New York City is no stranger to romance. And what’s more alluring than sharing a magnificent meal with your significant other? But when you want to celebrate in style or turn up the heat in your relationship, choosing the right restaurant is essential for setting the tone for your evening.
In a city with seemingly endless dining options, several standouts manage to rise above the rest—delivering fine cuisine, exceptional wine lists and top-notch service, along with an utterly charming ambiance. And while the notion of what a romantic restaurant looks like may be subjective, sumptuous spaces with details like soft lighting, cozy nooks, and sweeping skyline views generally do the trick.
Here are ten of our favorites—a mix of tried-and-true standbys and hot newcomers—for an unforgettable New York night. Trust us, your date will be feeling the love.
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Manhatta, New York City
Image Credit: Emily Andrews Take your romance to new heights at Danny Meyer’s showstopper in the sky. Occupying the 60th floor of a Financial District skyscraper, Manhatta boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and the most breathtaking views of New York City. Meanwhile, chef Jason Pfeifer’s three-course dinner prix-fixe of French-influenced American cuisine—complemented by a stellar wine list deep in Burgundy—will impress as much as the epic panoramas. (Pro tip: start your date with the rye-based namesake cocktail or a glass of bubbly at the bar, which offers some of the best sight-lines in the house.) While the stately main dining room may feel grand, the especially welcoming hospitality creates a sense of intimacy that’s perfect for a memorable occasion.
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Cosme
Image Credit: Courtesy Cosme In 2019, famed chef Enrique Olvera’s Cosme was the highest ranked restaurant in America on the “World’s 50 Best” list, while chef-partner Daniela Soto-Innes was named “World’s Best Female Chef.” A love letter to modern Mexican cuisine, this Flatiron hotspot is a must-try—especially for an extraordinary date night—with its sleek, mood-lit dining room and menu of contemporary small plates meant for sharing. A wealth of tequila and mezcal can warm up your evening as you savor decadent duck carnitas for two and other locally-sourced signatures like fluke tostada with blue corn aioli, sweet corn tlayudas and deeply-flavorful mole negro. Without question, cap off your meal with the swoon-worthy husk meringue filled with corn mousse.
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Frevo
Image Credit: courtesy Frevo Hidden behind a gallery on West 8th Street is one of the most exceptional dining experiences to debut in the Big Apple in recent times. A secret door disguised as an abstract painting leads to a dimly-lit haven with a curved 18-seat chef’s counter facing the open kitchen. At the helm, highly-acclaimed French chef Franco Sampogna (his mentors include Alain Ducasse and Guy Savoy) presents a five-course seasonal menu of modern French fare—a beautifully refined succession of focused flavors and textures. This under-the-radar gem has mastered how to charm: warm hospitality from manager Bernardo Silva, a remarkable selection of wines from hotshot sommelier Quentin Vauleon and a transportive ambiance that’s intimate and glamorous, while being incredibly comfortable and unpretentious. Frevo is a complete knockout.
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Le Coucou
Image Credit: CORRY ARNOLD New Yorkers have been falling in love with chef Daniel Rose’s classic French cuisine since Le Coucou burst on the Soho scene in 2016. The striking fine dining restaurant from Stephen Starr continues to stun with its sophisticated ambiance—think high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, dripping candles and heaps of ooh la la appeal—and a refined menu to match. Delight your date with elegant preparations of traditional French cookery (highlights include veal terrine, halibut in beurre blanc, sweetbreads and tout le lapin; meaning “all of the rabbit”), with the kind of old-fashioned grandeur that will transport you to Paris. Pair with a beautiful bottle of Burgundy (or Champagne!) for extravagance at its finest.
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Le Bernardin
Image Credit: Daniel Krieger Since opening in the ’80s, celebrity chef Eric Ripert’s seafood stunner has earned countless accolades—including three Michelin stars, a glowing four-star New York Times review and more James Beard Awards than any other restaurant in New York—and remains one of the finest establishments in the country, and in the world. Your special someone can expect nothing short of excellence at Le Bernardin. Here, superbly prepared seafood and French fare shines on exquisite tasting menus, with an equally-impressive 15,000-bottle wine collection. The formal main dining room is at once polished, seductive and romantic, and the always impeccable service will further elevate your night out.
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The NoMad
Image Credit: FRANCESCO TONELLI Perhaps New York City’s most celebrated dish for two hails from this sultry restaurant in the NoMad Hotel. Here, the legendary roasted chicken is presented whole tableside and boasts a decadent mix of black truffles and foie gras under the skin. The NoMad features several sophisticated dining spaces—including a glass-ceiling atrium, a crimson velvet-covered parlour and a French château-like nook with a roaring fireplace—each as luxurious as the impeccably-plated New American-French dishes on menu. Equally as impressive: expertly-crafted cocktails from the bar (named America’s best on the 2017 “World’s 50 Best Bars” list) and the outstanding wine program from wine director Thomas Pastuszak. For an unforgettable ending, order the iconic milk and honey dessert.
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L’Artusi
Image Credit: courtesy L'Artusi For more than a decade, L’Artusi has been a go-to for fool-proof date nights. This stylish staple in the West Village delivers inspired Italian cuisine—such as handmade garganelli pasta with mushroom ragu and ricotta salata, and whole squid with spicy sausage, ceci panzanella and celery root—complemented by a fantastic selection of mostly Italian wines. Though the bi-level restaurant is typically bustling on any given night of the week (and you should make reservations well in advance), there’s a level of intimacy and care taken here—evident in everything from the creative food to the attentive service—that’s favorable when dining with your sweetheart. And be sure to save room: the selection of dolci is to die for.
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Zenkichi
Image Credit: courtesy Zenkichi No stranger to “romantic restaurants in NYC” lists, Zenkichi is often lauded as one of the city’s most intimate hideaways for good reason. An unmarked door on North 6th Street in Williamsburg reveals a mood-lit, bamboo-lined oasis comprised of private wooden booths. Diners can cozy up in their own isolated dining alcove, then draw the rattan blinds for the utmost privacy. When ready to order seasonal Japanese small plates or the eight-course omakase—ideal for sharing—simply press a button on the edge of your table to alert the server. Without distractions from fellow diners, Zenkichi’s sexy, secluded setting enables couples to focus on the fantastic food, premium sake and each other.
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Verōnika
Image Credit: Adrian Gaut James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr debuted this European stunner just last month in the Flatiron District. But the buzzy newcomer, which occupies the second floor of a historic building housing Fotografiska photography museum, is already staking its claim as one of the city’s most sought-after dining destinations. Dramatic ceilings, Renaissance details and opulent touches create Verōnika’s awe-inspiring interior, while executive chef Robert Aikens’ menu of rustic, elegant comfort food is reminiscent of what you’d find in a timeless Parisian brasserie or Eastern European café. Once you’ve had your fill of caviar-topped pierogi, chicken Kiev and Viennese chocolate cake from the dessert trolley, head downstairs to the secret Chapel Bar—a candlelit cocktail haunt housed in a former cathedral—to cuddle up for a nightcap.
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Il Buco
Image Credit: courtesy Il Buco For a restaurant that’s been around for more than two decades, Il Buco is still about as romantic as it gets. Here, it’s all about the rustic, candlelit ambiance—there’s nothing else like it in town. What was once an antique store, this NoHo charmer on cobblestoned Bond Street has an old-world Tuscan farmhouse feel that exudes amore. The Mediterranean menu invites sharing because you’ll want to try everything: excellent pastas, risotto, meats, and seafood dishes showcasing locally-sourced and imported artisanal ingredients. (Pro tip: opt for an extra virgin olive oil tasting to complement your meal and the freshly house-baked bread.). And wine from the gorgeous 200-year-old cellar—hidden below the main dining room with a handful of coveted seats—is a must for wine lovers. Il Buco’s legendary wine list has been honored several times as one of the most outstanding in the world.
