The Most Romantic Restaurants in Palo Alto

Ettan makes a strong date-night setting in downtown Palo Alto, with an alley entrance that opens into two floors of blue floral walls beneath a domed skylight. A local chef-owner chose the contemporary Indian restaurant as a Valentine's Day pick and described the atmosphere as warm and romantic. We'd start with the maa ki dal, black lentils cooked slowly, or the Kerala fried chicken.

Share a few plates at Ethel's Fancy, a downtown Palo Alto restaurant serving Californian food with an Asian twist in a bright, airy room. We'd start with the petite sesame pancakes and the cavatelli with pea tendrils and lamb belly. The room fills up on weekends, so reserve ahead. Dinner runs Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm to 9pm and Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9:30pm.

Evvia Estiatorio gives a downtown Palo Alto dinner some warmth with wood beams, copper pots and a wood-burning fireplace. The Greek restaurant draws couples and special-occasion diners in the evenings, and it is a place to dress to impress. We'd start with the rotisserie chicken with lemon and oregano or the souvlaki with onions and tzatziki.

Choose the version of the night you want at Protégé on California Avenue: an intimate dining room built around a seven-course tasting menu, or an a la carte lounge centered on a 10-seat bar. A local restaurateur named it a Valentine's Day pick and recommends the crab and caviar snack with Champagne. Protégé is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm to 9:15pm and closed Sundays and Mondays.

Meyhouse on Emerson Street is built for a lively night of drinks, conversation and music. The Turkish meyhane, or tavern, was described by a local chef-owner as sophisticated and high-energy, with meze and grilled dishes recommended alongside a wine pairing. The restaurant also runs its own jazz program.

Sit side by side at the eight-seat counter at Iki Omakase on Ramona Street for a long progression of sushi courses. The stark black-and-gray room stays quiet enough that you will naturally keep your voices low, making this an intimate special-occasion dinner. Iki is text-only, so there are no phone calls.

At Zola, you can choose between a relaxed, intimate dining room and the busier bar next door, with outdoor seating and a large wine list as well. We'd start with the PEI mussels with pancetta or the filet mignon with pommes puree and sauce perigueux. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 5pm to 10pm.

Bring a celebration to Taverna, a Greek fine-dining restaurant on a downtown Palo Alto corner at Emerson Street. The cozy room has a blue door and veranda, with Greek wine flowing alongside dishes such as octopus and taramosalata. Save room for the custard bougatsa at dessert.

Sundance the Steakhouse is candlelit, with dark wood paneling and a dim bar across from Stanford on El Camino Real. Expect a polished room and a world-class wine list. Choose between the prime rib and filet mignon, with a California cabernet alongside.

For a livelier shared-plates dinner, Zaytinya serves Turkish, Greek and Lebanese mezze in a sleek modern room filled with light, blue-and-white Turkish floor tiles and a glass arch glowing above the bar. We'd begin with the kebab platter and the brussels sprouts afelia with garlic yogurt. Tables go quickly, so book early, though off-peak tables are usually doable.