Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated April 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!

Olivella - Ojai Valley Inn

4.9

4.9 (491)

$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 $125/ 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

CherylVIP

Dined 4 days ago

We are vegetarians and also Gluten-free. The veg menu was amazing, and enough GF for the party. Food was amazing, fresh, interesting and just the perfect portions. Amazing staff. Thank you!

Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.8

4.8 (2739)

$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

Lupe

Dined 1 day ago

Beautiful setting to a special celebration which we did for our anniversary, restaurant is beautiful and grounds are amazing with delicious menu

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4.7

4.7 (5073)

$50 and over

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Every city has that one can’t miss restaurant, where celebrities feel at home and every other guest feels like a celebrity. Since October 2, 1968, The Sardine Factory’s cachet has made dining in our historic Cannery Row setting a tradition for world leaders, sports heroes and entertainment icons. Our award-winning chefs prepare delectable creations of fresh, sustainable seafood and USDA Prime Aged Beef; winner of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s "Best Wine List in America" award. The Lounge’s live entertainment, Happy Hour and affordable menu are a casual alternative to our other dining rooms. Celebrating over 50 years under the same ownership and management! Voted "Best Restaurant in Monterey" by Monterey County Herald readers.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great atmosphere Excellent Service, great Food Excellent Wine Suggestions

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Popular dish

Sardine Factory's "Sorbet on Ice Swan"

Popular dish

USDA Prime Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Abalone Bisque

Willows at Chumash Casino

4.6

4.6 (1580)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

The Willows specializes in mouthwatering prime steaks and seafood. This 14 time AAA Four Diamond Award-winning restaurant also features a Wine Spectator Award winning wine list with an extensive selection of local and imported wines, all served in an exquisitely appointed setting.

Top review

Nancy

Dined 3 days ago

The staff is very friendly, engaging and wonderful. Special shout out to our server Jessica and a lovely person named Amanda. We’ve had wonderful conversations with her the last couple times we were here. The food was yummy and I love that the restaurant is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the casino. It was nice having some downtime. Definitely coming back again. :-)

Patisserie Boissiere Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (455)

$30 and under

French

Carmel

About the restaurant

Walk-ins' are taken starting at 11:30 am. Reservations accepted for dinner only, and walk-ins' accepted when possible.

Fifty eight years ago, Elaine and Pierre Boissiere established their eponymous restaurant at its current location, years before Carmel Plaza shopping center was built around it. They sought to offer the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea a relaxing and comforting venue modeled after a European chateau where tables are thoughtfully spaced and fresh flowers, fireplace, candles and soothing musical notes are integral part of the dining experience. The ambience sets the tone for French country food served with a great deal of care for detail and pastries baked daily on premises. It is a testament to their far sightedness that Patisserie Boissiere Restaurant continues to fulfill their vision to this day.

Top review

Kay

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

The whole evening was wonderful. Super friendly service, food was delicious and the ambience lovely. We were especially appreciative of the lower noise level than many restaurants.

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Popular dish

Classic Beef Bourguignon

Popular dish

French Onion Soup Gratinee

Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Casanova Restaurant Carmel

4.6

4.6 (2450)

$50 and over

Italian

Carmel

About the restaurant

Our current hours are as follows.
Monday - Thursday, Dinner 4:30pm to 9:00pm
Friday- Saturday, Dinner 4:30pm to 9:30pm

Policies: We do require a credit card for reservations. We reserve the right to charge guests who do not show up for their reservations or cancel within a 24 hour notice.
The charge for NO SHOW is $35 per guest. We will hold your table for 15min max, and will automatically allot 2hrs for your dining pleasure.
Parties of 5 or more will need to make special accommodations with the hostess.

Thank you for your continuous support!

Top review

Ingrid

Dined on Apr 22, 2025

Lovely dinner with my family. The food was great, wine list was deep and well-priced, and the service was excellent from beginning to end. Thank you to the friendly hostess, the sommelier, and our server Avery for making our dinner so special!

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The 'O' Bar + Kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

4.6

4.6 (27)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Savor Coastal Californian cuisine on our beautiful Ocean Terrace with views of the Pacific

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn points when staying with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined on Mar 19, 2025

Fantastic experience, beautiful view, delicious meal and delightful service from Sophie.

The Black Cat - Cambria

4.4

4.4 (718)

$30 and under

Californian

Cambria

About the restaurant

Open since July 4th, 2002, Black Cat Bistro is known for serving Innovative Farm Fresh Fare. The menu changes often as Black Cat Bistro consistently strives to present fare that is reflective of seasonal, local produce and organically raised or sustainable product.The food is especially cognizant of wine pairings to electrify the palate. The Black Cat has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for nine years in a row.

Black Cat Bistro is small with 45 seats and this is part of what makes it such an intimate dining experience. The service is attentive, unpretentious and refined. The dining rooms are decorated in soothing colors and fabrics. Down pillowed benches frame the edges of two of the three rooms. Candle light adorns the tables covered with white linen. Food is served on white china and wine in crystal Riedel stemware.

Top review

BeckyVIP

Dined on Apr 15, 2025

Great food. I had the scallops and they were delicious. The clam chowder was amazing.

Plow & Angel Speakeasy

4.4

4.4 (8)

$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

MeeeVIP

Dined on Mar 8, 2025

We loved our night out. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Will definitely return

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Experience

Plow & Angel Speakeasy

Experience

Afternoon Tea

Enzo Ristorante Italiano

4.1

4.1 (462)

$31 to $50

Italian

Carmel

About the restaurant

If a Western Mediterranean version of life exists, you will find it nestled between Ocean ave and Seventh st on San Carlos Street in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The European style village nestled above a picturesque white sandy beach is the perfect backdrop to "ENZO". At Enzo, you will be beckoned by the rustically charming patios surrounded by draping bougainvillea on a sundrenched day or the cozy and simplistic interior warmed by the fireplace when the cool fog blankets the coast.

Calabria is a southern region in Italy where the owner, Enzo, comes from. Calabria is a place where life is still slow.

It's the beauty, the passion, the family, the love...

this is what you will find at Enzo...simplicity, love, comfort, family!

Top review

DaleVIP

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

Our food was great. Would have liked some fresh sourdough bread with our meal.

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