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The Best Restaurants for Valentine's Day in NYC

Treat your sweetheart with these top picks for Valentine's dining in NYC.

Dining in New York just lends itself to romance. Fine food, sharp service, and sophistication aplenty make it easy to have a special night out. Valentine's Day is no exception, with the city's best restaurants rolling out winter menus for February 2024 that make it hard to narrow down the choices. We've gathered up the best of the best—with surf 'n' turf, Champagne toasts, and chocolate mousse making their way into the mix—for our picks of the best Valentine's Day restaurants in NYC.

Benjamin Steakhouse (Midtown East)

From beautifully marbled cuts of dry-aged beef and succulent seafood to refined service and charm, Benjamin Steakhouse in midtown is perfect for an intimate dinner (there's a reason it's the Concierge Choice Awards winner for Best Steakhouse). This year's Valentine's Day menu tempts with a spectacular prix fixe. Benjamin dry-ages their meat in their own aging box and you can choose from options like bone-in rib-eye, Porterhouse for two, filet mignon, lobster tails, or Chilean sea bass. Oysters, lobster bisque, and shrimp cocktail are among the starter options, and there’s a champagne toast included as well. 52 E. 41st St., 212-297-9177, benjaminsteakhouse.com

Benjamin Prime (Midtown East)

BENJAMIN PRIME INTERIOR

Benjamin Steakhouse's nearby sister spot Benjamin Prime, the 2019 Concierge Choice Awards winner for Best Restaurant Experience, also has a romantic Valentine’s prix fixe dinner, served on the 14th. Highlights include options like Blue Point oysters, sizzling Canadian bacon, bone-in rib eye, filet mignon, and twin lobster tails. Save room: dessert offers a choice of chocolate mousse cake, tiramisu, or New York cheesecake. Benjamin Prime's elegant space is conveniently close to Grand Central. 23 E. 40th St., 212-338-0818, benjaminsteakhouse.com

Bond 45 (Midtown West)

bond 46th street neon

Bond 45 is a Theater District favorite serving up Italian classics. The restaurant is best known for its vegetable antipasto bar, which offers a rotating selection of market vegetables. Like its sibling spots Trattoria Dell’Arte and Cafe Fiorello below, they'll be serving heart-shaped pizza and a tangy-sweet Valentine's special Tequila Kiss cocktail. 221 W. 46th St., 212-869-4545, bond45ny.com

Cafe Fiorello (Upper West Side)

cafe fiorello heart pizza

Cafe Fiorello is an Upper West Side icon, across from Lincoln Center with a timeless interior finished in warm wood, brass, and mirrors. Updated Italian classics begin with a 50-item hot and cold antipasto bar. The kitchen excels in seafood, steak, veal, and pasta. For Valentine's look for specials like heart-shaped pizza and the Tequila Kiss cocktail. 1900 Broadway, 212-595-5330, cafefiorello.com

The Consulate (Midtown West)

consulate dining room

Love is in the air for Valentine's at The Consulate in midtown. A four-course prix fixe begins with a champagne welcome toast. That's followed by global French Modern American inspirations created by renowned chef Alan Vargas, Soft candlelight, exquisite table settings, and a warm ambiance will make it a night to remember. 44 W. 56th St., 646-850-1100, theconsulate.nyc

The Consulate (Upper West Side)

consulate upper west side

Restaurant and cocktail bar The Consulate inspires patrons with rotating daily specials that highlight international cultures. Their special Valentine's Day menu ($125) starts off with a welcome champagne toast and an oyster and caviar amuse bouche. That's followed by soup, appetizers like a langoustine crudo or lamb tartare, and entrees picks of roasted lobster tail, duck al'orange, and grilled ribeye for two. Dessert is your choice of molten chocolate lava cake for two or a caramel Basque cheesecake. 

David Burke Tavern (Upper East Side)

david burke tavern bar

David Burke Tavern is a modern American restaurant by award-winning celebrity chef David Burke. Occupying the first two stories of a stately townhouse on New York City’s Upper East Side, the restaurant showcases Burke’s creative and contemporary approach to classic fare—often with show-stopping presentations. This year from 4-10pm find a three-course menu (plus amuse) for $135. Lobster dumplings, salads, and tuna carpaccio are on the opener list, followed by picks like red snapper, filet mignon, and roasted duck breast. 135 E. 62nd St., 212-988-9021, davidburketavern.com

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse (Midtown West)

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse features floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of Sixth Avenue and nearby Rockefeller Center. From Saturday, February 10th through Saturday, February 17th, they'll be celebrating the holiday with a special Valentine's Dinner for Two menu. The prix fixe runs from a caviar and truffled burrata crostini amuse bouche onto a pick of starters like tuna tartare or Wagyu meatballs. For entree, look for a 32 oz. prime tomahawk, topped with four jumbo shrimp and truffle butter (served with creamed spinach and château mashed potatoes). For dessert, it's dark chocolate Godiva cheesecake with chocolate-covered strawberries. There's also a featured cocktail, the Forbidden Fruit, with vodka, orange liqueur, pomegranate syrup, grapefruit juice, and Prosecco. 1221 Ave. of the Americas (entrance at 49th St.), 212-575-5129, delfriscos.com

Ellen's Stardust Diner (Midtown West)

valentine shake ellens stardust diner

Food, drink, and live performances from the famous singing waitstaff make a visit to Ellen's Stardust Diner a Valentine's to remember. The 1950s-themed restaurant has been around since 1987 and brings back its retro vibes (founder Ellen Hart Sturm is a native New Yorker who was crowned Miss Subways in 1959.) Catch intimate performances by staff on their way to joining a long line of Broadway actors who have made Ellen's their launching pad. For the entire month of February, you can take advantage of The Moulin Rouge Love Shake Giveaway. The Love Shake combines strawberry ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, heart-shaped cookies, a chocolate-covered strawberry, and Valentine’s Day sprinkles. Keep an eye out for the "Golden Sticker"—if you find one at the bottom of your shake, congrats! You just won two tickets to Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway

This February add a touch of Broadway magic to your proposal by popping the question at Ellen's Stardust Diner! Every couple who begins their forever at Ellen's receives a complimentary pair of tickets to Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Email for more info here. 1650 Broadway, 212-956-5151, ellensstardustdiner.com

Gatsby’s Landing (Midtown West)

raspberry valentine martini

Experience the Roaring Twenties with grand ballroom chandeliers, elegant ambiance, and gracious service at new bar-restaurant Gatsby’s Landing near Bryant Park. A globally inspired menu employs seasonal ingredients for homemade pastas, brick oven pizzas, and steak and fish entrees. This Valentine's Day they'll be serving their a la carte menu. 120 W. 44th St., 212-597-2850, gatsbyslanding.com

 La Masseria (Theater District)

“A farmhouse in the middle of Manhattan,” La Masseria offers classic Italian dishes from the Puglia region of Italy, utilizing the freshest natural ingredients. See for yourself on Valentine's Day with classic dishes from the Puglia region of Italy, focusing on authentic pastas, risottos, and meat and fish dishes. Warm, inviting decor blends rural Italian style, nostalgia, and charm, complementing their exceptional cuisine and wine list. 235 W. 48th St., 212-582-2111, lamasserianyc.com

Masseria dei Vini (Midtown West)

masseria dei vini nyc

Executive chef Pino Coladonato does not disappoint with his wide-ranging and flavor-infused spinoff of La Masseria. The tera mare del Tavoliere (grilled baby octopus and cuttlefish with broccoli rabe on a bed of fava bean puree) and capesante e carciofi grigliati (sea scallops and artichoke hearts) are our top picks for appetizers at Masseria dei Vini, while the coniglio alla Caprese (oven roasted rabbit with fresh herbs and wine sauce) and fegato di vitello spadellato all’aceto di mirtilli (calf liver sauté with onions and blueberry vinegar) are not to be missed on the entrée menu. 887 Ninth Ave., 212-315-2888, masseriadeivini.com

Morton’s The Steakhouse (Midtown East)

Morton's Midtown

Morton’s The Steakhouse manages a perfect balancing act between classic and contemporary. You can see it in the revamped dining room on Fifth Avenue (there’s a second location in the Financial District), done up in cosmopolitan blacks and grays, and in ever-evolving culinary offerings. Morton’s serves only the top 2% of beef available in the U.S., so you know you’re getting top quality. All served in serious steakhouse portions. 551 Fifth Ave. (on 45th, btw. Fifth & Madison Aves.), 212-972-3315, mortons.com/newyork; downtown location near the 9/11 Memorial at 136 Washington St., 212-608-0171, mortons.com

Nerai (Midtown East)

Offering a contemporary twist on sophisticated Greek dining, TripAdvisor recently ranked Nerai one of the top 100 restaurants in New York City. This Valentine's they're serving a romantic 4-course prix fixe ($140 per person). Lovebirds can start off with a choice of black bass crudo or radicchio and pomegranate salad, before moving on to a pick of fresh squid ink lobster pasta or a warm king crab fennel salad. The third course is seared scallops or a dry-aged New York strip. Dessert brings strawberry yogurt mousse or a decadent chocolate-custard mille crepe. 55 E. 54th St., 212-759-5554, nerainyc.com

Park Ave Kitchen (Midtown East)

Photo: Park Ave Kitchen

Celeb chef David Burke has just launched his latest, Park Ave Kitchen, a two-for-one restaurant with top-notch service. There's a formal dine-in brasserie on one side and a more casual to-stay area with a take-out option on the other. Dishes reflect the technique and boundlessly creative approach Burke is famous for. The menu for Valentine's ($125) offers eight appetizers and 10 entrée choices, including the crab cake pretzel raft pictured here, in addition to rack of lamb, bison short ribs, and rock shrimp & king crab spaghetti. (For at-home dining, add a little David Burke style to your meal with a luscious heart-shaped chocolate souffle Valentine’s Can-o-’Cake from his Dixie Lee Bakery, which arrives as a anyone-can-make-it kit in a bright red heart-shaped tin.)

Patsy's Italian Restaurant (Theater District)

patsy's nyc upstairs dining room

Theatre District landmark (it was Frank Sinatra’s favorite!) Patsy's Italian Restaurant has been family-run since 1944. For a classic romantic night out, Executive Chef and Co-Owner Sal Scognamillo will serve up house favorites. Look for artichoke hearts oreganata, eggplant parmigiana, and spaghetti and meatballs, with ingredients sourced from other family businesses who have worked with Patsy’s throughout the years. 236 W. 56th St., 212-247-3491, patsys.com

Redeye Grill (Midtown West)

oysters redeye grill

Centrally located in Midtown West, the Redeye Grill hosts a classic American brasserie scene, with polished nickel and leather, warm tones, and original Red Grooms artwork. This Valentine's they'll be decked to the nines in Valentine’s Day decor. A $95 prix fixe menu comes with a glass of prosecco and desserts like Valrhona chocolate mousse and Tahitian vanilla bean creme bruleé. In between, options include shrimp scampi, Blue Point oysters, surf 'n' turf with steak and a lobster tail, and Dover sole with crab and lemon beurre blanc. Live music by the soulful Chloe Borthwick from 5:30 to 9:30pm. You can make reservations here890 Seventh Ave., 212-541-9000, redeyegrill.com

The Sea Fire Grill (Midtown East)

sea fire grill valentine's nyc

The Sea Fire Grill's superior service, super-fresh seafood, and cosmopolitan vibe make it a great Valentine’s destination. A prix fixe on Wednesday the 14th brings options like a filet mignon-lobster-shrimp-king crab surf ‘n’ turf special, Spanish octopus, Blue Point oysters on the half shell, and black squid ink spaghetti with fresh Maine lobster. Desserts are chocolate mousse cake, New York cheesecake, or tiramisu. 158 E. 48th St., 212-935-3785, theseafiregrill.com

The Standard (East Village)

Available for one day only, The Standard, East Village serves an aphrodisiac-inspired menu in their holiday pop-up space Partridge. This Valentine’s Day treat draws on female co-founded Alice Mushrooms and Smallhold, which is behind the world’s first hotel with an in-house mushroom farm here. Valentine's features a 3-course $70 prix fixe bookended by a complimentary welcome drink and a take-home Alice Mushrooms chocolate gift.  Look for main meal items like oysters, mushroom risotto, and "adaptogenic" chocolate for dessert. 25 Cooper Sq., 212-475-5700, standardhotels.com

Strip House (Midtown West)

strip house steakhouse midtown

You can indulge all your senses when experiencing the famed New York City steakhouse Strip House. Signature prime cuts of beef are matched by striking dining room with a siren-red interior and black and white vintage photography. For Valentine's 2024, find specials from Tuesday, February 6th through Tuesday the 20th. Offerings include day boat scallops, barrel-cut chateaubriand, American Wagyu filet mignon , and red velvet cake. A signature cocktail is also served, the Velvet Kiss, a seductive play on the classic French 75 with gin, raspberry syrup, and French sparkling rose. Locations near Bryant Park and Union Square. Strip House Downtown, 13 E. 12th St., 212-328-0000, striphouse.com/venues/downtown; Strip House Speakeasy, 11 E. 12th St., 212-838-9197, striphouse.com/venues/speakeasy; Strip House Midtown, 15 W. 44th St., 212-336-5454, striphouse.com/venues/midtown

Trattoria Dell’Arte (Midtown West)

tequila cocktail

With interiors inspired by a Tuscan artist’s studio, Trattoria Dell’Arte brings clever design to a vibrant spot. For Valentine's Day, look for a la carte favorites plus heart-shaped pizzas and a special tequila cocktail. 900 Seventh Ave., 212-245-9800, trattoriadellarte.com

Valentine's on the Water with City Cruises

bateaux statue liberty

Valentine's is better on the water. For an unforgettable New York experience, join City Cruises for a holiday dinner cruise on the East and Hudson Rivers. Stunning views await from the glass-enclosed deck of the European-inspired Bateaux. You’ll be served a plated meal in a festive atmosphere. The Valentine's Bateaux New York Premier Plus Dinner Cruise will have you taking in the sights on the Hudson and East Rivers for three hours. Dinner cruises include cocktails, live entertainment, and plated 3-course meals with freshly prepared salads, entrees, and desserts. Another possibility for great dining and views to match is on Spirit of New York. The Valentine's New York Signature Dinner Cruise brings together signature buffets, delicious cocktails, dancing, and New Jersey and New York's most stunning views. For departures from South Street in Lower Manhattan, come aboard the Valentine's New York Signature Dinner Cruise Pier 15.  Toast to the most romantic day of the year with City Cruises! Chelsea Piers, Pier 61, near W. 23rd St. on the Hudson; Pier 15, 78 South St., citycruises.com/newyork

About the Author

Ethan Wolff is the author of numerous guidebooks to New York, having covered the city for more than two decades. He has written for New York Magazine, BlackBook, and Details, among others. In addition to his work as the editor of City Guide, Ethan covers NYC’s talk and lecture scene for the website Thought Gallery. He lives with his wife and two daughters in the Windsor Terrace neighborhood of Brooklyn.

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