Pick something with a built-in activity
Coffee-and-just-talk is fine, but a walk, a market, or a casual activity gives you something to do with your hands and eyes when conversation naturally pauses — which it will.
Keep it short by default
Plan for 60–90 minutes with no hard commitment after. A first date that's going well can always extend; one that isn't shouldn't have to run two hours out of politeness.
Choose a place you can leave easily
Public, well-lit, easy to leave whenever you want — this matters for comfort regardless of how the date is going.