With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about date night spots before those reservations fill up.

Luckily, San Antonio has a lot of restaurants serving up innovative, elevated meals in gorgeous settings and alluring lighting — perfect for setting the mood and making your dining companion feel special.

Though the city lost a few go-to date spots over the past year — Botika, Rebelle and Allora among them — a cadre of newcomers have swooped in to keep the spark alive.

It’s true that Valentine’s Day comes but once a year. However, with this list, any day can be Valentine’s Day.

Best Quality Daughter
602 Avenue A, (210) 819-4236, bestqualitydaughter.com
When it comes to innovative Asian-American dishes, Best Quality Daughter has plenty to choose from. The spot’s maximalist decor — featuring custom wallpaper in punchy colors and neon signs — provides festive ambiance perfect for a fun date. Credit: Nina Rangel
Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar
2895 Thousand Oaks Dr., (210) 562-3343, sichuandashi.com
This swanky spot is perfect for those looking to enjoy authentic Asian-inspired cooking. The restaurant’s menu features a wide selection of Sichuanese dishes, as well as a full beer, wine, sake and cocktail program, all of which can be enjoyed in the spot’s elegant dining room or patio. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sichuandashi
La Fonda on Main 2415 N Main Ave, (210) 733-0621, https://www.lafondaonmain.com/ La Fonda on Main bears the accolade of being one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in San Antonio, operating since 1932. The tropical patio is the perfect setting for cocktails with friends, and despite the restaurant’s age, its take on south-of-the-border cuisine is anything but stodgy. Credit: Instagram / matthewmauldon
12. Bliss 926 S. Presa St., (210) 225-2547, foodisbliss.com “Possibly the best restaurant in town. I haven’t stopped thinking about the Hamachi Tostadas. The octopus was some of the best I’ve ever had and was cooked to perfection. We reserved the chef’s table for a birthday and it was so cool seeing how the kitchen operates. Bliss is one of the few restaurants in SA with a chefs table available. We had the Chef’s tasting menu which is a 7 course meal. Everything we ate was incredible. I loved getting to try so many different things that I might not have ordered on my own. A wine pairing was available with the chefs menu, too.” – Shannon C. Credit: Photo by Bryan Rindfuss via Instagram / bliss_texas
Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood 219 E. Houston St. #275, (210) 472-2600, bohanans.com Regarded as one of the top-rated steakhouses in San Antonio, Bohanan’s gives chic vibes in an old-world setting. Complete with a cocktail lounge, patio and live jazz performances, it’s no surprise that the restaurant is often busy. Credit: Photo via Instagram / bohanans
Cured
306 Pearl Pkwy #101, (210) 314-3929, curedatpearl.com
Charcuterie boards are incredibly flavorful, but they’re just part of Cured’s appeal. Just as enticing are the rustic-chic vibes of the space, which pair nicely with the New American fare and craft cocktails on the menu. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Cured
6. Carriqui 239 E. Grayson St., (210) 910-5547, carriquitx.com “If you’re looking for the heart of Texas on a plate, Carriqui is where you’ll find it. Nestled in a beautifully restored 1860s home, this South Texas gem effortlessly blends cowboy charm and caballero elegance to deliver an experience that feels like dining at the legendary King Ranch itself. It’s a celebration of Central and South Texas roots, steeped in tradition and brimming with authentic comfort food.” – Cedric D. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Carriqui
Tokyo Cowboy 135 E. Commerce St., (210) 305-7075, tokyocowboytx.com Nestled right across the San Antonio river from the historic Bald Cypress some call “Geronimo,” this chic Japanese street food spot markets itself as a “whisky diner” and features menu items such as Viet-Cajun BBQ prawns and a sukiyaki burger. Come for the trendy eats, stay for the inventive whisky-based cocktails. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Tokyo Cowboy
Biga on the Banks 203 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 225-0722, biga.com This landmark eatery is known for its take on New American fare. Though the menu is constantly changing, diners can always find inventive dishes, worldly wines and breathtaking River Walk views in Chef Bruce Auden’s downtown outpost. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
Leche de Tigre 318 E. Cevallos St., (210) 265-5933, lechedetigretx.com This new cebicheria serves up Peruvian sashimi plates and cebiche, as well as dishes such as lomo saltado — a Peruvian stir fry with a Chinese influence — and tapas. The restaurant’s interior features tigers roaming across its walls surrounded by lush vegetation. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
Credit: Courtesy Photo / Nick Simonite for Hotel Havana
Liberty Bar 1111 S. Alamo St., (210) 227-1187, liberty-bar.com This restored-convent-turned-eatery has lots of outdoor seating in front of its iconic pink façade. We recommend going for brunch, particularly the eggs benedict, and enjoying a mimosa or two outside this historic building. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
Brasserie Mon Chou Chou
312 Pearl Parkway, (210) 469-3743, brasseriemonchouchou.com
Unlike pricey, upscale French restaurants, Brasserie Mon Chou Chou aims to provide a more casual atmosphere for guests to enjoy a meal. For couples looking to nosh on French comfort food in a stylish, vintage-inspired atmosphere, this spot is just the ticket. Credit: Photo via Instagram / brasseriemonchouchou
Clementine 2195 NW Military Highway, (210) 503-5121, clementine-sa.com Over in Castle Hills is a strip mall that hosts Clementine, a charming restaurant concept with stylish decor and a globally-inspired menu. This unassuming eatery’s mission is to make upscale dining approachable, which is perfect for couples wanting a lowkey experience — but a sensational meal — on a special night. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Clementine
Battalion 604 S. Alamo St., (210) 816-0088, battalionsa.com Housed in a historic fire station, this Southtown eatery not only offers an eclectic dining space, but also delivers delicious Italian fare and cocktails that go down just right. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
17. Mixtli 812 S. Alamo St. #103, (210) 338-0746, restaurantmixtli.com “Our new favorite experience in San Antonio. We quickly decided we’ll be back every quarter to try their new menu. The entire experience was so much fun and delicious. We started with cocktails in the bar and then shifted to the tasting menu experience. Every course was perfect and to die for. The service was lovely and every member of the team was beyond personable. We loved the entire experience from beginning to end and highly recommend!” – Josie K. Credit: Nina Rangel
Credit: Photo via Instagram / shiro_riverwalk
La Frite Belgian Bistro 728 S. Alamo St., (210) 224-7555, lafritesa.com La Frite serves its signature Belgian fare in a cozy dining room that oozes comfortable intimacy. Nosh on European dishes and an all-French wine selection at this family-owned Southtown joint. Credit: Brandon Rodriguez
Toro Kitchen + Bar
Multiple Locations, torokitchenandbar.com
Toro Kitchen + Bar is a local mini-chain with two locations in the Alamo City — one of which is in a prime downtown location off Commerce Street. Serving up Spanish tapas and often featuring live music, it’s a great spot to take a date. Credit: Michael Karlis
Supper
136 E. Grayson St., (210) 448-8351, supperatemma.com
Set inside SA’s acclaimed Hotel Emma, this farm-to-table eatery is an obvious choice for upscale vibes and contemporary American plates. When the weather’s nice, reserve a small table on the patio to maximize the romance. Credit: Photo via Instagram / supperatemma
Bar Loretta 320 Beauregard St., (210) 757-3607, barloretta.com When the weather is nice, it’s hard to beat an intimate table in Bar Loretta’s garden. Situated in a breezeway between two historic buildings, the small space is just right for a romantic night out. Credit: Photo via Instagram / barloretta
Maverick Texas Brasserie 710 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 973-6050, mavericktexas.com This swanky Southtown Brasserie marries luxe details and an eclectic French-inspired menu that includes succulent beef tartare and roasted cornish hen. Canoodle with your honey on the velvet banquette seats, or post up at the bar for a cocktail. Credit: Photo via Instagram / maverick.sanantonio
Brenner’s on the River Walk
215 Losoya St., (726) 215-8703, brennerssteakhouse.com
Accoladed steakhouse Brenner’s was born in Houston with roots going back to 1936. Its San Antonio outpost offers succulent steaks, an excellent wine selection and an elegant three-story dining room offering amazing views of the River Walk.
Nicosi Dessert Bar 221 Newell Ave, (210) 759-0088nicosisatx.com High-end, high-concept dessert bar Nicosi launched in June inside Pullman Market. It has a strict no-phones policy to preserve an element of surprise. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Robert Lerma for Nicosi
The Magpie 1602 E. Houston St. #106, (210) 389-1584, magpie.us The Magpie’s chef-owner Jungsuk “Sue” Kim serves up delicious Korean-influenced plates in the restaurant’s cozy dining room. The Magpie also offers the monthly Savory Pie Supper Club, where members can pick up a carefully curated selection of pies, seasonal vegetables and desserts to enjoy at home. Credit: Photo via Instagram / magpiesanantonio