Regardless of who you might be celebrating Valentine’s Day or weekend with this month, there is no shortage of cozy, inviting, and delicious restaurants to spend the season of love here in Decatur. Our city offers creative date night options for all, from Italian classics to steak and seafood to Spanish tapas.
Not only is the cuisine itself delicious and varied, but each spot offers more than a candlelit dinner for two, with options that span from brunch to happy hour and even a personalized Chef’s Counter Tasting Menu. Read more to learn about our favorite creative and community-loved restaurants.
no.246 - Nostalgia and Italian Comfort Food, That’s Amore
If you’re looking for your very own Lady & The Tramp-inspired spaghetti and meatball moment this Valentine’s Day, look no further than Decatur’s no.246.
The Italian restaurant focuses its entire menu around the comfort and nostalgia of red sauce-based and driven pasta and dishes.
Executive Chef Chase Green says that the restaurant is designed to offer diners a true ‘choose your own adventure’ experience, from the option for a date night at the chef’s counter for a 5 course off-the-menu tasting menu (book at least 24 hours in advance) to a low-key evening sharing fried calamari and pizzas with family or a group of friends.
“You can have whatever experience you want at no.246. We have people coming in on a very romantic one-on-one date and then a family of 5 sharing pizzas; you can guide your experience, and you can bring your own wine if you want, or pick one of our fantastic wines off of the bar menu. You can play it up or down as much as you want.”
And if a brunch date is more your speed, the restaurant recently started offering brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, featuring a prix-fixe menu priced at $35 per person. The menu includes everything from French classics like a Croque Madame to Eggs Benedict and of course, the beloved Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Parker’s on Ponce – Classic Staples with Local Heart
Decatur’s only independently and family-owned steakhouse, Parker’s on Ponce, is located just across from the square and is a staple for many families and couples. Known for its steaks and surf & turf dishes, Parker's also has a beautiful ambiance, which features two different brick fireplaces that create quite a romantic glow.
For Valentine’s Day, Parker’s owner J-T Scott recommends diners make reservations 2-4 weeks in advance, but the team will work to accommodate everyone they can from two-tops to families. Parker's doesn’t offer any prix-fixe meals for the occasion, so everyone can get the classic staples they always expect, with the addition of specials. With a beautiful bar, the restaurant celebrates local products in both its food and in the bar program, which includes a very special cocktail named "The Decatur,” which is made with Decatur’s Independent Distilling’s Hellbender Bourbon. Other cocktails such as the Strawberry Daisy are made with Farmer's Jam, a locally made bar mixer.
Right at the beginning of the year, Parker’s transitioned to its Winter menu, which incorporates seasonal ingredients such as blood oranges, grapefruit, and celery root into the dishes, as well as the re-addition of mussels to the menu. If you want your classic staples, or something fresh, Parker's is the spot.
The Iberian Pig – Spanish Tapas Made to Share
Located directly in the square, this Spanish tapas spot is the perfect pick for an engaging evening with a lot of conversation. The best way to experience this vast menu is by selecting multiple different dishes and sharing them. Not only does this interactive experience open the door to so many conversations, often times there are menu items that diners are trying for the first time. Executive Chef Josue Pena recommends some of the most popular and fan favorites like Pork Cheek Tacos, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Ibérico Croquetas, Patatas bravas, Paella (serves 2, so it’s a perfect date night dish), and Churros to any first-time diners.
In addition to the core staples, this winter The Iberian Pig is adding new plates to the menu, including a paella, featuring Argentinian red shrimp and chorizo ibérico, and some new cheeses and gelatos that Chef Pena is excited to add to the menu, including an update to their wonderful Queso ibérico - a great blend of cow’s milk and sheep’s milk from La Mancha Spain, and a boozy Amontillado Sherry flavored gelato, in collaboration with local gelateria Voga.
The Iberian Pig offers a true exploratory experience, and in addition to the regular dinner options, they host a Jamón Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 5-6 p.m. & Friday from 4-6 p.m. with menu offerings that include a $24 chefs selection (includes 2 quesos & 2 charcuteria), $5 red wine, white wine & sangria, $6 add-ons such as marinated Spanish olives or marcona almonds, $8 peppadew peppers.
