Did you know?! There are enough restaurant seats in the city of San Francisco, to feed every single resident at once..
If you’re anything like me, you spend way too much time deciding where to head to dinner every weekend. Between the amount of choices, neighborhoods, and food type’s San Francisco has to offer, I thought I’d make life a bit easier by compiling a list of my go-to date night spots by neighborhood. Of course this list doesn’t include every single neighborhood in the city, since that would be, well, intimidating. But, it does slightly touch on some of my all-time favorite restaurants in this city I call home.
Marina District/Cow Hollow
Eats
Rose’s Cafe – Great for easy weeknights, especially on warm nights, since their outside seating is one of my favorite’s in the city
Gamine – Cozy romantic french food
Tacolicious – My go-to weekend spot. The perfect place for a pre-party dinner or casual night out (and 5 baskets of chips)
Capannina’s – One of the best Italian places in the city, perfect for a parents visit or date night
Ristorante Parma – Fair prices for fantastic Italian food
Sessions at The Presidio – A new favorite go-to, their burger is to-die-for!
Delarosa – I love sitting at the bar, sipping a craft cocktail, and enjoying their incredible pizza
Belga – Our go-to spot. They have a super diverse and easy menu filled with Belgian specialties, cheese’s, flatbreads, and fresh fish
Brazen Head – No sign outside and cash only! Brazen Head is where old San Francisco meets new. Come for a special meal and order a perfectly cooked steak paired with french onion soup
Drinks
West Coast Wine & Cheese – Fancy wine & cheese
Cultivar – Hot & new cozy wine bar
California Wine Merchant – Perfect for the early evening, pre-dinner glass
Nectar Wine Lounge – Owner owned & operated, with great wine flight choices, and bites
Balboa Cafe – Grab a glass of Whispering Angel here!
Tipsy Pig – Famous for their fruity “pink drink” we love sipping these on their sunny patio
Joes Jeans / Similar BCBGMAXAZRIA Jacket / J.Crew Bodysuit / Sam Edelman Heels
Hayes Valley
Eats
Chez Maman – One of my favorite restaurants in the city, so many choices and delicious food! For SF standards, the prices are cheap
Papito Hayes – Fun Mexican, my boyfriend and I went on our first date here 🙂
Absinthe Brasserie & Bar – I like coming here for light bites and fabulous cheese plates
Drinks
Fig & Thistle – Adorable little wine bar. They even have seats made out of a bunk bed, worth the stop!
Smuggler’s Cove – Island themed cocktails in the middle of SF
Brass Tacks – A great first date spot, I love their greyhound
The Riddler – Champagne bar of my dreams! Try the complementary truffle popcorn, or their house wine (which they fill to the tip top, perfect after a tough day 😉 )
Russian Hill/Nob Hill
Eats
Amarena – Another great Italian place. I’ve never had a bad meal here!
Nob Hill Cafe – My Dads must-go restaurant when he visits. This place is a true neighborhood hidden gem, with huge bowls of pasta and great prices. I could live off their pesto tortellini..
Okoze – Freshest sushi in the city. They greet most people by name, so you’ll immediately know its a true neighborhood favorite
Drinks
Union Larder – Gorgeous wine bar, right near Amarena
Amelie – A wine bar with great happy hour and detailed cheese plates
Inner/Outer Richmond
Eats
Pizzetta 211 – A serious hidden gem, if you aren’t looking for it you’ll miss it – only 3 tables and 4 bar seats, with seasonal pizzas and cheese plates
Violet’s: Fairly new, but very well-known already. You’ll find fresh seafood and great burgers on the menu, and even the impossible burger! They also have an impressive cocktail list and a heavy wine pour..
Pearl 6101: Cute neighborhood corner eatery that’s hot & new. Run by all women chef’s, with an ever changing menu
Drinks
Corks – Owner operated, a great place for the perfect glass of Italian wine and good conversation
High Treason – Classy wine bar on Clement Street, there’s no sign, so look carefully!
Nopa
Eats
Ragazza – An intimate and hip Italian restaurant with delicious, fresh pizza’s
Che Fico – Hot and new! They cover their pizza crust in cheese, and the decor is fabulous
Nopa – An institution! Reservations are a must, but the beautiful bar is first come first served. I live for the burger here..
Drinks
Barvalle – Killer cocktails, fresh decor and yummy tapa’s
Paige Bar – It feel’s like this is one of the only dive bars left in the city. Find a cozy corner and enjoy your cheaper than usual beer 😉
Wine Kitchen – Our go-to stop when we’re in the neighborhood. They have an impressive wine list and salty pre-dinner snacks
North Beach/FiDi
Eats
Hillstones – Although a chain, you’d never know it. We love their fresh American food here, but the real plus is that they don’t charge a corkage fee on your first bottle!
Cotogna – Upscale Italian made in their wood fire oven
Boulettes Larder – Pizza looking over the San Francisco Bay
Drinks
The Hidden Vine – Cozy, hopping wine bar, perfect for weeknights
Maritime Wine Tasting Studio – Fun place to grab a glass or buy a bottle
Mission District/Castro
Eats
Starbelly – Buzzing patio with great pizza and other American food favorites
Zuni – Perfect for a special night with your date. The roast chicken for two and the tower of fries is a must-order
Prairie – Recently took over the popular Hog & Rocks space. You’ll find seasonal pastas, fresh bread, and delicious plates to share. Started by the well-known chef of Delfina (also a great spot!)
Hawker Fare – Fun vibe with delicious Thai and Lao food
Drinks
Southern Pacific – Some may disagree that this is a date night spot, but I think it’s perfect for a casual second date, or fun beer stop with your SO
20 Spot – Trendy whole-in-the-wall wine bar with fun decor
The Beehive – Fancy cocktails
Great stuff Lexi! I love to order “the Joan” at the Riddler as well 🤣