GARY DANKO
The iconic Fisherman’s Wharf eatery, Gary Danko, has been a faithful datenight destination for loyal San Franciscans for the past 26 years. The atmosphere is timelessly elegant, the hospitality is welcoming and warm, and the cuisine is indulgent and celebratory. 800 N. Point St., 415.749.2060, garydanko.com
SEVEN HILLS
The perfect place for a date in Russian Hill is Seven Hills, an intimate and inviting Italian eatery. Sit elbow-to-elbow at the bar and order a shareable meal of duck liver pate, tagliatelle with braised beef and pork rib sugo and Negroni sbagliatos. 896 Hyde St., 415.775.1550, sevenhillssf.com
The cozy dining room at Rich Table
Photo courtesy of the restaurant
RICH TABLE
Although it’s a hard reservation to score, Rich Table is a restaurant made for a couple’s night out. The food is consistently top-notch, the scene is lively and fun, and the staff is friendly and hospitable. A meal here is always memorable. 199 Gough St., 415.355.9085, richtablesf.com
L’ARDOISE BISTRO
We never say no to an invite to L’Ardoise, a tiny French bistro near Duboce Triangle. It’s the type of eatery one would expect to find in Paris—bustling, always packed, with the delicious aroma of duck confit and coq au vin perfuming the air. If you’ve never been to this classic standby, go tonight. 151 Noe St., 415.437.2600, lardoisesf.com
Piano music sets the mood at Bix
Photo by Kristen Loken
BIX
To get to Bix, one must walk down a quiet alley in Jackson Square. The neon sign doesn’t display the opulence of the restaurant inside. Dark lighting, a live pianist, plush booths and icy cold martinis await. Bix is so romantic that we’ve known people who got engaged here! 56 Gold St., 415.433.6300, bixrestaurant.com
POESIA
With its candlelit dining room, heated garden patio and movie projections, Poesia is the Castro district’s most sultry restaurant. The cuisine is traditional Italian osteria fare. Think wood-fired focaccia, housemade tagliolini alle vongole and eggplant parmigiana. 4072 18th St., 415.252.9325, poesiasf.com
Delicious cuisine at Chapeau!
Photo Courtesy of Glodow Nead
CHAPEAU!
Chapeau! is a vibrant French bistro in the Richmond District. The exclamation point is no mistake; the restaurant is actually called Chapeau!, and for good reason. A meal here is superb, and sitting at one of the cozy tables with a platter of escargot instantly transports diners to Paris. 126 Clement St., 415.750.9787, chapeausf.com
ZUNI CAFE
Is there any restaurant in San Francisco that is as legendary as Zuni Cafe? We think not. For over four decades, San Franciscans have indulged in date nights at this quintessential California restaurant. Although the signature roast chicken for two is a 75-minute wait, it’s worth it to share with a loved one. 1658 Market St., 415.552.2522, zunicafe.com
Cotogna's artisanal pasta
Courtesy of the restaurant
COTOGNA
We love sitting at the small bar that overlooks the wood-fired oven at Cotogna. It makes for a superb second or third date spot, when there is a lull in conversation and you can admire the chefs hard at work crafting the rustic Italian cuisine. Share a pizza, pasta and bistecca alla fiorentina, and you’ll leave feeling satisfied. 490 Pacific Ave., 415.775.8508, cotognasf.com
SARU SUSHI
No date-night roundup is complete without a sushi restaurant, and we love Noe Valley’s pristine sake bar, Saru. This tiny jewel box of an eatery serves wildly fresh fish crafted to perfection in delicious rolls and tender tatakis. They don’t take reservations, so Saru is an ideal place for those who enjoy dining early. 3856 24th St., 415.400.4510, sarusushisf.com
