7 Fancy Restaurants in Colorado Springs for Date Night

Some date nights consist of Chinese takeout and watching a movie on Netflix, while others call for cocktails, dinner, and good conversation. The perfect relationship has a mix of both, and when it comes to birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions, it’s always in your best interest to treat your date to something extra special. If, for them, that means dressing up and eating out, then we have some great restaurant recommendations for you. Check out these 7 restaurants in Colorado Springs for some ideas on where to go your next date night. 

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1. Carlos’ Bistro

Voted #1 Restaurant in Colorado in 2020 by Zagat.

1025 S 21st St | Colorado Springs | carlosbistrocos.com 

This Colorado Springs restaurant is our pick for the best fancy restaurant in Colorado Springs for date night. You need not only take our word for it—Carlos’ Bistro was voted #1 Restaurant in Colorado in 2020 by Zagat.

Their dinner menu features steak entrees like Seared USDA Prime Filet Mignon and Japanese Wagyu and Kobe, pasta dishes such as Lobster Fra Diavolo and Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops, and signature dishes like Paella and Fresh Leaf California Duck Breast. 

Our absolute favorite thing to order is the USDA Prime Ribeye Peruvian Lomo Saltado. If you love the popular Peruvian dish, splurging on this high-quality version of the traditional dish is well worth it when celebrating an anniversary or life milestone with your partner.

Their cocktail menu is a dream. Have you ever, as an adult, craved an alcoholic creamsicle? Well if you have, they serve a Creamsicle with orange vodka, vanilla vodka, cointreau, and fresh orange juice. If you’d prefer something a little less sweet, go for the Appletini with Absolut Orient Apple Vodka and Pucker Sour Apple Schnapps.

“The duck breast with chimichurri was excellent. The Wagyu steak with risotto was the best I've ever had. And to top it all off, the vanilla bean creme brûlée couldn't have been better! This is a must go if you are a fine dining foodie!” - Yelp Review 

Purchase a GiftYa for Carlos’ Bistro here.

2. Panino’s Restaurant

Casual Italian spot with a charm that places it on our list of fancy restaurant recs.

604 N Tejon St | Colorado Springs | paninosdowntown.com 

Panino’s Restaurant may be more casual than fancy. However, this family-run Italian restaurant has a certain charm that made it essential for us to put it on our list of fancy restaurant recommendations. 

First, a good Italian dinner is what often comes to mind when people think of a fancy date night. Pasta, warm bread, wine—what date wouldn’t be wowed by that? Secondly, just look at this cozy outdoor space complete with glowing string lights. This atmosphere honestly puts other fancy restaurants to shame in terms of setting the mood for an intimate date night. 

Lastly, it’s always nice to support a small business, especially one that is willing to elevate your casual dining experience to something a little fancier with a few extra gestures such as excellent service and delicious desserts made in-house.

If you want the feeling a fancy date night might give you, but you don’t need $20 cocktails or $50 plates, you should consider dining at Panino’s.

“Great spot in Downtown Colorado Springs… Portions are good size and a lot of items are homemade. Staff was very friendly and service was good. Full bar and great happy hour specials. Local craft beer and a great wine selection.” - Yelp Review 

Purchase a GiftYa for Panino’s Restaurant here. 

3. LongHorn Steakhouse

Let’s call this “affordable fancy.”

5707 Barnes Road | Colorado Springs | longhornsteakhouse.com

For all those young couples out there, this one’s for you. You’ve most likely heard of this chain by now, and you’re probably wondering why it’s on our list. Here’s the deal: LongHorn Steakhouse may be a chain steakhouse, but if you are on a budget (which is often the case for young couples), you can enjoy a fancy date night here at a more reasonable price. 

They offer everything a fancy steakhouse has to offer—expertly grilled steak, signature cocktails, freshly baked bread, fresh salads, seasonal sides, and signature desserts. However, you can get a Renegade Sirloin starting at less than $13 paired with a Moscow Mule for under $9. 

This is a great date night choice for young couples or any couple on a budget who still wants to enjoy the finer things in life.

“The cherry coke was well done with cherries in it, a nice touch!! My ribs were delicious, very flavorful. Very well done!!! Great service, delicious food & only minor things that weren't “perfect.” Keep it up, we'll definitely be returning!!!” - Yelp Review 

Purchase a GiftYa for LongHorn Steakhouse here.

4. Saltgrass Steakhouse

Chain steakhouse.

1405 Jamboree Dr | Colorado Springs | saltgrass.com 

Saltgrass Steakhouse is another “affordable fancy” option. They offer a variety of steaks from an 8 oz. Wagon Boss Center-Cut Top Sirloin for $19.99 to a 21 oz. Bone-In Ribeye for $40.99, as well as seafood and other signature entrees.

If you don’t want steak but still want to eat well, their BBQ Pork Ribs are fall-off-the-bone good, while their Atlantic Salmon is grilled to perfection. 

This restaurant also offers a variety of house-made cocktails like Tito’s Texas Tea—22 oz. long island iced tea made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka and a hint of tequila, the popular Ranch Water—Teremana Small Batch Blanco Tequila, fresh lime juice, and Topo Chico, and THE 818 Margarita—818 Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier, and fresh lime juice.

Their drink menu is arguably better than their food menu, so this is a great choice if you would choose fancy cocktails over a fancy dinner.

“The server was great! We both ordered drinks, we tried the fried mushrooms (sooooo good!!!) and then I had the filet and he had the salmon. Everything was really good! Try this place—it won't disappoint.” - Yelp Review 

Purchase a GiftYa for Saltgrass Steakhouse here.

5. Joseph’s Fine Dining

French restaurant offering an elevated dining experience.

1603 S 8th St | Colorado Springs | josephsdining.com 

Joseph’s Fine Dining invites you to “indulge in an elevated dining experience,” to which we’d gladly say yes, and we recommend you do too. Here at Joseph’s, they use a modern style of French cooking with two essential principles—simple, yet imaginative dishes and fresh ingredients. 

The menu is comprised of appetizers, salads, and specialties including daily fresh seafood specials at market price. 

Popular dishes include Joseph’s Hot Spinach Pernod Salad with applewood smoked bacon, diced onions, sugar cane brown sugar, a touch of red vinegar, and flambéed with pernod (to which you can also add chicken, jumbo prawns, Atlantic salmon, or Maine lobster tail) and The Famous Pepper Steak Flambé with center cut choice tenderloin—pan seared, marinated with mango chutney, seasoned with cracked black pepper, and flambéed with French brandy.

They also serve a variety of innovative cocktails such as the Peppertini—pepper vodka and dry vermouth served in an Old Fashioned glass with ice—and the Sweetart—raspberry vodka, cranberry juice, sweet-sour, and fresh squeezed lime served in a sugar-rimmed glass. They also serve favorites like Pisco Sour with pisco, simple syrup, lime juice, and a touch of bitters and served on ice, and Lemon Drop with citron vodka, limoncello, and fresh squeezed lemon, served with a lemon wheel in a sugar-rimmed glass.

“Overall, the price isn't too terrible for fine dining cuisine. I would recommend it if you're looking for a local place to try. I was originally going to go to Jax (which I love) but decided to try here and I'm glad I did.” - Yelp Review 

Joseph’s Fine Dining doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding new restaurants!

6. Prime 25

Modern steakhouse with live music on Friday nights. 

1605 S Tejon St | Colorado Springs | prime25.com 

This modern steakhouse stands out to us for a few reasons. 

First, they have an open kitchen. This means you can watch your food being prepared for you, if you wish. It also gives you a new appreciation for your food and your experience because you see who is working hard to prepare it for you. 

Second, the atmosphere is warm enough for date night, but still fancy enough that it feels like the right place for a celebration such as an anniversary or birthday.

Third, they have live music on Friday nights. After you finish your meal, head upstairs where you will find a bar and fun music to dance to.

Their menu, like most fancy restaurants, offers a variety of USDA prime aged steaks, seafood, and signature cocktails. Menu favorites include the dry aged pork chops, oysters, bone-in cuts of beef, chopped salad, and more. So you can enjoy the same delicious food you expect while experiencing other exciting things like the atmosphere and music!

“The absolute best. Money well spent. My food was delicious. My drink was deliciously amazing. This place really wowed my taste buds. And my waiter was incredible. He definitely knew what he was doing.” - Yelp Review 

Prime 25 doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding new restaurants!

7. The Peppertree Restaurant

Steakhouse with stunning downtown views.

888 W Moreno Ave | Colorado Springs | peppertreecs.com

This restaurant offers a view, and a menu, like no other restaurant in Colorado Springs. If you want to enjoy a delicious steak dinner as well as stunning panoramic views of Downtown Colorado Springs, this is the only and only place for your next date night.

The Peppertree is known for their unique tableside preparation of the finest steaks. Talk about an Instagrammable experience—you not only have a stunning view, but you also have someone cooking right in front of you! Even if you aren’t someone who loves snapping pictures of your dining experience, you will still enjoy the unique experience this restaurant has to offer. 

Featured menu items include Pepper Steak—center cut filet served with Indian-mango chutney, cracked pepper, and flamed with French brandy, Steak Diane—center cut filet finished in a demi-glace and heavy cream sherry sauce, and Maryland Crabcakes served with raspberry horseradish. For dessert, guests recommend the Bananas Foster. Yum! 

If you’re getting a drink, try the Raspberry Lemon Drop made with Absolut Raspberry and Chambord.

“PepperTree Restaurant is a great place to dine for a special occasion or an upscale dining experience. They have a great menu and a lot of the dishes are cooked tableside… I highly recommend this restaurant for a special dining experience or special occasion.” - Yelp Review 

The Peppertree Restaurant doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding new restaurants!

From fancy French restaurants to chain steakhouses to local Italian restaurants, there are a variety of different options for fine dining in Colorado Springs. You really can’t go wrong with any of these choices, but since these recommendations are for date night, be sure to think of your person and what they would enjoy most! 

Let us know in the comments which of these fancy restaurants in Colorado Springs you go to for your next date night! And if you have any restaurants to add, let us know in the comments!