Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 May 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Little Victory Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (12)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Little Victory Wine Bar is a natural wine bar in Carlsbad, California. With indoor seating accommodating 24-28 guests and an outdoor patio offering 18 additional seats, Little Victory Wine Bar is intentionally scaled to foster intimate and meaningful interactions, cementing its role as a significant addition to Carlsbad Village’s growing culinary community.

Little Victory Wine Market is located at 505 Oak Avenue, Suite B, Carlsbad, California, 92008, and will operate Wednesday through Sunday from 4 - 10 p.m. Visit the website or follow along on Instagram at @littlevictorywinebar for future updates.

Top review

AnneVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great space. Feels like a real neighborhood bistro. Just what the area needs! Will keep coming back to make it through wine list

Manhattan of La Jolla

4.8

4.8 (1790)

$31 to $50

Italian

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Manhattan of La Jolla transports you to the best of New York via the cozy, upscale village of La Jolla. Located in the Empress Hotel on Fay Avenue, it is an elegant, casual and classy place where you would expect to see Old Blue Eyes or Danny Ocean romancing a beautiful woman while she sips her Cosmo over dinner. With quality Italian charm, Manhattan offers classic cocktails that get you into that New York swing--and the entrees are as good as it gets. Liberal olive oil, garlic, lemon and pepper complement the Zagat Award winning veal chop, steaks and seafood. Signature scampi, classic cannelloni, pasta al dente, and other succulent dishes, plus professional service and decor make this a terrific spot for a romantic dinner or mixing business and pleasure. Manhattan in La Jolla gets you the best of both worlds. Manhattan is an award winning La Jolla favorite, celebrating its 36th year.

Top review

Christopher

Dined 4 days ago

Fabulous atmosphere, particularly with Tad on the piano. Menu and drink list are exceptional.

Discover more

The WineSellar & Brasserie

4.8

4.8 (1025)

$31 to $50

French

Sorrento Mesa

About the restaurant

Established in 1988, The WineSellar & Brasserie is San Diego's premiere destination for fine wine and exquisitely crafted locally sourced, organic fare.

Consistently ranked among OpenTable's Top 10 local restaurants, The Brasserie has been honored with either Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" and "Best Of Award Of Excellence" every year since our inception.

With your meal, enjoy a bottle from the adjoining WineSellar boutique wine shop or choose a wine from our award-winning list. Either way, you’ll find an outstanding selection of unique small-production wines not found anywhere else. Not in the mood for wine? Choose from our rotating list of craft beers or seasonally available craft cocktails.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined on 6 May 2025

Absolutely, always the best times here. The cuisine, the wine list, the team, you can't ask for more!

Discover more

Experience

Laird Family Estate Wine Dinner

Alexander's on 30th

4.8

4.8 (3200)

$31 to $50

Italian

North Park

About the restaurant

Neighborhood gem located in the heart of the Historic North Park District, adjoining Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Specializing in homestyle Italian with Gourmet Flair. Hand made Pastas, Award Winning Pizza and Voted Best of Restaurants by San Diego Magazine "Most Romantic". Listed as Top 25 Places to Eat in San Diego "Before You Die" by San Diego Union Tribune.

Make memorable celebrations on our beautiful patio, the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Remember to try our diners favorites, The Theodore's Fix Pizza and Baked Vodka Bolognese.

Look forward to serving you soon!

Top review

Cherise

Dined 1 day ago

Such a fun pasta night! Thanks for having us!!!!!!

Chez Loma

4.7

4.7 (1832)

$31 to $50

French

Coronado

About the restaurant

Our new San Diego home is located in the Carez Hizar House (circa 1889), a Coronado historical landmark on Loma Avenue almost at the corner of Orange Avenue. We are within walking distance to beautiful downtown Coronado, the Hotel Del Coronado, and the beach. A French inspired bistro where people feel comfortable and enjoy fresh rustic fare at reasonable prices. Sourcing locally to achieve maximum freshness and offering our customers what they want instead of following culinary trends.
If your desire is a casual tapa at the bar or a dinner with friends or colleges, Chez Loma under new management, offers an inviting space to relax, enjoy and socialize.

Top review

Jill

Dined today

Food was excellent! It was brought out slowly and we didn’t feel rushed. We had a wonderful 40th wedding anniversary dinner!

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (674)

$30 and under

Italian

La Jolla

About the restaurant

We are located in the heart of la Jolla shores, a short walk from the beach. The Shores area has one short main street with a few stores and restaurants. It has the look and feel of a town square. In this simple but wonderfully comfortable setting, Osteria Romantica generates good feelings as one dines on its good food. The voices of Pavarotti and other famous singers emerge from the background, filling the room softly with operatic melodies. An outside patio provides seating for diners who wish to enjoy the sunny afternoons and cool La Jolla evenings. The restaurant was opened by Fabio Speziali and Antonio Mastellone in 2004. Speziali grew up in the Lake Como region of northern Italy. Mastellone, who also owns several other local restaurants, grew up in Sorrento, Italy. Speziali said, "and we are from different regions of Italy. But we create together and offer dishes from all of Italy. We have our regular menu and daily specials. Our breads and pasta are always fresh and homemade."

Top review

CarolynnVIP

Dined on 22 Apr 2025

Always a lovely place, staff and food! Thank you for being there for us all these many many years!!!!

Camino Riviera

4.7

4.7 (46)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Join us for a full sensory journey through the Yucatán in our sultry dining room and open air lounge. SDCM Corporate Executive Chef, Brian Redzikowski has curated an eclectic menu that integrates his unique style with Mexican cuisine. The bar program is built on classic cocktails while celebrating the spirits and flavors from all over Latin America. We source rare expressions of mezcal and tequila from some of the most revered producers in Mexico.

We accept requests for both environments but cannot guarantee the ability to accommodate all requests.

Top review

rick

Dined on 4 May 2025

One of our neighborhood favorites that we know we should visit more often. It's a great place to go with friends, as the plates are great for sharing. The staff is outstanding. If you are into agave spirits, Camino is the place for you. The corn ice cream is unique! Steve and Stephen are gems and our waitress was attentive and friendly.

P.F. Chang's - Chula Vista

4.6

4.6 (234)

$30 and under

Chinese

Chula Vista / Bonita

About the restaurant

We are an Asian & Chinese restaurant offering dine-in, takeout, to-go, delivery, and catering. Make a reservation online to dine in. Order Asian and Chinese food delivery, takeout, and catering online or through the P.F. Chang's mobile app. Let us cater the perfect feast for you - corporate office catering menus are also available. P.F. Chang's offers a variety of signature Asian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Mongolian, and Chinese food dishes including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Chicken Pad Thai, Signature Lo Mein, Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Chang's Spicy Chicken, and Pork and Shrimp Dumplings. Order online for sushi delivery and takeout. Many gluten-free and vegetarian menu items are available. Try our seasonal cocktails and seasonal menu items.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined on 6 Apr 2025

Service was good and the food was ok. Teriyaki chicken was a bunch of tiny bits of deep fried chicken. Only 2 real chunks of chicken. Almost like we got the left overs at the bottom of the bag. It was like popcorn chicken and all batter.

The Melting Pot - Gaslamp Quarter

4.4

4.4 (2606)

$50 and over

Fondue

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Melting Pot San Diego Gaslamp. Located on 5th Ave & E St in the historic Gaslamp Plaza Suites, the San Diego - Gaslamp Melting Pot Restaurant brings a truly unique, romantic and interactive four-course fondue dining experience to San Diego's vibrant downtown dining scene!

Top review

Michael

Dined 4 days ago

Always awesome food! This was a very cool old building and service was top notch! Highly recommended!

Discover more

Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

Popular dish

Vegan Cheese Fondue

Experience

Ultimate Romance Dinner for Two- $249

Topside Terrace

4.2

4.2 (398)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

A quintessential San Diego open-air terrace, Topside Terrace takes advantage of the San Diego climate while marrying the sites and sounds of downtown. Inspired by coastal living, we specialize in evening fare and weekend brunch serving Baja California and Classic American Fare paired with contemporary cocktails and draft beer.

Happy hour every Tuesday to Friday from 4pm to 6pm!

Live Music every Friday & Saturday night 6pm-8pm

Top review

Eugene

Dined on 18 Apr 2025

Great location and atmosphere, excellent food, would definitely go again!

Explore Diners' Choice best of San Diego

Explore more Diners' Choice lists