Best Restaurants for Elopement Dinners in NYC (2025 Guide)
You’ve just eloped in New York City. Maybe it was under the arches of Bethesda Terrace, on the cobblestones of the West Village, or overlooking the skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park. The ceremony is short, sweet, and unforgettable — but the day isn’t over. One of the greatest perks of eloping in NYC is that your “reception” can simply be dinner at one of the best restaurants in the world.
Forget ballrooms and banquet menus. New York gives you the freedom to slip into an iconic restaurant, toast with champagne, and share a meal that feels exactly like you. Whether it’s just the two of you, a small family group, or twenty guests, here’s the definitive guide to the best restaurants in New York City for elopement dinners.
Downtown Manhattan
Il Buco — NoHo
A rustic, candlelit favorite on Bond Street, Il Buco has been called one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC by Eater and The Infatuation. Think farm-to-table Italian food, long communal tables, and bottles of wine that practically demand a toast. Perfect for groups of 8–20, though the cellar and alcoves also make intimate settings for just two.
King — Soho
Run by three women with pedigrees from London’s River Café, King feels like a hidden gem even though critics have raved since it opened. The menu changes daily, drawing from French and Italian traditions. Big windows looking out onto Sixth Avenue make it ideal for golden-hour dinners after a late-afternoon elopement.
Frenchette — Tribeca
Buzzy, bold, and very French. Frenchette is where you go if you want to lean into the celebratory energy of a wedding night. Michelin-starred but never fussy, it’s famous for duck frites, natural wine, and a glamorous downtown vibe. Bon Appétit once named it one of America’s best new restaurants, and it still feels fresh.
West Village
Via Carota
There’s a reason this place is constantly written up in New York Magazine and The New York Times: it’s effortlessly cool. The interiors are rustic yet stylish, the food is soulful Italian, and the energy is pure New York. If you want your elopement dinner to feel like you stumbled into the city’s best dinner party, this is the spot.
Little Owl
Tucked beneath the Friends building, Little Owl is iconic. Mediterranean-inspired food, warm service, and a tucked-away vibe. Couples love it because it feels like “real New York” without the tourist gloss. (Fun fact: Cakewalk has actually married couples here!)
Buvette
A French café and wine bar with postage-stamp-sized tables and a ton of charm. This is perfect if it’s just the two of you and you want something unfussy but romantic. Order a carafe of wine, split some tartines, and let the city buzz around you.
Uptown
The Modern — MoMA
Michelin-starred and overlooking the MoMA sculpture garden, The Modern is sleek and sophisticated. If your wedding photos were editorial and high-fashion, this is where you’ll want to end the night. It’s also one of the few fine-dining spots that feels celebratory without being stiff.
Café Sabarsky — Neue Galerie, Upper East Side
Eloping doesn’t have to mean late-night energy. Café Sabarsky inside the Neue Galerie is like stepping into old Vienna. Austrian pastries, coffee in delicate china, and Central Park right outside the door. It’s a perfect daytime elopement follow-up — especially if your vows were across the street at Conservatory Garden.
Brooklyn
Francie — Williamsburg
A Michelin-starred brasserie that’s equal parts stylish and celebratory. The vaulted ceilings and marble interiors make it feel like a proper “event,” but the vibe is still cool and Brooklyn. Perfect for couples who want a meal that feels elevated but not traditional.
St. Mazie — Williamsburg
If your wedding day has a jazz soundtrack, this is your spot. Upstairs: dinner and wine. Downstairs: live music and dancing. It’s intimate, atmospheric, and unforgettable — exactly what you want for a wedding night that spills into the evening.
The River Café — Brooklyn Heights
Few restaurants are as iconic for weddings as The River Café. Nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge with sweeping skyline views, it’s been hosting romantic dinners for decades. It’s formal, classic, and a true “New York wedding dinner” if you want to share the moment with your family.
Queens
M. Wells Steakhouse — Long Island City
Because not everything has to be in Manhattan or Brooklyn. M. Wells is a playful take on the steakhouse, set in a former auto body shop. Expect indulgence — bone marrow, giant steaks, creative sides — and a vibe that says, “we’re here to celebrate.”
Best for Just the Two of You
Buvette — cozy, French, tucked-away.
Café Sabarsky — daytime elegance with Central Park across the street.
King — seasonal menus, intimate atmosphere.
Best for Groups (10–20 guests)
Il Buco — long tables, rustic Italian.
The River Café — formal, skyline views.
Francie — Brooklyn brasserie energy.
Hidden Gems
L’Artusi — West Village pasta paradise that locals love.
Rezdôra — Michelin-starred but casual Italian in Flatiron.
Frankies 457 Spuntino — Carroll Gardens classic with a dreamy garden out back.
Tips for Planning Your Elopement Dinner
Reservations are essential. Even for two, book in advance — especially if you’re eloping on a weekend.
Ask about private dining. Many restaurants (Il Buco, Frenchette, River Café) have rooms that are perfect for small wedding parties.
Think logistics. If you’re getting married in Central Park, don’t book dinner in Greenpoint unless you want a long commute. Keep it within 15 minutes of your ceremony site for ease.
Stay true to you. The best part of eloping is doing things your way. Pick a restaurant you’d love even if it weren’t your wedding day.
Why Cakewalk Couples Love This Approach
The whole philosophy of Cakewalk is about stripping away the unnecessary and focusing on what matters: the vows, the photos, the joy of the day. Dinner at a real New York restaurant fits that perfectly. No rentals, no caterers, no endless menu tastings — just a table, some wine, and your favorite people.
If you’re planning your NYC elopement, let us help. Get in touch with Cakewalk.
