Oh-lala, I don't know about you, but we are feeling the love! Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching, and that means we're spending a romantic date doing what we love most: eating out!
However, it's not easy to find a restaurant that suits you ànd your date... And let that just be our speciality! TableFixr works through an algorithm to find the best restaurant for you and your dinner party. So if you aren't sure what your date likes (which can be especially tough when it's a first date), be sure to download the app, create a group with your date, and start the hunt for a restaurant you both will love!
That said, we can reveal some basics that could help set the mood...
Big and private
Although people like to pick small and quiet restaurants because they feel more intimate, it's actually the opposite! In large restaurants, people aren't paying as much attention to the other tables. It's bad enough that your date heard it when you blurt out something awkward. No need for the whole restaurant to hear it too! Besides, if you want to rub your foot up and down your date's leg, it will be much less conspicuous.
Here are some of our favourite restaurants in this category:
Gå Nord, Antwerp
Bonta, Hasselt
Serra, Brussels
Need more inspiration? Search for the list "Impressive scenery" on the inspiration page of our app.
Sharing is Caring
If your date doesn't like sharing their food, is there even a future between you two? I mean, if I share my food with you, you can bet your ass that I like you! So find yourself a romantic restaurant where the menu is to share. And think about it, if you can agree on which dishes to take, imagine how easy it's going to be if you ever move in together and have to decide what to eat (every.single.night.).
Here are some of our favourite restaurants in this category:
Teasers by Rock-fort, Bruges
Ibizabouff, Hasselt
Mesa, Antwerp
Not exactly what you were looking for? Search for the list "sharing dishes" on the inspiration page of our app.
Setting the mood is everything
The perfect lighting, a cosy interior, and a quiet atmosphere... The love story starring Hugh Grant writes itself! Of course, you'll have to come up with your own wooing lines.
Here are some of our favourite restaurants in this category:
Cookie’s tapasbar, Bruges
Alix – Table & Jardin d’Amis, Ghent
Bar Palmier, Antwerp
Need more inspiration? Search for the list "date night" or "cosy restaurants" on the inspiration page of our app.
Fine food for a fine date
On Valentine's Day, you can make it a bit extra and visit a more high class restaurant. Maybe pick one that serves aphrodisiacs (if you catch my drift).
Of course, don't feel pressured to go to a restaurant that puts you in a credit card debt just to impress your date! There are plenty of awesome and affordable restaurants you can go to, and if you split the bill, you could make your date uncomfortable. Besides, not everybody feels at home in a fancy restaurant (what's the salad fork again??) and that's perfectly okay!
That said, here are some of our recommendations in this category:
EssenCiel, Leuven
Dim Dining, Antwerpen
La Villa Emily, Brussels
Not exactly what you were looking for? Find the list "Extraordinary Experience" in our inspiration lists on the TableFixr app.
Let this date never end
Let's face it. Nine months from now, babies are going to be born! Or maybe you'll just be too tired after an evening of eating and flirting. So why not spend Valentine's Day in a restaurant where you can just go upstairs afterwards (also known as a hotel). It also means there doesn't have to be a designated driver, and we all know what alcohol does to inhibitions...
Here are some of our favourite restaurants in this category:
Restaurant Ralf Berendsen (La Source), Lanaken
Vous Lé Vous
Juno, Gent
Need more inspiration? Search for the list "Eat & Sleep" on the inspiration page of our app.
Your Love is a Fairytale
To us, Valentine's Day isn't about spending money on tacky or overly corny presents, but we like any excuse to celebrate Love! And even though we're in our thirties now (please, don't say it out loud), we still adore fairytales and the hopelessly devoted lovestruck characters that come with it.
So find an idyllic setting this year to surprise your date, and make them feel dating you is like living a fairytale.
Here are some of the most magical restaurants we could find:
Epiphany's Kitchen, Ghent
Les Sorbiers, Heer
Maxime Colin - Kraainem
Didn't find the exact restaurant you were looking for? Make sure to download the app, invite your date, and start the hunt for the perfect romantic restaurant.