One of life’s sweetest luxuries is a romantic outing with your beloved. So as we all reemerge from the Great Lockdown(s), what are the best places to go for a perfect romantic restaurant meal on date night in NYC right now? For a first date, we’ve previously reported on the best sushi places in New York. ‘Cause statistics show that the chances of a second date are exponentially higher if sushi is on the menu for your first date). However, if you and your paramour are well past the initial meeting, here is a list of the most romantic date night restaurants in NYC right now.
what are the most romantic restaurants in NYC right now?
While Paris may have the title of the most romantic city in the world, New York City isn’t without its own charms. You’ll often find couples walking hand in hand along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, having date night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ice skating in Central Park like Jennifer and Oliver in Love Story or sharing a meal at one of the city’s top notch dining establishments.
Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, heading out on that pivotal first date or are just looking to get out of the house and away from the kids together, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most heart-eyes-worthy dining options from around NYC that are sure to wow.
The most romantic date night restaurants in NYC right now.
Each offers top-notch cuisine and service, plenty of character and of course, an excellent wine and drink menu. From white tablecloth stunners to cozy foliage covered charmers, here’s where to head for your date night dining experience in the city that never sleeps.
where to go for a romantic restaurant meal on date night in NYC right now
1. caviar russe
If you’re looking to really impress your date, the Michelin-starred Caviar Russe won’t disappoint.
Inside you’ll find a lavish jewel box where you can indulge in a bottle of champagne (or two) and enjoy lush seafood favorites like king crab, Shigoku oysters and of course, lots and lots of caviar. What’s not to love?
2. river cafe
With an entryway filled with lanterns and a lush year-round greenhouse, the romantic vibe begins long before you even enter Brooklyn’s River Café. What really sets the mood, though, are the breathtaking vistas of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Pro tip: when making your reservation, be sure to secure a table at one of the windows. While the view has been luring diners for decades, it’s the food that keeps them coming back. The menu focuses on New American dishes, ending with a miniature version of the Brooklyn Bridge rendered in chocolate.
3. buvette
The popular pint sized Buvette will magically transport you and your date from the West Village to Paris thanks to its charming decor and classic French bistro style menu.
From personal experience, we can confirm that there’s usually a wait for a table here, but fear not, once you’re seated the food will not disappoint. And if that wasn’t enough, thanks to the restaurant’s snug size, you will most definitely end up sitting close to your companion.
4. llama san
For an impressive date night dinner that they’ll think about for several weeks after, consider Llama San. The Japanese-influenced Peruvian restaurant serves dishes like duck nigiri, lobster with beef heart and hamachi tiradito with uni and matcha foam. Offerings that you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
The food is equal parts inventive and delicious, meaning you needn’t worry about any lulls in the conversation.
5. rosella
Looking for an eco-friendly dining spot? Unlike many other sushi restaurants in NYC, Rosella sources their seafood locally rather than importing it from Japan. The sustainable ethos at the East Village restaurant is strong, and the restaurant actively works to reduce its carbon footprint by sourcing locally. Think rice vinegar from New Jersey and miso from Pennsylvania.
The restaurants is also known for using sustainably-caught fish, and utilizing ingredients in creative ways to minimize food waste. Have we also mentioned that according to Bustle, eating sushi on a first date “boosts your chances for a second date by 170%”?
6. veronika
Located inside the New York City outpost of Swedish photography museum Fotografiska, Veronika offers a whimsical mix of fancified Eastern and Central European favorites like kiev, goulash and perogies.
And with high-ceilings and lush decor inspired by grand European cafes, you and your date will feel transported to another world.
7. le rock
Impress your date by scoring reservations at the new hotspot Le Rock, the new restaurant in Rockefeller Center from the team behind the equally popular Frenchette.
Share an indulgent seafood tower, pâté and delicious profiteroles smothered in chocolate sauce while the wine flows in this dimly lit art deco space.
8. maison premiere
Nothing says romance like cocktails and oysters, right? Keep it simple and head to Maison Premiere in Williamsburg where the menu features simply oysters in addition to craft cocktails with ingredients like falernum shrubs and tobacco-barrel-rinsed alcohol being made by bartenders who wear suspenders.
Be sure to book a leather booth in the back for a more laid-back, candlelit date-night experience.
9. l’artusi
Even though it’s been on the radar for a quite while now, be sure to make reservations at L’Artusi well in advance. While the outside of this Italian West Village spot may seem nondescript, the inside is just the opposite. Once inside you will find an atmosphere that is intimate yet lively and food that is traditional yet imaginative.
Be sure to try one of the pastas and enjoy the restaurant’s impeccable selection of Italian wines – which is essential to any good date in our opinion.
10. one if by land, two if by sea
If there is one restaurant in New York City that defines romance, it is definitely One If By Land, Two If By Sea in the West Village. If you ask a New Yorker where to go on a date in NYC for a romantic meal, there’s a high likelihood that this is the restaurant they’ll recommend.
Once owned by Aaron Burr, this institution is located in a historic 1767 carriage house. The space is filled with a spirit of romance: candlelit tables, a crackling fireplace, live piano music and a decadent menu.
It was no surprise at all to find out that this is not just one of the city’s most popular places to bring a date. But also one of the most popular for popping the big question. If you are thinking about heading here, be aware that there just might be some expectations beyond the food and ambiance on your date’s mind.
The most romantic restaurants for a date night meal in NYC right now
And there you have it, our 10 picks for where to head for your next date night. All that’s left is to grab that special someone, pick a time and place and go. Bon appetit!
