Planning the perfect first date can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but fear not! We have carefully curated a list of top-notch locations to help you impress your special someone on your next first date in Dallas. Whether you're seeking a romantic ambiance, thrilling activities, or delectable dining experiences, DFW has you covered, and so do we! Join us as we explore the finest first-date destinations that Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer.
1. monarch
Perched above it all, 49 stories up in the middle of Downtown, sits one of the loveliest spots in town, Monarch. Your dinner will be deliciously over the top at Monarch, and it starts with the glass of champagne they give you ON THE ELEVATOR UP TO THE RESTAURANT. Once you get to your table or the bar, your breath will be taken away with the sweeping views of our city, and when your meal arrives, again, breathless. Remember to breathe in between those two points, and you'll be fine. We love the pasta with decadent crab legs as well as the steak and truffles here.
2. cidercade
The Dallas Design District plays host to another of our favorite haunts that mix a good drink with a great dose of arcade-style nostalgia. We love the Cidercade, and so will you! They have expanded with a location in Fort Worth and will soon open one in Arlington, but the original is one of the spots on this list we keep going back to. $10 admission gets you unlimited play on more than 140 arcade machines, and frequent flyers can save even more money by signing up for a $15 monthly membership.
3. the Glen
Located at the Star in Frisco, The Glen is an elevated, but super-fun restaurant, and it's perfect for a girl’s day or date night! The floral ambiance is beautiful and makes a great place to take Instagramable photos! The shareable drinks are so huge you will need at least 3 other friends to drink it all with! If you’re not in the mood to share, we recommend the “Flirt Bird” cocktail that comes with an adorable rubber ducky on top! They also have live aerial shows that are unlike anything you'll see at any other restaurant in town!
4. coupes
If you're going for drinks on your next first date, try Coupes in Highland Park. The pastel aesthetic sets a classy vibe, and the champagne flows freely at this joint. They have a rotating selection of 15 champagnes and sparkling wines by the glass as well as 50 labels by the bottle. You're transported into a beautiful mid-century daydream when you walk in, complete with a gorgeous pink quartz bar. The small bites menu is great, too, including the house signature small plate gruyere gougères (cheese puffs), fried chicken Provençal, and a foie gras parfait.
5. sassetta
This Italian hotspot inside the Joule Hotel downtown is perfect for an elegant evening out. If your date happens to be a pasta lover (serious red flag if they're not, by the way), this place is sure to impress! Italian chic meets modern romance with the stunning decor. The glass windows overlook Main St, so it's the perfect spot for sidewalk dining when the weather is nice. They make all pastas and pizzas in house, so they are fresh and delicious! Our faves include the Bevilo Tutto, the Lobster Fra Diavolo and the Tagliatelle Bolognese.
6. the finch
The Finch is a neighborhood grill and raw bar located in Mockingbird Station, and it is one of our faves, for sure. If you're starting your night out with a relaxed Happy Hour, they've got several half-priced cocktails Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m., but their dinner menu is just exquisite. This is the freshest-tasting seafood in the area, and the rest of the menu is so versatile, there's truly something for everyone! Lunch date? Try the Japanese A5 Katsu sandwich, and thank us later!
7. Ramble Room
The Ramble Room in Snider Plaza is where stunning interiors meet a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, and the incredible menu ties it all together! This hidden gem is the perfect spot for Dallas foodies seeking a vibrant dining experience without compromising on comfort. Step inside and be greeted by beautiful yet casual aesthetics that set the stage for a memorable evening. But the charm doesn’t stop there. For those spring nights when a chill fills the air, their gorgeous patio with a cozy fireplace is the ideal setting to unwind and enjoy good company.
8. sushi kadan
Walking into Carrollton's Sushi Kadan, you're met with a cool, dimly lit interior. The three faux cherry blossom trees in the dining room provide the really cute Japanese picnic vibes that are a perfect compliment to the perfect sushi dinner you're about to impress your first date with. The menu at Sushi Kadan consists of Japanese classics such as chicken teriyaki, tempura, and yakisoba and udon noodles, with plenty of tofu dishes as well.
9. Revolver Taco Lounge
Talk about hidden in plain site! We’ve walked through Deep Ellum plenty of times and never knew this gem was tucked away in a popular Taco Shop! Did you know Revolver Taco Lounge has a hidden backroom where they host a Chef’s Tasting for up to 8 people? This intimate dinner is nothing short of amazing! Chef Rojas prepares each course right in front of you, and every dish is unique and perfectly executed!
10. Four day weekend comedy show
The longest-running improv comedy show in the Southwest lives in Dallas (and in Fort Worth, too)! Do yourself and your date a favor and go see them — then go again — because no two Four Day Weekend shows are ever the same! Tickets are just $25 apiece and YOU get to submit creative words and phrases to be incorporated throughout the show! Take your mom, take your roommate, your friend or your plus-1 and we promise you won’t regret it.
11. Seapot
Seapot in Plano has one of the best hotpot deals in town: $25 all-you-can-eat! Choose between just Hot Pot, and Korean BBQ, or get both if you have the appetite for it! You're the architect of your own hot pot when you choose your ingredients fresh off their fancy conveyor belt! You also get to customize your own unique Korean BBQ sauce, too. Everything on the menu is all-you-can-eat so be sure to come hungry!
12. candle-making at malibu apothecary
Create a signature scent while learning the basics of fragrance composition, all while enjoying complimentary light bites, at Malibu Apothecary in the Design District. Each class is about two and a half hours, and you get to choose your favorite jar as a starting point, then get started pouring your own clean, custom candle with coconut, soy wax and your favorite ingredient! You'lll also be able to design a personalized label, and it's BYOB! Cost is $57.
Add them all to The Love List✨
