Best romantic restaurants in Memphis? 10 spots for date night

Many people love to eat. Some people love to love.

So it's no surprise a passion for food and a passion for passion are combined every Feb. 14, which is the Feast of St. Valentine, more commonly known as Valentine's Day.

Devoted to romantic love, the day has its challenges, even for the most enthusiastic bill-and-cooers. Namely: Where to eat on a Valentine's Day (or night) date?

The choices are many, so here's 10 of 'em. Presented in alphabetical order, each of these 10 Memphis-area restaurants is suitable for a romantic rendezvous, an intimate tête-à-tête or a lovey-dovey canoodle. (In fact, many of the restaurants listed here offer special Valentines' Day menus.)

This isn't a definitive list, and it's not a complete list. It could contain a hundred entries, but it doesn't. It's simply A List — A List of Suggestions, for those who desire a memorable meal that's also a romantic gesture.

Briza

A New York Strip Steak topped with chimichurri from Briza, which opened in November at Crosstown Concourse.

Open only since November, the latest eatery added to Crosstown Concourse describes itself as "a vibrant seafood, sushi, and steak fusion restaurant" that is "elevated yet approachable."

Intriguing menu words: "Freshwater eel," "Snake River trout," "Violet Fog Brazilian Gin."

Chez Philippe

French-cuisine focused Chez Philippe is located inside The Peabody.

Named the No. 1 "Best Hotel Restaurant" in the country by USA TODAY in 2023, this French cuisine-focused institution just off the lobby of "the South's Grand Hotel," The Peabody, has been the city's most celebrated fine-dining destination for close to 45 years. According to savvy diners, the new menu has returned the restaurant to its glory days, when its food matched its reputation (and its expense).

Intriguing menu words: "Licorice root," "chèvre curd," "elk tenderloin."

Coastal Fish Company

Blue Point Oysters are served with sorbet at Coastal Fish Company at Shelby Farms Park.

Located in Shelby Farms on the edge of Hyde Lake ("where the water meets the sky," according to its website), this popular and picturesque destination was included on OpenTable's 2025 list of the "Top 100 Romantic Restaurants" in America, as were the three other local eateries owned by the Flight Restaurant Group: Flight Restaurant and Bar on South Main, Porch & Parlor Prime Steakhouse in Overton Square and Southern Social in Germantown.

Intriguing menu words: "Lobster Thermidor," "quahog," "guava nectar."

Erling Jensen

Erling Jensen offers "white tablecloth dining" at 1044 S. Yates in East Memphis.

Denmark-born Erling Jensen has operated his upscale eponymous East Memphis eatery at 1044 S. Yates since 1996, and it immediately established itself as a fixture for those who enjoy "white tablecloth dining."

Intriguing menu words: "Saffron crawfish," "confit celery root," "boudin-stuffed quail."

Felicia Suzanne's

Felicia Suzanne's reopened in 2025 at a new location at 383 S. Main St. in Downtown Memphis.

After a three-year hiatus, the esteemed Downtown restaurant reopened in 2025 in a new location at 383 S. Main, adding new dishes to its roster of much-missed signature items.

Intriguing menu words: "Buttermilk fried quail," "elderflower liqueur," "mascarpone parfait."

Hen House

A look inside the Hen House at 679 S. Mendenhall.

Relatively cozy with a well-stocked cellar, this whimsically named wine bar/restaurant at 679 S. Mendenhall has been a bright spot (literally — dig the large windows) on the East Memphis dining scene.

Intriguing menu words: "Alabama BBQ," "Queso Chihuahua," "Fruity Pebbles."

Itta Bena

Tucked above B.B King's Blues Club on Beale and named for King's Mississippi hometown, this dark and intimate self-described "Memphis' Hidden Gem" (with complimentary Thursday-through-Saturday valet parking) feels a world away from the tourist hustle-and-bustle in the street below.

Intriguing menu words: "She-crab soup," "New Zealand lamb chops," "Delta Grind grits."

Limelight

Seasonal drink and food menus are offered at Limelight, located at 7724 Poplar Pike in Germantown.

Known for its seasonal drink and food menus and dedicated to "bringing you an intimate, curated experience where classic southern hospitality meets mid-century modern flair" (per the restaurant website), this elegant eatery at 7724 Poplar Pike in Germantown has been named a "Top 30 Restaurant" by The Commercial Appeal.

Intriguing menu words: "Rabbit ragu," "mushroom tart," "toasted marshmallow simple."

The Lobbyist

When its signature corn mash made The New York Times' list of "The 26 Best Dishes We Ate Across the U.S. in 2024," appreciation for the creativity of chef Jimmy Gentry and his fine dining establishment at the former Chisca Hotel on Main Street moved from the local to the national level.

Intriguing menu words: "Sunchokes," "pickle-brown butter emulsion," "Amontillado sherry" (do they store it by the cask?).

The Terrace at the River Inn

Terrace at the River Inn offers views of the Mississippi River from its location at the top of Harbor Town hotel.

Located at the top of Mud Island's Harbor Town hotel, this restaurant/bar emphasizes "shareable plates" over full-sized entrees, but it offers one of the city's tastiest views of the rolling Mississippi River.

Intriguing menu words: "Blue Curaçao," "shalot jam," "Deep Fried Pimento Cheese."