7 Romantic Dinner Options in Yosemite and Mariposa County

After exploring some of the most romantic spots in Yosemite, you’ll be hungry for an equally enchanting and memorable meal with your loved one. Mariposa County has many tasty dining options for a wide variety of budgets, but here are some of the area’s best romantic restaurants to top off your dreamy getaway with a marvelous and satisfying meal.

1. Savoury’s Restaurant

Savoury’s Restaurant is a local favorite for fine dining and special events. Located in downtown Mariposa, outside Yosemite National Park on Highway 140, visitors can expect a casual elegance and impeccable service from the staff along with delicious classic American meals.

This is a perfect option if you are planning to stay in the Mariposa or El Portal areas.

2. The Ahwahnee Dining room

One of the crown rules of National Park dining options, the Ahwahnee’s Dining Room is one of the most romantic places to dine anywhere in Yosemite Mariposa County. With its beautiful vaulted ceilings, candlelit atmosphere and iconic surroundings, the Ahwahnee is a great place for a low-key dinner for two, a wedding reception meal or the perfect setting to pop-that ever important “big question”.

3. Embers Restaurant at Tenaya Lodge

Just a little further south of Wawona, you can enjoy Embers Restaurant at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, known for excellent food and a warm and welcoming staff. The menu focuses on locally sourced and organic ingredients for the freshest and healthiest flavors.

In the warmer months, choose the outdoor seating with beautiful views of the forest and hotel grounds.

And while you’re there, sign up for a romantic couple’s massage or one of the other spa treatments at Ascent Spa. It’s a perfectly relaxing way to round out an evening.

4. June Bug Cafe

Speaking of spa and dinner options, the June Bug Café at the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort is another great place to combine a romantic restaurant experience with a relaxing soak in a hot tub or sauna. Well-known for their delicious, fresh, local and organic ingredients, the June Bug Café has an easygoing and friendly atmosphere in a rustic mountain environment. Stop in to see what is on the menu (there is always something fresh and new), and then unwind with a massage, a soaking bath, or a yoga session.

“The Bug” is a lot more than just a restaurant. Learn more about this rustic resort in our video on the owners, Doug Shaw and Caroline McGrath.

5. Charles Street Dinner House

Introduce your sweetheart to The Charles Street Dinner House. It is another local Mariposa favorite, remarkable for both the delicious, perfectly cooked dishes and the friendly and professional service. The restaurant’s understated old town ambiance includes a wide-ranging menu with arguably the best steaks in the region, along with flavorful vegan and gluten-free options.

6. Make Your Own Special Meal at a Cabin Rental

Do you love to cook? Create your own ravishingly romantic meal at a home away from home. Discover options for cozy one-bedroom cabins or apartments with full kitchens so you can craft your own favorite meal together. These vacation rentals encourage you to let your hair down and allow the rest of the world to disappear for an evening. Enjoy your culinary masterpiece in the privacy of your own space, and then curl up together in front of a flickering fire with a glass of wine to reminisce about your day in Yosemite.

7. Romance is What You Make It

There are many other amazing restaurants in Mariposa County where romance is what you make it!

Try Woody’s Outdoor Bar-B-Que for a casual date night. Mariposa also has top-rated Mexican restaurants like Don Rubens Restaurant Authentic Mexican Food or Castillo’s Fine Mexican Food, as well as many great places to sink your teeth into a gourmet burger. Mariposa County’s unique style and friendly and attentive local service make any restaurant experience a special night out for two.