Cooking a romantic homemade dinner is the perfect way to celebrate date night. Whether it's for Valentine's Day, your anniversary, or any other occasion, a delicious meal served at a beautifully set table can show your significant other just how much you care. With the right planning and preparation, you can create a romantic date night to remember. So, read on to find out how to have the perfect dinner for two at home. We'll provide you with some of our Valentine's and anniversary dinner ideas, including:
- What to cook for a romantic dinner
- Deciding on a location for your romantic dinner
- How to set a romantic dinner table for two at home
- Valentine's table centrepiece ideas
- How to create a romantic atmosphere
- Romantic breakfast ideas
what to cook for a romantic dinner
Nothing says 'I love you' more than a tasty homecooked dinner, and you don't have to be an expert in the kitchen to create something delicious. For a romantic meal, the simplest menu is often the most effective, and dishes packed full of flavour with minimal prep mean you can spend more time enjoying the company of your significant other. Many people choose to cook their loved one's favourite dish, but steak and pasta are also popular choices for a dinner date.
Alternatively, you could go with a more personal theme for your meal together. For example, you could serve a cuisine inspired by your favourite holiday you took with your loved one. French and Italian recipes are popular for a Valentine's or anniversary dinner, as they're often considered two of the most romantic cuisines. For inspiration on dishes and decor to match your theme, just take a look at our 17 dinner party themes to impress your guests.
The kind of food you cook can help set the tone of your whole Valentine's dinner, so this is something to bear in mind when you choose your menu. For example, sharing dishes presented on serving platters , such as Charcuterie boards, can help to create a sense of intimacy, while individual restaurant-style dishes can help to make the occasion feel more special.
Try to cook something you've made in the past or have practised beforehand. This way, you know exactly what to do on the day and you can be confident that you'll both love the dish.
romantic dinner recipe ideas
The menu for your special evening is important to get right. Perhaps you want to pull out all the stops, or maybe you're looking for healthy dinner date recipes to share together. If you're wondering what to cook for a romantic meal for two at home this February 14th, here are some recipe ideas to get you started:
Starters
- Harissa spiced cauliflower soup
- Prawn and avocado cocktails
- Sundried tomato and mozzarella salad
Mains
- Indy Power's roast tomato and basil buckwheat risotto
- Moroccan chicken
- Pasta with a creamy mushroom sauce
Sides
- Chargrilled asparagus with mozzarella
- Sautéed wild herb potatoes
- Roasted veg with feta
Desserts
- Aimee Twigger's blackberry crisp served with a dollop of ice cream or clotted cream
- Crème brûlée served with lemon shortbread
- Deliciously rich chocolate ramekin cakes
presenting your romantic dinner
For a special dinner, it's common for the cook to spend a little more time and focus on food presentation. Sprinklings of chopped fresh herbs and sauces served in miniature saucepans or jugs can add an extra dash of professionalism to your dish. Finishing touches such as edible flowers and a dusting of cocoa powder or icing sugar make beautiful garnishes for your dessert. These will show your loved one that you've gone the extra mile for your romantic dinner date.
Beautiful tableware can inject a touch of quality to your dinner table and, here at Denby, we have a wide range of serveware that would be ideal. We also have a range cookware and pots and pans that will be perfect for cooking up your Valentine's day dinner in.
romantic dinner drinks
It's common to plan drinks to go alongside your dinner date menu, so you might like to think about the kinds of beverages you want to serve at your Valentine's Day dinner. Wine and champagne are classics that can help set the mood, and you can always serve alcohol-free versions if preferred.
You could choose to serve up your favourite wine or perhaps one to complement your dish. White wine makes a perfect accompaniment for poultry, fish, and salad, while red varieties taste wonderful with dishes that feature beef or pork. Whatever wine you choose, you can serve it up in some beautiful wine glasses that are specially designed to get the most out of each flavour profile.
If you want to make the occasion feel extra special, you could serve up a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine. Adding extra garnishes such as strawberries, raspberries, or pomegranate seeds into your champagne flutes can make your drinks feel all the more luxurious. Our guide on how to serve champagne and sparkling wine will help you get the most from your bottle.
You could also try making your own cocktails to impress your date. We've got some great refreshing cocktail recipes, and our champagne and sparkling wine serving guide contains some useful champagne cocktail ideas that can help you come up with something memorable.
For a romantic dinner at home, water is usually served alongside alcoholic drinks, often served in a jug alongside a couple of tumblers so you can help yourself. But, if you want to serve soft drinks instead of alcohol, mocktails can help create a sense of occasion.
deciding on a location for your romantic dinner
Although you'll be hosting your romantic dinner for two at home, you can still take your pick of locations. A kitchen or dining table is a natural choice. To create a more relaxed environment, arrange some cushions and throws on the floor to create a comfy and informal dinner setting around a coffee table. If the weather is fine, consider setting up your romantic dinner outside to make the occasion feel extra special.
how to decorate an outdoor romantic dinner table
If you're celebrating an anniversary or special occasion in the spring or summer, taking your romantic dinner outside can be a nice touch. You could decorate your outdoor table with your Valentine's and anniversary table settings and centrepieces. Consider adding a few seasonal flowers in a jug for a rustic feel. A couple of cosy blankets might also come in handy if the weather starts to get chilly as the evening goes on.
Alternatively, you could create a beautiful picnic to share together in your garden. A relaxed dinner on a blanket under the stars can be incredibly romantic. To add to the dreamy atmosphere, lanterns placed around your patio or hung from trees are a nice touch. Just take a look at our guide on how to have the perfect picnic for advice on setting up a romantic picnic outdoors.
how to set a romantic dinner table for two at home
Whether you eat inside or outdoors, you can present your delicious meal on a stunningly romantic dinner table setting for two. By choosing the right tableware and accessories, creating an intimate atmosphere, and by adding a few Valentine's centrepieces, you can elevate staying in for date night.
romantic dinner table setup
A traditional romantic table setup usually sits two people opposite each other, which can encourage the flow of conversation and make sure you're giving your loved one your undivided attention.
If you're planning on helping yourselves from serving platters in the middle of the table, dinner plates are usually placed in the centre of your placemats before the meal begins.
Cutlery can be placed either side of your plate (with the fork on the left and knife on the right) or to one side of the plate (usually the right) on a napkin. Glasses are also usually placed to the right.
The glassware you use will depend on what you're drinking, and using the right kind of glass can add to the experience of your drink. For a romantic dinner, champagne flutes or wine glasses are common, so consider using them if you plan on sharing a toast with your loved one. Our guide on how to serve champagne and sparkling wine offers advice on choosing the right champagne glass.
For gin-based drinks, gin glasses with a large bowl are ideal, while martini glasses are great for vodka-based cocktails. For non-alcoholic drinks, both large and small tumblers are good options.
When setting your romantic table, consider adding a tablecloth and table runner, as this can make the meal feel more special. Try to choose a simple fabric in one colour to keep the focus on your stunning plates, cutlery, matching placemats, and of course the food.
To add an extra touch of sophistication to your romantic table settings, you could fold your napkin and top it with a sprig of eucalyptus or rosemary. Or, tie it with string and complete with special name cards or a personalised message for the occasion.
romantic dinner table themes
Sticking to a Valentine's theme for your table settings can help to add a sense of occasion to your romantic dinner for two. A classic red and white table setting can look very romantic, especially if you're using roses as part of your Valentine's table centrepiece.
Neutral dinnerware, such as pieces from our Denby White, Natural Canvas, and Linen collections, are ideal for a simple dinner for two, serving as an elegant backdrop to your delicious dishes. Their minimalist and versatile colours also mean that these ceramics beautifully complement a wide range of accessories and romantic centrepieces.
For a more contemporary twist on the Valentine's colour scheme, you could opt for various shades of pink. Similarly to neutrals, these hues can be matched with a wide range of colours and look stunning sitting alongside white, yellow, purple, or pink flowers. You can also mix and match your tableware and decorations to find a colour scheme that suits your taste. For more inspiration, take a look at our guide on place settings for every colour scheme.
valentine's table centrepiece ideas
For a romantic dinner date, adding a centrepiece or two can create a special atmosphere. An eye-catching centrepiece can be easy to create: all you'll need are a few flowers and candles. Some romantic table setting ideas include:
- Placing a flower or foliage across your dinner plates
- Scattering petals along the length of your dinner table
- Arranging tealights or candles at differing heights
- Adding a floral centrepiece in a vase, jug, or glass — try to keep stems short so you can still see each other over the top of your floral arrangement
- Presenting chocolates in a beautiful bowl or ramekin
try making some DIY Valentine's day table decorations
For a more personal touch, try making your own romantic centrepieces at home. There are many Valentine's table decoration ideas you could try out. For example, you could place some of your favourite photographs of you and your significant other on the table. This can work very well if you're going for a holiday-inspired dinner table theme. Scrabble letters and homemade cards are perfect for creating personalised messages for your partner.
how to create a romantic atmosphere
When organising your romantic dinner for two, you might want to think about the kind of atmosphere you'd like to create. Candles, fairy lights, and music can all help to evoke an intimate ambience, so adding a these to your Valentine's table setting can help set the tone for the evening.
You could dim the lights, put on your favourite songs, and add a few candles of varying heights to create the perfect romantic atmosphere. To make sure you're giving your loved one all the attention they deserve, consider removing any distractions — such as phones and tablets — by placing them in another room.
romantic breakfast ideas
If you're working late or fancy a twist on the classic romantic dinner, an easy Valentine's Day or anniversary breakfast is a popular option for celebrating couples. To do this, you can lay out a special romantic breakfast setup complete with fruit, your favourite pastries, cereals, and various juices. Why not try our no-bake toasted granola? You could also think about making heart-shaped pancakes or waffles to add a special homemade touch. Our red velvet pancakes recipe would be perfect for the occasion.
A cafetière filled with smooth coffee and some beautiful cups and saucers will look great alongside your Valentine's breakfast and give you and your loved one that much-needed morning pick-me-up. If you follow our tips for making a great coffee, you're bound to impress.
If you're both keen coffee drinkers, then a ceramic coffee dripper might be worth investing in for your Valentine's or anniversary breakfast. As the hot water is poured slowly over the coffee beans, it can result in a much richer flavour. Our guide on how to use a coffee dripper can help to get you started.
You can easily make breakfast more romantic with a few Valentine's table centrepieces, such as flowers in a beautiful jug and some candles. This would also be a great time to give your loved one their Valentine's or anniversary gift, so consider placing this on the table along with your homemade breakfast. You could try wrapping your present in fabric or reusable gift wrap to match the theme of your setting. This is also a more sustainable option.
If you're still looking for the perfect gift for your loved one to open this February 14th, we have a fantastic range of homeware gifts that would be perfect. We also have a selection of anniversary and birthday gifts that will help mark the occasion.
how to make a romantic breakfast in bed
Alternatively, you could think about serving your loved one a meaningful breakfast in bed. Your Valentine's or anniversary breakfast can be presented on a lap tray adorned with petals or a handmade card to make your loved one's morning feel cosy and luxurious.
Taking time to create a romantic dinner for two at home can be the perfect way to show your loved one just how much you care. The best thing about having a dinner date at home is that you can make the occasion entirely your own. We hope these tips have helped to inspire you so you can make it a night (or morning!) to remember.
If you're looking for more inspiration, our blog has some fantastic guides to help. You might also want to browse our collection of expertly made Denby products. All of our consciously made stoneware is lovingly handcrafted in our factory in Derbyshire, England. We've been making ceramics for over 200 years and every piece is designed to be beautiful, versatile, and durable.