The Fearrington House Restaurant (located at the luxury inn of the same name) has been one of the Triangle’s most coveted reservations for generations. Guests have quite literally helicoptered in for a meal at the restaurant, which is available as a three- or four-course seasonal menu or a more elaborate seven-course tasting menu, both of which are overseen by longtime chef Colin Bedford. The setting itself is designed for quiet luxury, with diners spread among the rooms of the original farmhouse that forms the heart of the larger Fearrington House complex. Sommelier Todd Chatterton recently took over as beverage and service director and is in charge of the restaurant’s more than 1,500 bottle wine collection, as well as the cocktail menu — pairings are available with all tasting menus.

Chapel Hill’s Bluebird has quickly become one of the Triangle’s most talked-about restaurants. With a classic French bistro menu to match it’s cozy, cafe-like interior, everything about Bluebird just screams date night. Foie gras, beef tartare, steak frites, duck confit, and more are on offer for a Paris-in-the-Piedmont moment, with French wine and classic cocktails available to complete the vibe.

Yamazushi specializes in the kaiseki style of Japanese tasting menu, which itself is based on a traditional omotenashi tea ceremony. All of this is to say that much care, thought, and precision go into each of the eight to nine courses that are prepared by chef George Hitoshi Yamazawa and presented at precisely timed intervals throughout the dining experience. The restaurant also offers sake pairings designed to complement each course, and beer is available as well. The clean lines and calming tones of Yamazushi’s interior lend themselves to an overall atmosphere that encourages diners to fully immerse themselves in the experience.

Durham’s Alley Twenty Six was a 2022 James Beard Award semi-finalist for best bar in the United States, and with a list of innovative cocktails from owner Shannon Healy paired with a menu of shareable small and large plates from chef Carrie Schleiffer, it's easy to see why. Tucked away at candlelit tables, diners can mix and match dishes to pair with cocktails for the perfect date night, or go big with one of the Bull City’s most talked-about burgers, the Alley Burger (add foie gras for a decadent evening out).

The tapas flow almost as easily as the wine at the Raleigh outpost of upscale chain Barcelona Wine Bar. The lively space is infused with the smells of albondigas, mushrooms a la plancha, Spanish tortillas, and more, all washed down with craft cocktails, beer, and a glass (or three) from the restaurant’s extensive wine list (heavy on Spanish wines, of course). The menu truly is designed to be shared, and plates can appear on the table as fast (or slow) as desired. Bonus: The restaurant is just steps from the downtown Raleigh Amtrak station, so those who live westward in Cary or Durham can turn date night into a true adventure with a train ride to dinner and Uber home.

Jolie is where chef Scott Crawford’s farm-to-table cuisine takes a trip to France, all served in an intimate bistro-like interior and romantic rooftop terrace. Escargot, gnocchi Parisienne, and a classic roast chicken are some of the menu items on offer — all to be enjoyed with a superbly edited wine list and Jolie’s craft cocktails. Finish up with a chocolate tart or go true Parisian with a cheese plate.