Our favorite thing to make for dinner is reservations. After spending months in Montclair, NJ, we came back to the city to scout out the best outdoor dining restaurants in NYC. We needed a change from the monotony of staying home and cooking dinner every night. Outdoor dining is a perfect way to catch up with friends while maintaining social distancing guidelines. We are excited to share our list of the 15 best outdoor dining restaurants in NYC with you.
NYC’s al fresco season has never looked better with gorgeous floral rooftops, rustic sidewalk cafes, tropical oasis and stunning secret gardens. The city’s restaurant scene has it all. Some city streets have even turned into a magical block party. We highly recommend checking out some of the best outdoor dining restaurants in NYC.
Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in NYC: Chelsea
Bottino
You’re pasta-tively amazing. Bottino is an Italian restaurant with a secret garden. It is perfect for dinner and private events, such as weddings, receptions, baby showers, bridal showers and engagements. We started with Prosecco Rose. Our favorite cocktail was the berry margarita on the rocks. We recommend the Grilled Peaches and Stracciatella, Cavatelli Alla Norma, Lamb Chops, Branzino and Tiramisu. You can read about our full dining experience here.
246 Tenth Avenue
Lunch: Thursday – Saturday 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Dinner: Monday – Saturday 5:00PM – 9:30PM |Sunday 5:00PM – 8:30PM
Sandbar
Beach please. Want to escape the streets of NYC, but can’t get to the Hamptons? Then head over to Sandbar Rooftop located in the Hilton Hotel. The rooftop’s beach decor features whimsical touches such as lifeguard chairs, hanging lounges and 4 swings. The rooftop has almost 360-degree views of Manhattan and the Empire State Building. We recommend ordering the Ditch Plains, Summer Picnic Tasting Board, Wild Mushroom Pinsa and the Nutella Pinsa. Come back shorty for our full blog post.
100 W26th Street
Wednesday – Saturday 4:15PM – 11:00PM |Sunday 3:00PM – 10:00PM
Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in NYC: Flatiron
Barbounia
Tahini it may concern: Barbounia features modern Mediterranean cuisine that is influenced by the food and cultures of Greece, Southern France, Morocco and Southern Italy. We recommend starting with a Mezze platter of Green Tahini, Spicy Feta and Fire Roasted Eggplant. Our favorite entree was the Duck Shawarma. Come back shortly for our full blog post.
250 Park Avenue South
Lunch: Monday – Friday 11:30AM – 4:00PM
Brunch: Saturday – Sunday 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Dinner: Sunday – Monday 5:00PM – 10:30PM | Tuesday – Wednesday 5:00PM – 11:00PM |Thursday – Saturday 5:00pm – 11:30PM
Eataly
Spaghett out of my way. Eataly’s rooftop restaurant, SERRA by Birreria, changes its decor and menu every season. This year, gorgeous paper flowers in vibrant summer colors and twinkling lights adorn the restaurant. We recommend starting with the Burrata and Arancini Balls with an Italian white wine. Eataly has a delicious Frosé that we loved. Finish your meal with Chocolate and Hazelnut Gelato. You can read about our complete outdoor dining experience here.
200 Fifth Avenue
Monday – Thursday: 5:00PM to 9:30PM | Friday – Sunday: 11:30AM to 9:30PM
Giorgio’s of Gramercy
Pasta than a speeding bullet. We’ve been coming to Giorgio’s of Gramercy for years. This rustic cafe is decorated with tented canopies, green foliage and twinkling lights. We recommend the Oysters, Honey-Nut Squash Stuffed Agnolotti, Squid Ink Pasta, Lamb Chops and the Tres Leches. You can read about our outdoor dining experience here.
27 E 21st St
Monday – Tuesday: 12:00PM to 9:30PM |Wednesday – Friday: 12:00PM to 10:00PM | Saturday: 5:00PM to 10:00PM | Sunday: 5:00PM to 9:30PM
Mexicue
Taco walk on the wild side. MEXiCUE combines Mexican flavors with Southern classics and cooking techniques. MEXiCUE’s mouthwatering dishes are smoked, grilled, braised, charred, pickled, juiced or mashed. We recommend the Watermelon Mimosa, Charred Jalapeño Guacamole and Huevos Rancheros. You can read about our dining experience here.
225 Fifth Avenue
Monday – Sunday: 12:00PM to 9:00PM
Novita
Holy Cannelloni! Novita is an Italian trattoria with a modern take on traditional Italian cuisine. Every bite transports you right to Italy. We recommend ordering with the Fioro di Zucchini (squash blossoms), Tuna Roll, Squid Ink Spaghettini, Gelati Misti (gelato) and Semifreddo (frozen mousse). Pair the meal with Laurent-Perrier champagne and Far Niente Chardonnay. You can read about our complete outdoor dining experience here.
102 East 22nd Street
Monday – Friday 12PM to 2:30PM; 5:30PM-10:30PM | Saturday: 5:30PM to 11:00PM | Sunday: 5:30PM to 10:00PM
Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in NYC: Greenwich Village
Claudette
The food is un-brie-livable! Claudette is a Provencal restaurant that is near Washington Square Park. Their food combines French and North African Cuisine. It’s part of the Casa Nela hospitality group. We recommend the Scarlet Tea, Oysters, Lamb Kefta Skewer, Lamb Tagine and the Chocolate Pot de Crème. Come back shorty for our full blog post.
24 Fifth Avenue
Brunch: Saturday – Sunday 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Dinner: Monday – Sunday 4:00PM – 10:00PM |
Rosemary’s
I did it fusilli reasons. Rosemary’s is a rustic, Italian gem with a beautiful sidewalk cafe. It’s part of the Casa Nela hospitality group. We recommend the signature Rosemary’s Spritz and Rosemary’s Focaccia to start. Next we suggest the Eggplant Caponata, Avocado Salad, the Fusilli and the Roast Chicken and Bombolini (Italian donuts). You can read about our complete outdoor dining experience here.
18 Greenwich Avenue
Brunch: Saturday – Sunday 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Dinner: Monday – Sunday 4:00PM – 10:00PM
Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in NYC: Midtown
Nerai
Greece, I’ll definitely be baklava! Since we can’t go to Greece, eating at Nerai is the next best thing. The cuisine is refined and sophisticated and the outdoor garden transports you from the streets of NYC to the shores of Greece. Our favorites include the Persephone, Chips Nerai, Tuna Tartare, Lamb Chops and the best Squid Ink Pasta and the Saragli. They have a Santorini Sundays pre-fix special for $48 and an Oyster Monday special of $1 East Coast Oysters all day long. Come back shorty for our full blog post.
55 E 54TH ST
Monday – Thursday: 11:30AM – 9:30PM | Friday: 11:30AM – 10:00PM | Saturday: 4:00PM – 10:00PM | Sunday: 4:00PM – 10:00PM
Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in NYC: Nolita
Mister French
Eiffel in love with French food. Since we can’t go to France right now, the next best thing is to head over to Mister French. This restaurant and lounge combines Parisian and Old World style with a New World spirit. You must get cocktails here! We sampled several cocktails, but our favorite was La Vie En Rose. For dinner, we recommend the Tuna Tartare and the Croque Monsieur. You can read about our complete outdoor dining experience here.
218 Bowery
Thursday – Saturday: 5:00PM – 9:00PM
Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in NYC: NoMad
Scarpetta
Penne for your thoughts. Scarpetta is in the James Hotel and the city street was transformed into a beautiful mini garden, filled with rosé colored umbrellas, luscious greenery and twinkling lights. We recommend starting with Cicchetti bites to share. We also recommend the spaghetti. Trust us, it is the best spaghetti you will ever eat. Finish your meal with the dulce cheesecake. You can read about our full tasting experience here.
88 Madison Avenue
Aperitivo: 4:00PM – 5:30PM
Dinner: Sunday – Tuesday; 4:00PM – 9:00PM | Wednesday – Saturday 4:00PM – 10:00PM
Woodpecker by DB
Resting brunch face. Woodpecker by David Burke features custom wood-burning ovens and everything is made from wood, except for the ceiling and TVs. The restaurant serves “New American” cuisine with some Southern Italian and Mediterranean influences. The outdoor patio is tented and the perfect spot for a causal brunch. We highly recommend the Tuna Crudo and Eggs Benedict. You can read about our full tasting experience here.
30 West 30th Street
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30AM – 8:30PM | Friday – Saturday: 11:30AM – 10:00PM |Sunday: 11:30AM – 5:00PM
Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in NYC: West Village
Casa La Femme
Walk like Egyptian. At Casa La Femme, diners are transported to the wonderland of Egypt with rich ancient cuisine and exotic live music. The private seating areas are tented and separated by dividers. We recommend the Mezzas, including Harissa (beware it’s spicy), Babaganoush and Tahini, Lamb Chops and Kunefa. Come back shorty for our full blog post.
140 Charles Street
Sunday – Wednesday: 4:00PM – 12:00AM | Thursday: 4:00PM – 1:00AM | Friday – Saturday: 4:00PM – 3:00AM |
Roey’s
You want a pizza me? Roey’s, also owned by the Casa Nela hospitality group, is inspired by old world cafés. We recommend the Antipasti Misti, Cacio E Pepe Egg Sandwich, Dutchboy Pancake and Margherita Burrata Pizza.
1 Perry Street
Brunch: Saturday – Sunday 11:00AM – 4:00PM
Dinner: Monday – Sunday 4:00PM – 10:00PM
So go ahead and take a bite out of the Big Apple this year. Whether you are local or visiting, we recommend checking out this list of the top 15 best outdoor dining restaurants in NYC. These restaurants have implemented social distancing practices. Grab a drink, catch up with friends and enjoy a delicious meal with an amazing setup. We have (or will have) write-ups on each restaurant mentioned in this post.
I like to go out to different restaurants in New York. I’m a restaurant junkie.
Amy Carlson
What a great selection of restaurants. Entertaining reviews. Lovely pictures. A really fun and informative read. Thank you for sharing!
Going dinner in NYC restaurant are one of my dream goal someday. The view looks lovely and the food looks delicious how I wish I have a chance to go their places someday. Awesome photos.
great list. i would love one with open space.
good pics too.
I had spent quite time in NYC and indeed I’ve been to some of the restaurants you have mentioned in here. Eataly and Claudette remain my favourite till date!
Love your list and it’s such a vibrant dining scene! While there are so many in the city I am glad that you are able to narrow it down to 15, how did you make the cut for these dining places?
You always find the most amazing places! There won’t be enough time to check out all of the places you recommend, lol. I will need to turn this into a short list!
Wow there are some fab, hip and cool places here for sure. You really have given some good New York hot spots x
Thanks for this great list of places! I’ll send them to my sister who lives in nyc and is always looking for nice places to enjoy!
Due to the pandemic, most of us now prefer outdoor dining restaurants as it seems safer compared to those in a closed space. Thank you for sharing these best outdoor dining restaurants. We will surely consider this during our next trip to NYC. We’re particularly looking forward to visiting Mister French.
Wow there are so many pretty picture in this post.you have wrote it very deeply.