A first date is all about making a good impression, and Milton’s delivers on all counts. The upstairs dining room feels like being in a first-class train car, with warm lighting setting the mood. Start with an order of arancini rice balls, and if the date’s going well, share one of chef Kent Domas’ homemade pastas. Whether seated at the gold-accented bar or in a plush booth for two, the Italian-American food and drinks are sure to impress—even if the date doesn’t.

“Dinner and a movie” gets a ritzy upgrade at Leo’s, the new restaurant attached to the revived historic River Oaks Theater. This white tablecloth gem charms with Art Deco-inspired decor and palm chandeliers, and thanks to the plush carpeting, there’s no strain to hear your dining partner over the soft music played live from a grand piano. It’s the perfect setting to share fine-dining classics like premium steaks with truffle butter, roasted whole fish, and lobster thermidor.

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: Chive cakes come topped with a quail egg and a dropper of Sriracha sweet chili sauce, 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.

With its chic wood and leather interiors, Credence sets the stage for chef Levi Goode’s live-fire, South Texas ranch-inspired specialties. Order meaty mains like massive ribeye, seafood towers, or whole duck with dirty rice to share. Add to that the thrill of tableside carving and top-notch service, and you’ve got an interactive dining experience that’s ideal for group fun. End the evening with live music, dancing, and creative cocktails and desserts at the restaurant’s speakeasy, Sidebar.

For an adventurous date night, Toca Madera offers a dining experience with literal flair. The excitement begins with a bird’s-nest canopy that leads to a main dining room where trees hang above softly lit booths. The upscale Mexican steakhouse impresses with premium cuts of beef and seafood alongside Mexico City-inspired dishes like spicy sashimi and A5 Wagyu tacos. Expect dinner and a show with plenty of sizzle: think fire dancers, flaming cocktails, and a live DJ.

When your partner is craving something exciting and out of the ordinary for a date night or a special anniversary, this chocolate-based speakeasy is just the ticket. Located in the sleek surroundings of The Plant development, The Case offers a tasting experience featuring spirit-infused chocolates paired with expertly crafted cocktails. The dark velvet seating and gold accents in the intimate tasting room create the perfect ambiance for savoring cacao sourced from around the globe.

Dining in this century-old log cabin is a quintessential experience, and the fact that it’s a romantic restaurant in Houston with a view is 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 striking views of the bayou, and let the rest of the world melt 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 one-starred-MICHELIN 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 it’s 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 and romantic restaurant is the kind of place you can easily adopt as your trusted just-because spot.

If a date night 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 bread service with a house pimento cheese spread. Translation: Roost is the kind of reliable neighborhood gem that you and your SO can happily become regulars at.

This Creole-accented supper club is one of the most romantic restaurants in Houston with live music. It 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 seafood gumbo and fried catfish before making a beeline for the dance floor together—or linger over classic cocktails and take in the smooth tunes.