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Best kosher date night restaurants in NYC
Date night is about intention. Where you sit, what you order, who you’re with, the energy of the room and, yes, what you’re hoping the night might turn into. In the kosher dining world, that calculus has finally gotten more interesting. Gone are the days when a kosher menu was the only thing couples had to consider when planning a night out. Today, New York’s kosher scene actually flirts back.
Below, our picks for the best kosher date night restaurants in NYC: from high-end steakhouses that never miss to more eclectic spots that feel romantic in quieter, less obvious ways, and are often better suited to second dates, long-term couples or nights when you want something a little unexpected.
“Cool” isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind when describing a kosher dining experience. Delicious? Sure. Memorable? Perhaps. But culinary cool? Never—until Ren. More of an experience than a straight-up restaurant, Ren is Brooklyn’s closest thing to Michelin-level kosher dining, thanks to Chef Ronen Morad. Dishes like smoked cauliflower with herb salad, potato and trout caviar, and chicken poularde, plus a roster of desserts, make for a perfectly constructed meal. Your date will be impressed that you even know this spot, which is actually hidden on the lower level of popular Brooklyn spa World Spa. 1571 McDonald Avenue, Brooklyn
Libbi comes courtesy of chef David Donagrandi, also behind the celebrated dairy restaurant Abaita in midtown, so you know the experience will be solid. Relatively new—which always sparks conversation on a date—the Upper East Side restaurant isn’t exactly upscale, but it’s well set up and pretty: a dinner date spot that doesn’t feel kosher thanks to its clean décor and attentive service. Yes, we know what that sounds like. 205 East 81st Street, Manhattan
We’ll be honest: the food at Rothschild isn’t mind-blowing, but it makes for a solid date night experience. Cocktails are on point, service is great and the space is undeniably trendy. It’s perfect for early-stage dating, when you want somewhere memorable but not overly fancy. Once you’re in a long-term relationship, you might skip it but, at the start, this one works. 1129 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan
Sometimes, all you really want on date night is pure fanciness. Skip the obvious steakhouse options and head to Barnea: an upscale midtown Manhattan spot with a seasonal menu of meat and seafood, strong cocktails and a thoughtful wine list. Big announcement or potential proposal coming? This is the place your date will expect you to choose. Do with that information what you will. 211 East 46th Street, Manhattan
Coletta is an intimate vegan kosher restuarant in Kips Bay that’s deserving of your date night attention for different reasons: it’s by City Roots Hospitality—a culinary group devoted to upscale, plant-based kosher eateries—it is usually patronized by non-kosher diners as well (so the vibes are different, which is good) and it also happens to be gluten-free, in case that’s what you’re looking for. 365 Third Avenue, Manhattan
Castell’s in Gravesend is far no matter which part of New York you’re coming from—but we promise that it’s totally worth the trip. First-time diners are often shocked by how impressive the whole experience is, a feeling that might characterize your future visits as well. The food is superb and the staff is extremely nice and ready to guide you through the whole menu. Bonus points: the on-premise bar is one of the most beautiful in the local kosher dining scene. 222 Avenue U, Brooklyn
NYC’s only mushroom-centric restaurant, Third Kingdom is worth a visit for later-stage dates when you want food that doubles as an experience. This one the brainchild of Overthrow Hospitality, another vegan-forward restaurant group, the eatery makes dinner feel like an interactive adventure, which is perfect if your night continues to cocktails nearby. 21 East 7th Street, Manhattan
La Basque might be the most beautiful restaurant on this list, which is why it’s worth a date-night stop. We’re not obsessed with the food, but start with apps (the patatas bravas and wild mushroom and truffle croquettes are standouts) and a bottle of wine in this stunning space, then move on to another dinner option… or just linger over drinks and nibble. 15 Union Square West, Manhattan
Let’s be clear: Eshel is not the best Persian restaurant in town (head to Colbeh on Long Island for a true taste of Iran) but it is certainly the most date-worthy. It also happens to be the only Persian eatery in Manhattan following the untimely closure of Colbeh’s beloved city location. The romantic pull of Persian cuisine—familiar if you know it, adventurous if you don’t—makes it a perfect spot for couples exploring food together. 507 Columbus Avenue, Manhattan
There’s something about sushi that screams date night. NYC hasn’t yet perfected the art of sushi (omakase spots like Otoro and Akimori are just okay), so Sen Sakana is going to have to do for now. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not just trying to be nice: the food here is solid and the space is fancy enough for your date-night outfit. Plus, the overall vibe is elevated. 28 West 44th Street, Manhattan
Here’s a thought: head to Bison and Bourbon in Park Slope for a double date. The space is pretty fun, a change of scenery from the other optiosn on this list. A contemporary Brooklyn steakhouse in a former vintage warehouse space, the restaurant combines good food, strong drinks and fun vibes. Basically, a memorable night out that’s less formal but still special. 191 7th Street, Brooklyn
Casa Tevere recently reopened after a five-year closure, taking over the space that was formerly occupied by Bis, one of NYC’s short-lived kosher hits. The focus is Roman cuisine—think carciofi alla giudia that could change how you see vegetables. It’s a straightforward date night restaurant with high-end food and vibes. You can’t go wrong here. 1207 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan
Who says dinner is the only date-worthy meal? Gottlieb’s, a glatt kosher deli founded by Hungarian Holocaust survivor Zoltan Gottlieb in 1962, makes a morning or brunch date special. Bilingual Yiddish-English waiters, an old-school menu and a vibe that transports you elsewhere—it’s memorable, charming and utterly unique. Sometimes, you need something different to propel your relationship forward. 352 Roebling Street #6240, Brooklyn
