The Bay Area offers plenty of opportunities for romance and intimacy. There are breathtaking sights, elegant accommodations, topnotch food and wine, and an overall mood that welcomes lovers and dreamers of all stripes. Quite simply, there are plenty of great things to do in the Bay Area for couples.
If you have a birthday or anniversary coming up, or if you just want to treat your loved one to a delicious and romantic dinner, San Francisco has an abundance of restaurants that will make you fall in love all over again.
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Nightbird
330 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA
Known as an elegant hotspot, Nightbird offers an exceptional Californian tasting menu served in an upscale bistro setting. The venue comes with a cocktail lounge at the back where you can sip martinis and enjoy each other’s company as the night deepens. Order the beef tartare or Hokkaido scallops to truly impress your date.
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Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA
Is it a restaurant or a movie house? The distinction matters little to Foreign Cinema, where diners get to savor a delectable Californian-Mediterranean fare while screening a preselected film in an outdoor space. Choose from a collection of over 2,000 wines to complement your meal, as you marvel at the exquisite interior design composed of marble, stone, and bare lumber. The venue shows classic and contemporary movies every night, making it one of the fun things to do in San Francisco.
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Zuni Café
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA
If you and your special someone feel more at home amid a bustling crowd, the busy Zuni Café may be more to your liking. Open from morning till well into the night, Zuni serves up bestsellers like their very own version of the Caesar salad and their roasted chicken for two, charcoal-grilled to perfection at their onsite brick oven. Lest you think that a busy bistro is not what a romantic dinner is made of, the restaurant is housed in a charming building with glass windows that provide a magical view of the surrounding low-lit streets.
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Cotogna
90 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA
There’s something about Italy that inspires romance, and Cotogna’s Italian vibe will make you say, “that’s amore,” before the night is over. Offering everything you could ever ask for, from a late-night eatery, the interior marries the traditional industrial appeal of steel beams with the homey charm of brick walls. This eclectic motif is complemented by an equally rustic but refined menu that includes ever-changing entrees of pizzas, handmade pasta, roasted meats, and grilled fish.
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Trestle
531 Jackson Street, San Francisco, CA
A romantic dinner doesn’t come with a price tag – whether it dents your credit card in a major way, or costs you just $39 for three mouthwatering courses. A restaurant like Trestle will serve you the latter“with the comfort and whimsy found at a family gathering.” If you like dining in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, this is your place. The menu changes to reflect the seasons, but the smart craft beer and wine list are a staple. For an additional $10, you get to enjoy an add-on pasta course that will make your meal even more satisfying.
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Petit Marlowe
234 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA
If you want a slice of French sophistication, then the Parisian-inspired Petit Marlowe is your destination. With its tucked-away location, the bistro feels like a hidden gem worth keeping between you and your partner. The place is known for its savory oysters and elegant wine choices as well as its authentic Parisian décor. Shellfish platters pressed sandwiches, and ribs are also on the menu.
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Californios 3115
22nd Street, San Francisco, CA
This fine-dining Mexican restaurant not only serves an inventive menu but also some of the tastiest cuisines around. The food here is consistently delicious that Michelin Guide saw it fit to award the establishment two stars – the first and only Mexican restaurant to receive the prestige. The dishes revolve around the reimagining of familiar flavors: an empanada that tastes like it was infused with lime and pumpkin, a chicharron topped by thin slices of Wagyu, as well as seasonings like habanero aioli. Hands down, one of the must-go places to visit in the Bay Area, Californios also has the décor to match the exquisite liveliness of the food.
If you’re looking for the best romantic restaurants in the Bay Area, then try out any one of the suggestions Aside from delivering the best food in San Francisco, they have the atmosphere that makes moments feel more intimate.
And if you’re looking for a place to move to, consider the Bay Area as your next home. Don’t hesitate to contact Nina Hatvany and the rest of Team Hatvany for the best possible options and the most rewarding San Francisco home buying experience. Get in touch with Team Hatvany, the #1 real estate team in San Francisco in 2017 and 2018. Call 415.710.6462 or email nina(at)ninahatvany(dotted)com today!