5 Romantic Restaurants in Downtown, Austin TX for a Date
Updated 29 September 2026 · 13 restaurants in Downtown, Austin TX considered · Ranked from Google ratings
Planning a date in Downtown Austin? This list gathers five restaurants that Google tags as romantic, drawn from 13 qualifying businesses and then ordered by rating. It is meant for couples marking an anniversary or birthday, or anyone who wants a dinner that feels like an occasion. Each entry is built from the restaurant's hours, listed features and what its reviewers mention, so you can see what to order and what to expect before booking.
#1
Dean's Italian Steakhouse
★ 4.9 (3,395 Google reviews)Steak house
Representative photo, not of this business.
Dean's Italian Steakhouse is at 110 E 2nd St and opens for dinner nightly, from 4 pm on Sundays. Reviewers describe a dark room where each table has its own overhead light, so it feels private even when busy. Dishes they mention include burrata, lobster bisque, bone marrow, crab cake, bucatini, a Texas wagyu NY strip, bread pudding and crème brûlée. Google lists outdoor seating, a strong wine list and cocktails.
Best for: Birthday steak dinners
- Address
- 110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–11 pm; Mon 5–10 pm; Sat 5–11 pm; Sun 4–10 pm; Thu 5–10 pm; Tue 5–10 pm; Wed 5–10 pm
#2
BOA Steakhouse
★ 4.9 (2,313 Google reviews)Restaurant$100+ per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
BOA Steakhouse is at 300 W 6th St and serves dinner from 5 pm every night, until 11 on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers praise knowledgeable servers and a sommelier who paired wines with their meal. Beyond the steak, they single out a corn side mixed into the mac and cheese. One couple stopped in after a comedy show and describe the bar as upscale with late-night energy. Google lists a private dining room and a strong cocktail and wine list.
Best for: Steak with wine pairings
- Address
- 300 W 6th St #100, Austin, TX 78701, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–11 pm; Mon 5–10 pm; Sat 5–11 pm; Sun 5–10 pm; Thu 5–10 pm; Tue 5–10 pm; Wed 5–10 pm
#3
Ember Kitchen
★ 4.8 (2,690 Google reviews)Latin American restaurant$100+ per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Ember Kitchen is a Latin American restaurant at 800 W Cesar Chavez St, open for dinner nightly and for brunch on weekends. Google lists rooftop and outdoor seating, and reviewers mention live music and dining on the balcony. Dishes they name include braised short rib with polenta, morita shrimp, and masa tortillas offered to gluten-free guests. One anniversary couple says the staff signed a card for them. Another reviewer found some small plates less impressive than described.
Best for: Anniversaries with live music
- Address
- 800 W Cesar Chavez St Ste PP110, Austin, TX 78701, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–11 pm; Mon 5–10 pm; Sat 10:30 am–2 pm, 5–11 pm; Sun 10:30 am–2 pm, 5–10 pm; Thu 5–11 pm; Tue 5–10 pm; Wed 5–10 pm
#4
Red Ash
★ 4.7 (2,511 Google reviews)Italian restaurant$50–100 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Red Ash is an Italian restaurant in Colorado Tower at 303 Colorado St, open daily from 5 to 10 pm. Reviewers describe a warm, lively and upscale room, handmade pasta and oven-grilled meats. Dishes they mention include bone marrow, octopus, beet salad and a seasonal peach and prosciutto appetizer. Reservations can be hard to get, and some reviewers waited months or took seats at the bar. One suggests ordering lightly because the food is rich.
Best for: A planned-ahead special dinner
- Address
- Colorado Tower, 303 Colorado St #200, Austin, TX 78701, United States
- Hours
- daily 5–10 pm
#5
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Downtown Austin
★ 4.6 (4,598 Google reviews)Steak house
Representative photo, not of this business.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Downtown Austin is at 114 W 7th St, open for dinner from 4 pm most days and from 10:30 am on Fridays. One reviewer calls the large dining room romantic, and others describe attentive, professional service. Dishes they mention include a coffee-topped filet with scallops, corn brûlée, au gratin potatoes, an orange vanilla cheesecake and a pork chop lunch special. Portions are described as generous. Google lists outdoor seating and a strong wine list.
Best for: Classic steakhouse date night
- Address
- 114 W 7th St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10:30 am–10 pm; Mon 4–10 pm; Sat 4–10 pm; Sun 4–9 pm; Thu 4–10 pm; Tue 4–10 pm; Wed 4–10 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 13 restaurants in Downtown, Austin TX with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Romantic”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Book ahead at Red Ash: Google lists reservations as required.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
Dean's Italian Steakhouse ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 3,395 reviews. BOA Steakhouse is second at 4.9 from 2,313 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Austin TX are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Dean's Italian Steakhouse, at 11 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: BOA Steakhouse $100+; Ember Kitchen $100+; Red Ash $50–100. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Ember Kitchen and Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Downtown Austin.
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