Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Peninsula

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic in Peninsula? 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!

Iron Gate

4.9

4.9 (3127)

$50 and over

French

Belmont

About the restaurant

Iron Gate offers excellent Continental cuisine in an elegant environment. The only restaurant with table site & flambe service in the bay area. Private Rooms available for 25 up to75 guests. The entire restaurant can be bought out for private parties.

Top review

Leslie

Dined 2 days ago

Rubin was our waiter and he was very kind and professional.

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4.8

4.8 (4133)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Woodside

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Woodside, The Village Pub is a culinary gem that has captivated the palates of discerning diners for over two decades. The restaurant's contemporary Californian cuisine, rooted in the culinary traditions of France and the Mediterranean, is a symphony of flavors that celebrates the freshest, seasonal ingredients. Each dish is a testament to the chef's artistry, with every component meticulously crafted to showcase the essence of each ingredient. The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring that diners can always savor the bounty of the harvest. The Village Pub's partnership with SMIP Ranch, a nearby organic farm, is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality and sustainability. The farm's heirloom produce, cultivated with care and harvested exclusively for the restaurant, adds an unparalleled depth of flavor to every dish. The restaurant's ambiance is as inviting as its cuisine. The cozy front lounge and more formal dining area offer a choice of settings, each with its own unique charm. The warm, welcoming atmosphere makes The Village Pub the perfect place for a romantic dinner, a special occasion, or simply a delightful evening out with friends and family. Whether you're a seasoned gourmand or a curious newcomer, The Village Pub promises an unforgettable culinary experience. Come and

Top review

Kirill

Dined on Jun 10, 2025

A very well maintained restaurant, great food and service, would definitely visit it again.

Selby's

4.8

4.8 (1032)

$30 and under

American

Menlo Park

About the restaurant

## Selby's: Where Culinary Artistry Meets Timeless Elegance Step into Selby's, a haven of culinary artistry and timeless elegance in Redwood City. Here, Michelin-starred Chef Mark Sullivan orchestrates a symphony of flavors, blending modern American cuisine with classic European influences. The opulent ambiance transports you to a bygone era. Plush velvet seating, glistening chandeliers, and rich mahogany accents create an atmosphere of sophisticated comfort. As you settle in, prepare to be captivated by the meticulous presentation of each dish, a testament to the chef's dedication to detail. Indulge in Selby's signature dishes, like the melt-in-your-mouth Beef Wellington or the delicate Dover sole meunière. Each bite is a celebration of fresh, seasonal ingredients, expertly prepared to showcase their natural flavors. Complement your meal with a selection from the extensive wine list, curated to enhance the flavors of the cuisine. The knowledgeable staff will guide you through the options, ensuring a harmonious pairing for every palate. Selby's is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. It's a place to celebrate special occasions, savor exquisite cuisine, and create lasting memories. So, come and discover the magic of Selby's, where every detail is

Top review

LaneVIP

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

The service was just the right level of attentive and of course very friendly. Food was thoughtfully crafted (though some of the plating choices were surprising).

Mountain House

4.8

4.8 (440)

$31 to $50

American

Woodside

About the restaurant

The Mountain House has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Serving as a rest stop for travelers, loggers and homesteaders in the Santa Cruz Mountains- we have evolved into a beloved destination known for our Coastal Countryside cuisine and rustic, intimate ambiance. Offering a menu highlighting game meats, locally sourced ingredients, and a curated selection of California and Old World wines, the Mountain House is one of the most unique settings in California. From a roadhouse to fine dining, the unassuming red cabin has stood the test of time along with the majestic redwoods that surround it.

Today, the restaurant is owned and operated by distinguished chefs Dmitry Elperin and William Roberts. We offer a three-course prix fixe menu for in our dining rooms and additionally, we serve an à la carte menu in our bar and lounge, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Take the scenic route to The Mountain House, where nature, history, and hospitality converge.

Top review

Tom

Dined 6 days ago

When we first walked in, it was very familiar from when we used to come up there and go to the mountain house. This time, though it was like watching a well oiled machine everybody was on the same level. Everybody had all the information for everything explained everything it was quite a well oiled machine. Servers were great cocktails were great, food was excellent different things we haven’t had before. It was really a treat. Yes we will be returning. Thank you for the excellent service and food.

Amour Amour Wine Bar & Tapas

4.7

4.7 (134)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

San Mateo

About the restaurant

Amour Amour celebrates 10 years anniversary with the relaxed lifestyle, where small plates, good drinks and a cozy and tranquil atmosphere are all part of the experience. Guests can start with the sachet de prosciutto wrapped with goat cheese, fig jam, almonds and herbes de Provence for an introduction to Amour Amour’s culinary French and Spanish style. Popular hot tapas options include the Spanish seafood paella and Spanish meatballs in a sauce consisting of tomato, nutmeg and paprika, The roasted patatas bravas with spicy tomato aioli is another favorite. Amour Amour’s cold tapas plates, such as the Oregano octopus, capers , or the burrata capresse , are flavorful and refreshing ,squid ink paella .

For a sweet bite, enjoy the tropical coconut panna cotta with mango puree. Be sure to wash your meal down with a house-made sangria. Bon appetit !!!
Family owned and operated !

Top review

Patty

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Lovely place decor is so cute the service is great and food was great

Campagne One Main

4.7

4.7 (218)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Los Altos

About the restaurant

A charming bistro finished with 200-year-old timbers, a period French fireplace, Beaumaniere limestone floors, re-polished antiques, and designer selected Napoleon treasures.

Top review

ScottVIP

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Has the best ratatouille I’ve had outside of France.

Chez TJ

4.6

4.6 (1565)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Mountain View

About the restaurant

Attentive service, fresh flowers and soft music surround guests at this intimate, Michelin Starred restaurant in downtown Mountain View.

Inside a Victorian home, Executive Chef Stan Michalski is pleased to join the culinary team as Executive Chef as of January 2024, bringing his vast Michelin experience and passion for locally-sourced ingredients to further Chez TJ’s exceptional legacy. Stan brings Chez TJ not just culinary mastery, but a deep love of hospitality—believing what matters most is bringing people together over a delicious meal.

Our pre-fixe Chef's Tasting menu encourages an enjoyable evening of dining and conversation.

Chef's Tasting Menu $250
Garden Tasting Menu $165
Optional Wine Pairing $175
Service Charge 20%
For parties of 6 or more a deposit of $125 /per person is required
When booking reservations, please indicate any dietary restrictions. It may not be possible to accommodate all restrictions and food allergies. For reservation assistance, call 650-964-7466

Top review

Dined 7 days ago

Great fine dining experience. We had unforgettable memories.

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Experience

An Evening of Italian Wine with Lorenzo Scarpone

Experience

Chef's Petite Menu (4 courses)

Moonraker

4.6

4.6 (1264)

$31 to $50

American

Pacifica

About the restaurant

Floor to ceiling windows that look down on the beach makes Moonraker restaurant a go to spot for food and an excellent view. Situated inside the Lighthouse Hotel in Pacifica, Moonraker serves lunch, dinner and happy hour!

A large selection of fresh seafood dots the Moonraker menu with items like Dungeness crab, Chef's selection of oysters and ahi poke. Other options from "the land" include pot roast, steak, chicken parmesan and a vegetarian tagine. The chef makes a lot of the offerings gluten free, like crispy calamari and coconut prawns. Be sure to save some room for bananas foster bread pudding or campfire s'mores with a table side hibachi.

Top review

gil

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

What a beautiful place to have our anniversary dinner

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Popular dish

Seafood Pasta

Zola + BarZola

4.6

4.6 (1281)

$31 to $50

French

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

BarZola offers an elevated cocktail experience complemented by a dinner menu from the Zola kitchen. We feature an array of French and California wines, as well as the best and closest sourced meat and produce of the season.

Top review

Susan

Dined 5 days ago

Lovely restaurant with delicious food and great drinks. I had the best gnocchi ever! Menu is limited.

Caffe Riace

4.6

4.6 (281)

$30 and under

Italian

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Established in 1997, Caffe Riace, a robust Palo Alto trattoria, offers conviviality, homemade specialties and family-style warmth. Caffe Riace, one of many fine restaurants in the California Avenue area, is family owned and operated and features outdoor dining on it's spacious private piazza. Every dish is made with honest expertise. Caffe Riace is also a popular venue for wedding receptions, business meetings, graduations and other special events. If you’re looking for an intimate dining experience, we offer private dining rooms accommodating up to 40 guests. Our patio can host up to 200 guests and is a wonderful venue for dining experience.

Top review

Radhika

Dined 7 days ago

The gluten free pasta was excellent and there were many choices for vegetarians who are also gluten-free. Ambiance was excellent with the fountain making the air very cool and with their nice umbrella canopies, even on a sunny warm day.

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