If you're trying to find romantic restaurants in Houston with a view, there are many great spots for a romantic dining experience. You can dine on top of rooftop restaurants, sit waterfront at a bayou, enjoy locally caught seafood dinners, or spend a romantic evening by the fire in a log cabin. A memorable date night includes breathtaking views and fantastic food. Thanks to the landscape and the Gulf Coast, Houston has both. The choices for a perfect date night in Houston are endless. We've narrowed down the top five best restaurants in Houston with a great view.
Houston's Culinary Scene
Houston's culinary scene is a melting pot of delectable dishes. Some of the best foods in Houston include Tex-Mex, Gulf Coast seafood, barbecue ribs, Indian cuisine, southern classic dishes, and much more. Many award-winning chefs and restaurants are thriving in Houston.
Houston has everything from casual dining and charming farm-to-table restaurants to the most upscale, elegant restaurants. There are dining experiences in Houston to satisfy everyone's taste buds and budget. The number of high-quality places to eat in Houston can be overwhelming. Finding the perfect romantic spot to pop the question or go on a first date in Houston can be challenging. So, check out the top date night restaurants Houston has to offer.
1. The Grove: A Green Oasis in Downtown Houston
The Grove is in Houston's Discovery Green Park. This elegant two-story restaurant and bar is one of the best romantic rooftop restaurants in Houston. With glass windows, you can see the beautiful park from any angle. Or you can dine on the wraparound patio on the rooftop deck.
You and your date can start with blue crab corn fritters or chargrilled wings. You can then share some oysters. Some standout entrées on the dinner menu include Berkshire pork loin, stir-fried Gulf shrimp, and seared ahi tuna. Finally, you can try the layered chocolate cake or grab some gelato for dessert. If you go from 5-7 p.m., you can catch the happy hour specials of discounted beer and glasses of house wine, along with half-price appetizers.
2. Flora: A Mexican Restaurant With a View
What could be more romantic than a glass treehouse with chandeliers overlooking the Buffalo Bayou? Flora is one of the top romantic restaurants Houston has to offer. Flora is a Mexican restaurant that focuses heavily on organic and made-from-scratch food. You can expect house-made salsa and tortillas.
Flora is one of the best night restaurants because the romantic glow of the chandeliers makes for a perfect evening setting. Some yummy entrées you can choose from include shrimp mojo de ajo, shrimp and fish tacos, chile relleno, and barbacoa. For dessert, you can share vanilla bean flan or some churros. If you want to sip some unique cocktails at the exquisite marble and brass bar, try the Ginger Mezcalita or the El Pepino. The wine list is also quite impressive.
3. Brenner's on the Bayou: A Romantic Riverside Retreat
One of the top fancy restaurants in Houston, Brenner's on the Bayou, is a two-story seafood and steakhouse with impressive views coupled with delicious food. This rustic restaurant is a popular spot for a romantic date or a special occasion.
The exquisite landscape and the patio overlooking the Buffalo Bayou offer you and your date breathtaking views. Also, if you get a chance to sit outside on the deck, you'll find a romantic atmosphere complete with mood lighting and soft lights.
Brenner's offers elegant dishes like oysters, shrimp scampi, prime rib, and soufflés. There's also a top selection of wine to go with your meal. If you want a more casual date experience, the outdoor bar, The Blue Bar, serves various cocktails during happy hour from 4-7 p.m. You can also enjoy live music with some of the best food in Houston.
4. Rainbow Lodge: Rustic Elegance With a View
The Rainbow Lodge is a 100-year-old log cabin restaurant on the White Oak Bayou. The restaurant serves local fish and wild game, with lush scenery everywhere. So, if you're looking for a nice restaurant in Houston for a romantic evening with a view, the Rainbow Lodge has you covered.
You can sit on the deck, immersed in the trees and overlooking a flowing stream. Or you and your date can opt for a cozy indoor meal by the large fireplace. The impressive menu includes entrées such as lump crab, roasted spring lamb loin, grilled North American elk, and beef ribeye steak. You won't want to skip dessert, as they serve mouth-watering black forest tarts or coconut banana tiramisu.
5. MAD: A Taste of Madrid in Houston
MAD is a Spanish restaurant located in the River Oaks District of Houston. MAD is the name of an airport in Madrid. It is also one of the best restaurants in Houston for a date night. The theme is the nightlife in Madrid in the 1980s. With mirrors and gold lights everywhere, you and your special someone will feel like royalty sitting down to eat an elegant meal.
You could try the MAD tomato, which looks like a ripe tomato lying on crumbled soil. However, when you slice into it, it's a tomato-flavored gelatin shell filled with ooey-gooey Parmesan mousse and basil pesto sitting on pumpernickel crumble.
You can also try tapas or steak tartare delicately wrapped in edible Houston newspaper. The food and the atmosphere are perfect for a fancy, romantic dinner together. MAD is a popular spot, so you must make reservations months in advance.
Plan Your Next Romantic Adventure in Houston
Now that you know some of the top Houston date ideas, it's time to plan your next trip. Why stop at dinner? You can take your sweetheart to the Houston Zoo to see the exotic wildlife and the stunning aquatic life at the Downtown Aquarium. You can visit all these great places and more with Houston CityPASS® tickets. You can plan for a perfect romantic getaway when purchasing Houston CityPASS® tickets and save at five of the top Houston attractions. The money you save on tickets can be spent at one of the best romantic restaurants in Houston.