The Most Romantic Restaurants In Columbus

Updated: July 16, 2026

I’m a big believer in love.

And romance. And butterflies. Really all of it. I just love love, what can I say? And there’s no better way to say “I love you” than by treating your partner to an incredible night out. We have some very romantic restaurants here in Columbus, each with its own unique vibe.

Maybe you’re planning a Valentine’s dinner, maybe it’s an anniversary, maybe you just want to make a great third-date impression. Any of these will be the right backdrop for the night. Every one was open and serving as of July 2026, and they’re all places I’d book myself.

The most romantic restaurants in Columbus, at a glance

The Refectory

Nothing says romance quite like France. And sure, a surprise trip to Paris would be the most romantic ever. But if you’re on the hunt for a more realistic date night, you can head to The Refectory. For decades, this fine dining restaurant has been wowing Columbus foodies and serving as the backdrop to romantic nights out. The menu is impeccable and the wine options are fantastic.
Location: 1092 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220
Website: The Refectory
Perfect for: a milestone splurge on the northwest side.
Reserve: Book a table on OpenTable

Chouette

If romance had a taste, it would probably be found at Chouette. This chic and intimate French-inspired restaurant offers a beautifully curated menu and an effortlessly elegant atmosphere. Pro tip: don’t skip the gougères. They are the most heavenly cheese filled puffed pastries.
Location: 66 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Chouette
Perfect for: an intimate, chic second date downtown.
Reserve: Book a table on OpenTable

The Top

If Old Hollywood glam is what you think of when you think of romance, then you should head to The Top. It’s the kind of place where you expect to see a mid-century movie star stroll through the door at any second, with the perfect mood lighting, amazing cocktails, and the best steak you’ll eat in Columbus.
Location: 2891 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209
Website: The Top Steak House
Perfect for: an old-school steak date, just over the line in Bexley.

‘plas

Modern and understated, ‘plas is a great place for a romantic evening out. You can stroll through the Short North to work up an appetite, then treat yourselves to one of the best charcuterie boards in the city. Throw in some wine and you’ve got the makings of a perfect evening.
Location: 21 E 5th Ave Suite 101, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: ‘plas food + drink
Perfect for: wine and charcuterie in Italian Village.
Reserve: Book a table on OpenTable

Barcelona

Barcelona is romantic any time of year, but there’s something especially magical about their patio in the summer. It’s the ideal place to have a date that starts with a slow summer sunset and feels like it could last all night long. Start with tapas and cocktails and see where the night leads.
Location: 263 E Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43206
Website: Barcelona
Perfect for: patio season in German Village.
Reserve: Book a table on OpenTable

Lindey’s

Lindey’s has been German Village’s special-occasion restaurant for decades, and it still knows exactly what it is: white tablecloths, dark wood and brass, and a courtyard that OpenTable once ranked among the best patios in the country. The menu is American surf-and-turf done properly. Go in summer and ask for a table outside.
Location: 169 E Beck St, Columbus, OH 43206
Website: Lindey’s
Perfect for: a classic white-tablecloth anniversary in German Village.
Reserve: Book a table on OpenTable

Veritas

Dinner at Veritas is cozy, and intimate, and it feels perfectly curated. If a seamless, multi-course meal is your definition of romance, then a date at this gem is an absolute must. But I should warn you, you’ll be setting the bar really, really high for all future romantic dinners.
Location: 11 W Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Veritas
Perfect for: a big-occasion tasting menu downtown.
Reserve: Book a table on Tock

VASO

It’s hard not to feel the love when you’re dining at a rooftop restaurant with sweeping views and killer sunsets. VASO is one of my favorite date night spots around, and even though it’s not technically in Columbus, there’s no way I wasn’t mentioning this place. If you can time your days with the sunset, I promise you’ll be impressed.
Location: 6540 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH 43017
Website: VASO
Perfect for: sunset drinks on the rooftop in Dublin.
Reserve: Book a table on OpenTable

Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge

I’m kind of obsessed with the instantly glamorous mood at Ginger Rabbit. This glitzy jazz club is the perfect place to grab some bites for sharing and some cocktails. The music is great and the ambiance is everything you want on a romantic night out on the town.
Location: 17 Buttles Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Ginger Rabbit
Perfect for: a late date over jazz and cocktails in the Short North.
Reserve: Reserve a table

Butcher & Rose

Butcher & Rose does the modern steakhouse thing inside the Hotel LeVeque, and the room is built for a date. Plush seating, dim lighting, an upscale menu. Order a bold red and a filet and you’ll want to linger a while.
Location: 155 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Butcher & Rose
Perfect for: a dressed-up night downtown.
Reserve: Book a table on OpenTable

Pelino’s Pasta

Maybe it’s too much movie influence, but there’s something that just feels so romantic about Italian restaurants. You don’t have to share your spaghetti, you can each get your own mind-blowing dish, enjoy the candlelit tables with a glass of wine, and have the perfect date night at Pelino’s. Both the food and the vibes are authentic, and that’s priceless. The team just opened a second spot, Caffe Pelino, in the Short North.
Location: 245 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Pelino’s Pasta
Perfect for: a low-key, candlelit pasta night near Victorian Village.
Reserve: Book a table on OpenTable

Basi Italia

Basi Italia sits on a quiet Victorian Village side street, a small room that’s exactly right for a low-key date. The Italian menu changes with the season, the pasta is handmade, and in warm months the little patio out back seats maybe a dozen people, so it’s worth angling for. It’s a small, dinner-only spot, so make a reservation.
Location: 811 Highland St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Basi Italia
Perfect for: a quiet date on a Victorian Village side street.
Reserve: Reserve a table

Third and Hollywood

Third and Hollywood sits in Grandview, and in winter the big stone fireplace and low candlelight make it one of the coziest date tables in town. The menu leans on locally sourced meats and seafood, and the room manages to feel upscale without feeling stuffy. Come for dinner, or book the Sunday jazz brunch if you’d rather start your date early.
Location: 1433 W 3rd Ave, Grandview Heights, OH 43212
Website: Third and Hollywood
Perfect for: a cozy fireplace table in Grandview.

Romantic restaurants in Columbus: FAQ

What is the most romantic restaurant in Columbus?

For a classic special-occasion night, it’s hard to beat The Refectory, a longtime fine-dining spot in a former church with a French menu and a serious wine list. If you want something newer and more intimate, Chouette downtown and Veritas both do the candlelit, multi-course thing beautifully.

Where should I go for an anniversary dinner in Columbus?

Book Veritas or The Refectory for a multi-course meal you’ll be talking about later, or Lindey’s in German Village if you want white-tablecloth charm and, in summer, a courtyard table. All three take reservations, and you’ll want one.

What is the best rooftop restaurant for a date near Columbus?

VASO, on top of the AC Hotel in Dublin. Time your reservation for sunset over the Scioto and the view does half the work. It’s a short drive out, but it earns it.

Where is a good place to propose in Columbus?

Somewhere with a quiet table and a little drama: The Refectory, a sunset seat at VASO, or the jazz-and-cocktails glow of Ginger Rabbit. Call ahead and tell them what you’re planning. Most of these places will help you pull it off.

What about a romantic dinner that is not a splurge?

You don’t need a tasting menu. ‘plas does one of the best charcuterie-and-wine nights in the city, Pelino’s Pasta is candlelit and affordable, and Barcelona’s tapas let you share a great meal for less.