9Honey's very official ranking of first date foods

It's Valentine's Day! The most romantic day of the year, where all the stops are pulled out and there's everything from oysters to ice cream on the menu to try and set the mood for love.

As I've noted plenty of times, there's not really any such thing as sexy food, more just a mindset that goes with whatever you serve.  

READ MORE: Three easy Valentine's Day Desserts

Given how many people are trying to impress with food today, we thought it was time to ask what the best sort of romantic first date food is. 

You never want to look messy while you're eating, but sometimes the most filling foods are simply that: Messy.

If you're looking for romance (and maybe something more) then oysters have that definite aphrodisiac appeal — both because of the science behind the high levels of zinc in them (useful for testosterone production) and dopamine (stimulating arousal and pleasure) and because of the sensuous textures of the thing.

There's also the idea that seafood is kind of expensive and luxurious, so it can be seen as a signal that you're trying to impress. There's also a long history of social signalling that tells you oysters ought to be sexy… but there are an awful lot of people who just plain don't like them. So, does that make them a good first date food? Or not? 

READ MORE: The one trick for the sexiest Valentine's dinner

Then there's the chocolate debate… sweets or strawberries dipped in melted chocolate. Of course there's all the symbolism of a red heart-shaped strawberry to kick things off, but there's the endorphins released by sweet things like chocolate too, that can encourage feelings of bliss and the sense that you're relaxed and having a good time. So maybe that's helpful to setting a first date kind of scene?  

But what about the inherent danger of eating pasta with red sauce on a first date. Sure it could be messy and tricky, but that might be part of the fun and there's always the potential of a Lady and the Tramp style moment… if you're sharing plates. 

Well, as always, we put it to our friends, colleagues and social media to see what we really think when it comes to first date foods. This is what we got, and the results are fantastic! 

GOLD STANDARD

Tapas came in far and away as the number one meal the share on a first date. Here's why: You can choose a bunch of stuff, you're bound to find something you both like, and while you're sharing the food, you're not actually eating off the same plate.

READ MORE: 9Honey's 'very official' ranking of Zooper Dooper ice block flavours

You can help yourself to a reasonable amount and discuss the options on the table. It's a great conversation piece as well as an easy way to eat. You can also dictate the amount you're comfortable with, not get stuck with a massive serve you can't finish. It's a comfortable middle ground. 

FIGHTING CHANCE

Next came pizza. Again this makes perfect sense, because whilst you're sharing what you order, you're not eating directly off each others plates. You can discuss toppings (anchovy might be a deal breaker) or you can go half and half. It's fun, it's safe, it lets you eat with your hands without causing too much of a mess. Plus, there's the added bonus that most people can find a safe space when ordering pizza. It's just not a confronting or controversial dish. 

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

Next in line was for the people who were actually quite keen to use food as a kind of test for a first date. A cheeseboard (again) let's you share, but it's a bit more intimate than grabbing a slice of pizza. It also means you can suss out if your new love interest shares your blue cheese interest, or find out how adventurous they are when it comes to aged and pungent varieties. There's a lot to be said for the fun that could be had here, but it's one for the bold. 

READ MORE: 9Honey's very official ranking of the best service station ice creams

The same can be said of pasta. If you're keen to find out quickly if your new paramour is a messy or noisy eater, then pasta might be your go-to. It could all be fun and games, or it could end in disaster. 

And sushi is just another example of seeing how a prospective partner reacts to dishes that may (or may not) be outside the comfort zone. Raw fish on a first date might be a bit of a confrontation, or it might be just the thing you need to find out if they're 'the one'. 

YEAH, NAH

Interestingly, despite their long history as the food of love and their reputation as being an aphrodisiac, oysters were well at the bottom of the first date food list. You really need to know in advance if your partner is even into oysters, because when we love them, we love them. But when we don't like them, well, they make us gag.

Best to know that in advance. We're adding burgers to the list here, because there just ain't no way anyone can eat a burger elegantly, so it takes that option right off the table.

No one is ready to give up all hope of looking like they have manners on the first date. Maybe leave that for the second or third dinner.

And tacos fall into the same boat here for the same reasons. They're delicious, but they're just too reliably messy for people to want to try on a first date.

Interestingly, dessert as a first date food was also way down the bottom. We can only suggest that new love birds want to avoid the sugar rush, or at least have a full evening out that might include dessert after a main meal, rather than rush to the end. 

Happy Valentine's Day lovers… and best of luck on any first dates tonight.