First Date Ideas in NYC

1. Cha-An Teahouse

Cha-An Teahouse is a unique Japanese-style teahouse that has been acclaimed by The New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, and Zagat as one of New York City's best dining destinations. The restaurant, which was opened to the public in 2004 by restaurateur Bon Yagi, focuses around the hospitality concept of omotenashi, showcasing authentic Asian-style decor such as tatami benches, washi-paper lamps, and seasonal floral displays.

An extensive list of teas from around the world are served up at formal afternoon tea service or throughout the day, including Japanese-style matchas and senchas, Darjeeling black tea, and Tieguanyin oolong tea prepared Gongfu-style. Lunch donburi specials are also available, along with kayu and chakura-style prix-fixe menus and a selection of unique Japanese desserts such as yukimi zenzai and hojicha anmitsu.

Address: Cha-An Teahouse, 230 E 9th St Floor 2, New York, NY 10003, Phone: 212-228-8030

2. Ophelia Lounge NYC

Ophelia Lounge NYC is the exclusive rooftop lounge at Manhattan's Beekman Tower, showcasing unparalleled views of the city's skyline from a 360-degree greenhouse terrace.

The year-round dining destination, housed within the iconic Art Deco-style skyscraper originally constructed as the Panhellenic Tower in 1928, serves up a delicious five-star menu of light cocktail fare, including Maine lobster spring rolls, upscale grilled cheese sandwiches, beef sliders, and avocado toasts, along with high-quality entrees such as prime beef tenderloin prepared with Brooklyn bourbon and potatoes. Creative handcrafted cocktails include the West Side Crusta, prepared with cognac, ras al hanout, and salted butter caramel tea, or the Purple Tuxedo, which features Empress gin, Aquavit, absinthe, and plum bitters.

Address: Ophelia Lounge NYC, 3 Mitchell Pl 26th floor, New York, NY 10017, Phone: 212-980-4796

3. The ELK

The ELK is a unique hybrid cafe and general store in Manhattan's West Village, opened to the public in 2014 by Vancouver native Claire Chan. The charming coffeehouse shows its Pacific Northwestern roots in its rustic decor, with carpentry elements designed by Ennis McIntosh, known for his work at popular pop-up shop Saturday Surf NYC. Couples can choose from a variety of sustainably-sourced single-origin pourovers or enjoy delicious espresso-based beverages such as Americanos, cortados, and specialty lattes. Other beverage options range from hot and iced looseleaf teas to lemon steamers and superfood-infused smoothies. Cafe fare is available throughout the day, ranging from delicious baked egg toasts to brûléed grapefruit. At the cafe's general store, shoppers can peruse locally-produced home items such as succulents, candles, and pantry goods.

128 Charles St, New York, NY 10014, Phone: 212-933-4780

4. Lolo's Seafood Shack

Lolo's Seafood Shack is a delicious Caribbean-inspired restaurant offering from executive chef Raymond Mohan, opened to the public near Morningside Park in 2014. The restaurant serves up a wide variety of Atlantic Ocean coastal fare, ranging from Cape Cod comfort fare to Caribbean-inspired street food. Couples can enjoy a full chef's tasting menu at lunch or dinner, featuring options such as Belizean conch fritters, Jamaican jerk ribs, peel-and-eat crawfish, and crispy shark bakes. Fish fry baskets showcase the restaurant's signature homemade remoulade, while smoked meat platters combine smoked wings with jerk ribs. Other options include softshell crab sandwiches, jumbo lump crab cakes, and seafood boils and steampot combos. House specialty cocktails emphasize tropical tequilas and rums, with bottled and canned beers and house wines by the bottle also available.

303 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026, Phone: 646-649-3356