clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

The 15 Hottest New Restaurants in Brooklyn, October 2023

The 15 Hottest New Restaurants in Manhattan, October 2023

The Best Places to Eat Alone in NYC

More in New York See more maps
A glass of red wine and flowers in front of a white plate with a saucy meat dish at Tuome.
Tuome
Photo by Daniel Krieger

16 East Village Restaurants Perfect for Date Night

Where to take a date in East Village

by Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya
View as Map
Tuome
| Photo by Daniel Krieger
by Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

The East Village is a hot destination for date night, with plenty of cozy neighborhood restaurants to offer alongside buzzier names. Whether for a first date or a night on the town with a long-term partner, these restaurants have the right food, drinks, and vibes to keep the conversation flowing.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Momofuku Ssäm Bar

Copy Link

Thanks to upgrades that included sound proofing and more comfortable seating, Momofuku Ssäm Bar is one of the cozier options of David Chang’s restaurants. Executive chef Max Ng’s menu has several addictive dishes to offer, with a focus on fish such as uni and trout roe over rice or grilled blowfish tails with salted duck yolk sauce. There are excellent cocktails to go with the food, too, and bar dining isn’t super cramped. Reservations are available for those who plan ahead, making Ssäm ideal for second dates and beyond.

207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-3500
(212) 254-3500
Momofuku Ssam Bar
Momofuku Ssam Bar
Momofuku Ssam Bar/Facebook

Also featured in:

Taverna Kyclades

Copy Link

Astoria-based Greek restaurant Taverna Kyclades added an East Village location, and its Greek plates are easy to share. There’s also an impressive list of Greek wines, which is a rarer find in NYC. The restaurant is more on the casual side, so perhaps not the best for special-occasion dates. It’s still a solid and affordable option for a romantic night out.

228 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009
(212) 432-0011
(212) 432-0011
Taverna Kyclades
Taverna Kyclades
Photo via CJ S./Yelp

Also featured in:

Madame Vo

Copy Link

White brick and cushy banquettes accent this lively restaurant serving bright Vietnamese fare. It’s a laid-back option for a casual, but fun evening out with someone you’re comfortable slurping noodles with. Just about everything on the menu is a solid option, especially the array of pho. Definitely make a reservation.

212 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003
(917) 261-2115
(917) 261-2115
Madame Vo
Madame Vo
Photo via Madame Vo/Instagram

Also featured in:

Porsena

Copy Link

Chef Sara Jenkins’ quaint neighborhood restaurant offers straightforward pasta dishes and a solid Italian wine list. There are also lots of bubbly options and aperitifs. As for the pasta, the standout dish is her anelloni, topped with spicy lamb sausage, mustard greens, and bread crumbs. Warm lighting, cozy two-tops, and a long bar make Porsena a good place for getting close.

21 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
Porsena
Porsena
Porsena [Official]

Also featured in:

The Immigrant

Copy Link

This casual, rustic wine bar — with low lighting, intimate seating, and exposed brick walls — is an unfussy place to meet a date. It’s small and narrow but laid-back, making it an ideal place to get to know someone new over some wines and cheeses. Next door is a sibling beer bar, in case that’s more the mood.

341 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003
(646) 308-1724
(646) 308-1724
The Immigrant
The Immigrant
The Immigrant [Official]

Goodnight Sonny

Copy Link

Goodnight Sonny comes from the same team behind rowdy East Village late-night spot the Wayland, but it’s considerably more chill. It’s all about the cocktails and seafood here, served in a colorful space with a wood bar. Meet for cocktails, and if things go well, raw bar awaits.

134 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009
(646) 692-3254
(646) 692-3254
Goodnight Sonny
Goodnight Sonny
Photo by Nick Solares

Thursday Kitchen

Copy Link

Thursday Kitchen is a solid second date spot, with its cozy cellar vibe and pretty Korean dishes that are easy to share. But best of all are the Capri Sun-like soju cocktails served in pouches that light up thanks to LED lightbulbs — a great conversation starter.

424 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
(646) 755-8088
(646) 755-8088
Thursday Kitchen
Thursday Kitchen
Photo via Owen L./Yelp

Oiji

Copy Link

Modern Korean restaurant Oiji has a simple but romantic brick-walled, dark-wooded look. Seating along the open kitchen is excellent for action while on a date to watch chefs make dishes like beef shank with buttered rice or slow-cooked oxtail with glass noodles. The house-made honey butter chips a la mode are a perfect dessert, but minus the ice cream, they can also be a great start to the meal.

119 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003
(646) 767-9050
(646) 767-9050
Oiji
Oiji
Photo by Bess Adler

Also featured in:

Please Don't Tell

Copy Link

A date will likely delight in walking through a phone booth in a hot dog shop into this legendary cocktail bar. The secret speakeasy conceit of Please Don’t Tell is part of its alluring charm — even if it’s not really secret at all — and the drinks are killer. This last part cannot be stressed enough, though: Make a reservation or prepare to have a backup plan in place.

113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
(212) 614-0386
(212) 614-0386
Please Don’t Tell
Please Don’t Tell
Photo via Joseph E./Yelp

Also featured in:

The Mermaid Inn

Copy Link

The East Village location of this seafood restaurant and bar, with its white-washed walls and mini lamps, is cute and not impossible to get into, so if first-date drinks are going well, head on over here. Pop a bottle of rosé lambrusco or choose one of the well-executed cocktails. For an earlier evening date, there’s a daily happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (and all day Monday) with $1.25 East Coast oysters, select $6 beers, $8.50 wines, and $8.50 cocktails.

96 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
(212) 674-5870
(212) 674-5870
The Mermaid Inn Ken C./Yelp

Huertas

Copy Link

The chef’s choice tasting menu is the way to go at this Basque-inspired Spanish restaurant. It offers seven to eight dishes including bite-sized pintxos and tapas shared plates for $60 a person, gratuity included (and at a reduced rate of $48 on Sunday and Monday). Add on a bottle of Txakolina, the lightly sparkling Basque white wine. Or just head to the bar for sherry, cider, and gin-tonic on tap.

107 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-4490
(212) 228-4490
A dark restaurant interior displaying a neatly set table
Huertas
Photo by Bess Adler

Also featured in:

Empellon Al Pastor

Copy Link

Empellon Al Pastor has become a magnet for first dates, according to chef-owner Alex Stupak. That’s probably because of its casual and lively bar-restaurant combo ease, wherein people can meet for margaritas or mezcal and easily transition to standout tacos and other bar snacks if things are going well. And if things are going really well, share a massive “scorpion bowl” full of tequila, mezcal, and pineapple.

132 St Marks Pl, New York, NY, New York, NY 10009
(646) 833-7039
(646) 833-7039
Diners sit at tables with moody lighting
Empellon Al Pastor
Photo by Gary He

Also featured in:

Death & Company

Copy Link

Death & Company is for lovers who love cocktails. It’s still one of the top places to get a craft cocktail in NYC, and its beautiful, dimly lit bar gives it a very romantic look. Plus, the bar only lets in the number of people as there are seats, so it’s a very comfortable and intimate place to get tipsy with someone. If there’s a wait, head a few doors down to to bitters bar Amor y Amargo for a starter drink.

433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
(212) 388-0882
(212) 388-0882
Death & Co
Death & Company
Death & Company [Official]

Also featured in:

Tuome

Copy Link

Asian-American fusion restaurant Tuome matches good food with good vibes, serving a tight menu of appetizers and mains from Eleven Madison Park alum Thomas Chen. Dates would do well to order the “pig out,” or (for two)”: Berkshire pork served over spicy peanut noodles for $58.

536 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009
(646) 833-7811
(646) 833-7811
A glass of red wine and flowers in front of a white plate with a saucy meat dish at Tuome.
Tuome
Photo by Daniel Krieger

Also featured in:

Mayanoki

Copy Link

This relaxed but precise omakase restaurant is on the higher-end of options, so it’s ideal for a special occasion or anniversary. The omakase runs $95 per person, and there are only two seatings per night (at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.), so book the date ahead of time. As a bonus, all the sushi fish here is sustainable.

620 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
Mayanoki
Mayanoki
Photo via Mayanoki/Instagram

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Joyface

Copy Link

Joyface has plenty of couches for a more intimate seating choice, and the thrift store finds that decorate the space give it a retro, casual vibe. The actual bar has plenty of room, too. For a fun but daring date activity, there’s a jar with cocktail names on pieces of paper that one can pick at random.

104 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009
(917) 261-2166
(917) 261-2166
Joyface
Joyface
Photo via Joyface/Facebook

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Momofuku Ssäm Bar

207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Thanks to upgrades that included sound proofing and more comfortable seating, Momofuku Ssäm Bar is one of the cozier options of David Chang’s restaurants. Executive chef Max Ng’s menu has several addictive dishes to offer, with a focus on fish such as uni and trout roe over rice or grilled blowfish tails with salted duck yolk sauce. There are excellent cocktails to go with the food, too, and bar dining isn’t super cramped. Reservations are available for those who plan ahead, making Ssäm ideal for second dates and beyond.

207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-3500
(212) 254-3500
Momofuku Ssam Bar
Momofuku Ssam Bar
Momofuku Ssam Bar/Facebook

Taverna Kyclades

228 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009

Astoria-based Greek restaurant Taverna Kyclades added an East Village location, and its Greek plates are easy to share. There’s also an impressive list of Greek wines, which is a rarer find in NYC. The restaurant is more on the casual side, so perhaps not the best for special-occasion dates. It’s still a solid and affordable option for a romantic night out.

228 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009
(212) 432-0011
(212) 432-0011
Taverna Kyclades
Taverna Kyclades
Photo via CJ S./Yelp

Madame Vo

212 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003

White brick and cushy banquettes accent this lively restaurant serving bright Vietnamese fare. It’s a laid-back option for a casual, but fun evening out with someone you’re comfortable slurping noodles with. Just about everything on the menu is a solid option, especially the array of pho. Definitely make a reservation.

212 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003
(917) 261-2115
(917) 261-2115
Madame Vo
Madame Vo
Photo via Madame Vo/Instagram

Porsena

21 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

Chef Sara Jenkins’ quaint neighborhood restaurant offers straightforward pasta dishes and a solid Italian wine list. There are also lots of bubbly options and aperitifs. As for the pasta, the standout dish is her anelloni, topped with spicy lamb sausage, mustard greens, and bread crumbs. Warm lighting, cozy two-tops, and a long bar make Porsena a good place for getting close.

21 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
Porsena
Porsena
Porsena [Official]

The Immigrant

341 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003

This casual, rustic wine bar — with low lighting, intimate seating, and exposed brick walls — is an unfussy place to meet a date. It’s small and narrow but laid-back, making it an ideal place to get to know someone new over some wines and cheeses. Next door is a sibling beer bar, in case that’s more the mood.

341 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003
(646) 308-1724
(646) 308-1724
The Immigrant
The Immigrant
The Immigrant [Official]

Goodnight Sonny

134 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009

Goodnight Sonny comes from the same team behind rowdy East Village late-night spot the Wayland, but it’s considerably more chill. It’s all about the cocktails and seafood here, served in a colorful space with a wood bar. Meet for cocktails, and if things go well, raw bar awaits.

134 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009
(646) 692-3254
(646) 692-3254
Goodnight Sonny
Goodnight Sonny
Photo by Nick Solares

Thursday Kitchen

424 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009

Thursday Kitchen is a solid second date spot, with its cozy cellar vibe and pretty Korean dishes that are easy to share. But best of all are the Capri Sun-like soju cocktails served in pouches that light up thanks to LED lightbulbs — a great conversation starter.

424 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
(646) 755-8088
(646) 755-8088
Thursday Kitchen
Thursday Kitchen
Photo via Owen L./Yelp

Oiji

119 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Modern Korean restaurant Oiji has a simple but romantic brick-walled, dark-wooded look. Seating along the open kitchen is excellent for action while on a date to watch chefs make dishes like beef shank with buttered rice or slow-cooked oxtail with glass noodles. The house-made honey butter chips a la mode are a perfect dessert, but minus the ice cream, they can also be a great start to the meal.

119 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003
(646) 767-9050
(646) 767-9050
Oiji
Oiji
Photo by Bess Adler

Please Don't Tell

113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009

A date will likely delight in walking through a phone booth in a hot dog shop into this legendary cocktail bar. The secret speakeasy conceit of Please Don’t Tell is part of its alluring charm — even if it’s not really secret at all — and the drinks are killer. This last part cannot be stressed enough, though: Make a reservation or prepare to have a backup plan in place.

113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
(212) 614-0386
(212) 614-0386
Please Don’t Tell
Please Don’t Tell
Photo via Joseph E./Yelp

The Mermaid Inn

96 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

The East Village location of this seafood restaurant and bar, with its white-washed walls and mini lamps, is cute and not impossible to get into, so if first-date drinks are going well, head on over here. Pop a bottle of rosé lambrusco or choose one of the well-executed cocktails. For an earlier evening date, there’s a daily happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (and all day Monday) with $1.25 East Coast oysters, select $6 beers, $8.50 wines, and $8.50 cocktails.

96 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
(212) 674-5870
(212) 674-5870
The Mermaid Inn Ken C./Yelp

Huertas

107 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003

The chef’s choice tasting menu is the way to go at this Basque-inspired Spanish restaurant. It offers seven to eight dishes including bite-sized pintxos and tapas shared plates for $60 a person, gratuity included (and at a reduced rate of $48 on Sunday and Monday). Add on a bottle of Txakolina, the lightly sparkling Basque white wine. Or just head to the bar for sherry, cider, and gin-tonic on tap.

107 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-4490
(212) 228-4490
A dark restaurant interior displaying a neatly set table
Huertas
Photo by Bess Adler

Empellon Al Pastor

132 St Marks Pl, New York, NY, New York, NY 10009

Empellon Al Pastor has become a magnet for first dates, according to chef-owner Alex Stupak. That’s probably because of its casual and lively bar-restaurant combo ease, wherein people can meet for margaritas or mezcal and easily transition to standout tacos and other bar snacks if things are going well. And if things are going really well, share a massive “scorpion bowl” full of tequila, mezcal, and pineapple.

132 St Marks Pl, New York, NY, New York, NY 10009
(646) 833-7039
(646) 833-7039
Diners sit at tables with moody lighting
Empellon Al Pastor
Photo by Gary He

Death & Company

433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009

Death & Company is for lovers who love cocktails. It’s still one of the top places to get a craft cocktail in NYC, and its beautiful, dimly lit bar gives it a very romantic look. Plus, the bar only lets in the number of people as there are seats, so it’s a very comfortable and intimate place to get tipsy with someone. If there’s a wait, head a few doors down to to bitters bar Amor y Amargo for a starter drink.

433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
(212) 388-0882
(212) 388-0882
Death & Co
Death & Company
Death & Company [Official]

Tuome

536 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009

Asian-American fusion restaurant Tuome matches good food with good vibes, serving a tight menu of appetizers and mains from Eleven Madison Park alum Thomas Chen. Dates would do well to order the “pig out,” or (for two)”: Berkshire pork served over spicy peanut noodles for $58.

536 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009
(646) 833-7811
(646) 833-7811
A glass of red wine and flowers in front of a white plate with a saucy meat dish at Tuome.
Tuome
Photo by Daniel Krieger

Mayanoki

620 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009

This relaxed but precise omakase restaurant is on the higher-end of options, so it’s ideal for a special occasion or anniversary. The omakase runs $95 per person, and there are only two seatings per night (at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.), so book the date ahead of time. As a bonus, all the sushi fish here is sustainable.

620 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009
Mayanoki
Mayanoki
Photo via Mayanoki/Instagram

Related Maps

Joyface

104 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009

Joyface has plenty of couches for a more intimate seating choice, and the thrift store finds that decorate the space give it a retro, casual vibe. The actual bar has plenty of room, too. For a fun but daring date activity, there’s a jar with cocktail names on pieces of paper that one can pick at random.

104 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009
(917) 261-2166
(917) 261-2166
Joyface
Joyface
Photo via Joyface/Facebook

Related Maps