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Best Date Night Restaurants in San Mateo

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60 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Pausa Bar & Cookery restaurant
1. Pausa Bar & Cookery
4.7
Exceptional(1836)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • San Mateo
Booked 50 times today
Pausa, a bar and cookery in San Mateo, calls for guests to take a recess from life and enjoy a dining experience that transports them to a place of leisure. With a strong focus on modern Italian, our menu will consist of house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza, wood-fired grill, and house-cured meats. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will ensure your pause is a memorable one.We are now taking reservations for our patio tables, bar, and indoor tables. As we practice social distancing with our new limited floor plan, we ask that you and your guests limit your dining to 2 hours to accommodate all reservations.When checking table availability, if outdoor seating is not an option to select, then your reservation will be for an indoor table as the outdoor may be booked. Thank you for understanding.
A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Mateo, CA | Downtown (Central Park) restaurant
2. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Mateo, CA | Downtown (Central Park)
4.7
Exceptional(746)
Price: Expensive
• Japanese • San Mateo
Booked 21 times today
Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other! Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!
A photo of Porterhouse restaurant
3. Porterhouse
4.7
Exceptional(1674)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • San Mateo
Booked 19 times today
The renowned art of dry aging finally arrives in San Mateo, as our new dry aging window is now completed. We are proud to be the only restaurant on the Peninsula (In between San Francisco & San Jose) to have an in-house dry aging facility. Our new menu featuring these marvelous cuts of beef is now available.To accompany your steak, our Wine List celebrates the acclaimed wines of Napa Valley, Willamette Valley, France and Italy. In addition to our steak and chop offerings, our Chef provides for a daily selection of fresh fish and seafood.Whether you are having a romantic dinner, entertaining some friends and family, having a business meeting, or hosting a private party, we will provide you with the ideal setting for your next outing.*Please note that we have re-located 2 blocks away to 164 S B Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
A photo of Rise Woodfire - San Mateo restaurant
4. Rise Woodfire - San Mateo
4.5
Awesome(629)
Price: Moderate
• American • San Mateo
Booked 19 times today
Proudly local and family-owned, we serve elevated comfort food including wood-fired pizza and rotisserie fare in the heart of Downtown San Mateo (located inside a historical train station!). Try local favorites like our signature pizzas, prime ribs and roast chickens, as well as many vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes to choose from. Our indoor and outdoor dining are open, so come experience our grand main dining room or dine outside in our state-of-the-art heated covered patio -- kids love watching the trains go by! Takeout service for pickup and delivery are available - Order online through our website www.risewoodfire.com.For table reservations of 13 or more, please contact us directly at info@risewoodfire.com
A photo of The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar restaurant
5. The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar
4.7
Exceptional(369)
Price: Moderate
• French American • San Mateo
Booked 12 times today
The Barrel Bistro and Wine Bar welcomes everyone with selective wines selection and many pairings superbly with a wide variety of cuisine. With selective cheeses and charcutiers, hundreds of different wines, seafood,and meats.The Barrel Bistro&Wine Bar attracts colleagues for a drink after work, business dinners, a quick bite or drink before a show, late night revelers, families for Sunday brunch and more.
A photo of Izakaya Ginji restaurant
6. Izakaya Ginji
4.7
Exceptional(235)
Price: Expensive
• Japanese • San Mateo
Booked 3 times today
Izakaya Ginji, located in downtown San Mateo, is a Japanese gastropub specializing in Yakitori and tapas style dishes. Izakaya Ginji also has a vast selection of rare Sake and unique Beers. For Japanese spirits, the restaurant also offers a variety of Shochu.We have 10minutes grace period. Please call us if you are running later than 10 minutes after your reservation time.Due to limited seating, dining is limited to 2hours until further notice.Please be sure to include your children or your service animal as a head count for accurate reservation!Also, we are now taking reservations for our INDOOR TABLE ONLY. ***We will NOT accommodate any requests for outdoor patio seating. Reservations are strictly for INDOOR ONLY*** We will be NOT allowing any outside food and drinks. We look forward to providing you with an authentic Japanese dining experience .
A photo of Central Park Bistro restaurant
7. Central Park Bistro
4.8
Exceptional(1695)
Price: Expensive
• American • San Mateo
Booked 18 times today
Central Park Bistro is a 100 seat contemporary restaurant in downtown San Mateo featuring fresh seasonal American cuisine by Chef Ricardo Garcia, in the $15-$45 range. We offer a carefully chosen eclectic Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Central Park Bistro is an affordable sophisticated, fun dining experience. Relax and unwind with a house specialty cocktail at our wonderful Martini Bar. We also have several intimate private dining rooms perfect for that corporate presentation business meeting, wedding rehearsal dinner, retirement/anniversary dinner, or any special function you may have in mind. Check out our private wine cellar room which seats up to 8 people for that extra special dining experience.For reservations larger than 12 or for private functions please contact the restaurant directly.
A photo of Avenida restaurant
8. Avenida
4.5
Awesome(276)
Price: Expensive
• Filipino • San Mateo
Booked 17 times today
Avenida is a charming Filipino restaurant perfect for a date night. With its unique ambiance, inspired by the dynamic lifestyle of Avenida Rizal, it offers a mix of intimate lighting and spacious seating. It's also highly praised for its exquisite and authentic Filipino cuisine. As one reviewer shared, 'The food at Avenida restaurant is simply amazing!' Another mentioned, 'The ambience was good for casual dining' which suggests a comfortable and relaxed environment perfect for a romantic evening.
A photo of Amour Amour Wine Bar & Tapas restaurant
9. Amour Amour Wine Bar & Tapas
4.5
Awesome(115)
Price: Moderate
• Tapas / Small Plates • San Mateo
Booked 4 times today
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 !
A photo of Tomatina - San Mateo restaurant
10. Tomatina - San Mateo
4.1
Excellent(143)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • San Mateo
For parties over 4 guests or if desired time not available, please contact us directly at 650-918-5030 to book your reservationWE CATER ANY EVENT no celebration is too large or too small!You’re always welcome at San Mateo’s Tomatina, our family-friendly Italian restaurant at the corner of 4th and B Streets in the heart of downtown San Mateo just off Highway 101. Located just 10 minutes from San Francisco International Airport, minutes from the San Mateo Event Center and a block from Century 12 San Mateo, we are here for any occasion. Tomatina is designed to appeal to as many people as possible, which is why they carry a vegetarian, gluten-free and children's menu in addition to their regular ones. Each month, Tomatina offers seasonal specials in addition to the normal menu.

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From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Regina
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Beautiful food presentation and delicious! I had the paela and it was sooo good! My partner had the salad with pomegranates and said that was yummy as well as the Gnocchi!
    More info
    Central Park BistroPrice: Expensive• American• San Mateo
    •
    4.8
  • Joseph
    San Francisco Bay Area •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We went here two days in a row - It was THAT GOOD! We had a party of 8 the first day and went back with just 2 for a second time Wait staff was great both times. Portions are generous and staff is attentive. Variety is wide with something for every taste. Pizzas are incredibly fresh, crispy and loaded with toppings. Chicken was unbelievably moist with a crispy skin. Wine selection is considerable. Deserts are also wonderful! Ambience is comfortable, but active and the area is worth walking around. OUTSTANDING in every way. This will be my "goto" whenever I'm in the area.
    More info
    Rise Woodfire - San MateoPrice: Moderate• American• San Mateo
    •
    4.5
  • Jasonvip
    San Francisco Bay Area •41 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    I took my client to dinner here. Food was great. I had the petite filet and some steamed veggies, and we split an order of brussels sprouts with bacon. My client had the porterhouse. We enjoyed it very much; service was great, waiter was friendly but not overbearing. This restaurant is now definitely on my list of places to go for business dinners.
    More info
    PorterhousePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• San Mateo
    •
    4.7
  • Vivekananda
    New York City •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 16 Nov 2024
    This restaurant was a great little find. Great food, great staff and ambience. Really cute little find.
    More info
    Pausa Bar & CookeryPrice: Expensive• Italian• San Mateo
    •
    4.7
  • Takako
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on 10 Nov 2024
    Came for dinner with my family. We’re Japanese and my sons love and miss Japanese style bbq. The taste,ambience, services are same mostly.
    More info
    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Mateo, CA | Downtown (Central Park)Price: Expensive• Japanese• San Mateo
    •
    4.7

Discover best date night restaurants in San Mateo

Discover the perfect setting for a romantic date night in San Mateo, nestled in the enchanting San Francisco Bay Area, Peninsula. Our curated selection of restaurants offers a diverse range of dining experiences that cater to the tastes and atmospheres ideal for a special evening out. From intimate settings with soft lighting and cozy ambiances to establishments offering breathtaking views and unique culinary creations, each restaurant promises a memorable date night experience. The dining scene in San Mateo is renowned for its eclectic mix of cuisines, blending local ingredients with global influences to delight every palate. Explore gourmet eateries where the focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and expertly crafted dishes ensures a delightful culinary journey. Whether you’re seeking a quiet spot for deep conversation or a lively venue to enjoy good food and company, our selection offers something to enhance every date night. Let San Mateo's vibrant dining scene make your next date night extraordinary, ensuring an evening filled with delicious food, excellent service, and a romantic atmosphere.

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