Jessi Pereira
Save This List For Valentine’s Day, Next Year Or Whenever You Feel Comfortable Enough To Mix And Mingle At Some Of The Sexier Restaurants In Dallas.
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, we hope you’ve got your dinner reservations set and ready for the most romantic day of the year. But, if you’re reading this and you haven’t set any reservations, it may be too late.
According to The Dallas Morning News, it’s nearly impossible to get reservations at some of the higher-profile spots this weekend.
No worries, though! The great thing about this city is that it has plenty of options you can check out year-round.
Food can be quite a sexy journey if you do it right, and we’re here to be your guide. Feel free to visit this article now, next week, next year or just whenever you’re comfortable stepping out and strutting your stuff.
Now, without further ado, it’s time to put that Tyrone Davis record on and get your freak on — err, your read on.
Armoury D.E (Deep Ellum)
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No matter your orientation, folks love a good, cultured and adventurous date. If that’s what you’re up for, Armoury makes for a great date spot where you’d find like-minded individuals looking for something a little different — and delicious. The Hungarian-inspired late-night eatery boasts some incredible bar food served until close every single day. This is also a great closing option to a date night that might’ve started as a “drinks only” kind of deal until you’ve realized after a few gin and tonics that your date is actually pretty cool.
Arthur’s Steakhouse (Addison)
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We won’t ask to see your browser history, but if you’re into say, more sophisticated and mature women, Arthur’s in Addison is a great option for you. The food, the ambiance… OK, we won’t bullshit you. Demographically speaking, Arthur’s is a cougar den. This is a great option if a coming-of-age film like American Pie was something that shaped your formative years.
Atwater Alley (Uptown)
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Head to the hidden door behind Henry’s Majestic and follow the curling stairwell that leads you up to Atwater Alley — a sexy and candle-lit speakeasy with curved leather sofas that feel specifically designed for people to make out on. Who doesn’t want to suck face to Wu-Tang Clan softly playing in the background?
Bowen House (Uptown)
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This lit-by-candle cocktail bar is nestled in a historic prairie-style home built all the way back in 1874. Here, attractive, tattooed bartenders are just waiting to turn your libation fantasies into a reality. Don’t know what to order? It’s totally cool; just ask the staff and they’ll help you figure it out. Because Bowen House is tucked into a cozy little building and boasts a serious cocktail menu, it charmingly exceeds expectations — just like a good date does.
Coco’s Fire & Ice (Bishop Arts District)
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If you’re strolling down Bishop Avenue and looking for a little bit of adventure, keep an eye out for the “Coco’s Fire & Ice” sign hanging above the sidewalk. Follow the arrows, and it should lead you to a true hidden gem. This Oaxacan-inspired restaurant and mezcal bar offers some sexy appetizers like chapulines and cooked grasshoppers. Now, we know what you’re thinking: That’s not sexy at all! Perhaps not to you, but it does provide a good way to vet out a date. Are they might be disgusted at the idea of you eating dead bugs? Dump ’em. Are they openminded to the idea? Sounds like a good person to us — not to mention someone who likes sunflower seeds, which is what grasshoppers taste like, if you ask us.
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine (Any location)
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This Salvadorian & Tex-Mex chain is the perfect place to start your night and stay there. Trust us, after just two of their famously strong frozen margaritas, you’ll be loosened up enough to let any nerves or jitters you have about going on a date fall by the wayside — and, well, that’s pretty much is, since most locations have a two-drink limit on those margs. Find yourself a little too loosey-goosey due to the booze? You’re in luck; the broad menu has a lot of super delicious and healthy options available to help you soak up the alcohol.
Lounge Here (East Dallas)
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You can thank Lounge Here founders Julie Doyle and Tim DeLaughter of the Polyphonic Spree for designing such a thoughtfully sexy space here on Garland Road. This dimly-lit bar looks like all it’s missing is a conversation pit in the middle of the room. Inspired by ’70s airport lounges, Lounge Here is a great way to gauge your partner’s aesthetic fantasies. Beautifully decorated spaces in general means beautiful, artsy people hanging around — a quality Lounge Here definitely boasts. And who doesn’t get turned on by that?!?!
Parliament (Uptown)
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One great thing about Parliament is that, due to its high-profile status and unusual location on the ground floor of a quiet residential block, this cocktail bar puts you in a great position to meet some exciting new people. Grab a carefully crafted cocktail and stay awhile.
Sandwich Hag (The Cedars)
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Looking to meet someone with cultural awareness and a zero-tolerance for bullshit? A socially active babe who is down for the cause can appreciate a place like Sandwich Hag — a quirky Vietnamese sandwich shop with a strict “No Assholes” policy. Listen, canoodling in bed with someone who shares the same values as you is always hot. And with plenty of outdoor space to boot here, your date will be impressed by a trip to one of Dallas’ most thoughtful, progressive and candid eateries. Say more with less — and get you a mouthful of thịt nướng sả salad.
Tei-An (One Arts Plaza)
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If you’re reading this right now and think that you can get a reservation here in time for the weekend, bless your heart. We applaud you for your optimism, really! Teiichi Sakurai’s Tei-An is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city, and one of the spots with the sexiest atmospheres out there. The presentation of the dishes, the music and the well-coiffed staff wearing all-black will slowly orchestrate seduction from start to finish — wherever that may be. While Valentine’s reservations are for the few and the prepared, any other time of year is still perfect for strips of Wagyu beef grade-12 going right into your date’s mouth. Honestly, we’re getting hot and bothered just thinking about it.
Illustration by Jessi Pereira.