With February comes our now-annual compilation of our favorite date spots in Baltimore. Some are repeated favorites, while others are new to the list. And, sure, all are Valentine’s Day worthy spots for drinks and dinner, but they’re also our top choices to visit where we know we can reliably settle in with some of the best drinks and food for a comfortable night with Mr. or Ms. Right.
 

This cozy bar on a side street in Locust Point is perfect for a special, yet laid back, night out. With Jason Ambrose of Salt at the helm, the kitchen often uses high quality ingredients with unique or interesting preparations. Sandwiches are the stars of the mains, but a couple of entrees dot the menu as well. Cute, two-person booths line the wall, making the best of a very small space. The booths also offer a great vantage point from which to check out the impressive chalkboard lists of Scotch and Bourbon. (1157 Haubert St.; 443-449-5525)
 

Nestled in a community off of University Parkway, Ambassador Dining Room is a popular Indian cuisine mainstay in Charm City that is impossible to not fall in love with, particularly in the warmer months when outdoor seating is available alongside a gorgeous garden. Service is impeccable at the white tablecloth restaurant, and the wine list is approachable and affordable. (3811 Canterbury Rd.; 410-366-1484)

 

While Ambassador is a classic in Baltimore, its newer sister restaurant, Ananda, is a contemporary version in Howard County’s Maple Lawn community, a quick drive from the city. A bright bar greets visitors while the dining area is low lit with warm hues of brown, orange, and red. While the restaurant boasts many romantic alcoves in which to dine, and eight fireplaces, our favorite spot is the small area off the bar with several leather chairs and a couch, all facing a warm fireplace flanked by bookshelves that make us feel like we’re in our own personal home study (if we were lucky enough to have one). A wide coffee table makes dining and drinking easy while settled on the sofa. We highly recommend starting off with the Polo Smash cocktail. (7421 Maple Lawn Blvd., Fulton; 301-725-4800)
 

This upscale-casual corner bar is still one of our favorite additions to Locust Point in recent years. Get there early and snag the sofa spot in the back, or the four top table just behind it, for the coziest experience. Knowledgeable bartenders craft creative cocktails and the food is all at once simple yet elevated. Cheese and charcuterie choices are top notch, and pressed panini sandwiches like the Cubano, Caprese, and Hot Tony are winners. We might have even poached our friend’s Banh Mi leftovers after our last trip…. it’s that good. (801 E Fort Ave.; 443-708-1675)

 

In the winter months, run - do not walk - to Brewer’s Art to get yourself a fireside seat on the cozy couches on the upper level. However, if you’re not lucky enough to get a sofa spot, you can still perch on a bar stool in the uber classy upstairs bar, or at the high tops by the enormous storefront style windows that overlook Charles Street. Feeling less fancy? Take your date downstairs to the pleasantly gritty basement bar where there are tons of little nooks with tables for an unexpectedly intimate atmosphere. (1106 N Charles St.; 410-547-6925)

 

Hands down, this industrial-styled spot is one of our very favorites for cocktails in Canton. Constant creativity is at play behind the bar, and while the cocktail list is already extensive, knowledgeable bartenders, like Jay Calvert, can create whatever you may be in the mood for that night. Sure, you could sit in the dining room, but we particularly adore the high-backed, rounded seating in the bar area for an intimate dining and drinking experience with a perfect view of the bar. (2322 Boston St.; 443-759-9360)

 

A brewery might not be your first thought for a cozy night together, but think again. This large tap room in Laurel features lots of communal tables and a ton of bar seats, but we absolutely can’t get enough of the comfy, weathered leather couches where you can settle in together to share flights of brews like a Chocolate Cherry Porter or heat things up with a pint of Welcome to Scoville Jalapeno IPA. Hungry? Nosh on fare from a number of local food trucks. On our most recent visit, Nikki McGowan parked her Madame BBQ food truck out front to feed hungry imbibers. (9445 Washington Blvd., N Laurel; 443-345-9699)
 

Winner of awards like “Best Decor” and “One of the 15 Most Beautiful Restaurants”, this Basque-style restaurant in the historic Meadow Mill building exudes an industrial feel while maintaining an intimate ambiance. Nosh on small bites called Pinxtos for $2 each, share affordably priced cheese and charcuterie, or dine on mains like Duck Leg Confit, Txorizo Sausage, a locally sourced NY Strip, or Rockfish, either at the expansive bar, or in the comfortable yet stylish dining room. (3600 Clipper Mill Rd.; 443-708-3838)

 

Little Italy’s La Scala is one of our favorite go-to spots thanks to Chef Nino’s authentic Italian cuisine and warm ambiance. Settle into a table for intimate dining, or sidle up to the bar for a more casual, yet still classy, evening. Happy hour pricing on top-notch food, wine, and their legendary espresso martinis makes this otherwise upscale spot affordable and accessible for nearly any date. Looking to spice up the evening with some friendly competition? The restaurant sports an indoor bocce ball court just off the bar. (1012 Eastern Ave.; 410-783-9209)

 

This Persian spot is a pleasant surprise in its Little Italy location. While we always enjoy a date night with Italian food and wine, this pretty gem of a restaurant is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. We’re in love with the loft dining area, the perfect spot to nosh on their Persian/Mediterranean cuisine, but the beautiful bar is an ideal place to either drink, dine, or just stop by for desserts, like cheesecake and baklava. Oh, and speaking of baklava? Why eat dessert when you can drink it? We’re fairly excited about their Baklava Martini, and we’re pretty sure your date might be as well. (806 Stiles St.; 410-528-2710)

 

This speakeasy window-less spot in Hampden, housed with the Corner Charcuterie Bar, is the place to go to hunker down for a cozy night with unique meats, cheese, and cocktails. They serve brunch, too, perfect for a comfy date, or morning after spot to indulge in some of their unique offerings. (850 W 36th St.; 443-869-5075)

Easily one of the very most romantic restaurants in all of Baltimore, Sotto Sopra’s low lighting, soaring ceilings, and elegant decor make it the epitome of date spots. Classic cocktails at the classy back bar or wine from their impressive list are our choices for drinks, and the menu is as impeccable as hopefully your date finds you to be. (405 N Charles St.; 410-625-0534)

 

Not only does Tapas Teatro have what we think might be one of the very best red sangrias in town, they are also situated right next to the Charles Theater, making for a perfect movie and a meal date. We particularly like sitting outside in the summer months. (1711 N Charles St.; 410-332-0110)

Boasting one of the most expansive waterfront views (hence their name), this is one of the few upscale dining establishments in Fell’s Point. Wine aficionados can be sure to count on an impressive wine selection. A self-proclaimed “seed-to-table” spot, Executive Chef Chris Amendola has taken over the kitchen in recent months producing menus that reflect the season’s offerings with an appropriate mix of tradition and innovation in preparation. (1417 Thames St.; 443-681-5310)

 

Ze Mean Bean Cafe
Just a few blocks away from the regular noise and bar-hopping on Broadway, ZMB serves up Eastern European cuisine in a cozy and comfy spot with tables along the windows, or seats at the bar. We can’t pass up the sampler every time, which is listed as an app, but serves as the perfect meal with pierogies, kielbasa, galumpkis, and potato pancakes, but they also offer incredible cheese plates and sandwiches, as well as seasonal entrees. Go on a weeknight, and get pierogies for 50 cents each at the bar, and don’t miss out on their Krupnik, a cinnamon and honey infused vodka, fantastic on its own or in their spritzer or a cup of hot tea. (1739 Fleet St.; 410-675-5999)