Updated April 26, 2024

Are you thinking about ways to impress that lucky guy or gal you’ve been talking to with a romantic first date in San Diego? If so, you’ve likely been racking your brain for good ideas of places to go see in this city: something new and interesting—a spot or date idea that avoids the typical first date night clichés. You want to make your evening stand out and be memorable, especially if you’re hoping for more than one date.

ortunately for you, the city is jam-packed with some of the best date night spots in Southern California that are sure to make fireworks fly. So if you’ve been searching the internet for “irst date ideas San Diego”, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in this guide! Below, you’ll find some of the best spots in town with our San Diego tour of fun first dates in San Diego.

CAFÉ SEVILLA

Photo Courtesy: Café Sevilla

Want a taste of Barcelona nights? Luckily for you, you don’t need to buy plane tickets. Just head into the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego with Café Sevilla. This Spanish inspired restaurant has been a mainstay of the area since 1987, providing authentic Spanish cuisine, tapas, and live Flamenco music nightly.

Be sure to bring an appetite. From incredible Halibut ceviche to a killer brunch happy hour with $13 bottomless mimosas in San Diego, you’re sure to end up food-comatose. Don’t worry though, their Flamenco shows will awaken you and enliven something deep inside your soul.

DINNER AT LUMI AND DRINKS AT PROHIBITION

Lumi | Facebook

Lumi, with its stunning rooftop setting and a menu featuring Japanese cuisine, can be an impressive choice for a first date in all of San Diego County. It’s the brainchild of celeb chef Akira Back, so expect a beautiful ambiance with a wide variety of sushi and Japanese dishes with flair, situated in Downtown San Diego. The combination of a beautiful ambiance and expansive menu offers a balance of elegance and culinary exploration, making it a memorable backdrop for a romantic evening.

rom there, you walk over to 5th Avenue to one of the coolest speakeasy bars in San Diego, Prohibition. After knocking on a door that has “Law Offices of Eddie O’Hare, Esq.” emblazoned across the front, the doorman slides it open and tells you the rules:

1. No cell phones at the bar.
2. No parties larger than six.
3. Drink with an open mind.
4. No unsolicited advances on female patrons.
5. Dress code strictly enforced: Collared shirts for men, no sandals or athletic shoes, no shorts, and no ball caps.

Once you’ve been permitted entrance, you head down the stairs to find live music, a cool old-timey atmosphere, and a killer cocktail menu- the perfect recipe for an impressive date. Upon reaching this point, you’re on your own; we’ve teed you up,and now it’s your job to knock it out of the park.

THE SMOKING GOAT

Photo Courtesy: The Smoking Goat

If you want one of the most fun and casual first-date restaurants in San Diego, The Smoking Goat in North Park is the spot for you. This locale was built on the classic idea of a French Bistro with a modern spin. Since it opened, this rustic setting with finger-licking good French cuisine has been a hit and is regularly jam-packed with patrons.

Plus, now you and your date are in North Park! Go bar hopping right after your meal to change up the atmosphere and keep the conversation lively. There’s plenty of bars in North Park to choose from:

• Campfire – Gather around the fire right next door to The Smoking Goat and enjoy cocktails inspired by the great outdoors.
• Modern Times Brewery – A San Diego brewery that’s become a staple for succulent beers—it’s no wonder they call it the “Flavordome.”
• Mike Hess Brewing – Down the street, you’ll find a whole host of other bars to enjoy, including Mike Hess Brewing.

EXTRAORDINARY DESSERTS

Photo Courtesy: Extraordinary Desserts

Does your future bae have a sweet tooth? If so, you need to head down to Little Italy (or Hillcrest) once dinner and drinks are done. Extraordinary Desserts is the premier patisserie in San Diego and hosts an assorted array of sweets and treats on their menu. Try the cookies, cupcakes, pies, cakes, chocolates, or authentic French pastries. Don’t worry, they have fantastic vegan and gluten-free options, so there are no excuses not to give it a taste.

Pastry chef Karen Krasne is a wizard in the kitchen, which is probably why this lovely little spot is full of chocoholics from open until close. Any of these mouthwatering confections are sure to delight your taste buds, but if you’re looking for a recommendation, we suggest the Shangri-la cake; however, be warned, try it once and you’ll be coming back forever!

HUMPHREY’S

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If the date is going great, you can keep it going by heading to Humphrey’s on Shelter Island for some live music and signature cocktails in the San Diego Bay. Alongside the musical acts, you can also enjoy a range of beverages, such as wines and craft beers. This combination of delightful drinks, soulful tunes, and the romantic ambiance of a sunset or moonlight hitting the Shelter Island marina water at Humphrey’s makes it a top spot for the nightcap to your date.

CATANIA AND A ROMANTIC STROLL IN LA JOLLA

Photo Courtesy: Catania

Catania offers a taste of “la bella vita”—a casual dining atmosphere with incredible open-air ocean beach views that are paired with top-notch authentic Italian cuisine. Located in La Jolla, this trattoria transports you to the coast of Italy and offers dishes inspired by le nonne of the Amalfi Coast. Named by Zagat as one of the “15 hottest new restaurants around the U.S.,” Catania boasts handmade pasta, wood-fire pizzas, fresh seafood, gelato, and a whole lot more. And, if you want to save a few bucks, the Italian Aperitivo Happy Hour runs daily from 3-6 pm and includes a selection of fantastic small plates and lovely drink specials. And depending on the time of year, you might get lucky and catch a romantic sunset view acing the Pacific Ocean during happy hour.

Pair Catania with gelato at Bobboi and live music at La Valencia for an unforgettable experience.

Or, you can take a sunset stroll at La Jolla Cove for amazing sunset views over the Pacific Ocean and stop to watch the sea lions in their natural habitat. There are benches and picnic tables where you can take a break and perhaps share your first kiss. Oooh la la!

DATING IN SAN DIEGO

America’s inest City is a treasure trove of fabulous date spots, but before you go out mining for your very own culinary gems, be sure to first check out these tried and true locations or some of the best San Diego date ideas. They’re guaranteed to delight you and will work on your behalf to get you that second date.

rom there, it’s up to you.

You got this.

Written by: Melissa

Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.