Romantic Dining Restaurants

House of Prime Rib

Address: 1906 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109
House of Prime Rib
$$$
Considered by patrons to be the best prime rib in Fog City, House of Prime Rib is perhaps the most popular place for a truly hearty meal. Serving well-marbled Prime Rib in the English Tradition, the premium, choice cuts are carved right at your table. In fact, most of the dishes are prepared right before your eyes, creating a unique and memorable dining experience for any occasion. Serving only the top 2% of all beef marketed, House of Prime Rib has a simple menu of meats and accompanied salads, plus cocktails and desserts, but this menu has elevated it to …

McCormick & Kuleto's

Address: 900 North Point Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
McCormick & Kuleto's
$$$ Recommended
McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant is located in famed Ghirardelli Square, overlooking the San Francisco Bay and other prized attractions like Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, Aquatic Park, and the marina. They only offer the highest quality of seafood that changes accordingly to its supply and demand; the menu is printed twice daily to ensure it reflects what’s hot off the docks and hot in the kitchen. Guests can expect to indulge on local catches as well as seasonal specialties from the US and international waters. Complement your ‘surf’ with some ‘turf’ and enjoy a number of prime steak, chicken, and …

Maykadeh

Address: 470 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
Maykadeh
$$$
Maykadeh restaurant of North Beach expertly uses Persian spices in their cuisine to give their food an authentic taste. From Kebabs to Soltani, Maykadeh stays true to its heritage, even offering diners traditional desserts such as Pallodeh and Bastani, a traditional Persian ice cream. Maykadeh also features a Halal menu just as varied as the regular one. Classic white tablecloths and flawless presentation characterize the interior of this restaurant, making Maykadeh the ideal place to take a date. In addition to dining in options, this restaurant offers two different catering menus to help serve at any special event.

Gather

Address: 2200 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
Gather
$$
Embracing the term “Local” and running with it, the folks at Gather excel in sourcing locally grown and raised ingredients for their menu that boasts it’s 50% vegetarian. Located in the David Brower center, the greenest building in the East Bay-- Gather possesses a casual yet elegant atmosphere to cater to just about anyone. The interior consists of mostly reclaimed materials from the surrounding area, accenting their open kitchen. Boasting an ever-changing seasonal menu, Gather offers everything from vegan “charcuterie” to a grilled half chicken. Open for brunch on the weekends and lunch and dinner nightly, Gather sources up good …

Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen

Address: 2261 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen
$$
Making the most of a simple, rustic interior with strong influences of the bayou thrown in, Angeline’s Louisiana Kitchen focuses on authentic Creole and Cajun eats. Seasonal crawfish boils make this East Bay eatery a must-do in terms of Louisiana cuisine. Chef Brandon Dubea brings a lifetime of Louisiana upbringing to the kitchen of this local establishment, located just a stone’s throw from the Berkeley Public Library. Make sure that after a big ol’ bowl of steaming gumbo, you save room for a New Orleans classic, Angeline’s award-winning beignets, cooked to order.

Original U.S. Restaurant

Address: 515 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
Original U.S. Restaurant
$$
Named after Unione Sportiva, a popular soccer team from Palermo, Sicily, U.S. Original Restaurant in North Beach has been serving guests for over twenty years. A favorite appetizer, the Antipasti de Mare with clams, mussels, shrimp, baby calamari, and scallops on a bed of ice cold lettuce with capers, celery, minced red onion, and tomato served with lemon wedges and a light red wine vinaigrette will whet the appetite for the main course. Daily specials abound, and the Osso Bucco, served on Saturdays, has some locals claiming it to be the best in San Francisco. Open for lunch and dinner …

Wine Jar

Address: 1870 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115-3126
Wine Jar
$
With a great atmosphere and local favorite Happy Hour, Wine Jar in Japan Town offers the neighborhood a wine bar experience like no other. The intimate décor invites guests to enjoy any glass or bottle from their extensive wine list while catching up with an old friend, enjoying the company of that special someone, or just unwinding after a day at work. Food is limited to a cheese plate, but patrons are encouraged to enjoy take out from local restaurants at the Wine Jar, a few suggestions are even listed on the menu. For a good time in an inviting …

Chambers Eat + Drink

Address: 601 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Chambers Eat + Drink
$$ New
Chambers Eat + Drink is a restaurant and lounge inside San Francisco’s iconic rock n’ roll hotel, the Phoenix, and provides a menu, décor, and ambiance that is both chic and full of substance. Executive Chef Trevor Ogden—formerly from Mission Beach Café and Umami—has constructed a menu that is laden with seasonal entrees derived from California with influences from Japan, the Mediterranean and France. Examples are the Sizzling Kobe Tri-Tip and the Lamb Saddle—English peas, Israeli couscous, baby white carrots, chard leeks, pea tendrils and lamb jus. The menu complements the aesthetics, providing scenery that is modern with two indoor …

Paolo's

Address: 333 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Paolo's
$$
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and to be exact, the epicenter of San Jose, is Paolo’s, an Italian restaurant with roots planted firmly in “The Boot”. Open now for over 50 years in the River Park area, Paolo’s serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday in a unique park-like environment. If you’re looking for pastas or pizzas, either contemporary or traditional, you can find them on the menu. Some of the items are originals from the first few years of opening, like the Ossobuco di Vitello (Braised veal shank, saffron faro, and gremolata) and Empress Salad which consists …

Arcadia

Address: 100 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Arcadia
$$$
Located at the San Jose Marriott, Arcadia serves up a contemporary twist to classic staples of the modern American steakhouse. Breakfast specials consist of the Broken Yolk Fried Egg Sandwich, Arcadia French Toast and the Crispy Malted Waffle. Lunch features the Power Lunch, which offers diners a choice of salad or soup as well as an entrée for a low price. A la carte selections include Steak Frites, Truffle Risotto, Cobb Salad, as well as a number of burgers and sandwiches. Dinner finger foods such as the Lobster Corn Dogs, Truffled Popcorn, and Oysters Rockefeller will prime your appetite for …

The Basin

Address: 14572 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
The Basin
$$
With influences stemming from Italy and Spain, The Basin serves up both types of food with American flair. In downtown Saratoga, just southwest of San Jose, The Basin has a wide selection of small plates such as the Paella Pequena, Lamb Sliders, house made Burrata and Truffle Fries. Seafood and Salads are available with fresh Shucked Oysters, House Cured Wild Salmon and the Fancy Green Salad on the lighter side. If you are hankering for a large entrée, the Pork N’ Clams with a Snake River Farms tenderloin and littleneck clams should hit the spot, as will the Thick Cut …

Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant

Address: 1 Davenport Ave, Davenport, CA 95017
Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant
$$ Recommended New Editor's Pick Outdoor Seating
Delicious and affordable California coastal cuisine featuring fresh ingredients from neighboring organic farms is the hallmark of our kitchen. Just 10 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz.

Vim Dining & Desserts

Address: 2238 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Vim Dining & Desserts
$$ Recommended New Editor's Pick Outdoor Seating
Vim Dining & Desserts is a restaurant located in Santa Cruz, California, at 2238 Mission St. The establishment offers a variety of dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. They also serve a selection of craft beers and wines. The interior of Vim Dining & Desserts is modern and sleek, with a mix of booth and table seating available. The restaurant features an open kitchen concept, allowing diners to see their food being prepared. In addition to their food and drink offerings, Vim Dining & Desserts also hosts various events throughout the year, including wine tastings and live music performances.

Avanti Restaurant

Address: 1917 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Avanti Restaurant
$$$ Recommended New
At Avanti Restaurant, we have been committed to the local food culture since 2019. We serve you organic vegetables, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised meats and poultry, organic milk, butter and eggs, locally roasted coffee, and house-made desserts. We have a full bar featuring seasonal cocktails and a variety of spirits.

On The Waterfront

Address: 60 Third Street, Lakeport, CA 95453
On The Waterfront
$$
A modern eatery with a globally inspired, progressive menu of original dishes meant to be shared. From small plates to medium and large plates, we offer a fresh and ever changing seasonal menu designed to tantalize your senses with a fusion of flavors, complemented by wine, to deliver an unforgettable dining experience.

Firefly

Address: 4288 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

Firehouse Grill & Brewery

Address: 111 S Murphy Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
$$
With a mission to serve the best hand-crafted beer in the South Bay, FireHouse Grill & Brewery is the hottest place in Sunnyvale to go for lunch, happy hour and dinner! With an amazing brewery, exhibition kitchen, wood-fired oven, luxurious patio and welcoming atmosphere, FireHouse Grill & Brewery is the perfect place to hang out with friends or to make new ones. Complete with plasma TV’s, free internet access and a wide variety of delicious beer, you won’t want to go anywhere else to watch your favorite sporting events, including exclusive UFC fights. FireHouse Grill & Brewery is also the …

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Palo Alto

Address: 180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94304

Enoteca Molinari

Address: 5474 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618, Oakland, CA 94618
Enoteca Molinari
$$ Recommended New Editor's Pick

Casa Nostra

Address: 9217 Hwy-9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005