Pizzeria Verità

156 St. Paul St., Burlington, pizzeriaverita.com

• Matthew Thorsen
• Pizzeria Veritá

Whisk your date away to Italy — kinda, sorta — at this dimly lit pizzeria. It's always packed, for good reason, so mosey up the block to subterranean Sotto Enoteca for a glass of wine while you wait for your table. Then take your seat and let the meal work its magic. These thin-crust, Neapolitan-style pies emerge from a blazing oven bearing San Marzano tomatoes, housemade mozzarella, and local veggies and meats. There's Nutella pie for dessert and an extensive array of Italian amari for lingering over late into the night.

Bistro de Margot

126 College St., Burlington, bistrodemargot.com

• Oliver Parini
• Bistro de Margot

Nothing says romance like French ... well, anything. This upscale bistro specializes in modern French cuisine that will tingle your taste buds as well as your heart.

Guild Tavern

1633 Williston Rd., South Burlington, guildtavern.com

• Matthew Thorsen
• Guild Tavern

Exquisite cocktails set the scene for a posh dinner date. The wood-fired grill cooks dry-aged steaks and other local meats for a meal to remember.

Hen of the Wood

55 Cherry St., Burlington, henofthewood.com

• Oliver Parini
• Hen of the Wood (Burlington)

Your date will be seriously impressed with the locavore cuisine and legendary wine list of this rustic Hotel Vermont resto. On a budget? Snuggle up by the fireplace and share small plates.

Junction

70 Essex Way, Essex Junction, essexresortspa.com

• Matthew Thorsen
• Junction's lamb chop with beets

Dining is intimate at this upscale, forward-thinking restaurant at the Essex Resort & Spa. Chef Kyle Wescott's large, small and tasting plates are cooked in plain view.

Misery Loves Co.

46 Main St., Winooski, miserylovescovt.com

Need a conversation starter? Talk about the open kitchen's seriously imaginative food — think scallop crudo and bacon beignets. The fare has twice nabbed the chef-owners James Beard nominations.

Pascolo Ristorante

83 Church St., Burlington, pascolovt.com

This atmospheric basement spot has a classic date-night menu of fresh pastas, antipasti and wood-fired pizzas, all crafted in-house with Vermont ingredients.