Look, Valentines! This Idaho restaurant was named one of Yelp’s Top 100 Date Night spots

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, procrastinators are scrambling to come up with romantic dining options this weekend.

You’re in luck, Idaho — North Idaho.

Reviews platform Yelp just released its list of the nation’s Top 100 Date Night Restaurants for 2025, and the Gem State earned an accolade.

Satay Bistro of Coeur d’Alene finished at No. 98. Located at 2501 N. 4th St., Satay Bistro offers “an extraordinary wine cellar and outstanding American fusion menu,” according to its website. Yelp reviewers rate it 4.5 out of 5.0 stars, using words like “romantic,” “fancy,” “cute” and “cozy.”

Forget being in luck, though. Unsurprisingly, Satay Bistro’s dining room seems to be booked Valentine’s Day weekend. Maybe you can sneak into the wine bar early instead?

Either way, Satay Bistro is a fine dining “must do” when visiting Couer d’Alene. “Wish I could give more stars!!” a January Yelp review proclaims. “The ambiance of Satay is beautiful, intriguing and elegant all in one package!”

From the complimentary loaf of warm bread to the entrees — ranging from satays, steak and seafood to pasta and soups — Satay Bistro nails it, according to Yelpers.

But, look, California transplants! No. 1 on Yelp’s list was Cesarina, an Italian restaurant in San Diego. “This ‘truly magic’ restaurant wins hearts with a vibe that says ‘we’ve been whisked off to Italy,’ along with complimentary champagne or dessert plus commemorative Polaroids to mark special occasions,” Yelp writes.

Although it was nice for Idaho to get a nod on Yelp’s list, the conspicuous absence of the Boise area felt like a sharp stick in the eye. Or a fondue fork, perhaps.

What’s the problem, Yelp? Does the Treasure Valley’s constant influx of new fast-food chain restaurants not feel super-romantic?

In 2019, Chandlers Steakhouse of Boise earned props in a similar Valentine’s Day-related ranking. TripAdvisor ranked Chandlers, 981 W. Grove St., as the sixth most romantic restaurant in the United States. A fine-dining icon in Idaho, Chandlers is always a safe bet for a heart-shaped evening.

And, yes, Chandlers is booked solid this weekend, too.

Maybe your Valentine would rather gaze into your eyes at one of the Boise area’s new In-N-Out Burger restaurants instead?

Michael Deeds

Idaho Statesman

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Michael Deeds is a long-serving entertainment reporter and opinion columnist at the Idaho Statesman, where he chronicles the Boise good life: restaurants, concerts, culture, cool stuff. He started as a summer intern after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a news-editorial journalism degree. Deeds’ prior Statesman roles have included sportswriter, music critic and features editor. His other writing has ranged from freelancing album reviews for The Washington Post to bragging about Boise in that inflight magazine you left on the plane.