Where to Book a Table (or Grab a Treat) With Someone You Love
We think Valentine’s Day should be more than a dozen roses from the grocery store aisle. Around the South, there are restaurants and bakeries doing something better—thoughtful food, beautiful spaces, and an atmosphere with love in the air. Whether you’re planning a candlelit dinner, a low-key date, or just treating yourself to something sweet, these spots feel like celebrations in their own right.
Automatic Seafood and Oysters
Birmingham, Alabama
If your idea of romance includes oysters on ice and martinis at the bar, Automatic is the move. The dining room is sleek but welcoming, the seafood is fresh, and the menu feels celebratory without trying too hard. It’s a place for couples who appreciate the quiet thrill of a really good crudo. Order a few plates, share everything, and let the night unfold.
Tailor
Nashville, Tennessee
Valentine’s Day at Tailor feels like being invited into someone’s home, if that home happened to serve one of the most memorable tasting menus in the South. Tailor’s intimate, reservation-only experience is warm, personal, and deeply intentional. It’s ideal for couples who want a night that feels less like dinner out and more like a shared memory in the making.
Dropout Bakery
Mobile, Alabama
Not every Valentine’s celebration needs a reservation. Sometimes, love looks like a perfectly laminated croissant or a box of pastries shared over coffee. Dropout Bakery delivers joy in butter and sugar. Stop by for a treat for your partner, your best friend, or yourself. After all, self-love counts too.
The Third Space
Atlanta, Georgia
The Third Space offers a Valentine’s experience that goes beyond the plate. Built around the idea of food as nourishment, physically and emotionally, this Atlanta spot feels grounding and generous. The menu is thoughtful, the space is calming, and the vibe encourages connection without pretense.
Forklift
Tupelo, Mississippi
Forklift brings big-city sensibility to a small-town setting, making it a standout for Valentine’s Day in North Mississippi. The food is elevated but approachable, the room hums with energy, and the cocktails are worth dressing up for. It’s perfect for couples who love somewhere you can linger, laugh, and order one more round.
Botanic
Opelika, Alabama
Botanic feels like stepping into a love letter to the seasons. The space is lush and romantic, the menu is rooted in local ingredients, and every dish feels considered. Valentine’s Day here is about slowing down and savoring each course, each conversation, and each moment.
Zero Restaurant + Bar
Charleston, South Carolina
Tucked inside a historic Charleston hotel, Zero Restaurant + Bar is refined without being stiff. The menu blends Lowcountry tradition with modern technique, and the setting feels timeless. It’s the kind of place where you dress up just a bit, order dessert even if you’re full, and remember why going out is so special.
