The 10 most romantic restaurants in Orlando
Discover the most romantic restaurants in Orlando perfect for a first date, anniversary dinner, and every special milestone in between.
Orlando may be known for its theme parks, but recently, The City Beautiful has been making a name for itself as a culinary destination. There’s no shortage of top-notch restaurants in Orlando, and many of the best ones happen to be super romantic and perfect for date night or a special occasion.
From a swanky steakhouse and a cozy wine bar to an experiential tasting counter and a spot dedicated to desserts and drinks, we’ve rounded up the most romantic restaurants in Orlando.
1. Better than sex
Location: 1905 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Skip dinner and head straight to Better Than Sex to dig into decadent desserts with your date. Better Than Sex is a dessert-and-drinks-only establishment that was named the Best Restaurant for a Date by Orlando Weekly.
The speakeasy-esque setting is intimate—there are only 10 tables in the dining room—and perfect for a romantic night out. Most tables are surrounded by walls or curtains on three sides, creating a sense of privacy for diners.
All the restaurant’s desserts are made in-house daily and have names and descriptions featuring mildly sexual language, such as the Caress My Carrot (carrot cake) and Between My Red Velvet Sheets (red velvet cake). The signature drinks are equally creative and indulgent and come with a chocolate or caramel-rimmed glass and names like Sex Appeal and French Kiss.
For Valentine’s Day, Better Than Sex is debuting three new desserts—The Heart Throb, an indulgent chocolate cake, Pink Princess Champagne Cake, and Prince Charming Red Velvet Cheesecake—and several romantic drink specials.
According to several customer reviews, if you let the staff know you’re celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary, they’ll write a special message on your dessert plate. “The staff even made our visit extra special by doing an early wedding anniversary celebratory plating,” a Yelp reviewer wrote.
2. Bites & Bubbles
Location: 1618 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Bites & Bubbles is a locally owned restaurant serving up Contemporary American dishes in an elevated-but-relaxed space. Bites & Bubbles was named one of OpenTable’s Top 100 restaurants in America for 2021. The main dining room features only six tables and an expansive bar. There’s also a covered patio and rock garden, as well as a rooftop.
As the name implies, the menu is heavy on bites—Cheese Bites, Caviar Bites, Specialty Bites, and Dessert Bites. However, there are some larger main plates as well, including broiled lobster tail and shrimp with whipped potatoes and veal chop with a mushroom ranchero sauce.
The restaurant is also offering a special Valentine’s Day menu featuring an appetizer, entrée, and dessert course. Diners who purchase tickets for the Valentine’s Day dinner will be treated to chocolate-covered strawberries after their meal and a floral arrangement for the table.
“Bites & Bubbles is a great selection for a special occasion dinner or just a nice evening out,” one customer wrote on Tripadvisor.
3. Nami Lake Nona
Location: 6004 Artist Ave., Orlando
Nami Lake Nona, tucked away in the luxurious Lake Nona Wave Hotel, serves contemporary Japanese cuisine that earned the establishment the Best New Restaurant accolade on the Orlando Dining Awards Readers’ Choice List in 2024.
The restaurant’s award-winning interior features a dimly lit dining room with a custom wood fin ceiling, Japanese Maple trees, and several murals.
“The ambiance was incredible—elevated yet welcoming—making it the perfect setting for a special occasion or holiday meal,” a diner wrote on Yelp.
The menu features fun starters like lobster donuts and nami nuggets, seafood, maki and crudo, and heavier meat dishes like ribeye and A5 snow beef. Desserts are decadent and beautifully presented, and the wine and sake selection is extensive.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion, booking a spot at the chef’s table is a smart move. For Valentine’s Day, the restaurant is hosting Romance Weekend at Chef’s Counter featuring a tasting menu, optional wine pairings, and a floral arrangement for each guest.
4. Kres Chophouse
Location: 17 W. Church St., Orlando
Locally owned Kres Chophouse was named one of 2025’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants by OpenTable. This swanky, high-end steakhouse serves house-aged steaks, local seafood dishes, and housemade desserts. The restaurant also has a separate vegan menu with plant-based versions of steakhouse classics like beef wellington and salisbury steak. The wine list is also impressive with about 200 options from all over the world.
Located in a renovated historic building, the restaurant’s interior is contemporary, with high ceilings, plush banquettes, and bold red accents throughout.
“It’s sexy, sophisticated, moody! Galentine’s Day approved, definitely Valentine’s Day approved,” a diner wrote on Yelp. “Really comfy booths everywhere. It felt really grand and really private and personal at the same time. Very cool ambiance,” another wrote.
5. Tori Tori
Location: 720 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Tori Tori describes itself as a cocktail bar, but the food—traditional Japanese pub grub—has earned recognition from Orlando Weekly and high praise from diners. The Michelin Recommended restaurant serves yakitori and kushiyaki grilled over charcoal; shareables like Wagyu imperial gyoza, blue crab and corn croquettes, and crab fried rice; and a selection of cold seafood. There’s also an impressive selection of craft cocktails and specialty highballs, as well as sake, beer, wine, and Japanese whiskey.
The stylish space features a sleek, expansive bar in the center with cozy, intimate booths lining one wall. The building’s original warm wood trusses are on full display and served as inspiration for the color palette for the rest of the interior.
“From the moment you step inside, the ambiance sets the tone: modern yet cozy with a touch of traditional Japanese design that makes you feel like you’re dining at a hidden gem in Tokyo,” one Yelp reviewer wrote.
6. Highball & Harvest
Location: 4012 Central Florida Pkwy., Orlando
Located inside the Ritz-Carlton, Highball & Harvest is the spot for Southern-inspired, farm-fresh food. The food is made with ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s on-site Whisper Creek Farm. Lamb shank, market fish, and cornmeal-fried smoked pork chop are among the menu highlights. The signature cocktails are also noteworthy—each one is infused with seasonal fruits and herbs and served with ice that’s sculpted bar side with a Japanese ice saw.
The rustic-but-refined interior features plenty of warm wood, industrial-style light fixtures, and painted brick, plus a lounge area with leather furniture and a train-board menu behind the bar that ties into the restaurant’s railroad theme (the name was inspired by a 19th-century Florida railroad system).
“We went here to celebrate my husband’s birthday, and wow! What a feast for the eyes and palate,” one customer wrote on Yelp.
7. The Moderne
Location: 1241 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando
If your idea of a romantic meal is shareable bites and inventive cocktails in an impeccably designed space, The Moderne is a must-try. The restaurant serves Asian tapas like pork belly bao buns, duck wontons, and skewers complemented by spirit-forward cocktails, sake, and Japanese whisky flights. Heartier dishes like beef bulgogi, Wagyu bibimbap, and fire-roasted duck, plus a few vegan options, are equally as delicious.
The Art Deco modernism-inspired interior is opulent and daring, with bold wallpaper, oxblood leather banquettes, gold accents, and coffered ceilings. While the large bar in the center of the restaurant is a focal point, smaller tables along the outskirts of the space provide a more intimate setting for diners looking to enjoy a romantic evening out.
“Whether you’re looking for a casual night out or a special dinner, Moderne is a great choice. Highly recommend,” a diner wrote on Yelp.
8. Maxine’s on Shine
Location: 337 Shine Ave., Orlando
Maxine’s on Shine is proof that a restaurant doesn’t need white tablecloths and chandeliers to be romantic. The restaurant—named one of Orlando’s most romantic restaurants by multiple publications—features eclectic decor and artwork and a fun, whimsical atmosphere. Its tagline is “sexy, comfortable, delicious,” and the owners describe the vibe as “the parlor of a friend’s home.”
The dinner menu is full of comfort food, from lasagna and lobster ravioli to fried green tomatoes and Key West crab cakes. There are also several vegan and gluten-free options.
Tables are packed tight indoors, but the restaurant has ample outdoor seating on its charming patio lined with greenery and decorated with string lights. Don’t forget to take a picture in front of the “love you to the moon and back” mural.
“My girlfriend and I decided to visit Maxine’s On Shine for the first time … as part of our date night. We wanted to try something new, and I’m glad we did because the customer service here was outstanding—by far some of the best I’ve experienced in any restaurant. The atmosphere was also very unique and made the experience even more enjoyable,” a customer wrote on Yelp.
9. VINIA Wine & Kitchen
Location: 444 W. New England Ave., Ste. 119, Winter Park
Nothing says romance like a cozy wine bar. VINIA Wine & Kitchen is a quaint husband-and-wife-owned restaurant and wine bar with a seasonal European menu and boutique wine list.
Menu items can be ordered a la carte, or you can opt for the three-course VINIA’s FAVORITE wine pairing dinner menu.
The intimate space features local art on the walls, warm wood accents, and plush seating.
Multiple Yelp users noted that VINIA Wine & Kitchen is a great date-night spot, with one writing, “I like this place. It is a great place to go on a date. It is small, but the staff is super friendly.”
On select Saturdays in February, the restaurant is hosting a special dining experience, Fabio’s Table: Duetti d’Amore. This experience features a five-course menu with wine pairings and a separate plant-based menu.
10. Ômo by Jônt
Location: 115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park
Dinner at Ômo by Jônt is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. You start in the living room with welcome drinks and snacks before heading to the 16-seat counter that overlooks the kitchen for dinner. After the main course, you head to the pastry parlor for dessert and after-dinner drinks.
The restaurant has three carefully considered, creative prix-fixe menus—The Excursion, The Journey, and The Jaunt. The Jaunt is the most elaborate and features about 20 dishes with luxury ingredients, including caviar, Wagyu, sea urchin, and crown melon. Wine pairings can also be added to each menu.
The restaurant is an offshoot of Ryan Ratino’s two-Michelin-starred tasting counter Jônt, located in Washington D.C., and has received high praise from Forbes, Eater, Orlando Weekly, and Michelin Guide.
“From the moment you arrive, you’re treated like VIPs. It really is more than just food here. It’s a whole vibe. And it’s truly unforgettable,” a Yelp user wrote.
The restaurant is also offering a special Valentine’s Day tasting menu.
Bonus Restaurants
If none of the above restaurants interest you, the following establishments have special Valentine’s Day menus worth checking out:
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