Valentine’s Day is a chance to celebrate love — both romantic and platonic. However, it can be hard to find a good date spot if you aren’t familiar with San Antonio. So if you’re looking for a place to take someone special on Feb. 14, look no further than this article.

Press Coffee
This coffee shop is the perfect place to meet up with a first date who you don’t know too much about or to catch up with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. Press’ sunken-level parlor is filled with natural light from the glass ceiling, cozy nooks and eclectic knick-knacks that make you feel like you’re sitting in an industrial-warehouse version of a Victorian jungle-room.

The menu here is small, focusing mainly on coffee and pastries. I ended up ordering a hibiscus ginger Italian soda, which was made in-house with rainwater and a heart-shaped, raspberry-filled cookie. My date ordered an iced coffee that got their seal of approval.

A few negatives: First, the coffee shop has many steep staircases and isn’t handicap-accessible, despite signage indicating a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Most of the tables are a bit small, making them inconvenient for a study date. Finally, it does get cold, so definitely bring a sweater.

Full Goods Diner

This brunch spot tucked in the corner of the Pearl is a great place for a date if you want to bring along a four-legged friend or burn off your mimosas with a walk along the river. If the weather is nice, you can sit outside on the patio. Otherwise, you can sit inside where the decor puts a modern twist on the classic American diner — complete with a bar and an open kitchen.

This spot serves cute cocktails and brunch from open to close. I ordered the crispy chicken sandwich and a lavender lemonade, while my date got the Texas hash — which had a delicious pecan mole — and a latte. We finished the meal with free Rice Krispies treats that were served with the check.

While going on the weekend is ideal for a post-meal stroll through the farmers market, I would recommend avoiding going on a Sunday. This eatery is a trendy spot, so Sunday mornings are busy and loud with slow service. That being said, the servers were absolutely amazing, and the hostess mentioned that Saturday mornings tend to be a little slower than Sundays.

The Witte Museum

Who doesn’t love going to the museum? If you’re looking for a free activity (at least for Trinity students) near campus, and the person you’re going with doesn’t find museums boring, the Witte is the place to go.

Admittedly, this museum is not the most romantic place. However, it’s filled with tons of interactive exhibits that allow you to explore everything from dinosaurs and local cave paintings all the way to cowboys. If you’re willing to let loose and revert to your inner child, it’ll be a blast.

The two exhibits my date and I enjoyed the most were the toy exhibit and the body adventure exhibit. The toy exhibit was a nostalgic trip down memory lane that spurred an insightful conversation with my date about our childhoods. The body adventure exhibit, on the other hand, is full of interactive health-based activities and two hidden gems: the roof, which offers a private view of Brackenridge Park, and the basement, which has a fruit-themed playground.

Hon Machi

If you’ve never had Korean barbecue before, you’re in for a unique experience. On an aesthetic level, this restaurant may not be much at first glance, but you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. My date, who walked into the joint not knowing what to expect, said that the experience of preparing his own meat on the grill built directly into the table was definitely “worth it.”

We ended up ordering a combo for two, which meant we got to sample a variety of protein options. The two chicken options we sampled — teriyaki and smoked — were absolutely delicious and if you go the teriyaki chicken is a must. The combo also came with sides, including a kimchi that was bursting with umami and acidity.

As good as the food is, the best part of this restaurant is that the experience is designed to be enjoyed with one other person. The restaurant has comfortable, intimate booths that create a great atmosphere for conversation and the food itself is served in a way that encourages sharing. Whether platonic or romantic, Hon Machi is a great place to expand the depth of your relationship (assuming that you don’t require any vegetarian options).

Koi Kawa

This Japanese restaurant has a quiet atmosphere that’s perfect for conversation. Whether you decide to take a seat at the bar to watch the sushi chef at work, or along the floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of ducks swimming in the river, Koi Kawa has a charming, bright vibe.

The menu offers everything from ramen to pork tonkatsu, but since I was there during Happy Hour — from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays — when sushi rolls are buy one, get one half off I decided I had to order sushi. I ordered the “First Kiss” roll and the “Crush on You” roll. Each roll had eight pieces of sushi — which is the perfect size to split with a special someone. The “First Kiss” roll was delicious, and if you like tuna, this is a solid choice; but the “Crush on You” roll was fantastic, the pairing of tuna with creamy goat cheese and crunchy yuzu tobiko caviar — definitely a winner.

Black+White Modern Creamery

If you’re looking for a sweet treat after your meal at Koi Kawa, walking around the Witte or grabbing a caffeinated drink from Press Coffee, you should definitely swing by Black+White Modern Creamery. This ice cream shoppe offers a selection of unique, handmade flavors like lavender milk tea and black vanilla, as well as a student discount. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, this local business is offering three special flavors: frosted sugar cookie, rose with milk tea and circus animal cookie.