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Your 2023 Ultimate Guide to Romantic Picnic Food Ideas For Couples

7 min read

bottle of wine with two glasses and basked on the picnic

Romantic Picnic Food Ideas for Couples

Picnics and romance are like two peas in a pod but wouldn’t be complete without excellent picnic food and the ideal ambiance.

The excitement of going on a picnic with the love of your life can cause a bit of anxiety when you start thinking about what food to take along. You must think practically and develop a picnic menu to complement this special time. 


The last thing you want to do is to take food along that spoils quickly or is not practical to transport.

They say good food is a way to a man’s heart, but on the other hand, women adore men who can cook well. 

Either way, we can comfortably say that good food has a place in everyone’s heart and is an essential ingredient to a memorable romantic picnic.


Picnic food does not have to be extravagant but should look the part. After all, the spread you put on will be made and presented with love. 


Planning your picnic menu will require some thought, especially if you’re considering a romantic picnic for two. So, let’s dive right in.

men an women having food on the picnic

Picnic food ideas couples: Plan your picnic for two ahead of time.

I was driving with a friend through a lush forested region and decided to pull off and enjoy the stunning scenery for a while. 

I parked the car safely on the side of the road and grabbed a few things from the trunk I had purchased before we walked a little into the forest. 


I cleared a small area and made a small campfire, and rolled a log closer to use as our seating. 


I had some cheese which we broke into pieces in typical Italian style and an apple which I sliced in half. That’s it; that was our spur-of-the-moment picnic meal!

"This little adventure has remained vividly in my memory as one of the most romantic picnics I’ve experienced."

But it was unplanned! There we were, sharing an apple in the forest around a flickering fire and talking to our heart’s content - pure magic!


When you’re in love, the worst of anything will seem like the best of everything, and we were in love. 


So, why plan anything when you’re in love? Is it because you know everything will be just fine? 


This worked for me once, but a different fuel made this a memorable moment. Love needs to be nurtured and appreciated. 


We need to express how much it means to us, and what is a better way than to get everything right by planning a little?


Think about what your partner likes and cater to that but spice it up a little. Do different yet familiar. Think about how you feel about each other at this moment in time. 

Do you plan on popping the big question, or do you want a quality “romantic” time together? 

The answers to these questions will be the basis of your romantic picnic. 


A blanket on the ground with a neatly packed picnic basket filled with specially prepared food items and goodies to make romantic cocktails is the general picture you’ll need to color in.

Picnic food ideas couples: Romantic picnic basics

To make things easier, you may use an insulated cooler for things that need to stay cold. 

Pack water and silverware

Pack a few frozen water bottles to act as freezer packs. Use flatware and try and avoid plastic plates and cutlery. 

Silverware like a cheese knife, serving spoons, and so on adds elegance to the occasion. Use cloth napkins instead of paper serviettes and take along wet wipes, which will come in handy. 


Don’t forget to include stemless glasses or champagne flutes for your preferred drinks. 

Picnic food ideas couples: Don't forget the flowers

To round off your picnic arrangement, a bunch of wildflowers or a few red roses will finish the setting perfectly. 

Planning your picnic food ideas couples

While planning your picnic, you may want to consider the following:

  • Your food items should be easy to eat and may include bite-sized muffins, quiches, sandwiches, or hand pies.
  • The food and drinks you take along should be travel-friendly, and there should not be too many steps to put together. Your food items shouldn’t collapse in transit; having a separate cooler bag for your drinks will ensure they remain cold.
  • Preparation should be done beforehand, even the day before. This will reduce stress on your actual picnic date.
  • Your food has to be delicious. 

Get creative with snacking and chatting, like a cocktail party or cheese and wine tasting. 

picnic food ideas

Remember the bite sized snacks for your picnic food ideas couples

Remember, create delicious bite-sized snack delights. It would help if you considered swapping out more regular food items with similar but less used ingredients.


  • Instead of ham, you can create crostini with prosciutto, extra sharp white cheddar, honey, and orange zest. 
  • Swap apples for fresh cherries, figs, or grapes. 
  • Swap chips for a bowl of popcorn or a baguette. 
  • Swap water and soda for wine or sparkling wine. 
  • Swap cookies for a fancy bar of dark chocolate.
  • Swap veggies and dip for a fresh, herby salad. 
  • Swap sandwiches for a charcuterie board with cured meats, a variety of cheese, olives, and honey which can be arranged on a neat cheese board.
bite sized picnic food

Keeping your romantic picnic menu simple

The last thing you want is the same old food or snacks you eat regularly. Think presentation and use fresh ingredients to create mouth-watering picnic snacks. 

Picnic food is not supposed to be a three-course meal but more like a three-course meal without the main dish. 


You’re looking at preparing a light assorted meal conducive to good conversation. After all, when in love, you can live on air alone, well, almost.


Planning a picnic with your loved one allows you to shine. Expensive is unnecessary, but presentation and the thought behind the picnic count. 


There are many inexpensive picnic food ideas that, if prepared well and presented in a minimalistic yet stylish way, will look like something ordered from a top restaurant. 

Here is a sampling of picnic food ideas couples 

Pinwheels are great add to you picnic

Pinwheels are easy to prepare ahead of time, and you could use ingredients like mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and a blend of spices for your roll-up.


Pinwheels look amazing at a picnic, and the burst of flavors will be heavenly. 

Chicken and Avo wraps

Chicken and avocado roll-ups are simply delicious. Use leftover chicken and a creamy avocado filling for a leisurely picnic appetizer.

Salmon and Cucumber 

Smoked salmon cucumber appetizers are super easy to prepare. All you need is a thinly sliced English cucumber topped with goat’s cheese, chives, and smoked salmon rolled into elegant bite-sized delights. 


Try making your roll-ups with rice paper, which adds sophistication to simple ideas. 

Vegetarian options for your romantic picnic Ideas

For vegetarians, you could stuff mushrooms with spinach. Stuffed mushrooms make great picnic bites because they are easy to make and incredibly delicious. 

Roast beef makes for a great filling 

You can always switch up your fillings to suit your taste. If you make sandwiches, try juicy cuts of roasted beef simmered in a smoky barbecue sauce and shredded to make the ultimate sandwich filling. 


A classic NYC treat is chopped cheese sandwiches filled with chopped beef, melted cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Mini quiches are perfect for a romantic picnic 

A must for your picnic is mini quiches filled with cheese and various slices of meat. These bite-sized mini quiches are a timeless favorite, and you can decide on the filling.

Salads are a great addition to romantic picnic 

Two or three different salads will complement your menu. Try a colorful pasta salad or a tomato salad topped off with herbs, onions, and a balsamic dressing. 


A creamy Cole slaw pairs well with meat dishes and will balance out all the different flavors. 

Don't forget the chicken salad 

A creamy chicken salad also makes for the ideal sandwich filling and can be used as a spread for crackers.

What would a good romantic picnic be without the desert

Your picnic wouldn’t be complete without sweet treats like no-bake Oreo cookie balls that are all chocolate lovers’ dreams and require just three ingredients. 


Some fresh blueberry scones topped with vanilla glaze might be a conversation-turner. 

Never forget the red wine 

Red wine fudge brownies are a cheeky treat for grown-ups in love. The red wine gives the brownie richness and warmth, topped with lightly whipped cream chocolate frosting – exquisite!


When considering your drink menu, think about sparkling drinks to add some fizz to your picnic drinks. 

Drinks to bring on your romantic picnic

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic sparkling wine is a good base ingredient for most cocktails. Sparkling cranberry champagne and tequila cocktails are easy to bring together at your picnic. 

Red wine always adds a romantic touch to an occasion, but if it’s not to your liking, try a softer drink like a homemade Strawberry Lemonade, which is bright and beautiful and has a citrusy taste with a hint of berry.


These romantic food ideas and tips urge you to get creative while conforming to the traditional picnic theme. 


There are no real hard and fast rules besides going with your heart and gut. 


You want your picnic to be memorable; to do this, your picnic should reflect your heart’s desire. Love works in mysterious ways!

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