Your work week has been a little… well, taxing. And you’ve hardly seen your special someone for long enough to have a conversation. You’re ready to get out of your head (and cubicle) and go back to your heart.
With an appealing ambiance, memorable menus and hangry-erasing happy hour deals, here are six new places in Austin that are perfect for reconnecting!
No matter which you choose, it all adds up to a night to remember with your better half.
1. SALTY SOW
Living up to its savory name, recommended favorites include the Triple Fried Duck Fat Fries, Truffled Deviled Eggs, and Candied Pork Belly.
Indulge in a Daily Happy Hour from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm for $5 wine (house bubbles, white, rose or red), $5 tacos (pork ‘carnitas’, pork belly or catfish) and $5ish favorites, which include the aforementioned truffled eggs and duck fat fries!
Go on, take a walk on the culinary wild side for a fraction of the price for a memorable night on the town. It’s also on Austin’s East Side, located near the University of Texas with parking on-site.
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A neighborhood gem, it’s steeped in history. It was once a general store run by legendary jazz pianist, Robert Shaw.
ADDRESS
1917 Manor Rd | Austin, TX 78722
2. VALENCIA’S TEX-MEX GARAGE
Location. Location. Location.
Splurge on what many locals have called “some of the best Tex-Mex in Austin,” conveniently located in the Domain Northside!
Other than being in the heart of a bustling shopping district, Valencia’s is known for mouth-watering rotisserie specialty tacos, stuffed-to-the-brim ATX Loop Burritos, and Texas Loaded Queso (which speaks for itself!).
Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options feature many of the Tex-Mex classics you’d expect on the regular menu, including quesadillas and nachos.
This very similar menu lets you enjoy the same flavors as your date! No FOMO here!
Those less concerned with diets and more concerned about logistics will find romance on a budget doesn’t have to be a bummer thanks to the Daily Happy Hour from 11 am – 6 pm! It features some of their most popular Tex-Mex favorites all under $8. Margaritas and wine on tap for $5.99 each make it easy to say cheers as many times as you’d like!
Walk off the night with a lovely after-dinner stroll you just enjoyed on the open, candlelit patio.
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Right at your feet is the Domain Northside, 600,000-square-feet of shopping, entertainment, and some more dessert options to browse (if you have any room left after their infamous Tres Leches cake!).
ADDRESS
3120 Palm Way Ste 170 | Austin, TX 78758
What customers have said: The local white cheese adds a creamy color, texture, and consistency that’s truly addicting! Good thing the chips keep on comin’!
3. LENOIR
Lit by chandeliers and oozing with charm, Lenoir is a quaint escape from the everyday! Even the ordering is made simple so you can focus on your date.
A prix fixe menu lets you pick any three items on the entire dinner menu for $48 each. It’s not separated by appetizers, entrees, and dessert, but rather lets you pick based on what sounds appetizing!
Whether you want to try something new and start with the popular coconut blue corn polenta, go straight to the savory seared duck, or indulge in dessert first (we recommend the salted caramel tart), there’s something for you both!
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You can take both of your three choices and combine them for six sharable plates. Plus, an extra course is only $12. Sweet-teeth rejoice!
ADDRESS
1807 S 1st St | Austin, TX 78704
What customers have said: The Vegan Queso was even better than the Kerbey Queso according to same Vegans AND cheese lovers. Others recommended trying all three Quesos! (And ordering Chili Queso Fries!)
4. BUFALINA
Pizza and romance go together like…
Well, there’s nothing like it! And that’s part of the appeal!
Their Neapolitan style pizzas feature a crunchy exterior and ooey gooey texture in the center! Popular choices include the roasted mushroom, bacon & blue cheese, and Margherita pizza.
Starters include everything from fresh mozzarella sticks to a very sharable cheese plate.
If you make it an early night out, it’s quite the date-night deal with daily Happy Hour from 4 pm – 5:30 pm featuring 50% off on all pizzas and wine bottles under $100!
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Make yourself a Neapolitan pizza aficionado! Here’s the skinny: pizzas are cooked in a Stefan Ferrara wood-burning oven for 90 seconds at a whopping 900 degrees! This is why they’re perfectly charred and slightly melted in the middle.
ADDRESS
1519 E Cesar Chavez Ste 200 Austin | TX 78702
5. VINO VINO
Does your date love seafood while you wish you could catch a break on it?
You may have found a very delicious middle ground, especially with their standout plate, the Mussels and fries! Between the perfectly crunchy fries and the garlic mayo sauce served with them, we just can’t get enough!
Plus, it pairs very well with your Vino Vino Cheeseburger, packed with sharp cheddar cheese, market greens, caramelized onion, special sauce, and more housemade fries!
Chase down your new favorite grub with unique takes on specialty cocktails like the Av(ar)iation featuring gin, lemon, shochu, and Aperol sink. Half off during happy hour, which typically runs from 5 – 7.
We say drink to your health and a date night for foodies in love!
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More foodie insights: try the Johnny cakes, which guests have called delicious mini cornbread pancakes! They’re $7 but half off on happy hour, so go to town with at least half the guilt!
ADDRESS
4119 Guadalupe St | Austin, TX 78751
What customers have said: Prepare to get addicted AND to keep requesting chip and salsa refills, good thing they’re included!
6. OLIVE & JUNE
Sometimes the little things matter most and it is this attention to detail that makes us love Olive & June!
Seasonal dishes are the highlight of the day here, but that doesn’t mean you necessarily have to pay full price. You can find 1/2 off on their full dinner menu Monday – Friday until 6pm! This also includes beer and cocktails.
Want a little longer to toast to a romantic night out? Try a date night on Monday for Mezzo Mondays, for half off wine by the glass all night.
Even the small bites make for a delicious dinner, and the homemade bread with goat cheese/butter dip is only second to the impressive cheese plate spread.
It’s definitely a wine and dine occasion to remember.
INSIDER INFO TO IMPRESS YOUR DATE
Why tell your date something impressive, when you can just go ahead and do it? Park valet for VIP parking service… for FREE!
ADDRESS
3411 Glenview Ave | Austin, TX 78703
WHICH DATE NIGHT SPOT SETS YOUR HEART ON FIRE?
Why make Valentine’s Day the only night to dine out? Make your night together meaningful any time you choose with these six local places sure to romance your special someone.
You can’t afford not to date night (especially with those specials!). Bon Appétit!
Are there any romantic restaurants we missed? Let us know below in the comments and be sure to share why so other Austinites can be in-the-know, too!