9 romantic restaurants in Brooklyn for the best date night
There are almost limitless options for how to spend a great date night in New York. But nothing beats sharing delicious food from a romantic restaurant - after all, it's a classic for a reason. And in Brooklyn, just as in every other borough of New York, you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to places to eat.
Every cuisine and cooking style in the world is represented here. Whether you want a luxurious dining room for an anniversary dinner, an intimate wine bar where you can get to know each other a little better while you sample a few dishes, or a lively pub where you can enjoy a delicious meal before heading out to enjoy Brooklyn's incredible nightlife, you won't be short of options here. Some of the most romantic restaurants in New York City can be found in Brooklyn, so you'll have no problem tracking down a romantic setting for a very special date night.
Before you go out to enjoy a memorable meal, don't forget to get rid of your unneeded bags. Whether you're traveling to the city as a tourist or just coming back from work or the gym, there's no need to carry more than you need to. Leave the bags behind at a Bounce luggage storage in Brooklyn so that you can enjoy a special occasion without being weighed down by your bags.
La Mercerie
This upscale French restaurant in Soho has a romantic vibe that compares well with just about any dining room in the city. It's a unique concept in dining, operating out of a designer homeware store that provides the restaurant with its furnishings and utensils. So if you fall in love with a place setting in the cozy dining room, you can buy one of your own to take home with you — if you can afford it.
The plush benches and booths make ideal places to sink into over the course of a romantic evening. But it's the delicious food that makes this one of the best romantic restaurants in New York. The French vibe is reflected in the café-style meals on offer here, with the crepes being a special standout. A small but perfectly curated drink menu also helps make for a very special evening.
Our recommendation
Bring some extra money and take advantage of the in-house florist to really impress your date with a custom-made bouquet.
Location
53 Howard St, New York, NY 10013
Price level
$$$
Nota Bene
It's not hard to find an Italian restaurant anywhere in New York, and some of the most romantic restaurants in Brooklyn celebrate the food and wine of the Italian peninsula. Nota Bene is one of them. But there's more on offer here than just another Italian restaurant. Located in Brighton Beach, an area of New York better known for immigration from Russia and Eastern Europe, Nota Bene combines influences from Italy, France, Russia, and across Europe to create something truly unique.
Here, you'll find satisfying plates of spaghetti rubbing shoulders with Georgian steak - the country, not the state - and smoked salmon pizza sharing space on the menu with chakhokhbili (stewed chicken).
But perhaps most impressive of all is the exquisite setting of this restaurant. Think immaculate white tablecloths, gilded candleholders, and furnishings that simply ooze old-world charm. No wonder this is widely regarded as one of the most romantic restaurants in Brooklyn for an upscale date night.
Our recommendation
Don't forget to leave some room for dessert. This restaurant specializes in freshly baked French pastries, and they are guaranteed to be the highlight of any meal.
Location
282 Brighton Beach Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Price level
$$
Convivium Osteria
This romantic restaurant offers a cozy dining room, making it a popular choice for any date night in Brooklyn. The romantic vibe here is enhanced by the unpretentious exterior of this shopfront restaurant and the rustic Italian feel inside. Convivium attempts to bring a traditional Italian osteria atmosphere to the city streets, and it succeeds magnificently, making it one of the best romantic restaurants in town. Far from the hustle and bustle of Times Square, Convivium focuses on traditional food done well in an intimate atmosphere that's just right for date night.
It's very much come as you are here. There's no dress code, and at times, eating here feels more like being welcomed into the home of an Italian family, with all the delicious food that implies. During the summer, take advantage of outdoor seating in the beautiful garden and enjoy these incredible Italian dishes al fresco.
Our recommendation
If you can't get seating in the garden, call ahead and see if you can get a table in the wine cellar for one of the most romantic restaurant experiences Brooklyn has to offer.
Location
68 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Price level
$$$
L'antagoniste
Don't let the name put you off. This delightful restaurant with an authentically French vibe is as romantic as they come. And the fresh farm food will leave you completely satisfied as well as impressed with the unforgettable atmosphere.
The restaurant doesn't look too promising from the outside, with its basic brick façade. That gives it the atmosphere of a hidden gem once you step inside. There are only a few tables, but the intimate feel makes this one of the most romantic restaurants in the area. Plus, there's a patio area with a fireplace that enables it to be used late into the year, and the crackling fire makes for the most romantic ambiance possible while you enjoy the outdoor seating. As in any good French restaurant, the menu changes with the seasons, but you can expect classic items of French cuisine like steak tartare, oysters, duck a l'orange, and a plat du jour that changes by the day but often provides great value.
Our recommendation
If you're feeling adventurous, treat yourself to the plat du jour and let the chef take you on a journey through the very best seasonal ingredients.
Location
238 Malcolm X Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11233, United States
Price level
$$$
The Good Fork
Operated by a husband-and-wife team, The Good Fork feels almost like you're eating in someone's home - in the best possible way. Although it bills itself as a pub, this isn't the kind of pub where you have to settle for greasy nachos or burnt chicken wings. Instead, this is a place where you can sample incredible food in a surprisingly romantic atmosphere but without the snootiness or high prices of some of New York's other celebrated romantic restaurants.
Along with classic comfort food like shepherd's pie, you'll find pork and chive dumplings and a Philly cheese steak that combines as much inspiration from Seoul as it does from Philadelphia. If you're looking for somewhere with a more casual atmosphere but still want some genuinely delicious food, The Good Fork is an excellent option that won't break the bank.
Our recommendation
For a starter, split a plate of the cacio e pepe arancini for a creative spin on Italian street food that will whet your appetite for everything else that's on the menu.
Location
391 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Price level
$$
The River Café
It's impossible to talk about romance and restaurants in Brooklyn without mentioning the near-legendary River Café. Located in a parkland setting underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, this restaurant offers absolutely incredible views of the New York skyline, and if you get a table by the window while the sun sets over the city, you'll see why the River Café is easily one of the most romantic restaurants in the city.
Of course, all this beauty doesn't come cheap. Prices here are high, to say the least, and you want to book a reservation well in advance if you intend to spend a memorable date night here. However, the romantic setting of the restaurant is more or less unbeatable. Plus, the River Café offers more than just a pretty view. The food is just as exceptional as the surroundings, making this the perfect restaurant for a romantic evening that will treat your taste buds as much as it does your eyes.
Our recommendation
The River Café offers only a prix fixe menu. You can choose from a limited selection of courses, and a vegetarian option is available. But the best thing to do is to place yourself in the hands of the chef and enjoy a romantic date in an ideal setting.
Location
1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Price level
$$$$
Claro
Sometimes you need something to wake up your taste buds. Mexican food is great for that, but you'll want a place that provides a better atmosphere for a romantic date than the usual tequila-soaked frat boy vibe you'll often find at other restaurants in the city.
Claro provides a Mexican restaurant in more refined surroundings, making it the ideal setting for romantic dates. The menu here is built around traditional Oaxacan cuisine, and the understated tile work of the bar combined with the bare wood tables make it a minimalist but elegant environment for a romantic date. Best of all, though, is the outdoor seating on a shaded vine-covered patio which makes you feel like you've been transported to Mexico without leaving Brooklyn. Along with the incredible Mexican food, there's an excellent selection of mezcal, making this the perfect place for a fun date - and perhaps just the beginning of a memorable night.
Our recommendation
Claro makes their own tortillas in-house, and as soon as you bite into them, you'll be able to taste the difference. Also, don't forget to finish off your meal with the excellent churros.
Location
284 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States
Price level
$$$
Ops
A date doesn't have to be fancy to be memorable. And sometimes, the most romantic restaurants aren't the ones you would necessarily think about. Ops is a Brooklyn pizza parlor among thousands of others, but it sets itself apart with wooden bench seating, bare brick walls, and a truly impressive wine bar. Serving up woodfired pizzas with sourdough crusts, Ops elevates pizza beyond the street food it so often is in Brooklyn, making this one of the most surprisingly romantic restaurants in all of New York.
Don't miss out on the wine program that allows you to take a trip through the many natural wines this restaurant has on offer. They'll be able to find the perfect pairing for whatever pizza you like.
Our recommendation
It has to be the wine. Wine and pizza may seem like an odd pairing, but you'd be surprised how well they go together at this exceptional restaurant.
Location
346 Himrod St, Brooklyn, NY 11237, United States
Price level
$$
Tuscan Hills
This local gem located in Forest Hills will make you feel like you've been transported to the rolling hills of Tuscany, making it the perfect restaurant for romantic dates. The plain yellow walls and open kitchen give this restaurant the classic Italian trattoria feel, and the handmade pasta and other dishes on the menu are the ideal comfort food. The portions are huge, so you may want to grab a to-go bag when your meal is done. If you're looking for a romantic meal on a budget, this is the perfect option.
Our recommendation
Try the bruschetta, topped with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, for the perfect appetizer to prepare you for your meal.
Location
110-60 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Price level
$$
Conclusion
New York isn't short of options when it comes to romance. You can enjoy the incredible skyline from some of the best rooftop bars in New York or keep it more casual with a journey through the city's incredible street food scene. But if you want to keep things classic, try one of these romantic restaurants in Brooklyn for a date night meal you won't soon forget.
