Date night: Discover the 6 most romantic restaurants in Tucson

Going out to dinner will always be an important part of date night. You’re enjoying tasty food in an elegant setting and hopefully making lasting memories to boot.

If you and your significant other are looking to spend quality time together at a romantic restaurant in Tucson but don’t know where to look, we have some ideas for you. Cheers to love!

Le Rendez-vous Bistro & Restaurant Francais

3844 Fort Lowell Road

We had to put a French restaurant on this list, but Le Rendez-vous is not just any French restaurant — it’s a beloved Tucson institution that’s been in business since 1980.

The vibe is classy and romantic. Think high ceilings outfitted with wood beams and white tablecloths in a light-filled dining room. Look forward to bistro fare. Appetizers include the classic French baked French onion soup, while house specialties include beef wellington, steak frites, and a coq au Riesling, which is a half chicken braised in creamy white wine sauce. Rendez-vous is also well known for its desserts. Diners can dig into decadent, traditional French fare like crème brulee, crepes suzette, and even a Grand Mariner soufflé.

Greg S. on OpenTable wrote that “Everything was absolutely perfect, from the food to the service. We will definitely be back. Romantic, without being pretentious.”

Vivace Restaurant

6440 N. Campbell Ave.

Since 1993, Vivace Restaurant has been serving up Northern Italian fare in a truly elegant setting. Perhaps the restaurant’s most noteworthy feature? The truly sweeping views of the surrounding Catalina Mountains. Snag a seat outside at the charming courtyard that comes complete with a water fountain. Whether you dine inside or outside, you’re guaranteed to be in a pleasant environment., but try to get a table that lets you admire those views if you can.

Notable menu items include the lemon drop cocktail that’s made with Vivace’s housemade limoncello. Many commenters also mentioned enjoying the tasty pesto that comes with the bread. Because it’s an Italian restaurant, you can look forward to a plethora of pastas. Twirl your fork in the fettuccine with rock shrimp, four cheese manicotti, or chicken meatballs with capellini. Vivace also offers vegan and vegetarian options. Consider finishing up a meal with the classic tiramisu or the warm chocolate molten cake that’s baked to order and intended for two.

One OpenTable reviewer said the “Food and service were amazing. Went for anniversary. View was also very nice. If wanting a romantic restaurant with great food look no further.”

Flying V Bar & Grill

7000 N. Resort Drive

Couples searching for waterfront dining in Tucson can find it at the Flying V Bar & Grill. The outdoor patio features tables right by some water that also feature stunning views of the Catalina Mountains. If alfresco dining is just not your thing, couples also can cozy up indoors by the fireplace.

Located at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Flying V serves fine Southwestern fare. The restaurant is well known for its seasonally inspired guacamole that’s made tableside. Entrée wise, items from the grill dominate. Feast on seared scallops, pork belly, or even a 10-ounce New York Wagyu. Finish off a meal here with options like the banana crème brulee and chocolate sahurita nut pie. Drinks-wise, the Flying V’s menu also features over 100 tequilas. The Flying V will also serve a special four-course dinner from February 10 to 14.

One OpenTable reviewer mentioned, “We enjoyed a romantic dinner near the cosy fireplace and the food and service were impeccable.”

Bata

Address: 35 E. Toole Ave.

Downtown Tucson’s Bata (short for robata, a Japanese style of grilling) serves a vegetable-centric menu in a hip, contemporary space. If you’re looking for an ultra-modern environment, Bata delivers. The restaurant features high ceilings, brick walls, expansive windows, wood shelves, and plenty of two-tops for a cozy night out.

Expect food made primarily from ingredients sourced within 400 miles of the restaurant. Many dishes are cooked over oak, and the menus change nearly daily. Here’s a sample menu to get a feel for the cuisine. If you like to be surprised, Bata might just be the perfect restaurant for you both.

One patron on OpenTable praised the restaurant’s unique vibe. “First rate. Top 5 of Tucson’s high end restaurant scene. Very chic setting. Very small, elegant, elevated plates, meant for sharing many different ones, slowly over good conversation and wine or other drink with friends or special someone.”

The Cork Tucson

6320 E. Tanque Verde Road

The Cork Tucson has been open since 1966 and is one of the city’s most iconic restaurants. The Cork (which changed ownership in early 2023) is the last standing restaurant of Tucson’s so-called Restaurant Row and is proud of its Southwestern heritage. The wooden entrance doors are turquoise, and a fireplace lights up the brick-walled dining room when it’s chilly.

The food is hearty. Expect prime cuts of meat and exotic game along with sustainable seafood. Couples can feast on lamp chops, venison, filet mignon, and baseball teriyaki — a Cork tradition featuring Angus top sirloin marinated with soy sauce and pineapple juice. A few other Cork specialties include green chile beef and the BBQ duck. The desserts are decadent, and you can’t go wrong with the cork bread pudding, mud pie, crème brulee, or the chocolate torte.

One OpenTable reviewer wrote, “the best food in Tucson. The atmosphere is romantic and the staff excellent.”

Romantic twist: The restaurant is owned by a couple who met at a building just north of The Cork more than two decades ago!

The Grill at Hacienda del Sol

5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road

The Grill at Hacienda del Sol pops up on multiple lists covering the most romantic restaurants in Tucson and for plenty of good reasons. For starters, the views of the surrounding mountains are truly breathtaking. Located at the Hacienda del Sol hotel, the restaurant’s wide windows all around capture truly stunning scenes. The dining room exudes refined, old-school fine dining vibes that come complete with wood beams, chandeliers, wood tables, and chairs.

Food-wise, you’ll find hearty New American fare here. This includes lobster and scallop risotto, a halibut fillet, a grilled Atlantic salmon filet, or the New York strip steak. It’s the perfect place to close out the night with a decadent dessert, like blood orange olive oil cake, brownie a la mode, or a desert charcuterie board. Diners also can enjoy the award-winning wine list, which includes more than 800 bottles.

One OpenTable reviewer commented that “for a romantic evening out this is the place.”

Note: The Grill is serving a special four-course Valentine’s Day menu on Feb. 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14!

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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