Best romantic restaurants in Lexington: 14 dining spots to celebrate Valentine’s Day

Dahlia Ghabour
·7 min read

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and with it the excuse to celebrate all kinds of love. Pink hearts and candies, flower arrangements, chocolates and romantic dining are on the list — but where will you go to celebrate?

Here’s a guide and list to some of the best romantic restaurants in Lexington to take your special someone — or, if you’d prefer a cozy night in, you can order carryout or delivery instead at some places. Some of these local dining spots will also have specials for the occasion, so be sure to ask for those to make your evening even more unforgettable.

Lexington’s most romantic restaurants

This guide can also be used outside of Valentine’s Day. All of these restaurants are also known for being local favorites for a date night. Their intimate and elegant fine dining attributes highlights some of the best romantic dining Lexington has to offer.

The dining room at Bella Cafe & Grille at 890 E. High St. in Lexington makes for a cozy and intimate dining experience.
The dining room at Bella Cafe & Grille at 890 E. High St. in Lexington makes for a cozy and intimate dining experience.

Bella Café and Grille

▪ Chevy Chase: 890 East High St., 859-785-1922; Palomar: 3901 Fountain Blue Ln., 859-303-8706; bellacafeandgrille.com

This local restaurant has a cozy winter menu all ready to go for the holidays. Try some mushroom cream soup, halibut, filet mignon and more. There’s a special prix-fixe menu for the Valentine’s holiday weekend heaped with crab, caviar, and a decadent raspberry curd eclair as well. Even so, this well-lit and homey restaurant won’t break the bank for your trip plus they accept reservations.

Bella Notte on Nicholasville Road sets the mood for a “beautiful night” for customers.
Bella Notte on Nicholasville Road sets the mood for a “beautiful night” for customers.

Bella Notte

▪ 3715 Nicholasville Rd.; 859-245-1789; bellalexington.com

An unassuming exterior hides a lovely vintage dining room here, with an exposed ceiling, rustic bar, moody string lighting and even a lit tree. Bella Notte makes pasta in-house and offers classic Italian dishes with great ambiance for your holiday.

The 40 oz. porterhouse steak for two includes four sides at the Blue Heron Steakhouse.
The 40 oz. porterhouse steak for two includes four sides at the Blue Heron Steakhouse.

Blue Heron Steakhouse

▪ 185 W. Jefferson St.; 859-254-2491; blueheronsteakhouse.com

You can’t go wrong with a classic Southern steakhouse with premium cuts of beef, fresh seafood, an extensive wine list and more. Try some savory baked brie and the Porterhouse steak for two for your romantic night out. The restaurant’s dark wood and and fireplace add just the right level of ambiance. Reservations recommended.

Coles 735 Main features an inventory of 1,110 wines and 225 selections.
Coles 735 Main features an inventory of 1,110 wines and 225 selections.

Coles 735 Main

▪ 735 E. Main St.; 859-266-9000; coles735main.com

Think “everything done in-house” for this dining experience. Meats cured; vegetables picked that day; bread baked fresh each day kind of dining experience. On the winter menu is a truffle-infused lobster bisque, warm brussels and house-made bacon salad, a hearty Moroccan butternut squash stew and of course, center-cut filet mignon. Plus, Restaurant Guru voted Cole’s “Best Romantic Restaurant” in 2019 and last year it was honored for its stellar wine selection. Reservations recommended.

Looking for a perfect Valentine’s Day drink? How about their Manhattan, The Perfect Rose.
Looking for a perfect Valentine’s Day drink? How about their Manhattan, The Perfect Rose.

Dudley’s on Short

▪ 259 W. Short St. Ste. 125; 859-252-1010; dudleysonshort.com

Make sure you call ahead to reserve at this restaurant, because it’s a quite popular romantic dinner spot. Dudley’s offers chef’s nightly specials, so check the website to see which mouth-watering dishes you’ll be in for, all made with local foods and fine ingredients. Red walls, gallery spaces and warm lighting make this spot a go-to for a special evening. For Valentine’s Day, they will have a special three-course dinner for $85 per person.

Giuseppe’s has been a Lexington favorite for more than 25 years with many customer favorite dishes and live jazz music every night.
Giuseppe’s has been a Lexington favorite for more than 25 years with many customer favorite dishes and live jazz music every night.

Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano

▪ 4456 Nicholasville Rd.; 859-272-4269; giuseppeslexington.com

Go down a tree-lined street to find this Italian restaurant known for its pasta dishes, fresh fish and seafood and extensive wine list. The knowledgeable staff is happy to help assist with pairings for your evening, so don’t skip it. Dishes like lobster ravioli, sea bass and lobster tail fettuccine Alfredo are popular here, as is the live music.

Holly Hill Inn in Midway is now the flagship of Ouita and Chris Michel’s restaurant family. They also own five other restaurants.
Holly Hill Inn in Midway is now the flagship of Ouita and Chris Michel’s restaurant family. They also own five other restaurants.

Holly Hill Inn

▪ 426 N. Winter Street, Midway; 859-846-4732; hollyhillinn.com

Enjoy a taste of the South with the classic Holly Hill Inn. This venue’s towering white columns make a great statement photo backdrop, and white tablecloth dining is available both indoors and on their charming outdoor patio. Holly Hill’s welcomeness earned them a prestigious honor recently. The restaurant was named a semifinalist for a James Beard Award in the Outstanding Hospitality category.

But if you can’t get a reservation or you don’t feel like going out, you can simply pick up an intimate dinner for two to celebrate this year as well. This year’s $95 menu includes meals for two, all packed cold with reheating instructions.

Fried Chicken with buttermilk rind fried hot chicken, corn tomato relish, cabbage, slaw and fried leeks at Castle Farm at The Kentucky Castle.
Fried Chicken with buttermilk rind fried hot chicken, corn tomato relish, cabbage, slaw and fried leeks at Castle Farm at The Kentucky Castle.

The Kentucky Castle

▪ 230 Pisgah Pike; 859-256-0322; thekentuckycastle.com

What could be more romantic than dining in a castle ballroom? With an elegant gold-and-white color scheme and crown molding, this venue will make anyone feel like royalty. The Kentucky Castle’s Valentine’s Day menu is a four-course dinner for $125 per guest — or, you can check out the Murder Mystery dinners, each of which are loosely romance themed for the month. After the holiday, check out a Galentine’s Day cookie decorating class on Feb. 18 with Jillian Mora of A Traveling Cupcake. Contact for reservations.

Le Deauville is a traditional French bistro in downtown Lexington.
Le Deauville is a traditional French bistro in downtown Lexington.

Le Deauville

▪ 199 N. Limestone; 859-321-7191; ledeauvillebistro.com

No one knows how to do romantic dining like the French. Call for reservations for this special site, where you can experience a true French onion soup, duck leg confit, beef carpaccio and savory mussels. The inside might look a bit more casual, but the food is far from it.

The Limewater is the signature drink at Limewater at 900 Wilkinson Blvd. in Frankfort, Ky. The drink is made with Castle and Key gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, aquafaba and basil.
The Limewater is the signature drink at Limewater at 900 Wilkinson Blvd. in Frankfort, Ky. The drink is made with Castle and Key gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, aquafaba and basil.

The Limewater Bistro

▪ 900 Wilkinson Blvd., Frankfort; 502-234-2346; limewaterbistro.com

This stylish bistro on the Kentucky River is well-worth the drive. The restaurant’s dreamy interior will certainly put you in the mood, as will the ambiance and classy Valentine’s specials, which include a mouth-watering beef bourguignon made with dark beer-braised locally-sourced Berry Beef short rib, egg noodles and stew vegetables. Make sure to check out the extensive drink list, too. Reservations can be made online.

A staple of Lexington fine dining, Merrick Inn will offer a special Valentine’s Day menu featuring nine entrees for $75 per person.
A staple of Lexington fine dining, Merrick Inn will offer a special Valentine’s Day menu featuring nine entrees for $75 per person.

Merrick Inn Restaurant

▪ 1074 Merrick Dr.; 859-269-5417; themerrickinn.com

What about a fine dining restaurant focused on Southern cuisine for your special evening? This classy dining spot is known for its mood lighting and real fireplaces, as well as for its decadent dishes and white tablecloth service. They have a special Valentine’s Day dinner menu, reservations will fill fast.

For Valentines Day weekend, Shakertown will host four experiences exploring the naughtier side of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill at the landmark settlement in Harrodsburg.
For Valentines Day weekend, Shakertown will host four experiences exploring the naughtier side of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill at the landmark settlement in Harrodsburg.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

▪ 3501 Lexington Rd. 859-734-5411; shakervillageky.org

Sure, you could make a reservation for a romantic meal at The Trustee’s Table, the restaurant at Shakertown. But you could also shake things up with a day trip or overnight stay at the charming Shaker Village for the weekend. This landmark destination offers an unplugged, fresh-air adventure, with plenty to do and see. There’s also a cookie decorating workshop on Feb. 15 and an overnight stay special package if you choose to try that. But if you really want spice things up, one experience explores the naughtier side of life at Pleasant Hill and what temptation and sin they faced. Naughty at Night evenings on Feb. 14 and 15 will start with forbidden foods, including a Shaker Village signature cocktail.

The jumbo lump crab cake at Tony’s of Lexington, considered to be the best in Lexington, is baked and served with house-made mustard aioli and hot smoked paprika.
The jumbo lump crab cake at Tony’s of Lexington, considered to be the best in Lexington, is baked and served with house-made mustard aioli and hot smoked paprika.

Tony’s of Lexington

▪ 401 W. Main St.; 859-955-8669; tonysoflexington.com

If you’re looking for an excuse to dress up, elegant attire is strongly encouraged when dining at Tony’s, as are reservations. This luxury steakhouse offers fine dining without pretension in an expansive, modern dining room. Choose your favorite cut of steak and a cocktail and embark on a delicious evening. Their jumbo lump crab cake is considered by many to be the best in Lexington.

Vazzoli’s in Versailles, is fine dining, along the lines of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse and Tony’s in Lexington with price points to match.
Vazzoli’s in Versailles, is fine dining, along the lines of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse and Tony’s in Lexington with price points to match.

Vallozzi’s

▪ 108 Court St. in Versailles; 859-682-5120; Vallozis.com

If you’re looking for cozy atmosphere and beautiful aesthetics, take a drive to downtown Versailles and visit Vallozzi’s in the former police station. Upscale Italian food is on the menu with fresh ingredients flown in from Italy.

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