VDAY DATE NIGHT GUIDE
Restaurants to smooch your boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, or stranger in with incredible food.
Love day is almost here and if you don’t already have a res booked you may be scrambling to find that perfect spot to take your valentine<3. Orrrrr maybe you'll be staying in and you’re just here for funsies. REGARDLESS, I compiled a list of my favorite places to have a date night. This list also does not have to be used on Feb. 14th. It is perfectly applicable to any and all date nights.
MY CRITERIA:
Food has to be delicious (obviously?)
Intimate or overall lovely vibes with wonderful service.
Not IMPOSSIBLE to get into. I will not be recommending 4 Charles or Don Angie — don’t fret. These are all walk-in spots or places that currently have reservations. Put notifications on though. Reservation notifications are your friend. (Disclaimer NYC food scene is crazy and things fill up/book up fast so best to move quick)
IF YOU WANT FRENCH:
Le French Diner
This tiny walk-in only spot is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. It’s mainly one long bar but they do have 2-3 other tables for parties larger than 2. The menu is simple and everything I have ever had has been delicious. It’s by far my favorite French food in New York. It’s not necessarily affordable but it won’t have you clutching your wallet in the same way that other French spots may. Get a glass of red and make sure to end your night with the Cherry Panna Cotta.
Order: Socca, Green Salad, Escargot, Duck, Octopus, Hanger Steak, Panna Cotta
Reservation: Walk-In Only. 5:30-11pm
Where: Lower East Side
Pastis
Last I checked there were RES avails!!!! I am sure they are going fast though. This hotspot genuinely has some delicious food and the vibes are lovely inside. The perfect place to drink a glass of red over a bowl of French Onion soup and their burger.
Order: Buger, Escargot, Onion Soup, Tartare
Reservation: Resy
Where: Meatpacking
Cafe Chelsea
There are reservations still available!!!!!!!!!! Cafe Chelsea is an iconic restaraunt. Their menu is solid and the ambiance is lovely. I would also go so far to say if you have a picky eater in the group this may be the spot. The IG famous Ravioli is actually very good. It’s like an amplified buttered pasta. The burger is also very good. Do not whatever you do skip the chocolate soufflé. You actually should never skip a chocolate soufflé.
Order: Burger, Ravioli, Crudo, Shrimp Cocktail, Chocolate Souffle.
Reservation: Resy
Where: Chelsea
IF YOU WANT OLD SCHOOL HOSPITALITY:
Eulalie
A spot not like the others! You have to call or go in person to make a reservation. Once you’ve secured that reservation that table is all yours for the entire night. So if the goal is to hangout while sipping a glass of wine for a while this is your place.
The food is set up in a prix-fixe style. Open the menu and you’ll be greeted with a handwritten list of delicious options. Everything is homemade and locally sourced. Dessert is unfortunately not included but I do recommend it.
The hospitality is some of the best I have experienced. Husband and wife duo Chip & Tina know how to run a restaurant. Chip is the chef while Tina manages the front of house. There is no ‘1 waiter’ helping you during your meal but about 5-6 people doing this magical dance between tables.
Order: Pre-Fixe with a revolving menu. Get whatever your heart desires.
Reservation: Call
Where: Tribeca
IF YOU WANT ITALIAN:
Misi Pasta
An “easier” reservation to land than Misi or Lilia but honestly just as good if not better in some departments. They are open all day so if you are looking to grab lunch this is your place although I did peep 1-2 dinner spots still open! The menu has some staples but also tend to have a lot of rotation based on seasonality. The artichoke sandwich is not a question — you have to order it.
Order: Artichoke Sandwich, Chickpea farinata, Spaghetti Bottarga, Spritz, Gelato
Reservation: Resy
Where: Williamsburg
Fiaschetteria Pistoia
Walk in spot (WV location) with handmade pasta. If you are looking for great Italian food without too much fuss this is the spot for you. Everything tastes like it was made with love and do not skip dessert!! I would arrive fairly early to get first seating or early enough to put your name down to come back. East Village does do reservations but I’ve only been to the West Village location.
Order: The bolognese!! Tiramisu!!
Reservation: Walk in (WV), By Phone (EV): +1 212.777.3355
Where: West Village, East Village
IF YOU WANT TO EAT IN BK:
Four Horsemen (My #1 pick)
Okay this one is NOT easy to book but I had to include it because this is genuinely my favorite spot to have a date night. The space is tiny but intimate with an extremely extensive wine menu because, after all, they are a wine bar. The menu is aways changing too so no matter how many times you go you’ll be able to experience something new each time.
Order: All of it. Order the entire menu.
Reservation: Resy but you COULD try your luck with a walk-in or cancellation. No promises.
Where: Williamsburg
Dinner Party
The cutest '“dinner party” you will ever attend. The menu changes every 2 weeks and is always so unique but delicious. Right now they are running a Valentine’s Day menu for $156/PP which includes a glass of bubbles and they still have some seatings available. They also have a really lovely wine pairing normally. If you want to enjoy dinner without picking anything in a homey setting, this is for you.
Order: Whatever they are serving
Reservation: Resy
Where: Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Win Son
It’s simple. You go to Win Son for some Taiwanese fusion and then across the street to Win Son Bakery for some of the best dessert in New York City. The food is always great and there is plenty to choose from. Plus they only do reservations for 6 or more, so add your name to the waitlist (unless you get in right away) to ensure sesame noodle consumption.
Order: Scallion Pancake, Sloppy Bao, Pork Buns, Sesame Noodles
Reservation: No res for parties of 6 or more. 6+ book on OpenTable.
Where: East Williamsburg
IF YOU WANT SUSHI:
Shinn East/West
An affordable omakase was obviously going to make this list. $69 for 13 courses and from my experience has been delicious!! They have 2 locations so more opportunity for a reservation as well. If you are a fan of sushi or want to try an omakase without breaking the bank, this is for you.
Order: Omakase
Reservation: Resy
Where: Hell’s Kitchen, East Village
Rosella
I feel bad putting this on here because they are likely all booked by the time you are reading this. Throw those Resy notify’s on though for the off-chance someone cancels. In my opinion, it’s one of the best sushi experiences in NYC. I currently cannot find a place that beats it. Their service, small plates, and dessert are all exceptional.
Order: Let your server choose
Reservation: Resy
Where: East Village
IF YOU WANT TO DRINK:
Portrait Bar
Fancy midtown bars are typically NOT my thing but portrait bar is a bit of an exception! The burger is DELISH and they have a lot of other solid menu items. This is not your standard sit down restaurant experience but it’s swanky and dark in there, perfect for setting a gorgeous romancey (is that a word?) vibe.
Order: The burger, French Onion Dip, Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich
Reservation: Resy
Where: Midtown
Sauced
My favorite wine bar in the world. No reservations. 2 locations. Incredible wine. Hit before or after a meal though since food is mainly just snacks here.
Order: Tell the bartender what kind of wine you like;)
Reservation: Walk In Only
Where: EV, Williamsburg
Nine Cases
Alright Nine Cases is more so a wine bar than a restaurant TECHNICALLY but they have plenty of 2/14 availability so it is making this list. It’s dark and vibey in there making it quite a romantic spot!!!! They only order a single case of wine per label so there is always something new to try. For food you can order small plates and snacks so you could spend your whole night here if you choose. I can’t vouch for much more than the hummus and pita plate but it was great. CAN vouch for the delicious and extensive wine menu though.
Order: Wine
Reservation: Resy
Where: East Village
I hope you all have a fantastic VDAY. YOU GUYS ARE ALL MY VALENTINES<3333
Could you possibly make a "best vegetarian dishes/veg-friendly restaurants" list? Looking for places my carnivore friends and I can go together and both be satisfied!
Portrait bar would be PEAK for Valentine’s Day!