Top 5 Restaurants to Have a Socially Distanced Date in NYC
If I have to hear “in these unprecedented times” one more time…like, we get it. There’s a pandemic. Things are changing.
But there are some things that haven’t gone completely haywire, like dating. People are still meeting online, chatting, and looking to wow their potential beaus with a bomb ass date; the setting is just a wee bit different. They’re socially distanced dates (SDDs, if you will).
Want to hit your next SDD out of the park? Try these top five places to have a socially distanced date in NYC.
Dante
Dante is a Parisian-inspired outdoor café nestled in the cozy corner of Perry and Hudson Streets in the West Village. Taking socially distanced dining to the next level, this artfully Francophile eatery doesn’t just space customers six feet apart. It also boasts custom glass dividers that separate each outdoor booth.
The chef makes almost every item, from the squid ink calamari to the chicken alla diavola, in the charcoal oven or over a grill. But the cocktails are really where this place shines. Modernized versions of classic Golden Age drinks, like the Fluffy Margarita and the Ginger Chai Spritz, are what makes Dante a must-visit during this pandemic.
Crew
Crew is an idyllic marriage of ship and shore, seafood and wine, ocean breezes and city views. This oyster bar, perched aboard the Sherman Zwicker (a wooden schooner permanently docked in Tribeca), offers up sustainably harvested seafood and nautically inspired cocktails in a safe, open-air setting.
Tables are reservation-only to limit guest traffic and maintain safe social distancing. Another incredible side effect of more space? A clear view of New York Harbor, the Hudson River, and the Freedom Tower.
Crew’ food selections include wild-caught fish and local produce (their lobster roll was dubbed Best in NYC by the Gothamist) and drinks that focus on premium spirits and freshly squeezed juices.
Industry Kitchen
Hop over to the other side of lower Manhattan to find Industry Kitchen – a behemoth venue right on the edge of the East River in the South Street Seaport.
Industry Kitchen is a massive 5,000 square feet of industrial chic. There is more than enough room for guests to be six feet apart while sitting on their incredible deck, which boasts unobstructed views of the Brooklyn skyline, Williamsburg Bridge, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Sharp angles, black tiles, reclaimed wood and raw concrete perfectly play off the surrounding architecture.
A modern American menu offers up everything true New Yorkers love – wood oven pizzas, massive salads, and juicy meats. Oh, and the chocolate pizza? An absolute must-have dessert. Trust me.
The Greens at Pier 17
Do you miss hanging out in the backyard? Then the Greens at Pier 17 are for you. This rooftop in the Seaport District has 28 socially distanced mini lawns, each featuring umbrellas, lounge chairs, coolers, and USB ports.
The Greens don’t just offer space to stretch out. It also has rentable games like giant Jenga, bocce ball, and cornhole (sanitized between each use), and a 32-foot LED screen for sports and movies.
Order summary foods and drinks like salmon and summer squash kebabs, chicken sandwiches and frozen margaritas directly to your lawn via a contactless app.
City Vineyard
City Vineyard is a wine bar on steroids. Located on the Hudson River in Tribeca, this two-floor favorite has both a massive roof deck and a ground-floor wine garden with plenty of space for social distancing. They’ve also recently added temperature checks and contactless payment for even more safety, though they’re still walk-in only (get there early!).
It's wine, wine and more wine with City Vineyard’s 30-page wine list with over 400 unique options from all around the world. There are also tasty noshes, too, like baked clams, calamari, and a heavy gruyere burger that’s perfect for holding down all the vino while the sun sets over the Hudson.