5 Romantic Restaurants in Downtown, Dayton OH for a Date
Updated 29 September 2026 · 5 restaurants in Downtown, Dayton OH considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide covers five restaurants in Downtown Dayton, Ohio that Google lists as romantic, for couples planning a date night or an anniversary dinner. Every qualifying place was included, and the order comes from Google ratings weighted by review count. The picks range from a low-lit cocktail bar to Peruvian, Mexican, American and Thai dining rooms. Several close early in the week or on Sundays, so confirm hours and consider a reservation before you go.
#1
Tender Mercy
★ 4.7 (596 Google reviews)Cocktail bar$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Tucked into the lower level at 607 E 3rd St, this speakeasy-style cocktail bar opens at 5 pm and runs until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, closed Sundays and Mondays. Reviewers describe cushy, low-lit seating areas, a well-stocked bar and bartenders who build a drink from the flavors you describe. An omakase sushi experience with a private chef in the back also draws praise. Google tags it cozy and romantic, with live music.
Best for: Cocktails and a late omakase date
- Address
- 607 E 3rd St Lower Level, Dayton, OH 45402, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5 pm–1 am; Mon Closed; Sat 5 pm–1 am; Sun Closed; Thu 5–11 pm; Tue 5–11 pm; Wed 5–11 pm
#2
Salar Restaurant and Lounge
★ 4.6 (1,380 Google reviews)Peruvian restaurant$30–80 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This Peruvian restaurant on E 5th St serves dinner from 4 pm daily, closing at 9:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers call the room cozy yet luxurious and mention octopus, ceviche, beef empanadas, spicy passionfruit wings, lomo saltado, lamb and a house sangria, with servers who guide the order well. One reviewer found the vegetarian choices thin. Outdoor seating, a wine list and dessert are noted on Google.
Best for: A special-occasion Peruvian dinner
- Address
- 400 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402, United States
- Hours
- Fri 4–9:30 pm; Mon 4–9 pm; Sat 4–9:30 pm; Sun 4–9 pm; Thu 4–9 pm; Tue 4–9 pm; Wed 4–9 pm
#3
Sueño
★ 4.6 (992 Google reviews)Mexican restaurant$20–60 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This Mexican restaurant at 607 E 3rd St opens at 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday and on Mondays, and is closed on Sundays. Reviewers praise house-made tortillas, steak and potatoes, crispy fish tacos and lamb birria, and one diner enjoyed watching the kitchen from the counter. Google lists a fireplace, small plates, cocktails, dessert and a private dining room, and reviewers describe the ambiance as beautiful and the service as attentive.
Best for: Counter seats and small plates
- Address
- 607 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402, United States
- Hours
- Fri 4–10 pm; Mon 4–9 pm; Sat 4–10 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 4–9 pm; Tue 4–9 pm; Wed 4–9 pm
#4
Coco's Bistro
★ 4.5 (1,416 Google reviews)American restaurant$20–60 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This American bistro on Warren St serves lunch and dinner on weekdays and dinner only on Saturdays, closing Sundays. Reviewers mention stunning plate presentation, fried brie, burgers, Caesar salad and shrimp linguini, along with music spanning the eras and a cozy feel before a show. One reviewer found the flavors average for the price. Outdoor seating, a wine list, great coffee and dessert are among the Google attributes.
Best for: Dinner before a downtown show
- Address
- 250 Warren St, Dayton, OH 45402, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11:30 am–10 pm; Mon 11:30 am–9 pm; Sat 5–10 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11:30 am–9 pm; Tue 11:30 am–9 pm; Wed 11:30 am–9 pm
#5
Thai 9
★ 4.4 (3,051 Google reviews)Thai restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This Thai restaurant on Brown St is open daily from 11 am, until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers mention curry, pineapple fried rice, pad Thai, chicken satay, crab rangoon and sushi, and one table of four appreciated how spice levels were set for each person. One diner had an awkward welcome at the side door. Google lists outdoor seating, cocktails, a tea selection and a private dining room.
Best for: Relaxed Thai with adjustable spice
- Address
- 11 Brown St, Dayton, OH 45402, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10 pm; Mon 11 am–9:30 pm; Sat 11 am–10 pm; Sun 11 am–9 pm; Thu 11 am–9:30 pm; Tue 11 am–9:30 pm; Wed 11 am–9:30 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 5 restaurants in Downtown, Dayton OH 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
- Tender Mercy, Salar Restaurant and Lounge, Sueño, Coco's Bistro and Thai 9 take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- 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?
Tender Mercy ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 596 reviews. Salar Restaurant and Lounge is second at 4.6 from 1,380 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Dayton OH are open late?
Tender Mercy stays open until 1 am.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Tender Mercy $20–30; Salar Restaurant and Lounge $30–80; Sueño $20–60; Coco's Bistro $20–60; Thai 9 $20–30.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Tender Mercy, Salar Restaurant and Lounge, Sueño, Coco's Bistro and Thai 9.
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