ATHENS, Ga.– Valentine’s Day is upon us.

The most-anticipated day in February is filled with hugs, kisses and showmanship. It’s also a popular day to go out and share the night with a significant other. It just so happens that restaurants are the prime location.

So, we at Grady Newsource put together a list of the best places to eat on this special day. Here are the top-five restaurants to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2017.

The Place

Location: 229 E Broad St, Athens, GA 30608

Located in downtown Athens, The Place offers a quaint experience for lunch and dinner. The restaurant specializes in southern cuisine and includes popular meals like shrimp and grits, grilled pork chops, and even chicken and waffles. For dessert, you can enjoy an assortment of cheesecakes or pair your meal with something from the bar. Typical price range: $20-35 dollars

Rafferty’s

Location: 15 Huntington Road, Athens, GA 30606

Rafferty’s has a little of everything on its menu. From sandwiches, to ribs, to succulent seafood pairings, Rafferty’s menu has something for everyone. The environment is also very romantic as it has dim lighting and a strong ambiance. The most popular items are the honey butter croissants and the steak and house salad combination that pairs well with a hot bacon dressing. Typical price range: $40-60 dollars

Olive Garden

Location:  Athens Promenade, 3666 Atlanta Hwy, Athens, GA 30606

Olive Garden makes the list for its popularity and its special February offer. The Italian restaurant is offering $11.99 never-ending pasta bowls for customers. This features the popular chicken parmesan and lasagna to pair with your favorite beverage of choice. However, expect long lines as Olive Garden tends to attract a lot of customers on Valentine’s Day. Typical price range: $30-50

Cali-N-Titos (Eastside Location)

Location: 1245 Cedar Shoals Dr, Athens, GA 30605

If you looking for someone to dine on a budget, Cali-N-Titos is your place to go. The eastside location has a scenic dining area and is a perfect place for college students looking for something different. It’s fast and efficient and has an assortment of Latin American foods. The fish tacos are the popular item here but don’t sleep on the Cajun burritos as well. Typical price range: $ 10-20

Last Resort Grill

Location: 174-184 W Clayton St Athens, GA 30601

This maybe the most popular location on the list. The southern seafood restaurant features a lot of specialized dishes to appeal to everyone. There are also a multitude of vegetarian options like The Morton plate that includes black beans, kale salad and corn salsa. The venue sits in the heart of downtown Athens and is a place that can be relatively inexpensive for the experience. Typical price: $20-40

Other Restaurants of Choice

• Market Seven Coastal Grille (Seafood)
• Outback Steakhouse
• Red Lobster
• Jason’s Deli (Inexpensive Choice)

Experience something different? Know of any restaurants that should be included in the list? Please let us know on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook— @gradynewsource

Also, if you got any photos from Valentine’s Day— please tag us @gradynewsource or use the hashtag #vday2017 to let us know.

By: Jaylon Thompson