Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in North San Diego

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic in North San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mille Fleurs

4.9

4.9 (2302)

$50 and over

French American

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

**Please note: Patio requests must call the restaurant to confirm availability for patio dining, as availability is very limited due to table spacing.*

Nestled in the heart of the historic and charming village of Rancho Santa Fe, just four miles inland from Del Mar, Mille Fleurs offers magnificent California food presentation with extraordinary French flair. The exquisite yet comfortable French country décor with inviting outside patio provides an atmosphere that is gracious, warm and welcoming. Mille Fleurs has received numerous accolades including: "Top 25 in America" from Food & Wine Magazine "Far and away the best restaurant sampled in greater San Diego" quoted in The New York Times as well as "Best French" and "Best of the Best" in San Diego Magazine. Our award winning wine cellar offers over seven hundred choices spanning the globe and varying greatly in price. A mile down the road is the Chino's Family Farm where our chef heads every day to get fresh ingredients.

Top review

Douglas

Dined 3 days ago

We had a very nice dinner but we were surprised when we were seated in the bar area. We had made reservations for the indoor restaurant. We should have been advised before we arrived. We probably still would have come as we do enjoy the bar music but it would have been nice to inform us. The bar shaker and bar noise were a bit much for an elegant dining experience. Apparently, there was a large party in the main restaurant--strange for a Saturday night.

Vigilucci's Trattoria Italiana

4.8

4.8 (1346)

$30 and under

Italian

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Vigilucci’s Trattoria Italiana features an exceptional menu of Italian favorites, certified prime steaks and the freshest seafood. Open for over two decades, 2019 marks the 25 year anniversary of Vigilucci’s Trattoria formerly located in Encinitas. Menu highlights include many of the company’s signature dishes, made from scratch pastas, salads, steaks, seafood, pizzas and calzones. Private dining space is available for large or small groups. Our casual yet sophisticated piano bar enhances the dining experience.

For off-site events and parties contact Cater@Vigiluccis.com
Catering to the most discerning palates for over 20 years,
Vigilucci’s catering team can custom create a unique and memorable menu for celebrating life’s special occasions.

Top review

Jackie

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Food was fabulous. Service great. Loved the piano player.

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Popular dish

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Harlow's Lounge

4.8

4.8 (241)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Bonsall

About the restaurant

Harlow's Cocktail Lounge is a unique restaurant focused on traditional classics with modern reinvention. Through the use of specialized ingredients and techniques, international influence and attention to detail, Harlow's offers adventurous creations rooted in comforting familiarity. Our shareable menu and bar selections are crafted for our guests enjoy on any occasion or outing. Come enjoy the lounge, bar, restaurant and private dining areas with friends and family. Harlow's stage features weekly live music showcasing local talent. Call or visit harlowslounge.com for more details

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined 3 days ago

First visit to Harlow's and we loved it! Eclectic to be sure, but love the art deco vibe and the warm and friendly people. And the food was extremely tasty! A very diverse menu - we tried several different "Small Plates" and came away very impressed with the chef's creativity, the quality and the taste of each dish, and Jess our server was friendly and informative and did a great job. Then we wandered over and found the Cigar Lounge, where JJ treated us like VIPs and welcomed us to Harlow's newest "little gem." We will definitely be back soon!

Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (4623)

$31 to $50

Italian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Vigilucci's Seafood and Steakhouse offers authentic Northern Italian cuisine. The location sits across from the Pacific on the historic 101 and has one of the best views in San Diego.
Open seven days a week. Signature dishes include Caprese salad with bufallo mozzarella and Heirloom tomatoes, made from scratch stuffed pastas, Cioppino, prime steaks, fresh seafood including a warm or cold fresh seafood tower with oysters, clams, mussels, crab, lobster and jumbo prawn. (items may vary )
Private Wine Cellar room available for private parties.

For off-site events and parties contact Cater@Vigiluccis.com
Catering to the most discerning palates for over 25 years.
Vigilucci’s catering team can custom create a unique and memorable menu for celebrating life’s special occasions.

Top review

Brett

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Solid Italian restaurant right across the street from the beach. It’s one of our go-to spots that’s close to home.

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Vigilucci's Cucina Italiana

4.7

4.7 (2756)

$30 and under

Italian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of downtown Carlsbad, Vigilucci's Cucina Italiana offers fabulous Northern Italian cuisine and award-winning service. Enjoy lunch on the outdoor patio or start the evening off at their full-service bar before dinner. A great place for a romantic dinner, a family gathering, a company party or special event. Each of Vigilucci's three locations offer a notable wine menu, made from scratch pastas and sauces, fresh seafood specials, salads, prime steaks, chicken and veal dishes.
For off-site events and parties contact Cater. Vigiluccis.com
Catering to the most discerning palates for over 25 years,
Vigilucci’s catering team can custom create a unique and memorable menu for celebrating life’s special occasions.

Top review

Tim

Dined 3 days ago

Had a wonderful evening and a fantastic dinner sitting at the bar. Guys behind the bar were awesome and the food was terrific. Great ambiance, place was full all evening. Can’t wait to go back again.

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Popular dish

Spaghetti alla Vongole

Popular dish

Lasagna

Popular dish

Fettuccine al Salmone

Rancho Santa Fe Bistro

4.7

4.7 (338)

$30 and under

American

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Rancho Santa Fe Bistro located in the heart of the beautiful downtown Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Our unique bistro offers an amazing menu and a superior wine selection for any lunch or dinner occasion. For lunch walk-ins are welcome.
Owner / Chef Mozy Jahanguiri, who has run restaurants in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Dallas, has opened The Rancho Santa Fe Bistro in the space formerly occupied by The Pantry on Paseo Delicias. Mozy has prepared a menu that offers a wide variety of healthy and stylish fresh grill and more offering a balanced approach to food and wine along with bistro favorites including Oysters Rockefeller, traditional escargots, baked brie with grapes and honey and more for starters. Entrees to satisfy any taste of carefully sourced meats, seafood and much more. Be sure to check out Bistro's beautiful wood wine cellar, housing an extensive collection that spans an impressive 100 years (1897-1997) at a variety of price points.

Top review

GinaVIP

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Love love love this place . No better place in rsf and live been to them all.

333 Pacific - Steaks & Seafood

4.6

4.6 (5443)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Oceanside

About the restaurant

Stunning Views of The Famous Oceanside Pier, Innovative Cuisine and Stylish Décor, Seaside California Elegance

Top review

Latonia

Dined 5 days ago

New York States was cooked perfectly. Service was great, great ambience we have been there over five times and will continue to visit.

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Seared Maine Scallops

VAGA Restaurant & Bar

4.5

4.5 (238)

$31 to $50

American

Encinitas

About the restaurant

For a true “vaga”, the journey is never-ending; the spirit and palate, always curious. Drawing ingredients and inspiration from near and far, VAGA explores San Diego’s ever-changing confluence of culture and wanderlust. From its perch on a coastal bluff in Encinitas, California, VAGA keeps one hand in the ocean, one hand in the farm, and both eyes on the horizon.

VAGA Restaurant & Bar is located on Level 2 of Alila Marea Beach Resort. Valet parking is available through the resort for $5.00 per car before 5 pm with validation only. After 5 pm, valet parking is $10.00 per car with no validation required. Self-parking is not available.

Top review

Craig

Dined 3 days ago

Very good food. Solid service. Beautiful room. Definitely a great experience

PAON Restaurant & Wine Bar

4.3

4.3 (1964)

$31 to $50

French American

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Paon restaurant offers California cuisine with French Cafe influences. Beautiful patio dining, elegant Art Deco in intimate dining setting. Private dining available in handsome club environment. Paon chef features seasonal, locally grown organic produce for the palates of fine food lovers from all over the world. Spotlighting organic prime meats, game and fish prepared with traditional French sophistication. Beautiful lounge with old Hollywood feel and relaxing French music. The patio in a Downtown Carlsbad Village atmosphere. Paon's knowledgeable and attentive staff looks forward to creating an exceptional experience.

Top review

Pat

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

Our third visit here. Food was excellent especially my Scallop dish!

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Popular dish

Duck Confit

Popular dish

Duo of Duck Confit Leg

Grand Social at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

4.0

4 (86)

$30 and under

American

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

The fine unwinds into the fun across three distinct levels (25,000 square feet) at Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s outdoor lounge, Grand Social. Relax over a late afternoon apéritif and spirited games of bocce on our new courts situated on the second level. As evening unfolds, venture to our newly installed ground-level lawn to savor irresistible wood-fired dishes and skillfully crafted cocktails.

Secure your two-hour reservation by selecting one of the Cabana Package options or a regular reservation for a fire pit table*.

*Fire pit tables and cabanas have a rental fee. Walk-in’s welcome upon availability.
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Top review

Natalya

Dined on Dec 24, 2024

Please provide public parking or include parking in your ticket price. We didn't try the food. A glass of wine was $28, there isn't any value in anything that was offered. We won't be back. Ambience was pleasant.

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