21 Best Date Night Restaurants in Denver, Colorado in 2025
Find yourself in need of a date night restaurant in Denver? You won’t have to look far. The Mile-High City might not be the first city to come to mind when we think of romantic places for a night on the town, but maybe it should be.
With a stunning mountain setting and no shortage of places for a special dinner, romantic dining in Denver is easier than you’d think. The hard part might be choosing which date night restaurant in Denver suits you and your partner best.
From Mediterranean to New American and every cuisine in between, these date night restaurants in Denver offer you a plethora of ways to celebrate your special someone. Whether you like it high-class or more laid-back, one of the most romantic restaurants in Denver will be just right for you.
This guide to the best date night restaurants in Denver is sure to have something for you and your partner, from high-end eateries to casual neighborhood bistros.
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The 21 Most Romantic Restaurants in Denver, Colorado
1. Noisette
There are two date night restaurants in Denver on this list that have gotten the nod from the Michelin guide. The first with Michelin guide recommendation is Noisette, an utterly charming French restaurant that takes hearty French peasant cuisine and elevates it to an art form.
Its charming pastel interior is delightfully at odds with that menu of sturdy classics, making Noisette one of the most enjoyable places to eat in Denver, whether you think you like French food or not.
The Vibe
This is a quintessential fancy restaurant in Denver, but not in the way you might expect. There’s nothing stuffy about Noisette, which sticks strictly to a Rococo design scheme for a truly singular look and feel. It’s twee, but knowingly so; if these restaurants were films, Noisette would definitely be a Wes Anderson flick.
What to Order
Meals at this romantic restaurant in Denver are filling yet exquisite. You might try rabbit leg or duck breast, two hearty specialties you won’t often find elsewhere. Don’t miss out on stopping at the adjacent bakery for an elegant pastry after eating at this renowned French restaurant in Denver.
Noisette | 3254 Navajo St., Ste. 100, Denver, CO 80211 | $$$
2. Jovanina’s Broken Italian
We know what you must be thinking: “What’s broken about it?” Perhaps tradition: Jovanina’s Broken Italian specializes in adapting classic and beloved Italian dishes for a Colorado audience, using what’s local and in season to bring Italian cooking gracefully overseas. It’s a great date night restaurant in Denver if you’re both craving pizza but still want something a little dressy.
The Vibe
Warm but aesthetically sensible: think grandma’s wallpaper meets exposed brick. Jovanina’s has a cheeky atmosphere that sums up its culinary offerings pretty well.
What to Order
For a prime example of how this date night restaurant in Denver adapts Italian specialties to Colorado tastes and ingredients, try the elk Bolognese. If nothing else, it’s the one thing you’ll never find on anybody else’s menu.
Jovanina’s Broken Italian | 1520 Blake St., Denver, CO 80202 | $$$
3. Ultreia
Located inside Denver’s Union Station is an upscale Spanish gem helmed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Jennifer Jasinski. The Gilded Age architecture of the train station lends Ultreia an air of history that curiously but skillfully blends with its bold menu of classic tapas.
The Vibe
This date night restaurant in Denver offers a charming blend of concepts and aesthetics: you’ll probably find yourself eating jamón iberico while gazing at murals of fat cattle grazing on the Colorado plains. Such charming touches of local flavor characterize the restaurant’s location in Denver’s historic Union Station, which dates back to 1881.
What to Order
Patatas bravas, bacon-wrapped dates, pan con tomate and croquettes: you’ll have a fairly solid introduction to the delightful world of Spanish and Portuguese small-plate dining with an order of those specialties.
Ultreia | 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO 80202 | $$$
4. Restaurant Olivia
Pasta is the calling card at Restaurant Olivia, and it truly is some of the best pasta you’ll find in Denver. Made daily in-house, it’s worlds above the typical restaurant pasta, and there’s no better date night restaurant in Denver for the carb-craving couple than Restaurant Olivia. Set aside all assumptions about what is and is not appropriate date night food and dig into a bowl of the best pasta you’ve ever tried.
The Vibe
A classic Italian restaurant in every aspect, from lighting to table-setting, Restaurant Olivia offers you that “look-how-well-I-can-pick-a-nice-restaurant” look, sure to impress your date. This is one of those date night restaurants in Denver that really looks the part.
What to Order
In a rare change of pace, our advice here is not very specific: order your favorite pasta dish, whatever that is. Chances are, this classic Italian eatery not only offers it, but also makes it better than any place you’ve ever tried it before.
Olivia | 290 S. Downing St., Denver, 80209 | $$$
5. Barolo Grill
If you’ve got a first date to impress, head to Barolo Grill. Why? Well, it’ll definitely wow with its solid, down-to-earth renditions of northern Italian classics.
Its classic Italian-restaurant aesthetic is exactly what you picture when you think about a fancy date. And…oh, yeah. It’s Michelin recommended.
The Vibe
Much like its menu, this Italian restaurant in Denver is impeccably appointed but not stuffy. Think white tablecloths, but not that museum look that makes you afraid to touch anything on the table. Barolo really is, in many ways, the quintessential date night restaurant in Denver.
What to Order
The fritto misto, or fried seafood and vegetables, is an Italian street food classic that you don’t see every day, executed to perfection. So is the braised duck.
Barolo Grill | 3030 E. Sixth Ave., Denver, 80206 | $$$$
6. Bastien’s
Think of a classic anniversary dinner, and what do you picture? Is it a nice filet mignon and an elegant setting complete with crystal wineglasses and a well-appointed bread basket? If yes, that place is Bastien’s.
This old-school steakhouse is not one of the more out-there date night restaurants in Denver for adventurous foodies, but it delivers reliably on the date night vibe in a very classic sense.
The Vibe
Expect the kind of service and atmosphere that characterized the upper-crust restaurants of yesteryear. Open since 1937 and relatively unchanged since, it’s exactly, and delightfully, as you’d expect it to be.
What to Order
Whatever your go-to steak order might be, order it rare or medium-rare at Bastien’s. If you do, it’ll be prepared with Bastien’s trademark sugar rub; fans of this storied date night restaurant in Denver claim that’s what makes the steaks here so special. You might want to start with bacon-wrapped scallops, too.
Bastien’s | 3503 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80206 | $$$
7. Major Tom
A curious number of date night restaurants in Denver focus on small plates. But if you want such an experience without the Mediterranean focus that’s typical at a lot of small-plate eateries, Major Tom might be your go-to date night restaurant in Denver. Wine, cocktails and upscale American small plates are in the spotlight here.
The Vibe
Easygoing and a little whimsical, with lots of outer-space touches in the décor. (Yes, if you were wondering, this date night restaurant in Denver is named after the song!)
What to Order
The menu here changes frequently, but popular options include fish dishes like yellowtail with blood orange and lemongrass and vegetarian options, such as chickpea fritters. But as this is a sharing plates spot, you don’t need to decide on just one thing, so order whatever takes your fancy.
Major Tom | 2845 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205 | $$$
8. The Wolf’s Tailor
Those searching for a true fine dining experience should look no further than The Wolf’s Tailor. This date night restaurant in Denver puts a Colorado spin on the traditional tasting menu experience with wild game and seasonal ingredients, making it a perfect splurge for a truly adventurous foodie couple.
The Vibe
This restaurant’s name refers to the fable of the wolf in sheep’s clothing, paying tribute to the craftsmanship that went into producing its disguise. We’re not sure we get it, but it’s a pretty good summary of what the kitchen at The Wolf’s Tailor wants to produce: crafty, inventive, game-forward Colorado cuisine.
What to Order
Easy: order a tasting menu and let the chefs do all the work.
The Wolf’s Tailor | 4058 Tejon St., Denver, CO 80211 | $$$$
9. The Ponti
If setting is what defines your idea of the perfect date night restaurant in Denver, you’ll want to start your search at The Ponti. Set in the Denver Art Museum, The Ponti offers a delightful menu, a stylish interior befitting of its location and sweeping city views at nighttime.
And if you need even more selling on this date night restaurant in Denver, it’s easily combined with a museum visit for an even better romantic night out.
The Vibe
Chic, contemporary and well-appointed, but intimate. Its atmosphere is very much in keeping with that of the museum itself, elevating the aesthetic appeal of the dining experience here.
What to Order
The beet salad is a perfect encapsulation of this restaurant’s philosophy that vegetables are worth a starring role in your meal. The chilled spinach and asparagus soup is another refined choice to start. For your main, try the unique carrot gnocchi or the seasonal scallop dish.
The Ponti | 100 W. 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80204 | $$
10. The Bindery
If all you want from your date night restaurant in Denver is solid presentations of your favorite dishes, The Bindery might need to be your next stop. This New American spot surprises, favoring creative execution of time-tested favorites over excessive innovation.
The Vibe
This date night restaurant in Denver has a slick industrial design, decorated in greyscale with lots of bare concrete.
What to Order
The handmade pasta can’t be missed at this romantic restaurant in Denver. Delicious options include pumpkin agnolini and pappardelle with wild boar.
To finish, share a dessert or two, with decadent choices like sticky date mezcal cake and chocolate chestnut terrine gracing the menu.
If you enjoy your dinner together and want to plan another date here, The Bindery also serves up some of the best brunch and breakfast in Denver.
The Bindery | 1817 Central St., Denver, CO 80211 | $$$
11. Arvada Tavern
Once upon a time, this classy date night restaurant in Denver’s suburb of Arvada was a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Although its second life keeps things on the up-and-up, Arvada Tavern retains the slightly illicit charm of its origins with its décor, low-lit smokiness and extensive menu of once-again-legal adult beverages.
The Vibe
This date-night restaurant around Denver might look slick, with its dark woods, leather and low lighting, but it’s a welcoming place all the same. Dressy-casual is the niche Arvada Tavern seems to inhabit most comfortably: not fussy, but not altogether casual either.
What to Order
Looking to try a local but somewhat adventurous Denver food? Start with an order of fried Rocky Mountain oysters, which you may quickly realize aren’t quite what the name suggests. If you want something a little less out-of-the-box, the crispy shrimp and double smash burger are safer yet still delicious choices.
Arvada Tavern | 5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO 80002 | $$
12. Corridor 44
This Denver date night restaurant has a lot going on. In addition to its boast of being Denver’s only Champagne bar, Corridor 44 offers an eclectic variety of French and Moroccan cuisine.
It’s a little hard to pin down what this place actually does, so don’t worry about it too much. Just make a reservation and enjoy the chic pleasures of a high-concept place whose actual concept doesn’t matter nearly so much as the experience it offers.
The Vibe
Everything about this date night restaurant in Denver is chic, from its creative fusion cuisine to its décor. It’s a great place to take a partner who knows and loves food, design or both for an experience that engages not only the taste buds but the rest of the senses, too.
What to Order
If you’re looking for a simpler, quicker date than the standard dinner-and-drinks, a Champagne flight and a cheese board will give you a good idea of the best this date night restaurant in Denver has to offer.
Corridor 44 | 1433 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80202 | $$$
13. Elway’s Downtown
There’s no place quite like Elway’s Downtown. Located in the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Hotel, this old-fashioned steakhouse offers exactly what you would expect with impeccable execution. Classic cuts of steak and a well-appointed wine list make this a perfect date night restaurant in Denver if your ideal date sticks firmly to the ever-classy white tablecloth vibe.
The Vibe
If any date night restaurant in Denver calls for snappy dressing, it’s this one. Elway’s Downtown offers all the class, polish and excellence of service that you would expect and hope for at such a renowned eatery.
What to Order
In Colorado, you’ll find excellent lamb all over the place, so if steak isn’t what you’re looking for, try the lamb chop fondue. And if you do feel like steak, be sure to order the truffle fries as a side dish.
Elway’s Downtown | 1881 Curtis St., Denver, CO 80202 | $$$$
14. Nocturne
If you like a little entertainment with your romantic meal, look no further than Nocturne. Sure, plenty of places will play a little soft jazz in the background — but how many date night restaurants in Denver can claim that it’s played live?
This elegant small-plates restaurant (yes, another one!) is not only a perfect setting for a date, but dining here is also one of the most unique and enjoyable things to do in Denver due to the fabulous live music that will accompany your meal.
The Vibe
Exactly what you’d expect from a jazz club: low lighting and refined cuisine, plus an air of hushed sophistication. This is the place to take a date you’re a little nervous about: the music makes it a little less important to be clever in conversation, and the low lighting will hide the nerves like nothing else.
What to Order
Ever wanted to try duck confit in a jazz club? No? Well, you ought to do it anyway if you’re dining at Nocturne. It’s an experience we promise you’ll remember fondly.
Nocturne | 1330 27th St., Denver, CO 80205 | $$$$
15. La Forêt
“Twee but self-aware” seems to be a common thread among Denver date night restaurants of a French persuasion. All the same, La Forêt offers an entirely fresh take on the usual Rococo whimsy: it’s more reminiscent of a fairytale forest than an Enlightenment-era salon. To give it due credit, its name suggests as much.
The Vibe
With its forest-inspired interior, a date night at La Forêt is as much about the ambience as the food. Everything about this chic but whimsical date night restaurant in Denver is charming, and that includes the presentation of its menu of beautifully prepared French classics.
Oh, and a word to the wise: La Forêt doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared for a sizable wait at dinnertime.
What to Order
The beef bourguignon can’t be missed, especially if you combine it with a dessert order of crème brûlée with local berries, mint and honey.
La Forêt | 38 S. Broadway, Denver, CO 80209 | $$$
16. Le French 9+CO
Of course, French cuisine is going to feature heavily on any list of date night restaurants in Denver. But Le French 9+CO isn’t the fussy purveyor of hoity-toity French fare that you might expect.
It’s got more in common with a classic French brasserie, offering hearty classics that even the most particular diner will be able to enjoy. And if it’s a laid-back air of Parisian romance you’re after, this is the place to be.
The Vibe
Like much of French cuisine, Le French 9+CO pays close attention to aesthetics, with a polished dining room that unmistakably looks fancy.
But it’s not an intimidating or stuffy place. Don’t let images of off-putting formality keep you from checking out this excellent date night restaurant in Denver.
What to Order
Start with a cheese plate: this is a French restaurant, so it only seems right to. From there, enjoy the global influences Le French 9+CO works into its classic French menu with dishes like salmon with ponzu sauce. Alternatively, go with the classics, such as moules frites or boeuf bourguignon.
Le French 9+CO | 846 Albion St., Denver, CO 80220 | $$$
17. El Five
Want a mile-high setting in the Mile-High City? Then make for the tapas bar El Five. Part of the Edible Beats group, this Spanish-style spot is one of the finest Denver date night restaurants for a sophisticated but laid-back meal with delicious food and excellent wine pairings.
The Vibe
El Five is unquestionably a classy place: it’ll never give you a reason to doubt that. But it’s also a spot as bold and brassy as its punchy menu of tapas, offering a colorful, stylish setting for a romantic dinner. If artsy and intentional design excites you, El Five is definitely going to be one of your favorite date night restaurants in Denver.
What to Order
If tapas aren’t filling enough, go with a classic seafood paella. Alternatively, for a taste of the Mediterranean beyond Spain, try the Tunisian couscous.
El Five | 2930 Umatilla St., Denver, CO 80211 | $$$$
18. Coperta
Comforting, easy-to-love Southern Italian food at the direction of a James Beard Award semifinalist? Coperta is that girl. This date night restaurant in Denver doesn’t need to be fussy or announce its excellence to the world to be one of the best places for pasta in all of Denver.
The Vibe
Bright, lively and a little less fussy than many of the Denver date night restaurant picks on this list, Coperta is an inviting place for a sneakily classy meal. Much like Italian cuisine itself, it’s excellent without making a big deal of itself.
What to Order
Start with daily-baked focaccia for the table: you might not think you’ll need it, but trust us, you’ll be glad you did. Then, order a side of oysters with the pasta of your choice. You really can’t go wrong with any pasta Coperta makes, so go with your gut.
Coperta | 400 E. 20th Ave., Denver, CO 80205 | $$$
19. Mizuna
For some, the perfect date night restaurant in Denver is the one that offers the most unforgettable fine dining experience. And if that’s you, Mizuna is easily one of the most romantic restaurants in Denver. Mizuna’s small-plate, expertly crafted menu is sure to please even the most refined of palates on date night.
The Vibe
Like many of the best fine dining establishments, Mizuna doesn’t give the initial impression of an upscale date night restaurant in Denver. Its design and vibe are stripped-down — it’s like the acoustic cover of the typical fine-dining interior design — and the space is intimate and compact. It’s the perfect place for whispered conversations of a romantic bent.
What to Order
This is fine dining at its best, so you really have only one option: the pre-fixe chef’s tasting menu. Leave your date night dinner in the hands of Mizuna’s chefs to discover exactly how they come by their towering reputation in the Denver culinary scene.
Mizuna | 225 E. Seventh Ave., Denver, CO 80203 | $$$$
20. Potager
The unifying theme of the menu at this date night restaurant in Denver is a common one: it’s committed to using seasonal and local ingredients. But while many restaurants claim the farm-to-table philosophy, Potager is one of the few to fully commit itself to providing that seasonal and sustainable experience. Think vegetable-forward fine dining for a creative but still enlivening date night dinner.
The Vibe
This intimate restaurant provides just the cozy setting you want in a date night restaurant. And, like many of its kind, it’s always busy, so be sure to book a reservation if you want to secure a table at this happening spot.
What to Order
We’re going to buck the system on this one and tell you not to plan out your order at Potager. While we’re usually all for checking out the menu before you arrive, that would defeat the purpose at Potager: they’re all about changing with the seasons, after all. So let yourself be guided by the impeccable menu of seasonal offerings whenever you arrive.
Potager | 1109 Ogden St., Denver, CO 80218 | $$$
21. Tavernetta
There are plenty of Italian date night restaurants in Denver, but Tavernetta gets the Italian-dining formula uniquely right. Class and warmth are not at all at odds in the convivial, polished setting of this classic Italian eatery. At Tavernetta, you’ll get all the class of the best date night restaurants in Denver, but very little of the fuss.
The Vibe
Overlooking Denver’s Union Station, there’s always people-watching to be done at Tavernetta. That, plus the intimate dining area, gives this date night restaurant in Denver a lively, happening feel even while it keeps the atmosphere polished and elegant.
What to Order
Homemade agnolotti and gnocchi will do it for anybody who’s been craving pasta, and if you’re not, branzino is an excellent choice for those who prefer seafood. And always, always start off with an order of focaccia for the table.
Tavernetta | 1889 16th St. Mall, Denver, 80202 | $$
Other Romantic Foodie Experiences in Denver
There are date night restaurants in Denver aplenty, but sometimes you just want to stay in. Getting done up and making a reservation weeks in advance can be a hassle, so if you’d rather dodge that mess entirely, why not make things a little more casual with couples cooking classes in Denver?
No dress-up required — just show up to your chosen cooking class in Denver, ready to learn how you can make your next romantic candlelit dinner.
Alternatively, why not keep things even more personal by hiring one of the many stellar private chefs in Denver? That way, romantic dining in Denver doesn’t even require you to leave the house. This is a particularly excellent date idea in Denver for couples who always find themselves wanting to stay in but don’t want to miss out on a restaurant-quality meal.
If you’re in search of the best date night restaurants in Denver, you’re in for a treat. With all these options at your disposal, will you ever want for a place to take the object of your affections again?
Denver’s culinary scene has plenty to offer the diner in search of romance. So next anniversary, Valentine’s Day or even for a weeknight date, don’t worry — there’s a romantic restaurant in Denver for you.
For even more ways to explore Denver and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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