The New Trend in Celebrating Valentine’s Day

By Sue Long

February 2025

February 14 is the day that celebrates love, whether it’s for a spouse, a significant other, family, friends or even pets. According to Restaurant News, the ever-widening definition of expressing love on Valentine’s Day signifies that it is no longer relegated to a twosome celebrating a romantic dinner that includes candlelight, wine, flowers and chocolate. In the 21st century, Valentine’s Day is for everyone!

Heck, even the Hallmark Channel is acknowledging the trend, as recent Valentine’s-themed movies have entailed family dinners, community celebrations and yes, pets that bring two people together! And, as luck would have it, this year we’ll have an entire weekend for celebrating love, as the 14th falls on a Friday, which means you have Saturday and Sunday to express your sentiments to the people you love.

Need convincing? Restaurant News shares that “according to a survey commissioned by OpenTable, Valentine’s Day dining is undergoing a dramatic shift, as singles and group celebrations redefine the traditionally couple-focused holiday. The data shows a remarkable 61% of singles are willing to dine out for a first date on February 14th, while 51% of all diners are considering double dates. The survey also indicates a surge in group dining for ‘Galentine’s Day’ celebrations and a strong appetite for new dining experiences.”

Highlights from the research, alongside OpenTable data revealed:

• Singles Say “Yes” to Valentine’s First Dates: Singles are boldly claiming Valentine’s Day as their own, with most Americans willing to have a first date at a restaurant on the holiday. Men lead this shift at 65% compared to women at 57%, while Gen Z is the most adventurous with 70% willing to take the romantic leap on February 14th.
• Doubling Down: Restaurants may be seeing double this Valentine’s Day as 51% of diners consider double dates for the holiday. Gen Z is driving this trend with 62% open to sharing their Valentine’s celebration with another couple.
• Squad Goals: OpenTable data revealed a 34% increase in parties of more than six on Galentine’s Day (February 13) in 2024, compared to the previous year. This suggests a growing preference for celebrating love and friendship will be continued this year: 25% of survey respondents will celebrate Galentine’s Day this year.
• Love at First Bite: Diners are trading familiar favorites for new experiences this Valentine’s Day, with 81% of Americans planning to try a new restaurant. More than a third (36%) are specifically seeking “special occasion” venues, signaling a desire to make this year’s celebration more memorable than ever.
• Last Minute Planners, We Got You: Last year, 28% of Valentine’s Day reservations were made within 48 hours of dining. For those who leave things to the last minute, searching by date and time on OpenTable will save dining heartache.

Reservation Please!

Whether you’re seeking an intimate spot for a first date or a lively atmosphere for a double date, OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list offers diverse options from coast to coast. The list is compiled by analyzing more than 10 million diner reviews, along with diner ratings, reservation demand, percentage of five-star reviews among other factors, and features a diverse list of restaurants perfect for any occasion.

A Lancaster restaurant is among the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the country. That restaurant would be – you guessed it – The Belvedere Inn. Between the ambiance, the cocktails and the menu offerings, The Belvedere is a perfect destination for this most special of nights out. (If you can’t get a dinner reservation, maybe try to start the evening in the bar.)

If a reservation at The Belvedere is unattainable, you might consider the runners-up in the Celebrating/Special Occasions category of our most recent Best of Lancaster Readers Survey in which the Fireside Tavern in Strasburg finished second (a good choice for both couples, doubles and groups), while Josephine’s Downtown in Lancaster and The Log Cabin in Leola tied for third. (Both would provide the opportunity to get dressed up and relax over cocktails, enjoy live music and savor top-notch cuisine.) The survey results could also provide other destinations for your Valentine’s night out.

Whatever your plans, have a love-ly Valentine’s Day!