When looking for a romantic restaurant or bar, words like “cozy,” “intimate,” and “low-lit” probably come to mind. But we’d argue that the food and bottles of colorful pet-nat are just as crucial to a memorable swoony evening as the decor. Below, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite spots that are more than just a pretty indoor dining room — although we took that into account, too — for those special occasion dates.
Read MoreThe Most Romantic Restaurants in NYC
High ceilings, low lighting, and some of the best food New York City has to offer
Cafe Boulud
The new location for this special occasion Daniel Boulud restaurant is tailored and elegant yet cozy, tucked in the townhouse that used to be Vaucluse. A dramatic floral arrangement anchors the room, the lighting is just right, and the menu, divided by French classics, the season, the market and a region of the world, offers something for everyone.
Txikito
This intimate Basque restaurant has been around for 15 years and serves some terrific mostly seafood-focused fare from Eder Montero and Alex Raij. Always order from the specials board and consider mainstays like the octopus, salt cod in pil pil sauce, and the suckling pig.
Cafe Carmellini
Spring vibes meet urban opulence in chef Andrew Carmellini’s newish spot. Enter through the medieval-looking doors like crossing a moat. Inside, etched glass trees and peacocks frame a grove of trees in the center of the room lit by elaborate celestial-like chandeliers overhead. Order a few things to share — citrus carpaccio, lentils and veal tongue, duck tortellini — as you lounge in the cushy seating.
Waverly Inn
Waverly Inn seems to look about the same as it would have nearly 200 years ago: a brick townhouse with a wood-framed front porch and mullioned windows, and an interior consisting of a barroom, a pair of dining rooms, and a back porch visible from the sidewalk through a vine-covered iron fence. Fireplaces, murals from Edward Sorel, and bric-a-brac grace the interior. Get the burger or the chicken pot pie.
Raoul's
When Raoul’s is on, it’s the exact place in Manhattan where you’d want to be eating. The decades-old Soho bistro regularly hosts high-rollers and famous folks alike (and is the subject of a soon-to-run documentary on what makes it so special). In addition to it’s one-of-a-kind ambiance, the restaurant is known for its legendary burgers and steak au poivre.
Le Crocodile
Le Crocodile hits that romantic restaurant middle ground: a low-lit vibe cool enough for an early (but important) date, and food that more than holds up on a birthday or anniversary. The bar here, staffed by a handful of white jacket-wearing waiters, feels busy but never crowded, thanks to the high ceilings and lengthy dining room. If date plans include dinner, know that Le Crocodile comes from the same team behind Chez Ma Tante, a favorite brunch spot in Brooklyn, with French fare like escargot, buttery leeks, and a shareable plate of chicken that’s not to be missed.
Frenchette
This cozy neighborhood French restaurant with a natural wine list features dishes a shade richer and more luxuriant than its bistro and brasserie competitors. Blood sausage served on soft scrambled eggs is one example, and others include leg of lamb, cote de boeuf, and saffron-laced fish soup.
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Bamonte's
Since opening in North Brooklyn in 1900, Bamonte’s packs in decades of old-school charm for swooning a partner. The shareable, behemoth-sized plates of red-sauce classics like chicken parmesan are served in a baroque dining room that feels like it’s straight from a vintage postcard. Eater critic Robert Sietsema recommends the tartufo, sliced coated chocolate and vanilla ice cream that is stuffed with a maraschino cherry, or an off-menu cannoli, for dessert.
The Four Horsemen
There are no bad seats at this Williamsburg natural wine bar: Not at the counter, where it’s easier to order another glass of colorful pet-nat. Not in its intimate back dining room, with narrow views of the kitchen. Not even out front, in the outdoor setup that’s stood the test of pandemic winters. Though the Four Horsemen is more often known for its LCD Soundsystem affiliation, restaurant enthusiasts know that some of the neighborhood’s best food is found here, on a short menu that rotates often. After dinner, stop by its attached club Nightmoves.
Winona's
Winona’s is located on a street that doesn’t get a ton of foot traffic, making the converted, industrial-looking restaurant feel clandestine and cool. The music is fun and the lighting isn’t too dim, which makes it ideal for a special occasion, like a group birthday. Winona’s has dishes for most diets, and its daily-changing pop-ups allow for each visit to feel like a new night out.
Place des Fêtes
This restaurant from the owners of the Michelin-starred Oxalis looks like just another wine bar from the street. But the menu and affordable wine list keep drawing fans. Small plates like sardine toast, mushrooms with black garlic, and top-tier mortadella are just some of the rotating dishes you’ll find. Warm lighting helps this place feel extra intimate.
Hart's
Quarters are tight at Hart’s but that’s precisely what helps make this restaurant one of the sexiest date spots around. Light and breezy, coastal-focused dishes like the popular clam toast are what’s highlighted on the menu here. Daily-changing specials offer something new to find with each visit — making it a date spot that never gets old. Just be sure to stop by a little early, as it can be hard to snag a seat during peak dinner hours.