The 33 Most Romantic Restaurants in NYC for Your Next Date Night

Take your date to this unsuspecting Greenwich Village art gallery to discover it’s hiding quite the chic surprise: an exclusive, 16-seat counter surrounding an open stainless-steel kitchen. The modern French tasting menu—which costs $198 per person—changes seasonally, incorporating a blend of the chef’s and restauranteur’s backgrounds: Brazilian and Portuguese, respectively. Trust us, you’ll understand why they have a Michelin star. Frevo is reservation-only, so be sure to plan ahead.

• Location: Greenwich Village (48 W 8th St; frevonyc.com)
• Price Range: $$$$

New Yorkers know there’s nothing more romantic than the city skyline—and this Williamsburg French-style bar has one of the best views in the borough. With signature cocktails, frozen drinks, zero-proof beverages, a seafood-forward menu and unobstructed views of Manhattan from the sixth floor of the Wythe Hotel, it seems like an obvious pick. And weather permitting, you can even enjoy your meal on the outdoor terrace for that extra fairytale finesse.

• Location: Williamsburg (80 Wythe Ave., 6th Floor, Brooklyn; barblondeau.com)
• Price Range: $$

Ai Fiori, which translates to “among the flowers” in Italian, serves modern interpretations of French and Italian Riviera cuisine from the second floor of the Langham Hotel on Fifth Avenue. With over 1,000 selections on its award-winning wine list, seasonal ingredients and signature handmade pastas, the restaurant is sure to impress.

• Location: Midtown (400 5th Ave. #2; aifiorinyc.com)
• Price Range: $$$$

For a more casual Bohemian vibe, take your sweetheart to this Mediterranean oasis on the Fort Greene-Clinton Hill border. Open since 2005, Olea serves tapas, brunch, sangria and seemingly endless dips and sides in a quaint, plant-filled tavern with a romantic, heated, covered sidewalk veranda. My favorite: the sautéed shrimp appetizer, which comes Spanish style, French style or Greek style. Olea also serves vegan and gluten-free options, in case you or your date has dietary restrictions.

• Location: Fort Greene (171 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn; oleabrooklyn.com)
• Price Range: $$

Greenpoint’s MADRE focuses on contemporary dining through a lens of rich heritage and hospitality (i.e., the ideal date spot). Located in Franklin Guesthouse, a boutique hotel, the restaurant offers exceptional wines, craft cocktails and vibrant shareable meals. The space’s clean design incorporates old, new, and natural elements to create an elevated yet approachable ambiance. Pro tip: Stop by during happy hour on Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday for $2 oysters and $9 draft rosé.

• Location: Greenpoint (214 Franklin St., Brooklyn; madrenyc.com)
• Price Range: $$$

The legendary Upper East Side hotel, a facet of the iconic NYC skyline, recently opened its newest fine dining establishment, Dowling’s, in October 2021. The menu features interpretations of timeless New York favorites with an emphasis on table-side preparations, which is guaranteed to wow your date.

• Location: Upper East Side (35 E 76th St; rosewoodhotels.com)
• Price Range: $$$$

Nestled in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill neighborhood, Bijan’s is a hidden gem serving up unique craft cocktails and an array of American, Mediterranean and Persian-inspired food (think lamb burgers, pastas, flatbreads and salads). With a hip, artsy atmosphere and a wood-burning fireplace, it’s a great change of pace for a special anniversary or just a cozy date night. For couples, owner Jahan recommends the Persian Kiss cocktail, with Prosecco and pomegranate juice. Muah!

• Location: Boerum Hill (81 Hoyt St., Brooklyn; bijansbrooklyn.com)
• Price Range: $$

This elevated West Village establishment, located in a historic, landmarked building, was created as a “love letter to old New York”—and it doesn’t get much more romantic than that. Adorned with dark wood and rich modern finishes, the restaurant gives an air of elegance and warmth. With creative takes on raw bar oysters and shellfish, handmade pastas, wood-fired meats and seafood, Jack & Charlie’s No. 118 boasts four distinct dining spaces that all offer different moods, so it’s sure to fit the bill for whatever the occasion.

• Location: West Village (118 Greenwich Ave.; jackandcharlies118.com)
• Price Range: $$$

If you’re an NYC foodie, you’ve probably heard of Atlantic Grill in Lincoln Square. The lively Mediterranean seafood eatery is just steps from Central Park and reopened in 2021 with a refreshed design and an updated menu chock-full of fresh local seafood, steaks, soups, sushi, a raw bar and more. Snuggle up in a booth under a grand chandelier and ​​raise a glass to your loved one with the signature Atlantic Love cocktail, a pretty pink sour garnished with deep red cherries.

• Location: Lincoln Center (W 65th St.; atlanticgrill.com)
• Price Range: $$$

What if I told you that you could take a quick trip to Greece for your next date night? Well, basically. Located in the heart of Rockefeller Center, Limani New York highlights clean Mediterranean flavors, including whole fish flown in daily from the Mediterranean Sea. Surround yourself with white marble, two open kitchens and a stunning blue infinity pool while you enjoy global wines, specialty cocktails and more seafood than you could possibly imagine. And when the weather heats up, you can do so in their outdoor dining structure. Need I say more?

• Location: Midtown (45 Rockefeller Plaza; limani.com)
• Price Range: $$$

For the Spanish-Latin-Caribbean fusion you and your partner have been craving, Tasca, a multi-level restaurant with several open dining areas, an outdoor patio and a subterranean lounge, is just the ticket. Its cuisine mixes flavors and traditions from the Iberian Peninsula and the Caribbean islands of Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, creating a delicious Latin melting pot that has taking the Upper West Side by storm.

• Location: Upper West Side (505 Columbus Ave.; tasca-nyc.com)
• Price Range: $$$

This East Village French-Korean gem specializes in small plates and an earthy atmosphere, both indoors or outdoors on the cozy, heated patio. Choose from a four-course prix-fixe for $80 or a six-course tasting menu for $130; either way, you’ll be treated to extremely fresh seafood with a French flair from duck and foie gras. For even more romance, add on a wine pairing.

• Location: East Village (108 E 4th St.; soogil.com)
• Price Range: $$$

For a sophisticated outing with your significant other, this Chelsea bar and restaurant brings you contemporary Italian dining straight from the heart of renowned chef and owner, Chef Alfred Portale. Located in a renovated carriage house, the space strikes a balance between sleek, modern and homey. With a focus on seasonal dishes, offerings include fresh seafood and meat pastas, creamy risottos and bread pudding with gelato.

• Location: Chelsea (126 W 18th St.; portalerestaurant.com)
• Price Range: $$$

As soon as you step into Midtown’s iconic Solow Building, you and your guest will have no choice but to admire the grand winding staircase that opens to a 250-person dining room and vast bar area. Formerly Brasserie 8½, this rustic Italian eatery’s cuisine is inspired by both New York and classic Italian ingredients and culinary traditions, with an emphasis on tableside presentations. What’s more? On certain nights, a live pianist is there to elevate the mood just that much further.

• Location: Midtown (9 W 57th S.t; cucina812.com)
• Price Range: $$

This “New York bar with a Japanese soul” is the Brooklyn counterpart to the beloved Lower East Side Japanese cocktail bar, Bar Goto. Relax at the garden landscape-lined bar or enjoy heated outdoor seating while sipping sophisticated cocktails with a Japanese twist and nibbling on small bites like miso wings and Japanese croquettes from its new winter menu. As a finalist for the 2020 Spirited Awards, spirits really are Niban’s strong suit, with the menu boasting an impressive selection: shochus, sakes, wines, beers, Japanese whiskeys and more. Both locations are walk-in only.

• Location: Prospect Heights (474 Bergen St., Brooklyn; bargoto.com)
• Price Range: $$

Whiskey lovers, rejoice: If you’re going for a laid-back date night, take your honey to the Parlour Room, a whiskey-focused bar and restaurant in Midtown. With 220 seats divided among velvet booths and swanky private nooks embellished with tassel bar lamps, a wood-burning fireplace and a 1920s Italian Baroque chandelier, guests can sip on a whiskey flight and dine on an entree for two, like the tomahawk ribeye, the lobster mac n’ cheese, or the vegetarian lasagna. What’s not to love?

• Location: Midtown (70 W 36th St.; parlourroomnyc.com)
• Price Range: $$

While there are five Manhattan outposts of this intimate omakase shop, I’ll focus on the 1920s-themed Chelsea location: It’s hidden behind Bosque, an espresso bar and floral boutique, making it one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC. That’s right! Speakeasy sushi, and it couldn’t be tastier. With affordable 12-piece or 17-piece options, you’ll be guided through everything you’re eating from your expert chef in the traditional Japanese tradition of omakase. With yellowtail, spotted prawn, scallop, fatty tuna, tasty cocktails, and more, the nine-seat counter experience can’t be beat.

• Location: Multiple locations; sushibybou.com
• Price Range: $$$

Looking for a dramatic culinary oasis filled with greenery and high ceilings, complete with a Michelin-starred chef? Me too—and I found it. Situated in Manhattan’s state-of-the-art skyscraper One Vanderbilt, chef Daniel Bouloud's French seafood restaurant Le Pavillon offers a three-course prix-fixe menu for $145 per person, showcasing land, sea and vegetables. Of course, no date night is complete without a selection of delicious wine and cocktails, available by the glass. 

• Location: Midtown (One Vanderbilt Ave.; lepavillonnyc.com)
• Price Range: $$$$