Top No-Wait Date Spots in NYC

It's hard enough finding reasonably priced restaurants in NYC without sacrificing quality and ambiance, but finding such places at the last minute, makes the task seem impossible!  This is where I come in!  Below are 10 restaurants in NYC, perfect for walking-in without wait. 

You should be quickly seated in any of these restaurants, on any day, at any time!  BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE: ALL featured spots are also reasonably priced, cater to a variety of dietary preferences and restrictions, offer comfortable seating, AND tend to have the perfect-sized crowd so you can still hear your own conversation. 

Date nights just became that much easier!  YOU’RE WELCOME!!!

 

Featured
Casa Mezcal
Casa Mezcal

Location: Lower East Side

Cuisine: Mexican (Oaxacan)

Vibe: Dimly lit with a homey & authentic, old-town Mexican feel. A refreshing break from standard, commercial Mexican food in NYC.

While hanging decor tends to look tacky and cheap at most other places, Casa Mezcal somehow pulls it off! The colorful ceiling decorations, create an infectiously fun Cinco de Mayo vibe, making it feel socially acceptable to knock back a few more margaritas than you typically would, even on a weeknight! 

Seating Options: Booths, small tables, communal tables, bar seating

Food Recommendation: Chips & guac (obviously), Choriqueso (queso with house-made chorizo), Chicken Mole (Pollo en Mole Oaxaqueno) - trust me when I say you've never tried anything like it before!

Hidden Secret: The restaurant is actually a 3-level space with an art gallery upstairs, and a basement cocktail bar that can be accessed through a separate outdoor entrance next to the restaurant.

 

Sel Rrose
Sel Rrose

Location: Lower East Side

Cuisine: Oyster Bar & Craft Cocktails

Vibe: With a lack of overall decor, purposely decaying walls, and tarnished antiques, this spot seems like it may have gotten it's style inspiration from Mugatu's "Derelicte" campaign in Zoolander.

However, there's a certain uninhibited sexiness to the space. The restaurant gets great natural daylight, but becomes very dark with nightfall, allowing a more intimate setting over candlelight. 

Seating Options Bar seating, indoor tables, outdoor tables, and there is also a separate cafe connected through a small hallway inside the restaurant, which offers pastries from the famous Balthazaar bakery. 

Food Recommendation: Ladies - try the Lavender Piscine drink: it's unique, refreshing, and amazing! The oyster selection changes daily, with an average of about 10 options available at a time. The staff is very knowledgeable, so I recommend asking their recommendation. If oysters aren't your thing, they also have a very good lobster roll. 

Pro Tip: Oysters can add up price wise, so take advantage of their happy hour discount of $1 oysters everyday from 4:00p.m.-6:00p.m. 

The Smile
The Smile

Cuisine: American

Location: Noho

Vibe: Medieval cozy with wood-lined ceilings, and cast-iron light fixtures. 

Seating Options: Naturally well-lit round tables towards the front make perfect for coffee dates! There are also dimly lit square tables in the back.

Food Recommendation: Manouri Cheese & Fig Sandwich (lunch); Balsamic Chicken (dinner)

Schiller's
Schiller's

Cuisine: Continental

Location: Lower East Side

Vibe: Retro decor in an upscale casual type setting

Seating Options: Front tables, wooden booths in back, bar seating

Food Recommendation: Schiller's Smoked Wings 

Random Callout: The bathroom is a bit unusual, where separate male/female restrooms meet in the middle of a combined co-ed sink station. Girls who like to gossip or redo their makeup mid-date, beware!

Cata
Cata

Cuisine: Spanish Tapas

Location: Lower East Side

Vibe: Cozy feel, yet overall a very spacious place. Great for sharing plates while catching up with those you know, or getting to know those you don't

Seating Options: The main hallway splits two dining sections. The room to the left of the main entrance is slightly more homey (pictured above), making it an ideal space for cozy meals during colder months. The right room has larger windows, and creates a clean, airy setting, better for extended hours of sunlight during the summer in my opinion

Food Recommendation: Brussel sprouts - they're surprisingly sicker than your average, and a must-order!

Spitzer's
Spitzer's

Cuisine: Gastropub

Location: Lower East Side

Vibe: Airy feel, even when the front windows are closed in colder months. The extensive beer list, and variety of cocktail and wine options, allow each diner to order beverages based on individual preference without awkwardness.

Seating Options: Front window seating, bar seating, communal tables. There are also additional booths, tables, and side-window seating available in the back. 

Food Recommendation: Kobe Burger or Fish Tacos

Pro-Tip: This spot is centrally located in the heart of Lower East Side nightlife. It's a perfect place to start, break, or finish a night out downtown!

Bar Belly
Bar Belly

Cuisine: Oysters & Snacks

Location: Lower East Side

Vibe: Cozy & intimate, but gets rowdier with live DJ nights. Seemingly small space upon entry, but grows in size towards the back

Seating Options:  Comfortable couch-lined wall seating at back tables, or cute, smaller tables towards the front. 

Food Recommendation: Daily oyster selection.

 

Basement Lounge of Bond St.
Basement Lounge of Bond St.

Photo Courtesy of Bond Street  

http://bondstsushi.com/gallery.php

Cuisine: Sushi & Japanese

Location: Noho

Vibe: Upscale trendy. The lounge is the somewhat-hidden basement entrance, to the restaurant's main, and more upscale dining levels that require reservations. While not the most price-friendly place on this list, it becomes more reasonable when sharing plates with a small group. While the restaurant's full menu is not available in the lounge, there are still plenty of options from which to order!

The food and drinks are fabulous, and typically filled with some very attractive people, the setting itself makes you feel a part of some special club. 

Seating Options: Club style table seating with additional bar seating available.

Food Recommendation: Sundried Tomato & Avocado Roll

Dellarocco's Pizza
Dellarocco's Pizza

Cuisine: Thin-Crust Pizza (gluten free crust available)

Location: Brooklyn

Vibe: Classier and cozier version of an old-school pizza joint. They have a great selection of wines by the glass, making it perfect for a casual group dinner or a gluten free girls night!

Seating Options: Well-spaced and well-placed wooden tables.

Food Recommendation: Gluten Free Tartufata Pizza

Spring Natural
Spring Natural

Cuisine: Basically everything you could ever want or imagine, with great gluten free and vegan options too!

Location: Soho

Vibe: Nicer setting for fast-casual food. Less of a mid-week drinks spot, but have great brunch cocktails worth trying on the weekend! Overall, a nice, easy option for eating healthier outside your own home and for accommodating diners with dietary restrictions.

Seating Options: Wooden bench style seating indoors with option for outdoor table seating.

Food Recommendation: Big Kale Salad with Grilled Chicken

Pro-Tip: The space has an often overlooked downstairs bar with a projection screen TV, and excess of tables and couches. Great for football Sundays!

Dating, Food & DrinksAlana GoodmanDating, Food & Drinks