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Yelp, everyone’s favorite crowd-sourced ratings aggregate site, is an easy go-to when deciding where to dine.
They’ve gathered a list of the Queen City’s most romantic restaurants, according to user reviews that include words like “romantic,” “date” and various forms of “Valentine’s Day,” and then ranked them by volume and ratings of restaurant reviews with the aforementioned keywords.
From basement trattorias to lavish steakhouses, Jazzy New Orleans-style eateries and cozy cafes, here’s where to take your special someone when you want a romantic night on the town.
25. The Littlefield
3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
Really cute place for a date night! Usually don’t make it out to Northside but I’m glad I got to try this place out. It’s a small, intimate place with a small menu and great drinks. Celina Y.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger24. Dee Felice Cafe
529 Main St., Covington
We stopped in for dinner and it was wonderful. We loved the set up of the restaurant. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. It was perfect for date night. There was a jazz band behind the bar which was super cool. We ordered the meatballs and ravioli. Delicious! The bread that came to the table was perfect. Everyone was friendly and the service was great. Brandy L.
Photo via Facebook.com/DeeFeliceCafe23. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
700 Walnut St., Downtown
Service was impeccable. Of course, this is a ‘special occasion’ restaurant, that is to be expected. It is expensive, but worth the splurge. Great option for date night. Emilia N.
Photo via Facebook.com/JeffRubysSteakhouse22. York Street Café
738 York St., Newport
Date night out with the hubby and what a great spot! Atmosphere was nice with low lighting and tons of items to spark conversation or memories. Dinner was fantastic. Amish chicken was delish super juicy. Mediterranean board is so yummy that’s what I get every time. Need a refreshing drink? Try Tito’s Mule oh my! Jenny N.
Photo: Paige Deglow21. Primavista
810 Matson Place, East Price Hill
From the moment you arrive, you receive comfort, beauty, and a glorious dining experience. Prima Vista has been a dining event for 30 years and they are only getting better. Cocktails, wine list, appetizers, entrees and desserts are all worth the trip. Ron M.
Photo via Facebook.com/PrimavistaRestaurant20. Zula
1400 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
”Love love love Zula for a quiet relaxed dinner! Service is great and the waiters don’t rush you. I came here on a Saturday night looking for a relaxing dinner. Zula is known for small plates that you can share with the table. I love trying several new dishes. The small dishes go great with a bottle of wine. All the small plates we had incorporated an array of flavors that came together so nicely! Definitely recommend trying Zula out for a date or with your girlfriends!” — Mariel D.
Photo via Facebook.com/zulawinebar19. Otto’s
521 Main St., Covington
Pleasantly surprised by this place! I wasn’t expecting much but the food was delicious. Unassuming from the outside but definitely a nicer establishment for a date night dinner. The drinks were also good, I had the lychee martini and would definitely get it again! Desiree J.
Photo via Facebook.com/Ottos521Cov Photo: facebook.com/ottos521cov18. Boca
114 E. Sixth St., Downtown
Although it was a small menu, we loved the food. The gnocchi was probably the best I had ever had. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was great for a date, nice and intimate. The building itself is very chic rustic, with original exposed wood and brick.
Of course its downtown and parking is impossible, so I recommend the valet ($8). Sheena P.
Photo via Facebook.com/BocaRestaurant17. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar
525 Race St., Downtown
This is one of my favorite date spots in Cincinnati. Beautiful ambiance. The shoestring fries are delicious and the veggie burger is one of my favorite in town. The drinks are expensive and I don’t love them, so normally I don’t swing for those, but definitely a repeat customer for the food. Kylie H.
Photo: Facebook.com/MaplewoodKitchen16. Taft’s Ale House
1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
We loved our date night at Tafts. We both got a beer that we loved – the Louisa Bramble is deliciously tart & sweet! We took our waiters recommendation and got the dads portion of the tri-tip steak & it was incredible! Not to mention the cornbread (which isn’t something I usually go for) was incredible! The building was beautiful with old architecture that OTR is known for!
Courtney H.
Photo: Jesse Fox15. Abigail Street
1214 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Love, love, love the lamb sliders, the bouillabaisse and the mussels. We have tried several dishes and nothing has fallen short. The service is always wonderful and the corner booth is excellent for date night Food E.
Photo via Facebook.com/AbigailWineBar14. LouVino OTR
1142 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
Perfect place for an intimate date night or for girls night out! The tapas are a nice size (order about 2 per person) we got the steak frites, scallops, loaded tots, and lamb. All were delicious! Wine was fantastic! Would recommend. Taylor S.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger13. Carlo & Johnny
9769 Montgomery Road, Montgomery
All I can say is awesome! The food, the service, the atmosphere. This was one of my favorite date nights with my husband. I highly recommend. Book your reservation far in advance. You will not be disappointed. Laurel B.
Photo via Facebook.com/JeffRubysCarloAndJohnny12. Forno Osteria + Bar
3514 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
”Date night with the boyfriend and he highly recommended Forno for dinner. I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, it was classy yet had that welcoming warmth so many of the more expensive restaurants lack.” — Leah M.
Photo via Facebook.com/FornoOsteriaBar Photo: Facebook.com/FornoOsteriaBar11. Mitas Restaurant and Bar
501 Race St., Downtown
Love love this restaurant. To start with, it has really nice ambiance and perfect for a date night. The food is tapas style, and the portion isn’t too small, so I suggest 3-4 is enough for 2 people. We have tried lots of seafood ones, they are all really good! Mia W.
Photo via Facebook.com/mitascincinnati10. Alfios Buon Cibo
2724 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
Alfio’s is a great date night spot, and the setting is very intimate and romantic. To eat, we always start with the empanadas. The spinach and cheese empanada is always the best. For entrees, you can’t go wrong with the ravioli. The five cheese angus ravioli is amazingly delicious, and I order it every time. Sean W.
Photo via Facebook.com/AlfiosBuonCibo9. Nada
1342 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
A place very unique to Cincinnati. Located in The heart of downtown. Plenty of street parking nearby it has a very good vibe, energy and atmosphere. Two floors that have tons of seating. The staff is very friendly and attentive. Their drinks are spot on and with a lot of flavor. It is a great place to go for a romantic evening and just for a casual friends and drinks and to even converse. The music is not loud so you can actually hear conversations and they do not rush you. I recommend anyone of their tacos and the guacamole is very smooth, my favorite are the salmon ones but I also recommends the fried avocado. Slava A.
Photo via Facebook.com/eatdrinknada8. Bouquet Restaurant
519 Main St., Covington
I genuinely loved Bouquet! The space is very cozy and ideal for a date night. It isn’t very big, so get in your reservations before coming in. As we entered on a Saturday night, the place was almost full. We were promptly greeted and taken to our table.
We were starving so I ordered a bunch of stuff. We got the lobster dip with crostini and deviled eggs for appetizers. And I was impressed. The lobster dip is one of the best I’ve had in Cincy. Aditi R.
Photo via Facebook.com/Boutique5196. Tonys of Cincinnati
12110 Montgomery Road, Landen
Absolutely amazing experience for a date night dinner. Food was simply fantastic….seafood super fresh (we had the king crab appetizer) and the steaks were outstanding. Highly recommended for a special night out. We will be back! David W.
Photo via Facebook.com/TonysOfCinci5. Red Feather Kitchen
3200 Madison Road, Oakley
Red Feather Kitchen is our favorite date night spot in Cincinnati right now. The atmosphere, staff, and food are all second to none here. We love their locally sourced and seasonally changing menu. The attention to detail in every step of the experience at Red Feather Kitchen is apparent and impressive. They live up to their namesake of hitting the mark and being the best that they can be at what they do. Devin P.
Photo: Facebook.com/redfeatherkitchen3. A Tavola Bar + Trattoria
1220 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Fabulous date night here last night! The atmosphere was amazing, and the experience was above par! We went during happy hour, so we decided to try a bottle of their house wine (made specifically for them in Italy!!!!). The hubs and I loved it so much, we got a second bottle. Colleen H.
Photo via Facebook.com/ATavolaBar+Trattoria