Whether you’re planning a dreamy Valentine’s Day dinner, celebrating a milestone anniversary, or surprising your special someone with a romantic evening out, New York State offers unforgettable dining experiences for every occasion. From elegant fine dining at storied establishments like the Otesaga Resort’s 1909 restaurant in Cooperstown to cozy, farm-to-table favorites at the Catskills’ rustic Peekamoose Restaurant, love is always on the menu. Read on to discover 22 of New York State’s most romantic restaurants.
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Elegant Establishments
Red Salt Room (Long Island)
📍 45 7th St, Garden City, NY 11530
Credit: Marta Zielinska
A joint venture between renowned Chef David Burke and the iconic Garden City Hotel, the Red Salt Room promises a romantic culinary journey unlike any other. The restaurant boasts a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere with rich herringbone wood flooring, Himalayan sea salt accents, and fashionable milk glass chandeliers. Delight in executive chef Anup Patwal’s seasonal New American menu, infused with Chef Burke signatures like his candied clothesline bacon and patented use of Himalayan sea salt to dry age steaks.
Waxlight Bar a’ Vin (Greater Niagara)
📍 27 Chandler St, Buffalo, NY 14207
A three-time James Beard Award nominee, Waxlight Bar a’ Vin is a modern, wine-focused restaurant in the Black Rock neighborhood of Buffalo. Sip on a craft beverage from the drink menu, which includes non-alcoholic options, from the blue velvet couches, or have a seat at one of the tables, illuminated by candlelight. Menu highlights include calamari ragu bianco, butternut squash parisienne gnocchi, and braised beef short rib parmentier, plus olive and sinclair chocolate gelato for dessert.
1909 at the Otesaga Resort Hotel (Central New York)
📍 60 Lake St, Cooperstown, NY 13326
Credit: @otesagahotel on Instagram
For special occasions or just an elegant evening out, the 1909 at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown is sure to impress. Backdropped by the dazzling Otsego Lake, choose to enjoy a meal in the dining room, steeped in historic luxury, or out on the veranda in the warmer months, where you’ll catch a cool breeze off the lake. The menu highlights seasonal ingredients with hand-cut steaks, freshly caught seafood, and artfully crafted plates.
Arlo Kitchen & Bar (Long Island)
📍1036 Fort Salonga Road, Northport, NY 11768
Located on Long Island’s dazzling Gold Coast, Arlo Kitchen & Bar offers the perfect blend of warm, welcoming vibes and stylish modern flair. This multi-level dining experience, decorated with wood detailing, luxurious banquets, and custom finishings, features an open kitchen, two bars, and an outdoor patio surrounded by lush forest. Enjoy a wide variety of dishes, including a venison Osso Buco, duck gnocchi, little neck clams from the raw bar, and a three-course prix-fixe menu for $59/person (available Mondays all evening, Wednesdays and Thursdays but must be seated by 6pm).
Le Coucou (New York City)
📍 138 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013
For a classic romantic evening, Le Coucou promises a charming setting and simple yet refined French cuisine by internationally-acclaimed chef Daniel Rose. Settle into the timeless dining room with flickering candles, whitewashed brick, and crisp linens, and take a look at the menu, featuring dishes like grilled black bass with light tomato sauce and shellfish, veal chop with porcini and old comté, and prime filet.
Stella: A Kitchen and Bar (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
📍 60 Chautauqua Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750
Credit: @heluvaheather on Instagram
Just one block from Chautauqua Lake and a 20-minute drive from the Chautauqua Institution, Stella: A Kitchen and Bar is the perfect spot for an evening of casual fine dining. Admire the eclectic atmosphere with fun wallpapers, white brick walls, and floral paintings, while you check out the diverse menu of both contemporary and traditional dishes. Start off with an appetizer like house-made ricotta, then follow it up with entrees like bijou filet mignon or lobster fettuccine.
Red Coach Inn Restaurant (Greater Niagara)
📍2 Buffalo Ave STE 2, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
PHOTO COURTESY OF RED COACH INN
Looking for fine dining at an affordable price in the honeymoon capital of the world? Look no further than Niagara Falls’ AAA Three Diamond Hotel, the Red Coach Inn. Choose to dine inside near the roaring natural stone fireplace or out on the patio in warmer months alongside majestic views and sounds of the Niagara Rapids. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu features plates like stuffed portobello mushrooms, Chicken French, scallops Florentine, and more.
Cozy & Casual Dining
Good Night (Catskills)
📍 15 Rock City Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498
You’re guaranteed to have a good night at Good Night in Woodstock! Revel in the stylish yet comfortable room with warm lighting, feathered chandeliers, and marble tables, creating a relaxing, intimate atmosphere. Indulge in an array of vibrant, globally-inspired dishes based around pan-Asian cuisine like Thai red curry soup, Vietnamese steak frites, crispy wild shrimp and sishito, and raw cashew passionfruit lime pie for dessert.
West Rose (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
📍 23 Washington St, Ellicottville, NY 14731
Credit: @716delish on Instagram
Tucked away in the postcard-perfect ski town of Ellicottville, West Rose is an ideal spot for an intimate yet relaxed meal. The space is bright and airy with a Scandinavian vibe and an open kitchen where you can watch the restaurant’s Mario Acunto wood-burning oven in action. The menu features seasonally-inspired contemporary American cuisine, cocktails, and a noodle bar, plus there’s brunch on Sundays.
Good Fellos (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
📍 202 W Main St, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685
Located in the historic village of Sackets Harbor, Good Fellos serves up delicious Italian cuisine in a cozy, welcoming environment. The walls are lined with exposed brick and there’s an open kitchen, where you can see the staff chefing up their famous brick-oven pizzas. Plus, they offer 16 local craft beers, a 50 bottle wine list, and a decadent selection of desserts made from scratch.
Rosanna’s (Capital-Saratoga)
📍 23 Dove St, Albany, NY 12210
A renovated historic gem in the heart of Albany’s Center Square, Rosanna’s offers reimagined classic Italian cuisine in a playful yet romantic space. Dine indoors among the retro-glam interior, where candlelight illuminates the tables, or enjoy your meal al fresco from the streetside tables. Delight in small plates like Sardinian Artichoke Crostini, primi like Spring Vegetable Risotto, and mains like Seared Smoked Pork Belly or Cast Iron Hudson Valley Trout.
One-of-a-Kind Gems
The Maker Restaurant (Hudson Valley)
📍 306 Warren St, Hudson, NY 12534
Credit: The Maker
Found in a glass conservatory filled by layers of greenery, The Maker Restaurant in Hudson is the place to be if you’re looking for bohemian-chic vibes. The seasonal menu, curated by executive chef Jonas Offenbach, highlights high-quality ingredients and French cooking with dishes like Escargot Fricassee and lamb chop crepinette.
Peekamoose Restaurant (Catskills)
📍 8373 NY-28, Big Indian, NY 12410
Found in a rustic-chic farmhouse, surrounded by the Catskill Mountains, Peekamoose Restaurant is perfect for those looking for a cozy, quiet evening. The dining room embodies the quaint and quirky beauty of the Catskills with handmade light fixtures and shelves crafted from fallen branches, wall art created from found objects, and cozy, candlelit tables. The farm-to-table menu is always changing and currently features seasonal meals like pan-roasted rainbow trout, winter squash risotto, and wood-grilled sirloin steak.
Historic Settings
Noble Cellar (Finger Lakes)
📍 304 E Onondaga St, Syracuse, NY 13202
Revel in the refined ambiance of Noble Cellar in Syracuse, found in a repurposed historic church. Stained glass windows, dimmed lighting, and candlelit tables add to the restaurant’s romantic vibe, and allow the seasonal menu to shine. Be sure to try dishes like the olive oil poached halibut, spaghetti squash latkes, or braised lamb shoulder, and end the night with Tres Leches Cake for dessert.
Hamlet & Ghost (Capital-Saratoga)
📍 24 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Credit: @rich_loud on Instagram
With rustic barn wood floors, exposed brick, and a tin ceiling, Hamlet & Ghost is the perfect spot for a date night in Saratoga Springs. Once a hidden gambling spot disguised as a hardware store during Prohibition, Hamlet & Ghost offers seasonal, New American cuisine like squash Tikka Masala and Faroe Island salmon, plus handcrafted cocktails.
Goosefeather (Hudson Valley)
📍 49 E Sunnyside Ln, Tarrytown, NY 10591
Credit: Young Skeletons on Instagram
Set among luxurious 19th-century mansions on a hill above Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, Goosefeather at the Tarrytown House Estate exudes romantic charm. Chef Dale Talde, featured on Top Chef and Chopped, pays tribute to Hong Kong’s culinary scene, serving up traditional Cantonese cuisine with a twist, offering dishes like Crispy Shrimp Bao, Wild Mushroom Rice Noodle, and Char Siu Berkshire Pork Belly. Enjoy your delicious meal from one of the four dining rooms or out on the terrace in the warmer months.
205 Dry (Central New York)
📍 205 State St, Binghamton, NY 13901
Hidden behind a secret bookcase in an authentic 1920s speakeasy is Binghamton‘s most imaginative bar and restaurant. Surrounded by historic scenery, dimmed lighting, and eclectic decor, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. A hand-crafted cocktail or mocktail at 205 Dry is a must, made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. The food menu features elevated bar bites like teriyaki steak egg rolls and short rib poutine plus an array of creative burgers and delectable dishes like hot honey salmon and Cajun creamy pasta.
Restaurants with a View
The River Cafe (New York City)
📍 1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
With a scenic location under the Brooklyn Bridge, breathtaking New York City skyline views, and one Michelin Star, The River Cafe has been delighting visitors since 1977. Sit down for a meal in the elegant fine dining room, filled with flower arrangements and live piano music. The menu features American cuisine such as char grilled Niman Ranch strip steak and poached Nova Scotia lobster tail, and an outstanding wine list that’s updated weekly. The mandatory suit jacket and collar shirt rule remains in effect!
Ports Cafe (Finger Lakes)
📍4432 W Lake Rd, Geneva, NY 14456
If you’re looking for fine dining in a casual setting with Seneca Lake as your backdrop, Ports Cafe in Geneva is the place for you. A beloved date night spot for locals and visitors alike, Ports serves up entrees like short-rib gnocchi, mushroom pappardelle, and Atlantic salmon filet, which pair perfectly with local Finger Lakes wines.
The View at Mirror Lake Inn (Adirondacks)
📍77 Mirror Lake Dr, Lake Placid, NY 12946
Credit: @mirrorlakeinnspa on Instagram
As Lake Placid’s only AAA Four Diamond Restaurant, The View at the Mirror Lake Inn is perfect for a memorable night out. Overlooking serene Mirror Lake and the Adirondack Mountains, the dining room reflects the beauty of the mountains, with wood accents and floor-to-ceiling windows. The dinner menu features housemade pastas, custom cut and aged steaks, heritage breed meats, fresh fish, and a curated offering of house-crafted and locally-produced foods.
Gran-View on the River (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
📍 6765 NY-37, Ogdensburg, NY 13669
Nestled along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, Gran-View on the River offers a romantic country setting and a fresh, seasonal menu. Choose to dine indoors in the elegant dining room, or outdoors from the patio in the summer, looking out at the river. Popular dishes include broiled Argentinian shrimp scampi, honey bourbon steak tips, and pasta alfredo.
Chateau on the Lake (Adirondacks)
📍15 Allens Alley, Bolton Landing, NY 12814
Located on the shores of Lake George in Bolton Landing, Chateau on the Lake serves up European-inspired cuisine in a stunning atmosphere. Featured on the Food Network’s “Summer Rush,” there’s something for every palate from duck confit fettuccine to truffled wild mushroom ravioli to pan-seared snapper. Enjoy your meal lakeside from the patio in the summer or from the cozy indoor dining room.
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