Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas

Let’s be real, Valentine’s Day can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of clichéd gifts and subpar chocolates. But for me, there’s nothing quite like the charm and intimacy of a beautifully crafted dinner. You can easily put together a beautiful evening with our Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas we have for you here!

Why dinner at home? Because it’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience of flavours and a personal touch that no store-bought gift can match. 

That’s why I opt for a table set with love, delicious food, and the warm, cozy ambiance that turns a simple dinner into a memorable evening. 

Is anyone else’s love language FOOD? 😂

Whether we’re seasoned cooks or new to the kitchen, the thought and effort we put into preparing a meal can speak volumes. Taking time to plan a menu touches on the personal aspects of taste and preference, setting the stage for an intimate evening.

To make the night special, the use of ambiance becomes a vital part of our dinner plans. Setting the mood with gentle lighting, soft music, and a beautiful table setting can elevate our home-cooked meal to a restaurant-quality experience.

Planning Your Valentine’s Day Dinner

When we plan our Valentine’s Day dinner, it’s helps to choose a theme, select thoughtful decor, and compile a heartfelt playlist to set a romantic atmosphere.

Selecting a Theme

You can decide on a theme that resonates with our personal story or shared interests – or even simply base it around your favourite foods. Need some ideas? Here are some Valentine’s Day dinner theme ideas:

Steakhouse Chic 

For those who appreciate the classics, a steakhouse-themed dinner can be both elegant and satisfying. Start with a wedge salad or lobster bisque, followed by a main course of perfectly cooked steak and creamy mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables. End with a decadent chocolate dessert for a perfect finish.

The main course should be a showstopper. For a classic choice that rarely disappoints, a Pan Seared Beef Tenderloin with Lemon Thyme Butter is a popular option. 

This steak cut is small and incredibly tender, making it the perfect choice for Valentine’s Day. Its tenderness ensures you won’t feel like you’re wrestling with your meal, allowing you to savor each bite without any hassle. This steak elevates the elegance of your romantic dinner.

A heart-shaped ribeye steak also makes the cut for being a perfect steak for Valentine’s Day. This steak is essentially two individual steaks expertly joined at the long edge, forming a delightful heart shape. While it may not be a common cut, you can always inquire with your trusted local butcher to bring this unique and romantic choice to your table.

Heart-shaped potatoes add a charming and playful touch to your Valentine’s Day meal. Carved from wholesome potatoes, these adorable shapes bring a dash of love to your plate.

Tour of Italy

Transport your loved one to the charming streets of Italy with a themed dinner featuring classic Italian dishes. Start with a bruschetta or caprese salad, followed by a main course like spaghetti carbonara, Creamy Italian Sausage Bowtie Pasta or Osso Buco, and finish with a delightful tiramisu.

Appetizer Dinner

Sometimes you don’t want a full meal. Create an artisanal cheese and charcuterie board with salami roses, olives, cheeses and spreads. Prepare them using this guide on making salami roses for charcuterie boards, which simplifies the process.

Sharing a meat bouquet on Valentine’s Day filled with charcuterie skewers is a tasty departure from the usual flower bouquet. With a delightful assortment of premium meats, elegantly presented, it’s a delicious surprise that’s sure to charm your loved one. Perfect for sharing!

Setting the Mood with Decor

Our decor should encapsulate the theme and elevate the romantic ambiance. Some specific ideas include:

• Table Setting: Use a crisp white tablecloth with red napkins, fine china, and sparkling glassware.
• Lighting: Dim the lights and use candles or fairy lights to create a warm glow.
• Music: Curate a playlist with songs that are significant to you both or match the theme of the dinner.

Creating a Playlist

Music is capable of setting the tone for any romantic evening. That’s why we’ve put together a playlist for your Valentine’s Day dinner!

This list features a blend of modern classics and timeless love songs, this playlist is designed to complement the ambiance of your evening without overwhelming it. From the smooth croon of Michael Bublé to the soulful melodies of Adele and the heartfelt tunes of John Legend, each song has been chosen to resonate with the heartstrings and enhance your dining experience. 

Remember to keep the volume at a level that allows for comfortable conversation, letting the music be the subtle backdrop to your evening’s shared moments.

• Michael Bublé – “Feeling Good”
• Adele – “Make You Feel My Love”
• John Legend – “All of Me”
• Norah Jones – “Come Away With Me”
• Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”
• Josh Groban – “You Raise Me Up”
• Diana Krall – “The Look of Love”
• Harry Styles – “Adore You”
• Sade – “By Your Side”
• Michael Bublé – “Haven’t Met You Yet”
• Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
• Alicia Keys – “If I Ain’t Got You”
• Bruno Mars – “Just the Way You Are”
• Coldplay – “Magic”
• Michael Bublé – “Home”

Now if you’re into oldies music we have a list for that too!

There’s something timeless and deeply romantic about oldies music that just seems to strike the perfect chord for a day like Valentine’s. Maybe it’s the velvety voices, the classic melodies, or the way these songs have a habit of taking us back to simpler times. I absolutely adore these tunes, and I’m hoping they’ll resonate with you too. 

• Frank Sinatra – “Fly Me To The Moon”

• Etta James – “At Last”

• Elvis Presley – “Can’t Help Falling In Love”

• The Beatles – “Something”

• Nat King Cole – “Unforgettable”

• Patsy Cline – “Crazy”

• The Righteous Brothers – “Unchained Melody”

• Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – “Let’s Get It On”

• Louis Armstrong – “What A Wonderful World”

• Aretha Franklin – “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”

• The Temptations – “My Girl”

• Billie Holiday – “Come Rain or Come Shine”

• Sam Cooke – “You Send Me”

• Dusty Springfield – “The Look of Love”

• Al Green – “Let’s Stay Together”

• Chris de Burgh – “Lady in Red”

We hope you find our Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas blog post inspiring and helpful in planning your special evening. With theme-based menu suggestions, charming decor ideas, and curated playlists, to set the perfect mood for a truly memorable and intimate Valentine’s Day celebration.