Best Romantic Restaurants in College Area

151 restaurants available nearby

1. Botanica

4.6

Exceptional(25)

Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • North Park

Booked 17 times today

Botanica is a craft cocktail bar offering an exquisite selection of unique cocktails inspired by classic paintings. Our sexy and inviting space is perfect for enjoying artfully crafted drinks paired with delectable small bites. Step into our lounge and experience a fusion of artistic elegance and sophisticated flavors.

2. Casa Gabriela

4.6

Exceptional(734)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Mesa

Booked 52 times today

Chef Gabriela Lopez brings her elevated Mexican cuisine to Downtown La Mesa. Using her grandmother's recipes from Guadalajara crossed with her cosmopolitan upbringing in Tijuana, Chef Gabriela's menu features authentic hand-crafted dishes and imaginative takes on classic dishes. All of Baja California is represented along with influences from other regions in Mexico.The spacious outdoor garden, cozy loft, and private dining areas are the perfect places to enjoy tequila and mezcal based cocktails, family celebrations, or brunch with friends.

3. Wormwood

4.7

Exceptional(786)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 27 times today

Wormwood invites you to explore a bygone era when poets, writers, and painters found inspiration in the Green Fairy. Discover fine Absinthes as we share stories of its golden age and guide your palate on a unique journey.Our restaurant blends French elegance with bohemian charm, creating a cozy haven for food lovers. Each dish, from wagyu tartare to fresh oysters, celebrates local flavors and craftsmanship. Experience curated tastes of our coastal region with passion and finesse.We offer French wines and unique cocktails with a twist on classics. Every meal and drink promises adventure and cherished memories. Discover the fusion of past and present where dining is an unparalleled experience.Enjoy our three dining areas: a cozy indoor space with an open kitchen, an enchanting patio for serene outdoor dining, and the Secret Garden, a speakeasy bar with a unique cocktail menu and Green Hour. We also host private events, from dinners to weddings, ensuring every occasion is memorable.

A photo of Cori Pastificio Trattoria restaurant

4. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

4.7

Exceptional(609)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Park

Booked 36 times today

Acclaimed Sicilian Chef Accursio Lota serves up authentic cuisine in a cozy 60's-style Italian trattoria. Voted San Diego's Best Chef five years in a row, and Barilla’s World Pasta Champion, at Cori Trattoria Chef Lota serves up beautifully bold dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas and Beef Bone Marrow, and an unbelievably rich Vegan Parmigiana di Melanzane. The menu melds the flavors of Sicily and Italy with the best of fresh, locally-sourced Southern California ingredients, and is matched by a curated wine list and cocktail program that include indigenous, bio-dynamic varietals from all Italy. The current Spring menu features dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas, fava bean, and beef bone marrow, and Cacio e Pepe with sustainably-sourced Petrovich caviar.Enjoy full-service table seating, grab a place at the marble-topped bar, from which you can watch all the action of your meal being prepared in the open kitchen or just order your meal to enjoy at home with your family.

A photo of Trattoria Da Sofia restaurant

5. Trattoria Da Sofia

4.6

Exceptional(165)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Kensington

Booked 32 times today

Trattoria da Sofia is a brand new Italian restaurant located in the charming Kensington neighborhood of San Diego. Trattoria da Sofia features delicious, comforting Italian dishes paired with warm Italian hospitality. By day, the Trattoria is your new favorite coffee shop and cafe.

A photo of Brigantine La Mesa restaurant

6. Brigantine La Mesa

4.8

Exceptional(4148)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • La Mesa

Booked 43 times today

A San Diego tradition since 1969, the Brigantine has received many accolades in our 40+ year history: "BEST SEAFOOD", "BEST CASUAL SEAFOOD", "BEST HAPPY HOUR", and even "BEST SWORDFISH IN THE WORLD", according to USA Today - just to name a few.Well-known for our signature Clam Chowder, Grilled Swordfish, and Crème Brûlée, the Brigantine is a favorite among locals for consistently fresh seafood, succulent steaks and grilled meats. With an updated nautical decor, the busy Oyster bar is hands-down the local favorite. Lush flowering foliage outdoors creates an elegant dining experience on one of two charming patios.The La Mesa Brigantine serves dinner 7 nights a week, lunch Monday-Saturday, and brunch every Sunday.Join us for our signature Happy Hour.

A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant

7. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(2630)

Price: Moderate

• French American • North Park

Booked 22 times today

The Smoking Goat is an award-winning California-French bistro located in the heart of North Park, San Diego. We have received the Gold Medallion for the best French Bistro in San Diego three years running. Inspired by his European Farm-to-Table up-bringing and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Executive Chef and Owner Fred Piehl, marries classic French cuisine with the bounty of San Diego in a way that is rustic, yet refined, imaginative, yet unpretentious. The dinners served feature in-season local, sustainable and organic ingredients and provide guests with a unique culinary experience, reminiscent of the European countryside. Boasting a carefully selected wine and beer list and chef and bartender attention to select spirits to create craft house cocktails, The Smoking Goat assures there is always the correct pairing available.

8. Siamo Napoli

4.6

Exceptional(1295)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Park

Booked 46 times today

Specializing in Napolitano style pizza and pasta. We focus on clean fresh ingredients that thrive in our home land and make simple foods the star. We have a full bar with hand crafted drinks and a range of wines from Napoli and beyond.

A photo of Et Voilà! French Bistro - San Diego restaurant

9. Et Voilà! French Bistro - San Diego

4.8

Exceptional(2507)

Price: Moderate

• French • North Park

Booked 38 times today

Et Voilà! is a vibrant neighborhood bistro, located along the North Park corridor. Et Voilà! French Bistro showcases Chef Vincent Viale’s talents, mixing French classics with a modern accent. Find local and seasonal products building upon French recipes from various regions, such as Steak Frites, Coquilles St. Jacques, and soufflés. Explore the diverse regions of France through a curated wine list, and taste a variety of distinct local ingredients with our crafted cocktails. Et Voila! French Bistro is the destination for those looking for a vibrant dining experience, or even for those looking for a simple glass of wine and informal bite at the bar. No reservations accepted for happy hour Please be on time to your reservation. Note that your allocated time slot starts at the time of your reservation and NOT when your party is complete. (1.30 hours for 2, 1.45pm for 3/4 people) We likely will not be able to extend your time if you are running late . Thank you for

10. Antica Trattoria

4.8

Exceptional(2377)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • La Mesa

Booked 28 times today

Antica Trattoria is a warm restaurant with an old-fashioned sense of hospitality that quickly became a gathering place for dinners in Lake Murray and the rest of San Diego when it opened in 2001. For Executive Chef and Owner Francesco Basile, good cuisine is about honest flavors, fresh ingredients, and simplicity. That's the kind of food he grew up eating by the seaside in Sicily and it's what he learned in culinary school in Italy.Why eat ordinary when you can eat extraordinary?About reservations: We have a 15-minute grace period. Please call us if you will be running later than 15 minutes. If a later time slot is available, you may be able to switch your reservation.We may contact you, so please ensure your email and phone number are up to date. Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 30 minutes for parties of up to 4 guests; 2 hours for parties of 5 to 8 guests; and 2 hours 30 minutes for parties of 9+. We cannot guarantee special request for tables.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Marypat
Nebraska •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Exceptional food and service. The garden patio is a delightful space and our server, and all support staff, were so warm, knowledgeable and professional. This was a first visit, but certainly not the last!!
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WormwoodPrice: Very Expensive• French• North Park
•
4.7
B
Brenda
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Amazing, as usual. This was my 2nd speciality dinner at Cori Pastificio. Acursio and staff always excel at service, food, creativity. From the cocktail to the plates and the wine pairings--excellent, and we learned about the creativity of local chefs using local seafood and local people to present beautiful and delicious food.
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Cori Pastificio TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Park
•
4.7
J
Julie
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great food! We got Chicken Tinga Tacos and Sirloin enchiladas. My $5 Margarita was beautifully presented. There being a slight chill in the air, I was given a cozy, bright red throw to put over my legs. A delightful and tasty experience.
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Casa GabrielaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• La Mesa
•
4.6
M
Matt
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The staff are friendly and attentive, the food is of exceptional quality, and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Having tried the Ossobuco, Ravioli di Pesce, Pasta Pistacchiosa, and Arancini, I recommend them all.
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Trattoria Da SofiaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Kensington
•
4.6
G
Geenavip
Calgary / Southern Alberta •13 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 14, 2024
Loved our evening here-absolutely fantastic cocktails and great vibes. Highly recommend
More info
BotanicaPrice: Moderate• Cocktail Bar• North Park
•
4.6

Best Romantic Restaurants in College Area

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Award-winning

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151 restaurants available nearby

1. Botanica

2. Casa Gabriela

3. Wormwood

4. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

5. Trattoria Da Sofia

6. Brigantine La Mesa

7. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

8. Siamo Napoli

9. Et Voilà! French Bistro - San Diego

10. Antica Trattoria

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