These Delaware restaurants are in high-demand for a date night on the most romantic night of the year. With February 14 falling on a Tuesday this year, many specials are running all weekend, giving diners flexibility for their Valentine’s Day plans. From upscale, candlelit dinners to fun, casual spots with great food and drink specials, here are ideas for your Valentine’s Day in Delaware.
Courtesy of Le Cavalier
The grand and romantic feel of Hotel du Pont makes Le Cavalier a no-brainer for Valentine’s Day in Delaware. The perfect spot for a romantic French-inspired date night, Le Cavalier offers an elegant three-course Valentine’s Weekend special from February 10-14. The $85 per person three-course menu includes dishes like oysters and caviar, foie gras French toast with blood orange marmalade, strip steak, tuna choron with fingerling potatoes and more. Sweet finishes will include options like a frozen chocolate souffle and a crème brulée with raspberry-amaro preserves. Reservations can be made online.
42 West 11th St., Wilmington
Can you keep a secret? Step into Hummingbird to Mars, a fun speakeasy above Catherine Rooneys in Trolley Square. Find the door with the golden bird on 16th Street and ring the bell. Once inside, the eatery will host three nights of Valentine’s Day celebrations, complete with live music and food and drink specials. Transport your date back in time and enjoy a speakeasy date night on February 10, February 11 or February 14. Reserve your table by emailing h2marstrolley@gmail.com.
1616 Delaware Ave., Wilmington
For approachable fine dining in a classy atmosphere, celebrate at Hamilton’s on Main in Newark. The Sweetheart Dinner menu is available February 10-14, complete with an indulgent chocolate dessert and optional wine pairing for each course. Menu highlights include a half dozen oysters, strawberry watermelon salad and a surf and turf for two with a 10 oz filet and twin lobster tails.
102 E Main St., Newark
View this post on Instagram
As one of Vogue’s most anticipated restaurant openings in 2022, it’s no surprise Bardea Steak quickly became one of Wilmington’s hottest date-night spots. Reservations are filling up quickly for February 14, but if you miss Valentine’s Day evening, you could celebrate your Valentine’s Day in Delaware at Bardea Food & Drink or get a reservation at Bardea Steak the weekend before.
608 North Market St., Wilmington
Enjoy a unique candlelit Valentine’s Day dinner event at Christiana Hilton! The Valentine’s Chef’s Table on February 14 at 6:45 p.m. will feature a five-course dinner curated by Executive Chef Robert Fratticcioli. The menu features grilled lobster and lobster ravioli, duck salad with fresh berries and tried cherries, a grilled filet and more! Reserve a table by calling 631-1542 or emailing npierce@hiltonchristiana.com.
100 Continental Drive, Newark
On February 14, Oath 84 will have a reservation-based experiential Valentine’s Day dinner. This new, chef-crafted modern Delaware restaurant specializes in upscale new American fare. Details on the Valentine’s Day menu are coming soon. Follow the restaurant on Instagram for updates.
View this post on Instagram
If you prefer a night in, celebrate your Valentine’s Day in Delaware by grabbing a gourmet to-go dinner for two from Janssen’s Market. Greenville’s next-level grocer specializes in ready-to-eat gourmet foods to-go. Available from Friday, February 10 through Tuesday February 14, this Valentine’s Day deal includes a full four-course dinner to enjoy at home. With selections like lobster bisque, chicken pomodoro, a bacon-wrapped filet, citrus sea bass with mango salsa and an array of decedent dessert options, Janssen’s can set you up perfectly for a romantic night in for $79.95 per couple. Just light a few candles, grab a bottle of bubbly and leave the rest up to them.
3801 Kennet Pke., Greenville
Enjoy an Italian dining experience at Benvenuto’s two Valentine’s Day events. The first, a wine pairing event, is on Saturday, February 11. The Valentine’s in Veneto Wine & Culinary Event begins at 2 p.m. Enjoy a curated five-course dinner with wine pairings for $100 per person. To reserve a table, call 265-2652.
Or, enjoy dinner on Valentine’s Day, February 14. A $50 deposit is required with each Valentine’s dinner reservation. Tables can be reserved by calling 265-2652.
249 Northeast Front St., Milford
View this post on Instagram
Let’s face it: every couple doesn’t want to overdo it on Valentine’s Day. Some prefer a low-key date night where they can wear jeans and sneakers. These couples can celebrate their Valentine’s Day in Delaware with a beer tasting! Blue Earl Brewing offers half-priced flights every Tuesday. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Tuesday this year, Blue Earl is the perfect fun and casual date night for craft beer enthusiasts. Enjoy flights of unique, freshly brewed beers alongside pub fare with barbecue influence like smoked brisket nachos or beer-braised locally-sourced bratwurst.
210 Artisan Dr., Smyrna
Enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day special menu curated by Drift’s executive chef, Thomas Wiswell. Diners can expect a perfectly curated seafood menu with high-quality and locally sourced seafood options. With a hand-selected wine list and cocktail menu to complete the experience, Drift is a perfect option for seafood lovers. Reserve a table online for February 10-12, or February 14.
42.5 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach
Heirloom re-opens its doors on February 2, just in time for Valentine’s Day. This charming, farm-to-table coastal eatery changes the menu seasonally to keep a high-quality selection of locally-sourced ingredients. Stop by to check out the new, seasonal menu complete with artisanal cheeses, organic and sustainable wines, scrumptious table shares and more. Reservations for Valentine’s Day are going fast and can be made online.
View this post on Instagram
A popular date-night restaurant in Lewes, Harvest Tide is a great place to spend your Valentine’s Day in Delaware. Along with their regular menu items, Harvest Tide will offer a special Valentine’s Day menu on February 14. Valentine’s Day specials include a Boston scallop crudo, maple duck breast, USDA Prime dry-aged Delmonico and more. Reservations can be made online.
This Valentine’s Day in Delaware, celebrate with seafood and cocktails by Dogfish Head. Enjoy a three-course prix fixe dinner at $65 per person. Menu options include a raw bar for two featuring a Maine lobster tail, oysters and more, as well as a slow-roasted prime rib, seared scallops, sauteed veggies over linguine and vanilla cheesecake with berry compote. Call 226-3600 to reserve your table.
316 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach
Related: Bardea Steak Is Not Your Average Delaware Steakhouse