Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated April 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!

Amour Amour Wine Bar & Tapas

4.7

4.7 (131)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

San Mateo

About the restaurant

Amour Amour celebrates 10 years anniversary with the relaxed lifestyle, where small plates, good drinks and a cozy and tranquil atmosphere are all part of the experience. Guests can start with the sachet de prosciutto wrapped with goat cheese, fig jam, almonds and herbes de Provence for an introduction to Amour Amour’s culinary French and Spanish style. Popular hot tapas options include the Spanish seafood paella and Spanish meatballs in a sauce consisting of tomato, nutmeg and paprika, The roasted patatas bravas with spicy tomato aioli is another favorite. Amour Amour’s cold tapas plates, such as the Oregano octopus, capers , or the burrata capresse , are flavorful and refreshing ,squid ink paella .

For a sweet bite, enjoy the tropical coconut panna cotta with mango puree. Be sure to wash your meal down with a house-made sangria. Bon appetit !!!
Family owned and operated !

Top review

VanessaVIP

Dined on Mar 8, 2025

Their food is amazing and Service impeccable! Highly, highly, highly recommend this wonderful restaurant.

Caffe Riace

4.7

4.7 (275)

$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

MarkBVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Service is outstanding and they work as a team The food is very consistent

Campagne One Main

4.7

4.7 (216)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Los Altos

About the restaurant

A charming bistro finished with 200-year-old timbers, a period French fireplace, Beaumaniere limestone floors, re-polished antiques, and designer selected Napoleon treasures.

Top review

Lais

Dined 2 days ago

Great place for Brunch! We Highly recommend it. Enjoy

Mountain House

4.7

4.7 (423)

$31 to $50

American

Woodside

About the restaurant

The Mountain House has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Serving as a rest stop for travelers, loggers and homesteaders in the Santa Cruz Mountains- we have evolved into a beloved destination known for our Coastal Countryside cuisine and rustic, intimate ambiance. Offering a menu highlighting game meats, locally sourced ingredients, and a curated selection of California and Old World wines, the Mountain House is one of the most unique settings in California. From a roadhouse to fine dining, the unassuming red cabin has stood the test of time along with the majestic redwoods that surround it.

Today, the restaurant is owned and operated by distinguished chefs Dmitry Elperin and William Roberts. We offer a three-course prix fixe menu for in our dining rooms and additionally, we serve an à la carte menu in our bar and lounge, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Take the scenic route to The Mountain House, where nature, history, and hospitality converge.

Top review

Cheng

Dined on Apr 14, 2025

Overall, The Mountain House is a wonderful dining experience. We were seated in the Forest Room, and the view was absolutely mesmerizing, especially as the sun began to set. It added a magical touch to the evening. The food did not disappoint. We had the short rib and the chicken breast, and both were cooked to perfection, flavorful, tender, and beautifully presented. Parking can be a little tricky, but the staff were proactive and attentive. One of them reached out to help right away, which made the arrival smooth. Highly recommend this spot for a special night out, especially if you enjoy a cozy setting surrounded by nature.

The Essence - Livermore

4.7

4.7 (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 on Mar 22, 2025

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

Bevri - Palo Alto

4.5

4.5 (358)

$31 to $50

Georgian

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Bevri (which means “a lot” in Georgian) is the Bay Area’s first Georgian restaurant, famous for its hot gooey cheese bread khachapuri, juicy and flavorful dumplings khinkali, mouth-watering grilled meats and, of course, unique luscious Georgian wines.

Top review

Dave

Dined 4 days ago

Friendly and informative servers. Exotic cuisine. We enjoyed the experience.

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4.5

4.5 (153)

$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

Laura

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

WE all love Toy Soldier ! The food and drinks and especially the people that work there are all incredible!

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Walnut Creek

4.4

4.4 (4037)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

Now Open: We look forward to serving you soon.

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Walnut Creek, CA serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.

Top review

Laura

Dined 2 days ago

The food was amazing, wine and cocktails superb. The staff we wonderful. An excellent dinning experience.

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4.0

4 (185)

$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

hyewon

Dined on Mar 28, 2025

phenomenal experience, staff, food. 11/10. no complaints at all. can’t wait to be back.

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Experience

Okonomi Sato Tasting | Sushi Bar $95

Leo's Oyster Bar

3.9

3.9 (726)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Inspired by the decadent parties of Hollywoods golden era and 1950’s Beverly Hills design, Leo’s Oyster Bar is an award-winning 3-star cocktail bar and seafood focused restaurant in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District. Feast on the Raw Bar in Leo’s lush fern-filled atrium, host a private event in the retro-cool Hideaway or cool-kitch Tikki Bar, or just enjoy feeling glamorous in our fabulous space which earned a James Beard Award nomination for design and was named "Best Restaurant Design of the Year" by Bon Appetit magazine.

Top review

ELLEN

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

I used to love Leo's a for lunch when I worked in the city 8 years ago. My husband picked it randomly for our monthly date night in the city, and we absolutely LOVED it. The space is even more gorgeous at night, the glowing onyx bar is everything. They have the best raw bar, our oysters topped with caviar were amazing and the crudo plate with Salmon, Tuna and Hamachi was the best I have ever had. I would recommend ordering raw bar and lots of small plates to share over the entrees (with the exception of the fish and chips which were amazing) The owner gave us a tour of private event rooms in the back, both are so gorgeous and special. I booked "The Hideaway" for my sisters bachelorette party . Anna (the amazing owner) served us the most delicious rum punch, and planned the entire event for me on the spot. Leo's is very special.

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