Where to cozy up with your date on Coeur d’Alene’s winter evenings By Taylor Shillam | Photo by Honey Social Club
The long, cold winters of the Inland Northwest call for cozy, intimate date nights. While Coeur d’Alene is a picturesque setting for a date night at any time of the year, the numerous restaurants and venues that reside here pull out all the stops to ensure wintry outings stay bright and memorable well past the holiday season. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, consider these local favorites to keep your date night fire alive throughout the winter months.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort offers opportunities to take an adventurous date night in the form of a close-to-home getaway, with a long list of stays and specials to make any date night special. Whether you’re seeking a lakeside meal in a cozy igloo, wine tasting with a panoramic view, or a chance to warm up in a pool-sized hot tub, the Resort has a bit of everything for your local staycation.
The Resort’s Hot Winter Nights has returned and will run January through March, transforming the lakeside infinity pool into a hot tub. The experience includes a nearby warming tent and bar serving seasonal snacks and cocktails. Those making a night out of it can opt for the Adult Swim Hot Winter Nights package that includes an overnight stay and admission for two to the 21+ pool session. Make it a more secluded evening for two with a private poolside igloo. Each accommodates up to six guests per session, with each reservation including cocktail service and other perks.
For those simply visiting the Resort for the evening, a long list of glamorous sipping and dining options await, including Beverly’s, a nationally top-rated five-star restaurant home to the Pacific Northwest's largest wine cellars (think endless wine options displayed floor-to-ceiling), and Whispers, the waterfront lounge known for its specialty cocktails. Take a wine tour at Beverly's followed by a meal in its Lakeside Lounge, or reserve a Whispers Igloo on the Lake for a unique, intimate date night setting. Each provides an experience amplified by crisp, frosty lakeside views.
Just up the street and one of the latest additions to East Sherman is the Wine House, a charming venue with a large patio space and wide selection of wines in addition to craft beers, light bites and desserts—perfect fare for an evening for two. New to the Wine House this season are its three igloos. Guests can enjoy full food and drink service while staying warm in an igloo equipped with an electric fireplace and blankets. Igloo reservations are available for 90 minutes at a time.
Are you dreaming of a unique dining experience sitting directly on Lake Coeur d’Alene itself with your loved one? Cedars on the Lake allows guests to take a table at Coeur d’Alene’s only floating restaurant, offering lakeside views and Northwest delicacies with a full-service bar and wine selection. Located at the confluence of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River, Cedars is a must-try experience for locals and visitors alike.
Those seeking a high-quality steak dinner near Coeur d’Alene often find themselves headed to the Wolf Lodge, a steakhouse located just east of town that prides itself on offering “a great taste of the old west for generations.” The Wolf Lodge cooks its steaks and seafood to perfection over a wood-fired grill. With hearty appetizers, tender steaks and seafood, and a wide selection of drinks, the Wolf Lodge is a North Idaho go-to. It is currently open five days a week, by phone reservation only. The Wolf Lodge often book a week in advance, so take time to plan this date night early on!
What kind of date night combines a limo ride, a 12- to 14-course meal and wine from an award-winning cellar? Located in Athol, Candle in the Woods is one of the top-rated restaurants in the region and has earned an impressive list of awards, including “Best Dining Experience in Idaho” by Eat This, Not That in their “Best of Each of the 50 States” list.
Candle in the Woods is an experience in casual elegance that should be planned for—its evenings operate entirely by reservation only, asking guests to arrive between 5:50 and 6pm, and accommodates guests as long as they like to enjoy courses, take advantage of the game room, and enjoy the overall experience. “There’s nothing ‘regular’ about our experience,” they promise.
Candle in the Woods is perfect for an adventurous night as a couple or a group date night outing. They offer a luxury limo service at affordable pricing from the Coeur d’Alene area, an added touch completing the uniqueness of the experience. Keep a lookout for its Valentine’s weekend special event coming soon.
Located on Fourth Street, Satay Bistro boasts fresh, innovative American plates, locally sourced farm-to-menu meats and scratch-made pastas for a dining experience focused on quality. With an expansive menu and an even more expansive wine cellar, Satay Bistro cultivates culinary experiences with food and wine. Sip wine by the glass, share a bottle, or step into the realm with a flavored sake creation (including unique “Sake’tinis” and flavored hot sake drinks) in an intimate atmosphere while you enjoy some of Coeur d’Alene’s top locally owned fine dining.
Located in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene, Honey operates as a well-known breakfast and lunch eatery on its ground floor, but the addition of the social club in its evening hours makes it a well-rounded date spot. The Social Club begins at 4pm in the basement of the restaurant, providing a speakeasy atmosphere with low lighting, a full bar featuring craft cocktails, beer, wine, and small plates, and weekly opportunities to attend special events. Live music, stand-up comedy and more have all found their way to the Honey Social Club, allowing date night to include both dinner and a show.
Vine & Olive Eatery and Wine Bar offers a unique wine bar and small-plate dining experience in a cozy, inviting atmosphere that sets the mood for an excellent evening out. With a menu that includes well-loved mainstays and ever-changing seasonal offerings, there are plenty of dining options, including full meals and shareable small plates, charcuterie and desserts. With its convenient location in the Village at Riverstone and its wide selection of unique wines, Vine & Olive is the perfect choice for starting the evening, ending it after a day of shopping and exploring, or spending the entire evening cozied up in its dim lighting.
What better dinner for two than a fine artisan pizza? Located on East Sherman, Fire offers unique, wood-fired pies crafted with high-quality ingredients. Start with stuffed mushrooms or artichoke dip, choose from pies like the Spicy Thai or the veggie lover’s Garden State, and finish with a freshly baked ice cream-topped chocolate chip cookie. Check Fire’s social media accounts for regularly announced specials like Wine Wednesdays and Pie and Pint nights, offering perfect opportunities for a weeknight date.
Winter date nights in Coeur d’Alene are made special by unique, locally owned spaces that create intimate, memorable experiences. This season, take a chance with your loved one and try something new—whether it’s dining in an igloo, taking a dip in a heated pool, or simply visiting a new restaurant, Coeur d’Alene’s venues have the ability to make it unforgettable.
