Palma NYC, Room by Room | A Local Photographer’s Guide

Last Updated on January 7, 2026 by Erin Donahue

Hidden on Cornelia Street in the West Village, Palma is one of the most beautiful restaurants in New York City. It literally takes your breath away the moment you walk in! Inside, it feels like stepping into a small Italian villa filled with candlelight, flowers, and a sense of intimacy that makes it a natural choice for proposals, engagement dinners, and private celebrations.

My work photographing various events in Palma has taken me through every room, from surprise proposals to engagement dinners and private events. I’ve seen how each space functions when it’s actually in use, not just how it looks in photos online. If you’re considering Palma for a private event, here’s how the restaurant works from a photography and flow perspective, room by room.

The Aperitivo Room for Proposals and Event Photography

The Aperitivo Room is one of the most charming spaces in the West Village and has its own entrance. The front area looks out onto Cornelia Street through a flower-filled window, which gives the room a quiet, tucked-away feel even though it’s street-facing.

Since it has its own entrance, most people choose this room for proposals, and this room is where I’ve photographed every proposal at Palma over the years. The staff changes the decor and florals seasonally, and I’ve worked in this room during winter, spring, summer, and fall. Each season feels different, with my favorite decor during the holidays, but the atmosphere always stays intimate year-round.

From a photography standpoint, the Aperitivo Room is low-light by design. Candles and ambient lighting create a romantic mood, but they also mean the photographer needs to be comfortable working in dark environments without disrupting the moment. I typically position myself discreetly and work with the staff to adjust lighting subtly when possible, keeping the ambiance intact. What typically ends up happening is I photograph the proposal without flash, and then afterward will ask the newly engaged couple to do a reenactment with flash to ensure we have properly lit photos for them.

Courtyard Garden For Engagement Dinners & Seasonal Events

The Courtyard Garden is the heart of Palma. Like a traditional Italian villa, this space connects all of the rooms in the restaurant and sets the tone for the entire experience. The garden has a retractable roof, so it’s open-air in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, Palma closes the roof and heats the space, keeping it usable year-round without losing its character.

I’ve photographed engagement dinners here as well as private events where the garden acted as the central gathering space. During warmer months, natural light filters in beautifully. In the winter, lighting becomes more controlled and atmospheric, which changes how the room photographs but still works well for candid moments and group interactions.

Carriage House Library For Private Dinners & Wedding Events

The Carriage House Library is located on the second floor of Palma’s early 19th-century carriage house. It’s the most private space in the restaurant and works especially well for intimate dinners and events that need separation from the rest of the restaurant.

I’ve photographed both an engagement dinner and, more recently, a wedding dinner in this room. In one case, the couple chose to host their wedding dinner here on the first night, then had their civil ceremony at City Hall the following morning, which I also photographed. The room is cozy, which means photographing here requires awareness of movement and lens choice. Space is limited, but the closeness adds to the atmosphere. For clients who want privacy and a quiet setting for speeches, toasts, or long dinners, this room is ideal.

What to Expect Photographing Events at Palma

Palma is beautiful, but it’s not a bright venue. Candlelight, florals, and ambient lighting are an intentional part of the romantic experience. From a photography standpoint, that means working comfortably in low light and knowing how to maneuver and when to stay invisible.

I usually arrive early, walk through the space with the staff, and plan positioning based on the event type and room. Palma’s team has extensive experience with proposals and private events and works smoothly with photographers on timing and small adjustments.

In some cases, I’ll suggest reenacting a moment briefly after it happens, especially for proposals, so couples have a clean, well-lit image to share. Clients focus on having meaningful photos, not on whether the moment happened once or twice.

Is Palma NYC a Good Venue for Proposals and Private Events?

If you’re looking for an intimate atmosphere and privacy, each room at Palma serves a different purpose.

• The Aperitivo Room works best for proposals and semi-private dinners.
• The Courtyard Garden is ideal for engagement dinners and seasonal events.
• The Carriage House Library offers the most privacy for events up to 22 guests.

After photographing throughout the restaurant, I’ve seen that Palma works best when events are planned around the space rather than forcing the space to fit the event.

Working in Palma’s Low-Light Spaces

Overall, Palma’s lighting is designed for mood, not coverage. That atmosphere is part of the appeal, but it also means there’s very little margin for error when photographing events here. As a photographer, it’s my job to figure out how to work in a way that lets the space stay recognizable rather than overpowering the room with light.

This is where flash photography comes into play. When I need extra light, I rely on a hotshoe flash like the Godox TT685. More recently, I’ve been using the compact Godox iT30 Pro, which is so cute! After photographing so many events throughout Palma in every season, I’ve learned that additional light is always needed there. If you’re curious about the rest of the gear I use in situations like this, I break it down in my What’s in My Camera Bag guide.

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FAQ About Palma NYC

Is Palma NYC a good place for a proposal?
Palma works especially well for proposals because of its intimate rooms, seasonal floral decor, and staff experience with surprise moments. Couples most often choose the Aperitivo Room for proposals because of its privacy and separate entrance.

Which room at Palma is best for proposals?
The Aperitivo Room is the best option for proposals. The room offers a semi-private setting and looks out onto Cornelia Street through a flower-filled window. It often serves as a private entrance for partial buyouts.

Can you host an engagement dinner at Palma NYC?
Engagement dinners work well in several spaces at Palma. The Courtyard Garden and the Carriage House Library are the most common options, depending on group size and privacy needs.

What is the Courtyard Garden like at Palma?
The Courtyard Garden connects all of Palma’s rooms and has a retractable roof. The space is open-air in warmer months. In winter, Palma encloses and heats the room, keeping it usable year-round for engagement dinners and private events.

Is the Carriage House Library private?
The Carriage House Library sits on the second floor of Palma’s early 19th-century carriage house. It’s the most private space in the restaurant. The space works well for intimate dinners, wedding dinners, and small private events.

Is Palma NYC dark inside for photography?
Palma is intentionally low-lit, with candlelight and ambient lighting creating a romantic atmosphere. This works beautifully for events. It does require a photographer who’s comfortable working in low-light environments with flash.

Does Palma allow photographers during proposals and private events?
Palma’s staff is accustomed to working with photographers during proposals, engagement dinners, and private events. They’re accommodating when timing and positioning are discussed in advance.

Does Palma change its decor seasonally?
Palma updates its florals and decor throughout the year. The space photographs differently in each season while maintaining its signature atmosphere.