Nashville’s 11 Best Restaurants for Romance

Located in the historic former Melrose movie theater, Sinema provides the ideal intimate setting for a special night. The glam decor harks back to Old Hollywood style and pairs perfectly with Sinema’s elegant spin on seasonal American dining. In addition to a la carte options such as pan-seared scallops with spinach orzotto, lemon spinach mignonette, and black garlic brown butter, Sinema offers a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings. Or if you’re looking for a more casual date vibe, sit at the bar and check out the extensive cocktail list, or choose from the rare whiskey program of over 200 selections.

Josephine is the ultimate neighborhood date night spot, giving the feel of cozy French bistro meets Southern charm; start with country ham rillettes with half sour pickles, smoked onion crispies, and potato rolls or the tarte flambee with Benton’s bacon. Don’t miss out on the extensive wine list and seasonal cocktail list.

Nestled in the trendy Gulch neighborhood, Chauhan Ale & Masala has been a local favorite since opening in 2014. Exposed brick walls and tin ceilings combine with colorful Indian-inspired decor to create a charmingly romantic vibe. Chef Maneet Chauhan is known for her vibrant Indian dishes; here, Indian cuisine collides with Southern flavors to provide unique options such as hot chicken pakoras and methi mac and cheese.

Located near downtown in the Gulch area, Sunda’s mission is showcasing Eastern Asian and Southeast Asian regional cuisine, which come together in dishes including the dim sum menu to share, a full sushi bar, and entrees such as the signature pan seared sushi rice with ghee and tamari topped with choice of wagyu or spicy tuna. For an out-of-the-box date, sign up for Sunda’s monthly sushi rolling class.

Grown weary of your go-to Chinese takeout spot? Tànsuŏ has you covered. Meaning “to explore” in Cantonese, Tànsuŏ serves innovative contemporary Chinese fare inspired by China’s night markets and traditional street fare. Snuggle up to your date in the clubby leather banquettes beneath the colorful lanterns adorning the ceiling and share dishes from the dim sum menu such as foie su mai, a decadent take on dumplings with foie gras, porcini mushrooms, and pork. Chinese cuisine even gets a Nashville spin with the Nashville hot chicken lo mein.

The Optimist creates a dining experience that transports you to a more coastal locale, providing super-fresh, sustainably sourced seafood to landlocked Tennesseans in the historic Germantown neighborhood. With an excellent beverage program and oysters galore, the date night vibe is immaculate here. Located inside a turn-of-the-century former factory on the banks of the Cumberland River, it’s full of exposed brick, low lighting, and historic charm. Don’t miss the extensive raw bar selection, with oysters coming from the shores of Alabama all the way up to Maine. For a special Valentine’s day meal, The Optimist is serving a five-course prix fixe menu that’s sure to be exceptional.

A new addition to the 12 South neighborhood, Emery Wood Fired brings a new twist to the local pizza game. Located in what was formerly the neighborhood dry cleaner, the space is now chic and modern, offering an eclectic wine list and cocktail program alongside innovative pizzas such as the taleggio and pear pie with hot honey and radish sprouts or one with pepperoni, whipped ricotta, and basil. It’s a great not-just-any-pizza spot for date night.

Newly opened in Nashville by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini, The Dutch is located in the swanky new W Hotel in the Gulch. Come here for delicious American fare with a flare; start with oysters from the raw bar or lobster cocktail with coconut lime and jerk plantains. Follow it up with elevated classic main dishes, such as the smoked grilled pork chop with collard greens, bacon jam, and rosemary-roasted apples. For a truly romantic night, end the evening with a cocktail on the W’s rooftop bar and book a staycation.

Looking for a martini and oyster kind of night, but not too fancy? Head to local favorite Urban Grub on 12 South. The atmosphere is casual fine dining, so all the fun but none of the fuss; the design of the restaurant is “rustic elegance,” with stone fireplaces and homey wooden details throughout, with plenty of nooks for an intimate date night cocktail or meal. Indulge in fresh seafood from the raw bar and sample a cocktail from the extensive and frequently updated list, such as the Yeezy Made Beets with tequila, green chartreuse, beet juice, pear puree, thyme, and lime.

A local mainstay, The Germantown Cafe has finally reopened after a one-two punch of tornado and pandemic. Two years later, the beloved restaurant is back with many of the same tried-and-true recipes, such as the plum pork, a “15-year legacy” of marinated tenderloin with savory plum sauce, mashed potatoes, and haricots verts. Germantown Cafe provides the ideal setting for a comfort-food-done-well date night. A fun new addition is the walk-up window, where you can order booze and snacks to go. Grab a drink and wander historic Germantown.

Located in downtown Nashville, but comfortably removed from the Honky Tonk chaos of Broadway, The River House is impeccably designed with dramatic high ceilings and modern decor; the nearby Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the Ryman Auditorium make this a no-brainer for a pre-show dinner date. Luxurious banquettes with soft mood lighting match the modern steakhouse feel, with classics on the menu such as oysters Rockefeller, prime New York strip, and a wedge salad.