Whether you’re looking for a nice spot to take your significant other on Valentine’s Day or just a place to treat yourself, check out this list of local restaurants and bars that’ll make your day special.
Flat Branch Pub & Brewing
Located on South Fifth Street, Flat Branch has a wide variety of both food and hand-crafted beers. As a Valentine’s Day special, its drink menu will include a strawberry ale and a milk chocolate porter in addition to a likely option for a steak or fish dinner, as it’s done in previous years. Flat Branch is open from 11 a.m. to midnight, and though it will not be taking reservations for Valentine’s Day, the wait typically doesn’t exceed 30 minutes.
2. Barred Owl Butcher & Table
With farm-to-table food and a diverse selection of meats, Barred Owl is a great spot to take your date the night of Valentine’s Day. Reservations will be accepted, and in addition to oysters on the half shell, it will be serving steak dry-aged in house for four to five months. Barred Owl is located on East Broadway and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
3. Room 38 Restaurant and Lounge
For a night of upscale dining and extravagant food selections, Room 38 is the best choice. After buying a $59 ticket for the Valentine’s Day special, guests will receive a five-course meal with an entree of filet oscar, lump crab, hollandaise and grilled asparagus. Each course will be accompanied by a glass of champagne. The $59 covers both tax and gratuity so guests can enjoy their time worry-free and full of food. Room 38 is located on North Eighth Street in downtown Columbia and will be open from 5-11 p.m.
4. Top Ten Wines
If your ideal Valentine’s Day includes fine wine and dessert, this might be the place for you. Top Ten Wines, located on South Ninth Street, is serving chocolate-covered strawberries and featuring specialty cocktails such as Brandy Alexanders and Cherry Royales. It will be open from 5-10 p.m. and will not be taking reservations.
5. Harpo’s and 10 Below
If your Valentine’s Day plans include having fun and looking for love, Harpo’s and 10 Below might be the places for you. As a Valentine’s Day special, Harpo’s will be serving $3 bombs, $2 shots and $1 double wells when its doors open at 7 p.m. Both locations are located on South 10th Street and will close at midnight.
6. Eastside Tavern
If you’re ready for some excitement but your pockets are feeling a little too empty to spend all that extra cash, check out Eastside Tavern for free pizza on Valentine’s Day. Doors open at 8 p.m. and pizza is served around 10 p.m. Eastside Tavern has an eclectic interior and is located on East Broadway.
7. Hy-Vee
If the Valentine’s Day crowds sound less than appealing and your couch is calling your name, Hy-Vee’s Date Night In is the perfect option. With two options for pick-up and cook-at-home meal packages, the Sweetheart Dinner and the Couple’s Cuisine Dinner for $20 and $45, respectively, Hy-Vee will make home feel like fine dining.
8. The Restaurants at Southwest
Truffles, a dessert shop inside MU’s Southwest dining hall, will be selling chocolate-covered strawberries from Feb. 12-14. For half a pound, or four to five strawberries, the price is $16. Meal swipes are accepted.
_Edited by Brooke Collier | bcollier@themaneater.com_
