Date Night Austin: The Perfect Romantic Itinerary
January 21, 2025
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We love a good date night at the Heywood Hotel. Whether it’s for a special occasion or simply to spend quality time with the one you love, there are plenty of Austin restaurants, bars and destinations that set the tone for a romantic, intimate or fun evening with that special someone. Here are our top recommendations for a date night in Austin, lovingly curated by the expert concierge team at the Heywood Hotel.
Book A Romantic Hotel
Of course, the most romantic hotel in Austin is the Heywood Hotel. Our MICHELIN-rated boutique hotel is the best place to spend a romantic getaway for two, and our team is dedicated to providing the perfect night for you and your sweetheart. From ridiculously comfy beds to “tea for two” tubs with complimentary bubble bath, we’ve written the book on romance.
Due to its intimate size and quiet nature, the Heywood Hotel is oriented toward grown ups and requests no children, making it a perfect adult-only hotel for your Austin date night (or parents’ night out!).
Plus, the Heywood Hotel’s location can’t be beat. We offer free parking so you can safely walk or rideshare to Austin’s top date night locations. Our stellar concierges will help you plan everything, including the flowers, wine and chocolates! We can confidently say that the intimate, seven-room Heywood Hotel is one of the most romantic places to stay in Austin.
Plan a Dinner Date
If there’s ever a time to splurge on dinner, it’s on date night. Austin is home to some of the country’s best restaurants, with top-tier meals and cozy atmospheres that make the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. Here are a few of our favorite romantic restaurants in Austin.
Intero
Few meals say “date night” like a lovingly prepared plate of Italian food and a nice glass of wine. Intero offers plenty of both with their thoughtful menu of contemporary Italian dishes served in an intimate environment. After dinner, transition to dessert by ordering decadent, handcrafted chocolate bites from the in-house chocolate bar. Intero is located just a few blocks from the Heywood Hotel.
Emmer & Rye
Emmer & Rye has been nominated for multiple James Beard awards and recently received a MICHELIN Green Star for its sustainable practices in the first-ever MICHELIN Texas Guide. Emmer & Rye focuses on whole-animal butchery and house-milled grains, highlighting new techniques and beautifully composed flavors. Their intimate indoor and patio dining spaces and signature attention to detail are sure to make any date night a great one.
Justine’s
Tucked away on East 5th Street, just a couple miles from the Heywood Hotel, Justine’s is a French-style brasserie that’s every bit as hip and stylish as it is romantic. The indoor seating area is dimly-lit, adding an element of mystery to your romantic dinner. And with dishes like steak tartare and moules frites, the cuisine lives up to the alluring atmosphere. Justine’s is perfect for date night, Austin style!
Bufalina
One of our favorite local spots to recommend, Bufalina should be at the top of your list for an intimate pizza night. The East Austin neighborhood spot not only serves gourmet Neapolitan-style pizza, but they offer an extensive wine list. A limited number of reservations are available nightly, and this local gem books up fast, so plan ahead. Bufalina is one of our favorite date night spots in Austin.
Juniper
Located down the street from the Heywood Hotel, Juniper serves up fresh, seasonal Northern Italian fare in a striking yet elegant space. Their small plates are meant to be shared, creating an intimate dining experience. The inventive cocktails and 10-course tasting menu are sure to impress your date! Enjoy a cozy table for two or make reservations to dine at the kitchen counter to enjoy a first-class show of service and technique.
Date Night Activities
Looking to add some excitement to your date night itinerary? Extend your evening with a fun activity for two. Here are a few of our recommendations.
Sushi Class at Uroko
Are you and your date looking for something more interactive? Tonari by Uroko offers Sushi 101 classes where you can learn how to make sushi rice as well as several traditional sushi rolls — and, of course, you get to enjoy your creations afterward.
Tonari also offers traditional omakase. This intimate experience includes 12 tastings of nigiri that use ingredients sourced directly from Japan. The 45-minute experience is guided by owners and chefs, Masazumi Saio and Takehiro Asazu.
Two Stepping at The White Horse
The White Horse is Austin’s beloved “hipster honky-tonk” that promises a one-of-a-kind experience. The bar offers live music seven nights a week, and the dance floor is welcoming to two-steppers at all levels. Plus the whiskey on tap is there to build confidence and improve technique (at least that’s what we tell ourselves). Bring your partner to The White Horse Thursday through Saturday nights and take free two-step lessons together. It’s the perfect activity for a date night in Austin!
Mini Golf at Holey Moley
If you and your date are into games, play a round of immersive mini golf at Holey Moley. Located less than a mile from the Heywood Hotel, Holey Moley is a massive entertainment space that offers mini golf in rounds of 9, 18, or 27. There’s also karaoke as well as food and drink menus, making it a fun way to spend a few hours for your date night in Austin.
Go on a Winery Tour
Make a whole day out of your date by visiting one of the best wine regions in the country. With more than 50 wineries spanning the Hill Country region, there are countless opportunities to sample the best wines that Texas has to offer, whether you travel to Driftwood or a little further to Fredericksburg.
There are several guided winery tours that will take you by shuttle to multiple wineries in the Hill Country and provide the opportunity to try some of the best barbecue along the way. The team at Heywood will happily make arrangements for guests who want to partake in a tour.
Catch a Movie
Opt for a classic date with dinner and a movie at Violet Crown Cinema. Located downtown in the 2nd Street District, the indie movie theater is perched above the rest of the shops in the area and offers a unique view of the city. Arrive early to grab a drink and snack on small plates like chips and queso or house-made hummus, before heading into the auditorium. It’s encouraged to arrive at least 45 minutes before showtime if you plan on placing a food order.
Or, catch a film with your sweetie in the comfort of your own car at Blue Starlite Drive-in. Choose from their open-air rooftop cinema downtown or watch a flick at their North Austin location to experience a nostalgic movie theater experience. Snacks and beverages are available from their concession stand and can be purchased in advance, and you can even order full meals for delivery from some of Austin’s top restaurants like Salt & Time, Wu Chow and Swift’s Attic. Blue Starlite Drive-in is definitely one of Austin’s most romantic date night activities.
End the Night With Dessert
Date night isn’t complete without a sweet treat or two. Here are a couple of our favorite dessert spots in Austin.
Dolce Neve Gelato
After dinner (or before!), indulge in made from scratch gelato at Dolce Neve Gelato. This Austin favorite uses only the best ingredients found not only locally, but around the world. Since opening, they have created more than 300 unique flavors and normally have at least a dozen flavors on hand: staples (always available), rotating (available every few weeks, all year round), and seasonal (fruit based flavors and holiday flavors). If you want to add a little buzz to your nightcap, order an affogato, a scoop of gelato covered with hot espresso. Dolce Neve is a great way to wrap up a date night in Austin and is located near the Heywood Hotel.
Image by @dolcenevegelato
Gati Ice Cream
Just around the corner from the Heywood Hotel, Gati Ice Cream offers vegan and gluten-free ice cream, as well as coffee and baked goods. With more than 40 rotating flavors, including unique combinations such as black sticky rice horchata, lavender caramel, and Thai coffee, this cute ice cream shop is sure to be a memorable way to wrap up your Austin date night.
Oseyo
For something a little different, drop into Oseyo, just across the street from the Heywood Hotel. This modern Korean kitchen with a romantic atmosphere serves some of Austin’s best and most imaginative desserts, thanks to culinary director and executive pastry chef Laura Sawicki.
The menu changes seasonally, but some recent creative choices include the sticky jujube cake with lotus root toffee sauce and barley ice cream, panna cotta infused with fermented soy and misugaru (a Korean multigrain powder), and an Asian take on tiramisu made with ladyfingers, oolong tea mousse and five-year dark rum. Pair your sweet treat with a selection from Oseyo’s after-dinner drink menu, such as dessert wine, creative cocktail or an amaro flight.
Then head back home to the Heywood Hotel where sweet dreams await!