The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Dining Guide

With Valentine’s Day coming into range (just over three weeks to go), now would be a good time to finalize dinner reservations. Here’s our short list of some of the best romantic eats that Manhattan has to offer. Enjoy.



Graffiti is celebrating their first Valentine’s Day with an 8-Course Aphrodisiac Tasting Menu. That means you start with Pop Rock Oysters, main with Fig and Honey Pork, and end with Kamasutra Chocolate. And at $80 per couple (that’s just $40 per person), it may be the best deal in town.

Graffiti Food & Wine Bar, 224 East 10th Street (between First & Second Avenues), (212) 677-0695, graffitinyc.com

Lobster bisque soup. New Zealand lamb chops. Molten chocolate cake. Bar Martignetti’s $50 per person, multi-course Valentine’s Day meal is easy on the eyes and on the wallet.

Bar Martignetti, 406 Broome Street (at Centre Street), (212) 680-5600, barmartignetti.com

Sure they have awesome fish tacos but Mercadito is so much more. And for V-Day, $60 per person gets you a five-course tasting menu (raw oysters, ceviches, botanas) with margaritas. Yes, with margaritas.

Mercadito, 179 Avenue B (at 11th Street), (212) 529-6490, and Mercadito Grove, 100 7th Avenue South (at Grove Street), (212) 647-0830, mercaditony.com

Hop over to Rayuela where Valentine’s Day begins with a Cava toast, Sopa Amarillo, and your choice of prix-fixe options, including Ribeye a la Parrilla, Bacalao Colorao, Cordero Amoroso, and Paella Para Dos. $75 per person. For reservations, please contact Event Coordinator, Rachel Japko at (212) 253-8840 or rayuela.events@gmail.com.

Rayuela, 165 Allen Street (at Stanton Street), (212) 253-8840, rayuelanyc.com

Suba is going to be special on V-Day. Starting with choices like Atun Crudo (raw Bluefin tuna) or Terrina de Faisan (pheasant and bacon terrine with candied hazelnuts), and Waygu Flatiron steak or Cochino Glaseado en Sidra (apple cider glazed pork). Four-course dinner goes for $95 per person.

Suba, 109 Ludlow Street (between Rivington & Delancey Streets), (212) 982-5714, subanyc.com

Treat someone special to Mandarin Oriental, New York’s Champagne Tasting Menu in the 35th floor Lobby Lounge featuring views of Central Park and the spectacular Manhattan skyline. Decadent caviar, smoked salmon rosettes, and velvety Foie Gras terrines are paired with fine Champagnes. Three-course Champagne Tasting Menu, $195 for two people. For reservations, please call Cleiser Calcines at (212) 805-8234 or email ccalcines@mohg.com.

Mandarin Oriental New York, 80 Columbus Circle, 35th Floor Lobby Lounge, (212) 805-8800, mandarinoriental.com/newyork