With breathtaking panoramic views and sophisticated ambiance, New York City restaurants are perfect for popping the question. Work with the restaurant to arrange extra flourishes, like framed photos and candles, rose petals or Champagne, and a ‘Marry Me’ sign.
Propose in front of other diners or reserve the private room for added intimacy. Consider a pre- or post-dinner stroll along this enchanting pathway on the former railroad line to make your proposal even more memorable.
1. Le Bernardin
The sprawling blue painting of the sea at Le Bernardin is a hint to what you’ll find inside: the seafood temple has graced New York for decades with its exacting service and uncanny ability to make the world seem smaller. This place is a magnet for precise people — it’s the kind of spot where two and a half hours passes like fifteen minutes, and the memories are carried with you forever.
The menu at this Times Square-adjacent French restaurant is devoted to sustainably minded catches, which are served with an astounding spectrum of textures and flavors. Langoustines boast a mouthfeel between marrow and gelatin, while hiramasa, or amberjack, oozes luscious oils. Even the more casual dishes are surprisingly delicious, like a bouncy piece of grilled octopus paired with mole poblano and cilantro.
Unlike some other fine dining spots that can feel a bit overly rehearsed, Le Bernardin is an absolute delight. The service is a study in impeccable precision, and the food makes it worth the wait.
For a romantic twist, head to the swanky rooftop Allora 47 for a sophisticated dinner experience. This Northern Italian restaurant features authentic entrees, including rigatoni Bolognese that’s made tableside for a bit of culinary theater. As night falls, the rooftop transforms with changing lighting for a magical atmosphere that’s perfect for romantic dinners and special celebrations.
230 Fifth is a hip midtown rooftop that serves up global bites and cocktails in an intimate setting. It’s a great place to dine with your partner, and it’s especially romantic in the evening, when the restaurant is bathed in warm white lights. Be sure to try the RH Scramble with farm eggs, creme fraiche and avocado for brunch.
2. Eleven Madison Park
Located in the Metropolitan Life North Building across from Madison Square Park, Eleven Madison Park was built in the 1920s and embodies the sense of grandeur that New Yorkers are so fond of. Its soaring ceilings and a grandiose rotunda are reminiscent of the art deco style that was popular at that time. The restaurant itself is formal without being stuffy, and it’s easy to see why people flock here for a romantic dinner. Make sure to bring a stylish accessory.
The restaurant’s current incarnation began in 1998 when it was opened by Danny Meyer. The restaurant had a quick rise to fame, earning a three-star Michelin rating within just two years of opening and quickly rising to the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list. Its owners, Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, bought it in 2011 and pushed the restaurant into a bold new direction.
They moved the restaurant to a plant-based menu and created an upstate farm that supplies it with hyper-seasonal produce. The new menu is also more sustainable, and the proceeds from each meal help to feed New Yorkers facing food insecurity through their Rethink Food business and Eleven Madison Truck.
The menu is not for the faint of heart, and it can be expensive (the tasting menu costs $335 per person). But if you’re looking for a place that epitomizes luxury, this is it.
Whether you’re going for the full plant-based tasting or just a few courses, it’s worth it for the experience alone. You will be able to appreciate the skill of each chef and how much work went into crafting each plate. It’s not often you get to see that level of detail and appreciation, especially during the pandemic.
3. Joseph Leonard
The West Village is home to some of the best rooftop restaurants in New York City. With a variety of options, you’re sure to find one that fits your style. Whether you’re looking for a casual date or a romantic dinner, these spots are sure to impress.
Joseph Leonard is a cozy neighborhood spot with an intimate atmosphere and delicious American bistro-style cuisine. Located in the heart of the city, this restaurant is perfect for couples and groups looking for a relaxing evening. The menu includes a wide selection of wines, and the staff is dedicated to providing exceptional service.
Gabe Stulman’s first solo project, Joseph Leonard occupies a tiny corner cubbyhole in a building that once housed a rooming house, a Chinese laundry, and a series of restaurants before the West Village fixture opened in 2009. The restaurant is so popular—the no-reservation policy hasn’t deterred locals from strolling in nightly from their brownstone stoops—that it seems like the place will outgrow its tiny footprint.
The intimate setting blends rich wooden textures with a Japanese-inspired aesthetic and enchanting views of Washington Square Park. It attracts a cross-section of locals, from aging bohemians to young-and-bruunchy hipsters; it’s a down-to-earth spot with a forward-thinking spirit. Dine on scrumptious dishes, including the signature Gold Digger, a medley of A5 Wagyu, marinated tuna, seared toro, uni, and scallop. The homey desserts—a decent carrot cake and airy caramel pudding with cookie crumbs—round out a satisfying meal. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
4. GILT
When it comes to scouring the Web for seriously marked-down designer merchandise, no name has more cachet than Gilt. Its founders even published a 2012 book, By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop. So when rumors swirl that the company’s in-house brands are a total hoax, it’s an especially damaging blow.
It’s not just a matter of quality; it’s an issue of image. For a retailer that depends on its reputation for seriously marked-down deals on designer merchandise, the idea that its own brands aren’t worth the prices it claims they’re selling at is unconscionable. And for the customer, it hints that the site is no longer committed to offering its signature flash-sale thrills. Shop the latest in women’s, men’s and kids’ fashion, home décor and more, as well as luxury travel and one-of-a-kind experiences, with new steals every day and longer-lasting shops arranged by style, trend and category.
5. Westlight
This 22nd-floor rooftop bar from Noho Hospitality Group sits atop Williamsburg hotel The William Vale and offers sweeping views of NYC via floor-to-ceiling windows and a wraparound balcony. Chef Andrew Carmellini complements a dynamic menu of cocktails, rare spirits, beer and wine with bar snacks inspired by international street foods. Tower viewers placed around the room make for fun selfie spots.
Named for Restoration Hardware, this stylish rooftop restaurant is a visual stunner, boasting a chic dining room and lounge area bedecked with chandeliers and plenty of greenery. Located in the meatpacking district, this rooftop is a great place for couples looking for a romantic yet modern setting for dinner.
As if the stunning view weren’t enough, this rooftop also features a wide range of upscale bites to make you and your significant other feel extra special. Try the RH Burger or the Tempura Bass Buns, and don’t forget to order a drink from their perfectly curated list.
While a bit on the pricey side, this rooftop is worth it for the incredible view alone. This Brooklyn spot, which sits atop the trendy William Vale Hotel, offers seating both in the sleek indoor lounge and on the spacious rooftop deck bordered with glass panels that create a stunning open-air feel. With a menu that exceeds rooftop expectations, the restaurant features a variety of small plates such as charred eggplant dumplings and tequlia-cured salmon alongside signature drinks like the Blue Note and Cedar House Mule.
If you and your partner share a love of a specific TV show or movie, try incorporating it into your proposal. For example, if they are huge fans of Friends, propose on the couch where you reenact scenes from the series (with their favorite beverage in hand, of course). This is a fun way to personalize your big moment and truly make it your own.
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