11 last-minute Valentine’s dinners in Raleigh, Durham & Cary for the late lovers
This one goes out to all the late lovers.
There are still great Valentine’s Day plans out there, but you have to act now. Reservations have run dry at most of the Triangle’s top restaurants–we checked.
But if you’re creative and flexible, you can still find something special.
Valentine’s Day restaurants taking reservations
Cuya Cocina
413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh. 919-342-8227 or cuyaraleigh.com
This twinkly, vibey, upscale Puerto Rican restaurant in the middle of Glenwood has a few early and late tables, a special menu with ceviche and pork belly tostones and plans for dancing upstairs.
Rosebud
103 E Martin St, Raleigh. instagram.com/rosebudraleigh
This is the very first night for Rosebud, the new cocktail lounge in downtown Raleigh, serving up DJ sets and cocktails. For Valentine’s Day, it will be a ticketed $40 event with time slots still available.
Trophy Five Points
207 Bickett Blvd, Raleigh. trophybrewing.com/trophy-five-points
This newest star in the Trophy constellation will serve up heart shaped pizzas in its sleek and nostalgic taproom.
Wye Hill
201 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh. wyehill.com
The most famous view of the Raleigh skyline still has a few tables and a three-course prix fixe menu.
Valentine’s Day restaurants without reservations
Daijobu
170 E Davie St, Raleigh. 919-615-1337 or daijobu-raleigh.com
Soulful ramen paired with perfect handroll-style sushi.
Delancey Tavern
408 W Geer St, Durham. 919-885-1196 or delanceytavern.com
The newest restaurant in downtown Durham, with a skyline view, velvet seats and a marble bar.
Little Rey
1101 E Whitaker Mill Rd Suite 102, Raleigh. 919-355-3479 or littlerey.com
Love is a breakfast taco, but this excellent taqueria is also serving up heart-shape pancakes.
Peddler Steakhouse
6005 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh. 919-787-6980 or peddlersteakhouse.com/raleigh
There’s infinite charm and warmth at this Raleigh throwback, where there’s always a line when the restaurant opens.
Pizzeria Toro
105 E Chapel Hill St, Durham. pizzeriatoro.com
The wood-burning oven will be lit at one of the Triangle’s very best pizzerias in the very heart of Durham.
Stanbury
938 N Blount St, Raleigh. 919-977-4321 or stanburyraleigh.com
This will be the hottest ticket in town, so arrive early with tempered expectations of snagging a table at one of Raleigh’s favorite restaurants. If the wait is too long, Char-Grill is a worthy back up plan.
Szechuan Mansion Hotpot
1353 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary. 919-800-1802 or szechuanhotpot.com
Nothing is more intimate than hot pot, a fiery broth bubbling before your eyes.
This story was published online Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. Reservation availability may have changed since then.
This story was originally published February 11, 2026 at 5:07 PM with the headline "11 last-minute Valentine’s dinners in Raleigh, Durham & Cary for the late lovers."
