12 top restaurants for every kind of date in Houston

Committing to a full-fledged meal can feel like a big ask for a first date, which is why Maderas hits the spot. The menu at this stylish but casual Mexican restaurant is filled with shareable snacks like chile con queso, taco trios, and churros with chocolate sauce. A prime early-in-the-game place also needs some Goldilocks magic—not too loud, not too quiet—which Maderas has in spades thanks to floral murals, plants galore, and an easygoing tropical vibe.

If your date features a stroll through the Menil Collection greens, there’s no better pit stop than this bistro. Whether you’re sitting in the sleek dining room or chilling on the patio, Bistro Menil is ideal for getting better acquainted over a chic Mediterranean-accented lineup that includes goat cheese fondue and killer burgers. The restaurant’s weekend brunch menu—hello, Belgian waffles with sugar pearls—is especially popular, so plan ahead if you’re considering a daytime date.

MaKiin is known for its fit-for-royalty Thai food, but it’s the tableside theatrics that make it an especially entertaining group-date choice: Deboned chicken wings and stuffed chicken lollipops are served with gold dust, and short ribs are presented in a sizzling stone bowl. Going with a crew means you can do justice to all the showstopping dishes, and the jewel-toned dining room makes a luxe backdrop for fun group photos.

BORI is the kind of place that can rescue a group dinner even when your dynamic isn’t totally on point. It’s because DIY Korean barbecue requires teamwork, and that’s easy to do when the reward is marinated boneless short rib and soy-ginger New York strip. Throw in complimentary banchan, plus other pitch-perfect sides like cheesy corn and soybean stew, and you’ve got one of the best family-style feasts around.

Fish-scale tiles and hanging plants are some of the playful touches that fuel the escapist vibes at this Montrose stunner. The Lymbar is a fusion restaurant from legendary local chef David Cordúa, who explores the cuisines he’s dabbled in over the years like contemporary Latin and French. The MVPs here are inventive mashups like beef kofta empanadas and foie gras doughnut holes. It all adds up to one very out-of-the-box date that’s just as great as a full-on dinner as it is for happy hour.

When a date calls for a high-energy escape, you book this French Riviera-inspired hotspot. CIEL serves a loungey Japanese-French menu including sushi with a side of sparklers, plus caviar and bottle service. A floor show complete with dancers, musicians, and a live DJ keeps the party vibes strong. And so do the creative cocktails, made with out-there ingredients like chile oil and sour-cherry gin.

Dining in a century-old log cabin is a quintessential Houston experience, and just one of the reasons Rainbow Lodge is a go-to for big nights out. Go for some of the most attentive service in the city, plus a one-of-a-kind wild game and seafood menu—not to mention an extensive wine list ideal for any special occasion. Pro-tip: Ask for a table on the patio for some of the most striking city views, and the rest of the world melts away.

This special-occasion staple sets the stage for romance with crisp tablecloths, impeccable service, and Creole classics. Plus, the layout offers many backdrops for popping the question including a stately main dining space, a serene courtyard, or a private dining room upstairs. No matter where the magic happens, you can’t end your blockbuster night without bananas Foster, a flaming bowl of bananas, butter, and rum invented by the restaurant’s founder Owen Brennan in the early 1950s.

It’s hard to say what’s prettier at this Museum of Fine Arts restaurant, the gorgeous French food or the surrounding masterpieces. The sophisticated seasonal dishes come from chef Alain Verzeroli (who once worked at three MICHELIN-starred Arpège in Paris) and include caviar service and a foie gras parfait. For an especially epic night, consider the tasting menu, which makes it easier to focus on each other—and maybe even a brand-new ring.

A heaping bowl of pasta, a crisp glass of Chianti, and the soft glow of string lights—that’s amore. And what you’ll always score at Roma, an Italian faithful in a cozy corner of Rice Village. Whether you and your date are here to graze on antipasti or go all out with heartier lasagna and carbonara, this rustic hideaway is the kind of place you can easily adopt as your trusted just-because spot.

If a date at Roost feels especially homey, it’s because the restaurant lives in a former bungalow. The inventive New American menu is driven by local farm-fresh ingredients and includes a frequently updated selection of dishes like blackberry salad and black truffle gnocchi, meaning no two meals here will be exactly the same. Translation: Roost is the kind of reliable neighborhood gem that you and your SO can happily become regulars at.

This Creole-accented supper club aces the dinner-and-a-show test thanks to a revolving door of local musicians who play everything from R&B to zydeco (a blend of blues, R&B, and music indigenous to Louisiana) every Wednesday through Sunday. Dig into Southern-inspired dishes like crawfish étouffée and hot shrimp and grits before making a beeline for the dance floor together—or linger over classic cocktails and take in the smooth tunes.