11 Romantic Dinner Ideas for Two

Scrambling for last-minute reservations or putting up with long waits doesn’t have to be the norm for Valentine’s Day—you can craft a perfectly romantic dinner for two right in your own kitchen. Here are some of our favorite special-occasion mains and desserts for you to choose from, perfect for sharing—whether that’s with your partner, your roommate, your best friend, or yourself at a later date.

Mexican-Style Steak Au Poivre with Chipotle Cream Sauce

James Beard Award-winning Chef Edgar Rico combined his classic French culinary training with the flavors of his Austin-based restaurant, Nixta Taqueria, to give a classic French dish—Steak Au Poivre, or pepper steak—his own richly flavorful spin. The rich pan sauce swaps out the traditional cognac for mezcal, and features the addition of smoky and spicy chipotle chiles.

Pan-Roasted Chicken

This is a tried-and-true family favorite recipe of none other than Chef Tom Colicchio, and it's not hard to see why. The success of this dish relies on just a few things: quality ingredients, a deft hand, and a high-heat pan (we prefer Carbon Steel). You may be tempted to gussy the final product up with spices, herbs, or rubs, but trust that Chef Colicchio knows what he's doing when he says this is the perfect roast chicken.

Steak Frites

You wouldn’t make hand-cut, hand-fried french fries for just anyone, would you? Save this bistro-worthy recipe (designed for two) from Austin-based chef Jo Chan for someone you really care about—it'll make the up to 24-hour steak marination time feel worthwhile.

Eggplant Parmesan

Romantic dinners don’t have to be fussy. This cozy, layered dish from Chef Jesse Griffiths of Austin’s Dai Due is the perfect example of that, excellent for a February weeknight at home—preferably paired with verdant salad and a glass of good red wine.

Seared Scallops with Cabbage, Apples, and Leeks

In this impressive-looking but deceptively simple dish, scallops are quickly seared over high heat then served atop a subtly sweet, crunchy salad. A full meal in and of itself that's gorgeous to boot, this is one recipe that can be sourced for and prepped even at the eleventh hour.

Caramelized Mushroom Lasagna

Creminis are a little pricier than your standard white button mushrooms, but they have a deeper, meatier flavor—perfect for a special occasion dish like lasagna. This recipe comes courtesy of Houston-based Chef Chris Shepherd, who caramelizes the mushrooms before building the sauce, resulting in a rich, deeply flavorful dish that’s perfect for the vegetarian in your life.

Lobster Thermidor

Inspired by Julia Child's classic French dish, this is a time-intensive affair with serious payoff. If you're looking to seriously impress your date and flex your home cooking skills at the same time, look no further.

Margherita Pizza

Homemade pizza is already a labor of love: no need to make it more complicated. Chef Ian Thurwatcher of Austin’s Intero recommends skipping the heart-shaped takeout pie and suggests instead a classic margherita recipe, topping handmade dough with fresh mozz, a simple sauce, and plenty of hand-torn basil. Serve with a fresh salad and glass of red, and prepare for the compliments to pour in.

Risotto Bolognese

This dish from Playa Provision’s Brooke Williamson combines two of our greatest loves—risotto and bolognese—into one Dutch oven-friendly meal. It’s also especially perfect if your ideal Valentine’s Day involves a post-dinner nap on the couch (and plenty of leftovers to look forward to the next day).

Coffee and Spice-Crusted Filet Mignon with Mushrooms, Asparagus, and Black Garlic

At-home date nights don't have to be any less fancy than a dinner at a nice restaurant. Case in point, this impressive steak dish that starts with the highest-quality cut you can find (Chef Dustin Valette recommends prime, 21-day dry-aged Wagyu) and ends with a finishing dollop of umami-laden black garlic purée. Pair with your favorite bottle of wine and prepare for the all-but-certain praise to come rolling in.

Spaghetti Bolognese

We’re not sure what it is, but something about a homemade bolognese just feels romantic—especially if you pronounce it with a proper Italian accent. Chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel’s recipe is a little less time-consuming than the traditional, slow-simmered version, but it’s still utter perfection for a weeknight Valentine’s.

Dessert Options

In our opinion, no homemade dinner is complete without a sweet treat to follow it up. This list covers recipes for every level of baker, from no baking involved to day long projects.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Diamonds

Courtesy of Milk Bar’s Christina Tosi, think of these as your homemade alternative to the requisite box of chocolates. These crispy, chocolate-topped peanut butter bars require no baking whatsoever: just pop the whole pan in the freezer for 40 minutes to firm up.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

No surprises here: this recipe for chocolate chip cookies, courtesy of Chef Sarah McIntosh of Austin’s Épicerie, is as classic as they get. Dunk ‘em in cold milk, or—if you wish—serve with a cheeky glass of port as a nightcap.

Everything Bars

If you like cookies, but your person likes blondies, have the best of both with these gooey, chewy bars from Mark Bittman, Editor-in-Chief of the Made In blog. Easy to make and even easier to share, these make for the perfect finishing touch on a delicious homemade meal.

Olive Oil Cake with Brûléed Stone Fruit and Chantilly Cream

With a buttery-yet-light crumb and subtle grassy flavor, olive oil cake always feels a little bit more luxe than its buttery counterpart. Chef Susana Querejazu of Lutie's, a restaurant at Austin’s Commodore Perry Estate, bumps things up even further with brûléed stone fruit and hand-whipped chantilly cream. If stone fruit isn’t available at the store, feel free to use whatever’s easily accessible and in season.

Ready to Cook?

Nothing’s more romantic—or a better expression of love—than a great meal made from scratch. And with high-quality cookware like our Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, French porcelain Pie Dish, and Carbon Steel Frying Pan, you can spend less time stressing over dinner—and more time putting together the perfect playlist.