Valentine’s Day is coming in hot, and if you haven’t snagged a reservation yet, now’s the time. Franklin’s restaurant scene has evolved so much over the last few years—we’ve got everything from candlelit steakhouses to cozy new spots where you can actually hear each other talk (revolutionary, I know). Whether you’re celebrating with your longtime love or hoping to impress on a first date, I’m here to help you narrow down where to book your table.
Perenn
Perenn is the coziest new little bakery in downtown Franklin, and if you thought it was a hotspot for breakfast and brunch, you haven’t seen anything yet. Since its dinner service launched, it’s catapulted to one of the best spots in town to cozy up for date night. Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., the menu expands to include pasta, strip steak, scallops, and more, served with wines and cocktails to wash it all down.
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Culaccino
Just down the street sits Culaccino which, though it feels like it opened just recently, has become a staple in town over the last few years. It was designed with coziness and connection in mind—tight-knit seating, dim lighting, and a menu that encourages sharing. One of the best bites you’ll have is complimentary: the bread service with a yummy whipped spread. But I’m also a big fan of the pappardelle pasta with lamb bolognese and any of their craft cocktails.
Serrato’s
Serrato’s Steakhouse has two Williamson County locations—one tucked away off Columbia Avenue in Franklin and the other in a cove in Brentwood. Either is sure to provide an unforgettable meal, complete with steaks, seafood, and fine wine if you so choose. It’s become the go-to for my family’s special occasions, and we’ve found ourselves making them up just for an excuse to go again. (Half birthdays and arbitrary milestones deserve steak, too!)
January at Southall
Southall’s signature restaurant, January, is a special occasion even on your ordinary Tuesday. Its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the farmland and a roaring fireplace that sets the indoor ambiance bring the wow factor from the moment you walk in, but you can then settle in with your honey and browse a menu of dishes, many of which feature ingredients grown right on-site. Because of that, whatever salad they’re offering is a non-negotiable, as are the house rolls to kick off your meal. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure after that, and I’ve never been steered wrong.
Fox & Locke
Dinner and a show, in my book, is just as romantic as a string quartet or a private serenade. Fox & Locke is an iconic music venue in Leiper’s Fork, and scoring a ticket (especially for Thursday’s open mic night) is a romantic gesture in and of itself. Swing your partner round and round as the town’s most talented descend on a tiny stage in hopes of being discovered, and munch on meat-and-three comforts all the while. After the show, mosey over to the Tornado Room, a sultry speakeasy beneath the Country Boy, for a nightcap and better acoustics for conversation.
Sperry’s
A classic, Sperry’s is an old English-style steakhouse that’s the stuff of romance novels. White tablecloths, dim lighting, aproned waitstaff, a salad bar (!), and a killer happy hour combine to make this a coveted reservation and a date night rooted in nostalgia. The filet tip and grits from the appetizer menu, a trip to the salad bar, and a glass of house pinot is a go-to order, but for the specialest of occasions, the bananas foster prepared tableside will have all eyes on you and yours truly until the flames subside.
Red Pony
Or really, any of the McConnell Group’s restaurants—which include step-up-in-price Cork & Cow or more casual 55 South—would make a memorable date night. Red Pony‘s historic downtown digs set the scene for romance all on their own, especially if you snag a seat by the window for extra coziness and a side of people-watching. You’ll have a hard enough time choosing between brown butter gnocchi, beef tenderloin, or shrimp and grits for your main, but that’s just the warm-up for the dessert menu that includes crème brûlée, peanut butter pie, and more.
