Where to Eat on a First Date in New York City: 6 Perfect Picks

Bungalow invites diners into the world of India’s opulent, vintage clubhouses, with its rich jeweltones, high ceilings and a verandah-like dining room. Chef Vikas Khanna is part of the draw here; he was the host of MasterChef India and has a significant fan base; scoring a reservation should be an auspicious sign for a first date.

Begin by investigating the selection of clever cocktails before turning to a menu of regional specialties from across the Indian subcontinent. MICHELIN Guide Inspectors note that the kitchen’s talent shines in standout dishes like the five-cheese kulcha (stuffed flatbread) and yogurt kebabs wrapped in crisp kataifi pastry, served with a bright pickled cabbage purée and spicy mango coulis.

C as in Charlie is compact and convivial, with an easygoing, friendly energy that leaves room for a little distraction — you can always chat with your neighbors if not each other. Here, Korean and Southern influences meet in a highly creative, must-eat menu. Founded by three Korean American friends who grew up together in Atlanta, expect playful mash-ups like Seoul’sbury steak with galbi jus and Gruyère grits; green tomato hot pockets with mozzarella and balsamic soy; and banana pudding with misugaru (a Korean multigrain powdered drink) and meringue.

At Chavela’s, the mood is set the moment you walk in — lively music, colorful décor and cocktail shakers going at full tilt. Test your compatibility right out of the gate: will it be classic guacamole, or the smoked trout version with pico de gallo and morita chile salsa? The menu vacillates between creative dishes like taquitos de cangrejo with sweet crabmeat and spicy salsa verde and familiar standbys like quesadillas, tacos and a subtly sweet chicken mole. Alongside a strong lineup of Mexican-inspired cocktails and cervezas, you’ll find margaritas, red sangria and a campechana — a 50/50 blend of both — on tap.

The iconic red door at Roberta’s sets a romantic tone as soon as you enter the dining room, which happens to be housed in a cinderblock warehouse. But don’t let this dissuade you — this stalwart has been an “it” place since opening in Bushwick in 2008. It’s here that Chef Carlo Mirarchi sparked the new Neopolitan pie movement in New York City. The pizza continues to be an attraction — the famous original pie, topped with semi-sharp caciocavallo, is still a standout — but the menu stretches beyond with dishes like house-made bucatini in Sungold tomato sauce, and grilled baguettes with gigante beans, wilted dandelion green and a soft poached egg. If your first date includes bringing along your dogs, note that you can order a pizza to go and enjoy it on the patio or at the heated tiki bar.

Sami & Susi is a Lower East Side wine bar named after an Israeli children’s show from the late ’60s and early ’70s aimed at Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation. The ever-changing menu nods to those cuisines but also takes inspiration from the Mediterranean and New York City and even shows influence from Turkish, Eastern European and French cuisines. Expect a punchy soundtrack, a natural wine list and standouts like half-roasted harissa chicken over tzatziki and stellar lamb dishes — especially the ragu served over house-made spätzle — all cooked in a kitchen without a proper gas stove.

Not sure if your date is eating meat? Play it safe and delicious at Soda Club, an Italian American vegan natural wine bar. The space is moody and intimate with a vintage vibe, and since it’s named for Italy's tradition of hand-crafted sodas, it’s ideal for lingering over a drink. The kitchen excels at fresh, handmade pasta and Roman-style pinsas (oval flatbreads with a crisp exterior and light, airy interior) alongside a strong cocktail program. Look for dishes like tagliatelle with lemon-nori vegan butter and broccoli rabe, and a pinsa topped with cremini mushrooms, Calabrian chilies, grapes, miso and walnut purée.