Indianapolis' St. Elmo Steak House Is One Of The Most Romantic Restaurants In America

Valentine's Day is the most romantic day of the year, or at least that's what the lovers say. It's also one of the five most popular days of the year to dine out, according to Full-Service Restaurant Magazine, only falling behind Mother's Day, and alongside other holidays like New Year's Eve and Easter.

OpenTable, known not only as a reservation website but also for providing plenty of restaurant roundups, recently released its list of the most romantic restaurants of 2023. The top location was Mama's Fish House in Maui, with a Polynesian ambiance that is perfect for a date night. Hell's Kitchen, located in Caesar's Palace Casino in Las Vegas, along with the Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, D.C., round out the top three.

There was only one true steakhouse to make the list, and you'll find it in Indianapolis. St. Elmo Steak House has called Indianapolis it's home since its inception in 1902. It's a staple in the city, and it can call itself one of America's most romantic dinner date spots, too.

Steakhouses have long been known as special occasion spots, whether it's celebrating a work milestone with coworkers, a birthday with friends, or an anniversary with a partner. According to the St. Elmo website, the steakhouse got its start more than 120 years ago, when it opened its doors as nothing more than a small tavern. It was founded by Joe Stahr but is currently owned by the father-son duo Stephen and Craig Huse.

As soon as you walk through the restaurant's doors, it's understood why it's the perfect date spot. Once you look past the lengthy bar, you see tables donned in white cloths, walls covered in wood paneling, and lighting that provides a dimly lit, romantic atmosphere. The servers and bartenders wear formal attire, such as tuxedos (sometimes sans jacket), which only adds to the upscale grandeur, and while the restaurant is certainly "fancy," its bar area also retains somewhat of a tavern-like atmosphere. It boasts a 4.8 on OpenTable with more than 18,000 reviews, a 4.5 on TripAdvisor, and a 4 on Yelp.

Those looking for the most romantic dinner might find it here, but be prepared to spend a pretty penny. Steakhouses aren't often synonymous with "affordable," and St. Elmo is no exception. It only has one appetizer on the menu, a shrimp cocktail dish for $17.95. You will also find a USDA prime ribeye for $85, a porterhouse for $95, and those who want to spend the big bucks can opt for the Tom-a-Hawk ribeye, which is a whopping 32 ounces and costs $135. 

Of course, these prices are before the addition of any sauces or sides. Basic sauces, such as Béarnaise, cost $5, while those who choose to add a lobster tail to their steak are looking at an extra $55. Side dishes range from $9 to $35, with the latter being a king crab macaroni and cheese.

There are several options for non-steak lovers, such as seafood pasta or a roasted chicken breast, but regardless of who orders what, one thing is certain: It is truly a date spot meant to impress. Few meals sing romance better than a dimly lit steak dinner, and according to OpenTable voters, St. Elmo nails its role.