Life
Galentine’s and Valentine’s Day Celebrations
We’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Springfield.
By Krysten Muench, Jo Everhart, Jordan Blomquist
Jan 01 2024 at 8 a.m.
Photo by Brandon AlmsCelebrate Valentine's and Galentine's Day at all of Springfield's best spots.
Cupid is flying toward Springfield, so it’s time to start making your Valentine’s Day and Galentine's Day plans. Whether you’re wanting to celebrate with dinners and roses or enjoy the holiday with your gals, the Queen City has a ton to offer. We’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate to make the most of the holiday.
VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS
Make Dinner Reservations
Level 2 Steakhouse
February 9–18 | To make a reservation, call 417-243-3433 or hop online
This Romantic Dinner for Two ($199 per couple) features signature Level 2 Salads, a 6 oz filet mignon and 5 oz lobster tail for each guest plus your choice of three house-made sides and a white and dark chocolate mousee to share for dessert.
Ariake Sushi & Robata
February 14 | To make a reservation call 417-501-1675 or reserve online
Ariake Sushi & Robata is known for beautifully prepared small plates perfect for a multi-course meal. They lean into that reputation with this special Galentine’s Day event, a four-course meal just for you and your best girlfriends. It takes place on February 14 with two seatings (one at 6 p.m., the other at 8 p.m.), and reservations are required.
Order In
417 Charcuterie
Build your own Valentine's Day bundle with 417 Charcuterie. Add chocolate-covered strawberries and/or a special flower arrangement for the perfect, romantic evening in. Check out more options for ordering in below.
Looking For More Great Dates?
We've rounded up TONS of date night ideas for foodies, romantics, sports fanatics, creatives and adventurous couples in Springfield, Branson and beyond.
Paul Allen, Allen Event Group
Paul Allen has been offering his chef services in the Ozarks since 2002. In addition to offering typical catering options with family-style meals or buffets, he also provides personal chef services that include multi-course formal meals with white-glove service. Ooh la la!
Vintage Cookery
Owners Austin and Amy Merath offer customized personal chef services for dinner parties, but we especially like their vacation option: They will set up and prepare a gourmet dinner at your vacation rental. You book that perfect Airbnb, and they’ll take care of the perfect meal while you sit back and relax. Bonus: They use a lot of local veggies and proteins in their menus.
Express Foods
This one is great for seafood lovers. Owner Chris Perkins brings in fresh seafood from the coasts, which you can purchase directly from Express Foods. But he also offers a unique at-home experience: seafood boil parties. Express Foods brings in the fresh crawfish and shrimp and does all the heavy lifting—you just have to don the shirt you like the least (seafood boils get messy!) and enjoy the spicy Cajun flavors.
417 Devour
In addition to chef services for parties, owner Ashley Hunt also offers weekly in-home personal chef meal prep services on an ongoing basis for folks looking for more than just a one-off meal. You customize the menu; Hunt shops, cooks and cleans up. Hunt is currently booked up for 2024, but follow her on Instagram to watch for openings.
What’s Alfredo?
Owners Lorenzo and Kaylee Antignano specialize in Italian food, freshly prepared at your home. The menu is personalized, and they bring everything they need to prep, serve and clean up. They’ll use your in-home cooking equipment and dishes to prepare a multi-course Italian meal.
Eating the Ozarks
Rachael West specializes in locally foraged ingredients, which she uses to create dinner party menus. She can also take you on a hike pre-meal and show you how to find foraged ingredients. She can show you how to forage on your own property too, and tell you how to get rid of invasive species.
Stick with a Classic
Dinner and a movie is a bit of a stereotypical date night, but with a bit of a spin, you can elevate your dating experience. Start with an intimate dinner downtown, we recommend something dimly lit and romantic like The Order, Flame or Gilardi’s, and then end with a show at Springfield Little Theatre (311 E Walnut St., Springfield; 417-869-1334). In The Heights is playing through February 11, making it the perfect opportunity to feel fancy while admiring the beauty of The Landers Theatre.
Feel like a Kid Again
There is something about going to an arcade that makes you feel like you’re in a rom-com movie montage, sneaking in a quick kiss playing laser tag, laughing while trying to keep up during air hockey, pretending you don’t know how to properly throw a bowling ball so your date has to guide your hand. You can experience all of this and more at Andy B’s Bowl Social (1127 E Battlefield Road, Springfield; 417-883-1234), plus you can have dinner and drinks without even having to leave the building.
Catch Up
Get those familiar heart flutters back—this time because you’re exercising, not because you’re nervous—and check out all of the amazing local parks we have. The cold weather only makes walking more romantic, you can bundle up and cuddle close as you walk hand in hand, talking uninterrupted and getting in your steps for the day. Try Jordan Valley Park for this particular stroll, so you can end your brisk walk with a warm drink at Coffee Ethic or European Café downtown. Or you could stroll Sequiota Park and stop off at Black Lab Coffee.
Branch Out
Go to an art museum. You don’t have to know anything about techniques or practices to enjoy looking at what local amazing artists are accomplishing in our area. There is something romantic about seeing such beauty made right here in Springfield, Missouri. If you’re artsy, go for Springfield Art Museum (1111 E Brookside Drive, Springfield; 417-837-5700), and if you’re a history buff, opt for History Museum on the Square (154 Park Central Square, Springfield, 417-831-1976).
Slow Down
Watch the sunset at Top of the Rock (190 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale; 800-225-6343). While it may be too cold for a sunset toast on the patio, you can have a great date with a view by visiting one of the spot’s eateries, like Osage Restaurant with its panoramic lake view.
Try Something New
There's always a new option at Finley Farms (802 Finley Farms Lane, Ozark; 417-210-6644) for a Galentine’s or Valentine's Day date! Keep an eye on their website for updates and make sure to book—events sell out fast!
Do Good Together
The Galentine’s Gala to benefit Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) is an annual event (taking place on February 2, 2024) is perfect for grabbing your girlfriends, dressing up and dancing the night away. Tickets are only $25, and all proceeds benefit OACAC’s efforts to support poverty relief in southwest Missouri.
