Date-night pressure is real, but these restaurants make it easier. Three Greater Cincinnati spots just earned a place on OpenTable’s most romantic list.
The top 100 romantic restaurants in America for 2026 list, according to OpenTable, is generated from over 9 million reviews from verified OpenTable diners and dining metrics from Dec. 1, 2024, to Nov. 30, 2025.
This year, Boca in downtown Cincinnati and Jag’s Steak & Seafood in West Chester return to the list for the second year in a row, and Carlo & Johnny in Montgomery is featured on the list again, for several years running.
Though you might not be able to snag a reservation this close to Valentine’s Day. Keep these spots in mind for your next romantic outing.
Boca
An icon of Cincinnati’s dining scene, Boca is a contemporary European restaurant located downtown.
Boca’s menu blends French and Italian-inspired cuisine, artfully prepared with seasonal ingredients. The restaurant has an intimate atmosphere, perfect for celebrations, serving dishes like gnocchi and scallops to standouts like its pommes soufflés and beef Wellington, along with a well-curated wine list.
Boca is located at114 E 6th St, Cincinnati
Carlo and Johnny
A dining destination with as much character as cuisine, Carlo and Johnny by Jeff Ruby is in a historic Montgomery mansion just outside Cincinnati.
The steakhouse offers five private dining rooms, three wine cellars, and live music, making it the kind of place to choose for special occasions, celebrations, or any evening that calls for elevated food and atmosphere. The restaurant is a blend of classic fine dining with intimate energy. The setting, once a stagecoach stop, speakeasy, and gangster hideout, creates a unique backdrop for a menu built around U.S.D.A. Prime steaks, seafood, an acclaimed raw bar and an extensive wine list.
Carlo and Johnny is located at 9769 Montgomery Rd, Montgomery
Jag’s Steak & Seafood
Technically, Jags isin Westchester, not Cincinnati, but we’re still including it in the list.
Jag’s Steak & Seafood in West Chester is a fine-dining spot just north of Cincinnati, beloved for combining classic steakhouse excellence with seafood and a lively, full-evening experience. Since opening in 2003, it’s built a reputation around premium Certified Angus Beef steaks, fresh seafood and a raw bar, served in a range of elegant dining rooms and lounges, including a popular piano bar with live music most nights.
Jag’s Steak & Seafood is located at 5980 West Chester Rd, West Chester Township.
Other heavy hitters named to the list that are near the Cincinnati area include: Lindey’s, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Cento – German Village and Butcher & Rose in Columbus, Pier W in Cleveland and Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano in Lexington.