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A staircase in the dining room leads to a private dining space on the mezzanine. Le Bon Nosh

20 Restaurants for a Romantic Night Out in Atlanta

Romantic restaurants, dimly lit cocktail lounges, and casual cafes and bistros

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Whether it’s an intimate, candlelit dinner for two or simply a weekly night out on the town with someone special, Atlanta offers plenty of great date night and romantic restaurant destinations. This list contains everything from romantic restaurants with gorgeous wine lists and dimly lit cocktail lounges to intimate cafes and bistros for a casual brunch, lunch, or dinner.

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The Farmhouse

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Escape the hustle and bustle of Atlanta and book a room at the Inn at Serenbe for a romantic weekend getaway. Dine on Southern dishes throughout lunch and dinner paired with wine and cocktails in the quaint dining room at the Farmhouse restaurant. Think pimento cheese, Chilean sea bass with shishito and asparagus succotash and fennel slaw, buttermilk fried chicken, and black forest cake for dessert. Reservations required.

Spring Restaurant

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The tight menu of dishes at chef Brian So’s Marietta restaurant showcases each season and changes frequently. Spring’s carefully selected list of wines are meant for pairing with So’s beautifully composed food. While the grape varietals may lean toward the familiar, many wines are organic, biodynamic, or simply hard to find retail. The small dining room here is cozy, warm, and intimate, so reservations are necessary. Reservations required.

Located beneath Marcel at Westside Provisions District, Aziza serves a menu filled with dishes inspired by owner Tal Baum’s childhood in Israel. Aziza feels like stepping inside a cozy neighborhood restaurant in New York City, with its low ceilings, muted brown and green tones, and exposed brick walls. It’s a great date night spot to grab dinner paired with superb cocktails and wine. Reservations encouraged.

A date night at Mujo is absolutely meant to impress, with the omakase built around an intimate and highly personalized dining experience between guests and the sushi chef. Led by chef J. Trent Harris, who trained under master sushi chefs at at Michelin star establishments Sushi Ginza Onodera and Shuko in New York and Tokyo, this 15-seat restaurant gives a nightly master class in hospitality and the nuanced art of edomae-style sushi. The meal begins with cocktails at the small bar reserved exclusively for guests of the restaurant. During dinner, Harris and his team wow with exquisite courses of nigiri, interludes of beautifully presented dishes like hakurei turnip tartlets, and nods to Japanese culinary traditions, including tamagoyaki (Japanese shrimp and egg cake similar to an omelette) and konacha green tea served with dessert. Reservations go fast when released each month, but for those who secure a seat at this omakase restaurant, patience and the hefty price tag are worth it. Reservations required.

Volare Wine & Bistro

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Volare Bistro mixes elegance in an understated location overlooking the train tracks in historic Hapeville. This is also reflected in the dishes here, which lean Southern-French in nature in the Cajun pastas, parmesan-encrusted cordon bleu, grilled Australian lamb chops in Grand Marnier gastrique, and mountain trout. Reservations encouraged.

This petite and inviting cocktail den in historic Castleberry Hill is named for and fashioned after the room found in most 19th-century homes, where people gather following dinner for intimate conversation over drinks and light bites.

Lyla Lila

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The casual elegance and warm ambiance of Lyla Lila is befitting a romantic dinner for two, whether in the cozy dining room or seated at the dimly lit bar. Order everything from cold-smoked scallops to duck lasagna to whole wood-grilled fish at Lyla Lila, all created by chef Craig Richards and his team. This is the spot for people looking for a great Italian meal in Atlanta paired with equally great wine and cocktails, especially before a show at the Fox Theatre. Reservations highly encouraged, especially on weekends or on nights there are shows at the Fox Theatre.

The Garden Room

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This small plates restaurant and bar, part of Atlas restaurant at the St. Regis Hotel in Buckhead, serves dinner and drinks within a lush, romantic garden setting. The menu includes dishes like a yellowtail and citrus salad, a lobster roll, a wagyu coulotte, and desserts such as Madeleines and daily sorbet paired with wine and cocktails. Dress code.

Le Bon Nosh

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During the day, Le Bon Nosh in Buckhead is a lively cafe inspired by those found throughout Paris. But, in the evenings, the cafe transforms into a bistro and wine bar perfect for a romantic evening out. Prep the palate with a fresh crudite plate or dive into a bowl of crispy truffle fries. Then, share a dish of pappardelle bolognese or the whole fire-roasted fish of the day served with olive gremolata and a green salad. End the meal with a cheese and fruit platter or a slice of decadent chocolate cake for dessert. Wine at Le Bon Nosh definitely leans French, with bottles ranging from toasty champagnes and plucky chenin blancs to beautifully balanced cabernet francs and bold Bordeaux blends. Reservations highly encouraged.

Lucian Books and Wine

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For couples who love wine (and books), Lucian Books and Wine is a must for a romantic evening out in Buckhead. Carrying over 250 wines by the bottle and 15 wines by the glass, start off a meal here with fresh oysters served with Asian pear and yuzu or crispy polenta, before moving on to the ricotta gnudi or duck leg with white beans and mustard greens. Be sure to order the fries with a glass of champagne, too. Books for sale at Lucian center around art, design, food, and culture. Reservations highly encouraged. Lunch here is also an option.

Aria continues to be one of Buckhead’s top date night destinations. After years of serving as a white tablecloth fine dining establishment, chef Gerry Klaskala remodeled the restaurant to appeal to a younger generation of diners. There’s now a bar and lounge for drinks and snacks for an impromptu evening out. The kitchen consistently serves Aria favorites, like butter braised lobster, slow braised pork, and lump crab cakes. Aria continues to carry the city’s most comprehensive wine list, too. Reservations required.

BoccaLupo

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Inman Park restaurant BoccaLupo quickly became a neighborhood favorite and a date night destination restaurant when it opened in 2013. Head in for the fresh, handmade pasta (the black spaghetti and the 20-yolk tagliatelle are now Atlanta classics,) stay for the wine and cocktails. Chef Bruce Logue also offers a four-course pasta tasting menu each night. Grab seats at the small bar or a table for two by the windows in the dining room. Reservations encouraged.

Tiny Lou's

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Located at the Hotel Clermont, this intimate French-Southern restaurant above the Clermont Lounge on Ponce offers plenty of romantic dining nooks for an evening out with that special someone. Begin the meal with pan-seared scallops and hamachi crudo. Next, order the wild boar terrine or steak tartare, before ordering entrees like steak frites, the pork chop with cannellini bean cassoulet, and cinnamon crepe cake with apple butter, mascarpone, and brown butter crumble for dessert. Pair it all with a bottle of champagne or a bold French Bourdeaux. Head up to the dimly lit Lobby Bar for after-dinner drinks, too. Reservations highly encouraged.

Osteria Mattone

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Osteria Mattone, from brothers Ryan and Dan Pernice, brings Rome to the heart of Roswell’s historic district. An intimate restaurant inside and out, start the meal with a meat and cheese board or burrata. For dinner, consider ordering the cacio e pepe, tagliolini bolognese with beef ragu, or spago alla “ratatouille” with tomatoes, squash, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. The restaurant also serves courses of fish like roasted branzino, as well as meat entrees, including a puttanesca-braised pork chop. Don’t want to choose? Opt for the three-course tasting menu. Cap off the night with budino caramellato (caramel bread pudding) paired with a glass of franciacorta rose or vermouth. Osteria Mattone’s sister restaurant across the street, Table & Main, is another romantic dinner option offering Southern favorites paired with whiskey cocktails. Reservations highly encouraged.

Bread & Butterfly

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Inspired by the cafes of Paris, this sunny Inman Quarter cafe shines with French bistro fare and a simple, but excellent wine list. Dine on dishes such as a decadent burger with Swiss and caramelized onions, steak frites, crab, crayfish, and penne au gratin, or an ode to New Orleans institution Commander’s Palace with its shrimp remoulade. Grab a seat on the sun porch or inside the quaint dining room or at the teeny five-seat bar. Open until 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday and 5 p.m. on weekends.

La Tavola Trattoria

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This Virginia-Highland restaurant institution is a neighborhood trattoria in every sense of the word. Couples looking for a romantic Italian dinner should try and score a table for two by the front windows. Tucked inside a cozy and narrow dining room, order a bottle of red and begin the meal with a salumi board and olives with fresh bread or a Caesar salad (add anchovies). For dinner, split some spaghetti with veal meatballs, squid ink spaghetti with calamari, or tagliatelle bolognese with a side of sea island peas or roasted Brussels sprouts. Pastas come in both appetizer and entree-sized portions, making dinner easy to share. Cap off the night with some house limoncello and olive oil cake with Meyer lemon curd or the chevre cheesecake with an amaretti crust topped with roasted morello cherries. Reservations highly encouraged, especially for holidays and weekends.

Wisteria

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Located on the edge of Inman Park, Wisteria is a great spot for couples seeking low-key, cozy dining and creative takes on Southern classics made with what’s in season right now. Owned and operated by chef Jason Hill, begin the meal with pimento cheese deviled eggs and crab cakes or cornmeal-fried Gulf oysters and a salad. Next, order entrees like iron skillet fried chicken, molasses-rubbed pork tenderloin, or shrimp and grits. Paired it all with a whiskey cocktail or a bottle of wine. During the spring and summer months, Wisteria offers outdoor seating on its side patio, complete with the warm glow of string lights. Reservations are encouraged.

Gigi's Italian Kitchen & Restaurant

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With the departure of Gato, pop-up Gigi’s Italian Kitchen took over the space permanently in August, finally becoming a full-fledged restaurant in Candler Park. But the unfussy vibe Gato first created in the cozy neighborhood spot a decade ago continues to live on at Gigi’s. With lights turned down low and red checkered linens draped on tables punctuated by candlelight and flowers, Gigi’s delivers on romance and traditional red sauce dishes using in-season produce and fresh pastas that first made the pop-up popular with regulars. Walk-ins only. Open Sunday - Tuesday and Friday and Saturday for dinner.

Cafe Alsace

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This small cafe offers a quiet, romantic escape from Decatur’s busy dining scene. The menu offers traditional French and Alsatian dishes (northeastern France) such as quiche, spaetzle (egg noodles), choucroute garnie (sauerkraut, sausages, potatoes), and sandwiches like the croque-monsieur or mauricettes made with pretzel bread. The wine list is a lovely mix of both French and Alsatian bottles with affordable price points.

Kimball House

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Kick off date night with Southern and Gulf water oysters and champagne at happy hour, then stay for a meal and continue the evening by sharing local vegetable and fish dishes or a steak dinner for two. The award-winning Decatur restaurant’s wine list is equally impressive, and includes everything from Champagne to big, bold reds. Reservations required.

The Farmhouse

Escape the hustle and bustle of Atlanta and book a room at the Inn at Serenbe for a romantic weekend getaway. Dine on Southern dishes throughout lunch and dinner paired with wine and cocktails in the quaint dining room at the Farmhouse restaurant. Think pimento cheese, Chilean sea bass with shishito and asparagus succotash and fennel slaw, buttermilk fried chicken, and black forest cake for dessert. Reservations required.

Spring Restaurant

The tight menu of dishes at chef Brian So’s Marietta restaurant showcases each season and changes frequently. Spring’s carefully selected list of wines are meant for pairing with So’s beautifully composed food. While the grape varietals may lean toward the familiar, many wines are organic, biodynamic, or simply hard to find retail. The small dining room here is cozy, warm, and intimate, so reservations are necessary. Reservations required.

Aziza

Located beneath Marcel at Westside Provisions District, Aziza serves a menu filled with dishes inspired by owner Tal Baum’s childhood in Israel. Aziza feels like stepping inside a cozy neighborhood restaurant in New York City, with its low ceilings, muted brown and green tones, and exposed brick walls. It’s a great date night spot to grab dinner paired with superb cocktails and wine. Reservations encouraged.

Mujō

A date night at Mujo is absolutely meant to impress, with the omakase built around an intimate and highly personalized dining experience between guests and the sushi chef. Led by chef J. Trent Harris, who trained under master sushi chefs at at Michelin star establishments Sushi Ginza Onodera and Shuko in New York and Tokyo, this 15-seat restaurant gives a nightly master class in hospitality and the nuanced art of edomae-style sushi. The meal begins with cocktails at the small bar reserved exclusively for guests of the restaurant. During dinner, Harris and his team wow with exquisite courses of nigiri, interludes of beautifully presented dishes like hakurei turnip tartlets, and nods to Japanese culinary traditions, including tamagoyaki (Japanese shrimp and egg cake similar to an omelette) and konacha green tea served with dessert. Reservations go fast when released each month, but for those who secure a seat at this omakase restaurant, patience and the hefty price tag are worth it. Reservations required.

Volare Wine & Bistro

Volare Bistro mixes elegance in an understated location overlooking the train tracks in historic Hapeville. This is also reflected in the dishes here, which lean Southern-French in nature in the Cajun pastas, parmesan-encrusted cordon bleu, grilled Australian lamb chops in Grand Marnier gastrique, and mountain trout. Reservations encouraged.

Parlor

This petite and inviting cocktail den in historic Castleberry Hill is named for and fashioned after the room found in most 19th-century homes, where people gather following dinner for intimate conversation over drinks and light bites.

Lyla Lila

The casual elegance and warm ambiance of Lyla Lila is befitting a romantic dinner for two, whether in the cozy dining room or seated at the dimly lit bar. Order everything from cold-smoked scallops to duck lasagna to whole wood-grilled fish at Lyla Lila, all created by chef Craig Richards and his team. This is the spot for people looking for a great Italian meal in Atlanta paired with equally great wine and cocktails, especially before a show at the Fox Theatre. Reservations highly encouraged, especially on weekends or on nights there are shows at the Fox Theatre.

The Garden Room

This small plates restaurant and bar, part of Atlas restaurant at the St. Regis Hotel in Buckhead, serves dinner and drinks within a lush, romantic garden setting. The menu includes dishes like a yellowtail and citrus salad, a lobster roll, a wagyu coulotte, and desserts such as Madeleines and daily sorbet paired with wine and cocktails. Dress code.

Le Bon Nosh

During the day, Le Bon Nosh in Buckhead is a lively cafe inspired by those found throughout Paris. But, in the evenings, the cafe transforms into a bistro and wine bar perfect for a romantic evening out. Prep the palate with a fresh crudite plate or dive into a bowl of crispy truffle fries. Then, share a dish of pappardelle bolognese or the whole fire-roasted fish of the day served with olive gremolata and a green salad. End the meal with a cheese and fruit platter or a slice of decadent chocolate cake for dessert. Wine at Le Bon Nosh definitely leans French, with bottles ranging from toasty champagnes and plucky chenin blancs to beautifully balanced cabernet francs and bold Bordeaux blends. Reservations highly encouraged.

Lucian Books and Wine

For couples who love wine (and books), Lucian Books and Wine is a must for a romantic evening out in Buckhead. Carrying over 250 wines by the bottle and 15 wines by the glass, start off a meal here with fresh oysters served with Asian pear and yuzu or crispy polenta, before moving on to the ricotta gnudi or duck leg with white beans and mustard greens. Be sure to order the fries with a glass of champagne, too. Books for sale at Lucian center around art, design, food, and culture. Reservations highly encouraged. Lunch here is also an option.

Aria

Aria continues to be one of Buckhead’s top date night destinations. After years of serving as a white tablecloth fine dining establishment, chef Gerry Klaskala remodeled the restaurant to appeal to a younger generation of diners. There’s now a bar and lounge for drinks and snacks for an impromptu evening out. The kitchen consistently serves Aria favorites, like butter braised lobster, slow braised pork, and lump crab cakes. Aria continues to carry the city’s most comprehensive wine list, too. Reservations required.

BoccaLupo

Inman Park restaurant BoccaLupo quickly became a neighborhood favorite and a date night destination restaurant when it opened in 2013. Head in for the fresh, handmade pasta (the black spaghetti and the 20-yolk tagliatelle are now Atlanta classics,) stay for the wine and cocktails. Chef Bruce Logue also offers a four-course pasta tasting menu each night. Grab seats at the small bar or a table for two by the windows in the dining room. Reservations encouraged.

Tiny Lou's

Located at the Hotel Clermont, this intimate French-Southern restaurant above the Clermont Lounge on Ponce offers plenty of romantic dining nooks for an evening out with that special someone. Begin the meal with pan-seared scallops and hamachi crudo. Next, order the wild boar terrine or steak tartare, before ordering entrees like steak frites, the pork chop with cannellini bean cassoulet, and cinnamon crepe cake with apple butter, mascarpone, and brown butter crumble for dessert. Pair it all with a bottle of champagne or a bold French Bourdeaux. Head up to the dimly lit Lobby Bar for after-dinner drinks, too. Reservations highly encouraged.

Osteria Mattone

Osteria Mattone, from brothers Ryan and Dan Pernice, brings Rome to the heart of Roswell’s historic district. An intimate restaurant inside and out, start the meal with a meat and cheese board or burrata. For dinner, consider ordering the cacio e pepe, tagliolini bolognese with beef ragu, or spago alla “ratatouille” with tomatoes, squash, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. The restaurant also serves courses of fish like roasted branzino, as well as meat entrees, including a puttanesca-braised pork chop. Don’t want to choose? Opt for the three-course tasting menu. Cap off the night with budino caramellato (caramel bread pudding) paired with a glass of franciacorta rose or vermouth. Osteria Mattone’s sister restaurant across the street, Table & Main, is another romantic dinner option offering Southern favorites paired with whiskey cocktails. Reservations highly encouraged.

Bread & Butterfly

Inspired by the cafes of Paris, this sunny Inman Quarter cafe shines with French bistro fare and a simple, but excellent wine list. Dine on dishes such as a decadent burger with Swiss and caramelized onions, steak frites, crab, crayfish, and penne au gratin, or an ode to New Orleans institution Commander’s Palace with its shrimp remoulade. Grab a seat on the sun porch or inside the quaint dining room or at the teeny five-seat bar. Open until 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday and 5 p.m. on weekends.

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La Tavola Trattoria

This Virginia-Highland restaurant institution is a neighborhood trattoria in every sense of the word. Couples looking for a romantic Italian dinner should try and score a table for two by the front windows. Tucked inside a cozy and narrow dining room, order a bottle of red and begin the meal with a salumi board and olives with fresh bread or a Caesar salad (add anchovies). For dinner, split some spaghetti with veal meatballs, squid ink spaghetti with calamari, or tagliatelle bolognese with a side of sea island peas or roasted Brussels sprouts. Pastas come in both appetizer and entree-sized portions, making dinner easy to share. Cap off the night with some house limoncello and olive oil cake with Meyer lemon curd or the chevre cheesecake with an amaretti crust topped with roasted morello cherries. Reservations highly encouraged, especially for holidays and weekends.

Wisteria

Located on the edge of Inman Park, Wisteria is a great spot for couples seeking low-key, cozy dining and creative takes on Southern classics made with what’s in season right now. Owned and operated by chef Jason Hill, begin the meal with pimento cheese deviled eggs and crab cakes or cornmeal-fried Gulf oysters and a salad. Next, order entrees like iron skillet fried chicken, molasses-rubbed pork tenderloin, or shrimp and grits. Paired it all with a whiskey cocktail or a bottle of wine. During the spring and summer months, Wisteria offers outdoor seating on its side patio, complete with the warm glow of string lights. Reservations are encouraged.

Gigi's Italian Kitchen & Restaurant

With the departure of Gato, pop-up Gigi’s Italian Kitchen took over the space permanently in August, finally becoming a full-fledged restaurant in Candler Park. But the unfussy vibe Gato first created in the cozy neighborhood spot a decade ago continues to live on at Gigi’s. With lights turned down low and red checkered linens draped on tables punctuated by candlelight and flowers, Gigi’s delivers on romance and traditional red sauce dishes using in-season produce and fresh pastas that first made the pop-up popular with regulars. Walk-ins only. Open Sunday - Tuesday and Friday and Saturday for dinner.

Cafe Alsace

This small cafe offers a quiet, romantic escape from Decatur’s busy dining scene. The menu offers traditional French and Alsatian dishes (northeastern France) such as quiche, spaetzle (egg noodles), choucroute garnie (sauerkraut, sausages, potatoes), and sandwiches like the croque-monsieur or mauricettes made with pretzel bread. The wine list is a lovely mix of both French and Alsatian bottles with affordable price points.

Kimball House

Kick off date night with Southern and Gulf water oysters and champagne at happy hour, then stay for a meal and continue the evening by sharing local vegetable and fish dishes or a steak dinner for two. The award-winning Decatur restaurant’s wine list is equally impressive, and includes everything from Champagne to big, bold reds. Reservations required.

Related Maps