Father and son Laurent Champonnois and Melvil Arnt opened the no-reservations-accepted chic 1920s-inspired French bistro on Gallatin Avenue back in late 2019, and the 45-seat restaurant was a fast favorite for date nights among Nashville locals. Whether the night calls for escargot, foie gras, or beef bourguignon, Once Upon a Time in France serves up romantic vibes and a wallet-friendly wine list as an added bonus.

Make a reservation or belly up to the bar at the dimly lit luxe seafood spot in Germantown to share a seafood-heavy meal of everything from lobster rolls to red grouper en papillote and whole roasted flounder with pecan meuniere. For those who desire more, step outside to Jacqueline, the expansive patio bar that transports guests beachside with shaved ice cocktails, lawn games, and an unforgettable frozen hurricane.

Chattanooga-based, James Beard Award-nominated chef Daniel Lindley became known in Nashville with this Germantown warehouse-turned-restaurant. While the space is massive with very high ceilings, warm lighting and romantic vibes make it a great date night destination. Current menu highlights include the bacon-wrapped quail, chicken liver mousse, and sausage-cheddar biscuits to start, and standout mains like beef cheek pot roast and beer can chicken.

If a daytime date is the plan, Germantown’s Tempered makes their own truffles (and drinking chocolate) and pairs them with wine or whiskey. At night on Thursday through Saturday, the space transforms into an absinthe bar — the Green Hour, another good choice for cocktails and conversation (and of course, more chocolate).

Located in Printer’s Alley with live music most nights, locals count on this old-school venue for an unpretentious scene filled with solid tunes and stiff drinks, like their eponymous cocktail “the Skull #4” made with Appleton Estate signature rum, coconut, cardamom, and lime. To eat — musts include the lobster bisque, cheese plate, duck empanadas, and the grilled 14-ounce pork chop with rosemary, bacon, and garlic honey glaze.

Plan ahead by booking a reservation or walk in early to snag a seat at the bar, then impress your date at Sean Brock’s newest restaurant by ordering up California white sturgeon caviar-crowned oysters, Gruetli cheese fondue, or Hawaiian ahi tuna to share. Next, be sure and order whatever dining cart is on offer from Brock and CDC Colin Shane — be it pate en route or prime rib, to add to the full dining experience. And definitely save room for some of the best desserts in Nashville, stunning and delicious works of art from pastry co-directors Michael Werrell and Keaton Vasek.

The Joseph Hotel opened in late August, and with it came James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Mantuano’s downstairs Italian stunner Yolan, complete with a cheese cave, the city’s most impressive wine list, and to-die-for fresh pasta aplenty. And don’t miss pastry chef Noelle Gogg’s stunning desserts.

M Street’s massive steakhouse in the Gulch offers a wide selection of top-quality cuts including filet mignon, New York strip, and bone-in ribeye, among others. The progression of New York strip offers a selection of three sous vide-style steaks: U.S.D.A. Prime, American Wagyu, and Australian Wagyu.

Charming long-time Music Row destination Midtown Cafe is a Nashville staple from Randy Rayburn. Open for over 30 years, the cozy little cafe known for its lemon artichoke soup transports diners back to the Nashville before the influx of bro-country and bachelorettes. Midtown Cafe offers a free shuttle service for travelers to downtown hotels, and for locals who need transportation to downtown performances after dinner (must reserve ahead of time).

Previously housed across the street in a small re-purposed storage container, executive chef Matt Bolus’ Gulch restaurant upgraded to a much larger space with an expanded menu a few years back, and the vibe and menu are vastly different. Scallop toast and pimento cheese are standout summertime starters — then move on to a green salad with burnt thyme vinaigrette, and/or a duo of notable pastas. Main highlights include the whole smoked fried chicken, steak set-up, or daily catch with étouffée sauce, crawfish, and Carolina gold rice. Post dinner, head downstairs to Gertie’s Bar to check out the city’s largest whiskey selection, and a seriously good old fashioned.

Ramen and hot chicken bao buns are a solid date night move in Nashville. Sarah Gavigan’s Gulch restaurant’s Tennessee tonkotsu is an iconic Nashville dish — prime for slurping side-by-side at the counter with your mate over a container of sake to share.

Answer is exactly the comfortable neighborhood restaurant that could easily become a weekly date night destination. There’s a solid happy hour for those who don’t mind dining at the bar, but the small patio is also a nice spot to enjoy Chef Raucci’s eclectic menu of chile-glazed tofu, dry-aged beef albondigas, and more. A stroll around idyllic Sylvan Park, post-dinner makes a fine finish.

An interesting wine list and tapas food situation make Barcelona a fun choice for a night out in Nashville. The roomy, dimly lit restaurant is always rather lively, so perhaps make this a spot for weeknight dining.

Always playing at the historic Melrose theatre-turned-restaurant on 8th: impressive food and fun cocktails in one of the most romantic settings in Nashville. Chef Kyle Patterson continues to shine since his promotion to executive chef in 2016. Must-tries? A captivating cheese and charcuterie board, the ricotta agnolotti with fried capers, and the scallops with spinach orzotto.

At Yellow Porch, the service is friendly, drinks are strong, and the food is impressive — try the crab cake or the sorghum-infused duck breast. The namesake porch has long been a refreshing place to spend a date sipping cocktails.

Dates don’t have to break the bank to be fun, and Nolensville Pike’s Plaza Mariachi helps prove that point. Affordable dinner options, shopping, plus free entertainment (everything from bands to fire dancing to aerial performances) every night of the week makes a date at Plaza Mariachi a unique, memorable occasion. A nice move is to grab a café Cubano from Madera Cafe, then stroll around the plaza with elotes or sit down for juicy steak from Tres Gauchos.