Affordable, Low-Key Date-Night Restaurants
Including a stylish, candlelit spot with shareable plates, an Italian corner hotspot and a local fixture serving up Thai fare in a hip and homey setting.
New York City is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, but dining out once a week can cost more than a three-month ConEd bill. And now enter cuffing season, when the romantic dinner reservations are surging. So where do you go for a romantic and delicious dinner in NYC without spending a painful amount of money? The answer is downtown, where you’ll find everything from stylish, candlelit spots with shareable dishes and tiny joints with no-frills interiors but thrilling food. Keep reading for our romantic recs, including an Italian corner hotspot in the heart of the East Village and a lovely Nolita fixture that serves up Thai fare in a hip and homey setting.
Kiki’s is a cavernous Greek restaurant on the corner of Division and Orchard Streets that’s been drawing crowds of cool kids and locals ever since opening in 2015. The classic Dimes Square joint is always packed, and for good reason. It’s a fun, lively spot, and there’s something for everyone on the jam-packed menu. Popular Greek dishes include their gigantic Horiatiki Salad, made the traditional lettuce-free way, with chunks of tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, and kalamata olives and topped with a brick of feta, and the Moussaka Plate, an eggplant, potato, minced beef, and pork layered combo, smothered with a velvety house-made bechamel sauce. We suggest ordering one entree and a bunch of small plates, like zucchini chips, tzatziki with pita, or the heavenly roasted lemon potatoes.
130 Division St; T. (646) 882-7052
Both cash-strapped twentysomethings and major foodies pack this inexpensive East Village hole-in-the-wall and dine on big, steaming bowls of phở ($12ish) and rice vermicelli noodles. Opened in 2010, the space is tiny and the decor is barebones, but its warm service and excellent, affordable food are top-notch. Start with the fried pork and shrimp spring rolls. For your main dish, go for a phở (beef, chicken, or veggie) or bánh mì—both are massive and great to split with your date. Consider ordering the fried pork and shrimp spring rolls (they’re amazing and filling). Need a pick-me-up? Bookend your meal with a creamy Vietnamese iced coffee.
20 1st Ave; T. (212) 780-6020
Walk by this restaurant during dinnertime, and you could mistake it for the latest here today, gone tomorrow hotspot due to the common sighting of stylish customers who look like they’ve been plucked from an indie fashion magazine editorial spilling out onto Elizabeth Street while they wait for their table. But Lovely Day has been serving up tasty Thai-inspired noodle dishes, curries, and more since 2002. The upstairs Instagrammable dining room features an eclectic design with cherry red booths and floral wallpaper. Tip: Book a table in the shadowy, secret-ish downstairs den for a romantic date night where a DJ often spills vibey tunes. Perch at the bar or grab a candlelit table and order a few shareable plates, like a green papaya salad ($12), pad thai ($16.50), or pineapple fried rice (small for $13, large for $15).
196 Elizabeth St; T. (212) 925-3310
Nestled on the quiet, tree-lined East 1st Street, Cafe Himalaya is a small, unpretentious restaurant offering authentic Tibetan and Nepali cuisine since 2001. Inside, you’ll find a dozen or so tables crammed into a sun-filled room with a few photos of Tibet dotting its pale yellow walls. Here, it’s all about the mouthwatering-inducing food. Come hungry! Start things off with a cup of dal soup (lightly spiced lentil soup, $4.99) and an eight-piece plate of potato, veggie, chicken, or beef momo (Himalayan-style dumplings, 11-12 bucks). Then split an entree or two, like their show-stopping “Tsel Gyathuk Ngopa” (sauteed noodles mixed with fresh green vegetables and tofu). There’s always room left for dessert, so go on and treat yourself to their “Coconut Dream Smoothie” (blended coconut ice cream). Feel free to thank us later.
78 E 1st St; T. (212) 358-0160
For excellent udon served in a low-key, date-night-friendly setting, head to Raku in the East Village. The main attraction inside the modern, minimalistic setting is the generous servings of thick, chewy udon noodles, which start at $14 and are served either hot or cold. Don’t sleep on the flavor-packed smaller plates though, like their to-die-for chicken karaage. In a spicy mood? Try the “Tantan” udon, made with spicy miso pork, peanuts, and eggs. Wash everything down with cold sake or opt for a refreshing Yuzu mimosa.
342 E 6th St
San Marzano is an affordable Italian joint beloved by locals that’s been sitting on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 7th Street since 2008. The restaurant is spacious and warm, with floor-to-ceiling windows, vintage library card catalogs, and tin ceilings. There’s plenty of indoor and sidewalk seating, but it’s always packed, especially at dinner (and during their bottomless mimosa brunch). The popularity makes sense when you try the food, which is both affordable and delicious. Start with the $9 appetizers like creamy burrata, eggplant parm, or marinara-drenched meatballs. When you get to the “build-your-own pasta” section of the menu, the fun really begins. Choose from six pasta shapes, from pappardelle and spaghetti to gluten-free rigatoni, and eight sauces, from pesto with grape tomatoes and fresh mozzarella to wild boar ragu with pecorino. Elsewhere on the menu, there’s $12 paninis, a killer $9 Caesar salad, and a handful of classic Italian desserts (cannoli, tiramisu). The East Village corner hotspot is also known for its super-friendly service, laidback vibes, and an extensive, reasonably priced wine menu.
117 2nd Ave; T. (212) 777-3600
WORDS Alex Catarinella
PHOTOGRAPHY Instagram