Searching for a sweet spot to spend Valentine’s Day? The Chesapeake Bay is laced with restaurants that create an ambiance for romance. You’ll find beautiful bivalves, soft candlelight to set a sultry mood, and stars winking above the water.
Our years of cavorting around the Bay have unveiled places that can get your Valentine’s heart thumping. If you take care of the red roses and chocolate, we’ll help set the stage for an idyllic evening. Here are our favorite destinations for courting oyster lovers:
Intimate Urban Charm
Whether your darling desires a night on the town or wants city noise to fade into the background, Baltimore’s got you covered with an eclectic array of places ranging from a restored 18th century tavern to a dreamy lounge where you might test the aphrodisiac magic of oysters plucked fresh from the Bay. Our top picks:
- Thames Street Oyster House, thamesstreetoysterhouse.com
- Woodberry Kitchen, woodberrykitchen.com
- Oceanaire Seafood Room, theoceanaire.com
Love with a Capital L
Washington, DC, has a special spin on romance. It’s loaded with historic oyster enclaves, decadent raw bars and swanky seafood houses with the right touch for granting Valentine wishes. With its restaurant renaissance in full swing, you can toast bipartisan bivalves with a sparkling glass of champagne. Check out:
- Fiola Mare, fiolamaredc.com
- Old Ebbitt Grill, ebbitt.com
- Catch 15 Italian Kitchen & Oyster Bar, catch15dc.com
Cupid, Pull Back Your Bow
Just strolling down the cobblestone streets of Annapolis can get sparks flying on the big date night. To counter chilly winter winds, Maryland’s charming capital offers sweet spots to warm the hands and the heart. After relishing a romantic meal, you could swing by the City Dock for a waterfront nightcap. For a special evening, start with:
- Blackwall Hitch, theblackwallhitch.com
- Carrol’s Creek Café, carrolscreek.com
- Severn Inn, severninn.com
Sweet Southern Comfort
The Bay’s southern waters are teeming with briny bivalves that will tantalize your taste buds whether you order a dozen just-shucked on an icy platter or bubbling hot Rockefeller style. Virginia’s restauranteurs are passionate about the variety of flavors emerging from their regional oyster revival. Sample their finest at these lovely places:
- Columbia Firehouse Restaurant & Barroom, columbiafirehouse.com
- Union Street Public House, unionstreetpublichouse.com
- Tides Inn Restaurant, tidesinn.com
Moonstruck on the Eastern Shore
The Eastern Shore is steeped in casual elegance and rural tranquility. A jaunt across the Bay Bridge delivers some of the region’s top chefs and memorable oyster houses where you can whisk your Valentine away from the every day and curl up by a crackling fire. Historic mansions and romantic B&Bs present gracious getaways with seasonal dishes. Our favorites:
- Blue Point Provision Co., chesapeakebay.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/BluePointProvision.html
- AJ’s on the Creek, ajsotc.com
- Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery at Kings Creek, theoysterfarmatkingscreek.com
Happy Valentine’s Day! Don’t forget to make reservations. For more oyster destinations, go to Chesapeake Oyster Lovers’ Handbook at www.weloveoysters.com
