Date Night in Ann Arbor, MI
Updated September 24, 2026
## Dinner: choose the food and setting
Date night in Ann Arbor, MI can center on a casual meal, a quiet steakhouse dinner, or Italian food on a rooftop patio. Choose by the setting as well as the menu.
[Slurping Turtle](/places/slurping-turtle), at 608 E Liberty St, serves sushi, noodles, small plates, and sake. Its industrial-chic interior includes long communal tables and a casual atmosphere. For a smaller space, [Totoro](/places/totoro), at 215 S State St #2031, has a sleek, cozy dining room and table service. Its Japanese menu includes creative sushi rolls, tempura, and udon.
[Pizza House](/places/pizza-house), at 618 Church St, serves deep-dish pies and other Italian food in a roomy, laid-back dining room. A fireplace and an on-site bar are part of the setting. [Olive Garden Italian Restaurant](/places/olive-garden-italian-restaurant), at 445 E Eisenhower Pkwy, offers pasta, salads, comfort food, small plates, and vegetarian options in a lively, family-friendly setting.
For country Italian fare, [Palio](/places/palio-ann-arbor), at 347 S Main St, has an eclectic interior and a rooftop patio with its own kitchen. Dinner and dessert are available. [Real Seafood Company](/places/real-seafood-company-ann-arbor), at 341 S Main St, focuses on seafood dishes and local produce, with small plates, vegetarian options, and dessert also available.
For a quiet, elegant setting, [Ruth’s Chris Steak House](/places/ruth-s-chris-steak-house), at 314 S 4th Ave, serves the chain’s sizzling, butter-topped beef. [P.F. Chang’s](/places/p-f-chang-s), at 720 Briarwood Cir, is a family-friendly alternative serving creative takes on Asian fare, including small plates, vegetarian options, and dessert.
## Make the theater part of the evening
[Michigan Theater](/places/michigan-theater), at 603 E Liberty St in Ann Arbor, MI, hosts films, cultural events, and live performances. The historic theater once served as a hub for vaudeville and silent movies; its current programming extends beyond music.
Build a dinner-and-film plan around the theater and Slurping Turtle: both have E Liberty St addresses. The restaurant supplies the sushi, noodles, and sake portion of the evening, while the theater offers a choice of film and live-performance programming.
## Cocktails, with food available
[The Ravens Club](/places/the-ravens-club), at 207 S Main St in Ann Arbor, MI, pairs a speakeasy-style setting with farm-to-fork American small plates and old-fashioned cocktails. Food is available at the bar, along with beer, wine, and liquor. Its happy-hour offerings cover both food and drinks.
[The Last Word](/places/the-last-word), at 301 W Huron St, serves classic cocktails, a broad whiskey selection, local craft beers, and wine. Its cozy, stylish setting combines casual, romantic, and upscale qualities. Food is served here too, including at the bar, so the plan can include both drinks and something to eat.
