San Diego offers plenty of beautiful spots for romantic outings, but sometimes all you need for a memorable Valentine’s Day is some good food. And you’re in luck—there’s no shortage of San Diego restaurants offering up everything from comforting fare in a cozy atmosphere to intimate candlelit dinners and upscale dining experiences. Here are 25 restaurants around the county that will set the stage for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day meal with that special someone.
Pali Wine Co.
February 13-15, this Little Italy establishment will offer Valentine’s Day wine flights and pairings, featuring Pali’s own Santa Rita Hills–sourced wines, especially the holiday-inspired blush and sparkling wines. Pair the flight with a choice of fresh local oysters, curated cheese or chocolate-covered strawberries. Round out the meal with bites from Pali’s kitchen, like bluefin tartare and persimmon caprese. The wine bar and restaurant will feature live music from local jazz musician Matt Hall starting at 6 p.m.
Price: $50 per person
Hours: 2 p.m.-12 a.m.
Address: 2130 India St, Little Italy
Reservations: OpenTable
Sea & Sky
With a stunning view of the La Jolla coastline, you and your loved one can indulge in a curated four-course prix fixe menu for $95 per person. The restaurant’s newly appointed executive chef created the menu using locally sourced ingredients to represent land and sea—crudites with ramp ranch and caviar, beef short rib wellington, and local halibut. Round out the meal with a sommelier wine pairing for an additional $50.
Price: $95 per person
Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 7955 La Jolla Shores Dr, La Jolla
Reservations: OpenTable
Brickman’s Restaurant & Bar
The San Marcos resort’s main dining outpost is dishing up a three-course prix fixe menu, featuring dishes like smoked salmon carpaccio, pea risotto, seabass with saffron cream sauce, short rib with creamy polenta, and a decadent chef’s choice dessert. The $75-per-person meal is complemented by scenic lakeside views. Extend the night with a stay at the resort by booking one of three Valentine’s Day getaway packages.
Price: $75 per person
Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 1750 San Pablo Dr, San Marcos
Reservations: OpenTable
Rumorosa
Surrounding by Harbor Island’s marina setting, experience a Cali-Baja-inspired three-course menu crafted by local chef Cesar Oceguera. Before the meal, enjoy the inventive “edible sangria” amuse bouche served alongside an edible candle bread service. The menu features selections such as roasted beet tostada, lobster torreja and red velvet heart dessert.
Price: $99 per person
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Address: 1380 Harbor Island Dr, Point Loma
Reservations: OpenTable
Island Prime
At San Diego’s only waterfront steakhouse, you’ll overlook the San Diego skyline and Coronado from Harbor Island as you enjoy a special “lovers-themed” three-course menu. Choose from seafood and steak options, then finish with a shared dessert as you cozy up to your valentine.
Price: $100 per person
Hours: 4:00 p.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 880 Harbor Island Dr, Point Loma
Reservations: OpenTable
California English
Celebrity chef Richard Blais delivers a specially curated menu for the holiday at his Sorrento Valley restaurant, which provides a laid-back California vibe in a cozy pub atmosphere. Guests will enjoy dishes such as Kusshi oysters, lobster bisque, filet with lobster tail, or truffle chicken pie, and you can enhance your meal with optional lobster or caviar add-ons. Follow up the main course with a sticky toffee and date cake, or a classic chocolate sundae.
Price: A la carte
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 9276 Scranton Rd, Sorrento Valley
Reservations: OpenTable
Rancho Valencia’s the Pony Room
If candlelit dinners and upscale dining are more your speed, then treat your special someone to the coastal ranch cuisine of The Pony Room inside of Rancho Santa Fe’s Rancho Valencia. This year, the restaurant is offering a $195-per-person three-course candlelit dinner for two, featuring dishes like black truffle risotto, chateaubriand, Maine lobster tail and baked Alaska. For an extra touch of luxury, opt for the oyster or caviar accompaniments. Make the celebration last all weekend with a stay at the hotel, a Champagne welcome and breakfast in bed.
Price: $195 per person
Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 5921 Valencia Cir, Rancho Santa Fe
Reservations: Call (858) 759-6246 to reserve
Vintana Wine + Dine
On the penthouse level of the Escondido Lexus dealership (it’s nicer than it sounds), you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows and a memorable dining experience. On Valentine’s Day, enjoy a specially curated three-course menu with menu options such as seafood salad, bucatini lamb sugo, filet mignon and red velvet trifle. Add on a wine pairing for $35, or imbibe signature vodka cocktails from the restaurant’s 125 vodka selections.
Price: $75 per person
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 1205 Auto Park Way, Escondido
Reservations: OpenTable
Garibaldi
Celebrate amore at the Italian-inspired restaurant on the third floor of the InterContinental San Diego, offering a special three-course menu on Valentine’s Day. Enjoy sustainable seafood dishes, including fresh oysters, hand-folded dumplings, spicy tuna tartare and EVOO poached halibut with squid ink risotto, before finishing with a playful cannoli dessert, all while staying cozy on the terrace with blankets, heaters, and breathtaking bay views.
Price: $82 per person
Hours: 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 901 Bayfront Ct Suite 1, Downtown
Reservations: Resy
The Prado at Balboa Park
Nestled in the heart of Balboa Park, you and your special someone can take in the Spanish Colonial architecture while enjoying the special three-course preset menu and a sparkling wine toast. Be seated inside surrounded by vibrant tile work and rich wood accents, or overlook the lush gardens on the heated outdoor terrace.
Price: $80 per person
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Address: 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park
Reservations: OpenTable
Kingfisher Cocktail Bar and Eatery
At this Golden Hill gem, which combines authentic Vietnamese French influence food with a California vibe, you can experience a four-course prix-fixe dinner at the intimate 23-stool oval bar. For $150 per person, menu options will feature ahi spring rolls, diver scallop, and ribeye served with a truffle vinaigrette, lap cheong and grated comte. Finish the meal with pavlova served with California olive oil ice cream. Add on a wine pairing for $65.
Price: $150 per person with optional wine pairing for additional $65
Hours: 4 p.m.-11 p.m.
Address: 2469 Broadway, Golden Hill
Reservations: Tock
Temaki Bar
The popular Encinitas sushi bar, known for using only sustainable seafood and locally sourced seasonal ingredients, will offer a “Cupid’s Catch” special on Valentine’s Day—an eight-piece nigiri shared platter for two, priced at $65, features premium ingredients like bluefin tuna, Hokkaido scallop and surf-and-turf beef tataki with king crab and truffle butter. You can also head to the PCH on Feb. 13 for a Galentine’s two-for-one drink special, which applies to house sake, wine and beer on tap.
Price: $65 per platter
Hours: 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Address: 575 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
Reservations: Temaki Website
Black Radish
This raved-about tiny bistro in North Park will give you a cozy, intimate atmosphere for a meal that mixes locally sourced California cuisine with French technique. Enjoy the special Valentine’s Day five-course prix fixe menu, using fresh seasonal ingredients, for $152 per person, and add a wine pairing for $68.
Price: $152 per person
Hours: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 2591 University Ave, North Park
Reservations: Tock
Café Sevilla
Immerse yourself in a celebration of Latin music and Spanish cuisine at this Gaslamp restaurant and tapas bar. The four-course prix fixe menu, priced at $75 per person and accompanied by live Latin music, features Spanish charcuterie, lobster cake and pan-seared duck. Or enjoy a special Valentine’s Day flamenco dinner show that includes a three-course Spanish lobster paella dinner, priced at $119 per person.
Price: Dinner – $75 per person | Valentine’s Dinner & Show – $119
Hours: 4:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Address: 353 Fifth Ave, Gaslamp Quarter
Reservations: Call (619) 233-5979 for dinner reservations | Eventbrite for Valentine’s Day Dinner & Show
Puesto
Invite your loved one or Galentines for a festive Mexican feast at one of Puesto’s three San Diego locations (downtown, Mission Valley or La Jolla). Try the short rib quesabirria or baja fish tacos, served with vibrant red tortillas, dyed with vegetable juice in honor of the holiday. Pair your meal with craft cocktails like the serrano margarita or a “pineapple pickleback” shooter, then finish the meal with an indulgent dessert like fresas con crema—meringue, mascarpone, fresh strawberry and caramelized pistachios.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 789 W Harbor Dr Unit 155, Downtown | 5010 Mission Center Rd, Mission Valley | 1026 Wall St, La Jolla
Reservations: OpenTable Downtown | OpenTable Mission Valley | OpenTable La Jolla
Pomegranate
This cozy North Park restaurant is where you go for Russian-Georgian grub in San Diego—bring your loved one for a homey, candlelit dining experience and try traditional dishes like beef stroganoff, khinkali, adjaruli khachapuri or a variety of salads, dumplings and stews.
Price: A la carte
Hours: 5:00 p.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 2312 El Cajon Blvd, North Park
Reservations: Call (619) 298-4007 to reserve
Bob’s Steak & Chop House
If your ideal Valentine’s Day meal is a cut of fine corn-fed, Midwestern prime beef or local line-caught seafood, head to La Costa for this award-winning restaurant’s classic steakhouse meals. You can connect over a glass of wine with your loved one while you enjoy a “Romeo & Juliet” five-course prix fixe menu for two, priced at $300 per couple.
Price: $300 per couple
Hours: 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Address: 2100 Costa Del Mar Rd, Carlsbad
Reservations: OpenTable
Adelaide at L’Auberge Del Mar
Inside the luxury resort L’Auberge in the heart of Del Mar, you can enjoy a four-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day dinner alongside Pacific Ocean views. The menu features dishes such as smoked salmon carpaccio and caviar, butter poached lobster penang soup and Wagyu Manhattan cut, priced at $125 per person. Upgrade your meal with a sommelier-selected wine pairing experience for $55 per person.
Price: $125 per person
Hours: 5:00 p.m.-9:45 p.m.
Address: 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
Reservations: OpenTable
Casa Guadalajara
Ignite the “Latin lover” inside you by treating your special someone to a Valentine’s Day meal at this Old Town restaurant. Not only will you get a taste of Old Mexico with the lively ambiance and strolling mariachis, but you’ll also enjoy a four-course meal for two that features selections such as guacamole, sizzling fajitas and traditional caramel flan.
Price: $50 per couple
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 4105 Taylor St, Old Town
Ali Baba Mediterranean Cuisine
Indulge in authentic Mediterranean cuisine at this family-owned establishment in Escondido. The casual Ali Baba serves up generous portions of Middle Eastern dishes like baba ghanoush, labneh, shawarma, kofta kabobs and lentil soup.
Price: A la carte
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 421 E Main St, El Cajon
Reservations: Ali Baba Website
Paradisaea
Experience a four-course dining experience at the Michelin-recognized Paradisaea in La Jolla. Housed inside the historic Piano Building in Bird Rock, Paradisaea offers not only stunning décor but a memorable meal featuring options such as Japanese yellow tail crudo, lemon and Parmesan risotto, and grilled black cod.
Price: $140 per person
Hours: 4:00 p.m.-10 p.m.
Address: 5680 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla
Reservations: OpenTable
Oceana Coastal Kitchen at The Catamaran
Toast complimentary champagne before your three-course prix fixe menu as you enjoy views of Mission Bay. The Pacific Beach in-hotel restaurant offers champagne cocktails alongside dishes such as kingfish crudo, petite filet mignon and butter-poached prawns served with a truffled potato croquette.
Price: $99 per person
Hours: 7:00 a.m.-11 p.m.
Address: 3999 Mission Blvd, Mission Beach
Reservations: OpenTable
Solare Ristorante
This family-owned Italian bar and lounge in Liberty Station has become a San Diego icon since it opened as the sole restaurant in the historic NTC Promenade. Enjoy a special four-course Valentine’s Day dinner and a rose for each couple.
Price: $87 per person
Hours: 12 p.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 2820 Roosevelt Rd, Point Loma
Reservations: OpenTable or Call (619) 270-9670
Volare
This family-owned Point Loma restaurant offers classic home-cooked Italian favorites at affordable prices in a relaxed atmosphere. The cozy, unassuming little spot, which has a loyal local following, serves up classics like lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, ravioli, seafood pasta, meatballs and pizza.
Price: A la carte
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 3528 Barnett Ave, Point Loma
El Patio
Family-owned and run for more than seven decades, this popular Chula Vista restaurant serves up from-scratch Mexican recipes every day. Bring your valentine for a laid-back meal of enchiladas, fajitas and signature margaritas.
Price: A la carte
Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 410 Broadway, Chula Vista
