The most romantic restaurants in San Francisco, according to OpenTable

Diana de Guzman, SFGATE

February 12, 2017

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Looking for a restaurant conducive to romance rather than a noisy place for groups? OpenTable has some suggestions for where to go…

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Gary Danko 800 North Point St., SF (415) 749-2060 A well-respected mainstay of the San Francisco foodie scene, Gary Danko has been a favorite hangout for years. The three-course (or more) option is a great way to move around the menu, but many enjoy the crab, shrimp and mushroom risotto or the caviar-glazed oysters. — 2of18Gary Danko
800 North Point Street, SF (415) 749-2060

A highly respected pillar of San Francisco’s foodie scene, Gary Danko has been a favorite hangout for years. The three-course (or more) option is a great way to move around the menu, but many enjoy the crab, shrimp and mushroom risotto or the caviar-glazed oysters.

John floor

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Forbes Island 2 Beach St #205 (near Pier 39) Forbes Island may be clustered with many tourist spots, due to its proximity to Pier 39, but that hasn't stopped it from being a favorite of locals. It's certainly an experience to get to Forbes Island - which is only accessible by boat - but that only adds to its romantic charm. — 4of18Forbes Island
2 Beach St #205 (near Pier 39)

Forbes Island may be grouped with many tourist spots, due to its proximity to Pier 39, but that hasn’t stopped it from being a favorite with locals. It’s certainly an experience to get to Forbes Island – which is only accessible by boat – but that only adds to its romantic charm.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

5of18The Forbes Island Lighthouse in San Francisco on Thursday, July 1, 2010.Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

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Acquerello 1722 Sacramento St. If you're looking for something in the fine dining category, Acquerello fits that description perfectly. Chef Suzette Gresham does great things with the dishes here, and while price isn't an issue, the seasonal tasting menu regularly amazes. — 7of18Acquerello
1722 Sacramento Street

If you’re looking for something in the fine dining category, Acquerello fits that description perfectly. Chef Suzette Gresham does great things with the dishes here, and while price isn’t an issue, the seasonal tasting menu regularly amazes.

Restaurant Jeanne D'Arc 715 Bush St. Hidden inside the Cornell Hotel De France is this restaurant dedicated to all things Jeanne D'Arc and French cuisine. Despite the medieval theme — or because of it? — the restaurant boasts a screaming/whispering intimacy — 8of18Restaurant Joan of Arc
Hidden inside the Cornell Hotel De France is this restaurant dedicated to all things Joan of Arc and French cuisine. Despite the medieval theme — or because of it? — the restaurant boasts an intimacy that screams/whispers “date spot”…in a good way, of course.

Courtesy Cornell Hotel De France

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L'Ardoise Bistro 151 Noe St. If you're looking for an intimate spot for you and your partner, this 38-seat restaurant will fill that need. L'Ardoise Bistro offers the ambiance (and food) of a cozy French bistro, but in our own city. — tenof18The slate bistro
151 rue Noah

If you are looking for an intimate place for you and your partner, this 38-seat restaurant will fill that need. L’Ardoise Bistro offers the ambiance (and food) of a cozy French bistro, but in our own city.

Traditional Coq au Vin at L'Ardoise in the Duboce Triangle in San Francisco during dinner. — 11of18
Traditional Coq au Vin at L’Ardoise in the Duboce Triangle in San Francisco during dinner.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

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Keiko at Nob Hill 1250 Jones St. The dining experience at Keiko at Nob Hill is an experience that few restaurants do much these days: with a single service every evening at 7 p.m. (and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays) and an all-in Tasting menu at $145. However, don't be put off if you're looking for a unique dining experience at this 28-seat restaurant. — 13of18Keiko at Nob Hill
1250 Jones Street
The culinary experience at Keiko a Nob Hill is one that few restaurants do much these days: with single service every night at 7 p.m. (and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays) and an all-inclusive $145 tasting menu. However, don’t be put off if you’re looking for a unique dining experience at this 28-seat restaurant.

Amélie 1754 Polk St. If you're looking for a hearty steak meal, Amélie may not be the best place for it, but what this place excels in is its smaller dishes and sprawling wine list. — 14of18Amelie
1754 Polk Street
If you’re looking for a hearty steak meal, Amélie might not be the best place for it, but what this place excels in is its smaller dishes and sprawling wine list.

Courtesy of Amélie

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Olea 1494 California St. Another charming and intimate restaurant, Olea is known to many as a neighborhood brunch spot, but its dinner menu has also earned it a spot on this list. It's a little laid back, but if that's what you're looking for in a dining experience, this place will do. — 16of18Olea
1494 California Street

Another charming and intimate restaurant, Olea is known to many as a neighborhood brunch spot, but its dinner menu has also earned it a spot on this list. It’s a little laid back, but if that’s what you’re looking for in a dining experience, this place will do.

Deanne Fitzmaurice

The Richmond 615 Balboa St. This family restaurant offers an intimate neighborhood atmosphere in Inner Richmond. Seared hanger steak is a favorite, and saving room for dessert is probably a good idea. — 17of18The Richmond
615 Balboa Street

This family restaurant offers an intimate neighborhood atmosphere in Inner Richmond. Seared hanger steak is a favorite, and saving room for dessert is probably a good idea.

David Paul Morris/The Chronicle

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Despite the fact that San Francisco didn’t rank nationally for romantic restaurants in OpenTable’s 100 Most Romantic Restaurants of 2017, that doesn’t mean the city is completely devoid of cozy restaurants to impress your SO.

In fact, OpenTable gave us its top 10 most romantic restaurants in San Francisco, which it sorts monthly to reveal new restaurants.

A few “usual suspects” are part of this month’s roundup, which was to be expected, but there are a few gems here that may not have come to mind at first, but are worth a visit.

While it might be too late to grab something for Valentine’s Day, this could be the perfect list to keep in your back pocket for another special occasion. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or even a romantic “just because” dinner, browse the slideshow above for inspiration — but don’t doze off on reservations, okay?

RELATED VIDEO: The 2017 Top 100 Restaurant Contenders

And if you’ve outgrown the idea of dining out as part of Valentine’s Day plans, we’ve got some alternative plans for you here.

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