clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

16 Bars for a Great Glass of Wine in the East Bay

Here Are the Hottest New Restaurants in the East Bay, June 2023

These Are the Hottest New Restaurants in San Francisco, June 2023

More in San Francisco See more maps
Patricia Chang

13 Romantic Restaurants for a Night Out in San Francisco

Snuggle into a plush booth and enjoy a great meal at these dinner destinations

by Lauren Saria and Christine Gallary Updated
View as Map
by Lauren Saria and Christine Gallary Updated
Patricia Chang

With such a stellar collection of cuisines and restaurants, San Francisco makes it easy to enjoy a delicious night out. But where should you go when you want to take that special someone somewhere that screams romance? While there will always be the classic steakhouses or red-checkered tablecloth joints, there are also lots of gems that pull off the aura of romance just as well.

Romance is more than just candles or a hushed atmosphere, so we’ve made a list of 13 of the most romantic restaurants in San Francisco — each of which has just a little something extra to take date night up a notch. Some have plush booths for snuggling and others have white tablecloths or impressive views, but all are delicious choices for wooing or keeping that spark alive.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Cafe Jacqueline

Copy Link

This is slow food at its best, with each savory-and-sweet, sky-high, handmade soufflé made only by chef Jacqueline Margulis. Service in this tiny North Beach restaurant is decidedly old school, and reservations are taken only by phone. The French food takes time here and is meant to be shared, so make sure you go with someone you’re happy to spend a few hours with.

1454 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 981-5565
(415) 981-5565

Also featured in:

Matterhorn Restaurant and Bakery

Copy Link

Located at the edge of Cow Hollow and Pacific Heights, it’s easy to pretend you’re dining on a snow-covered Alpine mountain at this fondue favorite, especially if you’re lucky enough to snag the gondola table for two. Lock eyes over a bubbling pot of cheese or beef fondue, and don’t forget the tradition that dropping the bread or dipper into the pot means that you have to give your dining companion a kiss.

2323 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 829-7540
(415) 829-7540
Inside the Matterhorn restaurant, with wall-to-wall knotty pine Patricia Chang

Also featured in:

Bix

Copy Link

Tucked away on a narrow street in Jackson Square, this swanky supper club offers plush booths and balcony seating in a classic Art Deco setting, complete with nightly live piano and jazz. Dine on fancy deviled eggs or the restaurant’s famous chicken hash, and don’t pass up a seat at the lively bar to watch classic martinis being shaken or stirred by bartenders sporting bow ties and white jackets.

56 Gold St, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 433-6300
(415) 433-6300
Bix

Trestle Restaurant

Copy Link

Tucked into an inconspicuous space off Colombus Avenue, Trestle’s narrow dining room makes for an intimate dinner setting. Dark brick and cinnamon-colored woods fill the room, where savvy diners know they can find a prix fixe menu that costs just $39, a steal in this city of Champagne and caviar. There’s the option to add a pasta supplement but the ever-changing menu typically includes a seasonal salad, hearty entree, and dessert. 

531 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 772-0922
(415) 772-0922
Trestle

Also featured in:

Empress by Boon

Copy Link

Go to Chinatown and take an elevator up to the top floor where the iconic Empress of China restaurant used to be. In its place is Empress by Boon, serving modern Cantonese food in a sleek atmosphere with impressive views. Only a prix fixe menu is offered, but you can order a la carte at the bar. Be prepared to doll up to dine here, as there’s a dress code of no t-shirts or shorts.

838 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 757-0728
(415) 757-0728
Patricia Chang

Also featured in:

Boulevard

Copy Link

Chef Nancy Oakes’ quintessential San Francisco restaurant sits in a historic building right near the foot of the Bay Bridge, perfect for pairing dinner with a romantic walk along the waterfront. The menu is unabashedly Californian and dialed into what’s local and seasonal, and you get to savor your three courses in a redesigned dining room that still retains artisanal mosaics and blown glass.

1 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-6084
(415) 543-6084
The renovated dining room at Boulevard. Patricia Chang

Also featured in:

EPIC Steak

Copy Link

For those who associate romance with dinner at a steakhouse, why not choose one that has Bay Bridge and water views? Located right on the Embarcadero with huge windows and a large heated patio to soak in the vista, EPIC offers a menu that has all the classics, from shrimp cocktail to béarnaise sauce to pour over grilled steaks. Wash it all down with a big, bold glass of red wine or sip on a classic cocktail instead.

369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 369-9955
(415) 369-9955

Also featured in:

Ula Mediterranean Dining & Cocktails

Copy Link

Art Deco meets gorgeous under-the-sea fixtures in this seafood-centric Union Square newcomer. The large space mixes booths, tables, and a balcony if you want to get a birds-eye view of the action below. Want live music? Have your oysters on the half shell or lobster agnolotti in the Jellyfish Room as you listen to jazz, funk, or soul (reservation and fee applies).

450 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 999-4950
(415) 999-4950
Ula Mediterranean

Also featured in:

Sociale

Copy Link

Walk down a narrow alley past a floral shop and emerge onto a heated patio with a secret garden feel in Presidio Heights. Nibble on fried olives while you peruse the Italian-influenced menu where pastas are the star, and don’t forget to leave room for dessert, especially the chocolate oblivion cake that has olive oil, sea salt, and amaretti cookie crumbles.

3665 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 921-3200
(415) 921-3200
Sociale

Also featured in:

L'Ardoise Bistro

Copy Link

French-speaking waiters and chalkboard menus complete the cozy bistro atmosphere in the Castro where you can dine indoors or outdoors among the trees. All the French mainstays are served here, from escargots to duck confit and coq au vin – and the mostly old world wine list offers plenty of choices to partner with the classic fare.

151 Noe St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 437-2600
(415) 437-2600
L’Ardoise

Frances

Copy Link

With its striking black-and-white paint job and long, narrow dining room, chef Marissa Perello’s Frances achieves an effortless cool that makes the restaurant more than just a neighborhood standard. The menu, spearheaded by chef de cuisine Jordan Whittrock, spins local and seasonal ingredients into elegant plates like a cured kampachi crudo with kumquat and roasted échine de pork with apple mostarda. 

3870 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-3870
(415) 621-3870

Also featured in:

Penny Roma

Copy Link

The latest from the folks at Flour + Water, Penny Roma specializes in Roman pastas served in a heated courtyard in the Mission outfitted with a retractable roof and lush plants. Dishes from other regions in Italy complete the menu, from crudos to a 32-ounce bone-in ribeye with bone marrow salsa verde. The easy-to-understand wine list features Californian and Italian bottles broken down into natural and classic categories.

3000 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 826-7004
(415) 826-7004
Patricia Chang

Also featured in:

Foreign Cinema

Copy Link

String lights illuminate this magical courtyard in the Mission where diners are treated to both dinner and a movie after dusk. The California-Mediterranean menu includes oysters, snacky starters, lots of vegetarian options, and a cocktail list peppered with cinematic references. Use the drive-in speakers next to each table to turn the volume up or down depending on how interested you are in the evening’s flick being projected on the wall. 

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-7600
(415) 648-7600
Foreign Cinema

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Cafe Jacqueline

1454 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

This is slow food at its best, with each savory-and-sweet, sky-high, handmade soufflé made only by chef Jacqueline Margulis. Service in this tiny North Beach restaurant is decidedly old school, and reservations are taken only by phone. The French food takes time here and is meant to be shared, so make sure you go with someone you’re happy to spend a few hours with.

1454 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 981-5565
(415) 981-5565

Matterhorn Restaurant and Bakery

2323 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

Located at the edge of Cow Hollow and Pacific Heights, it’s easy to pretend you’re dining on a snow-covered Alpine mountain at this fondue favorite, especially if you’re lucky enough to snag the gondola table for two. Lock eyes over a bubbling pot of cheese or beef fondue, and don’t forget the tradition that dropping the bread or dipper into the pot means that you have to give your dining companion a kiss.

2323 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 829-7540
(415) 829-7540
Inside the Matterhorn restaurant, with wall-to-wall knotty pine Patricia Chang

Bix

56 Gold St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Tucked away on a narrow street in Jackson Square, this swanky supper club offers plush booths and balcony seating in a classic Art Deco setting, complete with nightly live piano and jazz. Dine on fancy deviled eggs or the restaurant’s famous chicken hash, and don’t pass up a seat at the lively bar to watch classic martinis being shaken or stirred by bartenders sporting bow ties and white jackets.

56 Gold St, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 433-6300
(415) 433-6300
Bix

Trestle Restaurant

531 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Tucked into an inconspicuous space off Colombus Avenue, Trestle’s narrow dining room makes for an intimate dinner setting. Dark brick and cinnamon-colored woods fill the room, where savvy diners know they can find a prix fixe menu that costs just $39, a steal in this city of Champagne and caviar. There’s the option to add a pasta supplement but the ever-changing menu typically includes a seasonal salad, hearty entree, and dessert. 

531 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 772-0922
(415) 772-0922
Trestle

Empress by Boon

838 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108

Go to Chinatown and take an elevator up to the top floor where the iconic Empress of China restaurant used to be. In its place is Empress by Boon, serving modern Cantonese food in a sleek atmosphere with impressive views. Only a prix fixe menu is offered, but you can order a la carte at the bar. Be prepared to doll up to dine here, as there’s a dress code of no t-shirts or shorts.

838 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 757-0728
(415) 757-0728
Patricia Chang

Boulevard

1 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Chef Nancy Oakes’ quintessential San Francisco restaurant sits in a historic building right near the foot of the Bay Bridge, perfect for pairing dinner with a romantic walk along the waterfront. The menu is unabashedly Californian and dialed into what’s local and seasonal, and you get to savor your three courses in a redesigned dining room that still retains artisanal mosaics and blown glass.

1 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-6084
(415) 543-6084
The renovated dining room at Boulevard. Patricia Chang

EPIC Steak

369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

For those who associate romance with dinner at a steakhouse, why not choose one that has Bay Bridge and water views? Located right on the Embarcadero with huge windows and a large heated patio to soak in the vista, EPIC offers a menu that has all the classics, from shrimp cocktail to béarnaise sauce to pour over grilled steaks. Wash it all down with a big, bold glass of red wine or sip on a classic cocktail instead.

369 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 369-9955
(415) 369-9955

Ula Mediterranean Dining & Cocktails

450 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Art Deco meets gorgeous under-the-sea fixtures in this seafood-centric Union Square newcomer. The large space mixes booths, tables, and a balcony if you want to get a birds-eye view of the action below. Want live music? Have your oysters on the half shell or lobster agnolotti in the Jellyfish Room as you listen to jazz, funk, or soul (reservation and fee applies).

450 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 999-4950
(415) 999-4950
Ula Mediterranean

Sociale

3665 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Walk down a narrow alley past a floral shop and emerge onto a heated patio with a secret garden feel in Presidio Heights. Nibble on fried olives while you peruse the Italian-influenced menu where pastas are the star, and don’t forget to leave room for dessert, especially the chocolate oblivion cake that has olive oil, sea salt, and amaretti cookie crumbles.

3665 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 921-3200
(415) 921-3200
Sociale

L'Ardoise Bistro

151 Noe St, San Francisco, CA 94114

French-speaking waiters and chalkboard menus complete the cozy bistro atmosphere in the Castro where you can dine indoors or outdoors among the trees. All the French mainstays are served here, from escargots to duck confit and coq au vin – and the mostly old world wine list offers plenty of choices to partner with the classic fare.

151 Noe St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 437-2600
(415) 437-2600
L’Ardoise

Frances

3870 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

With its striking black-and-white paint job and long, narrow dining room, chef Marissa Perello’s Frances achieves an effortless cool that makes the restaurant more than just a neighborhood standard. The menu, spearheaded by chef de cuisine Jordan Whittrock, spins local and seasonal ingredients into elegant plates like a cured kampachi crudo with kumquat and roasted échine de pork with apple mostarda. 

3870 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-3870
(415) 621-3870

Penny Roma

3000 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

The latest from the folks at Flour + Water, Penny Roma specializes in Roman pastas served in a heated courtyard in the Mission outfitted with a retractable roof and lush plants. Dishes from other regions in Italy complete the menu, from crudos to a 32-ounce bone-in ribeye with bone marrow salsa verde. The easy-to-understand wine list features Californian and Italian bottles broken down into natural and classic categories.

3000 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 826-7004
(415) 826-7004
Patricia Chang

Foreign Cinema

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

String lights illuminate this magical courtyard in the Mission where diners are treated to both dinner and a movie after dusk. The California-Mediterranean menu includes oysters, snacky starters, lots of vegetarian options, and a cocktail list peppered with cinematic references. Use the drive-in speakers next to each table to turn the volume up or down depending on how interested you are in the evening’s flick being projected on the wall. 

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-7600
(415) 648-7600
Foreign Cinema

Related Maps