Valentine’s Day is almost here, which means it’s time to square away those reservations for an evening with that special someone in your life. Plenty of New Jersey establishments are offering festive dinners, desserts and cocktails that you and your partner will adore.
And for even more dining ideas, check out our annual roundup of Jersey’s best restaurants, and a list of cozy restaurants we frequent come winter!
NORTH JERSEY
87 Sussex • Jersey City
Executive chef Brian Walter is offering a tasting menu for $115 per guest. Start with a selection of dishes like black tie scallops and bluefin tuna before moving onto entrées like braised short ribs and stuffed quail. Cap it all off with dessert. Reservations are available between 5-10 pm and can be made through OpenTable. Optional wine pairings are also available.
Benares • Wyckoff
Try something new with an aphrodisiac-infused lineup of three courses for $69.95. Menu items include kozhi rasam, kashmiri tikki, chicken tikka masala, lamb korma and more.
Blu on the Hudson • Weehawken
Enjoy a four-course prix-fixe menu ($125) with a view of the New York skyline and some cocktails. Options include a wide variety of appetizer courses (like lobster ravioli, tuna rice cakes, Wagyu beef carpaccio) and entrées (like Ora King salmon and branzino). Sides like whipped potatoes and lobster mac and cheese can be added on; desserts like also come with the meal. Be sure to make a reservation.
Brook Hollow Winery • Columbia
For $50, enjoy a Valentine’s dinner event featuring charcuterie-board appetizers, salad and entrée choices like pork loin, aged sirloin and lobster ravioli. Non-alcoholic beverages will be served alongside other drink options.
BYRD • Hoboken
The Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu ($65 per person) offers customers three courses. Dishes include a mushroom tart, baba ghanoush, beef agnolotti, saffron risotto and chocolate mousse cake. Optional wine pairings are also available for $30 per person.
Franklin Social • Jersey City
On February 13, enjoy a Galentine’s Day celebration featuring cocktails, mocktails and food, including free chocolate-covered strawberries.
Gioia Mia • Montclair
The four-course prix-fixe dinner menu ($115) will offer a mix of Italian seafood, pasta and meat, plus live music. Dishes include dressed oysters, duck egg raviolo, branzino, a red-velvet Swiss roll and more. Gioia Mia is one of New Jersey Monthly‘s 40 best restaurants in the state.
Halifax • Hoboken
Chefs Seadon Shouse and Joshua Coleman have prepared a special Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu. Available February 14 and 15, it offers a selection of starters, entrées and desserts. Each meal comes with a mushroom tart. The cost is $125 per person, with extra charges for beverage pairings and add-ons like shaved black truffle and Ossetra caviar. Halifax is one of New Jersey Monthly‘s 40 best restaurants in the state.
Hudson Rose • Nutley
A three-course prix-fixe menu ($75 per guest) at this 2024 opening is available February 14 and February 15. Enjoy dishes like toro taki, chicken ballotine and soy-glazed hanger steak, as well as chocolate passion-fruit cheesecake for dessert. Caviar bumps with Prosecco are also available for an additional $25.
Maize Cocina & Cocktails • Westfield
Chef Jesa Henneberry will prepare a four-course prix-fixe menu ($109) at 5, 7 and 9 pm on Valentine’s Day. Reservations are required via Resy. $49 wine and agave pairings can be added on.
The Parkside Social • Verona
A special three-course prix-fixe menu ($55) will be available from February 14-16. Dishes include tuna poke, charcuterie for two, herb-crusted lamb and chocolate-covered strawberries. A crème brûlée dessert cocktail is one of the drink options.
Rooftop at Exchange Place • Jersey City
A three-course prix-fixe dinner ($125) includes a choice of an appetizer like tomato arancini, main courses like short ribs or pistachio-crusted salmon, and desserts like red-velvet cake or vegan tiramisu. Reservations will be limited to two-hour seatings.
Samba • Montclair
Yuca sliders, anyone? Make a reservation to enjoy Samba’s a la carte menu.
Sátis Bistro • Jersey City
Chef Alex Diaz’s four-course dinner ($95)—an appetizer, homemade pasta, entrée and dessert—includes options like heirloom tomato and basil soup, tre colore salad with arugula, fusilli with truffle butter, roasted black cod, peppercorn-crusted duck breast and lava cake.
Shannon Rose • Clifton & Ramsey
The Valentine’ Day menu is available from February 13-16. Begin with your choice of calamari or artichoke piccata, followed by an entrée like chicken Milanese. Cap it off with desserts like New York cheesecake or a s’mores skillet. Cocktail specials include Cupid’s rum punch and a Reese’s chocolate martini.
Son Cubano • West New York
The three-course prix-fixe menu offers dishes like crispy rice, grilled pork, and seared scallops with octopus, plus chocolate-hazelnut cake with a blueberry mousse heart for dessert.
Spuntino • Clifton
Valentine’s Day specials include cacio e pepe and butter-poached lobster. Enjoy them with a Merlot-poached pear and a strong lineup of champagne and sparkling wine options.
Vine & Oak Tavern • Cranford
Need to bring the kids along to Valentine’s Day dinner? The three-course prix-fixe menu is $95 for adults and $25 for children under 12. Appetizers include shrimp cocktail or lollipop chicken; entrées include pork and Chilean sea bass; desserts include banana-bread pudding, truffle lava cake, and three scoops of gelato or sorbet.
Ventanas • Fort Lee
The four-course prix-fixe menu ($125 per person) includes a complimentary champagne toast.
Zeugma • Montclair
From this four-course prix-fixe menu ($99), choose a mezze platter entrée, a family-style second course (like grilled octopus and lamb hummus), a main course (like Wagyu kebab or shrimp casserole), and dessert (like strawberry pavlova or a baklava-pistachio milkshake.
CENTRAL JERSEY
The Bernie – Bernards Inn • Bernardsville
Enjoy dinner and a show at this underground supper club. For a three-course menu, drinks and a story-speckled musical performance by actor Gianni Russo (best known for his role as Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather), the cost is $100 in the dining room or $85 at the bar.
Cree Wine Company • Hampton
Chef Andrew’s three-course prix-fixe menu ($125), with optional wine pairings, includes items like smoked salmon, Vidalia onion soup, sea scallops, Berkshire pork and dark chocolate mousse.
Drawing Room at Asbury Ocean Club • Asbury Park
The swanky Asbury Ocean Club—one of two New Jersey hotels to be awarded a prestigious Michelin Key—is opening its restaurant to the public from February 14-16 (it’s typically only open to those staying at the hotel as well as local residents). A special tasting menu ($105/person) includes selections such as East Coast oysters, seared Wagyu and lobster risotto; a wine pairing can be added for $55/person. To make reservations, email aocf&bleaders@stayasburypark.com.
The Frog and the Peach • New Brunswick
On February 14 and 15, a $97 meal features a noodle sushi amuse-bouche, followed by an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Menu items include crab bisque, cured tuna sashimi, pan-seared red snapper, grilled wild-boar chop and peach sorbet. Side dishes are also available for $9 each. The Frog and the Peach is one of New Jersey Monthly‘s 40 best restaurants in the state.
Meximodo • Metuchen
On February 12, a special four-course meal is available and can be paired with a Patrón-sponsored cocktail. Dinner on February 14 will feature drinks and “the best” Mexican desserts from the restaurant’s “expansive” menu. Make sure to get a tequila if that’s your thing; Meximodo has the largest tequila/mezcal selection of any bar or restaurant in the world.
Orchard Park by David Burke • East Brunswick
The three-course prix-fixe menu ($125) features lobster dumplings, clothesline bacon, halibut, duck breast and much more. Wine and cocktails can be added on.
Osteria Morini • Bernardsville
A three-course prix-fixe menu will be available on February 14 and 15, consisting of antipasti, pasta, secondi and dolci items. Additional items, like raw oysters and cannoli, will be sold for $15-$20 extra. Guests can also sign up for a pasta-making class happening before the Valentine’s Day dinner.
Piccola Italia • Ocean
A three-course prix-fixe menu ($99) begins with appetizers like oysters, lobster bisque and roasted beet salad, followed by main dishes like shrimp piccata and veal. End the night with the chef-selected chocolate dessert for two, or another dessert of your choice.
Rat’s Restaurant • Hamilton Township
At this French countryside-inspired restaurant, located at Grounds for Sculpture, choose from one of three appetizers, entrées and desserts on Valentine’s Day. Items include short-rib croquettes, mushroom tartare, lobster thermidor, acorn-squash cassoulet and the Million Dollar chocolate tart.
Red Horse by David Burke – Bernards Inn • Bernardsville
A romantic lunch ($50) or dinner ($125) offers three courses and dessert options. Enjoy popovers and corn bread for the table, too.
Saffron • Red Bank
Treat your partner to a prix-fixe dinner on February 14.
SOUTH JERSEY
Auburn Road Vineyards • Pilesgrove
Indulge in an al fresco farm-t0-table dinner. The four-course meal is $100 per person.
Beach Plum Farm • Cape May
On February 14 and 15, a candle-lit meal featuring fresh pork, produce and herbs will, in the farm’s own words, “awaken your senses and spark romance.” BYO.
The Blue Pig Tavern • Cape May
A Valentine’s Day menu will be available for brunch and dinner all weekend long. Dishes include red-velvet pancakes, homemade cinnamon rolls, lobster bucatini and pistachio-dusted lamb chops. Reservations are recommended.
Chubby’s Steakhouse • Gloucester City
From February 13-15, a limited Forget-Me-Not menu offers a special selection of appetizers, soups, steaks, seafood and sides—plus a Cupid’s Arrow cocktail comprised of champagne, vodka and raspberry liqueur. Reservations can be made between 4 and 9:30 pm; live jazz will be on tap in the evening.
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood • Atlantic City
For $119, enjoy a three-course menu (which begins with an indulgent amuse-bouche: a chocolate-glazed, pancetta/bacon confit). Begin with an appetizer of either cioppino soup or mixed green salad, then a main dish of shrimp scampi, chicken or steak, followed by a raspberry white-chocolate torte.
Drifthouse by David Burke • Sea Bright
A three-course prix-fixe menu ($95) offers options ranging from Italian meatballs and lobster bisque to cacio e pepe and a massive fisherman’s platter. Each meal includes complimentary bacon/popovers. Desserts can either be served individually, like red-velvet layer cake, or for two, like the Chocolate Lover’s dessert. A credit card must be provided when making reservations.
The Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel & Cottages • Cape May
Executive chef Jason Hanin’s five-day Valentine’s menu will include dishes like Beach Plum Farm deviled eggs, sole filet and molten chocolate cake. Live music will be provided; reservations are recommended.
The GOAT by David Burke • Union Beach
A three-course prix-fixe menu ($68) at this three-star restaurant offers such items as butternut squash soup, rigatoni Bolognese, pork ossobuco and pecan pie. Clothesline bacon and garlic knots can be added on.
Half Moon Point • Point Pleasant
Enjoy a Valentine’s Day lunch and dinner menu. Choose from appetizer options like Serrano ham and beef tartare, then follow with braised ossobuco or petite filet. Add a whiskey sour for good measure.
Hard Rock Cafe • Atlantic City
Through February 21, the Hard Rock is offering a choice of two- or three-course meal options, featuring items like steak frites and a Pure Passion martini.
Il Mulino • Atlantic City
Enjoy a four-course Valentine’s Day menu ($145 per person) featuring antipasti, primi, entrée and dolci options. Choices include octopus salad, lobster ravioli, veal scaloppine capriccio, halibut Francese and Italian cheesecake.
Kuro • Atlantic City
From February 14-17, enjoy specials that feature oysters, lobster salad, surf and turf, and a chef selection of sushi omakase for two.
Monterey Grill • Mount Laurel
Valentine’s Day weekend offerings will include a $170 dinner for two (soup or salad, a surf-and-turf entrée, plus dessert) and a $215 tomahawk dinner for two. The four-course Valentine’s Day menu ($145 per person) features an antipasti, primi, entrée and dolci option. Menu items include octopus salad, lobster ravioli, veal scaloppine capriccio, halibut Francese and Italian cheesecake.
MudHen Brewing Company • Wildwood
On February 14 and 15, a special three-course menu ($60) will offer a choice of a starter, a main course and a dessert. Add on a strawberry chocolate martini for $13. Live music will be performed on Saturday.
Nobu • Atlantic City
A six-course omakase meal ($200) include octopus tiradito, king crab handroll, pan-seared scallops and more—plus a complimentary glass of champagne.
Nunzio • Collingswood
A $160-per-couple dinner offers two courses and dessert, with the option to add a $50 entrée. A supplementary order of chocolate-covered strawberries and biscotti is $10.
Red Horse by David Burke • Rumson
A three-course prix-fixe menu ($125)—details still to be announced—will run from 4 to 9:30 pm on February 14.
The Richmond Room at the Virginia Hotel & Cottages • Cape May
‘Tis the season for romance—and truffles! On February 13, enjoy a deviled egg amuse-bouche, three courses and a dessert—each topped with black truffle. Reservations can be made online.
The Roost Pub & Grill at Harbor Pines Golf Club • Egg Harbor Township
In addition to appetizer, entrée and drink specials, there will be an all-day happy-hour menu. Live music will also be on tap, courtesy of Tommy D. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Seaview, a Dolce Hotel • Galloway
The six-course prix-fixe Valentine’s Day menu offers a charcuterie board, soup, salad, your choice of entrée—including crab cakes, seafood risotto and filet mignon—and strawberry fondue for dessert. Special features include violin music and a complimentary rose.
Sugar Factory • Atlantic City, Cherry Hill
Super-festive food, drink and dessert options abound, from a red-velvet Belgian waffle to sliders with pink buns. Candy-themed cocktails include the Love Bubbles, Hugs & Kisses espresso martinis and Piggy Barbie punch.
Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse at the Golden Nugget • Atlantic City
A $195 dinner for two offers each person a choice of a starter, entrée and dessert. Menu items include a lobster bisque, strawberry salad, filet mignon, seafood pappardelle and chocolate cake.
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