It’s officially that time of year! Valentine’s Day is on the horizon, and you’ve got a date to plan.
Whether you’re looking for a trendy spot to impress a new partner, a romantic scene for your long-time lover, or a relaxing dinner away from the kids—it’s not too late to snag a reservation at some of the tastiest restaurants in New York City. But, don’t wait too long. These yummy picks are sure to get snatched up quickly.
Gage and Tollner
372 Fulton St
Open for over 125 years, Gage and Tollner is one of the most famous restaurants in the heart of Brooklyn, and for good reason. This oyster and chop house predates the Statue of Liberty and the NYC subway, and with a new team at the helm, Gage and Tollner is being driven into the 21st century.
Opt for the Valentine’s Day tasting menu to get a variety of the mouth-watering options Gage and Tollner offer. At a reasonable $165, you’ll get an option of three appetizers, three entrees, and three desserts. No matter what combination you choose, you have to end with the baked Alaska for two.
If you’re feeling extra fancy, check out their traditional dinner menu for a daily selection of East Coast oysters and mouthwatering kimchi-cheddar cornbread.
With brass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, this is the perfect spot to impress your date. Just make sure to catch up on your wine knowledge to really seal the deal. Gage and Tollner has reservations available V-Day weekend if you’re looking for a fun day date or a romantic late-night meal.
The Modern
9 West 53rd Street
This two Michelin-starred restaurant is snuggled inside the Museum of Modern Art with a breathtaking view of MoMA’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden.
Executive Chef Thomas Allen’s contemporary American dishes come in different dining experiences. With a dinner reservation on Saturday, Feb. 15, a $295-per-person prix fixe menu will be offered. For your main dish, you can’t go wrong with the buttery chilled lobster paired with pistachio-marinated avocado or wagyu beef with white asparagus. You can also check out the bar room, which offers seasonal dishes á la carte alongside the restaurant’s award-winning wine program.
The Modern has a sleek, current feel with pressed white tablecloths and high ceilings. Come dressed to the nines and expect to be presented with small plates that pack a mighty punch.
Hudson Smokehouse
37 Bruckner Boulevard
This Mott Haven gem became the first BBQ Smokehouse in the Bronx in 2020 and miraculously survived the pandemic by serving up incredible dry rub wings and fall-off-the-bone ribs. The restaurant may look modest from the outside, but inside, it is a full-blown operation. Known as the best barbeque in NYC, this smokehouse is certainly worth the trip from any borough.
The variety is heaven for any meat lover: pork ribs, rib tips, beef ribs, pork belly burnt ends, brisket, fried chicken, and smoked fried wings. This delectable array is smoked in-house and cooked overnight for up to 16 hours, guaranteeing a flavorful bark on the outside and tender meat inside. Don’t forget the sides. Creamy coleslaw adds the perfect refreshing crunch to the pork and a hefty helping of mac n’ cheese will certainly send you into a food coma.
This spot is perfect for a couple seeking warm, affordable comfort food. Just make sure you don’t mind getting a little messy in front of each other because these dishes will have you licking your fingers. Come early because BBQ tends to sell out quickly on the weekends, and parking can be sparse.
Red Sorghum
23-03 Jackson Avenue
This vibrant culinary experience recently found its home on bustling Jackson Avenue in Long Island City and has already cemented itself as a must-try.
Related to Midtown Hunan restaurant Blue Willow, Red Sorghum has a vintage, moody feel with beaded lampshades and fringed blinds that seal the deal on romance. A few tables are hidden away in private nooks, perfect for a secluded dining experience.
Red Sorghum is the perfect spot to bring your date who likes a little bit of spice. This Sichuan and Hunan-focused eatery serves an extensive all-day menu packed with homestyle classics and new-age twists. Warm up with grandma’s rice noodles with fatty pork or sip on a creamy soup of homemade pork meatballs and sweet red dates. Try bone-in frog, five-spice marinated lamb, or truffle-infused chicken soup dumplings to really impress your date. Executive Chef Bruce Li’s menu is made for sharing, so dig in!
Oxomoco
128 Greenpoint Avenue
Don’t let the casual atmosphere of Oxomoco fool you. This one Michelin-starred restaurant delivers incredible wood-fired Mexican dishes at its airy Greenpoint location. Co-owner and Executive Chef Justin Bazdarich and Chef De Cuisine Maria Barriga boast a variety of Mexican cuisine and don’t shy away from getting creative.
Start your romantic meal with fresh mango smoked with chili and lime or get adventurous with a rich beef tartare tostada topped with egg yolk jam. The tacos are an obvious must with options you won’t see anywhere else, like honeynut squash with a zesty green sauce. The grilled porkchop with sweet apple mole and masa dumplings is another fantastic option.
A classic no-frills mezcal or tequila Margarita is a necessary addition to the meal. Don’t worry, there are non-alcoholic options as well. Oxomoco is the perfect option for the fine diner on a budget, with main dish options as low as $23. Reservations are booked up for dinner, but you could try to sneak a walk-in or snag a brunch reservation for an early V-Day celebration.
Yakitori Torishin
362 West 53rd Street
Torishin is the first authentic Japanese yakitori restaurant in the U.S. to receive a Michelin star. Chef and owner Shu Ikeda has held onto his Michelin rating for seven consecutive years, and Torishin is known to be the world’s top yakitori restaurant outside of Japan. The light wood interior and low light give Torishin a warm, inviting feel as you savor the exquisite offerings.
Choose from a variety of experiences, from a 15-course Okonomi and Omakase menu at $190 per person, or á la carte skewers of your choice at a minimum of $50 per person. Traditional yakitori is a Japanese type of skewered chicken cooked over a charcoal fire. Ikeda puts a new twist by offering skewers of quail egg, gizzard, and duck breasts, as well as multiple veggie options. This Midtown gem also boasts fresh seafood if you’re in the mood for buttery scallops and grilled cod roe.
Torishin’s reservation options range from the Select Counter, Chef’s Counter, Kitchen Table, Table at Mezzanine, and the Sake bar. Friday is all booked up, so if you’re looking to treat your lover to this quality meal, you’ll have to opt for a Saturday Valentine’s date.
Park Side
107-01 Corona Avenue
Park Side is an Italian treasure tucked away in Corona, Queens. There’s nothing wrong with keeping it classic, and this historic restaurant proves that point. Open since 1980, Park Side is known for its massive portions of handcrafted pasta, thick pork chops, crispy chicken, and of course, old-school red sauce.
Start your meal off with an order of whole baked clams. You might as well get a double order of these because you won’t want to share with your date. The menu can seem overwhelming with so many tasty options. We recommend the on-the-bone chicken scarpariello, the eggplant parmigiana, or the pork chop. All entrees come with a side of spaghetti, and you’ll need a to-go container. True to this old-fashioned style, you’ll have to call to make a reservation.
Park Side is the perfect spot to remind your lover that the classics never go out of style. Polish off a bottle of wine and see where the night takes you.
Go forth and secure that reservation! Your partner(s) will thank you.