This post was updated on January 22, 2020 to reflect the most current information.
Believe it or not, Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Although our schedules are often busy with work, our kids’ after-school activities, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this holiday provides a fun excuse to plan a night out with our significant other — perhaps over a shared meal!
Even though the holiday falls on a weeknight, there are still plenty of opportunities to spend the evening with your Valentine and show them just how much they mean to you. And if you’re interested in treating your sweetheart to a delicious dish, Omaha makes it easy to impress!
We hand picked 14 of our favorite local restaurants that will make for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day this year. Are you looking for a more laid-back atmosphere or something more formal? Perhaps you’d rather avoid the busy restaurant scene and are looking to venture out for dessert and a nightcap instead. No matter your preference, there’s an option in town perfect for you!
Looking for an experience, instead? Here are 13 romantic experiences to book for Valentine’s Day in the Omaha area.
For The Casual Couple
Nosh Restaurant and Wine Lounge
Photos courtesy of Nosh Restaurant and Wine Lounge
Make your reservation on OpenTable.
Located within walking distance of the CenturyLink Center, Holland Performing Arts and TD Ameritrade Park, Nosh is the perfect place to visit after a show or event with your Valentine. Their atmosphere is sophisticated but comfortable, and the menu has everything from Chicken Chorizo Nachos to Rosemary Salmon. Increase the romance with one of the wines that secured them a spot on the Best of Omaha’s list for Best Wine Bar!
Dante Ristorante
Make your reservation on OpenTable.
Step inside Omaha’s first restaurant specializing in authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and rustic Italian cuisine this Valentine’s Day. Dante provides ingredient-driven dishes using fresh produce from Omaha area farmers. In Italian fashion, they have an impressive wine selection as well! You and your date can go casual with a handcrafted pizza or step it up a notch with Wood Roasted Scallops & Mushroom Risotto.
Little España
Make a reservation on the website.
We happen to think that tapas are the perfect date night choice! You get the chance to sample multiple tastes and get a little adventurous with your dinner. We suggest sampling the Empanadas de Pollo — a fried pastry stuffed with seasoned chicken and spicy aioli — with something a little more exciting, like Paella Sacramento — a classic Spanish dish comprised of shrimp, chicken, pork, calamari and mussels cooked in saffron. Try it all with a flavored mojito or Chocolate Martini!
For an Upscale Celebration
The Grey Plume
Photos courtesy of The Grey Plume
Make your reservation on OpenTable.
Highlighted as one of our favorite Omaha date night restaurants, The Grey Plume was also highlighted in Best of Omaha 2017 for having the best chef, Clayton Chapman. If you’re hoping to treat yourself and impress your date, it’s the place to be on Valentine’s Day. Their entire menu is seasonally driven with contemporary cuisine from locally-grown produce and livestock. Alongside the delicious food, they have carefully chosen wines, local craft brews, house cocktails and more.
The Boiler Room
Photo courtesy of The Boiler Room
Make your reservation on OpenTable.
Another of our favorite upscale date night choices, The Boiler Room is an Old Market favorite and has one of the most exciting and cozy atmospheres in downtown Omaha. They’ve maintained the history of their 120-year-old building with exposed brick, steel beams and girders, but modernized the space with art and chic details.
The decor is second only to their incredible menus. They strive for seasonal, local freshness which shows through in both their food and their specialty cocktails. Start out with a carefully crafted cheese board and continue with a seasonal entree and cocktail.
V. Mertz
Make your reservation on OpenTable.
V. Mertz is a small, locally owned restaurant located in the Old Market Passageway. As 2017’s Best Romantic Restaurant in Omaha, you can’t go wrong choosing it as your romantic backdrop this Valentine’s Day. They’re a contemporary American restaurant that emphasizes the use of local produce and meats in all their menu items.
The Flatiron Café
Make your reservation on OpenTable
The Flatiron Cafe has been happily serving the theater crowd, business travelers and those celebrating special occasions since 1995. Their extensive experience in fine dining and evolving menu makes them the perfect place to celebrate love this year. The restaurant’s extensive list of accomplishments and awards is too long to share here but includes a highlight in Eat Magazine’s Best Places to Eat in Nebraska and consecutive appearances on Best of Omaha lists.
For an Indulgent Dessert
Modern Love
Photos courtesy of Modern Love
Modern Love is one of the only all-vegan restaurants in Omaha and was highlighted on our list of Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly options in the area. If you’ve never tried meat-free fare, dessert is an excellent introduction — especially the amazing options at Modern Love. Choose from Fat Elvis Pie, Pear & Fig Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake and more!
Dolci Ice Cream & Desserts
At Dolci, you can get flavored soft serve, seasonal hot drinks and authentic Italian desserts and pastries — the perfect end to a romantic night. Their shop’s pastries are prepared locally by expert bakers using only authentic family recipes and the freshest ingredients.
The Cordial Cherry
Photos courtesy of The Cordial Cherry
The Cordial Cherry closes at 6 p.m. on weeknights so stop by early to stock up on after-dinner sweets. Decorated for the holiday, each cordial is made from scratch and hand-decorated so you’re sure to impress. Skip the box of chocolates and grab a case of these sweet treats!
For a Festive Nightcap
The Berry & Rye
Photo courtesy of The Berry & Rye / Dillon Gitano
Located in the heart of Old Market, The Berry & Rye is the perfect stop on your way home after a Valentine’s Day meal. Not only will you have an exciting experience in their lively atmosphere, but you’ll get to taste their artfully crafted cocktails. They create new masterpieces by merging pre-Prohibition era classics with experimental and contemporary techniques.
Krug Park
Krug Park has made it on Draft Magazine’s list of America’s 100 Best Beer Bars in America in 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. If you haven’t tried it yet, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity! Named after the 1900s Benson amusement park, Krug is now an amusement park for beer connoisseurs. It has over 50 beers on tap as well as must-try Bloody Marys and other spirits. Described as “bare-bulbed and old timey,” the atmosphere is sophisticated and the drinks are approachable.
Nite Owl
Nite Owl is open only to those 21 and older and stays open until 2 a.m., so you and your date will be able to celebrate late into the night with any of their seasonal cocktails! They also have punch and tonic on tap for the freshest mixes.
Herbe Sainte
Photos courtesy of Herbe Sainte
This new New Orleans-inspired cocktail bar is located in the heart of Aksarben Village and is bringing a flair to the area that was once only found in NOLA. Have a classic New Orleans sazerac drink and come back for brunch the next day for a coffee cocktail or Bloody Mary!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
We wish you and your Valentine the best this year. Let us know how you celebrate the romantic day and share your favorite date-night spots with us!