The Best Valentine’s Day Restaurant Ideas

Going on a restaurant date is a top choice for couples on Valentine’s Day. What better way to celebrate their love other than with tasty food (and butterflies) in their belly? 

In fact, Valentine’s Day is the second busiest day of the year for restaurants. It’s a great occasion for chefs to showcase their creativity and stand out with their menus.  

It’s also an ideal opportunity for restaurants to impress clients with their care and attention to detail. 

So, we’re helping you come up with special Valentine’s Day menu ideas and restaurant promotions for lovers who appreciate the allure of fine food. 

Valentine’s Day Restaurant Ideas

On this special day, you want to make sure your restaurant is set up for couples to have an unforgettable romantic night out.  

Let’s look at some restaurant promotion ideas that will elevate your clients’ experience and help them enjoy their romantic date to the fullest.  

Set up a custom online reservation system 

An online reservation system doesn’t only make your team’s life easier, but it’s also an opportunity to impress your clients with your care for their needs.  

Offer your guests a memorable one-of-a-kind experience by including the option to add personalized requests.  

Whether it’s their favorite wine, a special dessert or something that will help them propose to their significant other, guests will appreciate your flexibility and willingness to help. 

A romantic décor 

We all know it by now: dim light, candlelit dinner, roses—all of these make couples feel like they’re on cloud nine. 
Here are just some ideas: 

• Put a red carpet at the entrance.
• Put a few flowers on the tables.
• Candles… candles everywhere (but make it safe!)
• If possible, have a dim red light turned on.
• A live band singing soft songs.
• Some tasteful romantic art on the walls. 

Create photo opportunities 

You know how it goes – your dishes will end up on a lot of social media accounts, so you should make sure it looks pretty. 

Creating an Instagrammable setting for your guests will not only delight them, but also increase your restaurant’s appeal through word-of-mouth marketing. 

Delight your guests with a setting and food plating that are photo-worthy and capture the vibe of your restaurant.  

Don’t forget to promote your special Valentine’s menu on social media. Take some high-quality photos of your romantic dishes and give your clients a sneak peek at what you have prepared for them.

Valentine’s Day Food Ideas

Appetizers

Appetizers are the very first dish your guests will enjoy once they’re in your restaurant, so let’s make it special. Appetizers should play into the overall ambition you have for the entire dinner course. 

This is a good dish to start getting creative with. Just make sure not to fill up your guests before the main course. Don’t forget to include Valentine’s Day-themed colors and shapes.  

Good appetizer ideas could be: 

• Clams casino with bacon and bell peppers 
• Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus with raspberry sauce 
• Classic eggplant caponata 

Whatever you choose, make sure you have a good drink to recommend with the food. 

Main course 

Now, here comes the fun! The possibilities are limitless. 

Do you have a signature dish you want to adapt to the Valentine’s Day theme? Do you have an innovative idea that will keep guests coming every year? Go for it. 

If you’re asking us, we’d love to share with you these Valentine’s Day food ideas: 

• Rosemary rack of lamb with roasted potatoes and carrots for two 
• Smoked haddock & hollandaise bake with dill & caper fried potatoes 
• Goat cheese tart with roasted eggplant, zucchini, and caramelized onions

Whatever you choose, make sure you have a good drink to recommend with the food.

Desserts 

Desserts are the pillar of a good Valentine’s Day menu. Not only will they make any sweet-tooth person happy, but they’re also an entertaining creative challenge for chefs. 

You can have fun crafting heart-shaped cookies, putting together a chocolate fondue, or preparing other classics such as lava cake and crème brulé. 

Or you can go for surprising, decadent desserts like this white chocolate panna cotta with stewed strawberries or this chocolate raspberry icebox cake. 

Finishing touches 

A great Valentine’s Day dish cannot be complete without the finishing touches. Taking extra care of the plating will enhance the beauty and flavor of your dish, impressing your clients. 

It’s also a great way to express your creativity and bring a unique touch to your menu.  

You can play around with colors, textures and flavors by adding fresh microgreens, fine herbs and edible flowers to your dishes.  

Romantic drinks 

Drinks are an essential item in your Valentine’s Day menu. This special occasion warrants a special drink, so make sure to upgrade your drinks menu and add some limited-edition cocktails on the list. 

Don’t hesitate to play around with vibrant colors and sweet flavors. Add a romantic name for your Valentine’s drinks and delight your guests with a seductive beverage.  

Make your menu irresistible with Riviera Produce 

A Valentine’s Day dinner can’t be successful without fresh produce in your dishes. With high quality ingredients, your dishes will impress and enchant clients with their rich taste.  

We know you have enough on your plate already. That’s why Riviera will source all the produce you want from the best local farmers and deliver it right to your kitchen without you even lifting a finger.  

We source wholesale produce responsibly to NYC’s Five Boroughs, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.  

Offer your clients a memorable Valentine’s experience with Riviera Produce!