8 Must-Try Romantic Restaurants in Hot Springs, AR

Arlington Fountain & Venetian

At the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, the dining options are pretty vast. The Arlington Fountain & Venetian, also referred to as the Venetian Dining Room, offers some of the best buffets in town. Every Friday, the seafood dinner buffet features shrimp, salmon, catfish, salads, pasta, desserts, and plenty more options. The Sunday brunch is the real star of the Arlington Fountain & Venetian. Offering both breakfast and dinner options, you’ll find whatever you desire here. Three carving stations include ham, beef, and lamb. Along with this, guests encourage future diners to try out the freshly made Arlington donuts, made right in front of you.

Arlington Fountain & Venetian , 239 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901, Phone: 800-643-1502

Back Porch Grill

Family owned since 2002, Back Porch Grill is home to delicious grilled delights made right before your eyes. Diners and daters can enjoy a romantic evening right off Lake Hamilton, for a cozy but scenic dinner. Every hand-cut steak is certified Black Angus beef, grilled to perfection. For those who want something other than steak, the pasta and seafood dishes are worth raving. Seafood options include fresh diver scallops, stuffed red snapper, orange roughy, and blackened red snapper. Shrimp is, of course, always on the menu and offered both grilled and fried. The lobster ravioli will definitely have you and your date wanting more of the Cajun cream sauce.

Back Porch Grill, 4810 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913, Phone: 501-525-0885

J & S Italian Villa Restaurante & Bar

Voted the best Italian restaurant in Hot Springs every year since 2002 in Hot Springs, J & S Italian Villa Restaurante & Bar serves up classic Italian food made-to-order. J & S has an expansive menu, with its own wine menu to accompany your meal. Start your dinner off with caprese, bruschetta, gamberi napoleon, calamari, vongole brodette, or insalata di spinaci. No matter what type of Italian dish you’re craving, you’ll find something to soothe your wants. Lobster ravioli, penne arrabbiata, lasagna alla Bolognese, and fettuccine primavera are just a few of the pasta dishes. J & S also serves chicken, steak, seafood, and veal entrees.

J & S Italian Villa Restaurante & Bar, 4332 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71913, Phone: 501-525-1121

Rolando’s Restaurante

When your date is asking for some Latin cuisine, make your reservation for Rolando’s Restaurante. With three locations, it’s easy to see why they’ve expanded so much with a delicious fusion of South and Central American cuisines. When you’re ready to order, be sure to check out some of the house favorites, like the Popeye burrito or the fried tilapia. You’ll surely fill up before the entrée even comes with delicious starters like shrimp quesadillas, tamales, taquitos, or the queso flamado, a cheese and chorizo mix set aflame with rum. If you make it through the meal and are still hungry, be sure to check out Rolando’s bananas (an Ecuadorian recipe) or the Caribbean rum cake.

Rolando’s Restaurante, 210 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901, Phone: 501-328-6054

Steinhaus Keller

For food that will fill you up and make you happy, Steinhaus Keller German restaurant is what you’re looking for. If you plan just right, weekends have boisterous gatherings and entertainment to make your date night an entire experience. Travel back to a simpler, rural time in Germany with comfort food like Saurkraut cakes, cabbage rolls, Bavarian pretzels, and a sausage & cheese platter. When you’re ready to dive into the full course, you’ll find so much comfort food, you won’t know where to begin your adventure: beef sauerbraten, goulash, spaetzle, and wursts. If you want to try authentic schnitzel, chicken or pork is available with over eight different sauce choices.

Steinhaus Keller, 801 Central Avenue, Suite 15, Hot Springs, AR 71901, Phone: 501-624-7866

The Avenue

With a classy atmosphere, The Avenue keeps its customers comfortable with a laid-back attitude. Whether you and your date want to people watch out of the bank of windows to Central Avenue or you want some privacy at a high-top table, you’ll find food and drink that will make you crave seconds. The full bar has some signature cocktails up its sleeve for the adventurous types, while craft beers and wines are for those that are happy with familiar options. For dinner, be sure to check out the pork shank gnoccetti or the scallop bouillabaisse.

The Avenue , 340 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901, Phone: 501-625-3850

The Porterhouse

Open Monday through Saturday, The Porterhouse is located right in the center of downtown Hot Springs. If you happen to be there at the right time, you can meet the owners Penny and Joseph Gargano, who love to meet their customers. While known for delicious seafood and steak, don’t be afraid to try one of the burgers and comfort sandwiches. The shrimp Po’Boy Hoagie and the Porterhouse cheeseburger are two great options for those wanting to sink their teeth into something tasty. When you’re ready for dessert, remember you only live once, so why not try that chocolate crème brulee, black forest cake, strawberry daiquiri cheesecake or Bourbon bread pudding?

The Porterhouse, 707 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901, Phone: 501-321-8282

Vault

Though lacking an online presence, the Vault at 723 is not lacking in taste. In the historic 1890s Bank building in downtown Hot Springs, the Vault gets its name from the original bank vault to the building for a private party room. The vibe of the restaurant is similar to a high-end night club, where the color blue provides a calming, eclectic feel. When you’re ready to order, check out some high-end dishes, like foie gras, a charcuterie or oysters prepared one of six ways. Entrees also feature classic fine dining foods, like cioppino, puttanesca, or duck confit leg.

Vault, 723 Central Avenue, #100, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901, Phone: 501-596-8800

If you are looking for a casual first date idea, check out Superior Bathhouse & Brewery.