Houston’s Most Romantic Restaurant Tables: Priceless Wedding Proposal and Valentine’s Day Intel

Although Valentine’s is only little more than a week away, the full month of February is associated with all things romantic, including engagements. With that in mind, PaperCity suggests some of the most romantic tables in high-profile restaurants across the city, the perfect spot to declare your forever love.

Rainbow Lodge

Undoubtedly, this ultra-romantic log cabin restaurant sets the record for engagements with more than 75 proposals taking place there each year. In fact, this past December, there were three proposals in a single night at Rainbow Lodge. The most popular spot for popping the question here, rather than at a table, is beneath a canopy of trees at the top of a stone path, surrounded by landscaped grounds.

If weather is an issue, wanna-be grooms can always opt for Table 23 in the Creek Room or Table 32 in the Pullman Room, both offer beautiful views of the garden, and are wildly popular with romantics.

Mastro’s

The hottest new steakhouse on the block has one of the liveliest settings for romance in the city — in front of the water wall and pool that stretches the length of one side of the restaurant. Ask for tables 804 through 808 for front row views of the romantically-lighted pool and flowing water. It’s just so California. So bustling.

Tony’s

Long recognized as the premiere place for special occasions in Houston, this mecca of fine dining has its lovers nest. Little is as romantic as a fireplace and the bar at Tony’s offers three cozy tables in front of the gas logs that not only provide a flickering glow but also have the advantage of a front row seat to the romantic tunes from Louie Carrington on the keyboard Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Impeccable service and European elegance up the romantic ante. How cool to boast to friends that you became engaged at Tony’s.

Brenner’s on the Bayou

Following Hurricane Harvey’s massive flooding, the former hunting lodge on the banks of Buffalo Bayou is back and perhaps better than ever. Practically everything except the bones of the multi-storied lodge is new.

Long popular for weddings in the gazebo and romantic moments on the terrace, the steak and seafood restaurant is also popular for romantic tête-à-têtes, particularly at Table 51 on the upper level, tucked in an alcove of windows. This table with views of the bayou and cozy locale is regularly in demand.

Backstreet Cafe

For something less formal and at friendlier price points, tables on the patio at the Montrose hotspot provide the incentive for courtship. With the camphor tree overhead and spring’s flowering shrubbery all around, romance is definitely in the air. Ask for the fountain table or Table 34 which sits beneath the spreading branches.

Need a more creative setting? Follow the example of one gent who last winter booked the entire second floor Garden Room (though it’s not that big) and a had dinner table for two set in front of the fireplace for him and his beloved.

Brennan’s

With its southern grace and strong echoes of New Orleans, this sophisticated white tablecloth restaurant always hits a romantic note. But little can beat a cupid-inspiring rendezvous than a table on the verdant patio topped off with birdsong and the music of a trickling fountain. Of course, the weather has to cooperate, but a table on the patio in spring is just right for getting down on one knee.

Otherwise, we recommend one of the tables in the main dining room with wingback chairs, which provide a gloriously intimate feeling.

Vallone’s

Dry aged steaks, chops and fresh seafood are on the menu at this contemporary restaurant at Gateway Memorial City with elongated fireplaces in both the main dining room and in the bistro. While Table 84 directly in front of the cozy bistro’s fireplace is always a romantic choice, we have an option that requires a special request.

The two-story wine room can be set for dinner for 10 or in this case for two. The setting is trés romantic with soaring glass walls housing the restaurant’s vast wine collection. While you are removed from the main dining room, the exhilarating hustle and bustle of Vallone’s is pleasantly palpable.

Artisan’s

We love the intimate bar seating at this Midtown restaurant where chef Jacques Fox presides over an American-friendly French menu. There is great seating at the lengthy table that overlooks the kitchen action, but those looking for a romantic corner, the bar is your place. Any of the three tables side-by-side with cushy banquette seating and fluffy pillows will do.

Arturo Boado Cuisine

The lively European bistro atmosphere of this popular Tanglewood restaurant is left behind the moment you step into the cozy wine room. By most restaurant standards, it is tiny. And we like it that way.  The romance of the vine surrounds the table for four, in this case, for two.

Chef/owner Boado continues his Euro/Latin slant on a highly user friendly menu featuring tapas, pizzas, pastas, seafood and beef. The perfect dessert for two? Boada’s famed crème brûlée.