22 Romantic Dinner Ideas for Date Nights at Home

A home-cooked dinner with a special touch is a splendid way to spoil your significant other. If you are staying in for date night, here are 22 romantic dinner ideas for a memorable evening.

1. Cook together

Spend the evening cooking together with a hands-on recipe. The two of you can work together, enjoying each other’s company, while chopping fresh vegetables for a stir-fry or making crab cakes.

2. Craft a nostalgic menu

For an extra romantic touch, choose dishes that reference your partner’s favorite experiences!

3. Focus on decor

Mark this special occasion by setting the table more intimately. To start, use a nice tablecloth and aesthetic place settings. If you opt for a picnic-style meal, set up a cozy spot in the living room or backyard with a picnic blanket and loads of scatter cushions.

4. Set the mood

Dim the lights, place candles on the table, and make a playlist for the evening. Choosing romantic background music or memorable songs from poignant moments in your relationship will absolutely impress your partner. 

5. Wine and dine

Choose a nice bottle of wine, pop a bottle of bubbly, or mix a specialty cocktail to start off the evening.

Romantic dinner ideas: appetizers

Start off your evening strong with these five first-course ideas.

1. Crunchy chicken and mango salad 

This flavorful, light dish is an ideal introduction to a three-course meal.

2. Mediterranean meze

Make your own mini shawarmas! Put together a platter of traditional fillings like tzatziki, chopped tomatoes with red onion and herbs, pulled lamb, hummus, lettuce, and pickled turnips and serve with pita bread.

3. Tortilla chip paradise

Set out a smorgasbord board of homemade tortilla chips with a variety of different dipping sauces like guacamole, sweet corn salsa, pico de gallo, and jalapeño cheese sauce.

4. Arancini

Arancini are little balls of cooked risotto stuffed with a filling – such as mozzarella cheese. The balls are then crumbed and deep-fried. They are tasty but time-consuming to make, so they’re an ideal date night activity for spending quality time together in the kitchen.

5. Pear and goat cheese crostini

Gently toast a few slices of ciabatta. Layer with slices of fresh pear, goat cheese, arugula, and a sprinkling of toasted chopped hazelnuts. Finish the crostini off with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic reduction.

Romantic main course ideas

To make a romantic dinner at home feel special, keep your partner in mind. If they have champagne-taste, pamper them by incorporating luxurious ingredients. Or, if they prefer something low-key, consider something simple so you can spend more time enjoying each other’s company. Put one of these dinner ideas for two to the taste test.

1. Gnocchi with shrimp and asparagus

This recipe promises depths of flavor and can be prepared in thirty minutes.

2. Prosciutto-wrapped shrimp

Take your shrimp to another level by wrapping them with prosciutto and frying them. Prosciutto-wrapped shrimp works well as an appetizer or side served with a dipping sauce and fresh sourdough. Or, you can add the shrimp to a fresh, Thai-fusion salad.

3. Hawaiian shoyu chicken

This marinaded chicken recipe boasts oodles of flavor. To set yourself up for success, you can marinade the chicken ahead of time.

4. Skillet lemon chicken

When you have multiple courses to prepare, it’s a smart idea to keep at least one of the courses simple. Get the bulk of the preparations done beforehand with this one-pot wonder recipe that will blow your partner’s mind.

5. Beef stew

Perfect for the lazy cook, this slow-cooker beef stew is packed with flavor. Stress less by preparing this dish a day in advance.

6. Steak and chips

Treat your loved one to a well-cooked steak with some glamorous sides. Accentuate the special occasion by ordering a prime steak cut like a tomahawk steak or flavorful hanger steak. For a special touch, drizzle your chips with a few drops of truffle oil. Serve with a salad of arugula, parmesan shavings, and toasted pine nuts.

7. Plank grilled salmon

This recipe is exceptional on two counts. Salmon is a delicious and luxurious protein perfect for any romantic dinner’s main course. Grilling the fish on a cedar or maple plank adds another dimension to the flavor profile.

8. Lamb cutlets

Pair your elegant Frenched lamb cutlets with parmesan-infused mash or parsnip puree and a Greek-inspired salad.

Romantic dessert ideas

Because it’s not how you start, but how you finish.

1. Chocolate fondue

Chocolate fondue is the ideal shared dessert. It is convenient too! Prepare the chocolate sauce and dipping ingredients before sitting down for dinner. Use strawberries, marshmallows, banana, fresh pineapple, raspberries, or shortbread for dipping and sprinkle with coconut shavings or chopped nuts.

2. Canape desserts

Add a bit of variety with a platter of bite-size desserts. Carry the platter to the living room and enjoy a movie together or sit outside to watch the stars. Brownie bites, meringue kisses, chocolate truffles, strawberries, mini tarts, and macarons are all great canape dessert additions.

3. Chocolate coconut pudding

Quick, simple, delicious and dairy-free! Make these desserts in individual portion glasses or ramekins ahead of time and store in the fridge. Top with whipped cream and kiwi slices.

4. Pear clafoutis

This dessert recipe is also ideal for preparing and serving in individual ramekins. Couple this pudding with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and serve the first bite to your partner on a silver spoon.

Order date night food online

Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, holiday, or just want to spoil your loved one, a romantic dinner at home is a wonderful and intimate way to make memories. However, preparation is the key to a successful romantic evening because it shows your partner you’ve been thinking of them and leaves less room for hiccups. To save time and make your life easier, order your ingredients online and have them delivered right to your door via Instacart.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Middle East Baking Co. Mini Whole Wheat Pita Bread (10 oz)

Fresh Made Guacamole (16 oz)

Fresh Made Guacamole (16 oz)

Hawaii Natural Beef Hanger Steak (per lb)

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (7 oz)

Good & Gather Marshmallows, Mini (32 oz)

Graul's Iced Brownie Bites (12 ct)

Instacart

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