Valentine's Day is coming. If you are planning a night out for two, the lakeshore has some great options.
These are my favorite date night spots, from Holland down to South Haven. Some are fancy, some are fun, and all of them are good for two.
Why this blog? Hi, I'm Katie. My family and I run Mitten Rentals, and I have been hosting vacation rentals for more than ten years (Superhost since 2015). This is where I share the places I send our own guests along the West Michigan lakeshore.
READ: 5 Cozy Restaurants for a Dark Winter Night
My Favorite Date Night Spots
1) Seventy-Six
Seasonal menus and the best cocktails on 8th Street in Holland. Book ahead.
If I were planning a special night in Holland, I would start here.
Seventy-Six is a great spot for a slow dinner with good drinks. The seasonal menu means it changes with the time of year, so there is always something new to try. Ask about the cocktails. They are a big reason to go.
2) Sperry's Moviehouse
Dinner and a movie in the same seat, also on 8th Street.
It is an easy, fun date, and it pairs well with a drink at Seventy-Six first.
Sperry's is a fun pick for a more relaxed date. No dressing up needed, and you do not have to choose between dinner and a movie. Check what is playing before you go and plan the rest of the night around it. It is a casual night that still feels like a treat.
3) Bowdie's Chophouse
Steaks for date night in Saugatuck. Reservations recommended.
Bowdie's is the classic steakhouse date in Saugatuck. Make your reservation early, especially around Valentine's Day, and dress up a little for the occasion. Order a bottle of wine and do not rush it.
READ: Valentine's Weekend on the Lakeshore
4) Singapore Room
Asian dinners and a cocktail lounge in Saugatuck, Wednesday through Sunday.
Plan your night around those days so you do not miss it.
Singapore Room is a fun change of pace. Start with a cocktail in the lounge and then sit down for dinner. It makes the night feel a little special. Since it is only open Wednesday through Sunday, plan ahead if you are here early in the week.
5) Tello Italian Bistro
Italian dinner in downtown South Haven.
Go for dinner, then take a walk toward the harbor afterward.
Tello is a cozy choice in South Haven. Italian food is made for sharing, so order a few things and pass them back and forth. Save room for dessert.
A date night does not have to be fancy to feel special. Good food, a quiet walk after, and nowhere you have to be in the morning. The point is time together without a long to do list. Put your phones down, linger over dessert, and enjoy the quiet of a lakeshore evening.
Saugatuck Cabin is made for a weekend for two. Book it, make a reservation, and give yourselves the time.
More favorites in my Saugatuck area guide.