It’s always the season of love in the city of St. Petersburg. These are the most romantic restaurants in the city to enjoy a wonderful night out.
If you’re looking for a date during the day, I highly recommend grabbing breakfast at Cafe Clementine, they make some of the most beautiful pastries in town and are located right inside the atrium of the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg. We also have a coffee shops staff pick’s guide.
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Feeling adventurous (and not just for dinner)? Might we recommend indoor rock climbing at Vertical Ventures, a kayaking tour with Ecomersion, or basking in the sunset aboard The Pelican St. Pete. Looking for a more private on-the-water experience? Rent a boat or jet skis from local faves Tierra Verde Watersports.
Be sure to bookmark the Tampa date night guide on our sister site That’s So Tampa as well! Only a short drive away, there are even more fantastic restaurants and date night options to explore in the Tampa Bay region.
Alesia Restaurant
📍 7204 Central Ave N
This hidden gem makes some of the tastiest French, Vietnamese & Chinese Cuisine around inside of a really magical venue. The courtyard seating under the trees is proper date night material. open for dinner from 5pm-8pm. We recommend the Asian Style Beef Stew and the Lobster Bisque
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Allelo Restaurant
📍300 Beach Drive NE #128
This newcomer to Beach Drive serves up Mediterranean Aegean small bites and lots of wine. We recommend the Rabbit Agnolotti, truly any of their appetizers, and the Basque Burnt Cheesecake for dessert. Perfectly located for a stroll before or after dinner along the waterfront or in Straub Park.
Baba Restaurant
📍2701 Central Ave
Located in the Grand Central District, there’s nothing more lovely than the Baba patio on a breezy Florida evening. The whole grilled fish and quail souvlaki are standouts in our book. For something a little outside the norm – Barbouni at Baba, in the same building, is a Greek-inspired ouzeri with oysters, caviar service, and dozens of tinned fish to enjoy from around the world.
Bacchus Wine Bistro
📍124 2nd Ave NE
Right off Beach Drive, this intimate spot has Old World charm and some of the best charcuterie and wine options we’ve seen in St. Pete. Their French Onion Soup, Steak au Poivre, and Raclette for Two make for a delicious date night.
Beau & Mo’s Italian Steakhouse
📍2924 5th Ave N
This Chicago Style Steakhouse is a St. Pete classic. If tomahawks and lobster tails are your ideal evening out – this is your spot with multiple “dinner for two” options on the menu. Make sure you save room for their tiramisu!
Bin6South
📍330 6th St S
This intimate restaurant was one of the best new additions to the St. Pete restaurant scene in 2023. If you and your partner are Food Network junkies, this is your bucket list date night spot. Their Shrimp Escabeche, Crab Rigatoni, and Venison Saddle are all top tier dishes for us.
Bonu Taverna Italiana
📍601 Central Ave
This is a staff fave! This South Italian culinary adventure right on Central Ave just expanded and they serve some d*mn good food. The Anguria appetizer with watermelon, goat cheese, and pistachio pesto is fantastic. The Roman-style pizza is some of the best in town.
Brick & Mortar
📍539 Central Ave
Another St. Pete gem, this “rustic-chic” nook is New American fare that makes for a fabulous evening. From braised short rub with housemade “fat” noodles to bouillabaisse and roasted octopus – their menu is concise and all hits no skips.
Castile Restaurant
📍3701 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach
A rooftop terrace restaurant at the top of the Hotel Zamora, Castile Restaurant is perfect for beach sunsets. Dinner highlights include Chilean Sea Bass and risotto, Crema Catalano, grouper bites, and more.
Ceviche
📍332 Beach Dr NE
If you haven’t been yet, Ceviche relocated to the main stretch of Beach Drive and the space is beautiful. Ceviche has remained a date night staple for sharing an evening of tapas and sangria. Menu faves for us include the drunken goat, Iberian oysters, patatas bravas, and picanha. PSA: most of their menu is gluten-free!
Concrete Jungle
📍2475 Central Ave
A lush 2-story Tulum-inspired restaurant and bar – Concrete Jungle is perfect if you’re looking for a more lively night out. Menu standouts include a truffled mushroom and chorizo flatbread, jackfruit Cuban sandwich, Oaxacan pappardelle, and hot-honey churros.
The Dewey
📍109 8th Avenue, St. Pete Beach
Pass-a-Grille Beach is still a hidden gem in our books and The Dewey at the Berkley Beach Club is the perfect spot to hit for dinner in that area. They have a fantastic wine menu, coastal cuisine (order the Grouper Cheeks Grits and Bourbon peach brown butter cake), and classic cocktails.
Good Intentions
📍1900 1st Ave S
Tampa Bay’s first 100% vegan full-service bar and restaurant is extra lovely at night. The crab fries and whipped ricotta are fantastic even for non-vegans. Their Jambalaya and Truffle Mac are also dishes to write home about.
Fortu
📍97 Central Ave
An elevated Pan-Asian restaurant in downtown St. Pete, Fortu is one of the newest opens and it’s absolutely lovely inside. Their Miso Black Cod, Pork Collar with 24-hour char siu, and A5 Wagyu make are as beautiful as they are mouthwateringly good.
Il Ritorno
📍449 Central Ave N #101st
When we asked our readers who most deserves a MICHELIN star in St. Pete, the overwhelming favorite was Il Ritorno by a WIDE margin. If you’re able, we highly recommend Chef Benstock’s Tasting Menu. Other menu highlights include a Foie Gras Lasagna, Burgundy Truffle Risotto, and a Filet Mignon with bone marrow and fondant potato.
In Between Days
📍2340 1st Ave S
A historic bungalow converted into Florida’s first Tokyo-style listening room and a sake bar, In Between Days is a hidden gem for phenomenal food. They have a very concise menu but it is flavor packed. Check out the mushroom gyoza and the chili-flake prawn polenta.
Left Bank Bistro
📍1225 Dr. M.L.K. Jr St N
One of the best French restaurants in town, this restaurant has a fantastic ambiance inside or on its wraparound porch. They aim to match the energy of Paris circa 1920. We recommend the baked brie, coq au vin, and boeuf bourguignon.
The Library
📍656 Central Ave
With towering bookshelves lining the walls and floor-to-ceiling windows, the atmosphere in The Library is wonderful and warm during the evening. We enjoy their beef cheek pappardelle and salmon with charred scallion gnocchi (plus a side of truffle fries because it’s a must). A sweet finish to the evening is their warm cookies and milk for dessert.
Lolita’s Wine Market
📍420 22nd St S
A St. Pete icon for wine lovers, Lolita’s Wine Market is even dreamier in its new home at the historic Morean Center for Clay building. Nosh on one of their signature boards while you enjoy the evening with your date. The Fire and Ice Ceviche and the beef short rib are fantastic if you’re looking for something extra.
Mangosteen
📍656 Central Ave
This Southeast Asian restaurant is located in the heart of the 600 Block of Central Ave. Going to The Floridian for some live music? This is the perfect spot to grab food and drink beforehand. Their menu covers sushi, dumplings, spicy Korean BBQ tacos, lao lemongrass bowls, and Shanghai fried rice. Sip on sake or their mangosteen mocktails.
Must Wine Loft
📍442 2nd St N
Wine and cheese lovers, this spot is for you. Tucked into the Old Northeast, Must Wine Loft is a hidden gem that we adore. Monday through Friday they have a happy hour menu. Their Chef’s Creation’s menu is available Friday & Saturday from 5pm till they sell out. They make some of the most beautiful charcuterie boards in town.
Pia’s Trattoria
📍3054 Beach Blvd S
Get a table on their atmospheric outdoor patio during the cooler months or inside the cozy ambient wine room. Reservations are strongly recommended here. Pia’s is a classic; we celebrate most special occasions here. Also able to get appetizers, a few drinks, great entrees, and dessert aka lots of food for two for about $100 before tip. PSA: Their menu is super friendly toward gluten-free and vegan diets!
Rococo Steak
📍655 2nd Ave S
A classic American steakhouse with fantastic service. Rococo Steak is a downtown gem and date night must. The miso bone marrow, lobster bisque, and dry-aged porterhouse steak are all standouts. Their smoked Old Fashioned with bacon maple cube and apple smoke is a delight.
Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria
📍241 Central Ave
Tucked above Central Ave on the 200 Block, Sauvignon Wine Locker’s wine menu is one of the largest in the region. We love sitting on their second-floor patio (on weeknights for a quieter ambiance) overlooking Central Ave. All of their housemade pasta dishes are to die for and ricotta cheesecake is a must for dessert.
Sea Grapes Eatery + Wine Lounge
📍6390 Gulf Blvd St. Pete Beach
With St. Pete Beach as their backdrop, Sea Grapes is a beautifully designed space serving Latin and Caribbean flavors by Colombian Chef Mauricio Jiminez. Their Lobster Mac and Cheese and Guava-Chipotle Pork Belly remains a favorite of ours since our first visit.
Social Roost
📍2924 5th Ave N
Downtown’s globally inspired scratch kitchen led by Executive Chef Susan Burdian is a glittering spot for a chic date night. The apple-stuffed baklava for dessert is mandatory. The Peruvian chicken and chicken tagine are two of our go-to’s when we dine here.
Sōl St. Pete Bistro
📍2149 3rd Ave S
Gluten-free fam this one is for you! This 100% gluten-free restaurant is an intimate, family-owned and operated, local farm-to-table bistro with some wonderfully nostalgic dishes. They have a fantastic lasagna, ribeye, multiple cheesecake options, and more – all safe for gluten-free diners and other allergens.
Sonata Restaurant & Lounge
📍400 1st St S
While you can’t dine *on* the moon yet, you can dine next to it at Sonata inside the Mahaffey Theater. The six-meter-across art installation is a jaw-dropper and the perfect conversation starter. They serve coastal cuisine with Southern hospitality and we enjoyed the Guanciale wrapped Monkfish and Crispy House Smoked Duck when we dined there last.
The Urban Stillhouse Restaurant & Bar
📍2232 5th Ave S
A restaurant by the Horse Soldier bourbon folks and a darn good one at that. The 1.5lb baked lobster stillhouse is a showstopper and the bone-in bison filet is mouthwateringly perfect. For dessert order the Bomboloni (little sugar doughnuts, tequila lemon curd, Nutella sauce). Note: their official dress code is “smart casual” and request no casual flip flops, beach attire, athletic workout clothes/sweats, and etc.
Wild Child
📍2710 Central Ave
One of our favorite restaurants that’s opened in the last few years. It has a tropical and bright energy that’s great for an evening out. Our fave dishes to order are the Tom Yum Mussels, Mushroom and Kale Paella, and the Hanger Steak. The Miso Caramel Apple Hand pies are a flavor dream.
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