The 12 Most Romantic Restaurants in NYC
New York restaurants for special occasions
Love is in the air and you are looking for a unique place to celebrate? Regardless of whether you are looking for romantic restaurants in NYC for Valentine’s Day, your anniversary, or just a special date night, these locations will guarantee an unforgettable evening for the two of you!
The 11 Most Romantic Restaurants in NYC
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01
Antica Pesa Brooklyn
Italian Restaurant in Williamsburg
Antica Pesa Brooklyn is an Italian restaurant in Williamsburg that is owned by four generations of the Panella family. Their first restaurant opened in Rome 1922, and the Williamsburg location recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
If you like Italian cuisine, you should stop by here. They serve classic Italian dishes with a modern twist in a very beautiful and romantic surrounding.
Also wonderful: every Thursday you can enjoy live jazz here!
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02
Le Coucou
French Restaurant in SoHo
With Daniel Rose as chef, Paris comes to New York! The Michelin-starred restaurant Le Coucou serves French cuisine at a very high level. Located in the beautiful Soho district, it is the ideal place if you are looking for a romantic restaurant in New York.
In addition to the classy Parisian ambiance, you can watch the open kitchen crew at work. The menu includes French classics such as halibut, lobster, and fillet of beef with foie gras.
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03
The River Café in Brooklyn
American Restaurant in Dumbo
When thinking about the best romantic restaurants in NYC, The River Café is the first one that comes to our minds. Why? Its breathtaking view in their newly renovated location is unparalleled! Especially at night, the views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan’s skyline across East River are beyond spectacular. If you want to experience a top-notch, fine dining experience in a picture-perfect setting that is decorated with fresh flowers and serves dishes well presented, then head to the River Café!
The staff is extremely attentive, too! They do not fail to make you feel like a VIP dining here. The River Café is surely no low budget tip, but absolutely worth the money for a special occasion. Don’t forget to dress up a little if you plan on dining at The River Café. According to the restaurant, jackets are required for men and ties are preferred.
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04
One if by Land, Two if by Sea
Other Restaurants in West Village
One if by Land, Two if by Sea has the reputation to be the city’s most romantic restaurant and has also been voted the 5th most romantic restaurant in the world – for good reasons. The former carriage house, built in 1767, does not only stand out due to its charming architecture but also due to its rich history.
The property was once owned by the United States’ first Attorney General Aaron Burr. After the duel in which he shot Alexander Hamilton, he lost the property and it was later repurposed until it became the restaurant we love today. The decor is simply beautiful. On top of that, One if by Land, Two if by Sea features several fireplaces, a piano, and a garden. As you may imagine, the food is absolutely amazing, too. The restaurant is said to be the most popular restaurant in New York for engagements, too.
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05
Manhatta
French Restaurant in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
The restaurant Manhatta is one of the best restaurants in town and is perfect if you are looking for a restaurant for a special occasion. Not only is the food here at the highest level – so are you! Located on the 60th floor, it offers you a magnificent view of the city!
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06
Dhamaka
Other Restaurants in Lower East Side
One of the hottest spots on the Lower East Side is Dhamaka. If your date is a foodie and you want to impress him or her, you should definitely check it out. Unapologetic Indian is the motto of Chintan Pandya and Roni Mazumdar, hitting the taste of New Yorkers and restaurant critics alike.
Dhamaka includes a multi-award winning restaurant and bar, both creatively and beautifully designed. For me it is one of the most beautiful romantic restaurants in New York!
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07
The Polo Bar
American Restaurant in Midtown ManhattanThe Polo Bar from Ralph Lauren will also join this year’s festivities. Their Thanksgiving menu will include roasted organic turkey, mashed potatoes, calvados gravy, chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce, Charleston bourbon pecan pie, or a pumpkin sundae.
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08
Rezdora
Italian Restaurant in Flatiron District
Are you a fan of Italian food? Do your holiday up with Rezdora, a lauded pasta-centric spot in the Flatiron district. They will be seating guests between noon and 4:00 pm for their family-style prix fixe that’s priced at $150 for each person. The menu offers prosciutto and burrata, turkey leg osso buco-style, cappelletto with chestnut and squash, as well as squash panna cotta.
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09
Corkbuzz
Bar in Greenwich Village
The Corkbuzz is a kind of modern interpretation of a wine bar: fresh, clean and super relaxed. It is in direct neighbourhood of Union Square and therefore easy to reach. The choice is huge and the crew really knows what they are doing and what they are serving.
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10
La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
Bar in Little Italy
This French wine bar is one of the best in the city. Don’t judge a book by its cover. From the outside “La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels” doesn’t look as special and chic as it is from the inside.
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11
Ardesia Wine Bar
Wine Bars in Hell's KitchenOur Highlight
Ardesia Wine Bar is one of my favorite spots in Hells Kitchen: not only do you have a great selection of wines (aha), but also a stylish ambiance and really good food at the same time. Be sure to try the Garlic Shrimp Skewers and the Mozzarella & Bacon Sandwich!
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12
Aquavit
Other Restaurants in Midtown ManhattanSpice up your Thanksgiving dinner in NYC by visiting Aquavit, a two Michelin-starred restaurant offering a takeout meal that feeds four for $495. The meal is served with fennel and caraway spiced turkey breast, smoked turkey leg as main courses, and sides that include Truffle mac and cheese, sweet potato puree, pumpkin sourdough bread, and Danish rye loaf with butter. Then you’ll finish off the delicious meal with pecan pie and vanilla custard for dessert. Place your order by November 17 for pick up on November 24.
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13
Daniel
French Restaurant in Upper East Side
A very elegant French restaurant with excellent cuisine. You should definitely dress up here. Make sure you make a reservation in advance.
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14
Cote
Asian Restaurant in Flatiron District
New York City is home to so many great Michelin-starred restaurants. Another such place is Cote which is a Korean steakhouse that will offer a tasty meaty feast for just $85 per person. Included in the meal are four cuts of USDA Prime and American Wagyu beef with traditional Korean sides such as spicy kimchi stew, savory egg souffle, and sticky rice stuffing with shiitake mushrooms and Chinese sausage.
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15
Olmsted
American Restaurant in Prospect HeightsOlmsted is a hot-ticket Brooklyn dining spot that will be open for dine-in guests on Thanksgiving Day from 2 pm until 8 pm. They will offer a family menu for $145 a person that includes dishes such as cornbread and sage butter, arctic char tartare, black truffled potatoes, heritage turkey two ways, and a collection of takeout boxes that are priced at $375 and feed four people. They also have desserts like apple strudel, maple pecan, and pumpkin pies for $45 each.
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16
Peak Restaurant
American Restaurant in Hudson Yards
Helmed by Executive Chef Rose Noel, Peak at Hudson Yards is a modern American a la carte restaurant with breathtaking views of New York City and beyond. Peak will be located at the summit of the 1,296-foot tall tower. So, the name Peak couldn’t be more accurate, right? Express elevators will take guests from the lounge to the 101st floor in a heartbeat.
The restaurant Peak sits one floor above the observation deck at Hudson Yards Edge.
Occupying the entire 101st floor, the restaurant encompasses a 110-seat dining room and a 45-seat cocktail bar which both offer the south-facing view of downtown, the harbor, and sunsets. A private dining room and an event space for up to 300. Perfect for weddings, fancy dinners, your unforgettable night out in New York, or a great place to have a drink after visiting the observation deck Edge at Hudson Yards.
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17
Dante NYC
Bar in Greenwich VillageOur Highlight
When it comes to the best Negroni in town, there is hardly a way around Dante NYC. They are an institution in New York and have been serving their Negroni since 1915 (it’s an Italian restaurant with a small bar). You find it at the corner of Greenwich Village, SoHo and Hudson Square – here we are super-often when we are on the road in New York.
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18
Little Prince
French Restaurant in SoHoOur Highlight
For the first time we noticed the French restaurant in summer: the windows can be opened completely and because it is so small, you have a window seat & table all to yourself, so to speak. Super-romantic and that’s why it immediately landed on our list of the most romantic restaurants in NYC.
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19
Keens Steakhouse
Steak Restaurant in Lower Manhattan
The Keens is a veteran of the New York steak scene. It was opened ready in 1885. The interior of the restaurant – there are two large fireplaces, lots of dark wood & thick red carpet – lets you slip back into times long past. Not to mention the massive “wall decoration”! A curiosity is the collection of historical pipes on the ceiling. Meanwhile it is the largest in the world!
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20
Ci Siamo
Italian Restaurant in Hudson Yards
Probably one of the best Italian restaurants in Manhattan is Ci Siamo. With its open kitchen, you can watch the kitchen crew prepare your dishes. Also perfect if you are looking for a romantic restaurant.
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21
Serafina Broadway
Italian Restaurant in Midtown ManhattanOur Highlight
I love the restaurants of Serafina! There are now more than 10 spots in New York where you can enjoy great Italian food. The pizza is legendary, each of the Serafina restaurants is beautifully styled and offers a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere.
The burrata and heart-shaped lobster ravioli are unbelievably delicious. I’ve had several pizzas, all of which were delicious. I highly recommend both the simple Margherita pizza and the Portofino pizza with pesto & pine nuts!
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22
Tribeca Grill
American Restaurant in Tribeca
Tribeca Grill is known for being owned by actor and New York native Robert De Niro. As avid wine lovers, this is our go-to romantic restaurant in NYC for special occasions. What to expect at Tribeca Grill? A tasty menu, including perfectly cooked steaks, home-made bread, fresh salads, and the sweetest desserts. The restaurant is quite large, however, the staff is very organized which is why we were served quicker than we had anticipated. Our favorite place to sit in the booths, however, if you’re there in the summer, you may even want to consider sitting outside!
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23
Dirty French
French Restaurant in Lower East Side
Dirty French is a French bistro created by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick located inside The Ludlow Hotel on the Lower East Side. It’s a really great location for a romantic dinner in the city.
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24
Locanda Verde
Italian Restaurant in Tribeca
Locanda Verde (located inside the Greenwich Hotel) offers Italian cuisine at its finest in a comfortable setting. In Italian, the term “Locanda” describes a place to eat for locals – and that’s also what it feels like in New York! Reviews often mention the fantastic servers of Locanda Verde. Our experience has proven them to be right. It’s a restaurant many people choose to celebrate their anniversaries or Valentine’s Day. Speaking of that, on Valentine’s Day, Locanda Verde offers a three-course prix-fixe menu! Make sure to reserve your table in advance. Overall, you will enjoy terrific food in a great atmosphere. What you should know before you order? The Focaccia bread, as well as the Burrata, are heavenly!
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25
The Blue Box Café
Café in Midtown Manhattan
Okay, this is not a dinner restaurant, but every girl’s dream: Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It offers a prix-fixe American breakfast or lunch. The decorations in blue and white look cute and precious at the same time. The tricky part at the Blue Box Café is scoring a reservation! Reservations are available 30 days in advance at 9 a.m. EST and fill within minutes of going online. You need to be incredibly quick to land a reservation. Due to its popularity and high-quality prices are pretty high. However, it may comfort you to know that you pay not only for food and beverages but also for the unique experience!
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26
Fig & Olive
Other Restaurants in Meatpacking District
Fig & Olive is no secret to real food enthusiasts. They have three locations: one in Midtown, one in the Meatpacking District and one on the Upper East Side. We recommend the location in the Meatpacking District, as it is more spacious, cozier and typically also less crowded. You can expect excellent Mediterranean cuisine and waiters/waitresses that are extraordinarily accommodating.
Fig & Olive is located at the end of the famous High Line Park, which makes for a perfect combination of the two experiences. Simply take a romantic walk, enjoying some fresh air before heading to the restaurant. Alternatively, it’s also great for a digestive walk. For us, there’s no doubt that Fig & Olive deserves a top spot in the list of most romantic restaurants in NYC!
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27
ABC Kitchen
American Restaurant in Gramercy
ABC Kitchen stands out as one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC due to its lively atmosphere. It’s decorated with plants and ceramics, the lights are dim and the restaurant itself is spacious which gives you the privacy you need. What also stroke us during our visit is how fresh the meals were. It seemed that the food came right from “farm to table”. Delicious, organic creations are offered, too. If you are in New York during Restaurant Week, you can get an even better deal. ABC Kitchen typically participates.
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28
Peak Restaurant
American Restaurant in Hudson Yards
Helmed by Executive Chef Rose Noel, Peak at Hudson Yards is a modern American a la carte restaurant with breathtaking views of New York City and beyond. Peak will be located at the summit of the 1,296-foot tall tower. So, the name Peak couldn’t be more accurate, right? Express elevators will take guests from the lounge to the 101st floor in a heartbeat.
The restaurant Peak sits one floor above the observation deck at Hudson Yards Edge.
Occupying the entire 101st floor, the restaurant encompasses a 110-seat dining room and a 45-seat cocktail bar which both offer the south-facing view of downtown, the harbor, and sunsets. A private dining room and an event space for up to 300. Perfect for weddings, fancy dinners, your unforgettable night out in New York, or a great place to have a drink after visiting the observation deck Edge at Hudson Yards.
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29
The View
American Restaurant in Theatre District
Another venue that we cannot ignore when talking about the best romantic restaurants in NYC is The View. In fact, it is not only one of the most romantic restaurants, but also one of the most romantic rooftop restaurants in NYC! It offers customers unobstructed 360° views from right above the Marriott Marquis at Times Square – the bustling heart of the city. What’s most unique about this restaurant is that it revolves! So while eating excellent food, you automatically get a panoramic view of the city, guaranteeing you will have the most spectacular view of New York. This is one of the many great features that is repetitively mentioned in the many 5-star reviews on Yelp, TripAdvisor and Co. The cuisine is American and changes according to season.
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30
Biricchino
Italian Restaurant in Chelsea
Not all romantic restaurants have to be super fancy and pricy. Biricchino is a great option if you are hoping to find a more affordable romantic restaurant in NYC. It’s a small and cozy Italian restaurant with a stunning interior facade, located in Chelsea. We personally come here a lot, as it is located right next to the Magnet Theater – our favorite improv comedy theater in New York.
Having said that, why not combine a visit for a fun date night? We recommend “The Friday Night Sh*w” and “Premiere: The Improvised Musical” on Friday nights. Tickets are only $10! Biricchino focuses on Italian dishes only. The menu seems small compared to other restaurants. For us, a small menu is always a good sign, as it means the restaurant specializes in what they are truly good at, making sure every dish is cooked to perfection. The average price for a meal at Biricchino is very competitive for New York City.
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31
Milk and Roses
American Restaurant in GreenpointOur Highlight
Milk and Roses is another restaurant that we classify as one of the more affordable romantic restaurants in NYC. Compared to other restaurants on this list, meals are inexpensive here. Milk and Roses show that romantic does not always need to be fancy.
The restaurant is located in Greenpoint Brooklyn, just across the East River from Midtown Manhattan, which makes it very convenient to get to. You’ll be enchanted by the interior. Everywhere you’ll look, you’ll see bookshelves. In combination with dim lights and candles, this makes the perfect setting for a romantic evening – almost like out of a fairytale. During the summer months, you should definitely go for outside seating. People find it so romantic here, space can be booked for weddings!
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