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14 Low-Key Valentine's Day Dining Options in Dallas

Skip the molten chocolate cake and lobster this year.

by Whitney Filloon
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by Whitney Filloon

Valentine's Day is pretty much the worst day of the year to dine out. Practically every restaurant you'd normally go to is overrun with two-tops and overpriced prix-fixe menus. If you and your significant other aren't the type who yearn for steak, lobster, and molten chocolate cake by candlelight, consider opting for a more creative approach this Saturday night. Here are 14 places to have a totally low-key Valentine's Day dinner.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Nova

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1417 W Davis St
Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 484-7123
(214) 484-7123
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Great cocktails and creative food await at this Oak Cliff staple that caters to a steady stream of locals. Grab a booth and order up some shared plates like smoked salmon potato skins and fried frog legs. It's Valentine's Day without the cheese factor.

2. Olivella's

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3406 McFarlin Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 528-7070
(214) 528-7070
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This SMU-area pizzeria actually can be kind of romantic, thanks to the super-dim lighting and rustic setting. A bottle of wine (or a pitcher of the delicious sangria) and a truffle-laden thin-crust pie would make for a pretty solid V-Day dinner. (Bonus: On Saturday night, buy a bottle of wine and get a chocolate-Nutella-walnut-marshmallow dessert pizza for free; this deal is also in effect at the Lakewood and Victory Park locations.)

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3. Royal China

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6025 Royal Ln Ste 201
Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 361-1771
(214) 361-1771
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Share a steamer full of soup dumplings while you watch the noodle master at work. There's also a decent wine selection, including prosecco by the glass.

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4. Sakhuu

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4801 Bryan St. #100
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 828-9300
(214) 828-9300
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Fresh, tasty Thai food, warm friendly service, and a very welcome BYOB policy (might as well bring that bottle of bubbly you've been saving). Don't sleep on the stuffed chicken wings.

5. S & D Oyster Company

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2701 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 880-0111
(214) 880-0111
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McKinney Avenue's old-school seafood spot is totally charming and the service is awesome. And hey, aren't oysters an aphrodisiac?

6. Bowlounge

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167 Turtle Creek Blvd
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 741-7737
(214) 741-7737
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Even if you suck at bowling, it's still pretty fun, especially when you've had a few drinks. Food by Twisted Root means you can dine on burgers, tacos, fried pickles, and a milkshake flight, plus there's plenty of beer and cocktails on tap.

7. El Come Taco

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2513 N Fitzhugh Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(469) 233-4623
(469) 233-4623
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Some of the best damn tacos in town served up in a sleek, modern setting. Share chips and excellent guac to start, then finish off with a single freshly fried churro in an attempt to stage some Lady & The Tramp-style action.

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8. Crushcraft Thai Street Eats

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2800 Routh St Ste 150
Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 471-4446
(469) 471-4446
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It's dimly lit (at least at night), cheap, delicious, has booze, and is guaranteed not to be overrun with lovey-dovey couples. Sounds like a win-win situation.

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9. Jimmy's Food Store

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4901 Bryan St.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-6180
(214) 823-6180
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Grab a couple of the city's best sandwiches and a cannoli from the deli counter in the back, then head up to the register for inexpensive wine by the glass before grabbing one of the small tables in the front.

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10. LUCK

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3011 Gulden Ln Ste 112
Dallas, TX 75212
(469) 250-0679
(469) 250-0679
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If your date prefers craft beer to Champagne and chicken wings to lobster, take them to this Trinity Groves staple. If you feel like getting at least a little fancy, splurge on the giant pork porterhouse and the red velvet cake infused with Peticolas Velvet Hammer.

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11. Ramen Hakata

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3714 Belt Line Rd
Addison, TX 75001
(972) 247-2401
(972) 247-2401
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Delicious bowls of ramen, shareable apps like chicken karaage and fried oysters, Japanese beer, and mochi ice cream for dessert, in a cool laid-back atmosphere that feels decidedly un-Addison.

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12. Truck Yard

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5624 Sears St
Dallas, TX 75206
(469) 500-0139
(469) 500-0139
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Take your special someone up in the tree house for a bottled rum cocktail, then grab a cheesesteak and treat them to ice cream at Carnival Barker's afterward. Bonus: You can even bring Fido along.

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13. Zoli's NY Pizza

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202 W Davis St
Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 942-9654
(214) 942-9654
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If your idea of romance is stuffing yourself silly with New York-style pizza (do try the Sicilian crust) and garlic knots, Zoli's is the place to do it. They even have wine in cans — tres romantique.

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14. Small Brewpub

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408 N Bishop Ave
Dallas, TX 75208
(972) 863-1594
(972) 863-1594
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If your date has an appreciation for weird cuts of meat, fine charcuterie, and obscure craft beers, this recently opened Jefferson Boulevard brewpub is the place to be. Solid cocktails, too.

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1. Nova

1417 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
Great cocktails and creative food await at this Oak Cliff staple that caters to a steady stream of locals. Grab a booth and order up some shared plates like smoked salmon potato skins and fried frog legs. It's Valentine's Day without the cheese factor.
1417 W Davis St
Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 484-7123
Visit Website

2. Olivella's

3406 McFarlin Blvd., Dallas, TX 75205
This SMU-area pizzeria actually can be kind of romantic, thanks to the super-dim lighting and rustic setting. A bottle of wine (or a pitcher of the delicious sangria) and a truffle-laden thin-crust pie would make for a pretty solid V-Day dinner. (Bonus: On Saturday night, buy a bottle of wine and get a chocolate-Nutella-walnut-marshmallow dessert pizza for free; this deal is also in effect at the Lakewood and Victory Park locations.)
3406 McFarlin Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 528-7070
Visit Website

3. Royal China

6025 Royal Ln Ste 201, Dallas, TX 75230
Share a steamer full of soup dumplings while you watch the noodle master at work. There's also a decent wine selection, including prosecco by the glass.
6025 Royal Ln Ste 201
Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 361-1771
Visit Website

4. Sakhuu

4801 Bryan St. #100, Dallas, TX 75204
Fresh, tasty Thai food, warm friendly service, and a very welcome BYOB policy (might as well bring that bottle of bubbly you've been saving). Don't sleep on the stuffed chicken wings.
4801 Bryan St. #100
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 828-9300
Visit Website

5. S & D Oyster Company

2701 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
McKinney Avenue's old-school seafood spot is totally charming and the service is awesome. And hey, aren't oysters an aphrodisiac?
2701 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 880-0111
Visit Website

6. Bowlounge

167 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
Even if you suck at bowling, it's still pretty fun, especially when you've had a few drinks. Food by Twisted Root means you can dine on burgers, tacos, fried pickles, and a milkshake flight, plus there's plenty of beer and cocktails on tap.
167 Turtle Creek Blvd
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 741-7737
Visit Website

7. El Come Taco

2513 N Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
Some of the best damn tacos in town served up in a sleek, modern setting. Share chips and excellent guac to start, then finish off with a single freshly fried churro in an attempt to stage some Lady & The Tramp-style action.
2513 N Fitzhugh Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(469) 233-4623
Visit Website

8. Crushcraft Thai Street Eats

2800 Routh St Ste 150, Dallas, TX 75201
It's dimly lit (at least at night), cheap, delicious, has booze, and is guaranteed not to be overrun with lovey-dovey couples. Sounds like a win-win situation.
2800 Routh St Ste 150
Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 471-4446
Visit Website

9. Jimmy's Food Store

4901 Bryan St., Dallas, TX 75206
Grab a couple of the city's best sandwiches and a cannoli from the deli counter in the back, then head up to the register for inexpensive wine by the glass before grabbing one of the small tables in the front.
4901 Bryan St.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-6180
Visit Website

10. LUCK

3011 Gulden Ln Ste 112, Dallas, TX 75212
If your date prefers craft beer to Champagne and chicken wings to lobster, take them to this Trinity Groves staple. If you feel like getting at least a little fancy, splurge on the giant pork porterhouse and the red velvet cake infused with Peticolas Velvet Hammer.
3011 Gulden Ln Ste 112
Dallas, TX 75212
(469) 250-0679
Visit Website

11. Ramen Hakata

3714 Belt Line Rd, Addison, TX 75001
Delicious bowls of ramen, shareable apps like chicken karaage and fried oysters, Japanese beer, and mochi ice cream for dessert, in a cool laid-back atmosphere that feels decidedly un-Addison.
3714 Belt Line Rd
Addison, TX 75001
(972) 247-2401
Visit Website

12. Truck Yard

5624 Sears St, Dallas, TX 75206
Take your special someone up in the tree house for a bottled rum cocktail, then grab a cheesesteak and treat them to ice cream at Carnival Barker's afterward. Bonus: You can even bring Fido along.
5624 Sears St
Dallas, TX 75206
(469) 500-0139
Visit Website

13. Zoli's NY Pizza

202 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
If your idea of romance is stuffing yourself silly with New York-style pizza (do try the Sicilian crust) and garlic knots, Zoli's is the place to do it. They even have wine in cans — tres romantique.
202 W Davis St
Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 942-9654
Visit Website

14. Small Brewpub

408 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
If your date has an appreciation for weird cuts of meat, fine charcuterie, and obscure craft beers, this recently opened Jefferson Boulevard brewpub is the place to be. Solid cocktails, too.
408 N Bishop Ave
Dallas, TX 75208
(972) 863-1594
Visit Website

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