Best Date Night Restaurants in College Area

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

East CountySan Diego

Neighbourhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganBay ParkChula Vista / BonitaCoronadoDowntown / Gaslamp

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

191 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Alexander's on 30th restaurant

1. Alexander's on 30th

4.8

Exceptional(3140)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • North Park

Booked 73 times today

Neighborhood gem located in the heart of the Historic North Park District, adjoining Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Specializing in homestyle Italian with Gourmet Flair. Hand made Pastas, Award Winning Pizza and Voted Best of Restaurants by San Diego Magazine "Most Romantic". Listed as Top 25 Places to Eat in San Diego "Before You Die" by San Diego Union Tribune. Make memorable celebrations on our beautiful patio, the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Remember to try our diners favorites, The Theodore's Fix Pizza and Baked Vodka Bolognese.Look forward to serving you soon!

2. MOTHERSHIP

4.7

Exceptional(397)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • North Park

Booked 56 times today

Tropical space adventure in South Park! Exotic cocktails. Interplanetary fusion small plates. Named Best Bars In America by Esquire Magazine. Reservations offer 90-minute experience like no other, venturing towards the outer limits of the tropical flavor galaxy! WALK INS WELCOME - Walk-in tables are available daily. Early arrival is encouraged and there is a paging system in the event of a waitlist.

A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant

3. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(2683)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French / American • North Park

Booked 14 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.

4. Botanica

4.6

Exceptional(49)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • North Park

Booked 9 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.

5. Antica Trattoria

4.7

Exceptional(2423)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • La Mesa

Booked 15 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.

6. Wormwood

4.6

Exceptional(839)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 18 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 Aromi Italian Cuisine restaurant

7. Aromi Italian Cuisine

4.6

Exceptional(264)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Mesa

Booked 4 times today

Aromi Italian Cuisine is a great date night spot, as mentioned in the reviews. The ambiance is praised for its modern decor, reminiscent of a trendy restaurant in Rome, and the staff are described as knowledgeable and attentive. One reviewer even mentioned it as a 'perfect date nite spot' and another said 'our dates will always included this restaurant'. The food is also highly rated, with dishes bursting with flavors. So, if you're looking for an Italian authentic experience that won't break the bank, Aromi is the place to be!

8. Bleu Boheme

4.7

Exceptional(3603)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Kensington

Booked 18 times today

"World travel and its pleasures; items brought back from different places for décors; great stories shared with others; and very importantly, simple, yet delicious recipes from different cultures. Our mission is humble. It is simply for people coming to our restaurant to be transported around the world, and to travel with us for an evening, to a place of well-being and happiness."Bleu Bohème is designed to create a feeling of France's past generations. It mixes the Bohemian and artistic free spirited left bank of Paris with the roots and tradition of the rural areas. Bleu Bohème is a neighborhood restaurant that serves accessible, affordable and comforting French cuisine.

A photo of Louisiana Purchase SD restaurant

9. Louisiana Purchase SD

4.5

Awesome(747)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Creole / Cajun / Southern • North Park

Booked 37 times today

Conveniently set on Louisiana Street in North Park, our design of this intimate cocktail restaurant was inspired by the charm &; character of New Orleans, with creative touches of personal effects giving guests the feeling of warmth, community & fun Architect Jeff Svitak helped create a modern interpretation of a classic French Quarter restaurant, introducing elements of wood, marble &; rich velvet. Our lush patio seating flows seamlessly into our indoor dining space, a nod to the courtyards found across the beautiful southern city.Our rotating food menu will be dedicated to only the best seasonal ingredients, featuring big &; bold flavors from the region. Executive Chef Quinnton Austin recently relocated to San Diego from New Orleans, bringing with him an exciting wealth of knowledge &; experience in the culinary melting pot that defines southern cuisineAlligator Cheesecake, Andouille Fried Red Beans & Rice w/Chipotle Mousse, &

10. One Door North

4.5

Awesome(530)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • North Park

Booked 16 times today

At One Door North we host a New American Bar and Eatery that pays homage to the outdoors with the spirit of adventure, serving only fresh farm to table cuisine. Come enjoy the adventure with us, we look forward to serving you.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

F
Fauzia
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Employees very polite and really informational and helpful when it came to the menu and recommendations. Will come again
More info
Alexander's on 30thPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Park
•
4.8
J
Julie
San Diego •23 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Service is excellent and the food is very delicious! I had the gnocchi and hubby had the lamb chops! The focaccia is outstanding- you must order this!
More info
Cori Pastificio TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Park
•
4.8
S
Sara
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
I really appreciate the spaceship team. The appetizer we ordered was excellent, and the drinks were perfectly balanced, which I absolutely love. It was great to have just the right amount of alcohol. Keep up the good work! Will come back😌
More info
MOTHERSHIPPrice: Moderate• Tapas / Small Plates• North Park
•
4.7
C
Cindy
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
As usual, Botanica is an amazing experience. Staff, drinks, and food are all amazing!
More info
BotanicaPrice: Moderate• Cocktail Bar• North Park
•
4.6
C
CeliaVIP
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 18, 2025
Had a great experience at The Smoking Goat! The cozy ambiance and attentive service made for a pleasant evening. We started with the escargot, which was rich and flavorful, followed by the duck à l’orange, cooked perfectly with crispy skin and a tangy citrus sauce. The quality and taste were worth the price, and I’d definitely return!
More info
The Smoking Goat RestaurantPrice: Moderate• French / American• North Park
•
4.7

Explore OpenTable

Neighbourhood
Date night

College Area

Sorrento Valley
Shelter Island / San Diego Bay
Scripps Ranch
Old Town
Oceanside
Vista
Pacific Beach
University City/Golden Triangle
Coronado
Banker's Hill
North Park
Grantville
Point Loma
Harbor Island
National City
Escondido
San Marcos
Mira Mesa
Barrio Logan
Encinitas