Wine & Dine

First Date

Going Great

Soul Mate

Classic Romance

nessa, Port Chester

Sharing plates is a fun way to connect on a first date. Pick a secluded table and choose some of the small, Italian-inspired appetizers, which include six types of bruschetta, and a bottle of wine. 

Saint George,
Hastings-on-Hudson

This classic French bistro with small tables and pressed-tin ceilings feels right out of Paris. Split one of the entrees for two, like côte de boeuf or cassoulet.

La Panetière, Rye

This fine-dining restaurant in a charming ivy-covered house always tops our romantic-restaurants lists due to the superb French cuisine and impeccable service that lasts until you finally lay down your dessert fork. 

Intimate

Kraft Bistro, Bronxville

Be adventurous on the first date and try one of Kraft’s Afghan dishes. Along with warm spices comes a cozy vibe with dark wood, soft lighting, and Middle Eastern-inspired accents. 

La Camelia, Mount Kisco

Whimsically overgrown flowerbeds usher diners into this country home’s rose-colored dining room with brick fireplaces, where traditional Spanish dishes and house-made desserts are served.  

Peter Pratt’s Inn, Yorktown

This Revolutionary War-era house-turned-restaurant oozes romantic character. For the best ambience, descend into the cellar, where Old World charm comes in the form of rough, whitewashed walls, dark wooden beams, and dim lighting. 

Grand Gesture

Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills

Among the world’s top 50 restaurants, Blue Hill makes a big impression. Dinner at the bar is more casual and less expensive, perfect for a first date. You can’t make a reservation, so plan on get-to-know-each-other drinks while you wait.  

X2O Xaviars on the Hudson, Yonkers

Break out of the dinner-date rut for a decadent three-course Champagne brunch (plus passed extras, like lamb chops and coconut shrimp) with spectacular views of Manhattan and the Hudson.

Equus at Castle Hotel & Spa, Tarrytown

A grand castle overlooking the Hudson packs a serious Wow! factor. In the dining room, indulgent dishes like butter-poached Maine lobster and Moroccan-spiced lamb make dining feel like a regal experience.

Date on a Dime

Martine’s, Scarsdale

Take the pressure off with a casual lunch date or afternoon coffee at this cozy pastry shop. While the bill may be low, the artful desserts are chic enough to feel special. 

Lilly’s, White Plains

Exposed brick, red-leather banquettes, and soft lighting create a contemporary, romantic vibe for Happy Hour, featuring $5 drinks, $1 oysters, and small plates (most are under $10). On Thursdays, Happy Hour lasts until closing. 

273 Kitchen, Harrison

Four courses (including dessert) of elegantly plated, farm-to-
table cuisine feel like a special- occasion indulgence. It comes without a special-occasion price tag—all four courses are only $45 per person.  

Live Music

Bar’Lees, Mamaroneck 

With 150 nights of live music per year (jazz, acoustic rock, blues), you can have fun on a weeknight at Bar’Lees. The menu features small plates, salads, and pizzas, plus an expansive selection of wine and whiskey. 

The Hudson Room, Peekskill 

To get close to your date, call ahead to reserve one of the round booths with a view of the stage. Music starts around 10 pm on weekends, so plan on drinks and dinner before the show. 

North Star, Pound Ridge

This rustic, candlelit restaurant balances fresh ingredients with some richer plates (duck confit dumplings and truffle mac ‘n’ cheese). On Thursdays and Sundays, North Star comes alive with featured bands.

Sweet Finale

Winston, Mount Kisco

For a first date, sip cocktails and nibble on Asian-influenced plates at the bar. Then, order dessert (crème brûlée tasting or The Dirty Winston Bar) and take them up to the enclosed terrace to cap the night. 

Sonora, Port Chester

There’s nothing more romantic than chocolate. After Latin cocktails and dinner, share a rich pot of chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and marshmallows. Fondue etiquette dictates that a woman must kiss her companion if they drop food into the pot.

Campagna, Bedford

It’s known for its small-inn setting (reserve a room for after dinner) and luscious pastas, but you should not miss the spectacular desserts like homemade caramel bar with cardamom gelato or pumpkin-cream-filled donuts.