20 romantic dinners to enjoy on Valentine's Day in San Diego (2024)

Couples planning a romantic evening on Valentine’s Day have plenty of dining options in San Diego, with dozens of restaurants offering specials to commemorate the day of love.

Adelaide at L’Auberge, Del Mar: Enjoy views of the ocean with dinner on Feb. 14, with menu options that will include steak tartar, scallops, ribeye and almond milk sorbet for dessert. The cost is $125 per person, with dinner starting at 5 p.m. 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar. (858) 793-6467. laubergedelmar.com/dining/adelaide

Ambrogio by Acquerello, La Jolla: On Feb. 13 and 14, try an eight-course tasting menu for $199 per person or the vegetarian tasting menu for $179, which can be made vegan upon request. Menu highlights include an omlette surprise and filet mignon.. A box of artisan truffle chocolates is included. 7556 Fay Ave., La Jolla. (858) 412-3432. ambrogiobyacquerello.com

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The dessert selections at Animae in downtown San Diego.

(Courtesy of James Tran)

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Animae, Downtown: Diners looking for romance can enjoy a four-course meal at Animae. Beet salad, jumbo shrimp, roasted oysters and lemongrass chicken are just some of the menu’s offerings, with a calamansi mousse or chocolate cremeux for dessert. Dinner is from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at $155 per adult with an optional wine pairing for $85. 969 Pacific Highway, San Diego. (619) 432-1225. nimaesd.com

Bleu Bohème, Kensington: This French restaurant will have a three-course prix fixe menu from 4 to 8 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Highlights include wild mushroom soup, Faroe Island salmon and a flourless chocolate cake. The Ma Cherie co*cktail, made from cherry-infused brandy with bourbon and port wine and topped with vanilla creme, will also be available for $18. Dinner is $95 per person. 4090 Adams Ave., San Diego. (619) 255-4167. bleuboheme.com

Books & Records, Bankers Hill: Lovers of literature will be swept away with this three-course dinner with live music inspired by “Shakespeare in Love.” The $75 per person menu features a pan-seared halibut and blackberry tart . 5 to 9 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. 2202 Fourth Ave., San Diego. (619) 795-1000. booksandrecordsbar.com

Civico 1845, Little Italy: Bring your dog to dinner at Civico 1845. Along with its menu for couples, including short rib ragu or a vegan wild mushroom ragu, dogs can also enjoy options like lentil meatballs or turkey meatballs, carrots and green beans. There will also be a photo booth so diners can commemorate the occasion with their pup. 1845 India St., San Diego. (619) 431-5990. civico1845.com

El Sueno, Old Town: There will be a four-course dinner on Feb. 14, including items from Huastecan cuisine, like an ahi tostada, stuffed lobster tail and a churro cheesecake. The cost is $119 for two. There will also be a Valentine’s Day a la carte menu. 2836 Juan St., San Diego. (619) 510-9813. elsuenosd.com

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The beets and strawberry dish from Herb & Wood in Little Italy.

(Courtesy of James Tran)

Herb & Wood, Little Italy: Feast on Italian dishes this Valentine’s Day, with menu highlights such as beets and strawberry, mushroom risotto, plus dessert options like chocolate lava cake and a winter citrus tart. Dinner is from 5 to 9 p.m. for $125 per adult. Add a wine pairing for $68. 2210 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. (619) 955-8495. herbandwood.com

Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel, Jacumba: On Feb. 14, lovers staying at the East County resort can enjoy a prix fixe dinner menu. Starters include Baja tomato soup or roasted beets and carrots and main course options are seabass, Koji steak, a bone-in pork chop or portobello mushroom. Top off the meal with dessert — Devil’s food cake and strawberry shortcake crumble are on the menu. 44500 Old Highway 80, Jacumba. (619) 766-4333. jacumba.com

Jeune et Jolie, Carlsbad: There will be a five-course prix fixe menu with wine and co*cktail pairing options at this restaurant, where the pink aesthetic perfectly matches the Valentine’s Day vibe. Menu items include fresh seafood selections and a partridge dish. 2659 State St., Suite 102, Carlsbad. (760) 637-5266. jeune-jolie.com

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The interior of Jeune et Jolie

(Courtesy of Elodie Bost)

Lionfish, Gaslamp Quarter: Diners on Feb. 14 can look forward to a lobster dinner at Lionfish, complete with a grilled Maine lobster, ricotta agnolotti with miso vodka sauce and fried sage, plus two glasses of Veuve Clicquot Champagne as a cost of $110 for two. 435 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 738-7200. lionfishsd.com

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Little Frenchie, Coronado: The three-course prix fixe menu at Little Frenchie includes whole Maine lobster, escargot and opera cake. Diners can dine for $120 per person, with an optional wine pairing, on Valentine’s Day. 1166 Orange Ave., Coronado. (619) 675-0041. littlefrenchiesd.com

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Heart-shaped pizza from Lumi.

(Courtesy of Lumi by Akira Back)

Lumi, Gaslamp Quarter: This restaurant and rooftop bar has Valentine’s Day written all over it, with cozy fire pits, co*cktails and locally sourced Nikkei cuisine, which is a combination of Japanese and Peruvian food. Lumi will also be offering heart-shaped pizzas from Feb. 9 to 14. 366 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 329-5864. lumirooftop.com

Paradisaea, Bird Rock: Menu items on this three-course prix fixe menu include roasted heirloom chicken and a chocolate tart. Women dining in will be given a fresh Hawaiian lei upon arrival. The price will be $130 per person. 5680 La Jolla Blvd., San Diego. (858) 255-8011. paradisaea.com

Puesto, multiple locations: Puesto is doing something different for Valentine’s Day, turning its classic tortillas red with vegetable juice to mark the holiday. Taco options include short rib quesabirria, Baja fish and pozole. Enjoy the meal with a Serrano margarita or pink lemon drop co*cktail, plus handmade dessert options such as strawberries with cream. eatpuesto.com

20 romantic dinners to enjoy on Valentine's Day in San Diego (6)

Puesto changed the color of its tortillas to match the Valentine’s Day love aesthetic.

(Courtesy of Mandie Geller)

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RustiCucina, Hillcrest: Guests can enjoy a prix fixe menu and Valentine’s Day specials, such as lobster lasagna and a customizable pasta menu with a tableside Carbonara cheese wheel. The prix fixe menu starts at $59 per person. 3797 Park Blvd., San Diego. (619) 310-5291. rusticucina.com

Temaki Bar, Encinitas: There will be an eight-piece nigiri platter for Valentine’s Day dinner, plus options like salmon with honey mustard miso and a surf and turf set featuring beef tataki, king crab, truffle butter and chives. The meal is $60 and available on Feb. 14. 575 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. (760) 704-8888. temakibarsushi.com

The Presley, Liberty Station: The menu here includes calamari and shish*tos, liberty greens salad, shrimp scampi pasta and horseradish-crusted salmon. End the evening with dessert options of chocolate budino or bread pudding. 2855 Perry Road, San Diego. (619) 877-1800. thepresleysd.com

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The interior of Urbana Mexican Gastronomy and Mixology in Del Mar.

(Courtesy of Black X Marketing)

URBANA Mexican Gastronomy and Mixology, Del Mar: For $50 per person, Valentine’s Day diners can enjoy a three-course prix fixe meal, with dishes that include shrimp ceviche and butter fish ‘a la diabla. For dessert, decide between flan or a bread pudding made with crispy bacon. Add a bottle of champagne to the meal for $40. Skydeck,12841 El Camino Real, Del Mar. (858) 925-7236. urbanadelmar.com

Vessel Restaurant , Point Loma: There will be several Valentine’s Day dining options at Vessel Restaurant + Bar, including the “shareable sweetheart” menu focused on dishes that couples can share for $130 per couple. A prix fixe menu will include options like roasted beet salad and a seafood trio ravioli, priced at $150 per couple. The restaurant will also have an a la carte menu. 1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. (619) 819-8195. resortkonakai.com/shelter-island-restaurant

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maura.fox@sduniontribune.com

20 romantic dinners to enjoy on Valentine's Day in San Diego (2024)

FAQs

20 romantic dinners to enjoy on Valentine's Day in San Diego? ›

A good-quality steak with a potato side is a timeless choice, but couples craving a lighter romantic meal may go for fish like sea bass or salmon. And naturally, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan picks for Valentine's Day. Italian dishes, like pasta, are also a classic Valentine's Day choice.

What is the most common Valentine's Day meal? ›

A good-quality steak with a potato side is a timeless choice, but couples craving a lighter romantic meal may go for fish like sea bass or salmon. And naturally, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan picks for Valentine's Day. Italian dishes, like pasta, are also a classic Valentine's Day choice.

How to make Valentine's Day romantic? ›

Fun Valentine's Day Activities for Adults
  1. Date Night Cooking Classes. A fun and romantic way to celebrate Valentine's Day together is with cooking classes near you. ...
  2. Attend a Paint and Sip Event. ...
  3. Enjoy a Luxurious Couples Massage. ...
  4. Go Ice Skating. ...
  5. Get Coffee Together. ...
  6. Plan a Staycation. ...
  7. Dinner and a Movie. ...
  8. Enjoy a Fondue Dinner.
Apr 22, 2024

What is the most expensive Valentine's Day dinner? ›

World's Most Expensive Valentine's Day Dinner Tops Out at Nearly $100,000. Some lucky chap (or dame) is going to foot the bill for a very pricey Valentine's Day meal. The dinner featuring foie gras, risotto, and carbineros prawns with saffron, among other dishes, tops out at £61,000 (close to $100,000).

How to make a Valentine's dinner at home? ›

Valentine's Day recipes
  1. One-pan roast rack of lamb & green olive potatoes. ...
  2. Easy jam tarts. ...
  3. Confit salmon with tahini, pistachio & herb crust. ...
  4. Next level spaghetti carbonara. ...
  5. Squidgy chocolate & pomegranate torte. ...
  6. Steaks with goulash sauce & sweet potato fries. ...
  7. Classic California roll. ...
  8. Chocolate-orange French toast.

What is the actual best meal of the day? ›

A large 2021 study looked at data from more than 21,000 subjects and found that abnormal metabolic outcomes were higher among those who didn't eat breakfast than those who ate the meal consistently.

How to make someone feel special on Valentine's Day? ›

5 Cute Things To Do This Valentine's Day To Make Your Partner Feel Special
  1. Give Them A Head Massage. Giving massages to your partner is a love language that no one talks about. ...
  2. Watch Their Favourite Movie Together. It is very important to take part in your partner's interests to bond better with them. ...
  3. Dance All Night.
Feb 9, 2024

What are romantic sentences for Valentine's Day? ›

  • 21 Romantic Phrases in English to Impress Your Date This Valentine's Day. There's nothing quite like the feeling of being in love. ...
  • You sweep me off my feet. ...
  • I'm crazy about you. ...
  • I'm falling for you. ...
  • You're the light of my life. ...
  • You're my everything. ...
  • You mean the world to me. ...
  • I love you to the moon and back.
Feb 13, 2024

What time is best for dinner Valentines Day? ›

The busiest dinner hours fall between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. You can beat the crowds if you head to the restaurant early—plus your waiter will be fresher! Or, head out late, for a full dinner or maybe just a dessert.

Who pays for Valentine's Day dinner? ›

“My rule of thumb, and the most widely acknowledged rule for who pays the bill, is the person who asked for the date, pays for it,” Sanders Lazarus emphasised. “From my experience, and talking to relationship gurus, this rule is the fairest and most reasonable way to split the bill.

What is the most eaten candy on Valentine's Day? ›

Everybody Wants Chocolate

According to CandyStore.com, 37 out of 50 states in the U.S. prefer some kind of chocolate to any other sort of Valentine candy. Chocolate is the most popular candy for Valentine's Day for a reason.

How do you do a romantic dinner? ›

Set the table with a tablecloth, cloth napkins, nice dinnerware, crystal, unscented candles, and flowers. The napkins can be rolled or folded in a pretty way. Sprinkle the table with rose petals or sparkly heart shaped sprinkles. You can set floating candles in small glasses filled partly with cranberry juice.

What is traditional for Valentines Day? ›

Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards, and flower bouquets.

What is the most popular arrangement sold on Valentine's Day? ›

The most popular flower to give on Valentine's Day is the red rose. Red roses have long been a symbol of romantic love. However, if red roses aren't to their taste, you could always gift other popular Valentine's Day flowers, such as lilies, tulips or carnations.

What is the most popular Valentine's treat? ›

Chocolate covered strawberries are a classic treat on Valentine's Day but the store-bought variety are often pretty expensive. Luckily, they're easy to make at home and you can even get creative with decorating them: sprinkles, chopped nuts, or crushed freeze-dried strawberries!

Which of the popular Valentine's Day items is bought most often? ›

52% of Valentine's Day gift-givers buy candy, making it the most gifted item. 36% of people gift flowers on Valentine's Day. Jewelry is the second most popular gift, with 21% of people opting for it. About a third of people plan a special dinner for the holiday.

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