Best Date Spots in Greenpoint in New York

Arthur is a cozy neighborhood restaurant in the former Fulgurances space, where vintage fringe lamps cast a warm glow over the dining room. The intimate atmosphere makes it a lovely choice for a date night, especially if you're looking for a spot to return to regularly. We'd recommend starting with the beef tartare with oyster emulsion, or keeping things casual with a Miller High Life.

For a first date built around oysters and martinis, try El Pingüino, a Basque-inspired raw bar in Greenpoint. Take a booth or a bar seat. Behind the bar hangs a poster of a cartoon penguin who has had too much wine. The cocktails are well made and the list includes wine, sherry and amari, while the menu suits drinks and snacks rather than a full meal.

Chez Ma Tante is a charming Greenpoint bistro tucked away on a quiet corner, with white walls, a long wooden bar, and outdoor seating. Its understated atmosphere makes it a great choice for a relaxed date, whether you're meeting someone new or enjoying dinner together. We'd recommend starting with the Caesar salad and charcuterie before sharing dessert. For a daytime date, don't miss the famous cast-iron pancakes, cooked until the edges are beautifully caramelized and often hailed as some of Brooklyn's best.

Đi Ăn Đi is a Vietnamese restaurant with lots of plants, pastel pink and Scandinavian-looking furniture in a loud room. It suits a first date, and the menu is built for sharing, so it works just as well with friends. The brisket phở is packed with tender meat, noodles and scallions, and the turmeric catfish arrives still sizzling in cast iron. The citrus and shrimp salad is a light, fresh starter, and the place is good for vegans. Reserve ahead, since the room is busy.

Palo santo scents the dining room at Frijoleros, where the light is dim and flattering, and the mood is sexy but still fun. The Mexican restaurant is technically a cocktail bar but works as a full dinner destination, and a back patio gives you an outdoor option. The menu includes lamb gorditas with queso Oaxaca and nopales, and a churrasco. Frijoleros pours the herby Dazed & Chartreuse, plus a mole milk punch that has black sesame.

Gigi's is a French wine bar built around rotisserie chicken, and it suits a double date: share a bird and a bottle. Bubblegum-pink lighting and French hip-hop fill the warm, bistro-like room, and the bathroom has a disco cube. The wine list is extensive, and the menu includes charcuterie plates and salads, such as a caesar-style salad with anchovy and golden beet ribbons, alongside the chicken.

Glasserie is a Mediterranean restaurant tucked inside a former factory near the Queens border in Greenpoint. Since opening in 2013, it's remained a neighborhood favorite for its flavorful Mediterranean cooking and distinctive setting. The restaurant makes a lovely choice for a dinner date, while its mezze-style brunch is perfect for sharing a variety of dishes together.

Kelang is a modern Malaysian restaurant, the owners' second and more ambitious Greenpoint spot. The teahouse-style room has a red booth for dinner and a bar with tasseled stools. At dinner, the Hainanese chicken is a standout, and the bak kut teh brings pork in a dark soy broth to the middle of the table in a clay pot. Brunch has its own plate of ulam rice, curry chicken and sambal-fried anchovies, and a slow brunch date comes with a refilled pot of oolong tea.

Lots of green plants fill the white-walled, high-ceilinged dining room at Oxomoco, a Mexican restaurant built around wood-fired cooking. It is a good fit for date nights, birthdays and sitting outside, and the drinks list focuses on mezcal and agave. The grilled dishes are the strongest part of the menu, and the tlayuda is a favorite. Book ahead to lower the chance of a wait for a table.

Bouquet Wine Bar brings a relaxed wine-and-dining experience to Greenpoint, taking over the former Lobster Joint space after its 13-year run. The menu is ideal for sharing on a date, with options like lamb kebabs, pasta, salads, and small plates to enjoy over a glass of wine. For something heartier, try the Bouquet Burger, featuring a smashed patty, American cheese, and a potato bun. The bar is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, opening at 5 PM Wednesday through Friday and 2 PM on weekends.