A list of romantic restaurants located in Birmingham, Alabama
Categorized by price and reviews
It’s date night! But where are you going to take your date? Or maybe you’re being taken out and you want to suggest the best place for a romantic candlelight dinner? Either way, you’re here because you want a little more information than what’s available in the map section on the search engine.
That’s why we put together this list written by a local who knows the best spots in town to help you get out of the doghouse. We put together options from the upscale to the affordable and in range of a romantic walk through the park. Here we go!
Upscale Romantic Restaurants in Birmingham
1 – Gianmarco’s Italian: If your hot date is tonight, don’t even bother. You’re going to get the better seating if you call for reservations two weeks in advance. Looking to impress someone? You might as well stop reading and pickup the phone. White tablecloths, check…romantic lighting, check…this place has everything you need to impress your date.
https://www.gianmarcosbhm.com/
2 – Chez Fon Fon: Cuisine served in a classic French bistro setting. No white tablecloths, but be prepared to be transported to a location that might as well be nestled away in a cozy alley somewhere in Paris. If you’re too late to book a table at Gianmarco’s before your date, you’ll be happy to know that Chez Fon Fon doesn’t take reservations.
3 – Vino: Sitting above Birmingham in the most European-like part of Mountain Brook lies Vino. A mix of American and Mediterranean entrees and an impressive wine selection greet you and your date. Vino offers outside seating that’s perfect on a cool early Spring evening. My personal favorite is the brazed rosemary lamb shank, but the hanger steak is also amazing. If your date is into wine, this is the spot.
4 – Cafe Dupont: Seasonal themed menu focusing on modern southern cuisine. The chef sources local ingredients based on seasonal availability. Cafe Dupont offers valet parking, the white tablecloth experience, and a good variety of specialty crafted mixed drinks.
5 – Amore Ristorante Italiano: This upscale Italian eatery has been around since 2005, but keep in mind that it is not located in the downtown area and you might have to battle the infamous highway 280 traffic to get your date to this romantic destination. But don’t let that keep you away from the amazing seafood and homemade cannoli! Amore Ristorante Italiano does take reservations, but if you forgot to call ahead the bar is always first come first serve and you might be able to walk in if it’s not a Friday or Saturday night. If you’re looking for authentic Italian, candlelight, and enough food to justify a takeout box, this is the place.
Affordable Romantic Restaurants in Birmingham, Alabama
To make the cut for this section of our list, a majority of the entrees have to be listed at $25 or less. These are great spots to take your date without breaking the bank too bad. Think 2nd date or just a regular weekend dinner instead of a first date or anniversary venue. But your date won’t have any issue with the food and atmosphere at any of these restaurants, and you’ll have money left over for movie tickets and popcorn.
1 – Seasons 52: An upscale location with a seasonal menu of craft hamburgers and other American cuisine paired with an international wine list. Seasons 52 is located in the Summit which makes it the perfect choice for dinner and a movie night. And if you’re trying to save room for popcorn, the cedar plank roasted salmon is the perfect choice at only 490 calories.
2 – Grille 29: The atmosphere and recommended attire are definitely casual, but the unique modern architecture and amazong food selection make for an evening you’ll definitely want to repeat. Try the pan roasted jumbo lump Maryland-style crabcakes with fresh asparagus. And if you’re worried about getting to your next destination, don’t. Grille 29 is probably the most conveniently located venue on our list. Sitting in Brookwood Village near Macy’s places you in a central spot with great parking and easy access to Vestavia, Mountain Brook, or downtown.
Grille 29 in Birmingham, AL
3 – OvenBird: A live fire casual restaurant with an amazingly beautiful outdoor seating area that’s sure to inspire. The menu focuses on seasonal southern ingredients in a small plate format. The concept takes it’s inspiration from the live fire traditions of Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, and Argentina with a bit of character from the American South. If you have after dinner plans somewhere downtown, OvenBird is conveniently located in the Pepper Place district downtown.
https://www.ovenbirdrestaurant.com/
4 – Surin West: If your date’s looking for something different from the standard American or Italian date venue, check out Surin West. It’s located in the heart of Southside, and they offer outstanding Thai cuisine at an affordable price. With over 500 Google reviews and a 4.4 rating, you can’t possibly go wrong. Surin’s been a personal favorite of mine for years, and the coconut soup is simply addictive.
5 – Chez Lulu: Born out of a desire to showcase artisan breads and French cafe society to the Birmingham food scene, Chez Lulu features fresh soups and European tarts made from scratch daily. The source ingredients from local farmers, and offer an amazing lineup of food served in an atmosphere that’s artfully local. The owner crafted the cast iron tables as a tribute to Birmingham’s earlier industrial days. If you’re looking for amazing food, amazing prices, and a cozy setting, this is the place.
Image Credits to The Tilted Barrel
Did you find this guide useful for planning a night out on the town? How did your date go? Out of the doghouse yet? We’d love to hear from you!
