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One could spend a lifetime dining in New York City’s thousands upon thousands of restaurants and still just be getting started. It’s a destination where eating is counted among the top things to do and where a slice of pizza can be as equally revered as a Michelin-starred tasting menu. But if your culinary pursuits tend to focus mostly around date night, take note of the most romantic restaurants in NYC outlined below.
While a discerning wine list and note-perfect dishes are always key when selecting a restaurant for an intimate dinner, the ambience is also paramount. Dim lighting, moody music, elegant decor, and an element of spontaneity are the prevailing requisites for a romantic table for two—and the 28 destinations ahead (both established and newly opened) deliver that in spades. Continue scrolling to discover where you should snap up a reservation for your next evening out.
Raoul’s
One of those rare New York City institutions that remains unchanged despite operating throughout several decades, Raoul’s is a French bistro that’s been a SoHo staple since 1975. Menu favorites include the steak au poivre and oysters, but the real quest is to secure their elusive and much-beloved burger, of which only about a dozen are served each weekday and only at the bar. It’s impressive, it’s delicious, and it’s definitely one of the most romantic spots for dinner in the city.
Al Di La Trattoria
Nestled on a peaceful corner in Park Slope, Al Di La Trattoria has been serving up handcrafted, simple Italian cuisine since the 1990s. It’s a classic mom-and-pop operation run by a husband and wife duo and is under the helm of chef Anna Klinger. Expect comforting dishes like large pasta loops with heritage pork shoulder ragu and wines ranging from acidic Etna Bianco to complex Nebbiolo. The space is small and snug but full of heart and the epitome of a perfect neighborhood restaurant.
Claud
This East Village basement restaurant from Joshua Pinsky and Chase Sinzer is the perfect destination for romance-fueled plate sharing. Begin with the red shrimp delivered in a sumptuous bed of oil and garlic, followed by the mushroom mille-feuille, topped off by the pork chop with smoked onion jus. Might as well order the devil’s food cake for two while you’re at it.
Wayward Fare
Chef Akhtar Nawab interprets the Mediterranean palate through a traveler’s lens with his new opening in Prospect Heights. The space is intimate, interiors transportive—warm earthy hues, a wood-fired oven at the rear, and natural textures all cement the wanderlust tone. At Wayward Fare, you and your date can savor seasonal (and flavorful!) highlights, like oven-roasted oysters with cherry pepper and parmesan washed down with a glass of zippy vermentino.
The River Cafe
The eye-popping view from The River Café has been among the most coveted vantage points since its opening in 1977. Nestled beneath the Brooklyn Bridge and positioned right on the water, diners can gaze upon the Manhattan skyline while enjoying a Michelin-starred meal. What’s more romantic than that?
Theodora
Bask in the warm glow of Theodora’s dimly-lit interiors and blazing wood-fire oven for your next date night. This newish Fort Greene spot (sister restaurant to neighborhood favorite, Miss Ada) features a Mediterranean menu of dry-aged seafood by chef and owner Tomer Blechman. The well-curated interiors were designed by Home Studios and the beverage list offers natural wines, a robust mezcal program, plus cocktails that lean on seasonal ingredients.
Il Buco
No stranger to romantic restaurant lists, this NYC institution is where you go when you want a romantic Italian meal. Nay, a romantic Italian experience. It sits on a quiet, cobblestone street in NoHo and lures in diners with its exposed brick, flickering candlelight, and antique decor. (Fun fact: Il Buco originally opened as a rustic antique store in 1994.)
Minetta Tavern
In its early days, Minetta Tavern was frequented by the likes of Dylan Thomas and Ernest Hemingway. Nowadays, it’s owned by restaurateur Keith McNally and still attracts similarly magnetic personalities with its red leather banquettes and old-school sensibilities. Cozy up in a booth and order the black-label burger with frites and a martini.
bōm
Shimmy up to the intimate chef’s counter at this Michelin-starred immersive Korean dining experience in Flatiron. The ambiance is sleek and sultry, with design by AvroKO, who referenced traditional Korean architecture and royal courts through their use of wooden wall paneling, deep plum hues, and a lavish marble countertop. The menu begins with small bites (mostly seafood and vegetables) then progresses into multiple omakase-style courses offering various meats.
Le Bernardin
It’s impossible to touch on fine dining in New York City without referencing Le Bernardin. For almost 40 years, Eric Ripert’s coveted cuisine has captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike, serving up unparalleled seafood in an inviting dining room rounded out by soft lighting and gentle music.
The Waverly Inn
The vibes are strong at this iconic West Village townhouse on the corner of Bank and Waverly. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the pub by the fireplace (a rarity in NYC) then unwind in the garden with a decadent meal of grilled oysters and roasted chicken. The building dates back to the late 1800s and was originally a tavern, giving the entire experience a romantic nostalgic feel.
Grand Central Oyster Bar
If nostalgia is your aphrodisiac, book a table at this legendary New York restaurant, opened in 1913. Better yet: grab a couple of stools at the bar for a round of oysters and a bottle of Chablis. It’s the kind of fuss-free place that after over a century still feels in-the-know, and can always be followed up with a romantic stroll beneath that gorgeous Grand Central Terminal ceiling mural.
Frenchette
Winner of the James Beard Awards’ Best New Restaurant title in 2019, this Tribeca brasserie oozes sleekness with its burgundy leather banquettes and marble floors. The food is top-notch and the natural wine list is curated by industry legend, Jorge Riera. Booking a table (or bar seat) here will always be the right choice.
La Compagnie
Imbue your date night with French flair at La Compagnie Flatiron, the latest opening under Experimental Group (also behind Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels in SoHo and the original La Compagnie Saint Germain in Paris). Choose from hundreds of bottles from small producers complemented by a menu of grilled meats, sustainable seafood, and regional veggies. Designer Dorothée Meilichzon is behind the elegant interiors, which are anchored by New York brickwork and original parquet flooring.
Tartine
Spacious? No. Soulful and snug? Entirely. This restaurant sits on one of the best corners in the West Village and is known for its reliably tasty dishes and neighborhood feel. While the brunch tends to draw a crowd, make your way here for a romantic dinner and order the sautéed chicken with lemon, garlic, shallots, and sage.
Forsythia
The forsythia flower is traditionally the first to bloom come spring, referencing this Lower East Side restaurant’s spirit of renewal. Choose from the six-seat bar or cozy dining room, and from a selection of classic handmade Roman pastas and Italian amari. Even better: Book one of their pasta classes for an immersive take on date night.
Saraghina Caffe
Inspired by the Viennese-style cafes of fin-de-siècle Milan, Edoardo Mantelli transplanted this convivial feel to his Fort Greene restaurant where guests can feast upon squid ink tagliolini while sipping on orange Trebbiano or a Milanese aperitivo. Dark wood paneling and soaring ceilings frame atmospheric details like a mid-century modern chandelier and black-and-white tiled floors, creating the perfect atmosphere for date night.
Le Pavillon
A lush respite from the city streets, Daniel Boulud’s Michelin-starred restaurant is recognizable for its soaring ceiling and greenery woven throughout the dining room, including magnificent 20-foot olive trees. The menu focuses on seafood and vegetable-centric cuisine, with an extensive rotating by-the-glass list that matches the seasonal menu.
Penny
If sharing dishes is your love language, head straight for two stools at just-opened, Penny. This walk-in raw bar is from the team behind Claud and the seating is exclusively at the counter, creating a casual, cozy vibe. Don’t sleep on the stuffed squid or ice cream sandwich, and be sure to order from the expertly-curated wine list (psst: the Corpinnat is a winner).
Tolo
Right where Chinatown meets the Lower East Side sits this 36-seat restaurant by chef Ron Yan, with wines curated by Parcelle. Interiors set the tone for a tasty meal of sweet & sour crispy fish and duck confit spring rolls, with custom banquette seating underneath distressed mirrors and distinctive rattan furniture by Chinese-American designer Danny Ho Fong. Keep an eye out for other unique design moments, including antique Chinese cabinets and a vintage Borsani bar in the entryway.
I Sodi
Any one of chef Rita Sodi’s restaurants would qualify as a worthy pick for date night, but it’s the garden at I Sodi’s new (and more spacious) location on Bleecker and Grove that feels especially romantic. Nibble on polenta e stracchino and house-made whole wheat pasta with oxtail and porcini for your next night out in the village.
Le Crocodile
It’s easy to fall in love with Le Crocodile—this Williamsburg brasserie by Chef Partner Aidan O’Neal sits within a 19th-century factory building and oozes charm with its floor-to-ceiling arched windows, brick walls, and design touches like rounded booths and elegant lighting fixtures. Top all of that off with a consistently strong menu and cocktail list (steak frites are a must) and its status as a go-to date spot is quickly cemented.
The Golden Swan
Tucked away inside a historic two-story townhouse, this intimate restaurant from Chef Doug Brixton and restaurateur Matthew Abramcyk feels like quintessential New York. Enjoy French and Mediterranean flavors from either the ground floor window-wrapped bar (The Wallace Room) or upstairs in the main dining room.
La Mercerie
With design by the renowned studio Roman and Williams, it’s no wonder this textural space makes for a romantic meal. Grab a table in one of the plush banquettes positioned beside striking floral arrangements and with exquisite table settings, which you can purchase for your loved one from the store once you’ve finished your meal.
Mitsuru
Where do you go when you want a candlelit sushi dinner paired with sensational wines? Half a block from Washington Square Park to Mitsuru, that’s where. At this new gem—a collaboration between Sushi Yasuda veteran Mitsuru Tamura and restaurateur Grant Reynolds—diners can choose between the eight-person omakase counter (crafted from fallen trees salvaged at a maple syrup farm) or at one of the 30 other seats throughout the intimate, ultra-gorgeous space.
Keens Steakhouse
Saunter back in time to the late 19th century at one of New York City’s most legendary restaurants still in operation. At Keens, you and your date can savor a mutton chop and martini surrounded by wood-paneled walls and hundreds of historic artifacts (including their extensive collection of churchwarden pipes, the largest in the world).
Le Rock
Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson worked together at Daniel, Balthazar, Pastis, and Minetta Tavern before opening highly-acclaimed Frenchette in 2018—and now, with Le Rock, the two (who have known each other for several decades now) are reinterpreting classic French dishes like leeks vinaigrette, escargot, and bison au poivre. The restaurant sits within the historic former Brasserie Ruhlmann space at Rockefeller Plaza, a thoroughly romantic space with its soaring ceilings and Art Deco details.
El Quijote
If historic spaces are your love language, this restaurant within the iconic Hotel Chelsea ought to whet your appetite. During the ‘60s, stars like Patti Smith, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix were frequent patrons, which lends the bones of this space an effortless sense of cool. It underwent renovations in recent years, but thankfully retains its old-world charm (particularly with the room-length windmill mural and crimson red upholstery).
