There is no good first date.

Invite her to a quiet cafe' for lunch. If all goes well, ask her to go for a walk with you in a park or along a riverfront. It's easy to talk when you're enjoying nature.

At a table, sitting across from each other feels like a job interview. I take a corner position, so we're not staring at each other like gunslingers.

A good first date shoudl include time to just talk and get to know each other. Good food woudl be good too.

I would ask her for a local eating establishment she likes,a comfortable place so there's no hidden agenda's, take notes, of what she orders, if the date is successful,perhaps you can make it for her if there's a next time.

Don't you know what you like to do? Invite her to do what you enjoy and know something about.
Ever hear the expression who wears the pants in your family. The second you ask her out on a date the negotiations begin. Giving her the choice of where and when to date is handing her the pants.
Let's say you know a lot about Chinese jade and you invite her to an exhibit but she says, wouldn't a nice long walk on a beach be better?
You didn't hear it but she just told you a big resounding NO. If you change your mind and go with her to the beach you just lost all control of where this relationship is going.
Women are constantly negotiating and manipulating for power, to wear the pants in the family. Telling a woman no is a good thing. Keep your self respect or you'll be the one sleeping on the couch.

Keep it short. A coffee or two.

I guess depends of what do you and you date like, if i a guy invited me to a museum I would probably say yes, just to be nice!!
good luck.!

Whatever you decide, just relax and be yourself, smile if you're having a good time, don't be distracted with your phone and be attentive to what she's talking about, responding with "mhm" every now and then to let her know you're listening. =) Good luck!

Depends on what she likes, do something that she would go do by herself and show her that you fit in there too,.

That's a pretty large set of undefined variables unless this is a very broad general question.

Browsing record stores, book stores, comic shops, etc. is a good way to find common interests, but involves a lot of walking and can get expensive. If you're the outdoorsy type, hikes and greenways and biking or beach stuff works depending on what's available.

Live music isn't a bad choice but requires extra activities or diminishes opportunity for conversation and since the point of a first date is getting acquainted with the other person, that's sort of counter-intuitive unless your goal is to acquaint yourself with the other person's alcohol tolerance.

And it's possible that a multiple event oriented date might be a good idea: if your first idea doesn't go over so well, there's still two or three other opportunities to turn it around. Meet somewhere for coffee in an area where you know there are two or three different kinds of activities. Come prepared with options: coffee here or drinks there? Art museum or random live performers in the park? Or the theatre is showing this play or we could just go sit on a bench and watch the people go about their lives. Go watch the sunset from the top of a parking garage or go stargazing somewhere there isn't a lot of light pollution(okay this one might want to wait until the fourth or fifth date when an invitation to a secluded area is less...threatening-sounding at face value.)

I agree with Doug and Nick, in your comments, a museum, a tour, walk along the boardwalk, etc. Great way to get to know each other. My favorite dates have been ones like these.

Meet at a cafe a la Starbucks or some other place that's open and comfortable and you can sit for as long or as short as you like. This way there's no pressure either way.

Depends on where you live. Got any decent art museums nearby? A leisure walk through where you can talk is always good and it's a good indicator of willingness to learn and appreciate.

Live near the seashore? Take her for a walk on the boardwalk. It is a good opportunity to talk and you can buy her an ice cream cone, and a slice of pizza. It is a cheap date and you will get to know each other.