16 Romantic Restaurants in New York City For Your Next Date
Bianca Balducci
At first glance, New York City might not scream intimacy—reservations get booked up weeks out, open bar stools are snatched up in seconds, and dates squeezed into overpacked schedules. But it's the potential—the low-lit room, delectable shared dish and bottle of red—that pushes New Yorkers to fall head over heels, if not with their date, then at least with the restaurant itself. This city's dining scene brims over with romance, thanks to visionary restaurateurs who have mastered the art of ambiance.
In the first episode of Sex and the City, a skeptical Carrie Bradshaw was convinced that romance is dead in New York City. “Cupid has flown the co-op,” she wrote in her column. But perhaps, at that point in time, she hadn't the access to the selected list we've gathered for you below. Whether it’s cozy neighborhood gems, chic spaces with live entertainment, or venues designed for post-dinner drinks nearby—each offers its own twist on the balance of intimacy and allure. And because, in NYC, the line of a romantic restaurant is razor-thin (if too loud, the charm is lost; if too buzzy, the rush for an open table ruins any mirage of spontaneity.) To take some of the pressure off, read on to find the best NYC dates spots.
Jump to your date preference
For a first date
Gage and Tollner, Downtown Brooklyn
Address: 372 Fulton St
Gage and Tollner is a revitalized New York classic chophouse with charismatic old-world charm (many thanks to its original opening back in 1879.) The space seeps intimacy, with a landmarked interior lined with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and amber glow from the cherry wood arches lit by brass chandeliers. It is exactly the type of place where you want to order a round of oysters from the raw bar, a classic cocktail, and stay for dessert (the baked Alaska for two, filled to the brim with chocolate and cherries, perhaps?). Given its spiffy atmosphere, make sure you and your date dress the part. A subtle post–date move: head upstairs to the second floor to transport from the Victorian–inspired space to Sunken Harbor Club, a stylish and nautical–themed bar for another round (or two).
Monkey Bar, Midtown Manhattan
Address: 60 East 54th Street
The iconic Monkey Bar opened in the heart of Midtown back in 1936 and has since kept true to its Jazz Age essence with an art deco interior, complimented by large-wraparound dining room wall mural. Its deep red leather upholstered booths work with the golden hues from the candle-and-lamp lights throughout. And while, yes, it's an impressive reservation to score—it also has an unpretentious, relaxed energy that boosts the romance even more. You'll have heaps of options given their extensive menu (brunch, lunch, and dinner). Some highlights: their dinner crudo selections, lemon meringue pie, and a classic martini. It's also a haven for breaking the ice, as the history of the space lends a gracious first date topic—and it's one of greatest restaurants to people watch, welcoming funky and glamorous characters from all walks of life.
Nightly’s, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Address: 1496 2nd Ave
A dinner date at Nightly's, a new stylish bar and bistro on the corner of 78th and 2nd Avenue, is a good idea. Inside, it's all warm and welcoming, with an edgy European-flair thrown in for good measure. With curated framed art (on the back wall: a chic gold-plated framed print of hot red lips) to the checkered wood flooring, you can leave it up to the design (and, of course, craft cocktails) to work its allure. Snag a seat at the bar for selections from the raw bar and lighter bites, or kick it family style and share some of their many entrees and sides. If the date goes well, for afters: Less than a five minute walk away, dance the night away with elevated cocktails at groovy speakeasy Keys and Heels (led by the same owner, Massimo Lusardi). From the outside, the space looks like any average locksmith and shoe repair shop (don't be fooled by the “closed” sign on the front door.)
Bar Birba, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
Address: 340 Franklin Ave
Is it possible to write objectively about something you’ve fallen head over heels in love with? In writing about Bar Birba, I will try. Located just around the corner from my apartment on the far-west frontier of Bed-Stuy—Franklin Avenue, just below Greene—this place is the dreamy, dimly-lit, casual café of my dreams. Everyone deserves one in their neighborhood—not least of all because the food is fairly priced. Over the course of several visits, I’ve enjoyed the pitch-perfect caponata ($8) atop plush fornarina (pizza crust, no toppings, $4) as my starter, twice making annoying “mm” sounds while eating to express my pleasure. Also not to be missed are the Polpette dell’Alessandra, meatballs of beef and pork in bright red sauce ($8), and an 8-inch quarter pan portion of pizza—dealer’s choice, ranging from $8 to $10. There’s a novella of a wine list, with by-the-glass options obscurely scrawled on a mirror above the bar. That’s intentional—the owner would rather you chat with your server to land on an option.—Charlie Hobbs, associate editor
Bar Moga, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Address: 128 W Houston St
This 1920s-era Japanese cocktail bar is one all nostalgic, sultry, and inviting. All unique and well-thought-out, the well-worth-it seasonal cocktails take the cake here. It's a haven of contrast, where you can taste a thoughtfully prepared katsu sando, sip on a high-quality regional Whisky, all while indulging in the most relaxed of spaces—dimly-lit like a lounge and soak in the jazz surrounding. You won't likely need a reservation at Bar Moga—so it's a stellar option for a last minute or impromptu date if you are nearby.
With someone special
Restaurant Marc Forgione (Forge), Tribeca, Manhattan
Address: 80 Hudson St
Marc Forgione’s Tribeca restaurant exudes romance: there are weathered brick walls, gilded mirrors, and pillar candles, which supply almost all of the light. Share the spicy lobster chili, served with Texas toast to soak up the broth, or the rich chicken under a brick (since it's a special occasion, splurge on the shaved black truffles for added decadence). The Halibut en Croute's sauce is nicknamed “proposal sauce," supposedly for the amount of times diners have asked Forgione to marry them after trying it.—Gloria Dawson, Traveler Contributor
River Café, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
Address: 1 Water St
As an avid rider of the NYC Ferry, I had always wanted to go to River Café. Located right on the Dumbo stop, the site of the restaurant, to me (and, I am sure, others) has an unavoidable allure, a magnetism. From the outside looking in, nosy folks sight couples who scored a seat on the river-facing side—and in real time, perhaps, all falling more in love with each other. After months on end of expressing my desire to dine there, in the cold and grey month of December (when I do not like to do much of anything), my partner surprised me on the ferry by getting off at the Dumbo spot instead of ours, in Williamsburg. We walked through the entry path leading to the front door, lit by lanterns, and passed by the on-site greenhouse that keeps the restaurant brimming with fresh flowers. Live music from the pianist (in a tuxedo) pours into the entrance from the dining room, which welcomed us to our very own table that hugged the windows, facing outward toward the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge. After it all sunk in, I became one of those gooey-eyed romantics I'd peak in at. I tasted some of the most decadent and delightful plates of my life (for one, the cooked-to-perfection Dover sole entree). And truth be told, I cried a whole lot because just how classically romantic the whole thing was. I will never forget the love I felt that night.—J.C
The Nines, NoHo, Manhattan
Address: 9 Great Jones St
Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting the Nines will tell you all how the space breeds glamor, warmth, and intimacy. A host to live piano and cabaret performances, its timeless design compliments its moody ambiance with gilded accents, vintage glass chandeliers, red corduroy love seats, and black-painted glass tables. If velvet, the texture, could cosplay as a restaurant space, it would most differently be right here at the Nines. It's one of the most obvious places to splurge on a date with you and your loved one (a match-made in heaven: caviar service alongside their Flame of Love cocktail).
Hart’s, Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Address: 506 Franklin Ave
Something about Hart’s oozes romance to me—and not just because of its name. When I picture a romantic dinner with my husband, my mind conjures visions of tiny, moodily-candlelit spaces, cozy corners, shared plates, and—most importantly—an inviting counter bar to sit at, as I am a firm believer that the act of cozying up beside each other is decidedly more intimate than the barrier a table creates. Hart’s captures all of this, making it one of my favorite date night spots in New York. The ambience is warm and casual, the staff is friendly and quick with a delicious wine recommendation, and the clam toast (THE clam toast) is a dish I often find myself dreaming of.—Mercedes Bleth, global associate director, social
Maison Premiere
Maison Premiere, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Address: 298 Bedford Ave
I will never forget our big fight in March 2015. My now-husband and I were newly a couple and still working out the kinks and crumples in an evolving relationship. We went to bed that Saturday night unsure if we would make it at all, leave alone to our brunch date the next morning at Maison Premiere, an oyster- and cocktail bar in my neighborhood of Williamsburg. But we did make it there, and between its charming French Quarter-esque bar, anachronistic suspender-wearing bartenders, the beautiful winter light that spilled into the main dining room, and the towering shellfish platter we cracked and slurped our way through (absinthe cocktails may have also figured prominently), we were back in love—hopelessly, irretrievably. We’ve since gone back many, many times, to tuck ourselves into a corner banquette in that candlelit room with plaster walls and a whirring fan, and remind ourselves of how much we adore each other. —Arati Menon, global digital director
For the foodies
The Modern, Midtown Manhattan
Address: 9 W 53rd St
It’s always been a dream of mine to become a regular at a restaurant—to know the menu inside and out, to be greeted by the host and hostess with a recognizable smile, and maybe even earn a complimentary starter or dessert. I can confidently say that my husband and I have nearly achieved that status at The Modern, a quintessentially New York City American restaurant with two Michelin stars, located in the Museum of Modern Art. Despite the fanciness of it all, there is a warm atmosphere that creates a romantic ambiance for any celebration: birthdays, anniversaries, celebrating a work milestone; we’ve been there for all of the above and more. We usually dine in The Bar Room, their slightly-less-pricey a la carte option, but they have options for a few tasting menus as well as a highly-coveted table inside the kitchen; even if you’re not able to dine here, the hostess will gladly provide a tour so you can live out all of your ‘The Bear’ fantasies. Each visit, we chow down fresh bread with salty butter or dip—always different and always amazing—and, no matter our fullness level, “take a look” at the dessert menu, knowing very well that we’re always getting one if not two. Most recently, our taste buds exploded from their house-made tropical soda float with coconut gelato, made tableside. We often (unintentionally) enjoy some of our meal in silence, as we savor certain special bites, knowing that as much as we love each other, food is both of our true love languages.–Emily Adler, Associate Social Media Manager
Lilia, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Address: 567 Union Ave
This Williamsburg paean to pasta is in a former garage with exposed-beam wooden ceilings. Chef-owner Missy Robbins is one of New York’s finest pasta chefs. People come here for all sorts of carby stuff: rigatoni diavola, gnocchi, and ravioli. Start, though, with some cacio e pepe fritelle, gorgeous fried balls decked out with salty cheese and pepper, and move on to seafood, another Robbins strong suit. Maybe today’s the day for grilled clams flecked with Calabrian chilies? Cured sardines with capers? It’s all good. But, the absolute must-order dish is the mafaldini, a rippled noodle spiked with pink peppercorns. Reservations are hard to come by (you may need to book a month in advance) but snagging one is well worth the constant refreshes of Resy.—Emily Saladino, contributor
Le French Diner, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Address: 188 Orchard St
Le French Diner serves its exact purpose. The walk-in restaurant is intimate and trendy with a seat bar that wraps around the open kitchen fits nine, and a handful of smaller tables sit closer to the windows. It almost feels smaller than an NYC studio apartment—and with that, an elevated, cozy space with someone who shares the love of delectable (yet, still, no frills) French bites as much as you do. Meet your date here right when the doors open on a day that's not too cold. Wait in the already–forming line together and try to catch a seat closer to the oven, where you can watch the chef work her magic right in front of you. They have a large selection of wine and light French pop music playing in the background. The dishes are some of the tastiest French food I've ever tasted in NYC, from the socca (a crispy crêpe made of chickpeas) to the juiciest hanger steak— all perfect for sharing.
With some entertainment
Coby Club NYC, Chelsea, Manhattan
Address: 156 1/2 7th Ave
Everything about Coby Club screams enticing, provocative, and sexy. With inspiration from San Francisco nightlife in the 1950's, the new speakeasy lends itself to a celebration of unique and celebrated artistry. Here, alongside the plush retro decor, jazz-tinged and sultry blues, singers, broadway performers and burlesque artists perform impromptu, with pop-up live performances every night between 9-11 (for a later date). To enjoy during the show, there's seasonal options for light bites and bar food.
Minton's Playhouse, Harlem, Manhattan
Address: 206 West 118th Street
Jazz greats Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie played here during the Harlem Renaissance, and when Minton’s reopened in 2013 some said the neighborhood’s rebirth was complete. Linger all night at one of the plush, intimate tables; there's no bad seat in the house, each has a view of the stage. Pair the Jumping Bebop–a spiced rum, peach, pineapple, basil, and lime concoction–with one of chef J.J. Johnson’s African-influenced dishes. The short rib toast with spicy pickled okra and yogurt and the Afro-Asian-American Gumbo with smoked chicken, Chinese chicken sausage, shrimp, and crab are standouts.—G.F
St. Mazie’s, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Address: 345 Grand Street
Make it a point to book a reservation for a show at St. Mazie's—the live music truly does make the experience. And once you are there, it's light and breezy—probably because it becomes obvious: everyone is romanticizing everything. On the main floor, enjoy some live jazz or folk music at the bar with oysters and cocktails. Or, head downstairs in their wine-cellar-style dining space a late night subterranean drink. Upscale comfort dishes are available to order anywhere you sit.
Tips and tricks
Grab a drink and light bites at one of these swanky hotel bars: The Swan Room at Nine Orchard in the Lower East Side; Café Carlyle at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel; The Lobby Bar at the Hotel Chelsea in Chelsea; The Fifth Avenue Hotel's Portrait Bar; Le Crocodile at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg.
If you're visiting NYC: If you're visiting NYC from another city, ask your new date if they can make the pick (it will tell you a lot about the person). Check the reviews before leaving it all in their hands. Or, refer them to any of these picks (a true New Yorker might be impressed).
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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