Valentine’s in NYC: What to Do, Eat, Drink, and Explore

Love is in the air! Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with the boo, Galentine’s with the bestie, or a celebration of self-love, we’ve got you! Scroll down below for the fun & unique, including things you can eat or drink from a delectable Italian three-course meal, to a Caribbean-infused Galentines Brunch or a heart-shaped pizza kit with all the extras.  Looking for something to do? You can view the city skyline at sunrise more than 1,000 feet in the air or get hands-on during a unique date night experience (pizza and wine included). Lastly, explore the city with Valentine’s themed pop-ups and events for that Instaworthy snap.

TO EAT/DRINK

Bacan

Bacan is a new Italian restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is serving up a specially curated prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day. Cue the dreamy lighting, delicious special dishes, and endless natural wines for a romantic evening.

Start off with a welcome cocktail of Negroni ‘Innamoratissimo’, then move on to antipasti course of Tostaditas di tonno rosso, black pepper, spicy mayo, or Green goddess crudité. For the primi course,  you can choose between Beef-goat cheese-swiss chard Ravioli, ‘nduja butter, or Porcini-king oyster-shiitake mushroom Risotto, Parmigiano Reggiano. For secondi, a Seared duck breast, radicchio, dark chocolate or Red snapper, sautéed chicory, salsa chingona, and dessert is the choice of Red berry panna cotta or homemade tiramisù.

$75 per person

February 14th, Reserve Here!

Nerai

Valentine’s Day at Nerai will feature a Chef’s tasting menu. The full course menu includes a variety of delicious appetizers such as the Amuse fruit plate, Seared Tuna, Pantzaria Salata, and Lobster Pasta.

Entrees include a choice between Oregano Crusted Halibut or 28 Day Dry Aged New York Strip steak. Sokolatina chocolate mousse and Politiko Thessalonikis semolina cake are the shared dessert options. The meal also includes a Valentine Petits Four Box with house-made truffle, finciar, and cookies inside.

$135 per person

February 14th, Reserve Here!

Kokomo

Kokomo Caribbean restaurant is offering special 3-course brunch and dinner packages plus special menu items all weekend long. Enjoy a romantic meal with live music, ample heating, and stunning streams of fairy lights in their cozy winter wonderland courtyard or indoors amongst tropical-themed decor. From heart-shaped flatbreads to spiced lamb, stuffed butternut squash, and chocolate truffles their menu has something for everyone. They will also have a DJ and violinist on Sunday and a DJ on Monday.

3 Course Galentine’s Brunch- February 13th
3 Course Galentine’s Dinner- February 13th
3 Course Valentine’s Day Dinner – February 14th
+ special Valentine menu items ALL weekend long such as grilled ribeye and Tres Leches red velvet cake

$65+ per person

February 13th-14th, Reserve Here!

Haven Rooftop

Haven Rooftop above the Sanctuary Hotel in Midtown will offer a special prix-fixe menu for Valentine’s Day with the choice of an appetizer, entree, and dessert complemented by a live Jazz band from 6-9pm.

Appetizers include Tuna Avocado, Crab Cake and Endive Pear Salad with pomegranate, candied walnuts, and cherry vinaigrette, Entrees include a 6oz Filet Mignon served with truffle mashed potatoes and mushroom sauce, Salmon with asparagus risotto, Lobster Spaghetti with lobster brother and ‘Havenly’ Chicken served with Beurre Blanc sauce, Mesclun salad and fries. Top it off with Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Crème Brûlée, or New York Cheesecake with Berries for dessert.

$89 per person

February 14th, Reserve Here!

The Cauldron

The Cauldron will be offering a Valentine’s prix fixe menu and specialty cocktails! Fun menu items include the Don’t Bail On Me made with vodka and baileys as well as Cupid’s Cocoa hot chocolate and the Damiana’s Charm magical love potion with fireball and pineapple juice.

The prix fixe will include wine and a welcome prosecco cocktail with a kale salad and hand roll appetizer, main options include lobster fettuccine, veggie Japchae or Lamb Chops, and desserts such as an Italian Rainbow Cake or Choco Mud. On Valentine’s Monday from 6 – 8pm, The Cauldron will have an enchanting tarot card reader doing complimentary love readings on a first-come first-served basis.

$59 per person

February 11th-14th, Reserve  by emailing leah.s@thecauldron.io 

American Brass

American Brass on the water in Long Island City will offer a delicious Valentine’s Day menu. The table will start with a glass of champagne and an Amuse Bouche of Osetra caviar on a potato rosti with creme fraiche before an unforgettable first course, which includes Steak Tartare with crispy sunchokes, smoked egg yolk, and sourdough, Butternut Squash Soup or Wellfleet Oysters.

The second course features Seafood Risotto with calamari, bay scallop and uni butter, Japanese Eggplant with crispy rice, vadouvan curry and golden raisin vinaigrette or Grilled Short Rib with pomme puree, baby leeks and smoked sauce ‘diable’. And desserts include an Apple Tarte Tatin, Chocolate Mousse and Red Wine Velvet Cake with cream cheese ganache, poached pear and graham cracker cookies.

$90 per person

February 14th, Reserve Here!

FeBREWary with Starbucks Reserve Roastery (Valentine’s Day Edition)

Calling all Valentines! Share an elegant and unique experience with someone you love. A curated package for two includes a private tour of the New York Roastery and a premium reserved table for you and your guest. Enjoy their exclusive Siren’s Song cocktail, only available for Valentine’s Day at the NY Roastery, paired with their salumi board for sharing and Princi desserts. Continue your experience at home with a gift of Starbucks Reserve coffee and two New York Roastery mugs. Non-alcoholic options available.

$100 per person

February 11th-14th, Tickets Here!

Fornino

Fornino in Greenpoint is offering a Pizza Love Kit for Valentine’s Week! The celebratory feast will be available for take-out & delivery and includes an Imported Cheese and Fruit Plate, Large Salad, Two Heart Shaped Pizzas, Tiramisu, Strawberries and a Bottle of Red or White Wine. Their Time Out Market New York location also has a kid-friendly pizza-making class with mocktails here!

$95 for two, $75 without the wine

February 11th- 14th, Reserve Here!

Some businesses will also have special (and the most adorable) menu items offered only during Valentine’s Day Weekend.

Toro Loco

Toro Loco Valentine’s Pancakes

Available February 12th-13th as part of their brunch menu. Pairs perfectly with their margs!

Dough

Valentine’s Heart-Shaped Donuts 

February 11th- February 14th all of their doughnuts will be HEART SHAPED. There will be vegan options as well!

Loulou

Heart-Shaped Cocktail (Valentini)

Available Valentines Day Weekend and Day. Served in a heart-shaped glass, the cocktail comes with muddled raspberries, mint leaves, lemon juice, simple syrup, yellow chartreuse, vodka and topped with Prosecco.

Tipsy Scoop

Valentine’s Boozy Ice Cream Flavor with Juniors

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like cheesecake and rosé! Tipsy Scoop has teamed up with Junior’s to create a boozy ice cream flavor inspired by the world’s most fabulous strawberry cheesecake! Junior’s Cheesecake ice cream infused with rosé, with layers of strawberry pie filling and macaroon crunch. This limited-edition ice cream flavor is now available in-stores and for nationwide shipping this Valentine’s Day only while supplies last!

TO DO

Edge

Romantic Sky High Sunrise Experience

Edge, New York City’s highest outdoor sky deck and the city’s most romantic sky-high destination, is offering a Valentine’s Day experience including exclusive sunrise access for one day only. On February 14th, Edge will be open from 6am to 8am giving visitors the rare opportunity to experience a breathtaking sunrise above the city’s iconic skyline.

Additionally, guests can elevate their experience by enjoying Edge’s champagne admission, available year-round, and perfect for an idyllic toast in the sky. Valentine’s Day-themed food and beverage offerings including a “Rubies and Roses” cocktail will also be available at Edge’s two indoor bars on levels 100 and 101 beginning February 11th, along with a gorgeous floral photo moment on Level 100 framing unparalleled 360-degree views of New York City. Their new experience, City Climb, located atop Edge, is the world’s highest external building climb challenging at an Apex at 1,271 feet is also available more a more thrilling and non-traditional Valentine’s Day adventure! Book your sky-high sunrise experience here!

Craftsman Avenue

Hands-On Date Night Workshop

Get ready for Valentine’s Weekend at Craftsman Avenue!  Their Valentine’s Weekend Date Night experiences include adorable cookies by Redscake, pizza from Table 87, wine from Gowanus Wine Merchants, and a balloon arch photo spot! Dress as fancy or casual as you like, but be sure to book these workshops now, as limited spots are available (only 4 couples maximum per workshop)!

Valentine’s Schedule:
Copper Lamp Date Night, Thursday, February 10th
Survival Knife Forge Date Night, Friday, February 11th
Saturday Morning Breakfast Date (menu TBD), Stained Glass 8 am to 12 pm, Saturday, February 12th
Side Table Date Night, Saturday, February 12th: 1 pm
Welding a Steel Rose Night, Saturday, February 12th: 6 pm
Craft A Classic Longboard Date Night, Sunday, February 13th
Stained Glass Date Night, Monday, February 14th

Secure your date night here!

One World Observatory

City Skyline Floral Installation 

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, One World Observatory has a new, 8-foot-tall floral installation that frames the cityscape creating a photo-worthy moment, on display through the month of February. At the highest point in the city, take in breathtaking 360° views of the New York City skyline from over 100 stories up.

Additionally, One Dine, One World Observatory’s restaurant on the 101st floor, will also be offering a special Valentine’s Day prix fix menu from Friday, February 11th through Monday, February 14th. Menu items include scallops, filet mignon, molten lava cake, and more. The menu is $125 per person and includes the cost of admission to the full Observatory experience. Reserve the full experience here! 

TO EXPLORE

Industry City

Valentine’s Day Crates

📍 220 36th Street, Brooklyn

Industry City is back with its holiday crate decor for Valentine’s Day. Its famous crates are now adorned with pink, red, and white flowers. Head over to snap a photo with this beautiful backdrop.

Dumbo

‘Empire Love’ Heart Sculpture

📍 55 Water Street, Brooklyn

The Empire Stores ‘Empire Love’ Heart Sculpture is back! Dumbo BID is putting together a celebratory event, on February 12th, 12-4pm featuring a photo op with the Self Portrait Project at the Heart Sculpture, where you can get a commemorative print to-go, free hot beverages from FEED, when you show your photo print, a pop-up market where you can explore the makers market experience inside at Empire Store, and $14 Dumbo Dollars for the first 250 people to get their photo taken. Redeemable at participating Dumbo restaurants from February 14th to 28th. More deets on that here!

Herald Square & Flatiron Plaza

Life-sized Godiva Pop-up

Whether it’s your favorite holiday, or not really your thing, Godiva is ready to impress you with the ultimate Valentine’s date. Enjoy samples of your favorite GODIVA chocolates alongside life-size installations of their signature chocolate boxes.

Locations:
Herald Square (Sixth Avenue between 34th and 35th Street) Tuesday, February 8th | 10am-4pm
Flatiron Plaza (Corner of Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street) Wednesday, February 9th | 10am-4pm

More here!

Chelsea

Hatch Creative Studio Valentine’s Peace Sign

📍 314 West 22nd Street

Hatch Creative Studio‘s peace sign has a new look! Filled with lots of red, pink, and the cutest little hearts! Also a 4-minute walk from Loulou’s for their heart-shaped cocktail.

Flatiron District

Heart-Shaped Flower Installation

📍22 W 23rd Street

Mangia located in the Flatiron District, in collaboration with Floratorium has remade their storefront installation in celebration of Valentine’s Day filled with beautiful and bright pinks and yellows!

Times Square

‘Bloom’ Heart Installation

📍 Duffy Square, 47th Street & 7th Avenue

Head to Times Square to get up close and personal with ‘Bloom’ by Habitat Workshop, the winning design of the 14th Annual Times Square Love and Design Competition. Presented in partnership with the Museum of Arts and Design the heart-covered installation will be on view and open to the public in Duffy Square from February 9th through March 9th. More here!

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