Best Romantic Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

30 restaurants available nearby

1. The Marine Room

4.7

Exceptional(8220)

Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • La Jolla

Booked 71 times today

For generations of San Diegans, the “Seahorse” symbol of The Marine Room has long stood for its dramatic on-the-surf location and California coastal cuisine. Considering this rare blend of culinary excellence, uncompromising service and beachfront setting, it’s no wonder The Marine Room has become a true San Diego landmark. We invite you to San Diego's iconic dining destination and experience how each tide brings something new to The Marine Room. You’re not reserving a table – you’re joining a 80-year tradition.

A photo of The WineSellar & Brasserie restaurant

2. The WineSellar & Brasserie

5.0

Exceptional(1003)

Price: Expensive

• French • Sorrento Mesa

Booked 2 times today

Established in 1988, The WineSellar & Brasserie is San Diego's premiere destination for fine wine and exquisitely crafted locally sourced, organic fare. Consistently ranked among OpenTable's Top 10 local restaurants, The Brasserie has been honored with either Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" and "Best Of Award Of Excellence" every year since our inception. With your meal, enjoy a bottle from the adjoining WineSellar boutique wine shop or choose a wine from our award-winning list. Either way, you’ll find an outstanding selection of unique small-production wines not found anywhere else. Not in the mood for wine? Choose from our rotating list of craft beers or seasonally available craft cocktails.

3. Piatti - La Jolla

4.7

Exceptional(5054)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 59 times today

Established in 1987, Piatti offers finely crafted fresh Italian cuisine. The soul of the menu is our housemade pasta that we roll, cut and cook by hand everyday. Offering a fresh take on the neighborhood Italian trattoria, Piatti combines a warm, inviting atmosphere, seamless service and an immersive market experience so you can enjoy Piatti at home. Whether dining in or taking home, Piatti brings friends and family together.

A photo of La Dolce Vita Ristorante restaurant

4. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(1121)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 42 times today

La Dolce Vita is located in a European courtyard setting at International Shops off Prospect St. Loyal to its name La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), is a place to sit back and relax in our cozy and romantic indoor dining room or our charming outdoor patio to enjoy a hearty meal along with a bottle of wine while listening to Italian tunes. We serve genuine Italian cuisine in a fine dining setting at affordable prices.

A photo of AR Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines restaurant

5. AR Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines

4.8

Exceptional(2507)

Price: Very Expensive

• Farm-to-table • La Jolla

A.R. Valentien, the signature restaurant at the AAA Five Diamond resort The Lodge at Torrey Pines, features innovative California cuisine served in a breathtaking setting overlooking the Torrey Pines Golf Course and Pacific Ocean coastline. Executive Chef Kelli Crosson uses only the best local provisions, and the menu changes daily depending on what's offered at local farmers' markets, as well as from other local growers, ranchers and fishermen. The restaurant's wine list features California wines exclusively, including a variety of boutique wineries from throughout the state. A.R. Valentien’s sophisticated design includes artwork from the restaurant’s namesake, Albert Robert Valentien, and a spacious outdoor terrace. Special events include the seasonal Artisan Table dinner series and Celebrate the Craft, an annual charity event benefiting The Ecology Center.PLEASE NOTE: We will be temporarily closed starting Dinner, October 13 - March 2025, due to kitchen enhancement renovations

A photo of The Shores Restaurant - La Jolla Shores Hotel restaurant

6. The Shores Restaurant - La Jolla Shores Hotel

4.3

Awesome(2439)

Price: Moderate

• American • La Jolla

Booked 14 times today

Welcome to beach dining – La Jolla style. Walk straight from the sand into The Shores Restaurant, where you’ll enjoy fantastic ocean views, our open-air patio, a casual ambiance with warm hospitality, and a family-friendly menu meant to please any kind of taste. A big part of the California lifestyle is beach-style dining. The Shores Restaurant is a perfect example with dishes designed by Executive Chef Michael Vaughn. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beachside cocktails, the delicious fare is complimented by unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean just outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

A photo of Manhattan of La Jolla restaurant

7. Manhattan of La Jolla

4.8

Exceptional(1744)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 18 times today

Manhattan of La Jolla transports you to the best of New York via the cozy, upscale village of La Jolla. Located in the Empress Hotel on Fay Avenue, it is an elegant, casual and classy place where you would expect to see Old Blue Eyes or Danny Ocean romancing a beautiful woman while she sips her Cosmo over dinner. With quality Italian charm, Manhattan offers classic cocktails that get you into that New York swing--and the entrees are as good as it gets. Liberal olive oil, garlic, lemon and pepper complement the Zagat Award winning veal chop, steaks and seafood. Signature scampi, classic cannelloni, pasta al dente, and other succulent dishes, plus professional service and decor make this a terrific spot for a romantic dinner or mixing business and pleasure. Manhattan in La Jolla gets you the best of both worlds. Manhattan is an award winning La Jolla favorite, celebrating its 36th year.

8. NINE-TEN

4.7

Exceptional(2938)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 14 times today

NINE-TEN, located in the lively La Jolla neighborhood, offers an intimate yet relaxed dining experience. The restaurant is praised for its romantic ambiance, with reviews mentioning 'romantic', 'cozy', 'friendly', and 'perfect evening'. It's the perfect spot for a date night or special occasion. The Michelin-distinction chef, Jason Knibb, curates seasonal menus featuring locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's atmosphere lends itself to conversation rather than shout, and the wine list is a home run.

A photo of Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar restaurant

9. Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

4.2

Awesome(1347)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • Carmel Valley

Booked 12 times today

Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar combines the spirit of a beloved Parisian brasserie with a farm- and sea-to-table philosophy that celebrates the bounty of Southern California. Savor modern renditions of French brasserie classics including a hearty bouillabaisse, escargot, duck cassoulet, fruits de mer tour and tender filet de boeuf. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in the shaded terrace surrounded by fragrant blooms, or immerse yourself in the convivial atmosphere of our indoor dining room.Amaya’s menu is defined as much by an allegiance to French tradition as it is to Southern California’s bounty through the seasons. LIVE LIMITLESS - Join the rewards program designed with you in mind. As a member of ALL – Accor Live Limitless, you’ll earn points on dining, experiences and hotel reservations at more than 5,000 hotels worldwide. Enroll at https://bit.ly/3gvDtJG

10. Sushi Mori

4.7

Exceptional(39)

Price: Expensive

• Japanese • La Jolla

Booked 3 times today

If you’re in the La Jolla area, be sure you visit Sushi Mori Restaurant located near La Jolla Shores Park. Experience cuisine that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in La Jolla, San Diego. As one of La Jolla’s premier dining spots, Sushi Mori offers a contemporary atmosphere imbued with the kind of ambiance that is just right for a romantic dinner. If you’re looking for a quick meal, the Sushi Mori menu offers great specials. Our sushi chef's dishes are created with fresh, seasonal ingredients and prepared with great attention to detail, making the end result a meal to truly relish in

‘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

D
Dr. ClaudineVIP
Orange County •18 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Our experience was one of a kind. The food was delicious, and the service was attentive without being over excessive— great balance. Everyone was helpful and kind. I wish I can give more than five stars. Being disabled, I was advised of the best routes to avoid steps but not “supervised” as disabled people sometimes are. Terrific evening all around.
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The Marine RoomPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• La Jolla
•
4.7
N
Nickie
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Excellent service! What a great place for a family dinner or for those looking to dine out for a special occasion. This was our second visit and we will definitely be back! The food is excellent. The portions are generous. The ambiance is cozy, warm and relaxed. The restaurant staff is very friendly and accommodating. This is a hidden gem.
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La Dolce Vita RistorantePrice: Moderate• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.8
K
Karl FlemingVIP
San Diego •18 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Our favorite Italian restaurant for more than 40 years. We like the seafood linguine and veal piccata the best.
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Piatti - La JollaPrice: Moderate• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.7
L
LarryVIP
San Diego •105 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 19, 2024
This place has been a gem for the better part of 3 decades. Chef's have come and gone but it stays consistently great. Great food, outstanding service and the best wine list to value that you can find in the whole city. We had not been in a while and during dinner we had to ask ourselves why. Try it, you'll love it.
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The WineSellar & BrasseriePrice: Expensive• French• Sorrento Mesa
•
5
B
Bernard
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined on Oct 9, 2024
We had a fantastic experience. The staff were spectacular, the food was amazing, the ambiance, incredible. It was an anniversary celebration for us and the service blew us away, from the personalized menu to the amazing attention to detail by all the staff. A very happy experience all around. We highly recommend
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AR Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey PinesPrice: Very Expensive• Farm-to-table• La Jolla
•
4.8

Best Romantic Restaurants in University City/Golden Triangle

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30 restaurants available nearby

1. The Marine Room

2. The WineSellar & Brasserie

3. Piatti - La Jolla

4. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

5. AR Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines

6. The Shores Restaurant - La Jolla Shores Hotel

7. Manhattan of La Jolla

8. NINE-TEN

9. Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

10. Sushi Mori

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