Best Date Night Italian Restaurants in Garment District (10018)
9 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Ai Fiori
Michelin-recognized Riviera cuisine with Wine Spectator Grand Award wine program
Notable Picks
#1
Ai Fiori
8.8
A luxury-hotel Italian dining room that leans Riviera: pristine pastas, seafood-forward mains, and a service engine designed to make celebrations feel effortless. It’s a top-tier date pick when you want elegance without drama—let the kitchen steer you through crudo, pasta, and one composed main.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sagne Pasta with Braised Rabbit, Hiramasa Crudo, Risotto ai Funghi
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized Riviera cuisine with Wine Spectator Grand Award wine program
8.7
A high-volume Bryant Park Italian room that’s built for dates: dim-leaning lighting, confident pacing, and crowd-pleasing pastas that land hot even when the dining room is slammed. Keep the order tight—one starter, one pasta each, and a dessert—and it reads romantic instead of rushed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni Vodka, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Olive Oil Cake
What makes it special: All-day dining with house-made pasta and vibrant aperitivo program
8.4
A Sicilian-leaning, full-service Italian room with a warm, date-ready glow and a menu that’s broad without losing focus. The best move is a shared starter, a standout pasta, and a seafood or meat main—then split dessert and let the room do the romance for you.
Must-Try Dishes:
Insalata Gelato, Lobster Ravioli, Lamb Chops
What makes it special: Signature tomato gelato salad and 20+ years of consistent quality
8.2
A high-volume slice shop that hits when you want fast, old-school New York style with a strong rotation of square options—plus Italian ice that actually earns the second half of the name. Treat it like a quick-hit counter stop: grab two different slices, then cool down with a small ice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni slice, Grandma slice, Margherita slice
What makes it special: Strong NYC slices plus legit Italian ice in one stop.
#5
Mercato
8.0
A brick-lined trattoria that’s best used as a cozy, conversation-first date: tight tables, low lighting, and a menu built around comforting pastas and classic Italian-American rhythms. Order the dishes the kitchen does most reliably—pasta, burrata, and one shareable starter—and you’ll get the best version of the room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Tradizionale, Orecchiette, Tiramisu
What makes it special: Authentic Apulian cuisine from Taranto with daily-sourced fish
8.0
An old-school, white-tablecloth Northern-Italian room that’s ideal when you want a quieter, more formal date without going full tasting-menu. Stick to classics—risotto, a seafood main, and a composed dessert—and you’ll get the best blend of comfort and polish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tortellini Bolognese, Pollo alla Limone, Calamari Fritti
What makes it special: 40 years of white-tablecloth service with classic Northern Italian cuisine
Worthy Picks
#7
Casa Louie
7.8
A newer, neighborhood-leaning Italian spot that works well for a low-key date: airy room, friendly pacing, and red-sauce comfort executed with care. It shines when you treat it like a sharing table—one pizza, one pasta, one salad—then call it early and happy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Louie Pizza, Carbonara Pizza, Meatballs Marinara
What makes it special: Best gluten-free pizza options in Midtown West with outdoor dining
7.7
A dessert-forward Italian bakery that’s perfect as the “second stop” on a date: pastries, bomboloni, and cannoli with enough savory options to make it feel like a plan, not an impulse. Best for a sweet finish you can take back to the hotel—or a casual coffee-and-pastry first date.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pistachio Bomboloni, Zeppola with Nutella, Prosciutto Focaccia
What makes it special: Authentic Italian bomboloni and pastries baked fresh all day
#9
Upside Pizza
7.6
A fast, modern slice shop that’s surprisingly good for a casual date: hot pies, quick lines, and sturdy slices built for walking Midtown. It’s not candlelit—but as a pre-show bite or late-night reset, it’s a dependable move.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falcowitz Slice, Pepperoni Papi, Detroit Square Slice
What makes it special: Naturally leavened sourdough crust with daily house-made mozzarella