Valentine’s Day: No Reservations Required

There are two types of people in this world: planners and non-planners. The planners keep track of important dates, take full advantage of their reminder apps, and make reservations months in advance. The non-planners live day by day. They fly by the seat of their pants. They cross their fingers and hope for the best.

The problem arises when a non-planner wants to impress a planner on an important holiday like Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, many of the big-name restaurants in town that offer special Valentine’s Day menus are already booked up. But there are plenty of low-key spots that make for a great night out and are sure to impress your someone special. Following are some restaurants in the greater Sacramento area that don’t take reservations.

Mikuni | Various Locations

Photo courtesy of Mikuni

With locations in Sacramento, Davis, Roseville and Folsom, there’s bound to be a Mikuni near you. They feature both traditional Japanese cuisine as well as modern, innovative takes on all the classics, from sushi rolls to bento boxes. The décor is upscale and modern, making it a good bet for a date night — even on Valentine’s Day.

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Selland’s | Sacramento & El Dorado Hills

Although their East Sacramento location is currently undergoing a remodel, their locations near Upper Land Park and El Dorado Hills are still operating as per usual. Don’t be fooled by the order-at-the-counter-and-seat-yourself model; the high-quality dishes and quaint vibe are well suited to a nice night out. Gourmet pizza, sandwiches, hot entrees and amazing desserts means there is plenty to choose from. They also feature a special weekly dinner for two paired with a bottle of wine for $35, which happens to be lasagna Bolognese the week of Feb. 10–15. 

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Tower Café | Land Park

This iconic eatery in Sacramento’s Land Park area has a devoted following for its internationally influenced menu and eclectic décor. It also notoriously doesn’t take reservations, and lines are often out the door for weekend brunch. Come here early for dinner on Valentine’s Day and you may be able to snag a table. Be sure to try one of their signature cocktails and decadent house-made desserts.

Café Bernardo | Various Locations

Photo courtesy of Cafe Bernardo

With locations in Sacramento and Davis, this local eatery is known for their farm-to-table cuisine, much of which has a global twist. The casual setup means you order at the counter and seat yourself, but the food is a step above what you’d find at other counter-service spots. Menu items include burgers, pizzas, salads and entrees, including steak, seafood, and pasta. They also have a large selection of indulgent desserts.

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Masullo | Sacramento

Sure, Masullo is a pizzeria. But it’s a far cry from the dingy American-style chain pizza parlors so many of us are used to. The wood-fired pies feature gourmet toppings like Toscano salami and dry chorizo. Plus they have vegan options made with vegan pepperoni and veggies. You can wash it all down with a local beer or Italian wine.  

Tang’s Sushi | Roseville

If you’re craving sushi in the Roseville area, head to this popular sushi restaurant, which doesn’t take reservations. They offer all the traditional Japanese delicacies, as well as some unique options. They also have udon, entrees, rice bowls and bento boxes.

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Journey to the Dumpling | Sacramento & Elk Grove

Photo courtesy of Journey to the Dumpling

This bustling dumpling house with locations in Midtown and Elk Grove might not be the most romantic spot in town, but if your boo likes innovative Asian-inspired cuisine, it may be a good choice. Their specialties include soup dumplings, bao, and wontons in chili oil, but they also have noodle and rice dishes. Although they don’t take reservations, they do have an online waitlist.

Tips for Last-Minute Valentine’s Day reservations

• Go early or late. Some restaurants open as early as 4 p.m., and being that Valentine’s Day is on a Friday night, many are open late. You have a better chance of getting a table at off times.
• Expect a wait. Even off-the-beaten track restaurants get busy on Valentine’s Day, so expect a wait. Relax, grab a drink at the bar and be patient.
• Check reservation sites. If you don’t have your heart set on a specific restaurant, a good trick for using third-party apps such as OpenTable or Resy is to enter your preferred date, time and the number of diners in your party and see what restaurants pop up with availability.
• Wait for a cancellation. Many restaurants offer a waiting list through their website or one of the reservation sites. Sign up and you may get a table at the last minute if someone cancels.