Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic in California Central Coast? 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!

Plow & Angel Speakeasy

5.0

5 (13)

$50 and over

American

Montecito

About the restaurant

For over a century, San Ysidro Ranch has been a haven for those seeking tranquility amidst the captivating landscapes of Santa Barbara. This historic hideaway effortlessly weaves together natural beauty, romantic heritage, and classic luxury, welcoming discerning travelers to experience a retreat like no other. In the heart of this timeless escape, experience indulgence through Afternoon Tea, where an enticing array of tea sandwiches, seasonal scones, and house-made pastries promise to elevate your senses. As the day transitions to night, immerse yourself in a clandestine world within our speakeasy, where crafted cocktails and an intimate ambiance transport you to a bygone era. San Ysidro Ranch invites you to become part of its storied history, where the past meets the present in an atmosphere of natural beauty, culinary delights, and timeless moments.

Top review

Bella

Dined on Jun 29, 2025

Fabulous setting. Tea and treats were delicious and beautifully presented. Impeccable service. A memorable experience.

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Experience

Plow & Angel Speakeasy

Experience

Afternoon Tea

Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.9

4.9 (2843)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

The Stonehouse, located in a beautiful 19th-century citrus packing house, offers an unparalleled dining experience. Guests can unwind in a relaxing lounge with full bar service or enjoy the ambiance of the separate dining room, complete with a crackling fireplace and world-class views. Chef Matthew Johnson creates evocative regional cuisine, utilizing fresh herbs and vegetables from the Ranch’s organic chef’s garden. The Stonehouse boasts the only Grand Award-winning wine program in Central California, ensuring an unparalleled selection of wines to complement your meal. For a unique twist, visit the restaurant's speakeasy for before or after dinner drinks, where you can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in an intimate, nostalgic setting.

Top review

William

Dined 4 days ago

Just a great experience and despite all of the great wines available a lot of reasonably priced choices

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Experience

Champagne Brunch

Chez Noir

4.9

4.9 (74)

$50 and over

French

Carmel

About the restaurant

Chez Noir is Jonny and Monique’s love letter to Monterey County, celebrating its finest ingredients. We offer a $165 four-course menu in the dining room and on our patio. Our wine program focuses on independent producers, with an all California wine pairing, and select bottles from the West Coast, Spain and France.

A no-show fee of $165 per person will be charged to parties who cancel less than 48 hours before their reservation. This policy applies to reductions in party size.

Please note that Chez Noir is designed for adults. While we leave the decision to bring children up to the discretion of the parents, it is essential that all guests, no matter how small, be included in the guest count. We do not offer off-menu dishes or high chairs.

We do not have a phone; for more info, please email info@cheznoircarmel.com.

Top review

TorchVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful service and atmosphere. Loved the food too. Thanks for masking our anniversary special.

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Experience

Mes Amis X - Arnie Marcella - Thai on the Riviera

Experience

Prix Fixe Dining Room

Experience

Prix Fixe Outdoor Patio

Olivella - Ojai Valley Inn

4.8

4.8 (506)

$50 and over

Californian

Ojai

About the restaurant

Ojai Valley Inn’s signature dinner restaurant, Olivella, holds the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star and Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence designations. Chef Andrew Foskey is proud to present a seasonally driven menu with a commitment to valley-grown ingredients and techniques inspired by Italian tradition. As a complement to our cuisine, the award-winning wine program showcases expertly curated discoveries and classic bottlings from notable California and Italian producers.

Guests are invited to enjoy our multi course dining experience starting at $150/ person, plus tax and gratuity. Please note that a la carte dining is not available.

We kindly ask that any updates or cancellation to your reservation be made no less than 24 hours prior. Should you not cancel your reservation within 24 hours, or do not arrive for your reservation, you will be subject to a fee of $75 per person.

In keeping with the atmosphere, Olivella is intended for guests 10 years and older.

Top review

Alethea

Dined 3 days ago

Incredible food and service with a personal touch

Ca' Dario Cucina Italiana

4.8

4.8 (639)

$31 to $50

Italian

Goleta

About the restaurant

Anything grilled is "divine" and the rest of the menu is "delectable" at the "charming" Italian in Santa Barbara known for its "excellent" execution of "simple" pasta, meats and other classics plus a "fantastic" wine list with many available by the glass; it's a local "favorite", so reservations are a must.

Top review

ArinVIP

Dined on Jul 21, 2025

Fantastic experience and wonderful, quality dishes! I was able to spend a rememberable Birthday lunch there! Amazing service! Thank you very much!

Sea Venture

4.7

4.7 (2469)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Pismo Beach

About the restaurant

The SeaVenture Restaurant located on the beach in California Central Coast wine country, the third floor Restaurant allows you to take in breathtaking sunsets and panoramic beach and ocean views from large picture windows and outdoor decks. Chef Eddie Ruiz contemporary coastal cuisine is inspired by the surrounding local wine country. Our seasonal menu is prepared with locally farmed vegetables, premium pork and beef and the highest quality fish and seafood. All desserts are made in house from scratch.

Top review

Jay

Dined 5 days ago

We ordered the halibut on risotto. It was absolutely delicious. Our waiter, Joshua was polite, knowledgeable, and attentive. The view of the ocean was perfect. Our only complaint is that it was noisy. We'll be back.

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Popular dish

Lobster Benedict

Popular dish

Pan Seared Filet Mignon

Pacific's Edge

4.6

4.6 (3523)

$50 and over

American

Carmel

About the restaurant

Nestled on the craggy bluffs of Carmel Highlands and offering spectacular views of the California coastline, Pacific’s Edge lives up to a well-earned reputation as a destination restaurant. Using ingredients inspired by the local bounty from land and sea, a creative culinary team curates seasonal menus complemented by a storied wine list. Where California casual meets refined dining in a one-of-a-kind location, Pacific’s Edge will surely delight all the senses.

Top review

Rick

Dined 3 days ago

A wonderful place to enjoy the evening sunset. Easy drive from Monterey or Carmel. Very friendly and attentive staff.

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Popular dish

Chicken Sandwich

Sierra Mar - Post Ranch Inn

4.6

4.6 (1313)

$50 and over

Organic

Big Sur

About the restaurant

Offering spectacular, picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn is a farm-driven restaurant that celebrates the coastal bounty of Big Sur and our neighboring communities. Our dishes are centered around the dialogue of balance: on the plate, between sea and land, with sustainability always in mind. Selections from our Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine list enhance the inspired cuisine.

We have a family-style lunch experience for $85 per person. Our dinner experience is priced at $185 per person. Lunch and Dinner is available to the general public, however space is limited and reservations in advance are required.

Non-hotel guests will be welcomed at the gate house no more than 30 minutes prior to their reservation.

Top review

MinnieVIP

Dined on Jul 21, 2025

A delightful lunch at Sierra Mar . Everything tasted delicious and we had wonderful service from Ramon . I definitely recommend a visit to Sierra Mar !

Coastal Kitchen Monterey

4.6

4.6 (361)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Monterey

About the restaurant

NOW SERVING SUNDAY BRUNCH!!

The Coastal Kitchen Monterey is an idyllic setting to enjoy inspirational fine dining. The culinary efforts are on display in the show kitchen and the service team is poised to offer impassioned explanations.

Chef Michael Rotondo’s multi-coursed tasting menu focuses on sustainability and celebrates the bounty of the Monterey Bay and Central Coast. A wine pairing of thoughtfully curated wines selected by the Sommelier team is available to complement each captivating course.

Additionally, we are also offering our Champagne Brunch on Sundays for 10am to 2pm.

Dinner Menus: Multiple Course Tasting Menu starts at $145 per person (Tuesday to Saturday Evenings)
3 Course Prix Fixe Menu $85 ( Tuesday to Thursday evenings)
Champagne Brunch Prix Fixe Menu: $75 per person (Sundays from 10am to 2pm)
Reservation Cancellation Policy: 24 Hours Prior to Reservation Time
Late Cancellation Fee: $50 per guest cancelation.

Top review

DanielVIP

Dined on Jul 19, 2025

Truly a gem in Monterey, and clearly the best and most innovative food all around in town. While there are main stays like Whaler and Sardine, Coastl Kitchen does something not seen in Monterey in a while - incredibly innovative, fun, well executed, local flavors in 2 very manageable menus. Brilliant service to boot and the view is, of course, amazing. Well worth the splurge and short of going father afield to Carmel, you can't do better in the peninsula. Great

Anchor Rose

3.8

3.8 (112)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Life is better when you're on the water.
Located directly overlooking the historic harbor with 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Santa Barbara, Anchor Rose is the perfect place to share a cocktail, enjoy a fresh seafood dinner, and people watch or catch one of the American Riviera’s signature sunsets.
Come for the drinks. Stay for the tapas.
Drawn from the seafaring roots that have shaped the Santa Barbara area for hundreds of years, our craft cocktails and scratch-made plates are inspired by the sea, the surf, and the laid-back atmosphere for which this area is famous. Flip-flops welcome.
Anchor Rose is Santa Barbara’s best restaurant, with a view of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Barbara Harbor. Whether you’re looking for the best fresh seafood or a restaurant with a view, Anchor Rose has quickly become the favorite Santa Barbara restaurant for locals and tourists alike.

Top review

Tom

Dined on Jul 3, 2025

Had dinner at 7:00 on a Wednesday. Not a lot of customers around so quiet. We enjoyed our meals. Service was fine. Thanks

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