This candlelit corner BYOB in Bella Vista is so tiny, you'll have to plan a few weeks ahead to reserve one of the handful of tables. But the effort is worth the great, Asian-influenced seafood—especially the shaved raw scallops on buttery sesame toast, the charred octopus in a hot mustard vinaigrette, or nori tagliatelle with crab and smoked trout roe. Plus, the size of the room makes eating here feel intimate. It's almost like it’s just you, your date, and, you know, the chefs.

Nothing says "I like you" like fighting dozens of Philadelphians to secure the hottest reservation in town. Sao is the sibling restaurant of Mawn and this East Passyunk newcomer, with a focus on fresh oysters, flavorful seafood, and a relaxed, buzzy scene, has all the goods to turn your average Thursday night into a sexy one. Flirt with someone over a smooth Jabroni Negroni, a dozen oysters with peppery mignonette, and jumbo scallops in a spicy-savory crab gravy.

Cocktails and oysters are a classic date-night combination. But the great news is that if neither of those appeal to you, you can still have a delicious date at here. The chic raw bar and grill has an arsenal of excellent seafood dishes, but a few of our favorite meaty ones, too (the chicken lollipops are a must), along with playful, nuanced cocktails and a fantastic wine list. You'll need a reservation to secure a table, but the velvet seats at the walk-in bar are pretty alluring, too.

For excellent and inventive Thai food in a stunning package, look no further than Kalaya. The Fishtown restaurant's industrial space includes a full bar and lounge area, and booths for large groups. But the massive dining room also has plenty of two-tops perfect for sharing chicken dumplings, crisp and chewy gui chai, and one of the umami-rich wok-fried dishes. The walk-in bar is a great option for getting cozy over coconut-milk cocktails and at least one of the rainbow of curry options.

You might think of Paffuto as a great daytime cafe, but it quietly doubles as one of Bella Vista's best low-key date night moves. It's intimate without trying too hard, BYO without a corkage fee, and cozy enough that a multi-course pre fixe dinner feels easy. Eat stuffed clams and steak pizzaiolo at a tiny table, pop your favorite bottle of red, and split the unparalled panzerotti for dessert. Plan to stay way longer than you thought you would.

Thanks to its fantastic pasta and stunning views from the top floor of the Bok Building, Irwin's has long been a great choice for date night. But when you want to pull out all the stops, you need a seat at Salvatore's Counter, the tiny chef’s counter inside the restaurant. The $250, 12-course menu features Sicilian twists on each diner’s nostalgic food of choice. The experience takes a little over two hours, so a negroni or glass of wine on the outdoor terrace tends to happen between courses.

Most of Philly’s (excellent) Mexican restaurants fall into the casual category. What we lack are sexy and sophisticated options for a closer-to-upscale night on the town, with that same quality food. Until Amá, that is. The airy Fishtown stunner is perfect for a buzzy date night when drinks and small plates are the name of the game. Don't miss the shrimp ceviche tostada, the seasonal tlayuda, and juicy pollo a la leña with crispy baby potatoes.

This Filipino BYOB has only one option: the $50 kamayan feast that you eat with your hands (and if that's not intimate, we don't know what is). Tablecloths are traded for banana leaves, and your meal is layered on the table with a base of garlic jasmine rice and topped with different proteins and vegetables, like pork belly, fried whole fish, and bok choy. Sort through the homemade sauces on the table to customize each bite, and don’t be surprised if you need a to-go bag for your leftovers.

Sometimes, you want dancing and the meal to happen under one roof. This is the Marrakesh specialty. The Moroccan restaurant in Society Hill has a $40 prix-fixe menu with things like spicy cumin chicken, eggplant and carrot salads, and Moroccan pastries. Come here to recline on low couches and pillows, admire the silk tapestries and the way they bring out the color in your date's eyes, and eat while a belly dancer performs. Also, it’s BYOB, so plan accordingly.

Osteria is a spacious Italian spot on North Broad that has a beautiful covered greenhouse. It's flowing with flowers, which people seem to like in the context of romance. Also, the cocktails, pizzas, and handmade pastas are all good, especially their earthy francobolli ravioli filled with robiola cheese and topped with trumpet mushrooms. Try to keep it together while you eat and not mention your UFO theories.

La Jefa opened with a lot of anticipation—after all, it’s the sibling of Tequila’s. By day, this cafe stands out on its own thanks to its fantastic Mexican-inspired breakfast and baked goods. Come nightfall, the lights go dim and it turns into a sexy spot for date night. Skip the larger plates and opt for a snacky dinner of starters: the shrimp aguachile is punchy, the carnitas vampiro are served with a silky guacachile, and you'll fight over the last of the caesar slaw with the taco dorado.

This modern American spot in Filter Square is dark and intimate. They only have 20-ish seats, including a bar area that's reserved for walk-ins, and the only lights to speak of past 7pm are from candles and delicate little sconces. The small menu of seasonal seafood and produce is full of surprises, and the handmade pastas are not to be missed. Bonus: almost every dish costs less than $30 and it's a BYOB, so it's reasonably priced for a special night out. What a feeling.

You already know that Friday Saturday Sunday is an epic choice for a big-deal date. But our preference for something a bit more lowkey is sitting downstairs at The Lovers Bar. The 13-seat, walk-in only bar serves some of the best cocktails in town, and it has an a la carte menu with many of our favorites from the upstairs tasting menu (if gnocchi is available, it's a must). It's glam, it's intimate, and you'll have to be there by 5pm for a seat.

Blue Corn is a 10-table Mexican restaurant in the Italian Market, and it’s one of our go-to spots when we want a fun date night that starts with good margaritas and even better tacos. Everything here is made in the small, open kitchen—from the two semi-spicy salsas that appear on every table to the corn tortillas that form the base of most of their tacos, quesadillas, and huaraches. Just remember it's cash only.

Walk into this spot in the Italian Market, and you’ll see pictures of families hung up on the walls, couples sipping red wine, and tables of regulars who’ve been eating veal parm here since it opened in the ’60s. The menu is long and has everything you’d expect from a red-sauce joint, including their famous (and genuinely good) meatballs in gravy. Share the Villa salad and the baked rigatoni, or get something spaghetti-based for your Lady and the Tramp moment.

Thanks to its glam seafood towers, buttery, Frenchy mains, and just-a-little-too-loud soundtrack, this Rittenhouse restaurant works well for a swanky, martini-fueled date night. Like its sister restaurant, Her Place Supper Club, it's a tough reservation to get. But a blowout romantic meal here is worth the hassle. Especially because they make technically impressive food without any of the self-seriousness that usually comes with it.

Smoky, sexy chaos is kind of the point at Alice in the Italian Market. The room is always buzzy, the cocktails are strong, and the open kitchen gives you something to lock into if the conversation takes a nosedive. Order anything touched by fire: tender octopus, coal-roasted beets, seasonal naan, and the juicy dry-aged burger. It's delicious, and a lot more fun than whispering over a perfectly plated Italian dinner.

Vernick Fish is fine dining without the stuffiness. The space is glamourous, the menu is built for sharing, and crudos—some of the best in town—will flirt with you even if your date won't. Don't miss the amberjack with crispy rice, buttery sardines on toast, and poppable octopus. It's impressive without being exhausting, making it a great choice when you want to dress up, linger over cocktails, and eat seafood that makes you look like you know what you're doing.

Pizzeria Beddia used to be a place that was so busy that you'd get to know your date during the hour-long wait for your table. While that was certainly a bonding experience, the sleek Fishtown spot is way easier to get into now. Aside from serving some of the best pizza in town, there’s a long natural wine list, a few starters like roasted vegetables in a benne miso, and a daily selection of soft serve in cups instead of a cone, which is good for avoiding spills on your new shirt.

You can find guac, al pastor, and empanadas on lots of menus in South Philly. But El Mictlan isn’t your average Mexican BYOB. The dishes—some classic, some fusion—are more memorable than the casual environment suggests, like the stunning tuna tostadas. But you still won't have to go all out with a fancy place that takes itself too seriously. Bring someone early on in the relationship to find out if they have great taste in food and BYO tequila.