Whether you’re cooking for your favorite couple or cooking for your favorite partner, these romantic dinner ideas are going to make for a perfect evening meal. Romance doesn’t have to be fancy, in fact, sometimes the simplest food is the most romantic because it’s made with love and patience for the people you love.
Romantic dinner recipes are about food that makes your partner feel loved and easy enough to make for a pleasant, relaxing, and romantic evening meal.
These date night dinner recipes vary from Italian to Japanese cuisine so you can find something that is perfectly suited for romantic dinners. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, birthday, valentines day or any other holiday having a romantic dinner for two at home is so important to celebrate your love, friendship, or anything else worth making a meal out of.
Take some inspiration from these amazing recipes that will impress, satiate and indulge you and your loved one.
Here are the 28 best romantic dinner ideas for two at home, with decorating ideas and table setting ideas but most importantly, really good food to cook for your meal.
1. Marry Me Chicken
A recipe so delicious, it’s known for enticing proposals out of many couples! This is one of those special dinner ideas that are easy enough to put together quickly and with things you may even have on hand in your fridge!
Simple chicken breast gets roasted with chicken broth and then smothered in a rich and creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
The chicken soaks up the tangy and luscious sauce so it stays super moist and tasty. The dish is finished with fresh basil, grated parmesan cheese, and black pepper. An Italian-inspired classic that won’t have you slaving over the stove and is perfectly served with some white wine and green salad.
2. Chicken Piccata
Maybe it’s because Italy is a romantic destination, but Italian food just seems to have this romantic nature about it that makes for the best date night dinner recipes.
Chicken piccata is an absolute classic and one that needs no alterations. Simplicity is key with this recipe and makes an absolutely perfect romantic dinner at home for him or her.
Chicken breast is pounded into a thin cutlet, then pan-fried till golden brown in butter and olive oil.
The sauce is simply lemon juice, capers and butter, and freshly chopped parsley thickened with a simple flour roux. Plate the chicken then pour the sauce over top and serve with warm bread. This recipe will make your date absolutely swoon! It only takes about 30 minutes to make.
3. Lobster Mac and Cheese
Sometimes you want to really indulge in a date night dinner. This lobster mac and cheese recipe is absolutely perfect for anniversary dinner ideas at home.
It’s decadent and feels fancy, but it’s also so comforting and warm. You want to celebrate love with something comforting!
This recipe can even be made ahead and then popped into the oven so you can plan your romantic dinner at home for two and not have any work to do when the evening comes.
Loaded with lobster meat and with a lovely bechamel sauce this is one of those dishes you will be making again. If are thinking about lobster, you have great taste and any of these 30 Unique Dinner Ideas to Impress, would be perfect for a romantic dinner too!
4. Seared Salmon Tacos
Maybe it’s just because it’s pink but salmon always comes up when thinking about romantic dinners. It’s such a delicious fish and it feels fancy, when actually it’s so easy to make.
The secret ingredient that makes these tacos so delectable is the avocado crema.
It sounds fancy but it’s really easy. Simply mix sour cream or yogurt with avocado and lime juice into a creamy sauce to drizzle over these salmon tacos. A light and delicious meal to put together for a summer date night dinner.
5. Pan seared Filet Mignon
Ok, when you think of a romantic dinner and don’t imagine a beautiful browned filet mignon steak dripping with herb butter and fluffy mashed potatoes then you’re either a vegetarian or not thinking big enough!
This is a quintessential romantic dinner idea. This recipe is simple, and so delicious.
Filet Mignon is expensive, so why not treat your love to a real indulgent meal and make filet at home! It’s cheaper than going out and ordering it at a restaurant and you can really wow your love with this recipe. The herb butter is good on pasta and garlic bread so make extra!
6. Sexy Shrimp Scampi
Just the name sounds romantic and sexy Shrimp Scampi. This dish is another classic, and don’t be turned off by the garlic, because if your partner really loves you they won’t care about a little garlic either! Shrimp is one of those dishes that feels exotic but is so easy to cook.
Shrimp cooks in as little as 5 minutes, and dressed in this luxurious garlic butter sauce you just cannot go wrong. Serve it over pasta or with roasted veggies and garlic bread.
7. Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
Romance is about the love and care you put into the food you’re feeding your honey, and it’s even tastier when you put some honey in the meal! This salmon is so delicious you will be making it for more than just a romantic dinner for two at home.
A simple glaze of honey, garlic, chili and butter gets painted over roasting salmon filets to make an absolutely irresistible sticky, sweet salmon dinner. Serve the fish over rice with vegetables and a nice dry white wine.
The best part about this dish is it only takes 20 minutes to make! You can have dinner ready in no time to celebrate with someone special.
8. Caprese Garlic Bread
Imagine yourself in the Italian countryside on a romantic getaway, drinking wine in the sunshine and enjoying an array of fabulous fresh antipasto platters. That is what this recipe will make you feel when you make it for your romantic dinner.
Fresh tomatoes are arranged over top crusty baguettes that have been brushed with irresistible garlic and herb melted butter. Broiled until just bubbling, and the tomatoes get a little warm and juicy.
You then top the bread with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. The perfect appetizer for a romantic Italian dinner.
9. Baked Feta Pasta
The viral sensation is actually a really delicious meal. This pasta is easy to make, and will satisfy anyone you want to cook for!
Put it all in a pan, throw it in the oven, light some candles, arrange some flowers and watch your boo absolutely swoon over your cooking skills (even though this is a super easy dish!) Feta and cherry tomatoes make for the perfect sauce of salty, creamy and bright. Add in some fresh basil at the end to really round it all out.
10. French Onion Soup
Everyone says Paris is the most romantic city in the world, and what’s more classically Parisian than French onion soup.
This dish is incredibly easy to make as it’s only several ingredients and can even be made a couple days ahead of time so your romantic dinner at home for two is as simple as pie.
Caramelized onions in a rich broth go perfectly with little toasts of melted cheese floating on top. The soup is decadent without being heavy, and an absolutely divine treat to make for someone you love.
11. California Rolls
There is something very sexy about sushi, it’s light and fresh and eating anything raw just has some kind of romance to it. These rolls look complicated but once you master making rice it’s a cinch.
California rolls can be totally customized to suit whoever you are cooking for, if your love likes spicy make them spicy!
Add some salmon caviar to make them really fancy and an impressive dinner spread. A romantic dinner is all about enjoying food together, and you can even make the food together! Sushi is fun to make and the perfect anniversary dinner idea at home.
12. Braised Short Ribs
Short ribs tend to be one of those cuts of meat you only get at a restaurant because they seem daunting to make. These are so simple, and an absolute show stopper of a meal.
Rich and decadent, served over creamy polenta with an absolutely luscious red wine reduction sauce. Another wonderful meal you can make ahead and really impress someone you want to have a romantic dinner with.
13. Linguine with Clams
Seafood always says romance, it’s a delicacy and it’s expensive to buy so why not treat someone you love to a classic seafood pasta dish. Linguine with clams is one of those staples in so many different European cuisines.
It’s a simple sauce of white wine, lemon, garlic and fresh herbs that gets tossed with perfectly cooked linguine noodles and clams that have soaked up all the delicious liquid they were steamed in.
Finished with fresh lemon zest and a shower of parmesan cheese this dish is to die for.
14. Crab Cake
Speaking of seafood, perhaps the king of all seafood: Jumbo Lump Crab. Crab cakes are a labor of love, so they’re really the best thing for a nice romantic dinner at home.
This romantic dinner recipe is easy to follow and if you can find already cracked crab you’ll save yourself a lot of work.
Crab cakes go perfectly with a dry white wine and a nice fresh salad. All they need is a little lemon or cocktail sauce and you have the perfect plate of food.
15. New England Clam Chowder
Clam chowder may be one of the most comforting soups in American cuisine. It’s packed with seafood and bacon, potatoes and herbs with this really luscious creamy broth to bring it all together.
Clam chowder is a bit of a polarizing dish, some people love it or hate it.
If your sweetheart is a fan of the delicious soup, make it special for them! The soup can be made a day ahead of time and if really better the next day anyway as it lets the flavors meld together.
16. Cheesy Sausage Gnocchi
Comfort food at its finest. This dish is cheesy, comforting, sweet, a little spicy and so yummy with little gnocchi dumplings amid a delicious sauce. Romance means totally relaxed and loved and this dish will do just that!
The secret here is to make your life easier if you’re cooking, buy gnocchi already made.
It’s just as good as homemade and you can find it at most grocery stores. Simply make the sauce then add in your cooked gnocchi for a perfect meal.
17. Heart Shaped Pepperoni Pizza
Could there be anything more romantic and thoughtful than a heart shaped pizza!? This pizza really says I love you forever, especially if you put the work in to make your pizza dough truly heart shaped.
You can buy premade pizza dough at the store then simply shape and top!
You could even go the extra mile and put your love’s initials spelled out in pepperoni.
Serve this heart shaped pizza in a big pizza box for an extra surprise factor, and make a nice green salad alongside to round out the meal.
18. Caprese Steak
Caprese salad is one of those timeless and iconic flavor combinations you can put on just about anything and it’ll be good.
Chicken, toast, salad or how about steak!? These beautiful filets get topped with melty fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh tomato, gorgeous fresh basil leaves and an absolutely irresistible balsamic reduction glaze drizzled over top.
Sure to impress your love for a romantic dinner at home for two. Steak is the perfect vessel for these flavors because it soaks up the balsamic glaze so nicely and stays juicy and perfect with cheese and tomato on top.
19. Baked Salmon with Lemon
This is such an easy recipe you will no doubt make it for many dinner parties, but for a romantic dinner at home or an anniversary dinner at home recipe, this salmon is the ticket.
You can dress it up for a special occasion dinner by layering butter and lemon and fresh herbs all over top of the salmon filet and then bake in the oven for a perfect filet of fish.
The presentation is impressive as it’s a whole filet with beautiful roasted lemon butter sauce swimming all around it. Served with pasta or rice it’s a lovely meal to show someone you really love them.
20. Parmesan Risotto
Risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish that needs a lot of attention while you cook it. It’s one of those dishes that you always want to order at a restaurant because it’s more challenging to make at home! But that should not deter you from making this delicious dinner for a romantic dinner recipe.
The recipe isn’t hard other than the attention you must give to your risotto as you cook it, adding stock little by little till the consistency is perfectly creamy
. It’s a special dinner, perfect for someone you love. The parmesan and fresh herbs really round out the dish and you may just want to add risotto to your repertoire after making this romantic recipe.
21. Garlic Butter Prime Rib
True decadence is a whole juicy roasted prime rib, sliced at the table and served with all your favorite sides for a truly special meal.
This recipe for garlic butter prime rib will have anyone swooning over your cooking. It’s not difficult, it just takes time in the oven so plan ahead to roast for several hours.
The garlic butter sauce and rub on this meat is perfect alongside mashed potatoes, green beans or carrots and some hot dinner rolls dipped in the garlic butter. Serving a gorgeous prime rib for dinner, talk about romance!
22. Fettuccine alfredo for two
This dish will make you feel like you’re in Lady and the Tramp, slurping pasta with your crush and accidentally kissing at the end of a noodle. Aww, think how cute that would be!
The secret to this delicious pasta is making the sauce right before you serve the noodles.
It’s a simple cream sauce but it is so delicious and satisfying you are sure to make your loved one happy with this romantic dinner idea.
Garlic and cream come together with freshly grated parmesan all tossed with fettuccine for a simple and delightful romantic meal. Add some white wine and a green salad and you’re in business.
23. Chocolate Covered Strawberries
A romantic dinner for two at home would not be complete without dessert. Perhaps the most iconic romantic treat, seen on dozens of greeting cards and in dessert shops all over the world is the chocolate covered strawberry.
They are sexy, sweet, chocolatey, indulgent and just all around delicious. This recipe is so simple you’ll want these all the time, make them for a special romantic dinner and really round out a meal with the perfect sweet treat.
Simply dip ripe, beautiful strawberries into melted chocolate and lay out on parchment paper or wax paper. Then drizzle white chocolate over top for the perfect dessert.
24. Homemade Conversation Hearts
If you really want to make a whimsical, romantic treat, make these homemade conversation hearts for a valentines day party or romantic valentines day dinner.
They are simple enough to make ahead of time, then you can write personalized messages on the hearts to tell someone you love them in whatever way you want to.
Such a fun candy treat to give to your love and even decorate your table for your romantic dinner with them! You can say all kinds of things with these hearts, and it helps that they are also delicious.
25. Perfect Flank Steak
Romance doesn’t have to be complicated, and if you want to make a nice steak dinner for your sweetheart you don’t have to labor over prime rib or filet! Flank steak is a relatively inexpensive cut and it cooks really fast, is delicious and juicy, and can be flavored and seasoned any way you like.
Make this easy flank steak for a romantic dinner and serve with any sides you like, salad or potatoes or even make steak frites for a french inspired romantic dinner idea.
The secret to a perfect flank steak? Season at least an hour ahead of cooking and then grill it really hot and fast for a perfect doneness.
26. Clams and Linguine
There is something just really romantic about pasta with clams for a special dinner celebrating love, an anniversary or even a birthday. This recipe is so simple you’ll have no problem making it for a special occasion.
Clams get steamed in white wine and garlic till they are perfectly cooked, then you make a sauce with butter, lemon, freshly chopped herbs and salt and pepper.
The clams are tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for a classic and delightful dish of clams and linguine pasta.
27. Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie
Sweet treats are essential to any romantic dinner plans, dessert can really round out a meal in the perfect way and what is better to finish a meal then the perfect bite of chocolate, peanut butter and rich crumbly cookie.
These blossom cookies are so simple to make, you’ll be making them for more than just a dinner at home for two.
Hershey’s kisses on top of the peanut butter cookie make them extra romantic and the combination of chocolate and peanut butter just never goes wrong.
28. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Truly a Lady and the Tramp classic meal. Picture yourself in a little cafe in the Italian countryside. Sipping red wine and talking to the love of your life over a big steaming bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, you both go for the same noodle and at the end, a sweet kiss!
Spaghetti and meatballs is such a classic dish it’s perfect if your love is crazy about Italian food. You can make the meatballs ahead of time and even make extra and freeze them for another occasion.
The pasta sauce is a classic red sauce, guaranteed to make your loved one feel special on a date night dinner.
28 Easy Romantic Dinner Ideas
Ingredients
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts
- 6 tbsps unsalted butter
- 5 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
- All-purpose flour, for dredging
- 1/2 c chicken stock
- 1/4 c brined capers, rinsed
- 1/3 c fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/3 c fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Take chicken thighs and pat dry, season all over with salt and pepper, then dredge each thigh into flour and shake off any excess. Set aside
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter and olive oil. Once the pan is hot and butter melted, add in a couple of chicken thighs at a time, making sure not to crowd them in the pan. Cook till golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Add in more butter and olive oil
with each batch of chicken till all the chicken is golden brown and cooked. - Remove all the chicken from the pan, then to that same pan add lemon juice, chicken stock, and capers. Stir with a wooden spoon to get all the browned bits up from the chicken cooking and stir till simmering.
- Add the chicken back into the pan in the sauce, simmer for 5 minutes, then remove the chicken to a serving platter. Then add in the remaining 2 Tbsp butter and swirl to incorporate into the sauce.
- Taste for seasonings and pour the sauce over top of the chicken. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.