As far as dating in New York City goes, one thing is certain: with low temperatures comes high reward. Dare to trade the comforting hum of the radiator in your toasty apartment for a short cold-weather commute to Midtown and soon sparks will be flying over a bottle of wine and shareable plates for two. All your favorite bars and restaurants are instantly more romantic in February, and not only in a Valentine’s Day hearts-and-roses type of way. There’s just something special about dressing up for date night and braving the outside world as a team while so many others are hibernating on the couch in their pajamas.
If you’re the adventurous type of couple (or you just met and are looking for excuses to linger longer), Rockefeller Center is the perfect place to find yourselves. You can seamlessly pair a cozy meal with sightseeing, ice skating, or browsing shops and art exhibits. Best of all, when it’s time to head home, you’ll have more to talk about than what’s trending on Netflix. Read on for seven NYC date spots you’ll both love.
Smith & Mills
30 Rockefeller Plaza, Rink Level
Picture this: You’re cuddled up in a red velvet booth sipping cocktails and sharing a plate of oysters at Smith & Mills. The dimly lit space brings its sexy downtown vibe from Tribeca to Midtown, creating an elevated take on the classic NYC date-night spot. Small plates on the menu are delightfully simple and made to share, from cheese and charcuterie to shrimp cocktail with Old Bay aioli, stuffed piquillo peppers, and meatballs with rosemary. Go with something hearty for your main course to stay warm, be it tagliatelle with Calabrian chili, chicken schnitzel, or a good old-fashioned cheeseburger.
Le Rock
45 Rockefeller Plaza
Love is always in the air when the dinner bell rings in Paris, but couples can find the atmosphere without the flight at Le Rock, the Michelin-guide hotspot from Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr. The chefs known for Tribeca’s sophisticated Frenchette caused quite the stir when they opened a spot in Rockefeller Center, its menu full of French brasserie fare and fresh seafood towers. But the true centerpiece of Le Rock is its glowing Art-deco bar — pull up two stools, browse its impressive Champagne list, and just try not to swoon.
Pebble Bar
1240 Sixth Avenue
Pebble Bar only opened three years ago, but dates within its townhouse walls share space with decades of NYC lore; through the years, Jack Kerouac, Johnny Carson, and countless Saturday Night Live stars have whiled the night away under its roof. If you’re not the plan-ahead type, you can still wow your partner by strutting into the second-floor bar like you know what you’re doing; walk-ins are welcomed. If it’s small bites you seek, make a reservation for a spot on the third. Either way, you won’t be disappointed by the cocktails.
Jupiter
20 West 50th Street
With a buzzing bar, warming Italian menu, and views of The Rink, a reservation at Jupiter is sure to impress that special someone. From the rigatoni cacio e pepe and pappardelle in a slow-cooked beef ragu to the Sicilian tuna salad, the handmade pastas are satisfying and the vegetables are always in season. (This time of year, the winter squash with Tuscan kale and Italian chili is in its prime.) Italian wine never hurts the mood either, and even if you think you’ve tasted them all, here you’ll find a new bottle to try together.
Top of the Rock
30 Rockefeller Plaza
Take your date to Top of the Rock for breathtaking views of a quieter NYC. There’s still plenty to see, from towering skyscrapers to tiny taxis and city slickers rushing along the streets below, but a clear winter day brings with it a unique and palpable sense of calm. Top of the Rock has long been known for its 360-degree vantage point, but its newest additions, The Beam and Skylift, take this date spot up a notch. The Beam experience lets you create new memories while recreating that famous vintage photo of ironworkers breaking precariously for lunch, while the elevated Skylift gives you an intimate platform with a completely unobstructed bird’s-eye view of it all.
The Rink
Rockefeller Plaza between 50th and 49th Streets
Whether you’re a skilled skater or need someone to hold your hand, ice skating at The Rink is a classic New York City date everyone dreams of checking off their list (or turning into a winter tradition). Twirling on the ice is always better as a duo, but this time of year, love actually won’t cost you a thing. Locals can score buy-one-get-one-free tickets to The Rink’s general and premium skate sessions, along with other Rockefeller Center attractions, with code NYBOGO25.
Christie’s
20 Rockefeller Plaza
One way to really get to know someone is to see how they interpret a piece of art. Christie’s U.S. flagship at Rockefeller Center puts everything from fine art and fashion to memorabilia and jewels on display, and it offers a free date spot that curious couples fall for every time. Christie’s hosts hundreds of auctions every year, and the public is welcome to browse its collections before the bids begin. Even if you find your tastes in art don’t align, you’ll both leave inspired by talent and creativity.
