While there are plenty of wonderful places to grab a bite to eat in Manhattan, if you live in a suburb like Garden City, you might not feel like jumping through hoops and crossing bridges to get to the main island, even for a fancy date. Fortunately, Garden City has plenty of delicious diners of its own, ranging from fine dining restaurants to bars to casual eateries and so much more.
If you’re not sure where to start, read on. We’ll break down 15 stellar restaurants in Garden City so you can plan the perfect date night in style. If you need legal advice at any point, contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers today at 1-516-342-2200 for a free consultation.
Waterzooi Belgian Bistro
First up is Waterzooi Belgian Bistro, a European-focused restaurant that serves everything from lunch to late-night snacks. Not only is it vegetarian-friendly, but it also sports plenty of gluten-free options. The wait staff is knowledgeable and helpful, particularly if you don’t know much about Belgian food.
This wheelchair-accessible restaurant features excellent outdoor seating, plenty of delicious seafood and Belgian bites, and even takeout if you’d rather pick up some food on the go. Check it out if you’re in the mood for some sterling dishes from across the pond.
Umberto’s
Umberto’s is a top-tier place to eat if you’re in the mood for pizza or Italian food. Whether you like pasta or pies, you’ll find meat-heavy, sauce-heavy, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, so it’s perfect for taking a date out to eat no matter what your dietary needs may be.
This Italian restaurant offers both delivery and takeout, as well as private dining and reservations. In fact, you may well wish to schedule a reservation ahead of time, as Umberto’s can fill up pretty quickly, particularly on the weekends or on weekday evenings. All in all, it’s a fantastic place to enjoy New York pizza or if you have a hankering for real, authentic Italian food.
Café Baci
Café Baci is another Italian eatery situated near Garden City (technically, it’s in Westbury). Regardless, this wheelchair-accessible restaurant is a little more casual than Umberto’s, but that could be just the ticket if you’re looking for something a little more casual and relaxed for your upcoming date night.
This full-bar restaurant serves vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options in addition to classical Italian meals. The waitstaff is incredibly friendly, and there’s plenty of parking available. As locals,Schwartzapfel Lawyersknows just how important good parking is. While seating is usually plentiful, the place can fill up quickly on the weekends, so call ahead for a reservation if you plan to go on Friday evening.
Thomas’ Ham & Eggery Diner
Maybe you’re more in the mood for a classic, basic diner. While this Garden City eatery doesn’t serve dinner, it does serve breakfast, lunch, and brunch, and everything on the menu is delicious. Highchairs are available alongside plentiful parking, and you can find both vegetarian and gluten-free options on the menu.
As the diner’s name suggests, the eggs are to die for, but it also serves delicious biscuits soaked in gravy. Customizable omelets, as well as Portuguese-style breakfasts, are ideal if you have a big appetite or want to take out your entire family for brunch after a night of celebrations.
Crabtrees Restaurant
Crabtrees is a beautifully decorated Mediterranean and continental restaurant featuring open-air eating during the beautiful days of the year. It’s a wheelchair-accessible restaurant that offers both in-restaurant dining and takeout options.
Valet parking is available, too, which is another point in this restaurant’s favor. Should you decide to go for snacks and drinks, you’ll appreciate the full bar and knowledgeable bartenders, who can put together some delightful Mediterranean cocktails at a moment’s notice.
Note: The seafood here is also excellent, and there are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options depending on your dietary preferences.
Churrasqueira Bairrada Restaurant
Churrasqueira Bairrada Restaurant is a combined Portuguese and barbecue restaurant that’s unlike anything else you’ll find in Garden City. This authentic Portuguese eatery features delicious briquette-fired cuisine, and it was founded in 1992. Over its extensive lifespan, Churrasqueira Bairrada has earned fantastic reviews.
Of particular note is the delicious chicken. Many of Garden City’s Portuguese residents like to come here all throughout the week, so it’s always packed and filled with a delightful atmosphere. While there aren’t any vegan or vegetarian options, the full bar serves alcohol of all kinds in a variety of engaging and exciting cocktails.
Biscuits & Barbeque
Then there’s Biscuits and Barbecue: a perfect place to grab some classic American food for lunch or dinner. You can choose to make a reservation or order takeout, but either way, you’ll find a reasonable amount of parking near this location.
The smoked brisket positively melts in your mouth, but the half and full racks of ribs are also exceptional. Don’t be fooled by this old diner’s rundown appearance, as it’s widely considered to be one of the best barbecue places, not just in Garden City, but in New York State!
Vincent’s Clam Bar
Vincent’s Clam Bar joins the competition for the title of best Italian restaurant in Garden City. This reservation-friendly eatery features authentic Italian and seafood dishes, as well as gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly options. Put simply, Vincent’s menu is amazing from start to finish.
While here, also be sure to try the homemade cannolis if you choose to bring your date to this restaurant. Odds are you’ll never want to go anywhere else for this authentic Italian treat ever again! Note, too, that Vincent’s is open late into the night, making it great for dessert dates or post-dinner stops.
West End Café
West End Café is a vegetarian-friendly American restaurant featuring a diverse range of dishes. It’s a great place for a casual night out with your friends or a potential significant other. Reservations are available, but things are kept more casual here by design, and you won’t find it overly packed on weekday nights (although weekends tend to be busy).
West End Café offers a full bar, plenty of seating, and a good amount of parking. TVs stationed strategically around the eating area allow you to keep up with the game if you want to watch its progress while chowing down on a meal with your family or friends.
Seasons 52
Seasons 52 is a casual yet sophisticated grill and wine bar that features a seasonally rotating menu. Therefore, it’s perfect for regular restaurant aficionados who want something new every time they visit. Seasons 52 has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere, plus custom-built wine cellars and a diverse selection of drinks that include more than 100 wines for you to choose from. Accordingly, you should be sure to ask for wine recommendations on your date night.
The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner daily, but it is open for extended hours over the weekend. Even better, Seasons 52 offers live entertainment at the piano bar each and every night. Should you need a place to host an event, you can call Seasons 52 ahead of time for a private or semi-private reservation.
Kiko Ramen
Kiko Ramen is a fantastic place to eat in Garden City if you’re in the mood for authentic, delicious ramen. While this place does offer takeout, it’s a good restaurant to stop by and dine in person, too. Vegan, vegetarian, and soy-free options make this a top choice for folks who have limited diets.
Many have spoken about the quality of this ramen shop’s broth. Free parking is available across the street, but be warned that those parking spots can fill up quickly and no one wants to get into an auto accident on their way to grab a bowl of delicious ramen.
The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille is a great fine dining experience in Garden City, offering seafood and delectable wine choices that go perfectly with whatever you decide to order. This restaurant is known for its fantastic service, as well as its crab cakes, filet mignon, and flourless chocolate cake.
It’s a great place to take a date for a special occasion, but it can also work as a suitable location for a business meeting if you need such a spot in Garden City.
True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen is a healthy food eatery that serves American and vegan-friendly options. This casual yet classy eatery has a full bar, excellent waiter service, and an interesting menu with notable items such as the delicious teriyaki bowl and salad.
Vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options are available and plentiful, no matter what you’re in the mood for. Perhaps most important, garage parking is available for all dine-in guests.
Small Batch
Check out Small Batch if you’re in the mood for a classy American cocktail bar that offers a wide range of dinner options and stellar desserts. Free Wi-Fi complements the full bar, which is wheelchair accessible. This is a great place to bring a date in Garden City, especially during happy hour.
Here, we particularly recommend trying the oysters or the cod, which go well with beer or one of Small Batch’s house cocktails.
Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas
Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas serves small plates alongside a delightful wine bar, making it a perfect choice for a first date or a group date with friends and a significant other. While it offers a private life for parking, street parking is more plentiful.
Outdoor seating and the classy and simultaneously casual atmosphere make it perfect for college students or young adults with limited date night budgets.
Contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers
One of the reasons we’ve been able to put together this comprehensive list of the best restaurants in Garden City is that we’re based here. That’s right. We’re homegrown and local, Long Island and New York City natives.
Moreover, Schwartzapfel Lawyersis an experienced and knowledgeable law firm that has served New Yorkers just like you for 150+ combined years in personal injury, auto accident, and other legal cases.
To that end, we know the ins and outs of New York law, which means we know how to ensure that your New York Court case goes as planned. So, please, consider giving us a call at 1-516-342-2200 to learn how we can help you before, during, and after your free consultation, whatever your legal needs may be.
Sources:
Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You™™
A Cheat Sheet to Portuguese Food | Eater
Gluten-Free Diet: Is It Right for Me? | Johns Hopkins Medicine
