Whether it’s a first date or the 100th, we love a romantic dinner date. But sometimes it’s easy to fall into a restaurant rut — especially if you and your partner are closer to your 100th date. Luckily, Hoboken + Jersey City are both filled with tons of options perfect for new couples, first dates, married couples, double dates, and all the date nights in between. We like to think of this roundup as the definitive list of date night spots in Hoboken + Jersey City. Keep reading to discover where to book a table for your next date night.
Hoboken
Amanda’s | 908 Washington Street A
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White tablecloths and an impressive wine list — the classic ingredients for a romantic night out. Amanda’s is a Hoboken staple and has been a go-to for couples for more than 30 years. There’s a nice outdoor space and diners might even be treated to live music during the meal.
Anthony David’s | 953 Bloomfield Street
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This is a classic Hoboken Italian eatery with a menu of fan favorites like cacio e pepe + English peas and stuffed artichoke. It’s BYOB but if you want to pick out the bottle for date night just keep in mind that Anthony David’s does have a corkage fee.
Read More: Restaurants With the Coolest Interiors in Hoboken + Jersey City
Antique Bar + Bakery | 122 Willow Avenue
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Antique Bar + Bakery has a 100+ year past in Hudson County making it a fun place to go if your date loves history. Frank Sinatra was said to be a regular customer back in the day when it was just a bakery. The spot went through some changes and recently reopened with a bar but, don’t worry, you and your partner will still get to enjoy the traditional Hoboken Italian Bread along with a cocktail.
Apulia | 1319 Washington Street
Apulia is more laid-back than some of the other date night spots on this list but we love the vibes in the backyard space. You and your date can enjoy house-made pasta or wood-fired pizza al fresco. Both pasta and pizza can be made gluten-free if that is your love language.
Augustino’s | 1104 Washington Street
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Augustino’s is an iconic Hoboken institution known for being a favorite with celebs. If you can get into this tiny, top-notch restaurant, your date will be very impressed. For lucky couples who do manage to snag one of the coveted reservations, don’t skip the legendary icebox cake for dessert.
Bin 14 | 1314 Washington Street
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Bin 14 is an elegant but relaxed wine bar with a beautiful backyard. It’s a nice space to get to know each other over some light bites and a glass of wine or you can peruse the dinner menu if you want to keep the night going. Romance seems to blossom here and we love that a local couple even hosted a micro-wedding here back in 2020.
Carpe Diem | 1405 Grand Street
Carpe Diem is the place to go when you’re looking for a lowkey date night. Don’t get us wrong — this place is super fun — but it might be better for a second or third date. There’s a fireplace so keep it in mind for those chilly fall nights when you want to cuddle up somewhere cozy. It’s also close to Pilsener Haus + Biergarten if you want to grab some post-dinner drinks.
Court Street Restaurant | 61 6th Street
Court Street is an old-school spot that has maintained a lot of its original charm. The menu includes steak, seafood, and pasta plus a good variety of cocktails and an award-winning list of wine by the glass.
Dino + Harry’s Steakhouse | 163 14th Street
Dino + Harry’s is an unfussy Hoboken spot where you might happen to rub elbows with NFL players. It’s classic, unpretentious, and the perfect place to impress a date. The menu is amazing but regardless of the steak you order, you can’t skip out on the “Snoboken” sundae for dessert.
Grand Vin | 500 Grand Street
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This charming Italian eatery is one of our top picks for a first date. The menu includes vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free options so it’s a good option especially if you don’t know yet if your date has dietary restrictions. Plus the dessert menu includes creme brûlée which always feels fancy.
Il Tavolo di Palmisano | 700 Clinton Street
This authentic Italian eatery run by former Hoboken Fire Chief Frank Palmisano is a nice spot where couples can really connect over a plate of pasta. Frank is a Hoboken native and uses traditional family recipes for the restaurant’s menu. The dishes change seasonally so you and your date can keep coming back to try something new.
La Bohème Restaurant | 233 Clinton Street
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Booking a table at La Bohème is the easiest way to transport your date night to the South of France. This sister restaurant of Barbès features a menu inspired by the French Riviera. You could even take a post-dinner stroll along the waterfront and pretend that the Hudson is actually the Mediterranean.
La Isla Downtown | 104 Washington Street
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If you’ve lived in Hoboken for a while you’ll know that La Isla Downtown is a community staple. We were sad to see the uptown outpost close earlier this year but the original downtown location is still going strong. This BYOB Cuban spot is great for a dinner date but if you want to switch things up, you could always take your date here for the fantastic Sunday brunch.
Olivia’s | 1038 Garden Street
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Olivia’s is a chic restaurant that’s perfect when you want a few drinks during your date night. The on-site bar whips up craft cocktails and there’s an excellent wine list if that’s more your style. The food menu includes seafood, steak, salads, and spreads.
Orale Mexican Kitchen | 1426 Willow Avenue
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Jersey City is home to the original Orale but if you’re planning a Hoboken date night don’t overlook this location. Orale has a fun, colorful vibe where you and your date can bond over some of Hudson County’s best tacos + margs.
Saku | 936 Park Avenue
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Saku is an intimate Asian fusion restaurant that does an omakase dinner for 2 that’s perfect for date night. This special includes two miso soups, one crunch drunk love roll, one California roll, eight pieces of sushi, and 12 pieces of sashimi. For a unique twist on date night, consider signing up for one of the sushi-making classes hosted by the Saku team.
Sirenetta | 1039 Washington Street
Sirenetta, which means “little mermaid” in Italian, is a great choice for oysters and other seafood dishes. It’s run by the team behind Sorellina — another excellent restaurant that earned a spot on our date night list. If you want a nightcap, head to the Backstage Lounge for a cocktail or glass of champagne in the intimate, dimly-lit space.
Sorellina | 1036 Washington Street
This wine bar and Italian kitchen have everything you need for romantic vibes. Sorellina serves house-made pasta, wine amaro, and even a few different espresso martinis. There’s outdoor seating for summer nights but the interior — with exposed brick and chandeliers — is also cozy. Love can blossom here and we happen to know that some readers held their wedding reception here a few years ago.
Jersey City
15 Fox Place | 15 Fox Place
It may be almost impossible to get in at 15 Fox Place, but that just means you’re in for an exclusive date night if you can snag a spot. This authentic Italian eatery is located in a house and the meal is served family style. It’s BYOB so don’t forget to bring a bottle of white, a bottle of red, or perhaps a bottle of rose instead.
Ani Ramen | 218 Newark Avenue
Ani Ramen has a laid-back vibe if you are looking for a more relaxed date night. But just because you can wear jeans doesn’t mean the food will be casual. Ani Ramen serves some of the best Japanese food in Hudson County along with an intriguing drinks menu of craft cocktails and sake.
Battello | 502 Washington Boulevard
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When we think of romance in Jersey City, Battello immediately comes to mind. This elegant waterfront Italian eatery has a dining room with incredible Manhattan views. The wine list seems like it goes on forever and the dinner menu includes some tempting seafood dishes. It’s also a popular wedding venue so you know that love is in the air here.
Cellar 335 | 335 Newark Avenue
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Cellar 335 is the place to go for colorful tiki drinks and Asian-influenced small plates. It’s located in the basement of White Eagle Hall so it’s perfect if your date night also includes a concert.
Corto | 507 Palisade Avenue
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Corto is a beloved BYOB Italian restaurant in The Heights with a dreamy backyard. The seasonal menu changes regularly but always features homemade pasta. It’s a favorite spot for weddings and engagement parties and you’ll feel the romantic vibes even if you’re there for a midweek date night.
DOMO DOMO | 200 Greene Street
DOMO DOMO is great for a first date or a special celebration with your partner. The signature Domokase course is a popular date night meal but you can’t go wrong with any of the sushi selections.
dullboy | 364 Grove Street
Jersey City locals know that dullboy serves the best cocktails in town. The main dining room is dimly-lit and intimate while the backyard is a little more lively. Whether you just come for drinks or plan to eat dinner here too, dullboy makes a great addition to Jersey City date night.
Edward’s Steakhouse | 239 Marin Boulevard
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Booking a table at Edward’s Steakhouse means you’re in for a classy date night. This restaurant was voted Best Steak in Jersey City by our readers and the menu features a 42-ounce Dry Aged Porterhouse served for two.
Felina Steak | 2 Chapel Avenue
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If you’re looking for more of a modern vibe than Edward’s, consider Felina Steak for your next steakhouse date night. This spot overlooks the Hudson and you can even start the night with drinks at Stork Club which is conveniently located in the same building.
Hamilton Inn | 708 Jersey Avenue
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Hamilton Inn is a stand-by for brunch but we love the dinner menu too — it features a raw bar and short rib grilled cheese, after all. On a warm summer night, you and your date can enjoy some camp vibes with a drink by a fire pit in Hamilton Inn’s backyard.
Harry’s Daughter | 339 Communipaw Avenue
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In Bergen-Lafayette, you can’t miss Harry’s Daughter. This Caribbean-inspired gastropub has beautiful island-style decorations and a menu highlighting traditional and modern cuisine. Date night here could mean you and your date share coconut shrimp, codfish fritters, and jerk chicken. There’s a good selection of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, too.
The Hutton | 225 Hutton Street
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The Hutton is another excellent option for a date night in The Heights. The menu includes a little something for everyone so it’s perfect if you don’t know exactly what your date likes to eat. There’s also an extensive wine, beer, and cocktail menu.
Itto Sushi | 239 Barrow Street
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If you want a more laid-back sushi date night than what you’ll get at DOMO DOMO, consider Itto Sushi. It’s BYOB, there’s indoor and outdoor seating, plus you can order takeout if your ideal date night is more of a Netflix and chill situation.
Laico’s | 67 Terhune Avenue
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Laico’s is great if you want to surprise your date with an off-the-beaten-path restaurant. It’s a cozy, intimate spot in a house that’s been going strong since the 1970s. If you want old-school Italian vibes, delicious espresso martinis, and valet parking, you’re in for a treat.
Madame | 390 4th Street
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When you want French bistro vibes, plan a date night at Madame. It’s an elegant, modern cocktail parlor in the White Eagle Hall Building. The menu will transport you straight to Paris, which we all know is one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Pinwheel Garden | 318 Communipaw Avenue
This Bergen-Lafayette spot is great for those nights when you and your partner want to go out but you don’t want to go anywhere too fussy. Pinwheel Garden has a menu of delicious Asian-American food including some yummy soups, dumplings, and scallion pancake pizzas.
Porto Leggero | 185 Hudson Street
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When you want to get dressed up and feel glamorous on your date night, make a reservation at Porto Leggero. With white tablecloths, chandeliers, and exceptional pasta dishes — like pappardelle con vodka — nights here always feel special.
PS Wine Bar | 193 Newark Avenue
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Pet Shop — and its lovely backyard — is one of our favorite Jersey City spots. It’s cool, vegetarian, and serves excellent cocktails. But if you want to take your date to more of a hidden gem, head downstairs to PS Wine Bar. Located in Pet Shop’s basement, this spot serves wine made by farmers, small bites, and sandwiches.
See More: Romantic Restaurants for Date Night in the Montclair Area
Razza | 275-277 Grove Street
This restaurant has earned its reputation for a reason and you’ll want to book a table for date night. The only time Razza disappoints is when you can’t get in and you have to wait hours for takeout. There is plenty of outdoor seating to pivot to an al fresco date night.
Satis Bistro | 212 Washington Street
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Satis Bistro has a charming patio for nice summer nights and a Mediterranean menu complete with charcuterie and seafood. If you want to keep the night going, take a romantic post-dinner stroll around Paulus Hook or along the waterfront.
