The Most Romantic Restaurants in San Diego

The OpenTable Team

Anyone who enjoys a laid-back life filled with fun, sun and surf will feel right at home in California’s southernmost big city! San Diego sits right above the Mexico border in Southern California, which makes it a prime destination for sun-seekers on vacation! Outdoor enthusiasts can hike along the sandstone cliffs of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, surf the waves at Coronado Beach or take in the beautiful vista views at La Jolla Cove. Visitors of all ages can enjoy Balboa Park, the city’s cultural hub, and take in the many museums, theaters, and gardens. Military and maritime museums attract history buffs. San Diego also has a thriving restaurant scene, from candle-lit Italian meals to outdoor venues by the ocean. But where do the smartest, savviest couples consider the most romantic restaurants in San Diego? Welcome to the Tastemaker Lists. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Book a table today!

Restaurants:La Bonne Table, Baci Restaurant - San Diego, Cesarina
Price Range:$$ - $$$
Cuisines:French, Italian
Neighborhoods:Hillcrest, Old Town, Ocean Beach

La Bonne Table

$$$$·French·
Hillcrest
742 reviews
  • Good for a Date
  • Romantic
  • Special Occasion
Hillcrest’s Voyou Wine Bar recently re-opened as La Bonne Table after a lovely makeover. Where Voyou aimed for a modern look, the new place looks to evoke a kind of French country Read more
96% recommended
Best Overall in San Diego
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Baci Restaurant - San Diego

$$$$·Italian·
Old Town
1,199 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Romantic
  • Good for a Date
Baci Restaurant is beloved by locals and definitely one of the most famous restaurants in San Diego. It offers diners a hint of old-world Italian charm, with cozy booths, white tabRead more
97% recommended
Special Occasion in San Diego
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Cesarina

$$$$·Italian·
Ocean Beach
946 reviews
  • Neighborhood Gem
  • Good for a Date
  • Authentic
Cesarina is San Diego’s newest fresh pasta oasis and locals are already in love with it. Located in Point Loma, it features an open-air pastifico - an all-day fresh pasta-making exRead more
97% recommended
Best Overall in San Diego

Island Prime

$$$$·Steakhouse·
Downtown / Gaslamp
5,633 reviews
  • Scenic View
  • Waterfront
  • Special Occasion
Located on Harbor Island, just a close drive from the airport, Island Prime is one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego. It sits on a stilt-supported structure that stretcRead more
93% recommended
Best Ambiance in San Diego
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The Marine Room

$$$$·Global, International·
La Jolla
5,899 reviews
  • Scenic View
  • Special Occasion
  • Waterfront
For a fine dining experience filled with romance, head to The Marine Room in La Jolla. Located right on the coastline with a glorious beachfront setting, it’s a perfect place to diRead more
94% recommended

Salvatore's Cucina Italiana

$$$$·Italian·
Downtown / Gaslamp
821 reviews
  • Romantic
  • Good for a Date
  • Quiet Conversation
Salvatore’s Cucina Italian is the eiptome of fine dining in San Diego. Nestled in the heart of Downtown and just steps from the San Diego Convention Center, Salvatore’s Cucina ItalRead more
91% recommended
Best Ambiance in San Diego
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Bleu Boheme

$$$$·French·
Kensington
2,594 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Good for a Date
  • Neighborhood Gem
Located in Kensington, right across from the Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park, Bleu Boheme is a casual elegant French restaurant that locals love. The design sparks a feeling of FrancRead more
92% recommended
French in San Diego

Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - La Jolla

$$$$·Seafood·
University City/Golden Triangle
3,672 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Good for Anniversaries
  • Good for a Date
Dining at Truluck’s is more than a meal - it’s a truly romantic occasion. Every night they feature local entertainers in the lounge and also have a cocktail hour to keep your wine Read more
97% recommended
Best Overall in San Diego
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Butcher Shop Steakhouse - San Diego

$$$$·Steak·
Kearny Mesa
2,096 reviews
  • Good for a Date
  • Special Occasion
  • Good for Anniversaries
The Butcher Shop Steakhouse has the look and feel of a classic Chicago-style steakhouse. It features only the finest quality midwestern aged steaks and chops, charbroiled over a meRead more
90% recommended
Romantic in San Diego

Addison Restaurant

$$$$·Californian·
Del Mar
1,392 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Good for Anniversaries
  • Creative Cuisine
Addison Restaurant is a truly classy establishment with a focus on authenticity and grandeur. It’s a setting where anything is possible, which makes it a wonderfully romantic placeRead more
91% recommended
Best Overall in San Diego
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The WineSellar & Brasserie

$$$$·French·
Sorrento Mesa
690 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Good for Anniversaries
  • Notable Wine List
Consistently ranked among OpenTable’s Top 10 local restaurants, The Brasserie is also one of the most famous restaurants in San Diego. Established in 1988, The WineSellar and BrassRead more
98% recommended
Best Food in San Diego
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Manhattan of La Jolla

$$$$·Italian·
La Jolla
960 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Romantic
  • Good for a Date
Manhattan of La Joya is an elegant, casual and classy place offering delicious Italian cuisine and a beautiful, romantic atmosphere. The bar here offers classic cocktails that get Read more
94% recommended

de Medici Cucina Italiana

$$$$·Italian·
Downtown / Gaslamp
1,181 reviews
  • Romantic
  • Special Occasion
  • Good for a Date
De Medici Cucina Italiana is a classy Italian restaurant located on 5th Avenue in downtown San Diego. Come in and enjoy the authentic aromas from the open kitchen and savor the flaRead more
85% recommended
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Carvers Steaks & Chops

$$$$·Steak·
Poway / Rancho Bernardo
1,205 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Good for Anniversaries
  • Good for a Date
Carvers Steaks and Chops is a San Diego restaurant offering a big-city steakhouse experience without the big-city price! Located in the community of Rancho Bernardo, Carvers is theRead more
94% recommended
Steak in North San Diego

Operacaffe

$$$$·Italian·
Downtown / Gaslamp
814 reviews
  • Pre/post Theatre
  • Authentic
  • Good for a Date
For a truly romantic night out in San Diego, head to Operacaffe, a warm and intimate spot located on 4th Avenue in the Gaslight District. Here they are passionate about their culinRead more
97% recommended
Best Value in San Diego

Bertrand at Mister A's

$$$$·Contemporary French / American·
Downtown / Gaslamp
5,419 reviews
  • Scenic View
  • Special Occasion
  • Romantic
Looking to spice up the night with a little romance? Look no further than Mister A’s, one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego! It is the penthouse, fine-dining destinatioRead more
93% recommended

AR Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines

$$$$·Farm-to-table·
La Jolla
1,190 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Scenic View
  • Romantic
Located at the exquisite Lodge at Torrey Pines, the AAA Five Diamond resort in La Jolla, AR Valentien is one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego. Executive Chef Jeff JackRead more
94% recommended
Notable Wine List in San Diego

Top of the Market - San Diego

$$$$·Seafood·
Downtown / Gaslamp
2,869 reviews
  • Scenic View
  • Waterfront
  • Special Occasion
Top of the Market is a cozy, contemporary American Seafood restaurant with a posh atmosphere. Located on North Harbor Drive in the Downtown Embarcadero neighborhood, it is a perfecRead more
88% recommended
Seafood in San Diego
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Stake Chophouse & Bar

$$$$·Steakhouse·
Coronado
779 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Romantic
  • Good for Anniversaries
Stake Chophouse and Bar is a modern steakhouse located on Orange Avenue in Coronado. The prominent location right in the heart of the village makes it a favorite spot for locals anRead more
93% recommended
Steakhouse in San Diego

Humphreys SoCal Dining and Music

$$$$·American·
Point Loma
1,618 reviews
  • Waterfront
  • Scenic View
  • Good for a Date
Humphrey’s SoCal Dining and Music, located on Shelter Island Drive in Point Loma, is a casually elegant place that many locals think is the most romantic restaurant in San Diego. IRead more
93% recommended
Scenic View in San Diego
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Farmer's Table - Bay Park

$$$$·Farm-to-table·
Bay Park
354 reviews
  • Neighborhood Gem
  • Casual
  • Great for Brunch
Farmer’s Table is a farm-to-fork focused restaurant with an established name in the community. It’s also one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego! It occupies a sweet spotRead more
87% recommended

Donovan's - San Diego Gaslamp - Permanently Closed

$$$$·Steak·
Downtown / Gaslamp
2,561 reviews
  • Special Occasion
  • Good for Anniversaries
  • Romantic
Donovan’s Steakhouse at San Diego - Gaslamp is an elegant fine dining spot and one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego! It features a rich and intimate ambiance with a clRead more
89% recommended
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