bleu arancini, fig Brie brulée, mixed beet salad, New York strip steak, and chocolate and rose panna cotta. Be sure to ask about add-ons like curated wine pairings, Champagne, and oysters. Starting at $65 per person; reserve a table; 1500 Wynkoop St., Suite 101

On the Brink

Thinking of breaking up with your S.O.? We strongly suggest you don’t do it on Valentine’s Day. But if you must, try a food hall that’s (1) noisy, in case a fight breaks out; (2) dimly lit, to hide the tears; and (3) busy, so you can chat up other newly single people once the deed is done.

At Denver Central Market, ease into the sad news with one of Vero’s heart-shaped Margherita pizzas (ask them to cut it in half for you to help send the hint). Finish the night (and the relationship) over one of Temper’s dessert charcuterie boards—chocolate makes everything better, right? 2669 Larimer St.

If you’re just looking for some liquid courage before dropping the bomb, Avanti Food and Beverage in LoHi will have its usual happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m. Drinks start at $4; 3200 N. Pecos St.

Treat Yourself

Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself on Valentine’s Day. Grab a box of sweets and stuff your face while watching the newest season of Netflix’s Love Is Blind, conveniently airing on February 14.

Voodoo Doughnut is bringing back its limited-edition Conversation Heart doughnuts—adorned with a variety of loving messages such as “Bite Me”—which are available in two flavors: strawberry frosting with a creamy chocolate filling and chocolate frosting with a strawberry jam filling. Order online or in-store; 1520 E. Colfax Ave. and 98 S. Broadway

Craving cookies? Sugar Bloom Cookie at the Orchard Town Center is selling unique Valentine-themed designs like tie-dye hearts and a “love” deck of playing cards. Cookies start at $8. Place a custom order online.