San Francisco Date Night Guide by Neighborhood

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 favorites 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, cheeses, 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 

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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 Dad’s 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 chefs, 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 pizzas

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 tapas

Paige Bar – It feels 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