The Best Date Night Restaurants in NYC

As much as I love cooking, I also enjoy heading out on the town for date night with my love. New York City has so many great restaurants to choose from, the hard part is picking which one to visit on any given night.

Marea – one of my favorite restaurants for a dinner date. We love the large variety of fresh crudos, delicious caviar, west coast oysters, grilled octopus, gluten-free homemade pasta with jumbo lump crab and sea urchin, fusilli with red wine braised octopus, bone marrow and the grilled swordfish! They have an excellent white wine list – one of our favorite bottles is Chassagne-Montrachet.

O Ya – hands down the best omakase in the city! The service is excellent, we eat here so frequently that they remember exactly what we like to order and even our cocktail preference.

Carbone – Carbone is often revered as one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. They have an excellent wine list and prepare Italian favorites like Prosciutto & Mozzarella, House Chopped Salad, Grilled Jumbo Prawns, Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, Grilled Branzino, Dover Picatta, Veal Parmesan and Meatballs exceptionally.

Kappo Masa – everything here is beyond delicious. I think we have literary tried the entire menu and it’s all so good. My favorite dishes include the Wagyu Tartar with Avocado topped with Caviar and the Fresh Muddled Cucumber Vodka Cocktail!

Per Se – Per Se tops most best of NYC lists. It’s the perfect date night location for a fancy night out or special occasion. Per Se changes their menu every day offering a nine course tasting menu with no repeat ingredients.

Catch – this is the place for double dates or group dinners. We always have a great time here! My favorite dishes are the MRC wrapped in cucumber (no rice), Salmon Sashimi Salad, Truffle Sashimi, Tuna Trio, Black Cod Miso Lettuce Wraps, Mushroom Spaghetti and the Lobster Mac and Cheese. The “Hit Me” dessert is a MUST!

BondST – an oldie but a goodie! I love the lounge downstairs, the vibe is completely different than upstairs and it’s a lot more fun. Their Truffle Tuna Tarts and Sea Bass Miso Skewers are some of the best appetizers in the city!

Bar Italia – the perfect spot for a chill week night Italian date night. I recommend the Tonno Tartare or the Tonno Salad and the Gluten-Free Mushroom and Ham Pizza!

Avra Estiatorio – a beautiful greek restaurant with a lively scene and what’s not to love about Greek food!? My favorite dishes here are the Greek Salad, Lamb Chops, Grilled Shrimp with Eggplant Moussaka and the Grilled Bronzino.

MAMO – get an authentic Italian and Provençal experience without leaving New York. My favorite dishes here include the Pepperoni Dolci Grigliati Con Tono aka roasted peppers and tuna, Truffle Ravioli and Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Lilia – this Italian restaurant is a bit of a trek out to Brooklyn, but it is definitely worth it! Everything on the menu is great, but the Caccio e Pepe and the Jerusalem Artichokes are must-tries.

Le Coucou – a lovely French restaurant with a romantic vibe and welcoming cozy bar for pre-dinner cocktails. It is also a great spot for brunch on the weekends.

Jean Georges – Chef Jean Georges has several restaurants in New York City, but this is easily still my favorite. The menu is pre-fixe and changes seasonally.

Dirty French – this cozy and intimate hideaway serves delicious French cuisine and also has a great lounge where you can enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail or two.

Neta – another amazing Japanese restaurant. We usually get the omakase and can never finish the last few courses. I would advise ordering à la carte. Some of my favorites are the Toro Tartar with Osetra Caviar and the Uni Porridge with Truffles.

River Café – this restaurant is a New York City staple. It is located by the Brooklyn Bridge overlooking the East River and has a stricter dress code than most Manhattan restaurants.