Ah, New York City – where even the most hardened cynics find themselves swooning under the spell of twinkling skylines and movie-worthy moments. Sure, we've all rolled our eyes at those cheesy rom-com scenes, but there's something about this city jungle that makes even the most jaded New Yorker believe in love. Maybe it's the winter air, or maybe it's just all those heart-shaped pretzels from street vendors. Either way, if you're looking to spark some magic this Valentine's Day, you're in the right city.
Listen up, lovebirds – I've done the legwork to find you the most swoon-worthy dinner spots in the city. But because dinner alone is so 2020, I've matched each restaurant with a perfect pre-or-post meal activity. Think of it as your personal Valentine's Day cheat sheet, whether you're wooing a new crush or planning the ultimate Galentine's celebration with your squad.
1. Mastro's Steakhouse
1285 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019 Get Directions
(212) 459-1222
Let's kick things off with the big guns. Mastro's is where you go when you want to seriously impress – think perfectly seared ribeyes and seafood towers that look like they belong in an art gallery. Yes, it's a chain, but don't let that fool you – this Midtown spot serves up some of the most butter-tender steaks in Manhattan. Pro tip: Their butter cake is worth trying and the martinis are cold enough to give you brain freeze. Just remember to dust off that fancy outfit hiding in your closet – this place is strictly "dress to kill" territory.
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
Hidden in the heart of the West Village, Amélie feels like that secret Parisian wine bar you stumbled upon during your study abroad days. 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
Nothing says "I'm cultured" quite like a pre-dinner museum date. 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.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Central Park bike ride
Before diving into Blue Hill's farm-fresh feast, earn those calories with a spin through Central Park. Rent a bike and play tourist in your own city – weave past the Lake, race to Belvedere Castle, or find a quiet bench for people-watching. Plus, the park is gorgeously empty in February, except for the occasional brave jogger and snow-dusted statues.
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
Nothing pairs better with Italian food than a little drama – the Broadway kind, that is. Catch an early show then stroll through the Village to your dinner reservation. Or flip the script: feast first at Via Carota, then catch a late curtain.
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 whole experience is built around "omotenashi" – that's Japanese for "making you feel like royalty without being stuffy about it." Fair warning: once you try their otoro, your neighborhood sushi spot might never hit quite the same.
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
Bobby Flay's GATO brings Mediterranean warmth to a historic NoHo building that's stood for over a century. The space hums with conversation and clinking glasses, while the open kitchen sends out Spanish-inspired dishes that somehow improve on traditional recipes. The crispy potatoes with smoked paprika have a devoted following, and the lamb tenderloin might be the best in the city. Book ahead – this place fills up quickly, especially on special occasions.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Duffy Square
Take a pre-dinner stroll through the bright lights of Duffy Square, where Times Square's energy is at its peak. On Valentine's Day, the square transforms into a celebration of love, with couples gathering for photos and sometimes even surprise proposals. The people-watching alone is worth the visit, and the walk will build up your appetite for GATO's Spanish feast.
8. Timna NYC
109 St Marks Pl, New York, Ny 10009 Get Directions
(646) 964-5181
In the heart of the East Village, Chef Nir Mesika blends his Israeli roots and Moroccan heritage into something entirely unique. Named after ancient valleys in Israel and Yemen, Timna serves modern Mediterranean dishes that tell stories through flavor. The intimate space, with its warm lighting and exposed brick, creates the perfect setting for sharing plates of za'atar-dusted bread and perfectly grilled lamb. Each dish feels like a carefully crafted fusion of Middle Eastern and North African traditions.
Check out the menu here.
Pair with: Brooklyn bike ride
Before your Mediterranean feast, take a scenic ride across the Brooklyn Bridge. The winter air might be crisp, but the views of Manhattan's skyline are unbeatable. Wind through DUMBO's cobblestone streets, pause for photos at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and explore the charming brownstone-lined streets.
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
Worth the journey across the Hudson, Villa Amalfi brings a slice of the Italian coast to New Jersey. This family-run restaurant serves the kind of Italian cuisine that makes memories: perfectly crisp calamari, rich lobster bisque, and a Zuppa di Pesce that tastes like it came straight from the Mediterranean. The wine list is extensive and thoughtfully curated, with options from every Italian region. The dining room's warm atmosphere makes the trip from the city feel like a mini-vacation.
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.
11. The River Cafe
1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States Get Directions
(732) 286-6044
Tucked beneath the Brooklyn Bridge since 1977, The River Cafe sets the gold standard for romantic dining in New York. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame postcard-perfect views of the Manhattan skyline, while Michelin-starred dishes arrive like edible art pieces. The dress code is strict (yes, gentlemen need jackets), but that's part of what makes dinner here feel like a special occasion. The seasonal menu changes regularly, but the chocolate Brooklyn Bridge dessert is a constant – and for good reason.
Pair with: Brooklyn Bridge Park
Start your evening with a sunset walk through Brooklyn Bridge Park. In winter, the 85-acre waterfront space feels like your private garden, with the Manhattan skyline providing a glittering backdrop. Wander through the quiet piers and gardens, watch the ferry boats glide by, and time your River Cafe reservation for when the city lights start twinkling on. The walk from the park to the restaurant takes you past some of Brooklyn's most charming streets – perfect for working up an appetite.
12. Copinette
891 1st Ave., New York, NY 10022, United States Get Directions
(732) 286-6044
This charming French-American bistro offers an intimate dining experience in Midtown East. The vintage-inspired space feels like stumbling upon a neighborhood gem in the Marais, complete with golden lighting and classic bistro tiles. Chef Alex Homenides merges French tradition with New York flair – think duck confit with a Manhattan attitude and coq au vin.
Pair with: Rockefeller Center
Take a pre-dinner art walk through Rockefeller Center. In winter, the plaza transforms into a magical space with twinkling lights and elegant sculptures. Pause at the famous Atlas statue, admire the art deco details, and watch the ice skaters twirl below.
13. Point Seven
200 Park Ave, New York, NY 10166, United States Get Directions
(732) 286-6044
Located on the second floor of MetLife Building, Point Seven offers breathtaking city views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The contemporary American menu matches the view in ambition – expect artistic plates that showcase New York's best seasonal ingredients. The cocktail list reads like a love letter to the city, with drinks named after local landmarks.
Pair with: Grand Central Terminal
Start your evening exploring the hidden corners of Grand Central Terminal, just downstairs from Point Seven. Share secrets at the whispering gallery near the Oyster Bar, gaze up at the constellation-painted ceiling, and pretend you're extras in a classic New York romance movie. As rush hour winds down, the terminal's Beaux-Arts architecture takes on a quiet grandeur that feels made for date night.
