Over 25 Valentines Day dinners and events happening around Tampa Bay

Whether you genuinely believe in the romance of Valentine’s Day or not, chances are you still probably have to take your loved one out to dinner, the movies, or some other charming activity.

From five-course meals, a la carte specials and wine pairings to more casual outings like golfing or chocolate tastings, there are dozens of restaurants and venues throughout Tampa Bay to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day this month.

And if you’re looking for something more laid back, you can always order a heart-shaped pie from South Tampa’s Westshore Pizza, write love letters at The Dalí or get your vows renewed by Beetlejuice at Spookeasy’s “Wedding Massacre” party in Ybor City.

All events take place on Wednesday, Feb. 14 unless marked otherwise. Did we miss your holiday event/dinner? Email [email protected] to tell us about your specials. You can also add your event to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s things to do calendar via cltampa.com.

American Legion Post 14 Bacon-wrapped filet mignon and baked potatoes are on the menu at this affordable and casual American-Legion-hosted dinner. Expect salad, rolls and dessert, too. 6 p.m. $18/person. 1520 4th St. N, St. Petersburg. American Legion Post 14 on Facebook

Bamboozle Seminole Heights health-focused Vietnamese spot Bamboozle is typically more of a fast-casual experience, but for V-day its staff is kicking it up a notch. Its full-service dinner consists of regular and seasonal dishes like coconut curry mussels, housemade dumplings and a variety of pho. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. 7107 N Florida Ave., Tampa. eatbamboozle.com

BellaBrava All three of BellaBrava’s locations offering their regular menu of pasta, wood-fired pizza and other Italian favorites on V-day. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Locations in downtown St. Pete, Tampa and Land O’ Lakes. Bellabrava.com

Birch & Vine This downtown St. Pete restaurant (with a rooftop bar that's also an ultra-romantic post-dinner spot) offers a pre-fixe V-day menu of brown butter-seared scallops and dry-aged steak from Feb. 9-18. Various times. $90/person. 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. Thebirchwood.com

Bling Tiger At all seven locations across the Bay area, the homegrown coffee shop will give away a small flower arrangement from local florist Roasted Rose Floral Studio, with any coffee purchase, while supplies last. blindtigercafe.com

Bon Appétit Restaurant & Bar This Dunedin favorite with one of the best waterfront views in Tampa Bay offers an exclusive, four-course Valentine’s menu of oyster Rockefeller, foie gras, pan-seared sea bass, rack of lamb and chocolate mousse for dessert. $99/person. 4 p.m.-9 p.m. 148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin. bonappetitrestaurant.com

Bouzy Indulge in this Hyde Park bar and restaurant’s $125 prix-fixe menu or take advantage of its champagne specials and special “Lover Martini.” Give Bouzy a call for more details on its Valentine’s menu. $125 per couple. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $125. 1640 W Snow Ave, Tampa. Opentable.com

Busch Gardens The theme park’s “Love is a Roller Coaster” special includes special pricing for couples ($125/persons; no singles, sorry) who’ll enjoy a welcome glass of bubbles, unlimited food and beverages, open bar, animal interactions, plus unlimited rides on Cheetah Hunt and the newly-reopened SkyRide (weather permitting). 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.  10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa. buschgardens.com—Ray Roa

Chateau Cellars Ybor This Ybor City wine bar already offers an impressive spread of savory bites and charcuterie, but full-on entrees are on the menu at its pre-Valentine’s Day dinner. The lofty price tag includes plates like french onion soup and seared cod with citrus beurre blanc alongside a variety of fancy wines like the Laurent-Perrier Millesime Brut 2012 or Grand Siecle par Laurent-Perrier No 26. Tuesday, Feb. 13. 6:30 p.m. $200/person. 2009 N 22nd St.,Ybor City. eventbrite.com

Cross Bay Ferry Take your love to the high seas at half the price, technically, when the Cross-Bay Ferry—which runs between the Tampa Convention Center and the St. Pete Port—offers buy-one-get-one-half-off for Wednesday and Thursday sails in February. You must use the code "LOVECROSSBAY" at checkout. thecrossbayferry.com

Cru Cellars Wednesday night reservations are going fast for Cru Cellars’ $125 prix-fixe menu, which can be enjoyed alongside rosé bubbles or wine flights. The daily menu of flatbreads, steak frites and short rib pasta will be available, too. Noon-10 p.m. $125 per couple. 2506 S Macdill Ave., Tampa. Opentable.com

The Dan Downtown Tampa’s newly-renovated Hotel Flor (fka Floridan Palace Hotel) has a new Roaring ‘20s-themed restaurant aptly named The Dan, and it may be your new go-to spot for romantic dinners with the significant other. Its inaugural Valentine’s Day, three-course dinner is loaded with fancy plates like scallop risotto, short ribs with wild mushrooms and ricotta cheesecake for dessert. This specialty menu will also be offered on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 10-11. 5 p.m.-close. $65/person. 905 N Florida Ave., Tampa. dineatthedan.com

The Don CeSar Waterfront views of The Gulf are always considered romantic, but The Maritana’s three-course meal kicks the ambiance up a notch with a tasteful spread of tuna crudo, roast duck and raspberry chocolate mousse (with even more dishes to choose from). 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. $180/person. 3400 Gulf Blvd., Saint Pete Beach. eventbrite.com

Ember Rooftop Lounge Bottomless champagne anyone? Plus multiple courses of seafood-forward dishes, a surf and turf entree and 360-degree views of the sunset? This popular rooftop bar and restaurant has it all. 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. $139/person. 15015 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach. Eventbrite.com

Fairgrounds St. Pete While the immersive art installation is not open Tuesday-Wednesday, it offers a Feb. 10 cookie decorating date option ($27, including museum admission) and date night special including two adult admissions, an immersive game to play together, hologram glasses and one box of locally-made gourmet cookies. 2606 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg. fairgrounds.art

Florida Avenue Brewing Co. This Seminole Heights brewery wants you to “forget the overdone dinners and crowded theaters” and opt for its casual night of beer and chocolate pairings led by advanced cicerone and microbiologist Ami Parrino. A ticket includes access to four different pairings plus a welcome drink. 7:30 p.m. $30/person. 4315 N Florida Ave., Tampa. floridaavebrewing.com

Good Intentions There’s a good chance that someone you love follows a plant-based lifestyle, and a specialty dinner at St. Pete vegan concept Good Intentions will surely impress them—especially with its one-off, tapas-style menu of patatas bravas, heart of palm ceviche and tabla de queso. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. $99 per couple. 1900 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg. goodintentionsfl.com

Hotel Haya Shop for a unique bouquet of flowers from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., enjoy a comedy show at 8:30 p.m., listen to tunes from JT Brown or indulge at Flor Fina’s three-course Valentine’s dinner of roasted oysters, French onion agnolotti and Chilean sea bass. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. $85-$210/person.1412 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. hotelhaya.com

Keel Farms Plant City’s Keel Farms may be a bit outside of the Tampa Bay area, but its “Valentine’s in the Vines” event is definitely worth the drive. A ticket to the inclusive experience includes a multi-course dinner, live music, a trip to the dessert bar and one glass of Keel Farms wine, ale or cider. 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. $75/person. 5202 Thonotosassa Rd, Plant City. exploretock.com

Krystal Yep, from Feb. 12-19, the fast food staple has a $20 “Twin Flame” Valentine’s special that includes chili cheese fries, four Krystals, two Chiks or two Krabbycake sliders, two apple turnovers, and two small drinks. And we think the flame is in your heart, not your butthole.Various locations. krystal.com—RR

LALA St Pete Opt for a music-filled Valentine’s day celebration at this Central Avenue restaurant with themed karaoke rooms. Lala offers holiday specials like duck lasagna and flourless chocolate cake alongside its daily dinner menu. 4 p.m.-midnight. 2324 Central Ave.,St. Petersburg. lalastpete.com

La Sètima Club This intimate natural wine bar deviates from its regular menu this Valentine’s day to put a “lil’ lovey-dovey, plant-based twist” on classic food pairings like surf and turf or peanut butter and jelly. The ticket price includes a natty wine pairing, too. 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. $100/person. 815 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. eventbrite.com

Ocean Hai Guests can enjoy a five-course dinner alongside this Asian-inspired fine dining restaurant’s tasty waterfront views. Scallop crudo, endive and tuna salad, and bone-in country ribs are on the menu, with a nightcap at Ocean Hai’s speakeasy-themed dessert room. 5 p.m. $98/person. 100 Coronado Dr., Clearwater Beach. Wyndhamgrandclearwater.com

Oxford Exchange Head to Oxford Exchange’s Valentine’s afternoon tea service for the chillest pregame possible. There are seatings at 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. for this laid-back snack sesh, which boasts small plates like whipped feta, tenderloin-topped brioche and mini quiches to enjoy alongside your tea of choice. Reservations via resy.com are required. 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. $70. 420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. oxfordexchange.com

The Pearl In addition to its regular menu, this Water Street Tampa concept will offer V-day food and drink specials which include an 8oz filet with potato gratin, broccolini and truffle butter for $59 or a salmon entree with crab, potato confit and lemon pepper vinaigrette for $45. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Various prices. 823 Water St. C100, Tampa. Thepearlrestaurant.com

PopStroke Tampa If eating fancy dinners while wearing your best church clothes isn’t you or your loved one’s thing, then you can always head to PopStroke for its “Golf is for Lover’s” date night package, which comes with two golf passes, an appetizer, two entrees and a champagne toast for two. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. $100 per couple. 25297 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz. eventbrite.com

Rene’s Mexican Kitchen Chef Valenzuela hosts a multi-course Valentine’s dinner on Wednesday, and his fine dining-style dishes are definitely one step up from the straightforward tacos offered at various Rene’s Mexican Kitchen locations. The specialty dinner features courses like creamy goat cheese and caviar tostaditas, carne seca and fideo soup, and beef filet mignon and bone marrow tacos. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. $85/person. Southern Brewing & Winery, 4500 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. eventbrite.com

St. Pete Cellars This wine storage facility temporarily transforms into a restaurant to host a dinner that features both locally-sourced and imported ingredients throughout its spread of unique dishes, like crudo with charred citrus vinaigrette and sea urchin okonomiyaki. Folks can add an additional wine pairing for extra $45 or BYOB. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. $120/person. 1501 22nd Str. N. St. Petersburg. Eventbrite.com

Tampa Edition Tampa’s only five-star hotel has three options for your lover’s holiday, including a four-course Valentine’s dinner at Michelin-starred Lilac featuring East Coast oysters with champagne-fermented tomato mignonette, or prime filet mignon with pont neuf potato and morel garlic cream black truffle ($195/person, with $80/person add-on wine pairing). Duo massages are also available at the spa ($174-$275), while a more casual dining experience is available downstairs at Market.
500 Channelside Dr., Tampa. editionhotels.com/tampa—RR

Vela Cru Cellars Hospitality’s new Italian restaurant hosts its inaugural Valentine’s day dinner on Wednesday, and its variety of wines and bubblies can be enjoyed alongside its $45 pasta-for-two dinner, which also includes a shareable tiramisu dessert. Reservations are recommended. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. $45 per couple. 5232 Bridge St., Tampa. Opentable.com

Vista at the Top This Tierra Verde date night favorite is known for its impressive, Gulf Coast view, and its affordable Valentine’s menu of oysters, charcuterie, fresh pasta and beef tenderloin kicks the already-romantic atmosphere up a notch. You can chow down with your loved one while enjoying live music, too. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. $50/person. 214 Madonna Blvd., St. Petersburg. vistaatthetop.com

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