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Best Romantic Restaurants in San Mateo

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65 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Pausa Bar & Cookery restaurant
1. Pausa Bar & Cookery
4.7
Exceptional(1836)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • San Mateo
Booked 50 times today
Pausa Bar & Cookery is a romantic spot, often described as perfect for date nights. With its modern Italian cuisine, patrons rave about the high-quality food and attentive service. The ambiance is often praised as sophisticated and trendy, creating an intimate and memorable dining experience. One reviewer even mentioned the restaurant printed 'Happy Anniversary' on their menu, adding a sweet touch to their special occasion.
A photo of Rise Woodfire - San Mateo restaurant
2. Rise Woodfire - San Mateo
4.5
Awesome(629)
Price: Moderate
• American • San Mateo
Booked 19 times today
Proudly local and family-owned, we serve elevated comfort food including wood-fired pizza and rotisserie fare in the heart of Downtown San Mateo (located inside a historical train station!). Try local favorites like our signature pizzas, prime ribs and roast chickens, as well as many vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes to choose from. Our indoor and outdoor dining are open, so come experience our grand main dining room or dine outside in our state-of-the-art heated covered patio -- kids love watching the trains go by! Takeout service for pickup and delivery are available - Order online through our website www.risewoodfire.com.For table reservations of 13 or more, please contact us directly at info@risewoodfire.com
A photo of Porterhouse restaurant
3. Porterhouse
4.7
Exceptional(1674)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • San Mateo
Booked 19 times today
The renowned art of dry aging finally arrives in San Mateo, as our new dry aging window is now completed. We are proud to be the only restaurant on the Peninsula (In between San Francisco & San Jose) to have an in-house dry aging facility. Our new menu featuring these marvelous cuts of beef is now available.To accompany your steak, our Wine List celebrates the acclaimed wines of Napa Valley, Willamette Valley, France and Italy. In addition to our steak and chop offerings, our Chef provides for a daily selection of fresh fish and seafood.Whether you are having a romantic dinner, entertaining some friends and family, having a business meeting, or hosting a private party, we will provide you with the ideal setting for your next outing.*Please note that we have re-located 2 blocks away to 164 S B Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
A photo of Central Park Bistro restaurant
4. Central Park Bistro
4.8
Exceptional(1695)
Price: Expensive
• American • San Mateo
Booked 18 times today
Central Park Bistro is the perfect romantic spot, as reviewers highlight its 'lovely ambience', 'quiet enough for great conversation', and 'beautiful ambience'. Its 'fantastic food' and 'personalized service' make it a top choice for special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays. The 'homey atmosphere' and 'fantastic Valentine's dinner' are also mentioned, making it clear that this is the place to go for a romantic evening.
A photo of Izakaya Ginji restaurant
5. Izakaya Ginji
4.7
Exceptional(235)
Price: Expensive
• Japanese • San Mateo
Booked 3 times today
Izakaya Ginji, located in downtown San Mateo, is a Japanese gastropub specializing in Yakitori and tapas style dishes. Izakaya Ginji also has a vast selection of rare Sake and unique Beers. For Japanese spirits, the restaurant also offers a variety of Shochu.We have 10minutes grace period. Please call us if you are running later than 10 minutes after your reservation time.Due to limited seating, dining is limited to 2hours until further notice.Please be sure to include your children or your service animal as a head count for accurate reservation!Also, we are now taking reservations for our INDOOR TABLE ONLY. ***We will NOT accommodate any requests for outdoor patio seating. Reservations are strictly for INDOOR ONLY*** We will be NOT allowing any outside food and drinks. We look forward to providing you with an authentic Japanese dining experience .
A photo of The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar restaurant
6. The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar
4.7
Exceptional(369)
Price: Moderate
• French / American • San Mateo
Booked 13 times today
The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar welcomes everyone with selective wines selection and many pairings superbly with a wide variety of cuisine. With selective cheeses and charcutiers, hundreds of different wines, seafood,and meats.The Barrel Bistro&Wine Bar attracts colleagues for a drink after work, business dinners, a quick bite or drink before a show, late night revelers, families for Sunday brunch and more.
A photo of Amour Amour Wine Bar & Tapas restaurant
7. Amour Amour Wine Bar & Tapas
4.5
Awesome(115)
Price: Moderate
• Tapas / Small Plates • San Mateo
Booked 4 times today
Amour Amour celebrates 10 years anniversary with the relaxed lifestyle, where small plates, good drinks and a cozy and tranquil atmosphere are all part of the experience. Guests can start with the sachet de prosciutto wrapped with goat cheese, fig jam, almonds and herbes de Provence for an introduction to Amour Amour’s culinary French and Spanish style. Popular hot tapas options include the Spanish seafood paella and Spanish meatballs in a sauce consisting of tomato, nutmeg and paprika, The roasted patatas bravas with spicy tomato aioli is another favorite. Amour Amour’s cold tapas plates, such as the Oregano octopus, capers , or the burrata capresse , are flavorful and refreshing ,squid ink paella . For a sweet bite, enjoy the tropical coconut panna cotta with mango puree. Be sure to wash your meal down with a house-made sangria. Bon appetit !!!Family owned and operated !
A photo of Vespucci Ristorante Italiano restaurant
8. Vespucci Ristorante Italiano
4.8
Exceptional(851)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • San Mateo
Booked 2 times today
Please consider:*Kitchen closes at 8:30pm, we place last order at 8:15pm and we don’t accept any reservation after 8:00pm*Being a small restaurant, it is crucial for us to know in advance if the number of guests in your party changes, or you want to change the time, or you are planning to not come at all. Please avoid to just not show up, but kindly call to inform us, it will be much appreciated. If we don’t hear from you, we will re-assign the table after 15 minutes. If you need to increase the number of guests on a reservation made through Open Table, please call the restaurant.*We don’t take groups larger than 10 people on Fridays and Saturdays. *About birthday celebrations : we don’t have a free dessert policy, if you order one from our dessert chart, we will bring it to the table with the candle. You can also bring your own cake, our cutting fee is $3 per person.*Corkage fee is $25 per bottle.*We don't longer offer outdoor seating, only indoor dining and take out.
A photo of Twelvemonth restaurant
9. Twelvemonth
4.7
Exceptional(574)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Burlingame
Booked 33 times today
Twelvemonth is a romantic restaurant according to multiple reviews. Customers praised its beautiful ambiance and creative, tasty plant-based food. The atmosphere is described as upscale, welcoming yet refined, perfect for a date night or special occasion. Attentive and friendly service adds to the romantic experience.
A photo of Flores - San Mateo restaurant
10. Flores - San Mateo
4.4
Awesome(83)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • San Mateo
Booked 34 times today
Step into the heart of Mexican tradition at Flores - San Mateo, nestled in the stunning San Francisco Bay Area gem of San Mateo, California. Our menu, a vibrant tapestry of traditional Mexican dishes, bridges the culinary gap between The Gulf and The Pacific. This commitment to traditional Mexican cuisine is mirrored in our beverage selection and the restaurant's design, creating an experience that truly honors Mexico's rich culinary culture.4% surcharge will be added to all guest checks for employee benefit, including health insurance, commuter benefit, sick days, and minimum wage ordinance.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Regina
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Beautiful food presentation and delicious! I had the paela and it was sooo good! My partner had the salad with pomegranates and said that was yummy as well as the Gnocchi!
    More info
    Central Park BistroPrice: Expensive• American• San Mateo
    •
    4.8
  • Joseph
    San Francisco Bay Area •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We went here two days in a row - It was THAT GOOD! We had a party of 8 the first day and went back with just 2 for a second time Wait staff was great both times. Portions are generous and staff is attentive. Variety is wide with something for every taste. Pizzas are incredibly fresh, crispy and loaded with toppings. Chicken was unbelievably moist with a crispy skin. Wine selection is considerable. Deserts are also wonderful! Ambience is comfortable, but active and the area is worth walking around. OUTSTANDING in every way. This will be my "goto" whenever I'm in the area.
    More info
    Rise Woodfire - San MateoPrice: Moderate• American• San Mateo
    •
    4.5
  • Jasonvip
    San Francisco Bay Area •41 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    I took my client to dinner here. Food was great. I had the petite filet and some steamed veggies, and we split an order of brussels sprouts with bacon. My client had the porterhouse. We enjoyed it very much; service was great, waiter was friendly but not overbearing. This restaurant is now definitely on my list of places to go for business dinners.
    More info
    PorterhousePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• San Mateo
    •
    4.7
  • Vivekananda
    New York City •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 16, 2024
    This restaurant was a great little find. Great food, great staff and ambience. Really cute little find.
    More info
    Pausa Bar & CookeryPrice: Expensive• Italian• San Mateo
    •
    4.7
  • Marc
    San Francisco Bay Area •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 10, 2024
    Consistently great experience in both food and service!
    More info
    Izakaya GinjiPrice: Expensive• Japanese• San Mateo
    •
    4.7

Discover best romantic restaurants in San Mateo

Discover the perfect romantic dining experience in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically in the Peninsula region of San Mateo. Renowned for its diverse and vibrant dining scene, this area offers a variety of restaurants that cater to those special, intimate moments. Each establishment boasts unique features such as cozy ambiances, sophisticated decor, and exceptional service, ideal for making any evening memorable. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, planning a date night, or just looking for a place to enjoy a beautiful meal with your loved one, San Mateo has something to offer. The restaurants here are known for their meticulous attention to detail, from beautifully prepared dishes to personalized touches that enhance the romantic atmosphere. Enjoy authentic, beautifully presented cuisine in settings that range from modern elegance to charming and quaint. Embark on a culinary journey that promises not just a meal, but a truly enchantive experience.

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