With the crisp fall weather and the holidays right around the corner, a romantic feeling is taking over the streets of the city. Fall, winter, and the holiday season are often accompanied by warm feelings, fun adventures, and plenty of gatherings with loved ones. If you are looking to find a restaurant to try with someone new, or planning a date night with your significant other, the Financial District is the place to be for such an occasion.
The Financial District is surrounded by a multitude of different cuisine options, which makes dining near campus no problem at all. Check out these highly-recommended restaurants for your next date night plans.
Il Brigante
Located at 214 Front Street, Il Brigante is an authentic Italian restaurant just a five-minute walk from One Pace Plaza. The restaurant focuses its menu on traditional Southern Italian Cuisine.
The intimate environment makes the restaurant a perfect place for a night out with that special someone. With a limited number of tables, it is recommended to make a reservation beforehand, especially from dining on the weekend.
Open Sunday to Thurday from 4:00pm-10:30pm, and Friday to Saturday from 4:00pm-11:00pm for dinner, the menu is endless and reasonably priced. Luckily for those who prefer a lunch date, Il Brigante offers lunch specials as well. The restaurant is open for lunch Monday to Friday from 12:00pm-4:00pm and Saturday to Sunday from 12:30–4:00pm.
Anyone looking for a true Southern Italian feel should give Il Brigante a try. The menu ranges from traditional Italian appetizers (Antipasti) starting at $9, to delicious pasta dishes (Primi Piatti) and meat dishes (Secondi Piatti) of all different styles. Each day, the restaurant updates their chef specials, which is a plus for anyone looking to try something new.
Located less than a minute walk from the seaport, you can end your romantic date night overlooking the beautiful East River and Brooklyn Bridge after your authentic Italian meal from Il Brigante.
The Ainsworth
If you are looking for the best burger in the Financial District on your date night, The Ainsworth’s FiDi location is the place to be. Located less than a five-minute walk from the University’s main campus complex, The Ainsworth sits at121 Fulton Street, right near some flex-dollar favorites like Potbelly and The Melt Shop.
Hamburger lovers must try the Mac and Cheese burger, which has shown up on several viral New York hotspot videos, but burgers aren’t the only thing on The Ainsworth’s menu that taste great. The restaurant offers a variety of different meals ranging from salad to fish tacos. The menu overall is filled with typical American favorites, so if you are searching for a place with more diverse meal options, the Ainsworth might not be a prime choice.
Open Monday to Wednesday from 11:00am-12:00pm, Thursday to Friday from 11am-2:00am, Saturday from 10:30am to 2:00am, and Sunday from 10:30am to 10:00pm, the Ainsworth is a perfect location for a brunch, lunch, or dinner date!
El Vez NYC
Located at 259 Vesey Street, El Vez is a delicious yet affordable Mexican restaurant perfect for a date night on the town.
Open Monday to Thursday from 11:30am to 10:00pm, Friday from 11:30am to 11:00pm, Saturday from 11:00am to 11:00pm, and Sunday from 11:00am to 10:00pm, El Vez has a delicious lunch and dinner menu with plenty of options for any lovers of Mexican Cuisine. On top of these two menus, the restaurant is open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday with its own unique menu.
With choices ranging from tacos and enchiladas to churros for dessert, there is no better place to take your date if you both are craving a spicy yet savory meal.
El Vez also has a burrito bar open Mon-Fri for breakfast (8am–10am) and lunch (11am–4am).
After your meal, feel free to walk it off with your date at nearby Battery Park, where you can take in the crisp fall air and enjoy the beautiful view of Hudson River.
Next time you are planning a restaurant date with that special someone, check out some of these amazing places right in our backyard. They will not disappoint.
