‘Old-school’ Fresno restaurant is among best date night spots in US, Yelp says. Here’s why

Looking for love? A Fresno restaurant is one of the most romantic places to take a date in the nation, according to Yelp.

The popular review website recently released its list of the Top 100 Date Night Restaurants in the United States for 2025, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

According to Yelp, the best date night restaurants feature an intimate atmosphere, romantic cuisine and free champagne, wine or desserts for diners.

Cesarina in San Diego was the No. 1 restaurant for romance in the nation, Yelp said, describing it as a “top spot for date nights and anniversaries.”

““This ‘truly magic’ restaurant wins hearts with a vibe that says ‘We’ve been whisked off to Italy,’ “ Yelp said, noting that the Southern California restaurant offers complimentary champagne or dessert as well as commemorative Polaroids to mark special occasions.

Club A Steakhouse in New York City came in second place, and Intero Restaurant in Austin third.

Why is Fresno restaurant one of best date night spots in US?

The Lime Lite, 1054 West Shaw Ave. in Fresno, was No. 96 on Yelp’s list of the best date night restaurants in the nation.

The restaurant has a 4.5-star rating on Yelp, reviewers praising its “excellent food,” “old-school vibe” and attentive staff.

Yelp reviewer Eric C. of Clovis called The Lime Lite “a hidden gem ... with a candlelit, romantic ambiance,” while Marcos L. of Fresno said the “food and drinks always hit the spot!”

The restaurant’s menu features new American cuisine such as panko-crusted calamari strips and mozzarella buratta with pepper tapenade to prime rib with house-whipped potatoes and sautéed asparagus and pork chops with roasted apples and crispy Brussels sprouts.

Starters range in price from $14 to $19, while entrees cost $19 to $79.

Desserts, which include chocolate souffle and key lime mascarpone cheesecake, are $12 each.

What is the most romantic restaurant in Fresno?

According to Fresno Bee readers, Veni Vidi Vici is the most romantic restaurant in Fresno.

The bar and restaurant at 1116 Fulton St. won first place in a 2024 poll conducted by The Bee, capturing 58% of the vote.

Other front-runners for the title of Fresno’s most romantic restaurant include Max’s Bistro & Bar, Cracked Pepper Bistro and Elbow Room, The Bee previously reported.

Which other California restaurants made the list?

A total of 13 California restaurants landed on Yelp’s list of the top date night restaurants in the United States.

Here’s where they ranked:

• No. 1: Cesarina in San Diego
• No 5: Maccheroni Republic in Los Angeles
• No. 11: Wolf in the Woods in San Diego
• No. 15: Seven Hills in San Francisco
• No. 25: Viaje in Long Beach
• No. 27: The Goat and Vine in Temecula
• No. 37: Siamo Napoli, in San Diego
• No. 42: Malama Pono Restaurant in Los Angeles
• No. 44: Casablanca Morrocan Kitchens in Los Angeles
• No. 54: Chez Bachus in Long Beach
• No. 61: Frog and Slim in Sacramento
• No. 92: L’ Ardoise Bistro in San Francisco
• No. 96: The Lime Lite in Fresno
  
  

What are top 10 restaurants in US for date night?

The top 10 restaurants for a romantic date in the nation were:

1. Cesarina in San Diego
2. Club A Steakhouse in New York City
3. Intero Restaurant in Austin
4. Penumbra in Chicago
5. Maccheroni Republic in Los Angeles
6. Pane e Vino in Miami Beach
7. Le Fou Frog in Kansas City
8. Dleña in Washington, D.C.
   
   
9. Da Andrea in New York City
10. Bavettes, Bar and Beouf in Chicago

How did Yelp come up with its rankings?

To rank the nation’s best date night spots for 2025, Yelp said it identified businesses in the restaurants and food categories with a large concentration of reviews mentioning words and phrases such as “date night,” “romantic,” “valentine,” and “anniversary.”

The review site then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews mentioning those keywords between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 1.

Yelp included a maximum of three businesses per city to guarantee geographic diversity.

All businesses on Yelp’s list were listed as open on the site and had passing health scores, when available, as of Dec. 13.

This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Fernanda Galan

The Fresno Bee

559-441-6005

Fernanda Galan covers Central Valley and California news as The Fresno Bee’s service journalism reporter. Before joining The Bee in 2024, she reported in Milwaukee, Arizona and Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.