Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and let’s try to create a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with 10 recipes that look gourmet but are easy to prepare. Below you’ll find 10 detailed recipes with dairy-free, seafood, pasta, steak, as well as helpful tips on table setting and wine selection. All this will help you make your evening unforgettable.
Dairy-Free Valentine’s Dinner Ideas with Table Styling Tips
These recipes are good for those who want to go dairy-free but still have a delicious meal!
1. Baked Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary

Ingredients:
- 2 chicken thighs
- 1 lemon (lemon zest + juice)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F(200°C).
- In a bowl, mix the oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Rub the chicken with this mixture.
- Place the chicken on a baking tray and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
2. Vegetable cream soup with coconut milk

This soup is perfect for a romantic dinner – light, tender and warming.
Ingredients:
- 1 pumpkin (about 500g, cut the pumpkin into large chunks so it bakes evenly)
- 1 carrot (can be cut into several pieces before baking)
- 1 onion
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 500 ml vegetable broth
- Spices to taste (a pinch of nutmeg, curry or coriander for spicy flavor, salt and freshly ground black pepper)
Instructions:
- Roast the vegetables in the oven until soft, then blend them in a blender until smooth.
- Add the coconut milk and broth, bring to a boil. If you want a thicker soup, add less broth.
- Serve the soup in deep bowls, you can garnish with coconut cream and fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. It will look very gourmet.
3. Arugula salad with grapefruit and avocado

A light, refreshing and balanced salad is just the thing to serve before the main course.
Ingredients:
- 2 handfuls of arugula (if the arugula is too bitter, you can lightly rinse it in cold water)
- 1 avocado (soft, but not overripe. Slice or dice it, and spritz it with lemon juice to prevent it from darkening)
- 1 grapefruit (peel the slices to remove the bitter flavor)
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
Instructions:
- Place arugula on a plate, gently add grapefruit and avocado slices.
- Prepare a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice with a pinch of salt and pepper. If you want to add sweetness, you can add a little honey or agave syrup to it. Dressing is preferably right before serving to keep the leaves fresh.
Table Secret. Use wooden plates or platters for serving.
Easy Valentine’s Dinner Recipes with a Romantic Touch
Minimal cooking time, but maximum food experience. These recipes are simple to prepare but delicious and look like you’ve been in the kitchen for a long time.
4. Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil (Aglio e Olio)

This is a classic of Italian cuisine that, for all its simplicity, remains always appetizing and in demand.
Ingredients:
- 200 g spaghetti
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 4 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. chili flakes
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Boil the spaghetti until al dente.Save some water after cooking for the sauce.
- Fry the garlic, sliced, in a pan in oil until golden. Add the chili flakes in the last step of cooking the garlic. It should be lightly fried, but not burnt.
- Mix the pasta with the garlic oil and add a couple spoonfuls of spaghetti water. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for decoration.
Tip. Use pastel-colored napkins and utensils for serving.
5. Roasted salmon with honey and mustard

I’m sure the tender salmon fillet with caramelized crust will be the star of your dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 lemon (juice)
Instructions:
- Mix together the honey, mustard, and lemon juice. This marinade is simultaneously sweet, tangy and fresh.
- Marinate the salmon for 15 minutes, then grill over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, until the meat is pink and juicy. If using a skillet, start frying the salmon skin side down.
Tip. Serve with a side dish of mixed green salad or steamed vegetables.
6. Baked Potatoes with Rosemary

And this simple but flavorful and everyone’s favorite side dish is a great addition to any main course.
Ingredients:
- 4 potatoes (it is better to choose small young potatoes, they do not need to be peeled, and the skin will add texture)
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. dried rosemary
- Salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F(200°C)
- Slice the potatoes, mix them well with the oil so they are evenly coated before baking, then add the rosemary and salt. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning once.
Tip. Before serving, sprinkle the potatoes with coarse sea salt. And to decorate the glasses, use rosemary sprigs, just attach them to the stem of the glass with a string or ribbon.
Seafood and Pasta Combos for a Perfect Valentine’s Dinner
These dishes combine the romance of the sea with the romance of gourmet pasta. They’re easy to make, yet look like real culinary masterpieces. That’s exactly what we strive for when inventing dishes for a romantic dinner.
7. Fettuccini with shrimp in cream sauce

Ingredients:
- 200 g fettuccini
- 300 g shrimps
- 1 cup of cream
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tbsp. butter
Instructions:
- Boil the pasta until al dente. Drain, leaving half a cup of liquid for the sauce.
- Heat the oil in a pan, fry the garlic until golden.
- Add the shrimp and cook them for 2-3 minutes, until they turn pink.
- Pour in the cream, stir and evaporate the sauce over medium heat until it thickens slightly.
- Combine the pasta with the sauce, add the remaining water from cooking the pasta for a creamy consistency.
Tip. Serve the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and grated lemon zest. Garnish the plate with a slice of lemon for freshness.
8. Linguini with mussels

This dish is simply luxurious, will surprise you with the aroma of the sea and the rich flavor of white wine.
Ingredients:
- 200 g linguini
- 500 g mussels
- 1 cup of white wine
- 2 cloves of garlic
Instructions:
- Boil the linguini until al dente.
- In a deep skillet or saucepan, roast the garlic until fragrant.
- Add the mussels and pour in the wine. Cover with a lid and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until the shells open.
- Mix the pasta with the wine and mussel sauce, add a little water from cooking the pasta to finish.
Tip. Serve the linguini in a deep plate, sprinkled with herbs. Don’t forget a slice of fresh baguette to dip in the sauce. I’m already excited!
9. Salmon with pesto and zucchini

This dish has a very successful combination of juicy salmon and flavorful pesto. Shall we try to cook it?
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp. pesto sauce
- 1 zucchini
Instructions:
- Heat a skillet and fry the salmon skin side down until crispy. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Brush the salmon with the pesto and let it warm slightly in the pan.
- Slice the zucchini into thin ribbons using a vegetable peeler. The ribbons can be lightly fried or left raw for freshness.
Tip. By the way, it is appropriate to use nautical motifs to decorate the table. Spread small shells along the table or put candles in glass jars filled with sand. This will create a feeling as if you are dining on the seashore. Romantic?
Classic Steak Valentine’s Dinner Recipe with Modern Decor Ideas
Juicy and tender ribeye with a rich wine sauce for a romantic dinner – an undeniable gastronomic pleasure.
10. Ribeye steak with red wine sauce

Ingredients:
- 2 ribeye steaks
- 1 cup of red wine (e.g. Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 tsp. fresh or dried thyme
Instructions:
- Heat a skillet over high heat. Make sure the steaks are completely dry with a paper towel, this is important for crispiness to form.
- Sear the steaks for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium rare (medium). For a more accurate result, use a thermometer, the temperature inside the meat should be about 131°F(55°C).
- Remove the steaks from the pan and let them rest under the foil to allow the juices to evenly distribute.
- In the same skillet, pour the red wine, add the thyme, and braise over medium heat until the volume of the sauce is reduced by about half.
- Finally, add the butter and stir well to make the sauce smooth and rich.
Tip. Sprinkle the sauce over the already sliced steak. This way you’ll keep it juicy and make serving more refined.
To emphasize the modern style of the table, use a black tablecloth in combination with gold instruments and wine glasses. A small bouquet of red flowers or a single red rose in a minimalist vase can serve as an accent. It looks very elegant and festive.
Ideas for decorating the table for Valentine’s Day
I believe it is within our power to turn a homemade Valentine’s Day dinner into an exquisite restaurant experience if we follow these simple but effective tips.
Layered plate serving

It is advisable to use different sized plates by stacking them one on top of the other. For example, a large plate for the main course, a plate for appetizer on top and a small plate for dessert. This way will give the table a stylish and finished look, and it will look like in the best restaurants.
Handmade menus

Make small menus for your romantic dinner. You can write them on small chalk boards or print them on beautiful paper, tying them with a ribbon. You’ll see for yourself that this adds some uniqueness and a sense of special occasion.
Lighting to set the mood

Use dim lights, this is simply essential for creating a romantic atmosphere. You can place several candles of different sizes or place groups of tea candles in glass jars. And if you have garlands, place them along the table for a soft glow. It looks very pretty.
Napkin theme

Roll up napkins and tie them with ribbon or twine and decorate with a small sprig of greenery, such as rosemary or lavender. It seems very simple, but such an element makes the serving more festive and elegant.
Name cards

Write your partner’s name on small paper cards and place them on the plate or next to the appliance. This small but very touching gesture will emphasize attention to detail.
How to choose the right wine for Valentine’s Day dinner

A well-chosen wine will complement the flavors of the dish and also create a harmonious impression of the whole dinner. Here are some tips:
To Steak (Red Wine)
For rich meat dishes, strong and tart red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec are ideal. These wines will emphasize the juiciness and texture of the meat.
With seafood (White wine)
For fish and seafood, choose light and fresh white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. They will add notes of freshness and gently complement the flavors of shrimp or fish.
For pasta with cream sauce
Creamy pastas can be accompanied by rich white wines such as Chardonnay. For our holiday and good mood you can choose sparkling Prosecco, it will add brightness and lightness to the dish.
These tips will help you create a harmonious Valentine’s Day dinner, and your evening is sure to be a success! Which recipe are you most excited to try?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.