Best Romantic Restaurants
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

A16 Italian
16/20
Dining Room at A16, San Francisco, CA 2355 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-771-2216
Cozy Marina spot is hotter than ever serving rustic, authentic Campanian dishes and signature Neapolitan-style pizza, complemented by a well-chosen Italian wine list. More...

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar French
15/20
Dining Room at Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, San Francisco, CA 398 Hayes St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-551-1590
Chef Jamie Lauren brings new dimension to this beloved Belle Époque-inspired neighborhood brasserie. More...

Acquerello Italian
15/20
Dining Room at Acquerello, San Francisco, CA 1722 Sacramento St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-567-5432
The Italian food is authentic, mannered and rich. More...

Aziza Moroccan
15/20
Dining Room at Aziza, San Francisco, CA 5800 Geary St.
San Francisco, CA 94121
415-752-2222
Slow and romantic California-inspired Moroccan cuisine. More...

Bar Crudo Seafood
15/20
603 Bush St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
415-956-0396
Well-executed and sparkling-fresh seafood served in a friendly and fun little restaurant. More...

Baraka California
16/20
Dining Room at Baraka, San Francisco, CA 288 Connecticut St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-255-0370
This romantic, warm-hearted Potrero neighborhood restaurant is worth a visit for chef Chad Newton’s noteworthy new Cal-Med cooking. More...

Bing Crosby's Restaurant & Piano Bar Contemporary
14/20
Broadway Plz.
1342 Broadway Plaza
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-939-2464
This tribute restaurant is a terrific place for icy martinis, cool piano music and solid all-American food. More...

Boca Steakhouse
14/20
340 Ignacio Blvd.
Novato, CA 94949
415-883-0901
Chef George Morrone pays homage to his Argentinean heritage with this stunning Novato steakhouse. More...

Café Jacqueline French
14/20
1454 Grant Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94133
415-981-5565
Delicious soufflés are the only thing on the menu at this very romantic and very feminine restaurant. More...

Campton Place Restaurant French
15/20
Dining Room at Campton Place Restaurant, San Francisco, CA Campton Place Hotel
340 Stockton St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
415-955-5555
The always timeless Campton Place freshens up and shows that haute cuisine can be stylish and youthful. More...

The Caprice California
12/20
2000 Paradise Dr.
Tiburon, CA 94920
415-435-3400
Once the Cadillac of Marin eateries, the old-fashioned menu, great location and formal service are still a draw. More...

Chez Panisse Contemporary
16/20
Dining Room at Chez Panisse, Berkeley, CA 1517 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94709
510-548-5525
A temple to gastronomy and sustainability, this casual, upscale eatery of Alice Waters is thought to have sparked a culinary revolution. More...

Chez Spencer French
15/20
Dining Room at Chez Spencer, San Francisco, CA 82 14th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-864-2191
Chez Spencer dresses up this desolate block of the Mission with high-end French fare. More...

Da Flora Italian
15/20
Dining Room at Da Flora, San Francisco, CA 701 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94133
415-981-4664
Unique restaurant serving Venetian cuisine in a charmingly petite setting. More...

Eccolo Italian
14/20
1820 Fourth St.
Berkeley, CA 94710
510-644-0444
Longtime Chez Panisse chef Christopher Lee is behind this sunny, casually sophisticated Northern Italian restaurant serving well-crafted elegant dishes. More...

Fleur de Lys French
15/20
Dining Room at Fleur de Lys, San Francisco, CA 777 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-673-7779
An elegant dining room and tasting menus centered on French dishes with touches of California. More...

Jeanty at Jack's French
15/20
Dining Room at Jeanty at Jack 615 Sacramento St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-693-0941
Philipe Jeanty has brought the French sensibilities of his Yountville bistro into the San Francisco city limits. More...

Kokkari Greek
15/20
Dining Room at Kokkari, San Francisco, CA 200 Jackson St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-981-0983
Chef Erik Cosselmon (formerly of Cetrella and Rose Pistola) has added his own Mediterranean flair to the very Greek menu. More...

Lark Creek Inn California
No Rating
Dining Room at Lark Creek Inn, Larkspur, CA 234 Magnolia Ave.
Larkspur, CA 94939
415-924-7766
A timeless American ambience and a menu featuring the best seasonal local ingredients at Bradley Ogden’s flagship restaurant. More...

Masa's French
17/20
Dining Room at Masa Hotel Vintage Court
648 Bush St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
415-989-7154
Top-notch tasting menus of French cuisine from a French Laundry alum in an elegant and hushed environment. More...

Oola Restaurant & Bar California
13/20
860 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-995-2061
Chic restaurant and bar serving bistro-style American cuisine highlighted by local and organic ingredients. More...

Quince American
16/20
Dining Room at Quince, San Francisco, CA 1701 Octavia St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-775-8500
Former Chez Panisse and Oliveto chef, Michael Tusk, presents a rustic Italian-inspired menu that marries luxury with simplicity and allows the ingredients to shine. More...

Rubicon California
16/20
Dining Room at Rubicon, San Francisco, CA 558 Sacramento St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-434-4100
A restaurant beloved for its outstanding wine list, and well-executed cuisine. More...

231 Ellsworth American
16/20
Dining Room at 231 Ellsworth, San Mateo, CA 231 S. Ellsworth Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401
650-347-7231
A handsome restaurant with a menu and wine list that could succeed amongst the big boys in any city setting. More...

Viognier California
15/20
Dining Room at Viognier, San Mateo, CA 222 E. Fourth Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401
650-685-3727
California-style menu touched by classic French technique. More...

Back to Best Romantic Restaurants
San Francisco/Bay Area Dining

Top 40 Restaurants
Top 40 Restaurants

Our annual restaurant issue features our top 40 selections, including San Francisco's Michael Mina, Gary Danko and more!

Grill Talk
Grill Talk

Orson

Review of the Week

Elizabeth Falkner's Orson brings high style, an eclectic seasonal menu and fabulous desserts to SoMa. Sweet and savory flavors are combined in many of the dishes, such as the The Pigwich—a maple-bacon ice cream sandwich served with maple-glazed apples. After your meal, make it a Dinner and a Movie night with one of our featured films.

Join the Gayot Community!

Discuss what's going on in the San Francisco dining scene in the Gayot Community Forum. Let us know which places dish up the Best Gelato in the Bay Area or where raw fish fans should go to find the Best Sushi. We look forward to hearing from you!