Cincinnati is just a romantic city, especially when it comes to heading out on the town on a date — whether it’s with your partner or a budding romance. Greater Cincinnati just had four restaurants named to OpenTable’s Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants list, and while those spots — Boca, Carlo & Johnny, Primavista and Jag’s Steak and Seafood — are wonderful representations of romantic charm in the Queen City, we wanted to highlight some other restaurants that are just as cozy and intimate — and maybe a little spicy.

From cozy cafes that will make you feel like you’re part of a whirlwind romance during a trip to Europe to moody, low-lit places that are perfect for leaning in a little closer, these 15 Greater Cincinnati restaurants are romantic hidden gems that you don’t want to overlook. 

Alfio’s Buon Cibo 2724 Erie Ave., Hyde Park For delicious dishes that blend Italian and Argentinean flavors in a romantic atmosphere, visit Hyde Park Square for dinner at Alfio’s Buon Cibo. The restaurant is cozy, featuring warm lighting and tablecloths for an elevated dining experience with your sweetheart. From the menu, you can select a dish of savory pasta, or choose an entrée that will take you to the culinary hearts of Italy and Argentina, like the Gnocchi Gulisano, made with sautéed shrimp, Argentine sausage and gnocchi tossed in chimichurri cream sauce. Finally, be sure to top the meal off with a bottle of wine — Alfio’s is well-known for its curated selection. Photo: facebook.com/AlfiosBuonCibo
VV The Italian Experience 1026 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout VV The Italian Experience’s overall atmosphere will make you feel like you slipped away from the busy streets of Rome into an elegant cafe tucked away off the beaten path, your lover’s hand in yours. This quaint cafe has the romantic feel of Europe, right in the heart of Mt. Lookout, with beautifully crafted Italian pastries beckoning you from their case in the front and a menu of homemade pasta; fresh, crisp salads; and hearty soups waiting for you. Pair your meal with a glass of wine, or one of VV’s cocktails — can we recommend the Aperol spritz? — for a thorough taste of a date night in Italy. Photo: facebook.com/VV The Italian Experience
Cafe Mochiko 1524 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills You may have visited Cafe Mochiko for one of their delicious pastries (the ube halaya croissant is heavenly), but this Asian-American cafe is also a cozy spot for a romantic dinner date. The menu offers laidback yōshoku-style fare (Western food reinvented in a Japanese way); try the Karaage (Japanese fried chicken), served with karashi mayo, or one of the weekly ramen specials. Photo: facebook.com/mochikocincy
Annata Wine Bar 2021 Madison Road, O’Bryonville For the couple who loves wine, Annata Wine Bar in O’Bryonville offers an intimate space with wooden-beam ceilings and low lighting to take you on a romantic adventure through its extensive list of wines. Annata Wine Bar is accessible to everyone — whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just starting to explore. To eat, get a spread of light bites, like the marinated olives, hummus or charcuterie boards, to share, or try one of Annata’s paninis or flatbreads. Don’t skip dessert, however. Annata has a weekly feature from neighboring bakery BonBonerie. Photo: Maggy McDonel
Chez Renée French Bistrot 233 Main St., Milford If VV is like stepping off the streets of Rome, Chez Renée is like stumbling upon a welcoming bistro while exploring small towns in France’s countryside. The dining room is enough to make you fall in love — walls decked out in Tiffany blue and big windows allowing you to look out at Old Milford. And if the dining room isn’t enough to make you fall in love, Chez Renée’s menu of authentic French dishes — sans prétention — will be. Try one of their famous croques (grilled sandwiches) or the chicken Cordon Bleu, featuring prosciutto and a three-cheese blend. Stick around for dessert and try one of Chez Renée’s crêpes — they come in with a variety of toppings ranging from traditional butter sugars and jams to pear and chocolate and banana and buckeye. Bon appétit! Photo: facebook.com/chezreneebistro
Ivory House 2998 Harrison Ave., Westwood Self-described as “steak and seafood, elevated,” Ivory House’s menu is a fresh take on nostalgic-feeling dishes. A large wine menu and clever cocktails are stellar accompaniments to a menu that features everything from filet mignon and Chilean sea bass to a Japanese A5 wagyu strip. The dining room is chic and modern, but cozy, and live piano music often floats through the air, making it a charming spot to dine with ton amour. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Conserva 225 Elm St., Ludlow Sharing a meal with your partner can be super romantic, and tapas are perfect for the occasion. Spanish tapas restaurant Conserva may be one of Northern Kentucky’s best hidden gems. Owner and head chef Challis Hodge studied Spanish tapa cuisine to recreate an authentic experience with a medley of options, ranging from gazpacho to beef and chorizo sliders. Top off the experience with some wine from Spain or Portugal. Photo: facebook.com/ConservaTapasBar
Subito 311 Pike St., Downtown An elegant dining room dressed up in blues, silvers and black await you and your date at the Lytle Park hotel. The hotel’s ground-floor restaurant, Subito, is a charming Italian restaurant with a modern flare. The menu focuses on cuisine from the northern regions of the country, with plenty of homemade pasta, like the cacio e pepe (angel hair pasta, grana padano, black pepper and pecorino romano), tossed in scratch-made sauces, as well as traditional antipasti and brick-oven pizzas. Enjoy a drink from their specialty cocktail menu or wine list, or sneak upstairs for a nightcap at the hotel’s other bar and restaurant, Vista, and enjoy the views of downtown Cincinnati. Photo: Photofusion Media
Kanji OTR 1739 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine There’s something so sexy about sushi, and something even sexier about half-priced sushi and amazing cocktails. Kanji’s stylish-yet-affordable vibe also allows you to feel fancy on a budget. In addition to sushi and nigiri, the menu boasts Korean dishes like dolsot bibimbap — a chef favorite — katsu and bulgogi. Photo: facebook.com/KanjiOTR
Bouquet 519 Main St., Covington Working closely with local sources, Bouquet’s upscale farm-to-table approach means a fresh, frequently rotating menu packed with seasonal ingredients. Elegant small plates, entrées and thoughtful wine pairings set the stage for an intimate dining experience. Photo: facebook.com/bouquet519
Metropole 609 Walnut St., Downtown Contemporary art and a menu of fresh, thoughtful seasonal dishes make a stunning couple at 21c Museum Hotel’s restaurant, Metropole. Natural light floods the dining room as you’re seated in the company of 21c’s signature yellow penguin statues. Each menu focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients used to craft elevated, yet approachable dishes, like the Smoked Chicken (Piri Piri, smoked yogurt and pickled carrots) or the pork chop, made with pork from Marksbury Farm in Kentucky. Take the time before or after your meal to browse the collection of art in the museum, or check in the hotel and spend the weekend indulging in art, good food and all downtown Cincinnati has to offer two folks in love. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Livery 9320 Montgomery Road, Montgomery This tapas spot features a menu of empanadas, ensaladas, ceviche, tacos, tortas and other Central and South American dishes made with the freshest ingredients. Livery also has a fully stocked bar with an expansive tequila and cocktail list, top-shelf spirits, wine and beer, as well as specialty margaritas (and if you and your partner are Game of Thrones fans, Livery just changed the names of its cocktails as a nod to the show). For dessert, split the housemade churros or seasonal flan or tres leches with your date. Photo: facebook.com/liverymontgomery
Crown Cantina 326 E. Eighth St., Downtown This Crown Restaurant Group spot is a self-described mix of “contemporary, authentic Mexican cuisine and cocktails.” The space is bright and airy — perfect for a fun, flirty date. Crown Cantina sets itself apart from other south-of-the-border-inspired restaurants with its unique blend of bold, but approachable flavors and ingredients — all of which are 100% gluten-free. On the menu, you’ll find a variety of tacos, as well as large plates like their chicken mole and carnitas. Start off your meal with a starter of guacamole served with corn tostadas to share and a specialty margarita. Photo: Provided by Crown Restaurant Group
Emery 6914 Wooster Pike, Mariemont Emery, situated in the heart of beautiful Mariemont, offers a laid-back, casual — yet still romantic — dining experience. The restaurant features American-style fare with an emphasis on seafood, like the Blackened Mahi-Mahi, the Sixty-South Salmon and Shrimp and Lobster Pot Pie, but the Chicken Breast Roulade, Clyborne Burger and a vegetarian bolognese help round out the menu. Photo: Looking Glass Hospitality Group
Rosewood 3036 Madison Road, Oakley Rosewood, a sister restaurant of Teak in Over-the-Rhine and Loveland, offers a selection of one-of-a-kind Thai, seafood and sushi options in an intimate and welcoming setting. The menu features Thai-style fried rice dishes; vegetable and mixed stir frys; a variety of curries; house specials like crispy pork belly, Chilean seabass and plenty of sushi. To drink, Rosewood offers an extensive list of wines by the glass, beer and craft cocktails. Photo: Hailey Bollinger