Click here for 2024 Valentine’s Day dining in Des Moines.
Romance will be in the air, and plates will be overflowing with seasonal soups, juicy steaks and creamy cheesecakes at these restaurants for Valentine’s Day dining in Iowa.
The Class Act
Cedar Rapids
Step inside The Hotel at Kirkwood for not only a stunning showcase of chic, European design and an awe-inspiring art collection but also an Iowa Valentine’s Day dining experience like no other at its renowned restaurant, The Class Act. Ideal for a romantic dinner, The Class Act will wine and dine its guests well into the evening. This year’s delicious Valentine’s Day menu will feature four fabulous courses. First off, a stunning salad stuffed with spring mix, strawberries and chocolate-balsamic vinaigrette is sure to set the mood. From there, you’ll fall in love with the pistachio-crusted rack of lamb and crab-filled snapper entrees. As for dessert, prepare for a unique red velvet tiramisu, which is basically Valentine’s Day on a plate. This special four-course meal at The Class Act will be available for reservations on Feb. 10, Feb. 11 and Valentine’s Day for $65 per guest. P.S. If you’re looking to treat your sweetheart to a romantic getaway, also be sure to look into The Hotel at Kirkwood’s Valentine’s Day package for a night at the chic hotel with dinner included, as well as a complimentary bottle of wine and a sweet Valentine’s treat box in your room upon arrival. For more information, visit thehotelatkirkwood.com.
Vue Rooftop
Iowa City
If you’re looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day underneath the stars and city lights, look no further than Vue Rooftop’s skyline setting to set the stage. Located in the heart of Iowa City on the 12th floor of the Hilton Garden Inn, Vue Rooftop will leave guests speechless not only with its stunning views but also with a special Valentine’s Day dinner menu. To begin the dining experience, guests can split a flight of martinis, wines or beers, and even bourbons from the bar—perfect for Galentine’s Day outings, too. Your sips will be accompanied by soups, salads, entrees and desserts throughout the night. From Iowa bone-in, brined pork chops with whiskey-peppercorn cream sauce and maple-miso roasted cauliflower steaks to full-on surf-and-turf spreads, this Iowa Valentine’s Day dining experience is full of flirtatious flavors. And if that isn’t enough, Vue Rooftop will also boast a sugary grand finale of chocolate torte, tiramisu and cheesecake, which will surely make sparks fly. Reservations at Vue Rooftop will be available on Valentine’s Day from 4 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit vuerooftop-ic.com.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Dubuque
Like something out of your wildest dreams, prepare to experience a Valentine’s Day dining experience in Iowa like never before at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. While surrounded by glistening blue aquariums and colorful coral catsharks, guests will be wowed by one-of-a-kind scenery and a five-course plated romantic Valentine’s Day meal. The dining experience will begin with a complimentary glass of Champagne and coffee, as well as charcuterie boards, a Caesar salad and creamy tomato-basil soup. From there, the main course will include choices of steak, chicken or vegetarian black bean steak alongside stunning sides of garlic-parmesan smashed red potatoes, cognac mushroom sauce and green beans. Of course, the icing on the cake will be the sweetheart’s surprise dessert to top off your enchanting evening under the sea. This special dinner will be held on Valentine’s Day from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Mississippi River Center and is available for $60 per person. For more information, visit rivermuseum.com.
Fresko
Des Moines
Nothing says romance like sharing a fresh, farm-to-table meal with your special someone in a dimly lit dining room. This Valentine’s Day, be sure to make your date night even more dreamy at Fresko in Downtown Des Moines. In the spirit of love, Fresko will be serving an exclusive, one-day-only menu for the occasion. For starters, guests can anticipate appetizers of stuffed zucchini, lobster bisque and plenty of breads and spreads. At the same time, the bar will be brimming with cucumber mojitos, rosemary daiquiris and peach pie Old Fashioneds for some sweet contrast. Then, to make your stomach as full as your heart, Fresko’s dinner will include whole lobsters and prime filets with beef tallow potatoes or wagyu osso bucco with roasted tomato risotto. As for the dessert, a tempting toffee cheesecake will complete your mouthwatering meal. So, be sure to make a reservation at Fresko to experience Iowa Valentine’s Day dining in the dazzling Downtown Des Moines atmosphere. For more information, visit freskodsm.com.
Django
Des Moines
Transport your date to the city of love, Paris, at Django, a brasserie-style restaurant offering French cuisine, jet-fresh seafood and artisan cheese plates in Des Moines. Here, your Valentine’s Day dining experience can begin with cheese flights or a customizable charcuterie board. Guests can craft their perfect plate with double creme brie from France, French-style dry-cured foie gras and even a nine-month-aged cheddar from Iowa’s own Milton Creamery. Additionally, this modern menu also features baked ratatouille, croque madames, basil-pesto crepes and traditional bouillabaisse, a French fisherman’s stew of crab, scallops, shrimp and seasonal white fish in a saffron-scented seafood broth with grated Gruyère. Plus, for a particularly memorable meal, be sure to look into the classic scotch and oyster flight for a trio of three scotches, each coupled with two different oyster pairings for a match made in heaven. Reservations at Django will be available on Valentine’s Day from 4 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit djangodesmoines.com.