Local Resources
Best After Hours Place
Waffle House
3909 Hillsborough St., Raleigh
Call for other locations
(919) 833-1247
Not a lot of ambiance, but this classic American joint serves up a mean after-hours breakfast.
Best Cheap Date
Raleighwood Cinema Grill
6609 Falls of Neuse Rd., Falls Village Shopping Center, Raleigh
(919) 847-0326
Dinner and a movie? Together? Now that's a classic date.
Best Club
The Cantina
3011 Hillsborough St., Raleigh
(919) 832-4541
Laid back atmosphere in frat house style. At eleven p.m. the DJ starts spinning records and the dancing begins.
Best Creative Date
Artspace
201 E. Davie St., Raleigh
(919) 821-2787
What is art? Is it beauty? Is it in the eye of the beholder? Is it a fun date? Wander through this huge place and find out.
Best Place for a Laugh
BattleZone
8311 Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh
(919) 847-4263
Say hello to your inner teenager and giggle with glee as you tag othersand each otherwith a rousing game of laser tag.
Best Place for Coffee and Dessert
MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery
111 Weston Pkwy., Cary
Other location: Raleigh
(919) 678-9666
With 40 different flavors, custom cake and shakes and great coffees to boot, Maggie's is a great place to come to.
Best Place To Buy a Gift
Uniquities
450 Daniels St., Raleigh
(919) 832-1234
A unique selection of clothing and accessories whether it's a perfect fitting pair of jeans or a fabulous dress.
Best Restaurant for a Second Dinner Date
Est! Est! Est! Trattoria
19 W. Hargett St., Raleigh
(919) 833-2229
This is Northern Italian cooking at its finest. Plus it's in a central location making it the perfect choice for a meal before strolling over to the BTI Center for a show.
Best Restaurant for First Dinner Date
The Melting Pot
3100 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh
(919) 878-0477
Each table serves a pot of fondue with an assortment of breads, veggies and fruits for dipping. Delicious and special, feeding your date never tasted so good.
Best Restaurant for Lunch or Brunch First Date
Brass Grill & Market
208 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh
(919) 833-9595
The Brass Grill is a warm and friendly family-owned place with the best cheesesteaks in town.
Best Special Occasion Restaurant
Waraji Japanese Restaurant
5910 Duraleigh Rd., Ste. 147, Raleigh
(919) 783-1883
In an unpretentious setting comes one of life's little finds: Waraji, Raleigh's finest sushi restaurant.
TOP FIVE DATES
Hot and Spicy
Chef Rameaux's School of Cooking
704 N. Person St., Raleigh
(919) 834-2510
Cooking together is a fun and rewarding thing to do, so why not take a Cajun cooking class? You just might stir up something extra special.
Pony Up
Dead Broke Farm
6921 Wildlife Tr., Raleigh
(919) 596-8975
Bring your date, saddle up on some friendly horses and check out the trails. It's relaxing, fun and something special to share.
Sailing, Sailing
Apex Sailing & Windsurfing
6633 Apex Barbecue Rd., Apex
(919) 362-8729
Feel the spray hitting your faces, the pull of the tiller, the hum of the sail as your boat moves faster, faster . . . sailing.
Swing your Partner
Carolina Dancesport, Inc.
2409 Guess Rd., Durham
(919) 416-9213
The music plays, your date is in your arms . . . what could be more romantic? Learn to become the dancer you've always suspected you could be, then take your date to a club and show off your new moves.
Up Up and Away
Above and Beyond Hot Air Balloon Company
432 Crescent Ct., Raleigh
(919) 781-3433
See the world from a different perspective like, oh, from two-thousand feet above it. A hot air balloon ride is exciting and romantic. Make sure you pack a picnic lunch and some wine because when you finally do land, you'll still be up in the clouds.