The Top List of Romantic Restaurants - Long Island, NY
For first dates, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and other special occasions in which a romantic setting is called for, Long Island can offer some of the best. by Scott Kessman
For first dates, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and other special occasions in which a romantic setting is called for, Long Island can offer some of the best. A wide variety of restaurants with romantic atmospheres abound in both Nassau and Suffolk County, offering everything from cozy, intimate settings, to beautiful outdoor gardens.
This list of top romantic restaurants on Long Island spans a spectrum of quaint bistros, to grand monuments of elegance sure to impress.
MIRABELLE (631) 584-5999 404 Route 25a Saint James, NY 11780
Cuisine - French
The humble town of St. James contains an impressive smattering of quaint restaurants, steakhouses and bistros, and Mirabelle certainly fits the bill. Gathering influence from charming surroundings, the small French restaurant is cozy and relaxing, and though it is often crowded, dining remains refined and intimate. The warm décor sets a tranquil mood, a perfect setting for a truly wonderful meal that manages to capture the subtle essence of romance in Paris. Mirabelle has been welcoming diners since 1983, and has remained a strong contender for one Long Island’s best restaurants. Professional chefs offer artistry on a plate, in the form of such fine dishes as star anise and pineapple braised beef short rib and Cedar River farm shell steak, and organic egg in cocotte, truffle, and foie gras. This is French gourmet dining at its finest. Be sure to inquire about Mirabelle’s cooking classes, and learn how to serve up a romantic gourmet meal in your own home.
Lunch - Tuesday through Friday 12pm to 2pm Dinner - Tuesday through Sunday, closed Mondays Open at 6pm Tuesday through Friday Open at 5:30 on Saturdays, 5pm on Sundays
Average price per person: $55 (plus tax and gratuity)
THE COUNTRY HOUSE (631) 751-3332 1175 N Country Main St. Stony Brook, NY 11790
Cuisine - American
Converted from a large farmhouse built in the early 1700s into a grand country manor that rests in the heart of historic Stony Brook, The Country House certainly captures the attention of all who pass by. Surrounded by beautiful grounds, The Country House exhibits elements of a southern estate accented by traditional Colonial architecture. In winter, the front façade of the restaurant is lovingly outfitted in a large red bow, in essence offering itself as a gift to its patronage. But any time of year, the Country House is a popular place for catered events, and dinner is always an elegant affair. The dining rooms are warm and friendly, and cozying up to the large fireplace is a surefire way to add extra elements of romance to your dining experience. Tasteful American cuisine graces the menu, with items such as Stuffed Lobster, Chilean Sea Bass, Roast Duck, Chateau Briand, and mouth-watering steaks all expertly prepared.
Average price per person: $45 (plus tax and gratuity)
BESITO (631) 549-0100 402 New York Ave Huntington, NY 11743
Cuisine - Mexican
A wall full of softly flickering candles helps set the ambience of this romantic Mexican restaurant, with matching candles on each table to further enhance the mood. Authentic Mexican cuisine served up with gourmet style adds just the right touch of festive merriment, eagerly matched by the décor, a playful mixture of intimacy and rich earth tones and colorful Mexican flair. If your only experience with Mexican cuisine is the quesadillas appetizer at your regular haunt, then you are in for a treat. Flavorful spices and fresh ingredients lend themselves heavily to an impressive selection of Mexican dishes, such as Enchiladas de Calabacitas, Pechuca de Polla, and Pescado con Pipian Y Atole. If you don’t know what those mean, then visit Besito, bring a date, and surprise yourself with an enjoyable experience and a delicious adventure.
Average price per person: $40 (plus tax and gratuity)
THYME (516) 625-2566 8 Tower St Roslyn, NY 11576
Cuisine - American
The quintessential American Bistro in the guise of a quaint cottage, Thyme is full of warmth and wonder, the soft lighting helping to create the perfect setting for a budding romance. Sit by a window with a view of the pond and gaze at the graceful swans floating gently by, then gaze into your lover’s eyes and smile gently. This is what romantic dining is all about. Traditional and eclectic varieties of American cuisine abound on the menu, offering something for everyone and a few intriguing surprises, such as Roasted Lobster, Corn and Potato Chowder, Baked Brie with Apples, Lobster Pot Pie, Crispy Brick Roasted Chicken, and Char Grilled Angus Sirloin Steak. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find something to dislike about the menu, and a sweet dessert selection is a fitting conclusion to the meal, leaving your mouths and your hearts savoring the entire experience.
Average price per person: $45 (plus tax and gratuity)
HARVEST (516) 922-8380 1 Main St. Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Cuisine - American
Once a historic landmark café, the owners of Harvest have transformed this Oyster Bay building into a friendly neighborhood restaurant of casual sophistication and stylized intimacy. Warm earth tones and brick walls with large windows form the backdrop to the comfortable atmosphere, and sometimes only a single votive candle is all that is needed to complete the illusion of suggested romance. The menu is small mixture of updated comfort food and a few house specialties; the portions and quality of the food do not suffer from over-decoration, as many restaurants tend to focus on either one or the other. The accompanying wine list features a few Long Island choice selections, and lunch or dinner is even more refreshing in the warmer months when outdoor dining is available.
Average price per person: $45 (plus tax and gratuity)
MAZZI (631) 421-3390 493 Jericho Tpke Huntington Station, NY 11746
Cuisine - Continental
Huntington and its surrounding areas certainly have a lot to offer when it comes to dining, from upscale, trendy eateries, to an assortment of lively pubs. But if its romance you’re looking for, then seek out Mazzi. The outside appearance of Mazzi, a subdued, mediocre looking house, does nothing to prepare you for the rich atmosphere within the walls of this small, charming establishment. Surrounded by subtle elements of luxury designed to induce amorous sentiment, you’ll find Mazzi to be a sparkling jewel somewhat out of place among the strip malls and traffic kept at bay just outside its doors. Mazzi serves gourmet American finery, with a menu that is likely to change often to reflect seasonal ingredients or culinary experiments. Regardless of the current offering, you’ll easily find it hard to make a choice amongst the collection of comfort food fusion and exotic taste adventures. While Mazzi is the perfect place for two, larger parties can also enjoy the benefits of fine dining within the restaurants warm embrace.
Average price per person: $50 (plus tax and gratuity)
JEDEDIAH HAWKINS INN (631) 722-2900 400 S Jamesport Ave Jamesport, NY 11947
Cuisine - American
This unique North Fork restaurant seemingly transports you into another world, and you’ll feel suitably pampered in style amidst the grounds and in the dining room of this historic mansion, nestled comfortably among vineyards and rolling farmland. Jedediahs serves a seasonal menu of exquisite extravagance, matched by the luxurious décor that is at once warming yet rich with character and charm. You’ll feel instantly at ease within these walls, tastefully decorated with antiques and fine art, and a soothing color palette of creams and earth tones. You can dine from the seasonal menu or choose a wine course dinner, and a prix fixe option is also available. Jedediah’s stays away from outrageous fusion that is little more than an enticing name, instead relying on flavor combinations that balance culinary technique with tasteful perfection, and appear on your plate as another priceless antique. There is no certainty that you will fall in love with your date, but you’ll certainly fall head over heels in love with your food and with Jedediahs. And don’t forget to compliment your meal with a bottle of wine from the impressive wine cellar, which boasts wines from all the top producers on Long Island.
Call for restaurant hours.
Average price per person: $55 (plus tax and gratuity)
STONE CREEK INN (631) 653-6770 405 Montauk Hwy East Quogue, NY 11942
Cuisine – French, Mediterranean
The South Fork of Long Island also has its eye on dining and romance, in the form of the Stone Creek Inn, a New England style Colonial with all the grace and finery of classic European dining. The owner and chef brings his expertise and knowledge of classic French cookery to the Hamptons, blending French cuisine with Mediterranean dishes such as Cassoulett Toulousian (French Tarbais Beans, Duck Foie Gras Sausage, Pork and Duck Confit Stewed in Casserole) Australian Rack of Lamb Roasted with Mediterranean Spices, and the house specialty bouillabaisse. Using locally fresh ingredients, menu selection is rather limited, and the portions are more befitting of European dining as well, but chef Christian Mir is an expert at his craft, and we can only assume that his wife is responsible for the romantic décor that helps set a comfortable, relaxed mood, despite the large dining rooms, and the fireplace in the smaller dining room is a welcome addition to the ambience.
Sunday – Thursday - 5:30pm – 10:00pm *Prix Fixe Menu Available All Evening Friday – Saturday - 5:30pm - 11:00pm Closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Average price per person: $50 (plus tax and gratuity)
SOIGNE (516) 569-2259 1066 Broadway Woodmere, NY 11598
Cuisine – Continental, French
Old meets new in this eclectic mixture of European cultural influence and high-class fusion, both in the food and the décor. But the owners of Soigne obviously put a lot of thought into making the mix work properly, for the cozy bistro is an intimate setting, evoking warm passion and comfort, coupled with stylish charm and sophistication. Intense care and preparation also goes into each dish, and you’ll understand why Soigne is consistently voted as one of Long Island’s top restaurants. Offering both a very affordable prix fixe menu and reasonably priced seasonal dinner menu, you’ll wonder why Soigne doesn’t charge more for your meal. Dinner presentation is top-class, and you’ll taste sublime freshness and levels of flavor previously unattainable. It’s the combination of great prices, superb food and wonderful ambience that makes Soigne a prime spot for a romantic dining experience.
Average price per person: $40 (plus tax and gratuity)
AQUA BLUE BAR & GRILL (631) 321-8387 86 Deer Park Ave Babylon, NY 11702
Cuisine - Eclectic (516) 484-8860 1401 Old Northern Blvd. Roslyn, NY 11576
Cuisine - Eclectic
A white Colonial surrounded by lush greenery marks the site of the Aqua Blue Bar & Grill, a restaurant whose indoor decor evokes feelings of a summery, wistful day in warmer months, and peaceful winters when its colder. This is in part due to the vary shades of blues used in graceful combination amongst the walls and ceiling, accented by wood trim and white linens. The Aqua Blue Bar & Grill is refreshing in that it is not overdone, and the while the food is especially divine, prices are kept reasonably low, adding to the appeal of the restaurant. Refined romance best describes the beginning of your dining experience here; a gentle touch of sentiment, enough to gather smiles and alluring conversation. Then the food arrives, and passion blooms. With an inventive menu featuring dishes like Spaghetti alla Noma (Sautéed Zucchini, Black Olives, Garlic and Bread Crumbs), Chicken Scarpariello (Chicken on the bone braised with Sausage, Peppers and Onions), and Cacciucco Livornese (Spicy Fish Stew with Mussels, Clams, Calamari, Shrimp, Scallops, and Monkfish), among an assortment of comfort food favorites, even the coldest of hearts would soon melt.
Monday - Friday - 12:00pm - 10:00pm Saturday - 5:00pm - midnight Sunday - 5:00pm - 10:00pm Average price per person: $30 (plus tax and gratuity)
The Top List of Romantic Restaurants - Long Island, NY