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17 Moderately-Priced Restaurants for Second Dates in San Francisco

Inexpensive date spots to take your new potential special someone

by Eater Staff Jul 28, 2016, 11:03am PDT

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by Eater Staff Jul 28, 2016, 11:03am PDT

Absinthe/Facebook

So you've had a successful first date, which begs the question: Where are you going for round two? Second date spots shouldn't be too loud (since they're all about getting to really know one another) or too expensive, and the ability to make a reservation is a must. Good second date spots inspire you to start with cocktails and segue into a bottle of wine that you can linger over. These 17 restaurants check off all the second date necessities, so based on which neighborhood you'll be meeting up in, take your pick.

Rather get a little fancier on your second date? No problem; these restaurants are ideal for that. Second date go so well that you're ready to lock it down? Head to these restaurants for that sort of special occasion.

— Noelle Chun, Andrew Dalton, Ellen Fort, Anna Roth, and Stefanie Tuder contributed to this map.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

A16 Rockridge

Snuggled into Rockridge's main drag, A16 is a great upgrade for a second date. Share pizzas, spirituous cocktails, and antipasti by the glow of the pizza oven, or while looking out onto the idyllic neighborhood streets.

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5356 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

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Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

Absinthe is that perfect restaurant that fits into so many life occasions. In this case, its lively bar, familiar menu, and killer cocktails add a twinkle that makes second dates seem special. Hopefully you'll start with cocktails and some shared plates only to linger over a bottle of wine.

398 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

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Academy Bar & Kitchen

If date two feels like it should be more low key than spendy, this rustic but unpretentious neighborhood spot will have you covered in the pizza and beer department, without skipping straight to Netflix & chill mode. Chef Nick Pallone moved down the street from his former post at Florio, and his emphasis on local ingredients, housemade charcuterie, and Neapolitan pies hits all the right notes without breaking the bank. A well-rounded lineup of craft beers and a modest, but nicely affordable wine list certainly doesn't hurt, either.

Open in Google Maps

1800 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Barbacco

Reasonably priced Italian small plates and lots of wine in a bustling, pretty setting are solid starters for a great second date. The conversation's up to you, but Barbacco has the rest covered.

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220 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

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Belga

Belga has the lively atmosphere of a Belgian brasserie (the big front bar helps) in a breezy, California-style space. There's an impressive beer list and a menu of Belgian classics (think sausages, mussels, fries) if wanted. When it's nice out, try to sit near the front open windows open so you can people watch as needed.

2000 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

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Blue Plate

This underrated neighborhood restaurant has a back garden that will make any date swoon. Reserve a table out there and dine on top-notch comfort food with a twist that's matched by an approachable wine list.

3218 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Also featured in:

Cotogna

There may be no more perfect a meal than pizza, pasta, and wine on a second date, and Cotogna leads San Francisco in those three categories. The lighting is always just right, too.

490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

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Also featured in:

Huxley Restaurant

Your date will be impressed when you enter this 25-seat American charmer, practically hidden in the Tenderloin. Yes, it's intimate, but the kitchen is open, which adds plenty of action to the room.

846 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94109

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Also featured in:

La Marcha

A bustling Spanish restaurant in Berkeley's International Marketplace district, La Marcha has an extensive menu of tapas, paellas, and charcuterie. Grab a pitcher of sangria and a host of plates to share amongst yourselves — it's the ultimate compatibility test.

2026 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Pizzetta 211

It’s easy to forget about this tucked-away spot on California Street, which consistently offers some of the city’s best thin-crust pizza. The room is tiny — make sure you meet up after the family rush to avoid kiddos — but there isn’t as much of a wait on weekdays, and even if you have to camp out they hand out blankets and drinks. Its weekly changing menu includes the usual suspects like margherita, and pies with more exotic toppings like egg with fingerling potatoes and creme fraiche or buffalo sausage with blue cheese.

211 23rd Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

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Also featured in:

Ragazza

Everyone loves the pizzas at Ragazza, which has been an Italian neighborhood standby since 2011. Splits some pies and a few bottles of wine and reach second date nirvana — just make sure you go later in the evening after the kiddies have cleared out, and arrive earlier than your date to wait for a table, since there are no reservations.

311 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Rintaro

With a Chez Panisse veteran at the helm, expect top-notch local produce and serious attention to detail — all filtered through a traditional Japanese lens. There is one very serious caveat to having a date here: you must, must, must sit at the chef's counter overlooking the kitchen. The back room is a good vibes dead zone, and watching the yakitori chef work the grill from your perch at the counter is perfect second date fodder.

82 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Smokestack

Barbecue, beers, and whiskies are all on the menu here. It's a great opportunity to get over silly insecurities, while you've both got barbecue all over your hands (and probably all over your second best shirt).

2505 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Starbelly

The back patio is the star at this bustling neighborhood hang. So make sure you dine outside on a warm day. Share top-notch pizza and other Italian fare made with local ingredients. Sitting inside is a great backup, so don't worry if Karl comes rolling in.

3583 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

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Also featured in:

The Alembic

Snag a booth in the dining room and have an intimate conversation over a couple New BFFs (the cocktail, that is, made with double rye, Suze, and vermouth) and some jerk-spiced duck hearts. The drinks never fail to get things going, but be careful if you're on a budget — those small plates can run up a tab real quick.

1725 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Toyose

Here’s where you can gauge the adventurous spirit of your date: with a meal in the converted garage of this Outer Sunset staple. Toyose is a popular late-night stop, but it’s also open for dinner every day, and the tucked-away feel and semi-private booths foster a feeling of intimacy. Since this is Korean bar food, anything fried is a good bet — chicken wings, kimchi fried rice, and seafood pancake are favorites — but there’s also a lengthy menu of noodles, hot pot, grilled proteins, and soju drinks.

Open in Google Maps

3814 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122

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Trou Normand

Located in the historic Pac Bell building (one of San Francisco's most impressive Art Deco buildings), the trendy Trou Normand provides an intimate setting to gather over a board of house-made charcuterie, a glass of wine, and perhaps a pour of Calvados, which owner Thad Vogler hand-selects from France. The atmosphere is lively, but not too loud, making it the perfect place to grab a pair of seats at the long marble bar or in the cozy booths and have a close conversation.

140 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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A16 Rockridge

5356 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

Snuggled into Rockridge's main drag, A16 is a great upgrade for a second date. Share pizzas, spirituous cocktails, and antipasti by the glow of the pizza oven, or while looking out onto the idyllic neighborhood streets.

Open in Google Maps

5356 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

Visit Website

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar

398 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Absinthe is that perfect restaurant that fits into so many life occasions. In this case, its lively bar, familiar menu, and killer cocktails add a twinkle that makes second dates seem special. Hopefully you'll start with cocktails and some shared plates only to linger over a bottle of wine.

398 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Academy Bar & Kitchen

1800 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

If date two feels like it should be more low key than spendy, this rustic but unpretentious neighborhood spot will have you covered in the pizza and beer department, without skipping straight to Netflix & chill mode. Chef Nick Pallone moved down the street from his former post at Florio, and his emphasis on local ingredients, housemade charcuterie, and Neapolitan pies hits all the right notes without breaking the bank. A well-rounded lineup of craft beers and a modest, but nicely affordable wine list certainly doesn't hurt, either.

Open in Google Maps

1800 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Barbacco

220 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Reasonably priced Italian small plates and lots of wine in a bustling, pretty setting are solid starters for a great second date. The conversation's up to you, but Barbacco has the rest covered.

Open in Google Maps

220 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Belga

2000 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Belga has the lively atmosphere of a Belgian brasserie (the big front bar helps) in a breezy, California-style space. There's an impressive beer list and a menu of Belgian classics (think sausages, mussels, fries) if wanted. When it's nice out, try to sit near the front open windows open so you can people watch as needed.

2000 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

Blue Plate

3218 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

This underrated neighborhood restaurant has a back garden that will make any date swoon. Reserve a table out there and dine on top-notch comfort food with a twist that's matched by an approachable wine list.

3218 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Cotogna

490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

There may be no more perfect a meal than pizza, pasta, and wine on a second date, and Cotogna leads San Francisco in those three categories. The lighting is always just right, too.

490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Huxley Restaurant

846 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Your date will be impressed when you enter this 25-seat American charmer, practically hidden in the Tenderloin. Yes, it's intimate, but the kitchen is open, which adds plenty of action to the room.

846 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Visit Website

La Marcha

2026 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

A bustling Spanish restaurant in Berkeley's International Marketplace district, La Marcha has an extensive menu of tapas, paellas, and charcuterie. Grab a pitcher of sangria and a host of plates to share amongst yourselves — it's the ultimate compatibility test.

2026 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

Visit Website

Pizzetta 211

211 23rd Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

It’s easy to forget about this tucked-away spot on California Street, which consistently offers some of the city’s best thin-crust pizza. The room is tiny — make sure you meet up after the family rush to avoid kiddos — but there isn’t as much of a wait on weekdays, and even if you have to camp out they hand out blankets and drinks. Its weekly changing menu includes the usual suspects like margherita, and pies with more exotic toppings like egg with fingerling potatoes and creme fraiche or buffalo sausage with blue cheese.

211 23rd Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

Visit Website

Ragazza

311 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Everyone loves the pizzas at Ragazza, which has been an Italian neighborhood standby since 2011. Splits some pies and a few bottles of wine and reach second date nirvana — just make sure you go later in the evening after the kiddies have cleared out, and arrive earlier than your date to wait for a table, since there are no reservations.

311 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit Website

Rintaro

82 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

With a Chez Panisse veteran at the helm, expect top-notch local produce and serious attention to detail — all filtered through a traditional Japanese lens. There is one very serious caveat to having a date here: you must, must, must sit at the chef's counter overlooking the kitchen. The back room is a good vibes dead zone, and watching the yakitori chef work the grill from your perch at the counter is perfect second date fodder.

82 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Smokestack

2505 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Barbecue, beers, and whiskies are all on the menu here. It's a great opportunity to get over silly insecurities, while you've both got barbecue all over your hands (and probably all over your second best shirt).

2505 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Visit Website

Starbelly

3583 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

The back patio is the star at this bustling neighborhood hang. So make sure you dine outside on a warm day. Share top-notch pizza and other Italian fare made with local ingredients. Sitting inside is a great backup, so don't worry if Karl comes rolling in.

3583 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Visit Website

The Alembic

1725 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Snag a booth in the dining room and have an intimate conversation over a couple New BFFs (the cocktail, that is, made with double rye, Suze, and vermouth) and some jerk-spiced duck hearts. The drinks never fail to get things going, but be careful if you're on a budget — those small plates can run up a tab real quick.

1725 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit Website

Related Maps

Toyose

3814 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Here’s where you can gauge the adventurous spirit of your date: with a meal in the converted garage of this Outer Sunset staple. Toyose is a popular late-night stop, but it’s also open for dinner every day, and the tucked-away feel and semi-private booths foster a feeling of intimacy. Since this is Korean bar food, anything fried is a good bet — chicken wings, kimchi fried rice, and seafood pancake are favorites — but there’s also a lengthy menu of noodles, hot pot, grilled proteins, and soju drinks.

Open in Google Maps

3814 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Visit Website

Trou Normand

140 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Located in the historic Pac Bell building (one of San Francisco's most impressive Art Deco buildings), the trendy Trou Normand provides an intimate setting to gather over a board of house-made charcuterie, a glass of wine, and perhaps a pour of Calvados, which owner Thad Vogler hand-selects from France. The atmosphere is lively, but not too loud, making it the perfect place to grab a pair of seats at the long marble bar or in the cozy booths and have a close conversation.

140 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Related Maps