Best Date Night Italian Restaurants in Midtown East (10022)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Santi
Six-time Michelin-starred Chef Michael White's flagship return to Manhattan with handmade pasta perfection
Notable Picks
#1
Santi
8.8
Chef Michael White’s Santi turns a Midtown townhouse into a high-gloss Mediterranean-leaning Italian dining room with serious date-night energy. Expect precise pastas, polished service, and a power-scene bar wrapped in museum-caliber art.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tri-Colored Garganelli with Scallops, Orecchiette with Blue Crab and Uni, Delizie al Limone
What makes it special: Six-time Michelin-starred Chef Michael White's flagship return to Manhattan with handmade pasta perfection
8.5
Sofia Wine Bar has been a Midtown East standby since 2009, pairing an intimate brick-walled room and candlelight with scratch-made Italian home cooking. With pizzas, pastas, and a deep wine list, it’s one of the neighborhood’s most reliable romantic spots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bolognese Burrata Pizza, Mike's Hot Honey Pizza, Homemade Meatballs
What makes it special: Cozy wine bar atmosphere with authentic Italian wines and handmade pizzas since 2009
8.4
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
A longtime Midtown East Italian-American landmark, Fresco by Scotto mixes wood-fired pastas and chops with a lively, see-and-be-seen dining room. It’s a destination for celebratory date nights where strong cocktails, big flavors, and crowd-pleasing plates drive the evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mama Scotto's Meatballs, Rigatoni Bolognese, Homemade Ricotta Cheesecake
What makes it special: Scotto family hospitality since 1993 with genuine celebrity clientele and NBC commissary reputation
8.3
Murano Ristorante leans into Venetian elegance with Murano-glass-inspired touches, a polished bar, and white-tablecloth Northern Italian cooking. It’s ideal for couples who want a refined, lingering dinner with serious pastas and a deep wine list.
Must-Try Dishes:
Saffron Risotto with Bone Marrow, Grilled Octopus, Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragu
What makes it special: Revival of legendary 1980s nameplate with Venetian-inspired cuisine and elegant glass accents
Tucked just off Second Avenue, Café Luce is a cozy, owner-driven trattoria with house-made pastas and a warmly lit room that feels built for conversation. Service is unusually attentive, and the menu leans toward comforting, well-executed classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Quattro Formaggi Pasta, Nutella Tiramisu
What makes it special: Women-owned neighborhood trattoria with fresh housemade pasta and accessible pricing
#6
La Cava
8.3
La Cava is a wine-focused tapas and Italian small-plates spot with dim lighting and closely set tables, ideal for couples who like to graze and linger. The menu spans bruschette, seafood, and charcuterie, backed by a broad wine list and late hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prosciutto Burrata, Salmon Tartare, Vodka Pasta
What makes it special: Neighborhood wine bar since 2010 with exceptional happy hour and bottomless brunch
8.3
Inside The Kimberly Hotel, Bistango serves modern Italian with a rare fully gluten-free program in a separate kitchen, making it a safe date-night choice for diners with allergies. Warm service, balanced pastas, and flatbread pizzas keep the room buzzing without overwhelming noise.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butternut Squash Ravioli, Fig and Speck Pizza, Squid Ink Lobster Ravioli
What makes it special: Dedicated gluten-free kitchen preparing entire menu safely for celiac guests
Worthy Picks
7.9
La Pecora Bianca’s Midtown outpost channels a bright, modern trattoria with all-day pastas, spritzes, and shareable plates. It’s a flexible date-night choice, equally suited to a casual early dinner or a buzzy late spritz-and-pasta stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni Vodka, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Burrata with Ramp Pesto
What makes it special: Farm-to-table approach with whole-grain housemade pastas and seasonal Italian wines