Valentine's Day in Oz, 2025

Beanies in Port Washington has several Valentine's Day themed cocktails.

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February 14th is Valentine's Day and, though many consider it a "Hallmark" holiday, the celebration actually dates back to Roman times; a fertility festival called "Lupercalia." Times have certainly changed.  Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated by friends, family, and lovers, alike, and whether you need a treat for your kids or a romantic gift for your significant other, there are plenty of great, local choices in Oz.

Chocolate is the most common Valentine's Day gift, and Oz is home to several very fine chocolate shops!  Chocolate Chisel in Port Washington always has fresh, chocolate covered strawberries available for the occasion, as well as a wide variety of milk and dark chocolates to choose from.  A beautiful caramel apple from Amy's Candy Kitchen in downtown Cedarburg makes a wonderful Valentine's gift and, while you're in town, make it a gift from Cedarburg with something from Ashley's Confectionery, too!  If you're in the Grafton area, stop into Sweet Trio  or Handmade with Love for a delicious variety of chocolates, candy and caramel apples, or, if you're in the southern Ozaukee neck of the woods, Mequon has the Cocoa Tree Confectionary. 

Flowers is another Valentine's Day favorite and Oz has the goods!  In Saukville, try Lighthouse Florist; in Grafton, there's the Bloomin Olive.  Cedarburg has Rachel's Roses, while Mequon has La Terre at the Mequon Public Market.

Perhaps the lovely lady in your life has Jewelry in mind?  You can't go wrong with Armbruster Jewelers in Cedarburg or Sharbuno Jewelers in Port Washington; both family businesses who have been in their community for many years.  Wyndrose and Pagoda Fine Jewelry in Cedarburg are also local favorites.

Really, though, does anything say "love" better than Coffee? Check out Java House or Cedarburg Coffee Roastery in Cedarburg, Java Dock or Amplify Cafe in Port Washington, and Colectivo in Grafton or Mequon.  Also in Mequon is the delightful Cafe 1505, which has treats, breakfast and lunch, and is also a full service coffee bar.

​Looking for a special Dinner out?  In Port Washington, Twisted Willow has a special cocktails for the evening and Moonlight Tavern has a special menu on Friday and Saturday, or hit up Beanies Mexican Restaurant for a surf and turf special and all kinds of fun cocktails!  Brandywine in Cedarburg is always a good bet on the 14th or you could try Brunch Cedarburg, who offers a Valentine's Brunch from the 10th through the 14th. Shully's Cuisine in Thiensville is offering an amazing 7-Course Dinner on the 9th that looks hard to pass up.  Bistro de Renard and the Foxtown Annex both have Valentine's Day Dinner options on 14th.  No No's in Newburg or Messina Italian Restaurant​ in Saukville are other considerations.

However you share the love, put some Oz into it!  Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

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