As Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, love-birds and partners everywhere are putting together their plans for the special day. One of the most popular ways to celebrate the day or evening has always been a nice dinner. If you live in or will be visiting the Charlotte area during Valentine’s Day, we’ve got you covered. Here are ten of the metro area’s best restaurant choices for Valentine’s Day 2013.

Barrington’s

Conveniently located within the FoxCroft Shopping Center, this relatively small, American style Bistro is classy, comfortable, and elegant. The food is mostly American, but done to top-notch quality. Dine indoors or out and see why Barrington’s is such a great choice for special occasions.

Luce

At the base of Charlotte’s Hearst tower sits Luce. Food offerings such as mozzarella layered tomatoes and the agnolotti alla piemontese continually bring in rave reviews with every bite. Take your date to Luce for Valentine’s Day and enjoy the excellent food and beautifully decorated dining areas.

Nikko

Nikko is considered to be one of the best contemporary-style restaurants in North Carolina. This style refers to the exquisitely decorated dining areas and bar, as well as the cuisine. Enjoy amazing sushi, tempuras, teriyakis, and a superb beverage selection.

Upstream

Upstream is an amazingly classy restaurant with award-winning food and service. The menu is quite diverse, going from American country dishes such as Carolina quail, to sushi, and miso-marinated Hawaiian monchong. The dining area and classy atmosphere make Upstream a local favorite for the night.

Blue Restaurant & Bar

Also located at Hearst Tower, Blue Restaurant & Bar focuses on top-notch Mediterranean cuisine. Greece, Spain, France, Morocco, and the best of other Mediterranean foods can all be enjoyed here. The bar is also very high-caliber in every sense, making Blue Restaurant & Bar a great choice for fun and luxury on the special night.

Good Food on Montford

Fantastic American and new American cuisine mixed with contemporary edge, make Good Food on Montford a great choice for Valentine’s. Its local popularity and rave reviews reflect the food quality, presentation, service, and dining atmosphere. May we suggest the flounder with root vegetable cake?

Bistro la Bon

Another popular, local choice is Bistro la Bon. European and Mediterranean foods are the main disciplines, and they are consistently phenomenal. Enjoy made-from-scratch, European breads before diving into an amazing black risotto with calamari fusilli. The dining areas are also elegant enough to be appropriate for any date.

Halcyon, Flavors From Earth

If regional, American, fusion cuisine is your weakness, head to Halcyon. Named after the Greek goddess of harmony, Halcyon is a unique experience, transforming all locally produced ingredients and foods into 5-star dishes. This does mean for seasonal menu choices, however, the food, environment, and overall experience all make this one a winner.

Luna’s Living Kitchen

Luna’s Living Kitchen is another local ingredient dependent eatery. Its strict vegan and vegetarian offerings are what make it stand out though. Even the heartiest meat-eater could find a delicious dish here as the food is all exquisite. Try the famous Tres Marias Veggie Burger or the much talked about Lunasanga.

Basil Thai

Right in the middle of Charlotte’s Fourth Ward section is Basil Thai – a very well done Asian and Thai food eatery. Dishes such as traditional pad Thai or volcano shrimp with signature sauces send guests home consistently and highly satisfied. The artsy presentation, atmosphere, and experience make Basil Thai a local favorite for Valentine’s Day and night.

What Our Realtors® Said…

This wraps up our rundown of Charlotte’s top ten restaurants for Valentine’s Day. We hope you all the best for the occasion!