The Dish

Here are last-minute Valentine’s Day restaurant options

Happy reservation hunting.

The bar seating at Equal Measure Photo courtesy of Rebecca Nottonson

February 6, 2025

4 minutes to read

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The Boston dining environment during holidays is not built for those of us who don’t like planning ahead, and there’s no better reminder of that than Valentine’s Day. By the time we enter February, you can’t get into your favorite restaurant — or even your second- or third-favorite restaurant.

In fact, I had intended for this newsletter to be dedicated to the most romantic bar seats on Valentine’s Day, since my partner and I love dining at the bar, but even those weren’t available (we’re also not able to eat at our first-, second-, or third-favorite restaurant).

So I’m shifting gears to becoming a public service for my habitually day-by-day people, and I’m asking you to keep an open mind.

You’re likely not going anywhere at 7 p.m. Friday at this point, unless you’re going for something more casual. But you could consider an early or late dinner, or even a Feb. 15 outing.

Using OpenTable, Resy, SevenRooms, Tock (there are so many reservation apps, y’all), here are the eateries and bars I found that are still accepting reservations the weekend of Valentine’s Day. But I should note: I put this list together this morning, so some options may no longer be available.

Happy reservation hunting, and next time, set a reminder at least a month out — unless you’re like me: hopeless because you ignore phone reminders, too.

Sit at the bar

Because regular seating is overrated anyway. Sarma’s bar seats are first-come, first-serve, and I recommend getting there when they open to snag a seat. Or take part in this three-course dinner and cocktail pairing experience at Equal Measure, one of my favorite cocktail bars in Boston. If you don’t mind waiting until Saturday, Moon Bar is a fun spot for global small plates, drinks, and admiring their wallpaper.

Skip work early

This is an attractive option for obvious reasons. You don’t work a full day, you eat early, so you get home early. Snag one of the few spots left at Gustazo Cuban Kitchen in Cambridge, or share seafood small plates and raw bar items at James Beard semifinalist Select Oyster Bar. For Italian, all four locations of MIDA have some early dinner availability.

Eat dinner like it’s Spain

My research revealed that there are still plenty of 9 and 10 p.m. seats available, so grab a granola bar after work, and wait it out. Some options include Troquet on South for French food and an award-winning wine selection, or the award-winning Pagu, which blends Japanese and Spanish cuisines.

Cheese plate and mocktail at Forage – Lane Turner/Globe Staff

Weekends are for celebrating

Who wants to go out after a long day of working anyway? Save Valentine’s Day dinner for Saturday and Sunday, when you’re well-rested and free of work commute stress. Forage, a farm-to-table restaurant in Cambridge, is a great option for sharing small plates with your significant other. Or try one of Boston’s newest restaurants, Baleia, for Portuguese cuisine.

Keep it casual

If making a big to-do out of a made-up holiday isn’t your thing, why bother with the reservation apps and dressing up? Both locations of Lamplighter Brewing Co. have Valentine’s Day festivities, Scobie’s Cafe & Bar in Dorchester has a no-reservations-necessary $40 prix fixe menu, or get top-notch takeout from restaurants like Dakzen, Jamaica Mi Hungry, or Picco.

A brunch Valentine

If you can’t get into that fancy steakhouse, some of Boston’s best brunch picks have seating available Valentine’s weekend, like Brassica Kitchen + Cafe (get the fried chicken, obviously) or Via Cannuccia for Italian pastries.

If you must eat at a typical dinner time on Valentine’s Day, there are still some options left, but you’ll need to act fast. Row 34 in Cambridge appears to have a 8 p.m. seat open, or try something newer, like elevated Vietnamese at Le Madeleine in Quincy, which has 5:30 and 8:30 spots left.

For your reading list

🍺 Which bar serves the best Guinness?
🍕 How many House of Pizzas are in Mass?
🥡 Wu to rein in food delivery companies
🎶 McCarthy’s and Toad opening soon (Boston Magazine)
🏈 Best dip recipes for the Super Bowl (Eater)

For your calendar

🌮 Taco Tuesday & Tunes at Desnuda Cocina
🍗 Let Hunter’s cater your Super Bowl party
🍿 Dinner and a movie party at Alamo Drafthouse
🍽️ Dine out at Black-owned restaurants
🍺 Guinness party at The Comedy Studio

What Boston.com digital producer Kelly Chan is eating

As I mentioned a couple newsletters ago, I’ve been eating a lot of pizza, but I’m saving those thoughts for next week. So I phoned a friend.

Kelly has told me she’s wanted to try Myers+Chang for so long, purely because she is such a Flour Bakery and Joanne Chang fan. She and a friend ordered Black Pepper Shanghai Surf and Turf Noodles, the Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts, and Mama Chang’s Pork + Chive Dumplings. And it did not disappoint. The Brussels sprouts stood out the most, though, she said. The promised sweet and sour flavors came through, and the leafy veggie was perfectly crunchy. She recommends ordering family style to try a little bit of everything. This is not a menu where you can only decide on one thing to eat.

— Katelyn Umholtz

Katelyn Umholtz

Food and Restaurant Reporter

Katelyn Umholtz covers food and restaurants for Boston.com. Katelyn is also the author of The Dish, a weekly food newsletter.

Here are last-minute Valentine’s Day restaurant options