Restaurant reservation service OpenTable has developed its 2025 list of the top 100 most romantic restaurants in America, and one alluring Austin eatery has made the cut: Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab at the Arboretum.
The list was compiled using more than 10 million restaurant reviews based on six metrics, including diner ratings, the percentage of reservations made in advance, and more. Qualified restaurants were not ranked by score, but by the percentage of reviews that included the tag “romantic."
Truluck's was one of four total Texas restaurants that made the list, and boasts a second location in downtown Austin.
According to its website, the restaurant is known for offering the finest seafood delicacies while still remaining committed to sustainable farming practices.
"Each day during season (from October 15 to May 1), our crabber's boats venture out into the turquoise waters surrounding the Florida Keys. There they capture the crab in humanely designed wooden traps, and haul them onboard," the website says. " The crabbers then delicately remove a single claw, and gently return the crab to their ocean habitat. The crab will regenerate the claw in coming months, ensuring the health and sustainability of the species."
The Florida Stone Crab claws and the salt and pepper calamari are two of the most popular dishes on the menu.
Photo courtesy of Truluck's
Popular dishes on the menu include the lobster bisque, salt and pepper calamari, ahi tuna tartare, and fresh Florida Stone Crab claw platter. Prime cuts of beef and lamb chops, an indulgent array of desserts, and an extensive cocktail list round out the restaurant's robust offerings.
"One of our favorite restaurants to go to when we visit Austin is Truluck’s," one reviewer wrote on OpenTable. "The sea bass and salmon are our favorite and we have always ordered the waiters recommendation on appetizers which was the meatballs and they were delicious. Service is always good and the area where we like to sit (bar area) is relaxing and the perfect ambiance for a nice dinner."
February 14 doesn't have to be the only day that gets a designated date night; The restaurant is also popular for other holidays and special occasions. And don't forget about Truluck's refreshing happy hour.
For Austinites who will be taking a romantic weekend trip elsewhere around the state for Valentine's Day, OpenTable has three more suggestions on its romantic restaurants list:
- Dakota's Steakhouse in downtown Dallas
- Perry's Steakhouse & Grille in Dallas' Park District (Perry's also has locations in San Antonio, Austin, and Houston)
- Bohanan's Prime Steaks and Seafood in San Antonio
"Valentine's Day dining has gone through a major vibe shift over the years, and this year sees a continuation of that, with couples, double dates and groups of friends planning to dine out for the occasion," said Robin Chiang, Chief Growth Officer of OpenTable, in a release. "Between OpenTable's breadth of restaurants and resources, there's something for everyone — from fine dining to the cozy neighborhood Italian spot — and our annual Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list and curated guides are great places to start."