New York City is the place to fall—and stay—in love. And these most romantic restaurants in NYC for Valentine’s Day play a major role in that process.
A natural wine and pizza bar on the Lower East Side is perfect for early-in-the-game dates. For cozy evenings, check out an acclaimed Sichuan spot in Long Island City with booths galore. And few places are as proposal-worthy as the elegant townhouse interiors of an upscale Greenwich Village landmark.
Find the most romantic restaurants in NYC for Valentine’s Day and date nights year-round on OpenTable now.
Read on for a guide to NYC’s 15 best date-night restaurants.
For a first date
For stellar cocktails, natural wines, and playful snacks – book a table at Wildair (Lower East Side)

This drinks-forward, New American spot on the Lower East Side is for impressing a first date with cocktails, rare natural wines, and excellent snacky plates. If you’re not at full meal status yet, go for bubbly and dessert. Or show up on the earlier side to test drive the sparks with crispy, uni-topped pommes darphin, best paired with Wildair’s spritz. If the vibe is right, splurge on the shareable American wagyu, arguably one of the city’s best under-the-radar steaks.
For natural Italian wines and bar snacks at a neighborhood charmer – head to Bar Birba (Bed-Stuy)

Bar Birba is where you go for a date night that shuttles you to a charming Italian cafe with marble-topped tables and menus drawn on a mirror. The Bed-Stuy bar is the newest spot from the natural wine experts at For All Good Things, so you can expect a strong vino game. Choose from a generous selection that spotlights Italian producers and make it a full-on aperitivo date with fluffy mini pizzas and snacks like mushroom and pecorino-cheese arancinis.
For a second date
For clever vegan fare at a chic, romantic bistro – visit Modern Love Brooklyn (Williamsburg)

Exposed lights, bistro-style tables, and minimalist wall murals—Modern Love is an industrial-chic spot that was made for a budding romance. That’s because the vegan comfort food—think squash curry and truffled poutine—is even better when shared. Pick from a strong wine and beer selection, and strongly consider splitting one of the milkshakes made with cashew olive oil ice cream to cap off a special second date.
For shareable Israeli-inspired dishes at a cozy neighborhood spot – visit Dagon (Upper West Side)

This restaurant captures the beauty of the Upper West Side without the stuffy vibes that can come with being uptown. With large windows, an open kitchen and a plant-filled dining room, this Israeli spot has an innovative menu that makes it the ultimate second-date destination. Opt for the shareable appetizers like the kubaneh and mezze dips, best enjoyed at the expansive bar.
For a cozy and intimate evening
For a knockout omakase experience at one of the great date restaurants in NYC – book at Moko (East Village)

Establishing a regular romantic ritual—aka a recurring date night—is easy at this sushi hotspot. The 15-course omakase at Moko is fueled with fresh-from-Japan seafood. Your nigiri and miso soup feast ends with a scoop of housemade ice cream, leaving you pleasantly full (but not stuffed), and ready to come back.
For acclaimed Sichuan dishes in a romantic setting: HUPO (Long Island City)

Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you; just past HUPO’s door is a stylish, cozy restaurant full of Chinese lantern-style lights and the irresistible scent of spicy Sichuan food. You and your date can easily be satisfied with staples like Chungking spicy chicken, and mapo tofu, but for a more intimate experience, go all out with the choose-your-own-adventure-style mala dry hot pot.
For an adventurous and transportive date
For live music and stellar Cuban dishes in a retro setting – grab a seat at Amor Cubano (Harlem)
This East Harlem favorite shuttles couples to 1950s Havana with an extra-large bar and wall projections of classic cars and vibrant streetscapes, which all add up to a laid-back and unpretentious date. Plus, Amor Cubano is a go-to for generous portions of hearty Cuban food. Think croquetas, a knockout Cuban sandwich, and braised classics like ropa vieja. Take your restaurant getaway to new heights by joining in on some after-dinner dancing—there’s often live music here.
For knockout omakase at one of the cool date restaurants in NYC- visit Sushi on Me (Jackson Heights and Williamsburg)

You’re signing up for a one-of-a-kind, electrifying, affordable omakase experience when you book a reservation at this 12-seat basement-level sushi spot in Jackson Heights. And while the unlimited sake is definitely an added bonus, the real MVPs are the staff who are dedicated to making sure you have the time of your life and leave dinner with a wild story to tell your friends. Don’t miss the equally fun Williamsburg location.
For a group date
For group-friendly Levantine dishes and clever cocktails – book at Mesiba (Williamsburg)

Mesiba means “party” in Hebrew, which explains why you want to bring a crew here. The plant-filled ceiling and undulating purple banquettes are mesmerizing, and so is the massive Levantine menu. Rip and dip Frena bread in sour cream and Middle Eastern hot sauce, break off bites of tender lamb with Yemeni pancakes, and wash it all down with one of the inventive cocktails.
For crowd-pleasing Italian dishes at a buzzy group hangout – head to Bad Roman (Columbus Circle)

With playful, Instagram-worthy Italian-inspired dishes—think ‘roni cups and ranch and lobster tail scampi—Bad Roman has been a group hang go-to since opening in 2023. Grab a seat at the oyster counter or spread out in one of the orange-hued banquettes for a feast of maximalist, made-for-sharing Italian fare. And don’t miss the whimsical desserts—get the lemon cheesecake.
For an evening of eatertainment
Puttery (Meatpacking District)

Even non-golfers will find something to love at this fun date night spot in the Meatpacking District. The 21+ mini-golf spot backed by professional golfer Rory McIlroy features two whimsical, nine-hole courses–including one that resembles a full-on mountain lodge. Don’t miss the full menu that includes crowd-pleasing comfort foods like tacos, burgers and shareable appetizers.
For an anniversary or romantic milestone
For a swanky Korean steakhouse extravaganza – make a reservation at Gaonnuri (Midtown West)

You’ll find both a special occasion meal and stunning NYC views at this 39th-floor Korean barbecue spot. Request a seat by the window to make Gaonnuri’s five-course tasting menu even more fun. Servers prepare prime and wagyu ribeye on the tabletop grills, but the decadence doesn’t stop there. Cocktails, fine wines, and soju provide plenty of fuel for celebratory toasts.
For a cozy Greek restaurant that dials up the romance – book a table at Pylos (East Village)
If you can’t celebrate your anniversary in Greece, this cozy East Village restaurant is the next best option. With whitewashed, Greece-inspired walls, terracotta pots hanging from the ceiling. and a classic Greek taverna menu, Pylos is what transportative date nights are made of. Pair your meal with one of the stellar Greek wines, and cap romantic evenings here with desserts like the mouzo—chocolate mouse spiked with ouzo.
For a proposal-worthy place
For a swanky tasting menu in a dining room that screams romance – cozy up at One if by Land, Two if by Sea (Greenwich Village)

With a charming name from a historical poem, One if by Land, Two if by Sea is for milestone moments—so it’s no surprise that wedding proposals happen here all the time. The restaurant takes up a historic carriage house on a pretty West Village street, and it’s tough to top the all-out romantic vibes at this special occasion star. Fittingly, the restaurant’s seven-course tasting menu channels a swanky wedding menu with choices like beef Wellington and panko-crusted halibut.
For epic views at one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC – head to The River Cafe (DUMBO)

Few places can top The River Cafe’s proposal-ready views overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. The romantic vibes start at the garden entrance, illuminated by twinkling lights. Once inside, fresh flowers and live piano music scream “special occasion.” It’s all amplified by an ultra-fancy American menu of ricotta-stuffed rabbit loin or duck breast with a wild huckleberry reduction. Take your date up a notch with caviar service.
From proposal-worthy destinations with epic views to super-cool sushi spots, these most romantic restaurants in NYC for Valentine’s Day are sure to impress for any date. Plan ahead to secure one of these coveted tables.
Secure reservations today at one of these top New York City restaurants by booking on OpenTable.
If you’re looking at some of the city’s other best restaurants, these additional guides have all the essential info.
- 12 top restaurants in NYC that scream special occasion
- New York City’s 17 most drop-dead gorgeous restaurants
- 10 NYC restaurants with next-level cozy vibes
- The most exciting NYC restaurants openings of 2024
Alexis Benveniste is a big fan of Persian food, sushi, and finding hidden gems she can recommend to her friends. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The MICHELIN Guide, Bloomberg, and New York Magazine. You can find her on Instagram at @apbenven.