For many, first dates can ignite excitement, curiosity, anticipation, and anxiety, not to mention stress over choosing the perfect meeting spot. In the U.S., restaurants seem to be the most common option for a first date. One study shows that men prefer to take their dates to Chick-fil-A, but Dallasites who love to dine out can do better than that. Restaurants around the Metroplex won’t magically eliminate jitters or awkwardness, but plenty of them have what it takes to impress a new romantic interest.
Whether you want to hang out somewhere relaxed and play a game of Minecraft, or indulge in a glamorous sushi lunch, this guide will offer plenty of options. Here are 15 Dallas restaurants that serve as perfect first-date destinations.
Eddie’s Napolis
Head to this old-school Italian neighborhood spot and have dinner at the bar, where you’ll be swept up by the crowd of friendly regulars. A first date at Eddie’s is pure, parmesan-sprinkled fun, and feels romantic in a wholesome way. Tables are dressed in crisp white linens, and at the front of the restaurant, a gentleman in a bowtie performs live for the guests. The menu of comfort eats spotlights New York-style pizza and pasta galore, and the seafood-stuffed mushrooms in pink sauce are a must. 8822 Teel Pkwy. Ste. 410, Frisco, napolisfrisco.com
Le PasSage
It’s hard to find a restaurant more romantic than Le PasSage, Travis Hospitality’s Asian-French restaurant at the Terminal on Katy Trail. The menu showcases Asian flavors and classic French cooking techniques, delivering a meal unlike any other in town. Dishes are inspired by cuisines from various regions of the continent, like shaking beef from Vietnam, Peking duck from northern China, and steamed shrimp dumplings from southern China. Designed by Michael Hsu architecture, the same firm that worked on the Uchi restaurants, the space is stylish and elegant with lantern chandeliers and striking cherry blossom art behind the bar. 4205 Buena Vista St. Ste. 130, Dallas, lepassagedallas.com
Partenope
At this Neapolitan pizzeria, you can share a pie with your date and learn how to make one too. The pizza-making class is a go-dutch kind of first date, ideal for those who approach dating as an opportunity to do things they’d like to do anyway. Even if love isn’t in the air, you’ll come away from the hour-long session knowing how to make a Neapolitan pie. You’ll also get to eat your pizza fresh out of the oven and take home the dough you prepped, so you can do it all again… with or without your date. 1903 Main St., Dallas, partenopedallas.com
Nerdvana
If you fear awkward pauses during a first date dinner, consider a visit to Nerdvana, a gaming-themed restaurant and bar where you and your date can eat, drink, and play while getting to know each other. Guests can choose from tables fitted with video games or board games, or both, and pick from several console options like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. Each booth has a flat screen mounted on the wall, and every table is set with silverware and controllers. Toast your first date with a beer or cocktail, and then dine on a burger, braised beef short ribs, or ziti tossed with fresh vegetables while you play. 5757 Main St. #112 & #111, Frisco, nerdvanafrisco.com
Namo
Have a lunch date you want to impress? Trade in your regular salad joint for one of the best deals in and beyond the West Village: the 11-course lunchtime omakase at Namo. Executive chef Kazuhito Mabuchi, who previously worked at Michelin-starred Sushi Ginza Onodera in Los Angeles, has mastered the art of Edomae sushi, a style centering catches from Edo Bay (now Tokyo Bay) that originated in 19th century Japan. Find beautiful glassware, a compelling sake list, and the finest sushi rice. While some see rice as secondary to the fish, chef Onodera treats his with as much care as he does his tuna. His secret? A carefully crafted blend of fine vinegars. 3699 McKinney Ave. #305, Dallas, namosushi.com
Sachet
One thing that makes this Michelin-recommended Mediterranean restaurant a charming first-date spot is its eye-catching square bar, with seating set up in pairs, making it perfect for intimate conversation. Belly up and order a gin and tonic from the extensive gin and tonic menu, and dip hot and fresh pita cooked in the wood-fired oven in spicy feta dip. If you don’t click with your date, at least you got to try that pita. If sparks do happen to fly, stay for some housemade pasta or the grilled lamb chops served with fingerling potatoes, tzatziki, grilled scallions, and cherry tomato. 4270 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, sachetdallas.com
Domodomo Kō
If you want to impress your date with both an elegant venue and an unusual fusion, this restaurant blends Japanese and Korean cuisine, offering one of the most unique tasting menus in town. The five courses in the “Domo Domo Kase” include delicacies like Wagyu carpaccio and Hwe dupbap (raw fish over bibimbap). If you need more to talk about, add the sake pairings. 2681 Howell St. BU3, Dallas, domodomorestaurant.com/domodomodallas
Frenchie
The newest addition to Travis Hospitality’s restaurant collection, this brasserie serves approachable French fare like twice-baked cheese soufflé, steak frites, and deviled eggs. Frenchie offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, perfect for a first date with someone whose schedule doesn’t easily align with yours. 8420 Preston Center Plaza, Dallas, frenchiedallas.com
Goldee’s Barbecue
For a fun, casual date, get in line at this barbecue spot that opened in 2020 and was crowned #1 on Texas Monthly’s “50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas” list the very next year. Arrive early because for one thing, there will be a line, and for another, the food will sell out. 4645 Dick Price Rd., Fort Worth, goldeesbbq.com
Mexican Sugar Cocina
If you don’t know much about your date, you can assume the person likes Tex-Mex, because this is Dallas and everyone likes Tex-Mex. Mexican Sugar offers a range of Mexican and Tex-Mex specialties and each location has splashy, unique décor. Share a margarita flight and don’t miss the fried shrimp and elote tacos. Multiple locations, mexicansugarcocina.com/
Flamant
If your date is into cocktails, try this spot on the Plano Boardwalk, where the cocktails are conversation pieces. Grab an order of wood-fired mussels and some truffle fries to share and choose among all kinds of creative drinks, including a martini served with an anchovy skewer, a carrot juice cocktail, and a cocktail served with an octopus on top. 5880 State Hwy 121 Ste. 103-b, Plano, flamant.bar
Green Point Seafood & Oyster Bar
What could be sexier than ordering a bottle of white wine and sharing a dozen raw oysters on the half-shell? At this intimate seafood spot on Knox-Henderson, grab a couple of seats at the big horseshoe-shaped bar. If the conversation is flowing, stick around for lobster rolls or splurge on caviar service. 3219 Knox St., Dallas, greenpointdallas.com
Ocean Prime
This seafood and steakhouse at Rosewood Court may be too chichi for many first dates, but if you go during Tiny ‘Tini hour, it’s just right. Every Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the lounge, enjoy mini cocktails for $5. Pair them with mini bites like little crab cakes and sliders and you’ve got yourself a pretty awesome date. 2101 Cedar Springs Rd. #150, Dallas, ocean-prime.com/locations-menus/dallas/
JOA Grill
Sitting across from a stranger with nothing but a few appetizers between you can get a bit awkward, so distracting yourselves by watching people cook the food on your table is a welcome option At this Korean barbecue restaurant, enjoy a full banchan and then choose among high-quality meats, including old favorites like ribeye and harder-to-find-around-the-Metroplex cuts like pork jowl. 2254 Royal Ln., Dallas, joagrill.com
Loro
As the love child of Aaron Franklin of Franklin’s Barbecue and Tyson Cole of Uchi, this hip fast-casual joint has an always-lively vibe and an Asian-barbecue fusion menu. Grab an outdoor table with your date and share a slew of small plates, including chicken karaage, char siew pork belly, and sesame rice noodles. Multiple locations, loroeats.com/
