After the disaster of the last couple of years, the city is back in full force and love is in the air. We’ve got you covered, whether you’re planning for Valentine’s Day or just want to make your next date night extra memorable. When there are a lot of places to eat in a city, it can be hard to find the best one, so lovebirds, you’re in the right place.
We’ve found the most charming, private, and classy places in New York City, no matter what you’re in the mood for or where you are in your relationship. Use this list of the 10 most romantic places in New York City to make your next date a memorable one.
1. Frevo
Take your date to this unassuming Greenwich Village art gallery, where you’ll find a chic surprise: a 16-seat bar with an open kitchen made of stainless steel. The modern French tasting menu, which costs $198 per person, changes with the seasons and combines the Brazilian and Portuguese roots of both the chef and the eatery owner.
You’ll see why they just got a Michelin star in October if you take our word for it. “I SHOT THE MESSAGER,” a picture of Keith Haring by New York photographer Richard Corman, is on display at the gallery right now. Frevo can only be used with a reservation, so make sure to plan ahead.
2. Bar Blondeau
New Yorkers know that the city skyline is one of the most romantic things in the world, and this new French-style bar in Williamsburg has one of the best views in the borough. From the sixth floor of the Wythe Hotel, you can see all of Manhattan without any obstructions while sipping a signature cocktail, a frozen drink, or a zero-proof drink.
The menu focuses on fish, and there are no walls to block your view. And if the weather is nice, you can even eat your meal on the outdoor deck to make it even more like a fairy tale. Bar Blondeau is having a special three-course prix-fixe menu for $90 per person for Valentine’s Day.
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3. Ai Fiori
From the second floor of the Langham Hotel on Fifth Avenue, Ai Fiori, which means “among the flowers” in Italian, offers contemporary interpretations of French and Italian Riviera food. The restaurant is sure to please with its award-winning wine list of more than 1,000 choices, its use of seasonal ingredients, and its hand-made pastas.
On Valentine’s Day, you can enjoy a five-course prix-fixe menu, and if you want to make the night even more special, you can upgrade your reservation by pre-ordering house-made bonbons, roses, bouquets, or champagne to be given to your date.
4. Le Bernardin
If you’re looking for a high-end restaurant, the fact that Le Bernardin has three Michelin stars speaks for itself. It’s one of only seven places in New York City to have this honor.
With the simple idea that “the fish is the star of the plate,” you can enjoy a polished take on seafood. Le Bernardin will have a multi-course prix-fixe meal in the salon and a Chef’s Tasting meal in the main dining room for Valentine’s Day.
5. Olea
Bring your sweetheart to this Mediterranean oasis on the border of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill for a more laid-back Bohemian feel. Since 2005, Olea has been serving tapas, brunch, sangria, and what seems like an endless number of dips and sides in a cozy, plant-filled pub with a heated, covered sidewalk veranda for a romantic date.
Our favorite is the Spanish, French, or Greek style shrimp starter that is sautéed. If you or your date can’t eat meat or gluten, Olea also has vegan and gluten-free choices.
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6. Madre
MADRE in Greenpoint is a great place for a date because it focuses on modern dining through the lens of its rich heritage and warm hospitality. The restaurant is in the small hotel Franklin Guesthouse. It has great wines, craft cocktails, and colorful dishes that can be shared. ‘
For Valentine’s Day, they are having a prix-fixe menu with five courses for $150 per person, as well as champagne and cocktail specials all night long. The clean design of the space combines old, new, and natural features to make it feel both high-end and approachable. Pro tip: crabs are only $2 during happy hour on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
7. Dowling’s At The Carlyle
Dowling’s, a new fine dining restaurant, opened in October 2021 at the storied Upper East Side hotel, which is a part of the iconic New York City skyline. With a focus on tableside preparations, the menu offers modern interpretations of classic New York dishes that are sure to impress your date.
This Valentine’s Day, from Saturday to Tuesday, you can enjoy specials like Faroe Island smoked salmon with Kristal Caviar, Boursin, and rye toast, and Wagyu beef paella with Little Neck clams, mussels, chorizo, spotted prawns, and Calabrian chimichurri. For dessert, dig your spoon into a rich cherry jubilee with flambee and vanilla ice cream.
8. Bijan’s
Bijan’s is a secret gem in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Boerum Hill. It serves craft cocktails and food with American, Mediterranean, and Persian influences, like lamb burgers, pastas, flatbreads, and salads.
With a cool, artsy vibe and a wood-burning fireplace, it’s a nice change of pace for a special anniversary or a cozy date night. The owner, Jahan, suggests the Persian Kiss cocktail, which is made with Prosecco and pomegranate juice, for lovers. Muah!
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9. Citroën
This French bistro and cocktail bar is one of the newest places to eat in Greenpoint. It has charming nods to Paris, like old Citron posters, white-tiled walls, and reclaimed-wood tables.
It’s nice to sit outside even when it’s cold because the sidewalk area is large, heated, covered, and has gazebos and mylar space blankets that keep heat in. On Valentine’s Day, there will be a special menu and free Girl Scout cookies, as well as lots of red roses, candles, and a playlist of love songs.
10. Jack & Charlie’s No. 118
This high-end restaurant in the West Village is in a historic, landmarked building. It was built as a “love letter to old New York,” which is about as beautiful as it gets. The diner feels warm and elegant because of the dark wood and modern touches.
Jack & Charlie’s No. 118 has four different eating areas, each with a different atmosphere, where you can enjoy creative takes on raw bar oysters and shellfish, hand-made pastas, wood-fired meats, and seafood. It’s sure to fit the bill for any event.
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