The 16 Most Romantic Meatless Recipes for Your Next Date Night

Enjoying a night out with someone special and indulging in great food and wine over candlelight is truly unbeatable. But, at the end of the night, the bill can certainly add up. In fact, in 2024, the average cost of date night in the US is $123, according to MoneyGeek. 

“On average, going out for drinks costs $12, but dinner will cost you $96, and dinner and a movie total $123,” Rachel Newcomb, PhD, writes for MoneyGeek. And in cities like Miami, FL and Washington, DC, the typical cost of date night is even higher, coming in at $156 and $153, respectively. 

Over time, the cost of date night can certainly add up—but there’s no reason you can’t keep enjoying a special night with your loved one. If you’re looking to trim down on the cost of your weekly romantic night out, why not enjoy date night at home? 

Here, we’ve gathered 16 delicious recipes for a restaurant-worthy date night meal from the comfort of home. Don your best attire, put away your shoes, and head to the dining room for an exquisite, romantic meal—no reservations required. 

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Dinner and a drink

Kick off your date night preparations with the perfect bottle of wine. Our guides to white wines, and celebration-worthy sips are a great place to start. For a more comprehensive list of vegan-friendly options, check out The VegNews Guide to Vegan Wine.

Polina Tankilevitch | Pexels

RELATED: 13 Recipes Perfect for Father’s Day: From Brunch to BBQ

If cocktails are more your style, our extensive recipe library offers a plethora of boozy libations. Prefer a zero-proof bev? Mocktails are a delicious, date-night worthy option.  

Meatless recipes for your next date night

From appetizers to mains to dessert, these plant-based recipes are perfect for a romantic date night at home. Pick and choose recipes from each category below to curate your own menu. Alternatively, enjoy your main at home, and treat yourself to dessert at your local plant-based bakery or hit the town for a drink at a nearby vegan bar—you’re total costs will surely be under $123.

Vegan appetizers

Kick off your date night with these 16 tasty, plant-based bites.

The House of AiA

1Leveled-Up Guacamole With Pomegranate and Cacao

Chunky, spicy, and sweet, this creamy guacamole features two stand-out ingredients—juicy pomegranate seeds and slightly bitter cacao—for a one-of-a-kind take on this classic dip. 
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2Vegan Summer Fried Squash Blossoms

Savory, stuffed squash blossoms are fried to a delicate crunch in this regional recipe from the Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky cookbook. For a cheesy twist, add a sprinkle of your favorite dairy-free mozzarella shreds to your stuffing. 
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HealthyGirl Kitchen

3Crispy Vegan Air-Fryer Wontons With Sesame Dipping Sauce

You can still enjoy crispy, crunchy wontons even without a deep fryer with the help of this Asian-inspired recipe. These veggie-and-tofu-stuffed wontons pair deliciously with the sesame-chili-garlic dipping sauce.
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Anson Smart

4Shiitake Mushroom Lettuce Cups With Ginger-Lime Dressing

For a crisp, citrusy, and refreshing appetizer, look no further than these shiitake mushroom lettuce cups from The Perfect Blend: 100 Blender Recipes to Energize & Revitalize cookbook. The bright, zippy flavors and full-bodied textures deliver a full kick of flavor to the tastebuds. Beyond date night, this makes for a delicious snack or light lunch.
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Candice Hutchings

5Vegan Garlic Bread Dippers With Jalapeño Cheddar and Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauces 

Get your dip on with this recipe for buttery garlic bread dippers from the The Edgy Veg Easy Eats cookbook. Up the garlic flavor with the Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce or go cheesy with the Jalapeño Cheddar Dipping Sauce. Do like we do and opt for both to enjoy a garlic bread and dip flight. 
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Vegan entrées

You won’t miss the meat with these vegan mains.

6Cajun Coconut Sweet Potato Rigatoni With Kale

Thick, creamy, and rustic, you can’t go wrong with this Cajun pasta recipe from the Orchids + Sweet Tea: Plant-Forward Recipes with Jamaican Flavor & Southern Charm cookbook. Rigatoni is infused with Cajun flavors and dressed in a velvety, sweet potato and coconut cream sauce. And with added greens, you’re getting a big dose of veggies in this restaurant-worthy entrée. 
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7Vegan Jerk Tofu Wrapped in Collard Leaves

Tofu is soaked in a peppery, Jamaican-inspired marinade before it’s topped with garlic chips, wrapped in collard leaves, and seared to perfection. It’s then paired with a bright and zesty cilantro sauce and crushed peanuts in this recipe from the Vegetable Kingdom cookbook. Start prep early as this recipe requires a bit of time, but trust us, it’s well worth the effort. 
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Lauren Lovatt

8Vegan Sizzling Zucchini With Creamy Tzatziki and Chimichurri Sauce

Transform zucchini into delectable fillets with this recipe from the Mind Food: Plant-Based Recipes for Positive Mental Health cookbook. Paired with creamy tzatziki and a fresh and tangy chimichurri sauce, these veggie fillets will quickly become your favorite way to each zucchini.
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9Vegan Smoked Teriyaki Salmon Fillet

Enjoy a flaky, teriyaki salmon fillet over a fluffy bead of rice come date night. All you need is tofu, nori, a smoker, and this recipe from the Vegan Barbecue: More Than 100 Recipes for Smoky and Satisfying Plant-Based BBQ cookbook. Don’t have a smoker? Don’t worry, simply check out these tips from Better Homes & Gardens to get around it. 
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Jeff Wysocarski

10Vegan Sweet Potato and Sausage Enchiladas

Sweet potatoes, Chipotle vegan sausages, and kidney beans come together in this hearty, Mexican-inspired enchilada recipe. Best of all? This recipe yields enough portions for a family of four, so you’re sure to have leftovers for tomorrow. 
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Sara Kiyo Popowa

11Vegan Sweet Potato and Chili Dauphinoise With Spicy Pumpkin Seasoning 

Central American flavors and ingredients bring a unique twist to this traditional French potato dish from the Mind Food: Plant-Based Recipes for Positive Mental Health cookbook. Whip up this entrée for an explosion of global flavors. 
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Vegan dessert

End your night with a sweet vegan treat.

Hannah Kaminsky

12Vegan Thai Tea Sheet Cake With Whipped Coconut Cream

Infused with Thai tea, this decadent cake from The Everyday Vegan Cheat Sheet cookbook is doused in a condensed milk syrup and served with whipped coconut cream. If you have a major sweet tooth, this is the cake for you.
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Hannah Kaminsky

13Easy Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Peanut butter and chocolate have always been a winning combination. This recipe transforms the classic pairing into a creamy, velvety cheesecake that’s sure to impress.
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Micah Siva

14Easy Vegan Banana Coconut Pudding

This foolproof recipe comes together in a flash. Simply whip up coconut pudding, and layer it with wafer cookies, bananas, and plain coconut yogurt. Make it your own by adding your favorite toppings such as whipped cream or chocolate shavings.
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Bailey Ruskus

15Vegan and Gluten-Free Chocolate Churro Waffles With Strawberry Sauce

Who said waffles are strictly a brunch food? This recipe brings together classic waffles and crunchy churros for a delicious breakfast-inspired dessert. 
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Brittany Berlin

16Chocolaty Vegan Molten Lava Cakes

Chocolate is a love language. Show your special someone just how much you love them with this gooey, chocolatey cake. This restaurant favorite makes for a truly impressive homemade dessert. Serve à la mode for an even more blissful bite. 
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Jocelyn Martinez is an Associate Editor at VegNews living in Los Angeles, CA.