New York City has a way of bringing the lovey-dovey out of people. The backdrop to countless evergreen scenes from our fav rom-coms - think Tom Hanks professing his love to Meg Ryan atop the the Empire State Building - the city oozes hope for the hopeless romantics of the world. With all that love in the air, what better place to celebrate Valentine's Day in NYC?
Whether you’re planning the perfect rendezvous for you and your crush, or rallying up the girls for a kickass Galentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up our top-ten favorite spots to enjoy an amazing meal in NYC this Valentine’s Day. And, because we’re all about helping you impress that special someone, we’ve paired your dinner destinations with fun and romantic experiences to spice up your date night.
1. Mastro's Steakhouse
1285 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019 Get Directions
(212) 459-1222
With locations throughout the country, Mastro's is a trusted eatery with lots to offer. Known for their steaks and seafood, the restaurant provides delectable dishes, each better than the next. Besides the good food, they also serve hand-crafted cocktails, premium beers, and world-class wines. As this is a fine dining establishment, ensure you are dressed to the nines and ready to taste sinfully delicious fare.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Top of the Rock
What better romantic precursor to a Valentine’s Day dinner than a breathtaking trip to one of the city’s best vantage points. Climb up (not literally… there’s an elevator *phew*) to the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center and feel the rush of adrenaline as you peer across the gorgeous NYC skyline from the open-air Top of the Rock Observation Deck.
Recommended tickets to Rockefeller Center
2. Amélie Wine Bar
22 W. 8th Street, New York, NY 10011 Get Directions
(212) 533-2962
A French-style wine bar in the West Village, Amélie’s exudes elegance and charm. The wine list is spectacular, yet affordable. They also have one of the best Happy Hours in town, with wine flights (a sampling of three different glasses of wine) for only $12. The menu features an assortment of incredible entrées and small bites; make sure you try their famous Warm Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese Ball with Honey! This euro-chic wine bar is the perfect date spot.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: A trip to the MET or MoMA
Delve into the world of art before heading to your posh dinner. Especially for a first date, a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or MoMA will give you plenty to talk about while the two of you sip on your wine flight. BTW- these skip the line tickets will be a saviour when it comes to avoiding the long lines on Valentine’s Day!
Recommended tickets to the MET & MoMa
3. Blue Hill
75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011 Get Directions
(212) 539-1776
Dan Barber and his team have redefined farm-to-table dining with their amazing efforts “to blur the line between the dining experience and the educational, bringing the principles of good farming directly to the table.” Hidden three steps below street level, Blue Hill occupies a landmark speakeasy and offers beautiful seasonal dishes featuring ingredients from nearby farms. Guests can choose between a four-course “Tasting Menu”, a six-course “Farmer’s Feast”, or a daily ala carte menu. All items are inspired by the week’s harvest.
Interesting fact: Barber was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Central Park bike ride
Before indulging in a meal that highlights the season's flavors - head outdoors and soak up some fresh February air with a Central Park bike ride. You and your romantic partner can explore the city at your own pace, stop and go as you like, and enjoy some one-on-one time.
Recommended tickets to Central Park bike tour
4. Via Carota
51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014 Get Directions
(212) 255-1962
Inspired by a 17th-century villa in the hills near Florence, Via Carota honors old-world Italian roots, life style, food, and décor. The restaurant itself tells a story, with wooden floors reclaimed from an old gymnasium, vintage chapel chairs from England, and rustic wooden cabinets filled with heirloom china. Guests can choose from gorgeous outdoor seating, communal tables, or, a private, cozy room.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Broadway show
From romantic tragedies to slapstick humor, liven up your Valentine’s date with a Broadway show. Opt for a pre dinner curtain and cap the night off with some good food and a drink. Or, book the later show and grab a bite to eat before hand. The choices are aplenty!
5. Charlie Bird Restaurant
5 King St, New York, NY 10012 Get Directions
(212) 235-7133
Inspired by street art, design, and music, Charlie Bird fosters creativity and wonderfully captures the true essence of downtown New York culture. The menu features American fare with an Italian twist. In suite with the restaurant’s local vibe, the food is prepared with organic produce from New York’s farmers markets and all seafood dishes are sourced from Long Island fishing boats.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Unarthodox art experience
Before heading to this art-inspired restaurant, why not first channel your own inner Van Gogh? Get touchy-feely with your date at one of Unarthodox’s hands-on art experiments. Express yourself through an Intuitive Art adventure. Or, slap a blindfold on your partner and give Sculpture Without Sight a try!
6. Sushi Azabu
428 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013 Get Directions
(212) 274-0428
Transport yourself to Asia with this authentic eating experience. The restaurant’s chefs have all been trained in Japan and use only fresh-from-Japan fish. The atmosphere is wonderful and the staff all practice Omotenashi - “selfless service with a spirit of warmth and respect”.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Planetarium
Celebrate a romantic date under the stars. Head to the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History and enjoy a tour of the night sky and hear a heartwarming presentation of unforgettably romantic stories.
7. GATO
324 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 Get Directions
(212) 334-6400
Located in a 100-year old building, GATO captures New York tradition with a European flair. It’s rare that you’ll ever find this restaurant empty, so be sure to call ahead. The lively atmosphere is part of what makes this place so great. Chef Bobby Flay’s passion for amazing food is evident in every dish that leaves the kitchen. The menu features Spanish-accented Mediterranean fare. Your best strategy here is to order several dishes and share because they’re all worth tasting!
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Duffy Square
Congregate with all the other love birds at Duffy Square this February 14th. Proposals, wedding ceremonies, vow renewals - expect to see it all. “There's no better place to say 'I love you’ than Times Square!”
8. Timna NYC
109 St Marks Pl, New York, Ny 10009 Get Directions
(646) 964-5181
Chef Nir Mesika, a native of Israel with Moroccan heritage, is cooking up some of the most unique and delicious cuisine in New York. His menu features modern Israeli cooking influenced by the flavors and traditions of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. Timna gets it’s name from two geographical locations of the same name - the historical Timna Valley in Israel, and an ancient city in Yemen. The restaurant space is elegant with intimate lighting - perfect for setting the mood of your date!
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Brooklyn bike ride
Work up an appetite with an adventurous bike ride over the Brooklyn Bridge. Take in the city’s architectural beauties, explore the Lower East Side, check out Little Italy and Chinatown - you’ll have more selfie ops than your phone can handle.
9. Dirt Candy
86 Allen St, New York, NY 10012 Get Directions
(212) 228-7732
This upscale vegetarian restaurant is sleek, classy, and fun. Chef Amanda Cohen has brilliantly led her award winning restaurant to the forefront of New York’s meat-free eateries. It was also the first restaurant in the city to eliminate tipping and share profits with its employees. Each of Cohen’s inventive dishes have a personality of their own and the place is always full of interesting people. So if you find yourself riding solo this Valentine's Day, snag a seat at the lively bar and make friends with your neighbors while you sip on a Kale Jungle Bird (dark rum, kale, spinach, pineapple, and lime) and munch on popcorn beets.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Cupid's undie run
Have your date in their undies even before you treat them to a nice dinner! Cupid’s Undie Run started with the goal of raising money to end neurofibromatosis. Last year, the event raised $3.5 million! So put on your bedroom-best and take part in this fun mile(ish) run for a good cause.
10. Villa Amalfi
1006 NJ-166, Toms River, NJ 08753 Get Directions
(732) 286-6044
Take your tastebuds to Italy in the comfort of this quaint and charming fine dining establishment. Villa Amalfi offers the finest Italian meats, fish, and pastas, making you want to return for more. Some dishes to look forward to include fried calamari, lobster bisque, penne Amalfi, scallopini Marsala, house special chicken, and Zuppa di Pesce. Compliment your dishes with wine from their large collection.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Boardwalk
Take your date on a seaside stroll along New Jersey’s boardwalk. Hop on a ride, share cotton candy, and use the chilly sea breeze as an excuse to snuggle up in the arms of your Valentine.
Have an amazing NYC Valentine's Day date idea of your own? We'd love to hear it. Share it in the comments section below!
