The Best Triangle Date Night Ideas Before Baby Arrives

If you’re expecting a baby, add “date night” to your list of prep. And if you need help knowing where to go, read on for my favorite triangle date night ideas before baby arrives.

Don’t be thrown off topic by these at-home maternity photos. They’re from one of my favorite recent sessions and I seriously love an at-home maternity shoot. Capturing your family in your most sacred place as you prepare to welcome a new baby is the absolute best.

Before or after we do your at-home maternity photos, you should definitely head out for a before-baby date night. As someone quite literally born & bred in the Triangle area, below are my favorite triangle date night ideas before baby arrives.

Date Night Ideas Before Baby Arrives – Durham, NC – Vin Rouge

Potentially a hot take: Durham has the best food scene in the triangle. Agree? Disagree?

It’s been true for years – especially when it comes to avoiding chain restaurants. In Durham, Vin Rouge has been a favorite date night stop for as long as I can remember. The bread with the olive dip (I don’t even like olives) is the most delightful intro to what is sure to be an incredible meal.

Don’t miss the hanger steak with pommes frites (classic forever), the mac n cheese for the table to share (trust me), or the mussels with frites.

While we’re on the subject and because I’m pushing Durham so much, other local favorites include JuJu (maybe my current fave for lunch or dinner), The Lenny (new, great views, so good!), Matteo (the best tapas), and Cucciolo (Cameron’s favorite – pasta lovers unite).

Date Night Ideas Before Baby Arrives – Hillsborough, NC – Nomad

Nomad is our absolute favorite restaurant. Don’t ask how often we get take out for at-home date nights. Though truthfully, walking downtown to our favorite spot & getting to enjoy a cocktail and a seat in the front room is literally our ideal date night.

Don’t miss the bao buns or thai cauliflower to start. The butter chicken can’t be beat, although we really love the mushroom ramen (Cameron) & bang bang rice with shrimp (Caroline). We never say no to a special and the basil gimlet may live on as Cameron’s favorite cocktail forever and ever.

Date Night Ideas Before Baby Arrives – Chapel Hill, NC – Osteria Georgi

Listen, I love Chapel Hill as much as the next person, but Durham has the better food scene when it comes to date night dinners. If we’re talking a breakfast or lunch time date, Chapel Hill is back in the running.

That said, Osteria Georgi is our go-to for date nights in Chapel Hill. Bonus, it’s super close to Silverspot, which is another date night fave.

Don’t miss the pane with that whipped ricotta (omgggg), the buratta (is that ever wrong), carota (again with the whipped ricotta IYKYK), and honestly go with your instincts for the main dishes. You truly can’t go wrong.

Date Night Ideas Before Baby Arrives – Raleigh, NC – Brodeto

Between growing up in Wake Forest, dating while Cameron was at NC State, and living in Cary, we’ve done a million date nights in the Raleigh area. We’re clearly currently biased towards Durham, but our recent favorite Raleigh date night spot is definitely Brodeto.

Don’t miss the whipped ricotta (sense a theme?), little gem hearts, focaccia bread (can you even??), and the linguine al nero. The malfadine is a fall delight.

Date Night Ideas Before Baby Arrives – Holly Springs, NC – Osteria G

Sense a name theme? Unrelated, but both are SO good. Osteria G is our favorite spot in Holly Springs, and worth the drive, especially when you get to meet friends there like we do.

Don’t miss the calamari (obviously) and the short rib peposo. Literally this fall menu looks so good that I’m currently planning our very own date night here. Deconstructed apple crisp a la mode, I’m otw!

Alright, those are my must-hit spots among those specific cities/towns. What other triangle date night spots would you recommend?

As you plan for baby’s arrival, make sure you’ve booked your newborn session! It’s never too late to reach out!