To help diners discover the perfect backdrop for any celebration of love, OpenTable is sharing tips and resources, including date-night and city guides and its just-debuted list of the Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America for 2024.
The list includes two restaurants in Rhode Island, which are both located in Newport – Chanterelle (formerly named Bouchard’s Restaurant and Inn) and the White Horse Tavern.
Looking next door, no restaurants in Massachusetts made the list, and two made the list in Connecticut – J. Gilbert’s Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood in Glastonbury and Millwright’s Restaurants in Simsbury.
Created by analyzing over 12 million diner reviews and metrics, including ratings and the percentage of restaurant reviews diners tagged as “romantic,” the list is perfect for couples or anyone seeking a cozy atmosphere.
According to a survey commissioned by OpenTable, Valentine’s Day is no longer just for couples: Americans will consider dining out with family (18%) or friends (15%) this year. This trend is backed by OpenTable data: last year, nearly ⅓ of Valentine’s Day dining (32%) was solo diners and groups (parties of 3+).2
Valentine’s Day dining trends
- The hottest Valentine’s Day reservation isn’t just the 14th: Like 2023, Valentine’s Day falls midweek – if last year’s trends are any indication, diners will compete for hot tables on the Saturdays before and after the holiday. For a better shot at securing that coveted reservation, look for tables on Thursday, February 15th or Friday, February 16th.5
- Americans plan to spend the same or more as last year: 70% of those surveyed plan to spend the same or more on Valentine’s Day than last year.1 OpenTable data also suggests diners will splurge for the occasion: in 2023, diners spent more on Valentine’s Day than any other holiday.4
- People want experiences > gifts: 28% of survey respondents hope to receive an experience this Valentine’s Day, edging out the 23% who want a tangible gift.1 Search OpenTable Experiences to find special offerings like a 4-course dinner at A16 in San Francisco or a romantic lobster dinner at Koloman in NYC.
Tips to discover the perfect Valentine’s Day venue
- Book before February 9th: In 2023, the majority (52%) of reservations were made at least 6 days out, so book before February 9th to increase your chances of securing that hot table.7
- Set an alert: For diners whose top spot is already booked, they can try their luck with OpenTable’s “Notify Me” feature, but competition could be fierce: last year, diners set 13x the number of alerts on Valentine’s Day compared to non-holidays.6
- Check out OpenTable’s filters: For the 20% of survey respondents who said they find “the cost” most stressful when planning where to dine on Valentine’s Day, OpenTable’s price filters can help diners discover the perfect venue for any budget.1
“Valentine’s Day dining is changing – it’s more inclusive for friends and families, and celebrations are extending beyond February 14th,” said Steve Sintra, SVP, US Restaurant Sales & Services. “Book before February 9th, which is when the race for Valentine’s Day reservations really heats up, or celebrate at off-peak dates for the best shot of scoring your desired reservation.”
OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants List
Whether seeking an intimate spot with candlelit ambiance or a lively atmosphere with stunning views, there’s a restaurant for everyone on OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list. This year, it spans 34 states and Washington D.C. and once again, California takes the top spot with 12 restaurants, followed by Florida with seven.
See the full list of restaurants by state here – Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America.