The 15 most romantic restaurants in NYC

What is it? Named for the hwaro, a Korean charcoal brazier that guides the tasting menu, this tiny marble counter pulls off the ultimate magic trick of making you forget that you’re in midtown. In a dedicated space inside chef Sungchul Shim’s steakhouse Gui, the rounded counter seats just 22, so you’re guaranteed a great view of the chefs at work on your meal. The 13-course menu is eyewateringly priced at $295, making it ideal for special occasions. 

Why we love it: No detail is overlooked here, from the custom ceramics for each course to a black truffle shaved over scallops and jajang bordelaise on a warm bowl of jook. It’s intimate and expensive—two surefire signifiers for “romance”—with an experience that lives up to the high expectation. 

Time Out tip: Since it’s a chef’s counter, the menu changes with the seasons and the market, so come prepared to be surprised and delighted.

Address: 776 8th Ave, Floor 2, New York, NY 10036

Opening hours: Thu–Sat 5:30–9pm

What is it? This new Malaysian spot in Greenpoint from the folks behind Hainan Chicken House serves up half a bird (including one of its feet), soaked in a broth fragrant with ginger and scallions, then served with house-fermented chili and chicken rice. Chris Low, the co-owner and a filmmaker, has created a transportive, low-lit space that recalls Wong Kar-Wai’s moody, gorgeous film In the Mood for Love. 

Why we love it: Romance abounds at Kenang, but neither the food nor the space ever feels fussy. Go for the pork trotter with dark soy and root tea, or the braised udon with scallop, pork shoulder, prawns and dark green veggies.  

Time Out tip: Kelang is still waiting on its liquor license, so the bar’s not serving drinks yet, but don’t let that deter you. Try a calamansi limeade with ginger and honey or a “Koko-M” made with Milo, pandan and sweetened condensed milk. There are plenty of bars on this stretch of Manhattan Avenue where you can stop for a nightcap before taking a romantic G train ride home. 

Address: 715 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 5–10pm; Sat noon–3pm, 5–10pm; Sun noon–3pm, 5–9pm

What is it? Tucked behind the newly reopened 100-year-old Cherry Lane Theatre, Wild Cherry’s intimate dining room, raw seafood on ice and steak dinner for two still manage to scream “modern love.” Dreamed up by the indie film studio A24 and helmed by the folks behind Frenchette, it’s an old-school spot that’s purpose-built for the new breed of downtown cool kids (i.e., you).   

Why we love it: Maybe it’s the art direction, maybe it’s the food or maybe it’s the combination of the two, but Wild Cherry really gets it right: the rare spot that’s actually as fun to eat at as it is to imagine yourself eating at. There’s plenty of celeb-spotting to be had here, but if you focus on your date instead of the B-list actor at the table beside you, you’ll find yourself richly rewarded with the classic New York romance of dinner and a show. 

Time Out tip: Get the crispy fried frog legs Kiev, which arrive looking like little lollipops—all the better to show off their tiny bones. You’ll look as elegant nibbling on one as they do in their pool of herbed butter.  

Address: 38 Commerce St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5–11pm

What is it? Curl up with your date as you twirl up any of the stellar pastas from Lilia. It’s easily one of the best bowls of carbs you can get in the city—that is, if you can snag a reservation to score a little Lady and the Tramp-style spaghetti smooch. Its laid-back, largely white loft space is less “romantic throwback” than most of the city’s best pasta spots, making it an ideal choice for a first impression or a low-key celebration. 

Why we love it: The pasta dishes you’ve heard all about still reign supreme here, including the agnolotti stuffed with sheep’s milk cheese, dried tomato and honey and the crimped, moon-shaped beef casunziei with poppy seeds and smoked ricotta salata. Turn up the romance factor with spicy, slurpable grilled clams with Calabrian chili and mussels, served simply with herb butter and salt. 

Time Out tip: Just stopping by for a romantic interlude? Order a couple of classic cocktails, like their excellent Manhattan or Gibson, and share some bar snacks like crispy garlic bread with bottarga and housemade mozzarella and crispy, golden cacio e pepe frittelle. 

Address: 567 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–9:30pm; Fri–Sun 4–9:30pm

What is it? When the evening calls for a world-class restaurant, luxurious service and a stunning menu, only one of NYC's top fine dining destinations will do. Daniel Boulud’s eponymous restaurant, which first opened in 1993 (to the delight of all of New York’s ladies who lunch), remains a romantic mainstay on the Upper East Side. 

Why we love it: Prix fixe menus, which range from three courses for $195 to a seven-course tasting menu for $295 (with an optional $225 wine pairing), offer opulent, elegantly plated delights like wagyu beef tongue, black truffle risotto and “foie gras studded” venison. This is the kind of spot where the servers are well-practiced at dropping engagement rings into champagne flutes. 

Time Out tip: Head for the Lounge at Daniel, where you can order both the prix fixe menus and à la carte items to eat while you cuddle up on a couch beneath a collection of Robert Mapplethorpe photographs.  

Address: 60 E 65th St, New York, NY 10065

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5–9:30pm

What is it? Originally opened in 1879, the city's long-lasting love affair with this chophouse might just rub off on you and your date. The bartenders wear jackets, the chandeliers offer mood lighting for murmuring sweet nothings and you simply can't go wrong with a pair of classic martinis and a dozen oysters from the raw bar. 

Why we love it: Splash out for steaks in the main dining room, or just soak up the romantic ambience at the Sunken Harbor Club, the bar upstairs. Sip on tropical drinks like mai tais and daiquiris while you snack on broiled oysters with umami-rich miso and parmesan, or let your fingertips brush against each other inside a basket of French fries with kimchi mayo. 

Time Out tip: The baked Alaska, filled with chocolate and cherries and finished with a golden meringue, is portioned for two, so you won't end the night in a squabble over who gets to lick the spoon.

Address: 372 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5–10pm; Sat, Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? Sailor, a navy-hued, brick-covered Brooklyn bistro, is so buzzy that just scoring a reservation will get you halfway to impressing your date. If you can’t nab a 7:30 table, don’t fret. Hit up nearby BAM to catch a movie and then find a seat at Sailor’s bar, where the truly excellent cocktails make for a romantic nightcap. 

Why we love it: When you’re feeling lovey-dovey, don’t sleep on (or for that matter, sleep through) Sailor’s delicious daytime menus, where they serve up lunch or brunch Wednesday through Sunday. Sometimes, a transcendent burger smothered in melted onions or a rich, gooey croque monsieur with some hair of the dog can feel just as romantic as a big night out. 

Time Out tip: The half chicken is the go-to order, but everything on the menu invites sharing, like the spiced mussels, the crisp sweetbreads and the pink, plump poached radishes. 

Address: 228 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Opening hours: Mon–Tue 5–10pm; Wed, 11:30am–2pm, 5–10pm; Thu, Fri 11:30am–2pm, 5–10:30pm; Sat 10am–2pm, 5–10:30pm; Sun 10am–2pm, 5–10pm

What is it? This cozy, honey-hued French-American bistro has been serving up sumptuous fare to couples exchanging seductive glances and hushed innuendos since 1975. Slide into a roomy crimson booth in the back for chilled oysters and cold white wine, or fortify yourself for the night ahead with a roast rack of lamb, steak au poivre and a full-bodied French red.  

Why we love it: The burger continues to be Raoul’s main draw, so go ahead and split one to ooh and ahh over, then plump for the jumbo lump crab beignets and Dover sole with sauce Americaine to round out your meal. 

Time Out tip: If you can’t score a booth, a pair of barstools can be just as romantic. A classic New York night, posted up at the bar of a classic New York restaurant, is the stuff of some of our fondest memories. 

Address: 180 Prince St, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5–11pm; Sat, Sun 11am–3pm, 5–11pm

What is it? With all the charms of a classic French bistro, Buvette’s location on a quaint stretch of Grove Street adds to the allure of its outdoor dining space. On some evenings, you might even catch a cellist on the corner, making you and your date feel like you're being serenaded with your very own concert. Classic dishes, including coq au vin, escargots in parsley butter and lobster pot pie, add to the low-key but high-octane romance of the place. 

Why we love it: Buvette is open until midnight every night, so you can snuggle up to your sweetie for a late-night rendezvous any day of the week. With plenty of aperitifs and snacks—like caviar and steamed eggs, homemade country pate and potted duck confit—it’s one of our favorite spots for a romantic nightcap. 

Time Out tip: If you score a seat at a two-top, expect to rub shoulders with the couple sitting beside you. A seat at the bar offers a little more space, along with the opportunity to ask the bartenders for expert advice about which bottle of wine from the Loire Valley you should order. 

Address: 42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Daily 8am–midnight

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What is it? The raw bar at Marea offers up an assortment of oysters, those famous aphrodisiacs. The restaurant is located right on Columbus Circle, so after dinner, you can take a romantic walk around the Central Park reservoir and (if you absolutely must) propose on Bow Bridge.

Why we love it: With a name that means “tide” in Italian, the seafood-focused menu features maritime Italian delights, including sea scallops with black truffle, bruschetta topped with caviar and burrata, and fusilli tossed with red wine-braised octopus and bone marrow. 

Time Out tip: Skip the swordfish and steak and stick with the pasta, which remain the must-order dishes on Marea’s menu. Since you’ll be eating all of those oysters (for romance!), a couple of bowls of pasta and a tiramisu with two spoons is all you’ll need for a romantic night out. 

Address: 240 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019

Opening hours: Daily noon–10pm

What is it? Despite being nearly as hard to get into now as it was when it first opened, this remains one of the best date night spots in the city. (Or maybe that’s because it’s so hard to get into?) Dishes change daily at this Williamsburg spot owned by LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, so, like with love, you never really know what you’re going to get. 

Why we love it: After breaking out as a leader in natural wines, the Four Horsemen has kept their transcendent, painstakingly curated wine list as exciting as ever. Pair your plates with a couple of pours or split an interesting bottle to impress your date and get the conversation flowing. 

Time Out tip: You can't possibly know what will be on the menu of the moment, but you can cross your fingers that the braised leek toast will be up for grabs. It’s one of our all-time faves, topped with whipped ricotta, salty anchovies and melt-in-your-mouth leeks. 

Address: 295 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5:30–10:45pm; Fri–Sun 11am–10:45pm

What is it? Located in a basement storefront on Forsyth Street, you might just miss Wayla at first glance. Its in-the-know secrecy, of course, just makes it even more romantic. The secluded space below Forsyth Street is sized just right for intimacy, with small rooms that encourage you and your date to lean into each other.

Why we love it: Swoon over paper-thin crepe dumplings, roasted duck in green curry and crab fried rice while you swoon over each other. Our fave might be the homemade pork sausage, fragrant with lemongrass and kafir lime, although the Maine lobster with rice noodles is a close (and luxurious) second. 

Time Out tip: On a warm night, Wayla’s secret garden is one of the best places to dine outdoors in town. Strung with fairy lights and filled with comfy seats, you’ll find yourself lingering over your dessert of sweet, creamy durian and sticky rice long after you’re full.

Address: 100 Forsyth St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5–10pm; Sat noon–3pm, 5–11pm; Sun noon–3pm, 5–10pm

What is it? Post Don Angie-success, Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli's second affair takes us on a journey along the coastline of Italy. With sunny, yellow-painted interiors, spritzes on tap and mussels stuffed with 'nduja, it’s one of the best spots in NYC to stop for a drink and a few bites at the bar with a particularly compelling date. 

Why we love it: Order the East Coast oysters with an eyewatering kick of horseradish and an order of crab and mortadella dip with hot cherry pepper jelly to pair with your cocktails. We’re partial to the spicy margarita, made a little floral from the prickly pear and bergamot, and the stiff, spicy martini with garlic bread vodka and a pair of big ol’ olives. 

Time Out tip: Reservations are available seven days in advance, so with a little planning, you might be able to snap one up. Otherwise, head to the bar and beg the cool kids perched on their stools for a couple of seats. You’d do anything for love—right? 

Address: 113 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–2:30pm, 4:30–10:30pm

What is it? With a shimmering bowl of ice beneath your oysters and velvety curtains draped over the front entrance, La Mercerie has a très Parisian feel. Chef Marie-Aude Rose’s gem of a menu features familiar hits like boeuf bourguignon and confit duck leg, and the space’s oversized archways and rich blue walls will take you straight to the City of Love (as opposed to, you know, the city where the train station ceilings regularly drip mysterious liquids onto your head). 

Why we love it: The whole place has been designed with burgeoning romance in mind, featuring flickering candles, flowering plants and plates full of berries and cream. 

Time Out tip: La Mercerie is a restaurant and a market, which means that almost everything on your table is also for sale, including the candleholders, mugs, bowls and plates. If you happen to have forgotten a gift to commemorate a special occasion, it’s oh-so-romantic to offer to buy your dining companion’s favorite dish. 

Address: 53 Howard St, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11:30am–10pm; Sat, Sun 10am–3pm, 5–10pm

What is it? This vibey Thai spot from the Fish Cheeks team has an intimate, late-night feel. Big horseshoe-shaped booths are perfect for canoodling (you might even catch some celebs doing just that), and the neon light in the window casts a warm red glow, like a scarf thrown seductively over a lamp.

Why we love it: While some of the most romantic restaurants in NYC can lean a little stuffy, this spot is all about the big-night-out vibes, with food inspired by late-night street eats. 

Time Out tip: You’ll find tables for ten celebrating birthdays and other special occasions, but you’ll have just as much fun at your romantic table for two. Share some snacks, like the deep-fried chicken wings stuffed with ginger sticky rice, or the uni and blue crab tartlets with lemongrass coconut relish, and pair them with a smoky cocktail for that exclusive, just-for-us supper club feeling.

Address: 641 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Mon–Thu Sun; 4–10:30pm; Fri–Sat 4–11pm