6 minute read
Valentine’s Day in St. Louis doesn’t have to mean fighting for a reservation or defaulting to the same tired dinner plans. This year, restaurants, bars, and local favorites are doing something better: prix fixe menus that actually feel special, pop-ups worth leaving the house for, and a few delightfully unhinged ideas that only work because they’re happening here.
Whether you’re planning a full-on romantic evening, a Galentine’s hang, or something low-pressure but still memorable, these are the spots worth putting on your radar.
Elevated Italian Romance in Clayton
Casa Don Alfonso
If you’re going all in, Casa Don Alfonso is the heavyweight option. Their L’Amore Valentine’s Day prix fixe ($175++ per person) is a four-course Italian-forward experience that opens with a sparkling toast and ends with a chocolate-and-raspberry dessert that leans fully into the holiday.
Expect refined dishes like lobster agnolotti, fresh halibut with fennel velouté, and pan-seared prime tenderloin, with an optional $50 wine pairing if you want the full treatment. The cocktail list gets a Valentine’s-only glow-up too, including a clarified chocolate strawberry martini and a bourbon Old Fashioned washed with chocolate and bacon fat.
If dinner feels like too much pressure, Casa stretches the love across the weekend with Brunch Di Amore, plus a run of boutique desserts and pre-order-only specialty cakes that make gifting easy without being boring.
Pink Drinks and Sweet Treats, No Pressure
DD Mau
DD Mau is keeping things playful. From February 9–14, their Webster Groves and Maryland Heights locations are offering BOGO pink drinks, including strawberry matcha and strawberry milk tea. It’s casual, shareable, and perfect for couples who don’t need white tablecloths to feel festive.
They’re also giving their tres leches cake a strawberry twist for the holiday, which is reason enough to stop by even if you’re flying solo.
Fireside Cocktails and Galentine’s Energy
Eckert’s Farm
Eckert’s winter pop-up, The Lodge, is built for cozy nights. Think seasonal cocktails, crackling fires, and a setting that feels like a snowy escape without leaving the metro area. Reservations are just $5, with proceeds supporting Special Olympics through Without Limits – Team Galaxy.
Later in the week, Galentine’s at The Lodge turns things up with live music, themed cocktails, vendors, and an atmosphere designed for catching up, sipping something cute, and staying longer than planned.
A High-End Sushi Date That Feels Intentional
indo
Indo’s Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu is for couples who bond over great food. Offered February 14 only, the $175-per-person experience focuses on handrolls and shareable plates, built around indo’s bold, modern Southeast Asian flavors. Beverage pairings are available, or you can order à la carte.
Seatings are limited, and if you miss out, sister restaurant Sado will be operating with its regular menu on The Hill.
A Cocktail With a Secret Message
Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton
Café La Vie
Le Méridien is leaning into romance in a quieter way. Their Whispering Royale cocktail pairs bubbles and blackcurrant with a handwritten note left behind by a previous guest, creating a shared experience that feels intimate without being overdone. It’s available in both classic and zero-proof versions from February 1 through March 31.
For Valentine’s Day proper, Café La Vie is offering a $78 prix fixe dinner featuring oysters or pear salad to start, filet or scallops for the main, and desserts that nod to St. Louis classics.
The Most St. Louis Valentine’s Date Possible
Lion’s Choice
Yes, this is real. On February 13, Lion’s Choice is turning its Hanley Road drive-thru into a white tablecloth date night. Candlelit paths, servers in bowties, meals delivered on silver platters, and a Spotify playlist you access via QR code, all without leaving your car.
They’re also selling packs of branded Valentine’s cards with free mini cone coupons, which might be the most charmingly chaotic Valentine’s gesture on this list.
Late-Night Cocktails, Music, and a Pizza Pop-Up
None of the Above
For something moodier, None of the Above is opening Valentine’s weekend reservations with drink specials, live DJ sets, and a food pop-up from Fordo’s Killer Pizza. The cocktail list includes a berry-sumac creation, a proper Dirty Martini, and $10 pours of Beaujolais Nouveau that pair nicely with their limited-time S’mores pot de crème.
It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a date as it does for a post-dinner nightcap.
A Valentine’s Gift That’s Actually Fun
United Provisions
United Provisions is offering ramen bouquets for Valentine’s Day, featuring international favorites including the viral Buldak ramen. Prices range from $10–$20, and they’re available through February 14. It’s quirky, affordable, and far more memorable than another box of chocolates.
Flowers, Buds, and a Modern Valentine’s Pop-Up
SWADE Cannabis
SWADE is hosting Buds & Bouquets, a Valentine’s Day pop-up celebrating flower in all forms. Expect a florist collaboration, complimentary swag, and exclusive in-store discounts with purchase. Details are rolling out on social, so this one rewards staying plugged in.
St. Louis is proving, once again, that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be predictable. From high-end tasting menus to drive-thru fine dining and ramen bouquets, this year’s options cover every kind of relationship status and comfort level.
Plan early, pick something that actually sounds fun to you, and don’t be afraid to skip tradition if something better is on the table.
