Very romantic hole in the wall spot is Cicada in Cambridge for dinner specifically. It’s a small space, so check if there’s reservations, but the food is affordable and SO delicious, and the ambiance is amazing!

bistro du midi is quite romantic setting, the price reflects accordingly

Provincetown Ferry is a classic day trip, though pricey.

Tall ships is cool

The Charles River esplanade (owls nest beer garden is a fun lil spot)

Does she like pizza? I know a perfect date spot.

Charles River Park is pretty nice on the Boston side. I picnic there would be sweet, but remember it gets hot during midday. Cost is free except for maybe parking.

My husband and I really enjoyed Sorellina in Back Bay/Copley for one of our anniversaries. Lots of pillars and dark mood lighting if you’re into that, and tasty! Same owners as Mistral, which is also great and I see recommended a lot, but I personally preferred sorellina’s deserts :)

I just had a very nice date night at June Bug in Somerville! Althea in central square is also a great date night spot

Highly recommend Ma Maison in Beacon Hill. Quaint and intimate French restaurant.

https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1mkz9xd/whats_the_most_romantic_and_relatively/

https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1mjb8tf/date_night_restaurant_recommendations/

https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1lw1h2h/looking_for_romantic_nontouristy_italian/

https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1kccnbo/request_romantic_bars_restaurants/

Mistral

Once you said not egregiously expensive you eliminated 90% of the places that would fit the bill and don't completely suck.

Mamma Maria. North square looks pretty this time of year

What is egregiously expensive to you? Overpriced/bad value? Or do you have a budget?

Kowloon?

two thoughts:

foundry on elm in somerville, or Prima in Charlestown, both have cozy booth brassiere vibes and prima has a fireplace

75 Chestnut St., just off Charles St. Is very nice and not expensive.

Lolita is nice. Just don't go on a weekend night.

Nightshift Brewing has a beer garden on the Esplanade. You can see the food truck schedule here. You would need to be 21+, they check.

I would do a picnic honestly. Impress her with your charcuterie board skills. A blanket, a bottle of wine, a charcuterie board, and snuggles while watching the sunset….

Ma Maison on Cambridge St off Beacon Hill is a small French bistro that is not expensive for the area. It's very French and could be an option. That being said, I think the picnic option suggested above is the best.

What's your vibe? Are you young, city-dwelling folks who keep trendy and like going to hip "best of town up-and-comers? types? Are you more suburban folks who like the classics done great (steak house, italian pastas, etc. in restaurants that have been around for a few decades?).

Are you looking for a "Boston Classic" meal? Or, something that's more like in line with the best meal you two enjoy, and you'll have that kind of meal in Boston?

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There are so many options/directions to go in - if you provide some parameters, I can make some recs!

Can’t recommend Talulla enough, if you’re willing to go out further to Cambridge. It’s very small/intimate (12 tables), has made it into several of the “most romantic restaurants in Boston” lists. The chef owns the restaurant and his wife is the sommelier. Giulia (also in Cambridge) is also phenomenal food, atmosphere, and service, although difficult to get reservations.

I think Sarma is the no-brainer option. It's relatively new (5ish years?). It consistently wins best of boston. If there's a national/international list of "best restaurants in each state, etc.) - it's almost always the one that is selected.

It's just a really great spot - with a awesome atmosphere. It's not formal or pretentious. The only downside is that it's not in the most walkable neighborhood. You'll definitely need to cab there/back.

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I think u/Zealousideal_Foot562 makes all great recommendations as well. I'd just add:

• The Beehive in the South End - elevated southern comfort food with live music (jazzy, bluesy trios, etc.) and a great bar menu. This is also a fun neighborhood for a night out - lots of restaurants and shops (that will be closed by dinner tiem - but, fun for day shopping).
• Meyers+Chang in the South End - Asian fusion small plates. Been around for a 10+ years and still one of the best restaurants in Boston.
• Davis Square (a neighborhood/stop on the Red Line subway) is an awesome spot for food hopping: Saloon is a speak-easy style cocktail bar. Painted Burro is a fun, trendy mexican food. Five Horses Tavern, Elm Street Taproom, and Foundry are all contemporary gastro-pubs with awesome beer lists and upscale pub food. Dragon Pizza is the best slice in Boston. Highly recommend doing a food/bar hop in Davis as a night out. Don't eat too much any where - just hit up the bar at a bunch of places.
• The Hourly Oyster House is in Harvard Square and is an awesome seafood restaurant if you want classic boston/new england options but don't want Legal Seafood.

Does she likes books? You can make reservations for hight tea in the boston library and its quite cute the surroundings of the library are very beautiful too :)

If your visiting Boston, you are probably gonna want to go to Boston restaurants like Mariel, Fox and knife, toro, Yvonne’s, prezza,

Don’t get suckered in by people telling you to leave Boston to go to neighborhoods outside of Boston. They really aren’t as good as the good places in Boston and as a tourist, I assure you that you want to be hanging out in Seaport, back bay, north end, downtown, Faneuil hall. And if you want a more neighborhood Boston feel, South Boston and South End.

Papa Geno's in Brockton is where you go for your first date, though. Gotta keep it reserved for that early relationship vibe.

885 Belmont in Brockton is a quiet, out-of-the-way Italian joint that is perfect for romantic dining.

Mamma Maria's in Boston's North End. It has a small intimate room for two above the front door. Great views and fine Italian cuisine. I got engaged in that room twenty five years ago. Good Luck!

Dali has some tables tucked away in semi private alcoves. The balcony at Tresca in the north end is private and looks romantic. Never eaten there so I can’t speak to the food.

Check with Menton. They have a chef's room. I think it's generally for 6-10 people but they might be able to just put in a smaller table to create the effect.

Table 77 at Tresca

If you don't mind bundling up a little I always recommend the Harbor Walk in EB from Piers to Lo Presti, a cocktail at Reel House and dinner at Rino's or Angela's.

Silhouette Lounge

Get stuck in line at snowport or SoWA, learn about her patience levels, and she learns about yours. If you guys make it thru without losing your shit... It's only upside from there.

Papa Geno's [sic] in Brockton.

Beehive ( good food and jazz ) , Grace by Nia great food and jazz and you ll be in walking distance from kings bowling alley and a dart bar . Hope this helps. Be sure to call sometimes they ll squeeze in if online says there full.

Myers + Chang, Ostra, and Trattoria Il Panino are my favorite meals in Boston!

I second Bar Mezzana as well!! My favorite Italian in the city. SRV is also excellent!

If you’re more interested in the north end, I like carmellina’s and mare as well

Fox and Knife in South Boston!

For a romantic and old world atmosphere I recommend Mamma Maria in the North End. There are flashier and better restaurants foodwise, but it is simply dreamy. Everyone is charming and the rooms are beautiful! (it is in an old house on an old square...right near Paul Revere's House)

I also like Harvest in Cambridge. Modern but warm decor and impeccable food.

SRV or fox and the knife

I hear that the Papa Geno's in Brockton is sure to put anyone in the mood

Seconding this! Love it there

Holy crap! This is PERFECT! Definitely the vibe I was looking for and amazing menu! Thank you!

Dunks in Government Center.

Grotto on Beacon hill

Taco Bell in DTX