Looking For Fine Dining In The Silicon Valley? Explore The Best Romantic Restaurants in San Jose

Is San Jose actually romantic? The fact that it’s the largest city in Silicon Valley-a major tech hub makes it seem like everything here is all about technology. However, that’s not to say that romance can’t be found in San Jose. Whether you’re going for the first date, celebrating a big anniversary, or simply want to impress the crush you’ve been texting for weeks, San Jose has a variety of romantic restaurants to explore. These restaurants offer fine dining, a soothing atmosphere, cool music, and an outstanding wine selection.

If you know someone who’s planning a romantic San Jose getaway, you could treat them to a meal using GiftYa virtual gift card. Unlike traditional gift cards that you have to carry around every time, these cards are virtual meaning that you can them on your phone instead of carrying them everywhere you go. Don’t forget to add a special message to the card before sending it!

Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant

27 E William St, San Jose, CA 95112 orchestriapalmcourt.com

Ornate venue featuring a vintage décor, turn-of-the century fixtures, and a perfectly selected American fare!

A romantic dinner of any nature deserves a unique setting and a romantic view. At Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant, you will be greeted by a vintage décor taking you back to the old-time especially the music of the era played in this restaurant.

The menu specializes in European cuisine, prepared the traditional way, featuring only organic ingredients sourced locally from the best farms. The atmosphere is romantic and you have plenty to enjoy on the menu. Enjoy small portions such as the soup of the day with extra clams, shrimp scampi in lemon-garlic butter, and Gnocchi appetizer, a combination of potato pasted with grilled artichokes, crispy capers, charred spring onions, and lemon sauce with Pecorino-Romano cheese.

They also serve incredible entrees that are gluten-free when you substitute roasted potatoes with mashed potatoes. Treat your date to the popular Boeuf Bourguinon, a traditional French dish with braised beef dipped in red wine sauce with mushrooms, carrots, and pearl onions.

End the day on a high note with the signature drinks from the Antique Fountain, one of their assorted wines, and specialty beers!

Paesano Ristorante Italiano

350 W Julian St, San Jose, CA 95110 paesanoristorantetogo.com

Contemporary Italian restaurant offering locals traditional dishes served in a cheerful interior!

What’s the most romantic way to show your date that you’re thinking about them? Take them to a spot that serves tasty, wide range flavors served with love – which is exactly what you’ll find at Paesano Ristorante Italiano.

This contemporary Italian eatery has an extensive dinner menu with unique dishes prepared just the way you like them. Enjoy delicious appetizers, pasta, salads, and entrees. If you’re here for lunch, start off with some fresh mozzarella with basil, tomato, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Then go ahead and order some Insalata Verde salad that includes mixed greens with carrots, tomato, and olive oil. Then dive into the main course of the day, lasagna Rustica filled with mushrooms, ground sausage and ricotta cheese in tomato sauce, and topped with mozzarella cheese.

If you still have some space, you card order some chicken breast topped with mushrooms, Parma prosciutto, and mozzarella in a Marsala wine sauce (Pollo Saltimbocca). Don’t forget to order one of the specialty drinks to enjoy along with your main meal!

Taurinus Brazilian Steakhouse

167 W San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95113 taurinussteakhouse.com

Cosmopolitan restaurant and wine bar offering all-you-can-eat Brazilian-style BBQ in a lively setting!

Whether you’re stopping by for a lunch date or weekend special event, Taurinus Brazilian Steakhouse is the perfect place for your next date night. Here, they combine the traditional gaucho approach to roasting pork, poultry, and beef in a rotisserie oven to bring their natural juices and exceptional taste. With their Rodizio style of serving and over a dozen rotisserie grilled meats, this is more than fine dining, it’s the real experience.

We suggest you start with a light salad course and then signal the Gauchos that you’re ready for the main meal by turning the card on your table to the green side. The menu is packed with delicious cuts including grilled chicken drumsticks, served with delicious seasoning and grilled to perfection, pork sausages, or even smoky bacon wrapped around a seasoned chicken breast or mignon cut. Diners also rave about the red wine steak that is tender and juicy seasoned and roasted with the house’s special Red Wine.

If you’re here during happy hour, you can sample delicious happy hour appetizers like fried calamari with aioli dipping sauce, lemon, and parsley, plus the extensive signature drinks with favorites such as the Brazilian martini, caipirinha, and mojitos.

Siena Bistro

1359 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 sienabistro.com

Cozy eatery serving a selection of Italian favorites in a cakelike space!

While it may be impossible to go all the way to Paris for that delicious Italian cured meat, it doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy a taste of the best Italian foods in San Jose. Siena Bistro has brought Italian dishes near you. They have a wide selection of lunch and dinner options, including savory desserts, and an extensive wine selection.

Their friendly staff will help you decide between house favorites such as their sole almandine, fresh salmon, Bourbon Stout Braised Short Rib and served on a bed of creamy polenta, and their unbeatable beet salad. They also serve incredible Roman-style pizzas and king-size sandwiches and burgers served with a choice of curry chicken apple salad, broccoli grape almandine, fresh-cut, spicy Thai peanut pasta, and Caesar salad.

Carefully researched Mediterranean and California wines are the perfect accompaniment to your meal. Warm chocolate cake served with caramel sea salt gelato, brioche bread pudding, tiramisu or any of their house-made desserts is always a perfect way to end your dining experience!

Le Papillon

410 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129 lepapillon.com

Upscale 1977 eatery pairing a contemporary French menu with over 500 different wine varieties!

For over four decades, Le Papillon has been serving the finest cuisines, beautifully presented in an elegant, quiet setting. Established in 1977 on a bustling street corner, this restaurant offers an extensive French menu that includes both a tasting and a prix fixe menu which changes to include the finest seasonal, sustainable, and organic ingredients at their peak.

Come for dinner and order the first course of seared sea scallops with hazelnut Polenta and meyer lemon or the slow-poached lobster with sauce maltaise, braised leeks, and blood orange. Throw in a soup or salad of lobster bisque with sweet com timbale, before ordering your main course. Diners love the grilled Hawaiian swordfish served with whole grain mustard, apple potato rosti, and onion-hibiscus marmalade.

The tasting menu features delicious items such as the roasted breast of pheasant served with black truffle and chestnut cappelletti and the chilled king crab with tart apple, celery root puree, and caviar. You can also order one of their savory dessert and signature drinks as an accompaniment to your main meal!

The Grill on the Alley

172 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113 thegrill.com

Enjoy premium chops served in a crisp environment at this upscale steakhouse in Fairmont Hotel!

Want to enjoy an unforgettable fine dining experience with your date? The Grill on the Alley is the place to go. This well-renowned steakhouse is famous for serving a classic American menu that suits all tastes. The lunch menu features delicious seafood, salads, and specialty dishes while dinner offers a wide selection of steaks and cuts, prepared in eight different styles.

You should also try the chef’s specials such as the Norwegian halibut served with pineapple Chutney, coconut broth, and Chili essence or the seared liver scallops that come with shiitake mushrooms, sweet corn puree, and corn relish. If you have a craving for the best hand-crafted steaks and chops then order the long bone tomahawk, the house’s most impressive cut served with grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes, bourbon peppercorn, a trio of sauces, bordelaise, and béarnaise or dry-aged ribeye with spring onion and chimichurri sauce.

If you’re here during happy hour, then try delicious items such as popcorn shrimp, oysters on the half shell, Wagyu beef carpaccio, ati tuna poke, and plenty of handcrafted cocktails as an accompaniment!

LB Steak - Santana Row

334 Santana Row #1000, San Jose, CA 95128 lbsteaksantanarow.com

Modern American steakhouse in a masculine space with wood trim, cowhide chairs, and patio!

We know that steakhouses are the ultimate spots to go for a nice romantic date, so why not try out LB Steak - Santana Row? Here you can enjoy lots of perfectly cooked steak and chops with handcrafted cocktails and elegant wine to complement savory entrees prepared with the utmost respect for the ingredients.

Their hand-cut prime steaks are the main draw here and they are hand-cut daily in selections and served with the house-made Wagyu butter. Order a side of either mashed potatoes and pan-roasted foraged mushrooms and you have a wonderful dining experience with your date.

They also have many house favorites such as raw and chilled and diners especially love the seafood tower that comes with prawns, oysters, and whole Maine lobster.  You will also find plenty of flavorful appetizers, soups and salad, and signature cocktails to enjoy with your main meal!

Sometimes romance is best expressed over a delicious meal where you can have a deep and romantic conversation all night. These restaurants in San Jose will make your visit memorable for years to come. Let us know which restaurants wowed you with your date in the comments below!