Whether you’re a new couple or new parents who got a babysitter for the evening, have been together two weeks or 22 years, date nights are an opportunity to reconnect as a couple and should never cease being a priority. There’s an abundance of fun date night (or day) options in Austin. We’ve curated five to inspire some fun with your significant other in 2022.
Kura Sushi
6929 Airport Blvd Suite 125, Austin, TX 78752
Kura takes the mundane out of dining and makes it an experience. Reminiscent of traditional sushi restaurants in Tokyo called Kaitenzushi restaurants, which translates to ‘rotating sushi,’ at Kura each table is alongside a conveyor belt with a never-ending assortment of sealed plates of sushi going by. When one strikes your fancy you simply take it off the belt and when you’re done, you slip the plate down a shoot that records how much you’ve had to tabulate your bill. If you reach a certain number of plates, you get a prize! If you’re not feeling especially adventurous, or if you’re craving something more, Kura has a large menu from soups to hot entrees that can be ordered as well. Tips: Kura doesn’t take reservations but you can add your name to the waitlist via the Kura Sushi app, which we highly suggest to avoid extensive on-site wait times. We also recommend ending the meal with their ice cream topped with a fried dough fish!
Cozymeal
https://www.cozymeal.com/austin/
For foodies, people who want to learn some tricks to take back to their own kitchens, or those just looking for more of an experience from a dinner out than sitting across from their date at a restaurant, Cozymeal is a treat. Cozymeal secures the city’s top chef’s to host evening’s in making dinner together, sometimes at the chef’s own home, with groups generally 2-6. There are over 100 varieties and classes and cuisines to choose from, including “A Culinary Exploration Through Asia” which is taught by Chef Danushka, who was a contestant on "Chopped" and "Cutthroat Kitchen," a finalist on "Comeback Kitchen" and "Next Food Network Star," and the winner of Food Network’s "24 Hour Restaurant Battle!" During this culinary adventure yourspend three hours preparing and eating a 3-course meal that includes Shrimp Potstickers, General Tso’s Chicken and General Tso’s Cauliflower and Tempura Bananas. There are also sushi-making experiences, learning to make pasta from scratch, how to cook the perfect steak, an exploration of regional French fare, several types of Italian cooking and more.
Painting with a Twist (page 4)
8820 Burnet Rd Ste 507, Austin, TX 78757
There are multiple locations of Painting with a Twist around Austin and each offers a few ‘date night’ options each month, especially in February.
At Painting with a Twist you Bring Your Own Wine and they provide everything else you need, including the canvas, paints, brushes, step-by-step instruction, bottle openers and plastic cups. A pre-selected painting is done by the entire group each night and the best way to book is to look at the online calendar for the Painting with a Twist location you’d like to visit and see which painting pops for you. While ‘date night’ paintings generally fit together, it’s an equally fun experience when you’re painting the same picture – each with your own unique twist. The cost per person ranges from $39-$45 per seat ($78-$90 per couple), depending on the painting surface (most paintings can be done or canvas or wood).
Upstairs Circus (page 4)
234 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
Upstairs Circus is a great date night idea, for couples of any duration. You can unleash your creativity while indulging in an adult cocktail and create something tangible to take home along with the memories. On any given evening there are over 25 projects to choose from from leather-work to woodwork, molding, jewelry-making and more. Wednesday is Friendsday Wednesday with half off bottles of wine and while a fun date idea, Upstairs Circus is a good for groups of all kinds any time.
Get Outdoors
Zilker Park and beyond
Austin’s an amazing place for an outdoor date with plenty of enticing options nearly year-round. A perfect first date is a walk around Lady Bird Lake or the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. It provides a great way to walk and talk and if nothing else, you can check off getting in some exercise for the day. If you want to invest a little more we love paddle boarding dates and picnics lakeside or in Zilker Park.
