From compact traditional Georgian spots to sprawling historic bars and elegant French favorites, these restaurants in New York City up the cozy factor with intimate dining nooks, fireplaces, and more. Get everything from standout Afgan dishes to classic pub fare at the best cozy restaurants in NYC.
Dial up the romance at a chandelier-decked French destination in Greenwich Village. Head to the Lower East Side for knockout omakase in an intimate,10-seat izakaya. Enjoy proper high tea in an a vintage space in Park Slope.
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For an elegant high tea experience, book an afternoon at The Parlour, Brooklyn High Low (Park Slope)
The Parlour, Brooklyn High Low is where you go for a proper high tea in a cozy, vintage-inspired space. Choose from more than 20 tea varietals accompanied by tiers of fancy finger sandwiches and sweets in a garden-level setting. Plenty of lace and scores of Victorian collectibles surround overstuffed chairs and cushy sofas in one of the cutest restaurants with a fireplace in NYC. For a birthday or celebration, level up with one of the prix fixe tea experiences.
For a swanky lounge experience in Midtown, head to Carnegie Club Cocktail and Cigar Lounge (Midtown West)
Head to The Carnegie Club Cocktail and Cigar Lounge fo elevated bar bites like truffle popcorn and along with vast whiskey list and more than two dozen cigars. Dark wood, leather chairs, and deep reds scream throwback elegance at this sultry cocktail bar enveloped by bold stripes from walls to carpet. Grab a seat in the library nook for a super intimate date-night experience. Come on Sinatra Saturdays for live music from tribute artist Stan Maglio accompanied by an 11-piece orchestra.
For a cozy NYC restaurant with a deep craft beer menu in one of the city’s oldest buildings, visit Fraunces Tavern (Financial District)
Fraunces Tavern is the city’s oldest bar, and celebrities and locals still flock to the sprawling, 18th-century cocktail den, which remains one of NYC’s best. Choose from several seating areas, ranging from dark-wood dining rooms to a leather-clad piano bar. Menus vary from room to room, but expect hearty pub favorites like wings and a standout burger along with an impressive selection of beer and nearly 300 whiskeys. This cozy NYC restaurant also has a museum.
For one of the top cozy restaurants with fireplaces in NYC, reserve a table at One if by Land, Two if by Sea (Greenwich Village)
Located in a historic 18th-century carriage house, One if by Land, Two if by Sea screams romance. Settle into a cozy table topped with fresh flowers and tall candles for a feast of contemporary French and American standards like beef Wellington served under federal-style brass chandeliers. Rich brick walls decked with roses, arch windows, and stained glass dial up the romance and make this a NYC special occasion staple.
For traditional Georgian dishes in a cozy NYC restaurant, pull up a chair at Old Tbilisi (Greenwich Village)
There aren’t many true Georgian restaurants in the city, but Old Tbilisi is a standout exception. The menu is filled with traditional Georgian recipes like cheesy khachapuri, dumplings, and hearty stews. Sip on traditional qveri wine list in the compact brick dining room, a great a cozy winter restaurant in NYC. On warmer days, sit in the equally cozy and charming plant-strewn garden.
For an intimate Indian restaurant in the West Village, duck into Bombay Bistro (West Village)
A West Village date-night staple, Bombay Bistro is a cozy romantic restaurant in NYC known for elegant Indian dishes. The menu zips through Indian favorites like biryanis, curries, and tikkas, and the small tables and bar seating are ideal for dates. It’s a top choice for couples looking for a lively yet cozy space, with rich decor of dark woods, deep reds, and cheeky monkeys under the restaurant’s amber glow. Don’t miss the top-notch cocktail menu.
For an exclusive experience of yakitori and other Japanese small plates, reserve a seat at Izakaya Ronin (Lower East Side)
There are only 10 seats at Izakaya Ronin in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, located just a few doors down from popular sibling restaurant Yopparai. Ultra-exclusive meals here can include an assortment of meat skewers as well as omakase tastings that can stretch to 12 courses and a standout sake selection. A couple of small tables and a handful of counter stools round out the space at this supremely cozy NYC restaurant dressed with bold pops of Japanese art and textiles.
For vodka and caviar with a side of live jazz, stop into Russian Vodka Room (Midtown West)
Head to the Russian Vodka Room for an impressive selection of house-infused vodkas. Flavors range from approachable fruits to head-turners like horseradish and ginger, best paired with Eastern European-leaning comfort dishes like dumplings, blintzes, and borscht. On many evenings, live music adds to the cozy ambiance in the dimly lit space with tiny tables and upholstered booths tucked in between dark-wood walls. This Midtown West spot is one of the best cozy restaurants in NYC for pre- or post-Broadway toasts.
For one the most charming, cozy Italian restaurants in NYC, visit Paesano of Mulberry Street (Little Italy)
Paesano of Mulberry Street is a Little Italy fixture that has been whipping up elegant handmade pastas since 1986. This cozy NYC restaurant is all quintessential Italian vibes, from stacks of wine bottles stashed in wooden rafters to busy tablecloths topped with votive candles. Green vines and an abundance of twinkle lights warm the festive space. Get the spaghetti and meatballs, paired with an Italian wine from the top-tier selection.
For a warm and cozy restaurant in NYC with a distinctive style, head to Afghan Kebab House (Upper East Side)
Afghan Kebab House has been an Upper East Side staple for intimate meals for decades. The cozy spot serves up a wide assortment of traditional Afghan comfort foods—think spiced samosas, seasoned beef dumplings with mint yogurt sauce, and juicy charcoal-broiled kebabs. The tiny space is ideal for small groups, dates, or solo meals, with just a smattering of tables amid the woven art and eclectic Afghan artifacts decking the warm-tone walls. This cozy NYC restaurant is BYOB with no corkage fee.
From red sauce classics to traditional Afgan spots and French fine dining geams, the best cozy restaurants in NYC span a staggering array of cuisines, styles, and designs. Dial up the romance at a chandelier-decked French favorite in Greenwich Village, or enjoy a super intimate omakase tasting on the Lower East Side at these top cozy restaurants in NYC.
