Romantic Dining Restaurants

Amidst a sea of Italian restaurants, Asti Ristorante in San Diego’s Gaslamp District is one that should not be overlooked. Specializing in Northern Italian cuisine, Asti does not disappoint. Whether you stop in for lunch or for dinner, Asti’s extensive selection of hand-made pastas, fresh seafood or traditional chicken, beef or veal entrees are sure to please even the pickiest diners. The restaurant offers outdoor seating overlooking the Gaslamp’s bustling 5th Avenue, as well as indoor dining in the restaurant’s meticulously decorated dining room. Asti Ristorante is one of the few restaurants in downtown San Diego that can please both … Learn More »

Searching for an event venue that will transport you to a European Villa? Check out Darlington House tucked away in the heart of La Jolla. This combination French, Spanish, and Italian style villa hosts special events such as weddings, receptions, parties, and other private events. This beautiful venue provides catering and event planning services that will create a package directly tailored to your wants and needs. Darlington House possesses a certain old world elegance, grace, and romance that enhance any event occurring in the space. Learn More »

A hidden gem nestled inside the Coast Walk in La Jolla features authentic Italian cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Filippo Piccini. Homemade pasta, fresh ravioli delicious risotto and a unique selection of wines accompanied by amazing ocean views in a romantic, yet relaxed rustic dining room emphasized by a contemporary décor is just the beginning of your new Italian experience. Learn More »

Serving fresh seafood since 1973, the Brigantine Coronado is nestled in the heart of Coronado across from the Hotel Del. While it is one of six Brigantine Seafood restaurants in the San Diego, this particular island location offers a unique ambiance, with historical photographs of Coronado adorning the walls of the three dining rooms. In addition to the signature Grilled Marinated Swordfish, which made the Brigantine famous, the restaurant serves inspired seafood creations such as Pepita-Crusted Mahi Mahi, as well as treats from the land such as Blue Cheese-stuffed Top Sirloin with toasted hazelnuts. Also of note are the oyster … Learn More »

With its intimate, reserved, and romantic ambiance and soft floral palette décor, Primavera strives to provide each guest with a sense of being on vacation while dining. Situated between shops and cafes on Coronado’s Orange Avenue, Primavera brings a little bit of Italian culinary heaven to us right here in San Diego. The restaurant’s menu is loaded with color and flavor from appetizers to desserts. They also have nightly seafood specials along with an extensive menu of entrées and a great selection of pastas, salads, chicken, and meat. Primavera’s extensive wine list contains an assortment of choices suited to pair … Learn More »

Blue Point was the first seafood and oyster bar to open in the Gaslamp over a decade ago, and it remains one of the very best. The restaurant pays special attention to interpreting seafood classics in fresh ways that delight all the senses. Specialties extend to a selection of steak and chops, so that both the menu and interior call to mind an old fashioned supper club with nautical flair. A striking and impressively well-stocked antique bar completes the relaxed elegance that keeps Blue Point on the Gaslamp’s favored list. Learn More »

Café Sevilla delivers the warmth and culture of Southern Spain locally, with a casually elegant atmosphere and authentic cuisine. Café Sevilla offers traditional Spanish items like pitchers of sangria, a wide selection of tapas, and large paella platters which make it an excellent location for small groups. Theatrical Flamenco dinner shows are offered weekly and lively guitarists play Gypsy Rhumba and Latin music each night in the tapas bar. The restaurant has been a San Diego favorite for more than 20 years and a recent move has put their new location in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. The décor, … Learn More »

While it may be physically impossible to bring a Florentine trattoria to San Diego, Chef and Owner Martin Gonzalez has come remarkably close. Acqua Al 2 is the sister restaurant of the original Acqua Al 2, located on the Via della Vigna Vecchia in Florence. Using the same menu, recipes, and cooking techniques, Acqua Al 2 offers authentic Tuscan-style dining right in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp district. The charming ambiance hints of old world Italy, while the aromatic and flavorful dishes exude authenticity. Anyone considering an escape to Italy should first pay a visit to this local favorite. Learn More »

Beyond the heavy glass doors of De Medici lies a wonderland of delight and extravagance. Once inside, wrapped in the cozy embrace of one of the booths, guests are welcomed to linger over an amazing meal and absorb an evening of tantalizing experiences. Under the insistence of owner Salavatore Vitale, many of the signature dishes are still created table-side. The soft rosy glow and intimate ambiance of the dining room is punctuated by the bright flashes of flambéing Bananas Foster and Steak Diane. Specializing in both Northern and Southern Italian cuisine, Chef Ricardo Macias charms the palates of many with … Learn More »

Salvucci’s is more than just a name. It’s food, rooted in our culture and traditions. It’s recipes, passed down from generation to generation; each adding their own unique touch while still honoring the integrity of the original flavors. It’s community, where neighbors are family and bonds are built and strengthened around the kitchen table. Salvucci's Ristorante brings delicious, homemade meals, pairing traditional Italian recipes with locally-sourced ingredients. The menu includes daily homemade pastas, hand tossed wood-fired pizzas, fresh seasonal salads, and fresh baked breads. Learn More »

Roy’s, a Hawaiian fusion restaurant, is based on the technique using “new directions,” blending freely the European techniques with ingredients of Asia and the Pacific. The first Roy's Restaurant was opened in1988 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and its La Jolla location maintains the fine dining mantra with innovative and flavorful dishes. Using the freshest ingredients of any locale, Roy’s exemplifies the same sense of fun and freedom found in the original restaurants in Hawaii. At Roy’s, you can get a taste of paradise without having to fly across the Pacific. Learn More »

With its prime location, Azul La Jolla offers innovative California coastal cuisine with a magnificent view of the Pacific. Chef Orion Balliet offers fittingly elegant dishes, with a menu that changes daily, emphasizes fresh seafood and local ingredients, and incorporates culinary styles from Cajun to Japanese. Enchanting creations such as Lavender Mustard-Crusted Lamb Loin Medallions with cinnamon-honey carrot mash and hazelnut foam; and Oak-Roasted White Sea Bass with sambal polenta skillet cake, lime-cilantro jicama salad and roasted pepper marmalade demonstrate the range of culinary styles, traditions, and ingredients that Balliet employs. Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, Azul also … Learn More »

Since opening in 1998, Tapenade has established itself as a La Jolla institution. Diners frequent the sophisticated establishment for acclaimed chef Jean-Michel Diot’s Provençal-style French cooking. Diot, who comes to San Diego after a successful career in Paris and New York, offers a consistently award-winning menu, while Tapenade’s welcoming atmosphere and excellent service complement the cuisine. For an exceptional experience, Diot offers a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings, offered daily. Learn More »

In a contemporary, cozy, and calming atmosphere, Robata Ya Oton offers patrons traditional Japanese fare that some Japanese restaurants have strayed away from. Located in Kearny Mesa, Robata Ya Oton specializes in the art of “Robatayaki”: the original Japanese barbecue, cooked in front of customers and served direct, similar to the style of sushi. The chef sits in plain view of the customers and surrounds himself with selected ingredients he has on display for all. This offers a lively setting and one-on-one interaction with the chef to help him create the quintessential dish for each guest. Delve into traditional Yakimono … Learn More »