32 Ideas for the Most Romantic Dinner

Impress Your Sweetheart With a Lovely Dinner Menu

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/5/20
Romantic Dinner Table
karandaev/Getty Images

There are many fantastic recipes that will create a romantic dinner for two. The meal can be as complex or simple as you like. For instance, you can go with just an entrée and dessert or cook up a full-course meal that includes everything from appetizers to cocktails. These menu ideas are perfect for date night, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, or any special occasion.

  • 01 of 32

    Prawn Cocktail

    Close-Up Of Prawns Over White Background
    Akepong Srichaichana / EyeEm / Getty Images

    A classic prawn cocktail is an impressive start to any dinner. It's also easy because the prawns (or shrimp) are covered in a simple sauce made from ingredients you may already have in the kitchen. When served on a bed of lettuce in over-sized wine glasses, it adds a fancy presentation to the table.

  • 02 of 32

    Tomato Consommé

    Tomato-Consomme-Recipe

    Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

    For a light soup appetizer, it's hard to beat tomato consommé. The fresh broth is no ordinary tomato soup and it allows you to show off your skills in the kitchen. Though it does require some work, the results are worth the effort.

  • 03 of 32

    Spinach Salad With Strawberries and Pecans

    Spinach Salad With Strawberries and Pecans

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Easy and super fresh, a spinach salad with strawberries and pecans is a grand way to start any romantic meal. The berries are a natural aphrodisiac and they give the salad a bright flavor. Make it just a little more special with toasted or sugared pecans.

  • 04 of 32

    Pea and Mint Soup

    healthy green cream soup with cracker
    taniche / Getty Images

    Another pleasant way to start off your meal is with fresh pea and mint soup. The recipe is surprisingly simple and the flavor is a pure delight. With its fresh, cooling flavor, it won't overwhelm your main course, no matter what it is.

    Continue to 5 of 32 below.
  • 05 of 32

    Beef Wellington

    Classic Beef Wellington Recipe

    The Spruce Eats

    Impress your sweetheart with beef Wellington, a classic British dish. Though it has a reputation as being a difficult recipe, it's actually quite simple. Essentially, it's nothing more than a seasoned beef fillet wrapped in puff pastry and baked until golden brown and scrumptious.

  • 06 of 32

    Grilled Tandoori Shrimp

    Grilled shrimp on a bed of couscous with a lemon wedge
    MentalArt / Getty Images

    Dinner for two can be as simple as firing up the grill. If you enjoy tandoori chicken, you'll love grilled tandoori shrimp. The Indian spices are a perfect complement to the skewered seafood and they cook up in just a few minutes.

  • 07 of 32

    Chicken Piccata

    Chicken Piccata
    boblin / Getty Images

    This is definitely not your ordinary chicken entrée. Chicken piccata is an Italian classic that is both fantastic and simple. The battered chicken breasts are covered in a tasty sauce of butter, lemon juice, capers, and white wine to create a memorable main. 

  • 08 of 32

    Prime Rib

    Prime Rib Dinner
    John E. Kelly / Getty Images

    A recipe designed for two people, you're going to love sharing this one with your lover. The prime rib is gently seasoned with garlic and marjoram and baked with potatoes and carrots. It's a great dish to serve with a nice red wine.

    Continue to 9 of 32 below.
  • 09 of 32

    Sweet and Smoky Mahi-Mahi

    Sweet and Smoky Mahi-Mahi
    NightAndDayImages

    Smoked paprika can really liven up a pair of fish filets to create a fantastic main dish. The sweet and smoky mahi-mahi recipe is quick and ready in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for a surprise dinner.

  • 10 of 32

    Baked Stuffed Lobster

    Tasty lobster
    yevgenromanenko / Getty Images

    When you're ready to get really elaborate, baked stuffed lobster is the way to go. It's easier than you think and the elegance of this entrée cannot be underestimated.

  • 11 of 32

    Cornish Game Hen With Oyster Stuffing

    Roasted Game Hens
    Robert Linton/E+/Getty Images

    Cornish game hens make a delightful entrée and, despite their small size, it is possible to stuff them. This amazing recipe adds oysters to the stuffing, making it a lovely dish to share with a special someone.

  • 12 of 32

    Vegetarian Lasagna Rolls

    Vegetarian Lasagna Rolls
    Brian Hagiwara / Getty Images

    Vegetarian lasagna rolls are an extraordinary meatless entrée and a lot of fun to make. This is a recipe that the two of you can cook up together for a little fun in the kitchen.

    Continue to 13 of 32 below.
  • 13 of 32

    Tuna Tartare

    Tuna Tartare
    Elaine Lemm

    This tuna tartare recipe sticks closely to a traditional version without bold flavors, allowing the fresh tuna to sing with the other ingredients adding subtle back notes and texture. Use fresh sushi grade tuna for this dish, which serves four as an appetizer or two as a light dinner.

  • 14 of 32

    Asian-Spiced Turkey Salad

    Asian spiced turkey salad with pomegranate

    The Spruce Eats

    Whether it's as a side or a light entrée, the Asian-spiced turkey salad will be a great addition to your meal. The homemade dressing is a unique and flavorful mix of red chili, ginger, soy sauce, and fruits. If you don't have turkey, make it with chicken, duck, or tofu.

  • 15 of 32

    Fondue for Two

    Chocolate fondue

     

    yasuhiroamano / Getty Images

    Fondue turns the meal into a memorable experience. While it's fun with a small group, fondue is perfect for a couple as well. You can cook your entire meal at the table and enjoy the conversation. Don't forget a pot for ​making chocolate-dipped strawberries, the ultimate love food.

  • 16 of 32

    Crab Cakes

    Homemade Crab Cakes With Remoulade
    DebbiSmirnoff / Getty Images

    Homemade crab cakes are delicious and a perfect side that can complement any entrée. They're a joy to make as well. All you need is crab meat, bread crumbs, and a few items from the pantry.

    Continue to 17 of 32 below.
  • 17 of 32

    Penne Pasta With Asparagus, Pancetta, and Cherry Tomato

    Penne Pasta With Cherry Tomato & Asparagus
    DanielBendjy / Getty Images

    A quick and simple pasta makes an excellent side dish and penne is a perfect choice. The recipe adds asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and pancetta. Skip the pancetta and make it vegetarian or use any veggies you like.

  • 18 of 32

    Roasted Rabbit With Fava Pesto

    Roasted Rabbit With Fava Pesto

    The Spruce / Pete Scherer

    Tender and succulent roasted rabbit makes an impressive main dish for date night. Sitting atop bright green fava bean pesto, its a springy dinner that's also gluten-free.

  • 19 of 32

    Italian Roasted Potatoes

    Roasted potatoes with herbs
    Arx0nt / Getty Images

    Potatoes are a versatile addition to any meal. The Italian roasted potato recipe is easy to prepare and the seasoning is sure to complement any other dish you set on the table.

  • 20 of 32

    Oysters Rockefeller

    Oysters Rockefeller

    Joseph De Leo/Photolibrary/Getty Images

    Oysters are the ultimate aphrodisiac and this is one of the best ways to serve them. Oysters Rockefeller is a classic dish and this recipe is easy to scale down for just a dozen oysters, which should be perfect for two.

    Continue to 21 of 32 below.
  • 21 of 32

    Red Lobster-Style Cheese Garlic Biscuits

    Cheese Biscuits
    Patrick Heagney / Getty Images

    Bring the taste of a favorite restaurant to your kitchen with these cheese garlic biscuits. They're easy to bake and go perfectly with any entrée, whether it's seafood, meat, or vegetarian. The recipe makes a dozen biscuits, which is a little much for two people, but they will keep for tomorrow's lunch.

  • 22 of 32

    White Chocolate and Raspberry Creme Brûlée

    Creme brulee with berries
    Westend61 / Getty Images

    Every romantic dinner needs a great dessert and this is where you can really impress your date. The white chocolate creme brûlée recipe is a luscious option and the raspberries really set it off. Don't be intimidated, either. Anyone can make it.

  • 23 of 32

    Chocolate Delight

    Chocolate Delight Dessert

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    If the two of you share a passion for chocolate, the chocolate delight is the recipe for you. This is a dessert anyone can pull off and the chocolate is sure to add a spark to your evening.

  • 24 of 32

    Chocolate Soufflé

    Chocolate Souffle

    zeleno / Getty Images

    Chocolate is for lovers and a French soufflé is easier than you might imagine. Bring the two together and learn something new while you delight a certain someone with this delicious chocolate soufflé.

    Continue to 25 of 32 below.
  • 25 of 32

    Pineapple Cheesecake

    Easy pineapple cheesecake

    The Spruce Eats

    Luscious, and divinely delicious, tempt your sweetheart's sweet tooth with a homemade pineapple cheesecake. This no-bake recipe takes just minutes to prepare, though you'll want to give it plenty of time to chill and set.

  • 26 of 32

    Banana Crepes With Rum Sauce

    Banana Crepes with Rum Sauce

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Expand your culinary prowess and add homemade banana crepes to your romantic dinner menu. It's another fun kitchen project for two and the rum sauce makes this recipe very special.

  • 27 of 32

    Poires Belle Helene

    French pear dessert

    The Spruce Eats

    This French classic is certainly elegant. Poires Belle Helene is a dish of poached pears in sugar syrup. Served with ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce, you'll have a beautiful dessert that almost looks too good to eat.

  • 28 of 32

    Sherry Trifle

    Sherry and Strawberry Trifle
    Rob White / Getty Images

    Sharing a sherry trifle is a beautiful (and delicious) way to end a meal. Layers of sponge cake, sherry-soaked strawberries, custard, and loads of whipped cream await in this charming dessert.

    Continue to 29 of 32 below.
  • 29 of 32

    Kahlua Bowl Cake

    Kahlua Bowl Cake
    Steve Brown Photography / Getty Images

    Slightly more decadent, you can also go with a Kahlua bowl cake. Like a trifle, it has a chocolate cake base that's soaked with the famous coffee liqueur. It's then topped with chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and any extra goodies you feel like adding.

  • 30 of 32

    Figgy Sparkler

    Figgy Sparkler Cocktail

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    Perhaps you feel your romantic dinner needs a great drink or two. While there some nice wines for lovers, a cocktail is even better. The figgy sparkler was designed with lovers in mind. It's a unique combination of vodka, fig, orange, and cranberries topped with Champagne.

  • 31 of 32

    Passion Cocktail

    Summer cocktail
    Getty Images/Leslie Thomson

    The passion cocktail is a drink recipe for two. You can think of it as a tequila cosmopolitan, complete with cranberry juice and orange liqueur. It's lovely for either dinner or dessert.

  • 32 of 32

    Preggie Provençe

    Preggie Provence Mocktail
    Jonathan Kantor Studio / Digital Vision / Getty Images

    A drink as delicious as any other, the preggie provençe is filled with flavor but skips the alcohol. This delightful mocktail uses grapes, rosemary, and lavender to flavor a sparkling lemonade for a drink that's simply stunning.