The perfect SF date night can take a variety of forms, but a nice dinner out in the city is a classic go-to… especially with Valentine’s Day drawing nearer. These stunning romantic restaurants in San Francisco offer a variety of delicious food options, creative cocktails, and juuuust the right moody ambience to make it a night to remember.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to scroll through our list of SF date ideas and Valentine’s Day events.
1. Dirty Habit
Located in Hotel Zelos in SF’s Financial District, Dirty Habit boasts unique brunch and dinner menus in a vibey dining area. We love the restaurant’s sophisticated, dark interior, but it’s hard to pass up the cozy (and fully heated!) outdoor courtyard. The award-winning bar has an extensive spirit collection and tasty bites perfect for pairing with your favorite cocktail.
📍12 4th St, San Francisco
2. La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
La Mar is an upscale Peruvian restaurant with a beautiful waterfront patio where you can enjoy fresh ceviche, grilled skewers, and incredible empanadas. Signature cocktails include a prickly pear margarita and the classic pisco sour. It’s a great option to celebrate Valentine’s Day in SF, as they’ll be filling the space with over 1,000 candles to accompany a special 3-course menu.
📍 Pier 1 1/2, San Francisco
3. Foreign Cinema
No list of romantic restaurants in SF would be complete without Foreign Cinema. This magical outdoor patio is adorned with string lights and features a large screen to project films. Enjoy delicacies like oysters, creative salads and entrees made from sustainable ingredients. Pair with quality champagne, wine, and cocktail options.
📍 2534 Mission St, San Francisco
4. Zazie
Zazie serves exceptional brunch and dinner menus, with specialties including mascarpone polenta cakes, braised lamb shank, and countless egg dishes for brunch. Zazie’s is also unique for being completely tip-free; that is, no tips are expected because their staff is paid a living wage and given full benefits, paid time off, and more. Try a brunch, lunch, or dinner on their comfortable heated patio!
📍 941 Cole St, San Francisco
5. 25 Lusk
25 Lusk is known for its swanky rooftop, but we also love their sleek and modern indoor fireplaces. The menu includes ahi tuna tartare, ginger barbecue spareribs, oak wood roasted octopus, and more exciting dishes that are sure to take your romantic evening to the next level. They also have an impressive drink menu featuring a variety of ciders, beers, wines, and delicious cocktails.
📍 25 Lusk St, San Francisco
6. Fable
Fable has limited space, so reservations are recommended to try this trendy Californian cuisine. This is a storybook-inspired restaurant with a beautiful outdoor garden oasis for an ultra-romantic setting. Try the avocado, jicama and Dungeness crab tower or the grilled herb-marinated lamb chops.
📍 558 Castro St, San Francisco
7. Che Fico
Enjoy handmade pizzas and California-inspired Italian fare at Che Fico, a spacious and romantic restaurant in San Francisco. Dine on tasty pizza and pasta dishes at the long family-style table illuminated by sculptural chandeliers. The entire space is adorned with creeping vines and dried florals, which add a whimsical yet elevated feeling to the popular eatery near Alamo Square.
📍 838 Divisadero Street, San Francisco
8. Aphotic
Aphotic is a haven for seafood lovers. Dig into plates of grilled scallops, whiteleg prawn risotto, oyster ice cream and more, or consider springing for the chef’s tasting menu to try a little of everything. Bask in the heat of the wood-burning hearth and gaze upward at the curved Douglas Fir naves, all in a moody and dark dining room that truly sets the mood.
📍 816 Folsom St, San Francisco
9. Baia
Baia is a vegan Italian restaurant that stands out for its shining cascade of transparent stars suspended from the ceiling. The sculpture makes for a stunning focal point visible from all 3 floors of the restaurant, and the interior’s dusty blue and gold accents add to the celestial theme. Visit Baia for spectacular vegan dishes including pizzas, pastas, risotto, lasagna, polenta, bruschetta, and plenty more.
📍 300 Grove St, San Francisco
10. The Progress
Chef Proprietors Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski head this Michelin-starred SF icon. The Progress‘ design is absolutely stunning with wood, stone, and tyle textures that compliment the appetizing Californian cuisine. Dig into creative plates such as burrata with butter beans and strawberries, or the eye-catching Liberty Farms duck with peanut fried rice and smoked chili vinegar.
📍 1525 Fillmore St., San Francisco
11. Kokkari Estiatorio
Kokkari Estiatorio is an SF staple with fantastic Greek fare in a romantic dining atmosphere. Their menu offers a modern take on traditional Greek dishes, spotlighting essential ingredients such as lamb, fresh yogurt, and oregano. Try and snag the big table in front of the fireplace for a front-row seat as they spit-roast chicken and lamb.
📍 200 Jackson St, San Francisco