Luxury Date Night in Anaheim: Sophisticated Dining and Entertainment

Sharing a date night with your significant other - whether it’s a nice dinner for two, a couple of cocktails with a view, or an evening of live music - is often a fundamental part of a great trip. Whether you’re here from out of town or just indulging in a staycation, making the right decision for your evening out could result in a memory that’ll last a lifetime. Luckily for all of us, Anaheim and Orange County have a ton of great options for a luxurious night out on the town. Here are some of our suggestions for stepping out with that special someone: 

The Blind Rabbit 

Having a shared secret makes any date night more special - so how about a couple of cocktails at the Blind Rabbit, a true speakeasy style spot? Guests with reservations enter the space through a hidden doorway and are immediately whisked back to the birth of the cocktail era of the 1920’s. (Especially accurate because per their rules, they don’t allow cell phone calls to be taken at the bar!) Classic cocktails like daiquiris and and sazeracs hold menu space alongside house-created concoctions that shift with the seasons as well as a true absinthe service. 

THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon

There aren’t many places where your luxury date night starts with a 58oz. “Cowboy” ribeye steak for two from a Michelin-recommended restaurant and ends with line dancing and live music in the same spot, but Anaheim’s THE RANCH delivers on both counts. Order up a special bottle from their expansive wine cellar (boasting more than 10,000 bottles!) and enjoy cuisine that earned a “Best Steakhouse” nod from the LA Times before heading over to the Saloon for some boot-scooting. Want to take a peek to see if a night at the Saloon is for you? Good news - they also livestream their stage and dance floor for you to watch at home. 

Poppy & Seed

A tranquil escape from the urban landscape, Poppy & Seed brings you inside the greenhouse and serves a SoCal-style menu that changes with the seasons, made from locally-grown and raised ingredients. Located in downtown Anaheim’s Packing District, Poppy & Seed earned a nod from the Michelin Guide for menu items like housemade pasta with roasted butternut squash, braised lamb shank over polenta and smoked beef short rib pastrami. The drinks menu offers house-crafted cocktails, beers and ciders plus a wide variety of mocktails and zero-proof wines. 

RIO Rebel Omakase

When it comes to sushi, an omakase meal represents the best way to experience what a talented chef can prepare for you with just a few simple ingredients, presented to you one small plate at a time. If you’re looking for one of the best of these experiences in the area, let the legendary Michelin Guide point you to Rebel Omakase in Laguna Beach. Rebel sources all their ingredients (down to the rice) from Japan and offers just two seatings per evening, ensuring excellent ingredients, artistically plated, for a memorably intimate meal. 

Knife Pleat

For a menu that’s a little more traditional while retaining that level of luxuriousness, Knife Pleat serves up an elevated French-style tasting menu at lunch and dinner with extras like caviar and champagne at the ready. Chef and restaurateur Tony Esnault (who also earned a Michelin star from this kitchen) presents an accessible prix-fixe three course at lunch, or guests can indulge in up to a 15-course tasting menu for dinner. Looking for something a touch more casual? Stop in for afternoon tea on Saturdays for a selection of small plates and pastries alongside a pot of Earl Grey. 

Summit House Restaurant

Sometimes your palate calls for a decadent steak dinner for two, which is when we point you towards Summit House in Fullerton. You’ll feel warmly comforted the moment you step through the door of this English Inn-style space, which has been welcoming guests for decades. Classic dishes like prime rib and filet mignon hit tables alongside wedge salads, truffle fries and Yorkshire popovers, while a deep wine list and cocktail menu pair perfectly with your entree selections. Ask for a nice spot near the windows so you can take in the sweeping views that carry your eye from the San Bernardino mountains down to the Pacific Ocean. 

Newport Beach Dinner Cruise from City Cruises

If dinner and a show sounds appealing but you’d prefer something a bit more low key and scenic, an evening cruise from Newport Beach might be just what you’re looking for. Views of the ocean, beaches, mountains and sunset provide the backdrop for your evening together onboard one of their luxury yachts, slowly cruising along the waterfront while a three-course plated dinner is served. A cash bar offers a variety of drinks while a live DJ provides the entertainment - just don’t forget to bring your sunglasses and something warm to wear, just in case.

Sevilla Restaurant & Tapas Bar

“Dinner and a show” is a time-honored recipe for a great date night, and Sevilla Restaurant gives you one destination for both. Every Saturday night, Sevilla hosts an evening of flamenco dancing that comes with a three-course dinner for two plus tapas, cocktails and (of course) sangria. Guests start with a citrus salad and move on to traditional Paella Valenciana with seafood, chicken and sausage. Slices of Basque cheesecake end the night while live music plays and dancers (including belly dancers on some nights!) twirl and sing for you. 

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