Written by Kirstin Hawthorne (February 2024)
As Valentine’s Day approaches, the quest for the perfect romantic dinner spot is in full swing. Forget the clichés, we’re on a mission to uncover the places where the food is as swoon-worthy as your date. From restaurants with more ambiance than a Nicholas Sparks movie to joints where even the dessert menu is dressed to impress, we’ve rounded up the top contenders for a Valentine’s Day dinner that’ll have you saying, “Move over, Cupid, we’ve got this.”
- 2941 Restaurant (Falls Church)
- Bistro L’Hermitage (Occoquan)
- Clarity (Vienna)
- L’Auberge Chez François (Great Falls)
- Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery (Stafford)
- The Capital Grille (Fairfax)
- The Melting Pot (Arlington, Reston)
- The Wine Kitchen (Leesburg)
- Trummer’s on Main (Clifton)
- Vermilion (Alexandria)
If your ideal romantic evening involves the classic combo of pizza and a movie, why not kick it up a notch with some heart-shaped culinary delights. Here’s a list of nationwide chains that are offering something “lovely” for this special day!
- Baskin Robbins – heart-shaped cakes
- Bertucci’s – heart shaped pizza
- California Pizza Kitchen – heart-shaped pizza
- Chick-fil-A – 30-count nuggets in a heart-shaped tin
- Dunkin Donuts – heart-shaped donuts and donuts with heart sprinkles
- Krispy Kreme – Valentine’s themed flavors and decorations
- Papa John’s – heart-shaped pizza
And, whether you’re navigating the romantic seas or simply counting down the days until the post-Valentine’s Day chocolate sale, here is a list of 10 classic and beloved films that capture the drama and humor of falling in love and pair perfectly with pizza and donuts:
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s
- Casablanca
- Ghost
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- Pretty Woman
- The Notebook
- The Princess Bride
- When Harry Met Sally
