5 places for the perfect date this February 14th.

We know the most romantic time of the year is approaching, and if you’re the type who loves celebrating at a restaurant with a great dinner and cocktails, these spots are perfect for treating your partner to a delicious night filled with incredible flavors.

Today, our list features the perfect spot for lovers of Mexican cuisine with Asian influences: Anita Li offers a fusion of the best flavors from both cultures. Their dishes are an explosion of joy and color just to look at, and the dining experience is even better.

The appetizers promise a great start to your visit—the sopes are a must-try, as are the tuna carnitas, huitlacoche dumplings, and the delicious octopus tiradito. And what better way to finish on a high note than with their famous cajeta crunch, confirming it’s one of the best kitchens in the city.

You’ll be fascinated by the atmosphere, which is both folkloric and elegant, and their cocktail menu is a must to pair with your meal. It’s centrally located in the city; just be sure to check their hours, as they vary throughout the week, and we recommend making a reservation to secure your table.

Another unmissable spot for a culinary experience in the capital of Jalisco is Octo. It stands out for its signature seafood-focused cuisine, where Chef Óscar Garza delights guests with innovative, authentic dishes using high-quality local ingredients.

Their menu is known to change regularly to incorporate seasonal ingredients, ensuring a fresh experience every time you visit. It’s an excellent place to surprise your partner with a sophisticated dinner and a dance of flavors for all the senses.

It is currently nominated in the “Established Restaurant”category, representing Mexico as one of the most highly recommended and important destinations for enjoying Mexican gastronomy. As if that weren't enough, it received the Prix Versailles this year for its architectural design—it truly is a beautiful work of art. This annual distinction by UNESCO selects the 96 best spaces in the world; you certainly won't be able to leave without taking a few photos of this spectacular place and enjoying a truly memorable meal.

And speaking of award-winning spots, we couldn't leave one of the best places in Guadalajara off this list: the restaurant Veneno.  This intimate gastronomic space is ideal for enjoying with your partner this February 14th, offering a complete culinary and architectural experience. Located on the second floor of the Torre Mil 500, it was recognized in 2020 for winning “Best Design in the Americas and Best Roof.”  

Considered by its own chef, Poncho Cadena, to be a "chic cantina," it stands out as "a celebration of our roots in every bite, while every corner of the place is a visual masterpiece" with its authentic and unique Mexican cuisine. On the menu, you can delight in pan-seared panela cheese, or perhaps eggplant with a Mediterranean emulsion, tempura cauliflower, and pair it with a delicious vegetable risotto.

And why not finish your visit with a dessert like the "maldito cheese"? It’s an explosion of flavors, featuring dulce de leche combined with plantain, cinnamon, and a touch of añejo tequila, among other ingredients. Don't miss their spectacular signature cocktails, which are the perfect addition to a great night out.

Tradition and innovation are the hallmarks of this place, the restaurant Sagrantino. It offers a variety of authentic dishes, most notably those from the natural charcoal grill, as they are prepared over wood in the oven, including high-quality cuts of meat, seafood, and their specialty: seasonal fish.

Something you will notice upon visiting is the extensive wine cellar in the middle of the dining room, offering a wide variety of labels to pair with your meal. It is located in a great central spot in the city, with a pleasant and peaceful view of the park that will provide all the calm you are looking for to celebrate the evening with your partner.

Among the recommendations, you can delight in their Oysters Rockefeller, which are a combination of flavors for the palate. How about an eccentric wild boar fillet with prosciutto or linguine with shrimp in a pomodoro sauce with a hint of chipotle, taking the combination of simple and extraordinary straight to your table?

We recommend booking in advance to ensure your visit, as it tends to be one of the most popular spots for locals.

And for our final, but no less significant, recommendation: Bruna, the place where art merges with gastronomy. Known for its signature Mexican cuisine, it is also noted for the detailed decor throughout its spaces, serving as a meeting point for emerging talent and an art gallery.

It is located in the Lafayette neighborhood, one of the oldest and most historic areas of Guadalajara. Your visit will be a complete culinary experience thanks to the creativity of its chef—previously mentioned in one of our earlier recommendations—Óscar Garza, who offers a gastronomic alternative featuring both national and international dishes.

Among their 53 recipes, the ones that stand out and promise to be an excellent selection for your menu include the duck confit tamale with blue mole, the suckling pig confit tamale with black mole, their garlic-sautéed octopus, or how about their pork belly, slow-cooked for 12 hours? And we can't forget to mention their delicious Bruna potatoes, made with a secret house recipe.

If you decide to live the experience, don't forget to book in advance to enjoy this eccentric and highly original restaurant that will blow your mind with all its delicious flavors.

Ultimately, with these options, your Valentine's Day evening will be unforgettable, and whichever you choose will be a great success. And what better way to spend it than with good company, a good wine, and great conversation? Your partner will love this gesture.

See you soon.