Looking for a bougie Valentine’s dinner in Charlotte? Here are 11 spots to check out.
Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner in Charlotte? The Queen City has so many luxurious and romantic spots, it can be difficult to choose.
Several local restaurants are featuring special menus for brunch and dinner, with both dine-in and takeout available. We curated a fancy guide that has something for wine lovers, vegetarians, vegans, dessert connoisseurs and couples who want to celebrate their romance at home.
With a guide like this, your Valentine’s Day or weekend won’t be basic:
Alchemy
Location: 2517 Distribution Street Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
When: Feb. 12-14, dinner starts at 5 p.m.
Price: The cost is $95 per person.
What to know: Alchemy will kick off three days of food and festivities over its Weekend of Love with a prix fixe four-course menu featuring options for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores. Guests are encouraged to walk around and enjoy the latest art exhibition, Fractal Energy, in the adjoining art gallery before or after their reservation. Reservations are encouraged.
First course is a choice of Lobster Bisque with lobster knuckle, confit, creme fraiche, dill and heavy cream; Arugula Strawberry Salad with goat cheese, blackened pecans and balsamic or Eggplant Rollatini with vegan mozzarella basil stuffed eggplant, Pomodoro, tomato, vegan parmesan (vegan).
Second course is Artichoke Ceviche with artichokes, red bell pepper, orange juice, red onions and lime juice.
Third course is a choice of Pan-Seared Scallops with corn and jalapeno polenta, asparagus and crispy prosciutto; Lamb Meatballs and Peppers with over mint feta orzo; Maple Mustard Pork Tenderloin over gnocchi and peach chutney; Beet Steak with roasted Brussels sprouts, crispy fried cauliflower, carrot puree and balsamic reduction (vegan); or oven-roasted prime rib, crispy smashed fingerling potatoes, cipollini onions and veal glace.
Fourth course is a choice of Chocolate Ravioli with cream cheese, eggs, vanilla, handmade cocoa pasta and hot chocolate sauce; Apple Walnut Rum Cake with cream cheese frosting, drizzled with a rum caramel sauce; Hazelnut Crunch Cake with toasted hazelnut and chocolate torte with vanilla bean buttercream; or Chocolate Raspberry Bombe with raspberry mousse in a dark chocolate bombe, ganache center and white chocolate sauce.
Angeline’s
Location: 303 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Uptown
When: Feb. 12-13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m for brunch; Feb. 11-14, 5-10 p.m. for dinner.
Price: Brunch is $65 per couple. Dinner is $120 per couple, with an option to add beverage pairing for $35 per person.
What to know: You can treat your sweetie or a friend to brunch or dinner — whatever strikes the right vibe. Reservations are available by calling 704-445-2540 or via OpenTable.
Brunch will start off with Red Velvet Lox, paired with grilled ciabatta, avocado, arugula, basil mascarpone and salmon caviar and a mid-course Blood Orange French Toast Bake with Nutella, White Chocolate Espuma and Hazelnut.
The main course features a choice of Lobster Benedict with truffle hollandaise or Chicken & Waffle with a Ricotta Malt Waffle, Buttermilk Fried Drumstick and honey butter. And the brunch comes to a sweet end with Strawberry Cream Doughnuts with strawberry glaze and vanilla cream.
The dinner menu includes a five-course shareable tasting.
First course: Ham and Cheese with Stracciatella, Benton’s Country Ham, Apricot-Pear Mostarda, Focaccia.
Second course: Charred Octopus Carrot Romesco, Chicories, Meyer Lemon, Chili Oil
Third course: Red Beet Angolotti Parmesan Brodo, Pickled Golden Beet, Bottarga, Smoked Walnut
Fourth course: Choice of Double Cut Porkchop with Spiced Pistachio, Charred Carrots, Sweet Pickled Garlic, Crispy Salumi or Wood Grilled Bone-In Ribeye with Cherry Pepper Bagna Cauda, Shishito Peppers, Balsamic Cotto + ($22 supplement)
Fifth course: White chocolate Champagne Fonduta, assorted Italian cookies, candies, fruit
Barcelona Wine Bar
Location: 101 W. Worthington Ave. Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
When: Feb. 14, dinner starts at 4 p.m.
Price: $65 for Apertivo Experience, $130 for The Barcelona Wine Bar Experience, varies for takeout.
What to know: Barcelona Wine Bar, a space for Spanish tapas and wine, has options for in-restaurant experiences or takeout. Reservations can be made online or by calling 704-741-0300.
The Aperitivo Experience is an immersive and thematic food and wine and journey. Designed for two people, each experience includes one glass of Cava per person, paired with an aperitivo board, two chef-created tapas and a bottle of Barcava to take home.
The Barcelona Wine Bar Experience builds on the Aperitivo Experience with more wine and food, including two flights of three Spanish wines per person, paired with six chef-created signature tapas, a half paella and a bottle of Barcava to take home.
Experience gifts can be bought online and redeemed any time.
Seasonal chef’s specials will be on the menu for Valentine’s Day, and charcuterie boards with jamón, chorizo, manchego and Idiazábal are available. For dessert, the olive oil cake is the final touch.
Capricorn Picnics
Location: Online only
Neighborhood: Charlotte
Price: $250+
What to know: Capricorn Picnics owner Tanika Davis assists couples with an at-home Valentine’s night. For $250, a couple can reserve more than two hours for an indoor Valentine’s Day picnic. This includes her decorating a home or another venue space (for an additional fee) with a Valentine’s Day vibe.
The package includes games for the couple, a fondue bar, selfie props and a small charcuterie board. Add-ons include a canvas with wine bottles and a paint set, chef services and desserts such as chocolate-covered strawberries.
Couples must reserve time slots with Davis by Feb. 13 by telephone at 704-493-2276 or at her booking link.
Leah and Louise
Location: 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Neighborhood: Druid Hills South
When: Feb. 14
Price: $85 per person
What to know: Leah and Louise have a Valentine’s Day four-course prix fixe menu (alcohol not included) for Valentine’s Day. The items on the menu include old salt pomegranate pearls, slow-roasted cabbage, stuffed quail, a Tang tart and ginger meringue. Reservations are encouraged.
While you are there, check out the limited-time Valentine’s themed Camp Passport challenge. Challenge details can be found here.
Living Kitchen
Location: 2000 South Blvd, Ste 300 Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
When: Feb. 14
Price: $65 per couple with nonalcoholic drink or $85 per couple with wine
What to know: Living Kitchen may be your Valentine’s Day dinner choice if you prefer organic plant-based cuisine. For the evening, the restaurant has several options for couples to try.
The meal is served with your choice of wine or zero proof hibiscus lemonade. Reservations can be made online.
- Appetizer choices are sweet potato sushi roll or shiitake mushroom nigiri. Your choice of soup or salad includes miso or potato leek soups, or Beet Slaw Salad, Shaved Brussels Salad or Caesar Salad.
- Entrees are Cauliflower Steak, Eggplant Parmesan or Creamy Kalamata Pasta. Dessert choices aer Dolce Amore Cheesecake, Carrot Cake or Apple Crisp a’la mode.
PARA Charlotte
Location: 235 W Tremont Ave #100, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
When: Feb. 14, from 5-11 p.m.
Price: Varies
What to know: This newly opened restaurant offers globally influenced small plates and a a creative cocktail program developed by Yashira “Yoshi” Mejia — and its regular menu will be on deck for Valentine’s Day. Reservations can be made via Resy. Walk-ins are also welcome, but spots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis and are limited.
RockSalt
Location: 512 Brandywine Road Charlotte, NC 28209
Neighborhood: Montford
When: Feb. 14, dinner seatings start at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Price: $100 per person
What to know: Seafood lovers who want an enchanting Valentine’s Day dinner are invited to sit at RockSalt’s heated, covered patio and enjoy its Once Upon a Time Valentine’s Dinner. Tickets must be purchased at Eventbrite.
- First course is a Rappahannock Oyster Flight with chili gin, cocktail marinara, pica, ginger honey and mignonette.
- Second course is Crab and Trumpet Mushroom Ravioli, with an arugula pesto pumpernickle crostini, blistered tomatoes, pickled shallot and fried arugula.
- An intermission of apple, pineapple, kale, carrots and lemon.
Third course is a wood-fired grilled whole fish, with fried squash blossom dumplings ad Chinese brocolini with sea foam.
Fourth course is an herb-encrusted rack of lamb with heirloom carrots, asparagus and beets with pumpernickle stuffing.
Fifth course is a Raspberry Shortcake.
Steak 48
Location: 4425 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
Neighborhood: SouthPark
When: Varies
Price: Varies
What to know: OpenTable named Steak 48 as one of the 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America in 2022. You’ll find high end seafood and steaks with a fine dining presentation, including Alaskan King Crab Legs, a Maine Lobster Cocktail and Westholme Australian Wagyu Filet, all market price. Reservations are required.
Thoughtful Baking Co.
Location: 901 Berryhill Rd Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28208
Neighborhood: Camp North End
When: Feb. 12
Price: $50
What to know: Thoughtful Baking Co is offering a $50 dinner for two that is made from scratch, featuring all North Carolina grown and harvested produce and goods. Preorders opened Feb. 1.
For dinner, choose either Braised Duck Pie with red wine braised pasture-raised duck, carrots, and onion baked in an old-fashioned pastry crust, or a Mushroom Herb Pie (vegan) with shiitake, trumpet and oyster mushrooms, fresh thyme, white wine baked in a flaky plant-based crust. Pies are sold par-baked and flash frozen to be baked fresh at home.
For dessert, the sampler includes Brown Butter Pecan Blondie, Chocolate Mousse Mini Pie, Old-fashioned Strawberry Mini Pie and Giant Chocolate Chunk Cookie.
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The Wine Loft
Location: 2201 South Blvd. Suite 120 Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
When: Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m. or 8:30-11 p.m.
Price: $75 per person
What to know: The Wine Loft is hosting a Catalonia Valentine’s Dinner, with food and wine inspired by the flavors of Spain. Guests can enjoy a three-course dinner and a bottle of Spanish wine. Reservations are required.
- The first course is a Shrimp Zarzuela Almond Picada (a Spanish-style Bouillabaisse soup with fish, tomato, chili, potatoes and turnips).
- The second course is Pollo amb Peres (a take on a classic dish featuring chicken and pears).
- The third course is Crema Catalana (think crème brûlée with citrus and cinnamon).
Wine options include Terras Gauda Rias Baixas (white wine) and Atteca Garnacha (red wine).
Editor’s note: Angeline’s brunch is $65 per couple. A previous version of this story included incorrect pricing.
This story was originally published February 4, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
