The Best Upscale Restaurants In Florida For A Valentine’s Day Splurge
Valentine’s Day in Florida is not just a date on the calendar. It is a mood.
Warm evenings replace winter coats, candlelight feels softer, and suddenly dinner becomes the main event. Have you ever noticed how the right restaurant can turn a simple night out into something you remember for years?
Across the Sunshine State, romance shows up at the table in its most refined form. Upscale steakhouses glow with intimacy.
Sophisticated seafood restaurants pair ocean air with perfectly timed service. Every detail matters, from the first pour of wine to the final bite shared across the table.
This is dining designed for lingering, for conversation, and for moments that feel unhurried.
When you want Valentine’s Day to feel meaningful rather than routine, Florida delivers experiences that go beyond food. These exceptional restaurants blend atmosphere, craftsmanship, and care, creating evenings that feel effortless, indulgent, and unforgettable.
Sometimes the most romantic gift is simply choosing the perfect place to sit down together..
1. Bull & Bear
Tucked inside the Waldorf Astoria Orlando at 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Bull & Bear brings New York steakhouse swagger to Florida with a dash of Southern hospitality. The restaurant’s name pays homage to Wall Street while the menu celebrates prime cuts aged to perfection.
Dark mahogany walls and plush seating create an atmosphere where power brokers and lovebirds alike feel equally at home.
Prime beef takes center stage here, with selections ranging from classic filet mignon to massive porterhouses meant for sharing. My cousin proposed to his girlfriend here last year, and the staff surprised them with champagne and a dessert plate spelling out congratulations in chocolate sauce.
That kind of thoughtful service happens regularly at establishments this calibrated for special occasions.
The seafood towers piled high with oysters, shrimp, and lobster make impressive starters that photograph beautifully for Instagram memories. Side dishes come family-style, encouraging that intimate sharing experience couples crave on Valentine’s Day.
Located just minutes from theme parks yet worlds away in sophistication, Bull & Bear proves Orlando offers far more than character dining and food courts for those seeking culinary excellence.
2. Victoria & Albert’s
At the Grand Floridian Resort sits one of Disney World’s crown jewels, a restaurant so refined it earned AAA Five Diamond status year after year. Victoria & Albert’s at 4401 Floridian Way in Lake Buena Vista represents the pinnacle of romantic dining in Central Florida.
The experience begins the moment you step through the doors into an intimate space that seats fewer than seventy guests.
Chef Matthew Sowers crafts a multi-course tasting menu that changes with the seasons, showcasing ingredients flown in from around the globe. Each dish arrives as edible art, plated with precision that rivals museum exhibitions.
The harpist playing softly in the background adds an ethereal quality that makes conversation feel like poetry.
Reservations require booking months ahead, especially for Valentine’s Day when couples compete for the coveted Queen Victoria’s Room, an ultra-exclusive ten-seat chef’s table experience. Gentlemen should note the dress code requires jackets, making this the perfect excuse to dress up fancy.
The personalized menus printed with your names become keepsakes from an evening that costs as much as some people’s monthly car payments but delivers memories worth every penny.
3. Bern’s Steak House
Since 1956, Bern’s Steak House at 1208 S Howard Ave in Tampa has been wowing diners with an experience that goes beyond just eating dinner. Founder Bern Laxer built something truly unique, a restaurant where every ingredient gets obsessed over, from the beef aged in custom-built rooms to vegetables grown in the restaurant’s own organic farm.
The result feels less like a meal and more like a culinary education wrapped in luxury.
Walking through Bern’s feels like exploring a mansion filled with treasures. The dining rooms overflow with antiques, paintings, and enough decorative elements to keep your eyes wandering between courses.
Steaks arrive cooked precisely to your specifications, accompanied by sides that deserve their own standing ovation, especially those famous French onion soup bowls baked to golden perfection.
After dinner, couples ascend to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room upstairs, where private booths once used for romantic rendezvous now serve elaborate sweet finales. The separate dessert menu features dozens of options, making choosing just one delightfully difficult.
With a cellar housing over half a million bottles, Bern’s takes beverage pairings seriously, though the food alone justifies the splurge for Valentine’s sweethearts seeking Tampa’s most legendary dining destination.
4. Joe’s Stone Crab
Few restaurants achieve legendary status, but Joe’s Stone Crab at 11 Washington Ave in Miami Beach has been an institution since 1913. Originally a lunch counter run by Joe Weiss, this family operation transformed into a destination where celebrities, politicians, and regular folks wait hours for tables during stone crab season running October through May.
Valentine’s Day falls perfectly within this window, making reservations absolutely essential.
The stone crabs arrive chilled, already cracked, ready to dip into that famous mustard sauce that people literally dream about between seasons. Servers hustle through the bustling dining room with practiced efficiency, balancing massive trays while navigating tight spaces.
The energy here differs from quiet, candlelit romance, instead offering the excitement of participating in a Miami Beach tradition that predates Art Deco architecture.
Beyond the namesake crustaceans, Joe’s serves phenomenal fried chicken, hash browns, and Key lime pie that could convert non-dessert people into believers. Expect to spend generously, as stone crabs command premium prices reflecting their limited availability and sustainable harvesting methods that allow crabs to regenerate claws.
The no-reservations policy for most tables means arriving early or embracing the wait as part of the adventure at this South Beach treasure.
5. The Surf Club Restaurant
Chef Thomas Keller brought his Michelin-starred magic to Surfside when he opened The Surf Club Restaurant at 9011 Collins Ave, transforming a historic 1930s social club into a modern temple of gastronomy. The Four Seasons Resort provides the backdrop for this stunning space where old Hollywood glamour meets contemporary culinary artistry.
Crystal chandeliers dangle above diners who gaze out at the Atlantic through enormous windows framing paradise.
Keller’s reputation for perfection shows in every detail, from the bread basket that could constitute a meal itself to the intricate sauces that demonstrate why this chef commands global respect. The menu changes seasonally but always showcases impeccable technique applied to premium ingredients.
Presentations arrive looking almost too beautiful to disturb, though taste quickly overrides aesthetic hesitation.
Service here operates like a ballet, with multiple team members orchestrating each table’s experience without ever feeling intrusive or hovering. The dress code leans smart casual, meaning you can look sharp without requiring formal wear.
For couples seeking beachside sophistication without the stuffiness sometimes found at high-end establishments, The Surf Club strikes that perfect balance between special occasion worthy and genuinely welcoming, making Valentine’s reservations here feel like winning a delicious lottery.
6. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
French culinary legend Joël Robuchon left an indelible mark on Miami’s dining scene with L’Atelier at 151 NE 41st St, a restaurant that continues his legacy of accessible luxury through counter seating that puts diners front row to kitchen theater. The Design District location buzzes with creative energy, fitting for a concept that reimagined fine French dining by removing barriers between chefs and guests.
Red leather stools line the counter where plating happens mere inches from your admiring gaze.
Small plates encourage sharing and sampling, perfect for couples who love exploring flavors together rather than committing to single entrees. The famous bread basket alone could inspire poetry, with selections that arrive warm and accompanied by multiple butter preparations.
Signature dishes like Le Foie Gras showcase why Robuchon earned more Michelin stars than any chef in history.
Watching skilled chefs work their magic adds entertainment value beyond just eating, transforming dinner into a performance where food becomes art. The tasting menu option removes decision paralysis, letting the kitchen guide your journey through French technique applied to exceptional ingredients.
Prices reflect the caliber of cooking, but Valentine’s splurges deserve this level of sophistication, especially when the experience feels simultaneously elegant and surprisingly approachable for haute cuisine.
7. Ocean Prime
Perched along Tampa’s waterfront at 2205 N Westshore Blvd, Ocean Prime delivers that wow factor the moment you enter through dramatic doors into a space that feels simultaneously energetic and intimate. The restaurant group behind this gem understands how to create environments where business dinners and romantic dates coexist without awkwardness.
Sleek design elements, stunning floral arrangements, and thoughtful lighting combine to make everyone look their absolute best.
Seafood dominates the menu, though landlubbers find plenty to love among the steak selections and creative sides. The ten-ounce filet paired with jumbo lump crab creates a surf-and-turf combination that satisfies without overwhelming.
Live music on certain evenings adds ambiance, though never so loud that conversation requires shouting. That balance matters when you’re trying to have meaningful Valentine’s exchanges between bites.
The smoking shellfish tower arrives at your table creating literal smoke and mirrors drama that turns heads throughout the dining room. Desserts like the carrot cake reach heights both literal and figurative, standing tall enough to require structural engineering degrees.
Service staff remembers regulars and treats first-timers like VIPs, understanding that special occasions demand extra attention. Ocean Prime proves Tampa’s dining scene rivals any coastal city for sophisticated seafood experiences.
8. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Boulevard hosts countless restaurants, but Eddie V’s at 100 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 stands out for combining top-tier seafood with live jazz that transforms dinner into a complete sensory experience. The V-shaped booths provide privacy while the open layout maintains energy, striking that delicate balance between cozy and lively.
Dim lighting flatters every complexion, making this an Instagram-friendly spot where photos actually capture the romantic mood.
Fresh catches flown in daily ensure the seafood tastes like it jumped from ocean to plate with minimal delay. Chilean sea bass prepared with precision demonstrates why simple preparations often showcase quality ingredients best.
The bone-in ribeye offers land-based alternatives for those who prefer turf over surf. Live musicians playing smooth jazz create a soundtrack that enhances without overpowering, unlike restaurants where music becomes background noise or intrusive distraction.
The bar program deserves recognition for crafting beverages that complement rather than compete with the food. Truffle mac and cheese arrives as a side dish that could honestly function as a main course, rich and indulgent in ways that justify splurge-level pricing.
Valet parking eliminates the stress of finding spots along busy Las Olas, letting your Valentine’s evening begin smoothly from the moment you arrive at this Fort Lauderdale favorite.
9. Il Mulino New York Trattoria
Universal Boulevard might seem an unlikely location for authentic Italian fine dining, but Il Mulino New York Trattoria at 1200 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 brings Manhattan sophistication to Orlando’s entertainment district. The original Il Mulino in Greenwich Village earned legendary status among New York’s Italian restaurants, and this outpost maintains those exacting standards.
Walking inside transports you from theme park territory to a Tuscan villa where romance blooms over handmade pasta.
Complimentary antipasti arrives tableside before you even order, setting the generous tone that continues throughout the meal. Portions lean American-sized rather than dainty European tasting portions, meaning leftovers become tomorrow’s delicious problem.
The veal chop, pounded thin and cooked to tender perfection, exemplifies Italian-American cooking at its finest. Pasta dishes showcase al dente timing that respects tradition while sauces cling to noodles with mathematical precision.
Service here skews old-school attentive, with captains overseeing sections and servers who know the menu intimately enough to guide choices based on preferences. The atmosphere buzzes with celebratory energy, as many diners combine theme park adventures with serious dining.
Reservations book quickly around Valentine’s Day when couples seek refuge from casual dining chains, craving the kind of special evening that Il Mulino delivers with Italian flair and New York confidence.
10. The Capital Grille
Downtown Miami’s Brickell Avenue pulses with financial energy, and The Capital Grille at 444 Brickell Ave captures that power-player atmosphere while remaining warmly welcoming to couples celebrating romance. The nationwide chain might lack the uniqueness of one-off restaurants, but consistency has its virtues, especially when that consistency means reliably excellent steaks, professional service, and an environment engineered for important occasions.
Dark wood and leather create that classic steakhouse vibe without feeling dated or stuffy.
Dry-aged beef receives the respect it deserves here, with cuts aged in-house for tenderness and flavor development that separates good steaks from great ones. The Kona crusted filet adds a playful twist to traditional preparations, proving steakhouses can innovate without abandoning their core mission.
Sides arrive family-style, encouraging the sharing that brings couples closer over lobster mac and cheese or creamed spinach.
The extensive selection of premium beverages means serious enthusiasts find rare bottles while casual sippers discover approachable options. Desserts like the flourless chocolate espresso cake provide sweet endings without requiring Herculean appetite efforts after substantial steak dinners.
While The Capital Grille exists in multiple cities, the Brickell location captures Miami’s unique energy, making it feel special rather than corporate. Valentine’s Day reservations here guarantee a polished experience that delivers exactly what you expect from an upscale steakhouse celebration.