According to new OpenTable research, Valentine's Day dining is continuing to expand beyond tradition, as diners reimagine the holiday to celebrate more than just romantic connections. In fact, 57% of Americans believe Valentine's Day is becoming more about celebrating all relationships than just romantic, a trend led by 70% of Gen Z. The research also shows culinary compatibility emerging as a point of interest, with 55% of Americans saying shared food preferences play a meaningful role in connection.

Highlights from the research, alongside OpenTable data, revealed:

The new dining landscape:

• Friendship gets the spotlight: Last year, dining on Galentine's Day (February 13) increased 34% year-over-year per OpenTable data, as consumer research revealed 60% of Gen Z and 41% of all Americans are likely to celebrate Valentine's Day with friends instead of a romantic partner this year. As the holiday broadens in meaning, 43% of those celebrating Galentine's or Palentine's Day this year say they'll be soft-launching a new friendship.
• Solo dining = self love: More than half of Americans (58%) view solo dining on Valentine's Day as more socially acceptable than year's past, a belief most prominent among Gen Z (69%) and Millennials (68%). Last year, solo reservations on OpenTable rose 35% year-over-year, reinforcing the trend's momentum.
• V-Day goes group: 41% of Americans would consider going on a double date at a restaurant this Valentine's Day. This jumps to 50% among Gen Z, showing how younger diners are expanding the holiday to be more a more group-friendly, experience-first occasion.

How relationship dynamics play out in restaurants:

• Culinary compatibility: 55% of Americans say it's important to share food preferences or dining styles with their partner, including enjoying the same food and/or sharing plates. This rises 67% among Gen Z and 62% among Millennials.
• Dining red vs. green flags: It's not just about what's on the plate, it's about how you behave at the table. Some of the biggest dining red flags include rudeness to staff (79%), bad manners (77%) and lateness (65%), while leaving a generous tip (68%), complimenting service (64%), and offering to cover the bill (65%) are green flags that leave a lasting impression.

Find a restaurant you love on OpenTable's 2026 Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list

Americans spend an average of two hours and 14 minutes searching for the right Valentine's Day dining venue. This may be why some diners waited until the last minute: last year, 24% of OpenTable reservations were made within 48 hours and 14% within just 24 hours – but that procrastination may not have paid off, as diners set more 'Notify Me' alerts for Valentine's Day than any other holiday in 2025.

To help diners skip the search, OpenTable's Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America for 2026 offers standout options for every kind of celebration, compiled by analyzing more than nine million diner reviews, along with diner ratings, reservation trends and the percentage of five-star reviews. For additional inspiration, OpenTable's Valentine's Day hub features guides for first dates, a forever love, or a night out with friends.

The Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America for 2026 are (listed alphabetically by state):

Alabama

• Voyagers – Perdido Beach Resort – Orange Beach, AL

Arizona

• Cafe Monarch – Scottsdale, AZ
• Vivace Restaurant – Tucson, AZ

California

• Boulevard – San Francisco, CA
• FARM – Palm Springs, CA
• Gary Danko – San Francisco, CA
• Jeune et Jolie – Carlsbad, CA
• Mister A's – San Diego, CA
• Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch – Santa Barbara, CA
• Summit House – Fullerton, CA
• The Marine Room – San Diego, CA

Colorado

• Barolo Grill – Denver, CO
• Shanahan's Steakhouse – Denver, CO

Connecticut

• J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks & Seafood – Glastonbury, CT
• Millwright's Restaurant – Simsbury, CT

Florida

• Angelina's Ristorante – Bonita Springs, FL
• Bern's Steak House – Tampa, FL
• Charley's Steak House – Tampa, FL
• Collage Restaurant – St. Augustine, FL
• KRES Chophouse – Orlando, FL
• La Nouvelle – St. Augustine, FL
• Sails Restaurant – Naples, FL
• Sale e Pepe – Marco Island, FL
• Savour – Tallahassee, FL
• The Black Pearl – Dunedin, FL

Georgia

• Canoe – Atlanta, GA
• Marcel – Atlanta, GA
• The Olde Pink House – Savannah, GA

Hawaii

• Honu Oceanside – Lahaina, HI
• Merriman's – Lahaina, HI

Idaho

• Chandlers Steakhouse – Boise, ID

Illinois

• Geja's Cafe – Chicago, IL
• Meson Sabika – Naperville, IL
• Mon Ami Gabi – Chicago, IL
• North Pond – Chicago, IL

Indiana

• Vida – Indianapolis, IN

Kentucky

• Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano – Lexington, KY

Louisiana

• Irene's – New Orleans, LA

Maine

• Earth at Hidden Pond – Kennebunkport, ME

Maryland

• Osteria 177 – Annapolis, MD

Massachusetts

• Pellana Steakhouse – Peabody, MA
• Sorellina – Boston, MA

Michigan

• Leo's – Grand Rapids, MI

Minnesota

• Baldamar – Roseville, MN

Missouri

• Charlie Gitto's 'On the Hill' – St. Louis, MO

New Hampshire

• Ristorante Massimo – Portsmouth, NH

New Jersey

• 618 – Freehold, NJ
• Franklinville Inn – Franklinville, NJ
• Il Mulino New York – Atlantic City, NJ
• Washington Inn – Cape May, NJ

New Mexico

• Geronimo – Santa Fe, NM
• Sazon – Santa Fe, NM

Nevada

• Eiffel Tower – Las Vegas, NV
• Ferraro's Ristorante – Las Vegas, NV
• Ocean Prime – Las Vegas, NV
• Piero's Italian Cuisine – Las Vegas, NV

New York

• The Northport Hotel – Northport, NY
• The River Cafe – Brooklyn, NY

North Carolina

• JOLO Winery & Vineyards (EndPosts Restaurant) – Pilot Mountain, NC
• Ryan's Restaurant – Winston-Salem, NC
• Steak 48 – Charlotte, NC

Ohio

• BOCA – Cincinnati, OH
• Butcher & Rose – Columbus, OH
• Carlo & Johnny – Cincinnati, OH
• Cento – German Village – Columbus, OH
• Jag's Steak & Seafood – West Chester, OH
• Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse – Columbus, OH
• Lindey's – Columbus, OH
• Pier W – Cleveland, OH

Oregon

• RingSide Steakhouse – Portland, OR

Pennsylvania

• Alla Famiglia – Pittsburgh, PA
• Altius – Pittsburgh, PA
• Belvedere Inn Restaurant and Bar – Lancaster, PA
• Butcher & Singer – Philadelphia, PA
• Monterey Bay Fish Grotto – Pittsburgh, PA

Puerto Rico

• Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar – Old San Juan, PR

Rhode Island

• Boat House Waterfront Dining – Tiverton, RI
• White Horse Tavern – Newport, RI

South Carolina

• Charlie's Coastal Bistro – Hilton Head, SC

Tennessee

• Coastal Fish Company – Memphis, TN
• Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro – Townsend, TN
• Porch & Parlor Prime Steakhouse – Memphis, TN
• Sinatra Bar & Lounge – Nashville, TN

Texas

• Bohanan's Prime Steaks and Seafood – San Antonio, TX
• Jeffrey's Restaurant – Austin, TX
• Pappas Bros. Steakhouse – Houston, TX
• Perry's Steakhouse & Grille – Dallas, TX
• Truluck's – Austin, TX

Utah

• Log Haven – Salt Lake City, UT
• Ruth's Chris Steak House – Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia

• 2941 Restaurant – Falls Church, VA
• Bistro L'Hermitage – Woodbridge, VA
• Bookbinder's Seafood and Steakhouse – Richmond, VA
• L'Auberge Chez Francois – Great Falls, VA
• L'Opossum – Richmond, VA
• Le Yaca – Williamsburg, VA
• The Ivy Inn Restaurant – Charlottesville, VA

Washington

• Il Terrazzo Carmine – Seattle, WA
• The Pink Door – Seattle, WA

Wisconsin

• The Del-Bar – Wisconsin Dells, WI