The 15 Sexiest Restaurants for a Romantic Date Night in Denver

Coming up on its first birthday, Chez Maggy is still drawing buzz and selling out reservations as if it’s still its very first week. Its refined menu spanning brunch to dinner unsurprisingly corroborates Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s reputation, and is where you’ll find French classics like onion soup gratinée and duck confit, plus dishes like BBQ eggplant and Colorado lamb chops that are equally fork-fight-worthy. But the sleek interior simultaneously gives modern and straightforward with a few charming details that pay homage to everything we love about romantic French bistros. It’s easy to fall in love (again or for the first time) here, either with your person or with the fancy butter, cheese, and wine.

There’s something about Safta that makes every minute you spend inside feel a little like magic. It could be the setting: intimate lighting, floral motifs, and private-feeling tables lining a wall of windows where loved ones huddle, engaged in conversation. Or, it could be the stop-in-your-tracks Israeli cuisine that sends bursts of flavor and spice soaring throughout your mouth. Whichever the case, this is an especially solid anniversary pick, as the magic never dulls and the service and food quality are two things you can always count on.

“Special” is the word that comes to mind when thinking about this restaurant from James Beard Award winner Caroline Glover. Simple, farm-to-table ingredients become carefully crafted, classic dishes like the house spaghetti, Annette burger and fries, or roasted half chicken; perfect for impressing a new beau or showing your partner a menu that’s as timeless as your love.

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day somewhere warm and indoors or looking for a picturesque date night destination for the warmer months, this French bistro has what you need. Now in a brand-new space in Park Hill, you can taste the very best of its simple yet unassuming menu—from duck a l’orange to steak frites—in a completely modernized, ultra romantic atmosphere.

One romantic feature this restaurant has that others don’t is epic city views via floor-to-ceiling windows. But the food is pretty dang good, too. A self-proclaimed “melting pot of all the Mediterranean regions,” you’ll find incredible tapas here—and what better way to get to know one another than to share small but tasty bites? Check out the hummus and pita, dippable, spreadable cheeses like smoked burrata, hot and melty croquettas, patatas bravas, and a ton of other savory and sweet delights.

The Elway’s Steakhouses across Denver are all known to be classy destinations for upscale dining or special occasion meals. The Downtown location, within the Ritz-Carlton, offers a particularly fancy atmosphere and of course, an unparalleled wine selection. Opt for the sommelier’s flight and taste away alongside some of the most epic cuts of meat and perfectly seasoned stakes you’ll ever have.

This Italian spot, with its curved booths, artistic lighting, and second story dining area overlooking Larimer Street is a sophisticated choice for any occasion. Indulge in customizable charcuterie, fresh salads, and flavorful sandwiches alongside some of the tastiest pasta and mains you’ve ever had in Denver. Definitely don’t skip dessert.

The term “broken” comes from owners Jennifer and Jake Linzinmeir sharing a unique take on Italian cuisine. Combining traditional flavors and recipes with modern—and sometimes Western and Midwestern—twists, the minds behind Jovanina’s remain constant at delivering extraordinary food and experience. Request the table for two in the restaurant’s underground speakeasy dining area, which sits in part of a former Prohibition-era tunnel, for a truly unforgettable evening.

Sleek and intimate with literal candlelit tables, the pops of color and floral-patterned furniture keep this upscale French restaurant feeling whimsical and not at all stuffy. The food is as decadent as you’d imagine—with smaller, shareable plates like Wagyu steak tartare and chicken liver mousse, and entrées like mushroom mille-feuille and onion crusted short rib with Gruyere cheese potatoes making any and all decisions very, very difficult.

Fine-dining via white tablecloth dinner service, French culinary technique, and an ever-changing, three-course, prix-fixe menu, Mizuna is great for date night for a number of reasons; namely, its array of impressive dishes and atmosphere that offers something different each time you visit. Cozy up together by the wine wall, enjoy summer evening air out on the patio or beneath gold-framed decor. If you’re looking to indulge and feel lavish, this is the place to do so.

Is there a date night more romantic than splitting a delicious meal, some classic cocktails, and listening to live jazz? Nocturne is certainly one of the cooler places for special occasion dining that this city has to offer. Enjoy a more intimate and exclusive version of “dinner and a show” by booking a reservation for an upcoming performance and experiencing the venue’s three-course tasting menu simultaneously.

This Cherry Creek staple has been a place for tantalizing Italian food and superb steaks since its inception in 2017. Its classic and traditional atmosphere is cozy and certainly romantic, whether you’re sharing noodles Lady and the Tramp style or fighting forks over who gets the last bite of chicken parm.

One of Denver’s most highly regarded Italian restaurants, Olivia guarantees exceptional pasta in a modern, intimate setting. Share a bottle from the extensive selection of reds, whites, and bubbles while enjoying the simple, undeniable flavors of handmade pasta and elegant sauces. Not sure what to try? The lobster spaghetti is an all-time fan-favorite.

In addition to its stellar selection of fresh- and cooked-fish offerings, Uchi is a prime location for sharing the special experience of an omakase tasting menu (market price). It’s also got this enchanting, polished look with unique design moments happening every which way. Feel the glow beneath its signature wall, whose carefully placed crystal bricks filter in natural light during the day and create a magical effect throughout the entirety of the space.

This gem may not have had lucky timing, opening its doors just days before dining rooms shut down across Colorado. But upon reopening, it became one of the loveliest places to be in the state. Wildflower is natural, plant-forward, and simply stunning in a way that pays homage to the Old West. Relax in velvet, earth-toned booths or at the timeless bar and sip everything from refreshing, floral cocktails to coffee, tea, or vegan mylk. Both small and large plates feature the very best flavors of all that Colorado has to offer—think: cast iron salmon and grilled lamb chorizo—and even if you and your date don’t work out, you’ll certainly fall in love with this place.