Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic in San Francisco Bay Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Caffe Riace

4.8

4.8 (270)

$30 and under

Italian

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Established in 1997, Caffe Riace, a robust Palo Alto trattoria, offers conviviality, homemade specialties and family-style warmth. Caffe Riace, one of many fine restaurants in the California Avenue area, is family owned and operated and features outdoor dining on it's spacious private piazza. Every dish is made with honest expertise. Caffe Riace is also a popular venue for wedding receptions, business meetings, graduations and other special events. If you’re looking for an intimate dining experience, we offer private dining rooms accommodating up to 40 guests. Our patio can host up to 200 guests and is a wonderful venue for dining experience.

Top review

Mark

Dined on Feb 20, 2025

Great caprese salad and great service. A simple and perfect lunch

Tasting House

4.8

4.8 (552)

$50 and over

International

Los Gatos

About the restaurant

We believe wine is better with food & food is better with wine. A perfect pairing is an experience everyone should enjoy..often. We first curate the wine list which includes 65+ wines by the glass and then design a food menu that specifically complements the wine. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Julian Silvera who spent his early culinary career in restaurants in his native NYC. He then took his talents to Florida's Knife and Spoon, where he helped garner a coveted Michelin star. Chef Julian is passionate about sourcing hyperlocal ingredients & has a strong focus on sustainability. Our service team, including ten sommeliers is proud to offer guests more than 1000 wines by the bottle. We are a casually elegant wine bistro open Tues-Sat 5PM to 10PM. The Champagne Bar is open daily noon-10PM. Afternoon Tea & Champagne Experience is served Friday's & Saturday"s 11:30AM-2:30PM. Children are welcome on the patio. The Wine Bistro and Champagne Bar seat adults only. Live Music Nightly.

Top review

LibertyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The service was wonderful, very knowledgeable. I very much enjoyed the food. They had live music that night and it was so lovely.

Discover more

Experience

Live Music 6PM Nightly

Experience

Chef's Tasting Menu Experience

Experience

Afternoon Tea

Sushi Hon

4.7

4.7 (463)

$50 and over

Sushi

Mission District

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District, at 2598 Harrison Street, Sushi Hon is more than a restaurant; it's a revered institution for extraordinary Japanese cuisine. Our reputation rests on our exclusive Omakase, where we meticulously source the finest fish and produce from across the globe to craft an exceptional 19-course dinner. Whether you choose to dine at your table or immerse yourself in the culinary theater of our Chef's Table, we are unwavering in our commitment to bringing the best of the market directly to your plate. At Sushi Hon, excellence is not just a standard it's a tradition.

Please note that the final reservation is accepted at 9 PM.
All parties will be subject to a 20% service charge.

We look forward to serving you soon.

Top review

NicholasVIP

Dined on Mar 15, 2025

I wanted to treat my girlfriend after having a hard work week and was recommended this fine establishment by a friend. IT WAS WONDERFUL! Chef and staff were awesome. Ambiance was great and a subtle hole in the wall spot. Everyone who was doing the omakase experience with us was going at their own pace and it was great. Restaurant itself has very cozy decor and we loved it. After last night, it’s definitely our favorite omakase spot !

Discover more

Experience

| Sushi Table | Exclusive Omakase at Sushi Hon

Experience

| Sushi Bar | Exclusive Omakase at Sushi Hon

O' by Claude Le Tohic

4.7

4.7 (483)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

Located on the 5th floor of ONE65 San Francisco, O' is Chef Claude Le Tohic's inaugural solo venture after earning Meilleur Ouvrier de France, winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef in America and carrying the coveted 3-Michelin star rating at Joël Robuchon Las Vegas. Luxurious but not pretentious, O’ offers modern French cuisine with elegant and attentive service.

O' offers a 5-course Tasting Menu for $210, and a 9-course Grand Tasting Menu for $295. Optional wine pairings are available, along with a wine list of 1000+ selections from the USA and France.

Please note that 20% service charge (which includes gratuity) and 1% San Francisco Health Mandate is added onto every check.

Though dinner attire is always encouraged, we ask our guests to abide by "smart casual" dress code; no shorts, t-shirts, or sandals.

Top review

DeniseVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent restaurant they deserve a third Michelin star!!!

Alter Ego Cocktail Club

4.7

4.7 (77)

$50 and over

Lounge

San Jose

About the restaurant

A dimly lit mysterious cocktail lounge tucked behind the curtain of the vinyl bar, Still O.G., boasting a diverse array of delicious and methodically prepared small plates in addition to wildly imaginative and carefully crafted cocktails.

Small plate offerings include dishes such as steak tartare with puffed rice served in a perilla leaf, Spanish octopus al pastor that is confit then fried and served alongside caramelized pineapple puree and pineapple salsa, and the namesake Alter Ego egg.

The diverse cocktail menu features 16 signature cocktails such as the Kyushu Coffee, a blend of Shochu, black coffee and kuromitsu topped with a black sesame foam or the Buster and Babs; a Rum and Brandy based milk punch inspired by the flavors of carrot cake served in a decanter with glassware for 2.

A seated experience with tableside service in an intimate space, reservations and walk-ins both accepted, although reservations are highly recommended.

ID required (21+ & up only)

Top review

Kris

Dined on Mar 9, 2025

One of our favorite spots! Cocktails are amazing and the staff is great! Definitely will be back

Grand View

4.6

4.6 (2043)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

San Jose

About the restaurant

The Mt. Hamilton Grand View is a classic restaurant in a breathtaking location, with plenty of outdoor dining, overlooking the exquisite Santa Clara Valley. The memory of a great meal and our sunset views will stay with you long after your table’s been cleared.

Top review

Philippe

Dined 5 days ago

Nice view with OK food; overcooked salmon. Drive to the restaurant is an experience

Discover more

Popular dish

Calamarata Bolognese

Popular dish

Spaghetti and Meatballs

The Essence - Livermore

4.6

4.6 (27)

$30 and under

Indian

Livermore

About the restaurant

At The Essence Redefining Indian food we invite you to indulge in the finest Indian cuisine in an atmosphere of luxury and refinement. Whether you are a connoisseur of Indian food or a first-time explorer, our restaurant promises an unforgettable culinary journey that celebrates the essence of India in every bite. Exquisite Ambiance, Culinary Excellence, Artful Presentation, Impeccable Service, Exclusive Wine and Beverage Pairings, Private Dining and Events
Book your table today and let us transport you to a world of exquisite flavors and timeless elegance.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Food is great, great ambience and staff is friendly and prompt!

La Fondue - Saratoga

4.4

4.4 (4744)

$31 to $50

French

Saratoga

About the restaurant

La Fondue is located in the center of Saratoga Village on Big Basin Way at the corner of 4th Street. The restaurant’s interior reflects a new interpretation of European design that avoids cliché interpretations. La Fondue offers a unique experience serving over 50 types of fondues served tableside. We offer a “chill out” dining experience, a little bit glamorous, a little bit classic. Try our Wild Game, Kobe Flat-Iron, or Private Reserve Filet Mignon cooked in one of our four cooking methods. Then top off your evening with a decadent chocolate fondue dessert.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a romantic dinner, La Fondue promises an unforgettable blend of mood and food.
Visit www.lafondue.com for promotions and private event details.

Top review

AdamVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Jill’s service has been so good we been here 4 times now since valentines. I love the service, the food, and the atmosphere. Sure I’ll be there soon.

Discover more

🥂"Le Freak Sparkling" A Taste of Everything

Toy Soldier

4.4

4.4 (148)

$30 and under

American

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

CALIFORNIA & COMFORT CUISINE ON BELDEN PLACE Whether you're looking to have a quick lunch, conduct a business meeting, host a banquet or go on a first date, Toy Soldier is sure to deliver. We offer a casual & lively atmosphere sprawled across our main dining room, full bar, romantic upstairs lounge & outdoor dining area. We're serving up fun, military-inspired specialty cocktails and a wine program emphasizing Northern California. All libations have a focus on small producers and growers - our regional rotations will explore all the best California has to offer. Most importantly, we're offering up our pride & joy, our home-made beer - Toy Soldier IPA, brewed on-site in our brewery downstairs below the bar.

Top review

Steve

Dined 3 days ago

A fantastic location on the historical Belden Place, this restaurant has amazing food, wonderful servers and a delightful atmosphere

Sushi Sato

4.2

4.2 (182)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Tenderloin

About the restaurant

Japanese Restaurant with Full Drink Bar, offering cocktails from award-winning bartenders, a wide selection of wines, sakes from house sommelier.

Enjoy sashimi, sushi, exclusive sushi tastings, or immerse yourself with 7-course chef's tasting as well as a variety of a la carte dishes.

+At our party-ready whiskey bar seatings, you can order the full menu from a la carte to tastings, and enjoy the award-winning bartender in action, right in front of you.

++From our custom made table side, you can have the full bar beverages as well as the food menus.

++ We offer Elevated Tastings that are offered both at Table and Sushi Bar Side +++ We are the First to Create and Execute the Signature Okonomi Tasting

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Mar 2, 2025

EXCEPTIONAL!!! Came for dinner and drinks with two girlfriends and had a beautiful experience. Our server was amazing, knowledgeable and attentive. The food was divine! We loved the nigiri and the miso cod so much, and the ceviche and amberjack were delicious. Sake selection is on point too! This place is a hidden gem and I want to come back for omakase soon..

Discover more

Experience

Okonomi Sato Tasting | Sushi Bar $95

Explore Diners' Choice best of San Francisco Bay Area

Explore more Diners' Choice lists