Our Favorite Romantic Restaurants in San Diego

San Diego is a popular city in southern California, known for its year-round mild weather (but say goodbye to four seasons!), easy access to great beaches, and lots to offer on the culinary scene. If you’re living in this city or you’re going to be visiting sometime soon, chances are you’re looking for a place where you can have a romantic dinner. While what constitutes a romantic dinner can vary, there are probably a couple of things you have in mind. You could want an upscale, trendy restaurant, or prefer somewhere more quiet and intimate. But you definitely want to try delicious food with friendly service. Luckily, there are a wide variety of romantic restaurants in San Diego sure to please everyone, no matter what you’re looking for. 

In this article we’ll be covering:

• The best romantic restaurants in San Diego
• What you can expect to dine on at these establishments
• Reviews of what customers have been saying

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While a gift card isn’t the first thing that often comes to mind for a romantic gift for a significant other, partner, or spouse, it can definitely be a fantastic choice if you go with GiftYa. GiftYa has over 190,000 merchants available on their site, from well-known national restaurants and stores, to hyper local spots right in your community. All you need to do is decide which vendor your loved one would appreciate it, then choose the amount, personalize it with a romantic photo or video, and then hit send! You can text or email it directly to the recipient, and there’s no fear of losing it since it’s all digital. So what are you waiting for, send a GiftYa today!

1. Jeune et Jolie

A romantic restaurant featuring French cuisine

📍 2659 State St Suite 102 | Carlsbad | jeune-jolie.com

If your version of a romantic night out with your loved one involves French cuisine and a Michelin star chef, then Jeune et Jolie is exactly where you should go. This place makes almost everyone’s list of delicious restaurants in the county, and some say in the state of California! Although the cuisine is elevated French, you won’t find pretentious servers here, as they are more than knowledgeable about the menu, and will happily guide you so you can choose exactly what you’re looking for. 

Your four course meal starts with options like veal tartare and caviar, and progresses into options like pork with endive as well as mushrooms with black truffles. By the time you get to the main course, you can choose from seabass, guinea hen, or ribeye, and round it all off with a tartelette or pommes.

“If you're looking to celebrate something special or just have a huge splurge on some of the best food you'll find within a few hundred miles, this is one to keep in your book! Totally worthy of its Michelin Star.” -Yelp Review

2. June and Ivy

Upscale American cuisine with a left coast edge ensures this place is one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego

📍 2228 Kettner Blvd | Little Italy | juniperandivy.com

If you’re looking for a fantastic restaurant in the heart of San Diego in Little Italy, then you’ve got to come try Juniper and Ivy. This space was originally an abandoned warehouse, but the owners decided this is exactly where they wanted to showcase the skills of their James Beard finalist chef. Their menu is always changing, and it is driven by seasonal produce and items that are hand picked from local farmers and fishermen. Some options you can expect to find on this creative menu include steak tartare, pork belly, rockfish tostada, and salmon handrolls. 

This restaurant is serious about wine pairings, and the servers can help you choose a wine that will complement your meal. Or if you prefer cocktails, just know that the mixologists can definitely create something that will tantalize your taste buds!

Pro tip: Stop by the San Diego Art Institute before your meal and explore their exhibits. You can grab a GiftYa right here!

“Definitely one of the best restaurants I've ever been to in San Diego. Creative and inventive menu with some unique surprises.” -Yelp Review 

3. The Marine Room

Enjoy amazing seafood and the best views while you dine at this popular San Diego restaurant

📍 1950 Spindrift Dr. | La Jolla | marineroom.com

If you want to really impress your significant other for a date night out and romantic dinner like no other, then you’re going to want to book a table at the Marine Room. This restaurant is located right along the waterfront, and with large windows, seeing a sunset here is a very memorable experience. But the food and service are also top notch! You can choose to eat in the main dining room, or enjoy cocktails and small plates in the lounge—both menus will leave you satisfied. 

The Marine Room focuses on a seafood-forward menu, with delicious options to try like ocean trout tartare, caviar, bluefin tuna, scallops, and swordfish. There are also land-based options available such as Japanese wagyu steak and filet mignon. If you’re planning to visit in the summer, see if you can book a special high tide dinner where you’ll experience the waves crashing on the windows!

“Dining at The Marine Room was an experience to remember! The oceanfront setting is breathtaking, with waves rolling just outside the windows, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere.If you're looking for a truly memorable dining experience with impeccable food and unparalleled views, The Marine Room is the place to be.” -Yelp Review

4. Cesarina

Wonderful Italian food that will have you coming back for more

📍 4161 Voltaire St. | Point Loma | cesarinarestaurant.com

Located right near the beachside area of Ocean Beach is the cute Cesarina restaurant. This is where locals like to come when they want authentic Italian that’s heavy on the homemade pasta, and constructed at your table! This is a great place to go for a romantic dinner in San Diego, and the menu is full of all your Italian favorites like pasta bolognese, pomodoro fresco, creamy mushroom sauce, mafalde, spaghetti, and fish with lemon garlic sauce. If you prefer vegan options, not to worry, Cesarina has lots of pasta, salad, and soup options that are all vegan-friendly.

You can either sit inside, or enjoy their lovely outdoor seating with a view. Folks can’t stop raving about how much this little spot feels like you’re entering an Italian kitchen, as the service is always top notch with food to match.

“Wowow! One of my favorite meals to date since moving to San Diego. The waitstaff was beyond friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, and also provided great recommendations. The ambiance is also vibrant and cozy.” -Yelp Review

5. Callie

Enjoy delicious Mediterranean style food at this popular spot right in downtown San Diego

📍 1195 Island Ave. | East Village | calliesd.com

Want to take your special someone to a place that specializes in the flavors of diverse countries along the Mediterranean such as Greece, Spain, Italy, and Morocco? Then you’re definitely going to want to make reservations at Callie. This restaurant is known for their delightfully different menu items, that allow patrons to enjoy seasonal items and the freshest seafood and meat that you can find in San Diego. Customers also love the unique atmosphere of this spot, the attentive service, as well as the fact that a lot of the food and drinks are designed to be paired together.

Although the menu changes a lot, some items you can expect to find include the hummus with baguettes or pita, beef tartare, parma ham, lemon saffron linguine, octopus, chicken, and even lamb chops. 

If you’re thinking of heading over there, just be aware that they automatically charge a 20% service charge for gratuity as well as a 4% charge to cover compensation and medical benefits for their full time employees.

“Callie isn't just a restaurant--it's a Mediterranean love letter to your taste buds. Hands down, one of the most extraordinary dining experiences I've ever had in San Diego.” -Yelp Review 

6. Animae

An upscale steakhouse that is sure to give you a romantic evening dining in San Diego

📍 969 Pacific Hwy | Downtown | animaesd.com

Sometimes you just want to head out to a fancy steakhouse when you’re celebrating a romantic dinner. And while Animae is definitely a steakhouse, it has a lot of Japanese, Korean, and Filipino inspired options for you to choose from. Customers love the ambiance of this spot, with its plush booths, dim lighting, and elegant decor. This is one of the few places in San Diego to serve Japanese A5 wagyu beef, so if you’re looking to splurge and celebrate a special occasion with a loved one, this is a great spot to do so!

Located in the bustling downtown section of San Diego, you can expect to find all your steakhouse favorites and more on the menu. Here you’ll have the option of selecting from items like lamb chops, Taiwanese chicken, nori Caesar, crab fried rice, tenderloins, ribeye, sea bass, and duck. 

“We came here for our 2 year anniversary, and we were not disappointed.

This place served us some of the best food we have ever had the pleasure of eating.

The server was very friendly and helpful with the menu and suggestions.” -Yelp Review

7. The Addison

A 3 star Michelin restaurant that offers a very unique dining experience

📍 5200 Grand Del Mar Way | Del Mar | addisondelmar.com

This is a beautiful restaurant located just a little north of the downtown part of San Diego in the Del Mar area. It is on the edge of a pristine golf course, so you can expect the views to be magnificent while you dine. This is a three star Michelin restaurant, so it is definitely going to be on the pricier side of romantic dinners, but according to reviewers, it is an experience that you are not going to forget anytime soon. They offer a 10 course meal, with additional wine pairing, for $385 per person. The menu changes with the seasons in order to give customers the freshest options possible.

You can expect to find items like wagyu steak, caviar, tuna, fried rice, soups, as well as desserts like tres leches. This is a fantastic way to experience food, service, and presentation at the highest level, but not necessarily something you’d decide to do frequently. 

“San Diego's Michelin 3* restaurant.... meets expectations. Impeccable service, excellent food. Service was impeccable. The dishes all arrived at the same time, the staff was present but not overbearing. The Michelin 3* is well deserved.” -Yelp Review

Which romantic San Diego restaurant will you choose?

There are so many beautiful, romantic restaurants in San Diego that it was hard to come up with just a short list. Whether you’re looking for first class dining, amazing views while you eat, or someplace super trendy, you have all kinds of options in America’s Finest City. Which restaurant will you end up picking for date night?