My favorite Romantic Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth

My favorite romantic restaurants are featured below. photo by: Eric Wettengel

Romance is a state of mind and while everyone thinks that Dallas-Fort Worth is about Cowboys, oil and JR Ewing there is an abundance of romance and exquisite dining with a few top ranked restaurants in the country. As a dating concierge and a singles blogger I have the inside scoop on how to create a date night or any kind of romantic adventure. I created 100 date ideas in Dallas so there is not a shortage of things to do and definitely not a shortage of restaurants to go to. I have contributed to Dallas Foodie while she’s been traveling so I’ve had the opportunity to dine at many of Dallas’s restaurants. Here are a few of my favorite romantic restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Fearing’s

The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, 2121 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201 – (214) 922-4848

Here’s what I love about this restaurant. Featured in the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, Chef Dean Fearing specializes in creating a fine dining experience that you can still wear your cowboy boots too. The southwestern style cuisine is done in an upscale fashion that is different than what you are used to. I go all the time for brunch, lunch or dinner. The banana pudding is amazing with beignets and for dinner you can’t go wrong with his version of surf and turf – filet with lobster, it’s a Yoakum Akaushi Beef Filet and Chicken Fried Maine Lobster. What makes this place romantic? There are sheer fabrics draping everywhere around this restaurant and soft lighting. Even if it’s crowded for dinner, you have some sort of privacy with the layout and design of the place. The other thing I like is that Dean Fearing himself likes to mingle with the crowd at dinner time with his Lucchese Cowboy Boots. Nicest guy that mingles with everyone even those that are on a budget here.

Lark on the Park

2015 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, TX 75201 – (214) 855-5275

I’ve been here for both brunch and dinner but why I love this restaurant is that it gives off a funky vibe while you are surrounded by art chalk drawings by local artists. The bartenders make great craft cocktails and sometimes you can order amazing things off the menu such as duck egg rolls which I love. Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Klyde Warren Park you can get free valet if you eat here and take a romantic stroll at the park in the moonlight. It’s romantic appeal is that I’ve been here on a weekend dinner night and it’s not crowded like many other places. Even brunch is romantic here and you have the option to eat on the patio (can get noisy due to downtown traffic) or inside.

Queenie’s 

115 East Hickory Street, Denton, TX 76201 – (940) 442-6834

Queenie’s is owned by Chef Tim Love and it honors his mother named, Queenie. I love getting away from the hustle and bustle of Dallas to stay in a nearby B&B and dine here because the steak is the best (to me) in DFW. Sometimes Queenie herself is in the restaurant. Right off of Denton Square the romance of this restaurant is how friendly and attentive the staff is and how great the food is. A Ribe Eye at 14 ounces is huge, along with grilled cauliflower. The cauliflower is anything but ordinary here and the grilled oysters were divine. I was able to share this particular meal I had. Chef Tim Love doesn’t just consult here he owns the place and the little touches are truly what make this place romantic. Even the drinks are great but I have to give a shout out to a little speakeasy right across the street called Paschall’s only because the ambience at this craft cocktail du jour truly does scream romance. Once you are done dining, the walk around Denton Square is a magical romantic adventure. If you are up to it and the weather is good, spread out a blanket near the courthouse and serenade your loved on.

Denton County Courthouse off of Denton Square Photo credit: Heather Buen

The Bird Café

155 East 4th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102 – (817) 332-2473

Can you tell my idea of romance is taking a walk after dinner? Another favorite of mine since it is right on Sundance Square is The Bird Café. Don’t be fooled by the name since it does have a café attached to it, this dining place is large even if it doesn’t look like it with two levels in a historic building in Fort Worth. 6400 square feet of dining space inside and 1300 square feet of patio space make up this establishment except you wouldn’t realize it since it occupies two floors. The wine list is just as large as the dining space and this place is romantic because the small plates to share, the history of the building, the amazing artwork and the extensive wine list add to any romantic evening.  It’s a gastropub so expect to see a variety of craft brews along with the wine list. The Hand-cut bone in rib-eye is huge and enough to share with a group. I had the sweetbreads which were ok, but loved the hummus and pig and fig. After you eat you can take a walk around Sundance Square which may have something going on at night. Bring your cameras because it’s a great place to grab a kissing selfie with the courthouse lit up in the background.

Did you see my earlier post? 35 oz ribe eye #fordtx @birdcafe #ftworth #travel #ribeye #beef

A photo posted by Heather B (@dallassinglemom) on Nov 5, 2014 at 6:56pm PST

Javier’s Dallas

4912 Cole Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205 – (214) 521-4211 This is not your average Tex-Mex. I added this to my list since one of my first truly romantic dates since I’ve lived in Texas was at this location. The have an extensive wine and port list along with a lounge and cigar bar. They are Zagat rated excellent and have been in Dallas since 1977. What I love about the dishes here is that they are truly continental Mexican dishes melding together true Aztec and European influences. The restaurant is not noisy and you have some privacy with a lot of low level lighting and masterful artwork and dark wood. This is not your modern style of architecture. Bold sauces, spice along with traditional Mexican cheeses weave into flavorful dishes. What makes this place romantic is the ambience and somewhat privacy of dining here. The cigar bar is an added touch for the discerning couple.

The French Room

The Adolphus, 1321 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202 – (214) 742-8200 Transform your evening into European elegance with a dining adventure at the French Room. The name screams romance as you dine on French cuisine and requires men to wear jackets. They have an extensive list of caviar available along with French dining that doesn’t stray into modern fusion. The service is impeccable here and if you want something special this is the place to be. It is pricey so I would highly recommend the tasting menu which goes for $110 per person and $165 with wine. That would be worth it since you get to taste everything and paired with a sample of different wines. The dessert wine on the most recent menu is Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui, Piemonte 2013 which I absolutely love. What makes this place romantic is that you can tell your friends you’ve been here.

Thinking of #romance? Try the French Room at The Adolphus in #Dallas repost from @gokyros

A photo posted by Heather B (@dallassinglemom) on Jan 29, 2015 at 10:41am PST

The Mansion Restaurant 

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75219 – (214) 443-4747

Another Dallas favorite for proposals and special occasions is this restaurant located at the Mansion on Turtle Creek. Nothing is more romantic than sitting fireside if you choose to dine by the Veranda or inside surrounded by artwork and celadon drapery. The style is contemporary American with French influence as evidenced by their pre-fixe menus offering fresh ingredients for their haute’ cuisine. What makes this restaurant romantic is the ambience of the place and the location. Located in the Mansion on Turtle Creek opt to take a stroll around the beautiful hotel and the grounds after dinner. This picturesque location is romantic even if you aren’t dining here. You could always get a nightcap in one of their suites.

We love how the colors carry through the “Mansion Diamond” ice by #TheColdStandard A photo posted by Mansion Restaurant & Bar (@mansionrestaurant) on Jan 17, 2015 at 11:40am PST

There are still a ton of restaurants in Dallas that are romantic and here are a few tips I put together to help inspire romance the next time you dine out:

1) It doesn’t have to be expensive. If you are on a budget try a picnic, lunch, brunch or cooking at home.

2) Whether you’ve known each other for a short bit or for a long time communicate your likes and dislikes. Also communicate if you want to try something new. Don’t disparage the other person wanting to try new things. Be a supporter not a downer.

3) Set the mood. If you like music, soft lighting, or want to spice things up with a red tie and handcuffs make sure you set the mood. If you are having a disagreement that might not be the best time to set the mood. Always schedule time for romance and do it your way.

4) It’s the small things. Even if you are making a grilled cheese sandwich put it on your best china and light some candles. Romance is about being together not the size of the bill at the end of the night.

5) Have fun and drink responsibility.

6) Follow food bloggers for ideas. My favorite is Dallas Foodie or you can also check out OpenTable’s list of the country’s best romantic restaurants.

What is your favorite romantic restaurant to go to? 

Disclaimer: I was not paid or provided any compensation to mention these restaurants.