Valentine’s Day is not the night to wing it. This is not the time for “we’ll see where the night takes us” energy. This is a high-stakes dinner. A memory-maker. A place where the lighting matters, the vibes are right, and the food does not betray you.
If you’re searching for the most romantic restaurants in Columbus and Central Ohio for Valentine’s Day, you’re probably trying to avoid two things: awkward silence and immediate regret. Respect.
These are the restaurants that get it. The ones that feel intimate without being weird about it. Special without being stiff. Romantic without screaming “WE ARE HERE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY.” Whether you’re celebrating something brand new, something long-term, or just using this as an excuse to eat really well, these spots absolutely deliver.
Romantic Restaurants in Columbus and Central Ohio
The Refectory
📍 1092 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220
The Refectory does not rush you. It does not yell. It quietly flexes.
This place feels like slipping into a different country for a few hours. Executive Chef Richard Blondin is a Lyon native, and that French influence is baked into everything here… from the food to the pacing of the meal. It’s elegant without being intimidating and refined without ever feeling stiff.
Add in one of the best wine cellars in Ohio (700+ bottles), service that actually feels thoughtful, and a dining room that encourages lingering, and you’ve got one of the most classic romantic dinners in Central Ohio for a reason.
Pelino’s Pasta
📍 245 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
I genuinely don’t understand how someone could leave Pelino’s unhappy… It’s like being mad at sunshine.
Every ingredient is sourced directly from Italy, the menu changes monthly, and the vibes feel more like joining a very stylish Italian family than going out to dinner. And then there’s the Cacio e Pepe… finished tableside inside a wheel of melting Pecorino Romano.
It’s dramatic. It’s delicious. It’s absolutely emotional.
If your Valentine loves authenticity, carbohydrates, and moments that feel special without feeling stuffy, Pelino’s is an absolute no-brainer.
Speck Italian Eatery
📍 89 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Speck is one of those dinners you remember long after the plates are cleared.
Moody lighting, an intimate dining room, and a menu that feels thoughtful and intentional from start to finish. This is modern Italian done right… elevated, cozy, and quietly impressive.
If you want a Valentine’s Day dinner that feels intimate but still downtown-cool, Speck nails that balance perfectly. Extra bonus points if you sit at the bar facing the kitchen… Talk about mesmerizing!
Mitchell’s Ocean Club
📍 4002 Easton Station, Columbus, OH 43219
Let’s clear something up. You can have incredible seafood in Columbus. Mitchell’s Ocean Club proves that loudly.
From the smoking seafood tower to lobster tails, king crab legs, Chilean sea bass, and a bone-in ribeye (which is the best cut of steak of all time, btw), this place does not miss. Even people who claim they “don’t love seafood” suddenly change their tune here.
It’s polished, indulgent, and perfect for couples whose idea of romance includes champagne, oysters, and ordering dessert even though you’re definitely already full.
Basi Italia
📍 811 Highland St, Columbus, OH 43215
If you like your Valentine’s Day with a large serving of intimacy, it doesn’t get any more intimate than Basi Italia. This restaurant is located in a tiny house in the gorgeous Victorian Village neighborhood, tucked in a back alley.
It’s so hidden that when you step inside, Basi feels like someone just let you in on a secret.
A very cozy, very DELICIOUS secret.
The lighting is warm, the tables are close, and the energy is effortlessly romantic.
Also, the eggplant parm. It’s served with pesto AND marinara. Life-changing. No notes. It’s obviously better than any chicken parm you’ve ever had.
If you want an intimate, cozy Valentine’s Day dinner that feels personal and special, this is it.
[’plas]
📍 21 E 5th Ave #101, Columbus, OH 43201
This one feels like you’re discovering something but you’re too scared to tell anybody because you want to keep it all for yourself.
[’plas] is quietly one of the most exciting dining experiences in Columbus, hiding in plain sight in the Short North. The food is inventive, thoughtful, and absolutely on a different level. It’s the kind of place that makes you pause mid-bite.
If Ohio ever lands on the Michelin map, this spot is ready. For Valentine’s Day, it’s ideal for couples who love discovery, creativity, and feeling slightly ahead of the curve.
Agni
📍 716 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
Agni is not “fine dining” in the stuffy sense. It’s fun dining. Bold dining. Rule-breaking dining.
Chef Avishar Barua brings together global influences, playful creativity, and serious technical skill in a tasting menu that somehow feels elevated and relaxed at the same time. The room buzzes. The food surprises. The experience sticks with you.
For couples who want a Valentine’s Day dinner that feels exciting, memorable, and totally unique, Agni is unmatched.
Butcher & Rose
📍 155 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
If your idea of romance includes steak knives and red wine, you’re going to love this.
Butcher & Rose balances power and polish in the best way. It’s a bold, modern steakhouse with just enough drama to make it fun. Gorgeous space, top-tier cuts, and an energy that feels upscale without feeling uptight.
This is the move for couples who want a confident, indulgent Valentine’s Day dinner that doesn’t mess around.
The Guild House
📍 624 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
I’ve been to The Guild House for just about every occasion imaginable, and it has never let me down.
The menu is creative American comfort done beautifully, the ingredients are thoughtful, and the space itself is modern without being cold or boring. From tuna tartare to Eggs Benedict to dinner entrées galore, they just know what they’re doing.
It’s romantic without trying too hard. Effortlessly cool. And a great pick if you want something elevated but approachable.
Astra Rooftop
📍 517 Park St, Columbus, OH 43215
This is a newcomer on the list, but they have absolutely earned their spot thanks to their cool vibes, view, and jaw-dropping menu.
How jaw dropping are we talking?
You can get a FLAMING TOMAHAWK steak (yes, FLAMING) that’s 32 ounces and serves 2-3 people, an Ahi Tuna Tower, and even a FLAMING DONUT TREE! All with great views and good vibes. A true underrated gem.
Astra Rooftop understood the assignment and then added fire.
Flaming tomahawk steak. Flaming donut tree. City views. Cocktails. Vibes.
Why These Romantic Restaurants are Perfect
Valentine’s Day dinner should feel special. Not rushed. Not boring. And definitely not somewhere you’ll forget two weeks later.
Any one of these Columbus restaurants will absolutely deliver the romance, the atmosphere, and the kind of meal that turns into a memory. Now all that’s left is making the reservation before everyone else reads this too…
Date Ideas
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