Plan The Ultimate Date Night

From small batch chocolates to romantic restaurants to the perfect show, you’ll find everything you need for Valentine’s Day in our counties.
Cheryl De Leon,
Drinking Red Wine At Dinner In Restaurant.

Ready to indulge in some romance? Valentine’s Day gives us an excuse to spoil that special someone in our lives—and it gives us a chance to celebrate and embrace some warmth during one of the coldest months of the year.

Want to plan the perfect date, on Valentine’s or any day? You don’t need to leave Morris and Essex to do it. Here, we’ve curated the best our counties have to offer, mostly pulling from our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards (voting is live for 2026’s, so vote now if you think we’re missing something!). All you need to do is pick up your date and dress to kill.

Grab a gift.

Why mess with a classic? When planning the perfect Valentine’s Day, start with chocolate—local, small-batch chocolate, of course, to make it truly special.

The Chocolate Shoppe. Would house mousse truffles in a heart-shaped box make your beau’s night? How about seasonal hot chocolate bombs? Those are just the start at this local shop.
*62 E. Mill Rd., Long Valley, 908.867.2000

Holsten’s. This famous shop took first for Essex in our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, and its candy boxes will make a sweet night even sweeter.
*1063 Broad St., Bloomfield, 973.338.7091

J. Emanuel Chocolatier. Fine truffles, bespoke barks and salted caramels await you at the winner of 2025’s Best Candy/Chocolate in Morris.
*461 Main St., Chester, 908.955.7591

Mindy’s Munchies. From chocolate covered strawberries to fudge to full baskets of chocolate-covered pretzels, there’s something for everyone here.
*22 Schuyler Pl., Morristown, 973.221.0030

Sweet Expressions by Geri. With an instantly-recognizable bright pink storefront, it’s easy to stop by for chocolate-covered strawberries, caramel-dipped apples and much more.
*26 Broadway, Denville, 973.625.0025

Dinner date.

Dim lights, white tablecloths, candles and menus worth swooning over. Make your reservations soon.

Café NaVona. Classic Italian dining, and enchanting atmosphere and an extensive wine list—it’s no surprise it took the crown for Morris County’s best romantic restaurant.
*147 Rte. 46, Rockaway, 973.627.1606

Calandra’s Mediterranean Grill. Last year’s winner for Essex’s best romantic restaurant, this spot has a special Valentine’s menu filled with crowd pleasers, and don’t skip out on dessert (like ricotta cheese cake).
*118 Rte. 46, Fairfield, 973.575.6500

Rails Steakhouse. You’ll find the perfect ambiance in this intimate dining room, and the food is nothing to sneeze at. Indulge in an extensive wet bar, plus wagyu steak and classics like braised short rib.
*10 Whitehall Rd., Towaco, 973.335.0006

Rosie’s Trattoria. Balancing the fine line between elegant and cozy and with a menu filled with all your favorites, a visit to Rosie’s is sure to take any date night to the next level.
*1181 Sussex Tpke., Randolph, 973.895.3434

Hit the town.

To make the night truly unforgettable, we suggest a show. Some options:

Feb. 13

  • Celebrate the most romantic music genre with three giants of R&B. At Newark’s Prudential Center, see New Edition, Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton on the New Edition Way tour. The music starts at 8 p.m.

Feb. 14

  • At Millburn’s Paper Mill Playhouse, treat your sweetheart to fantastic theater and catch one of two seatings of Come From Away, a story of a stranded plane and the aftermath of tragedy. The matinee starts at 1:30 p.m., and the evening show is at 7:30 p.m.
  • At Rebel Sheep Wine Co. in Chester, enjoy special Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Flights. Tastings start at 2 p.m.
  • The very trendy and speakeasy-style Laundromat Bar (yes, the upstairs really looks like a laundromat) hosts a night of live music and fantastic drinks starting at 7:30 p.m.
  • Visit the serene and elegant Vleck House & Gardens in Montclair and listen to a suite by the Manhattan String Quartet. The theme of the night is “romance,” so expect Mendelssohn, Schumann and more starting at 7:30 p.m.
  • Over at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, see Linda Eder preform With Love from Linda, a show filled with romantic tunes from Broadway, the Great American Songbook and pop and country favorites. The show starts at 8 p.m.

How are you spending Valentine’s Day in Morris and Essex? Tell us all about it on Instagram @morrisandessexmag.

Categories: Morris/Essex Health & Life