There’s so much to do in NYC with a significant other, from a fine dining experience, to spending an intimate day with famous artwork, or even just sitting on a park bench at Washington Square Park. Our favorite thing, however, is food.
So in the spirit of love and food, we’ve put together some of NYC’s most romantic restaurants (both indoor and outdoor) perfect for date night. Enjoy these ideas and get your reservations going ahead of time:
The Secret NYC team relies on personal experience, recommendations, editorial reviews, and customer feedback before recommending the best places to grab a bite or sip cocktails in NYC. Since we’re the city that never sleeps, this list is constantly evolving. Please check back regularly.
Marea, Central Park South
This Italian eatery—known for making the most of the scaffolding covering their sidewalk—is a chic spot close to Central Park that is a picture perfect NYC date spot. Expect a modern dining experience that goes beyond great dishes.
📍 240 Central Park S
Manhatta, FiDi
Perched on the 60th floor in FiDi, Manhatta serves modern New American cuisine with sweeping Manhattan views that feel magical at sunset. Elegant yet inviting, it pairs seasonal dishes with a curated wine and cocktail program, perfect for a skyline‑worthy date night.
📍 28 Liberty St 60th floor
Temple Bar, NoHo
Get close to your significant other in a classy lounge for some elevated cocktails and light bites. Between the utter near-darkness and complimentary popcorn, Temple Bar is the perfect place to enjoy their top-tier cocktail program and chat with your partner at the same time.
📍 332 Lafayette St
Watermark Bar, Seaport
This stunning 10,000-square-foot venue perched at the end of the beautifully proportioned double-level Pier 15, Watermark offers an exceptional panorama of the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges and Brooklyn skyline. Make the most out of these stunning views as you and your group enjoy snacks like the Watermark Burger or the Chef’s Tasting Menu.
📍 78 South St Pier 15
Osteria 57, Greenwich Village
How does Branzino & Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe sound for date night—perfection no? Indulge in Italian favorites with a seafood and plant based focus at Osteria 57 in Greenwich Village.
📍 57 W 10th St
Loulou, Chelsea
You’ll stay warm & toasty at Loulou, no matter what the weather is! This Chelsea spot has over 70 table and beautiful floral displays and glowing lanterns, completing the romantic atmosphere. Enjoy indulgent bites like the Loulou Burger made with grass-fed beef, clothbound cheddar and caramelized onions, Duck Leg Confit with apple rosemary puree and gala chutney and Steak Frites featuring a 7oz skirt steak and béarnaise.
📍 176 8th Ave
Kokomo, Williamsburg
How romantic are these glittering curtains of lights at this Caribbean spot in Williamsburg? Choose from flatbreads, succulent meats, comforting starches and decadent desserts with beautiful presentation, plus refreshing cocktails and house-made elixirs from acclaimed mixologist and beverage consultant Rael Petit in the beautiful heated space.
📍 65 Kent Ave, Brooklyn
The Summit Bar, Alphabet City
Right off of Loisaida Ave, The Summit Bar is a hidden gem that’s a wonderful spot to stop by for drinks. If it’s warm out, ask to sit in the backyard and make sure to try Ground to Glass made with Tequila, Red Bell Pepper Puree, Organic Agave, Lime Juice, Hickory Smoked Salt Rim for a surprisingly delicious flavor combination.
📍 133 Loisaida Ave, New York
Kyma, Flatiron
Enjoy delicious Greek food in a beautiful environment setting surrounding by vines and flowers at this Flatiron staple. Word on the street is that they also make a mean martini!
📍 15 W 18th St
Gramercy Tavern, Gramercy
Gramercy Tavern is an iconic American restaurant from notorious restaurateur Danny Meyer that offers an elegant night with an ever-changing menu sure to tantalize you and your date’s taste!
📍 42 E 20th St
il Buco, Bowery
A gorgeous space that reminds you of an Italian home, with the home cooking to match! Though the wine cellar, the most romantic spot in the restaurant, isn’t open for dining, their outdoor set-up is still glowy and gorgeous!
📍 47 Bond St
Buddakan, Chelsea
This Asian-fusion restaurant is taking outdoor dining to a whole new level. Buddakan’s outdoor seating is decked out with vibrant lights creating an enchanting spectacle for nighttime dining. This lantern lit dinner is located right in Chelsea serving as an escape into another world.
📍 75 9th Ave
Lafayette, NoHo
Fondue for two, anyone? This French restaurant is cozy beyond belief and their delicious market-driven bistro menu is incredible. Their bakery is top-notch as well, so you can even bring some of the deliciousness home with you too.
📍 380 Lafayette St
Uva, Upper East Side
Tucked away on the UES is this warm and homely Italian restaurant that sports a wine list of over 40 types, all served by the glass. Enjoy the candlelit Tuscan vibes, while you dine on some of the best Italian food you’ve ever had.
📍 1486 2nd Ave
Uva Next Door, Upper East Side
If you couldn’t tell by the name, this intimate spot is right next door to Uva. It focuses on a cocktail-forward dining experience, known for it’s unique selection of martinis and dinner pairings. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, perfect for a date or night out with your best friends.
📍 1484 2nd Ave
Daniel, Lenox Hill
This Michelin-starred restaurant sure knows how to impress! With a grand dining room and decadent dishes, treat your date to this fine dining experience that will be absolutely unforgettable.
📍 60 E 65th St
LaRina Pastificio & Vino, Fort Greene
Another heated outdoor patio to add to list. LaRina Pastificio in Brooklyn makes mouthwatering, fresh pasta and offers a wide range of delicious wines to pair! And their gorgeous plant and greenery aesthetic is so pleasing and romantic.
📍 387 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn
La Grande Boucherie, Midtown
There are a few locations of Boucherie around the city, but this version in Midtown is perfect for our current outdoor-dining-only situation. It is a stunning, spacious alley in between two avenues, and though it’s open-air it also has heated floors to keep you warm and toasty! Enjoy French cuisine and signature craft cocktails.
📍 145 W 53rd St
Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, Greenwich Village
One of the city’s best Italian restaurants, Babbo has been serving up delicious dishes for over two decades. The rock-n-roll tunes may not seem like the most romantic setting but strangely, it works! The fine dining experience is one of our favorites for date night.
📍 110 Waverly Pl
Carbone, Greenwich Village
When thinking of Italian food in the city, Carbone is a classic. This cozy little restaurant in Greenwich Village is an experience of its own and should be on everyone’s bucket list to dine in at least once.
📍 181 Thompson St
Cosme, Flatiron
Enrique Olvera’s Cosme was the highest ranked U.S. restaurant on the “World’s 50 Best” list, and chef Daniela Soto-Innes was named “World’s Best Female Chef,” all in 2019. The must-try spot is great for a date night and if you’re looking to try and share one of everything on the menu. And regardless of how full you are, you absolutely cannot leave without trying their husk meringue! Seriously, it’s life changing.
📍 35 E 21st St
Estela, SoHo
A simple space with great food, Estela is great for groups but also intimate enough for a date night, so we had to name it one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC.
📍 47 E Houston St, Floor 1
La Grenouille, Midtown East
With all the red seats and flowers, the ambiance alone at La Grenouille lends itself to a romantic evening.
📍 3 E 52nd St
L’Artusi, West Village
With bi-level dining in the West Village, L’Artusi is somewhat large but that doesn’t take away from its romantic feel and dining experience. Along with traditional seating, you and your other half can also dine at their cheese bar or at the chef’s counter where you can watch the magic happen in their open kitchen.
📍 228 W 10th St
Le Coucou, SoHo
This gorgeous French restaurant in SoHo is a great spot for a special occasion. From presentation to flavor, the dishes (and ambiance) at Le CouCou are nothing short of perfection, making it one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC.
📍 138 Lafayette St
One if by Land, Two if by Sea, Greenwich Village
This restaurant is notoriously known for the ultimate date night or romantic brunch spot, but it truly looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale. It should be on every couples’ list for a special occasion where you’re looking to splurge a bit.
📍17 Barrow St
Peasant, Nolita
Italian restaurants are a common theme for romantic dining, so Peasant is another spot to add to your list if you’re looking for a more rustic, low-key evening. There is a wood-fire oven that can be seen from nearly any table which also adds to the warm vibes of the space.
📍 194 Elizabeth St
ROKC, Upper West Side
Way up at the top of Manhattan, ROKC is a cute oyster and raw bar that literally stands for “Ramen/Oyster/Kitchen/Cocktail.” The presentation of every dish and every cocktail here is impeccable and inventive.
📍 3452 Broadway
The River Café, DUMBO
Can we just start by saying, look at that view! Located on the waterfront in Dumbo, The River Cafe offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. You’ll want to sit by the window if you can swing it!
📍 1 Water Street, Brooklyn
Tiny’s, Tribeca
Most recognizable by its pink facade, Tiny’s in Tribeca is the perfect place for a cozy date night (especially during winter!). The outside may be beautiful, but you’ll be even more impressed with their indoor dim-lit space that has a lovely fire place, brick wall, and a rustic-chic ambiance.
📍 135 West Broadway
Tomi Jazz, Midtown East
Surely one of the most unique spots for a date night, this intimate jazz club and Japanese‑inspired eatery hidden down in Midtown combines live music, cozy speakeasy vibes, and creative bites for a one‑of‑a‑kind evening out. Known for its dim lighting, eclectic décor, and up‑close jazz performances, Tomi Jazz pairs soulful sounds with a menu of standout dishes like creamy cod‑roe udon, croquettes, okonomiyaki, and inventive small plates alongside signature cocktails, sake, and Japanese whisky.
📍239 E 53rd St
Le Bernardin, Midtown West
Tuome, East Village
Tuome is a cozy, Michelin‑starred East Village favorite that’s perfect for a low‑key yet special date night. In its intimate, dimly lit space, chef Thomas Chen blends contemporary American cooking with subtle Asian influences, turning seasonal, creative dishes into memorable shared experiences — think standout items like tender octopus with XO sauce or the playful “Pig Out for Two.”
📍 536 E 5th St
Aquarelle, East Village
This intimate East Village gem wraps you in a warm, candlelit atmosphere the moment you step inside. Its Mediterranean‑leaning menu blends fresh, seasonal ingredients with creative, flavorful dishes that pair beautifully with a carefully curated wine list.
📍 47 Avenue B
Le Crocodile, Williamsburg
Le Crocodile is located in the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, and their interior design alongside their French fare hands down makes it one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC. Admire the high ceilings, arched windows, and the exposed brick walls of this gorgeous restaurant, all while dining on Parisian wines and gorgeously presented main dishes. Between the attentive servers in bright white coats and the low-lit ambiance, it passes the romantic test for us.
📍 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn