The vibes are fun and it is almost always crowded on the weekend. Eating with someone can be more intimate and more of a time commitment, so I think its natural to go from drinks-forward to food-forward after a few dates. In addition to the khachapuri, we ordered the cornish hen and some dumplings. I think you need to see the menu for yourself to fully understand what Im saying. This is probably the priciest and most high-end on this list. The sheer number of options youll be faced with in terms of mussel treatments might be overwhelming, but thats why the staff are highly equipped to offer recommendationsand you really cant go wrong. This East Village restaurant is full of fun fun dishes, drinks and vibes. With all the plants and hanging lanterns, it feels sort of like an indoor garden. It was an epic night, and such a fun experience. My trendy dairy-eating people (usually the two dont go together, but Im hoping for the best here,) Caf Select is the date spot for you. Check. Unless you serve me gluten-free bread and alcohol-less wine, I will most likely have a great time. If you dont get the chicken, you are doing it wrong. Yes, a speakeasy above a Jewish delicatessen you really cant get more UES than that. This is the place for an efficient drinks-based first date, with a side of light bites. If youre still hungry, go get a fun ice cream! This speakeasy aint cheap, but its certainly memorable. Yefsi does a good plate of octopus, and were down with their meatballs and kebabs. No matter if you are on your first date, third date, or 23940803284th date, it has lively vibes, a fun American-comfort food menu, and a reliable drink selection. jojo You must get the chicken. Ethyls is a one-of-a-kind UES staple, where all kinds of magic and debauchery will transpire underneath the dance-floor disco ball. bar The Pony Bar is a no-frills craft beer bar with over 20 American-brewed options on tap. Theres a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to UES nightlife, and there are spots for every kind of couple. Theres no lack of delicious eateries, crowded bars, and interesting folk. carlyle cafe york nyc yelp hotels This place can get pretty crowded on a weekend, but if youre looking to live out your disco date-night dreams, look no further. Why don't you get a bottle of wine, some cheese, chips and guac/salsa and have a picnic in the park. melon york jg usmenuguide So, Im just going to give you the whole rundown on different spots and why I think they are great. This is a Mediterranean place that works with local farms, and the dining room is un-stuffy and modern - so you and your date can plausibly pretend that youre both downtown. Palma is romantic, hip, cozy and cute, with good Italian food. Now that Ive prefaced that. From my dating history, I found that the food-forward date spots were more for the third-fifth date. I still am an adventurous dater, and my husband and I still to go on adventures together. If youre coming here, make sure youre in the mood primarily for drinks, and you can grab a bite after. The restaurant is authentically Georgian (we had it verified by one of our Georgian friends) with delicious comforting dishes and a Georgian wine selection. The menu boasts French-style cuisine with light bites or heavier entres. Use your judgement on what you like. Sebastian and I went to the East Village location this past weekend and had the best time! But I highly recommend going authentic Ukranian if you come to Veselka. Sfoglia looks like it was built for a wedding reception. Please note, there is also another location, but Ive only been to the Gramercy spot. Come here when you want to show someone how much knowledge you have. But thats why this place is great theyve got something for everyone, and the vibes are great. Its obvious, but I had to throw it in here. sant ambroeus madison ave The vibes are casual and romantic, but Pierre Loti is usually very busy, which obviously makes a first date less awkward. Now, before I get to my date spot rec list, I want to preface the kind of dater I am. Classic Carrie Bradshaw. Theyll be surprised that you know of such under-the-radar places where you can eat however much you want, drink a bottle of wine, and wipe your mouth with a flowery cloth napkin. Freemans is the definition of understated and cool. Dante is that nice balance of refined and casual, with a hip and busy geographic location. infatuation I try to keep date night casual, because I think fine dining is meant for special occasions. If youve been to Nitehawk or Alamo Drafthouse, youre well aware of this kind of setup. Your waiter will probably have a French accent, there are outdoor cafe tables, and you can eat an entre-sized portion of steak tartare. I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? anassa taverna italia bar Punny chalk art covers the walls, adding some charming character to the ambiance. On a broader note, The Little Owl is known for having American-Mediterranean cuisine and its in the heart of the West Village. And there's a 21+ policy after 6 p.m, which means no screaming children during your date night! While deemed a bourbon bar, Bondurants obviously offers a long list of craft beers, cocktails and a large selection of whiskey. And its not over there. sant ambroeus madison ave Its intimate, quirky and definitely memorable. penrose side east upper restaurants brunch bars york joe infatuation bar courtesy venue spots wehner photographer But where to begin? And if youre looking for a full-day date, go to the Bontanical Garden beforehand! There are two locations, and Ive been to the Union Square location. brasserie match march This quintessential neighborhood bar will make the perfect setting for your date night. Inside the bright pink ice cream parlor of UES, youll find, well yes, an ice cream parlor but theres more than meets the eye. You cannot get a reservation here, so make sure to have a backup plan in Chinatown incase it doesnt work out! toloache infatuation So, I had to include this place. If its nice out, sit on the outdoor patio. If youre trying to impress someone, have some grasshopper tacos. Who doesnt have a soft spot for smores? Although that would be a good story for your kids. I'm (25/m) looking to have dinner with a girl(24/f still in school) I just met but seems like a lot of the places I am being recommended are little to fancy for my taste. theinfatuation The dining room itself is sort of nautical-themed, and it gets dark and romantic at night. Let this guide help pave the way for your Upper East exploration. No matter what stage of the relationship youre in, these places make for great date spots. But you dont come here for the plants and lanterns - you come for the the best Thai food in the area. Happy hour is literally just an hour at this place, so to avoid crowds, you might want to head here directly post-work. Theres something for everyone: you have fun cocktails, or classic cocktailsyou have light bites or main coursesyou can sit at the bar for uber casual vibes (thats what I did) or you can get a table. Straight-up: This is not a place for the faint of heart, so choose to live a little. I also want to preface that these are my opinions, and I am a relatively happy diner and drinker. Up Thai is romantic in its own way. Talk about charming. charlot You might feel like youre in France here, and thats usually a good feeling for date night. It should be no news to anyone that the Upper East Side has seen a resurgence over the past few years. I think it will be bad if I plan to go there and can't get a table. If you like a good dining and drinking adventure, Thursday Kitchen is the place. Take a look and you'll see into your imagination. You can get a lamb tagine, or you can get a chicken kebab. jojo french Dim sum is a fun and interactive meal, and as someone who studied Cantonese cuisine in Hong Kong, I will say this isnt the most authentic (a little bit westernized), but its a solid choice with trendier vibes. Also, the prices are right for date night - not so low that you seem cheap, but not so expensive that youll be forced to dine-and-dash on your potential future spouse. There are two locations, but Ive been to the West Village location, which I highly recommend! All that, and their pastas are excellent. Also primely located for going out afterwards. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But at night it turns into a little restaurant/bar thats perfect for an early-in-the-game date. I would say 90th-110th in between 5th-Lexington would be a good range. Bobo offers both, but I do recommend coming here for dinner. This article posted at this web site is in fact pleasant. After 10PM, it does get a little rowdy and loud, but I think thats fun. All mussels are served in a pot, soaked in flavors ranging from sake and pickled ginger (The Geisha Girl) to spicy chorizo, olives and red wine (The Spaniard). The menu here is Southern soul food-inspired, and they also serve barrel-aged cocktails and craft beers for a well-rounded, fun dining experience that you ant really get anywhere else! Enough that we dont really care that it looks like a generic upscale Greek place from the late 90s. They do have food here, but its pricy and just small bites. At DTUT, cozy up on some couches and make eyes at your lover as you roast marshmallows and try to perfect that golden crisp. Great for anyone visiting the city and trying to find a place to go on a date. If you like private dining, this is not the date for you. Ive been through the reunite after weeks apart in a long distance relationship dates, awkward tinder first dates that end in a how did I get this drunk, and the best first date of my life (and many more) with my now husband. Its also open late night, so you can also do a full dinner, then dessert after if youre feeling very adventurous and money is no object. Ive been on a date here, and also have come here with girl friends. toloache infatuation If Filipino and Georgian food arent really your jam, heres a safe bet for the farm-to-table American food lovers out there. eastfield Maybe this is a second date, maybe its the fifth, or maybe its the 25th. Im suggesting this place because we went there and it was delicious, but I feel confident that any restaurant on Arthur Avenue will do the trick. Jones Wood Foundry. Whats the 2019 version of dinner and a movie? And if you hit it off over dinner, you can forever relive your special night by ordering Up Thai when youre home watching Netflix (after you put your seven children to sleep). The road is more of a street and the house is more a wine bar, but you probably didnt take that name literally. charlot This is a casual Swiss spot with a good old shareable fondue pot and a good drink selection. You get drinks and a show. Everything about the bar, from the wittily-named menu items to the wall paintings, is NYC-themed. Or just have drinks and share some fries. Walk into Ethyls with your boo by your side, and believe us, itll feel like youve just walked into Studio 54 at its prime, and in the best way possible. Theres a relaxed vibe thats hard to find nowadays, so much so that you might just become a regular. If you want a lively bar to enjoy a drink with a first date and assess the potential of the relationship, this is definitely the place. This place is an experience. This is not the place. Okay, The Smith is like the basic betch of date spots, but I like it because its really just a reliable restaurant where you always will have a great time. penrose side east upper restaurants brunch bars york joe infatuation bar courtesy venue spots wehner photographer The food menu is just as youd expect with an inventive twist: pastrami popcorn, gefilte croquettes and vodka, and dill lox. Iggys is a great spot for breaking up the normal date-night routine or for couples who just dont give a f*ck and simply want to belt out a duet to Aint No Mountain High Enough. I mean, we brown bagged a wine bottle in an uber and went to a party. But if it is, youre in for an incredible night. You ever just want to go on a casual date at an understated cozy restaurant and eat the best burger of your life? Its fast-paced, but intimate, with servers rolling carts with different dishes around the room, and diners stopping them to put in their order. Let me just say this: the food is overpriced for what it is, but I went here with Sebastian and we had a good time because it was just a fun experience! Inside, its cozy and (usually) crowded with tables and a bar. I once went on a third date here and it felt like the perfect place. Hopefully your date will agree. I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. If youre looking for a cool, underground scene and some reliable Mexican food and cocktails, La Esquina Brasserie is just the place. Your email address will not be published. The other dates Ive been on here were strictly in the drinks zone. For example, first dates for me (except when I met my husband!) As the name suggests, this is a dessert restaurant. There are a few other Felice locations in the city (including a wine bar next door), and they have all the design stuff down. An oldie but a goodie! heres some more info about Lillies. I love this place for a good late lunch because you miss the crowds. While I havent been here in a few years, I remember their meatball sliders to be the best Ive ever had, and their burger is lights out.