Keeping the flame of love alive isn’t something that should be reserved for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or special occasions. Ideally, it’s nurtured every day, or at least whenever possible. And if it’s with an original plan at an award-winning restaurant, even better.
OpenTable’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America for 2026 was recently released, and among the top five, FARM in Palm Springs stands out, earning praise as the most romantic restaurant in all of California.
FARM is a charming, Provençal-style restaurant tucked into the historic La Plaza courtyard in downtown Palm Springs. Set away from the main flow of traffic, it offers a relaxed, garden-like atmosphere that feels more like a French countryside café than a desert eatery.
Other romantic spots to visit in the state
Farm is not the only California eatery on the list. Gary Danko in San Francisco is celebrated for its refined contemporary American cuisine, while Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad offers modern French fare with a stylish coastal vibe. Mister A’s in San Diego is known for its rooftop views of the city skyline, and Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara provides a secluded garden setting perfect for a romantic evening.
Other standout spots include Summit House in Fullerton, which combines classic American dishes with panoramic city views, and The Marine Room in San Diego, where diners can savor seafood right above the waves.
The ranking is based on over 9 million verified OpenTable reviews and dining data collected from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025. Restaurants meeting a minimum number of reviews were evaluated on metrics including diner ratings, percentage of five-star reviews, alerts set, advance reservations, capacity, and direct searches.