photo by Pilot
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An Insider’s Guide to NYC’s Best Outdoor Dining & Drinking Spots Right Now
Summer in New York might have you lusting to get out of the city, but these 35 outdoor dining and drinking spots are bound to make you reconsider. From historic boats on the harbor that serve oysters by the dozen to lobster bars and...
photo by Pilot
Summer in New York might have you lusting to get out of the city, but these 35 outdoor dining and drinking spots are bound to make you reconsider. From historic boats on the harbor that serve oysters by the dozen to lobster bars and taco shops sprinkled across the boroughs, we’re sure you’ll be adding at least a few of the places on this list to your NYC summer bucket list.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Oysters, ceviche, lobster rolls and po-boys are served aboard this century-old vessel. Docked at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pilot is a floating history exhibit that just happens to serve up a delicious experience.
Leave it to celebrated Parisian brand Ladurée to create a garden space in SoHo that rivals all the rest. The classic French setting offers a menu that includes its famous macarons served alongside beautifully crafted pastries, chocolates, ice creams, and more.
This open-air neighborhood dining spot does breakfast, brunch and dinner seven days a week. We'll repeat that: SEVEN days of brunch. Get on over to Sunday in Brooklyn and get you some.
When showing off NYC to friends and family visiting for summer, a rooftop bar is bound to make the to do list. Try Refinery Rooftop for a setting that’s quintessentially New York, including views of the Empire State Building and the entire city skyline.
This well known juice bar and health food café has locations in Los Angeles, Nolita and the West Village, with a Brooklyn spot coming soon. In it for an outdoor hang? Get on over to the Nolita locale.
If you can snag a seat at the picnic tables outside Sel Rrose in the East Village, you’re in for a fabulous spread of oysters, small plates, natural wines and artisanal cocktails. We recommend kicking it all off with a round of pink negronis for the table.
A gorgeous spot to unwind after a long day of working in Battery Park, Beaubourg at Le District overlooks the Hudson and serves delicious French eats. Stop by for a glass of something bubbly and you’re in for a treat.
Seamore’s has five NYC locations, but sitting outside on the sidewalk in Chelsea is easily the best spot for summertime people watching. You can expect fresh caught fish and seafood daily, served alongside a solid menu of dranks.
Set in the heart of Greenwich Village, Banter does indoor and sidewalk dining daily. Stop by for the spritz sessions and we might just see you there.
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Pier 81, located at 41st and 12th, sets the scene for this boat restaurant that’ll send any lobster fan’s heart aflutter. Choose from a handful of flavorful lobster rolls, raw bar spreads or oyster shooters, and chase it down with a refreshing frozé or pitcher of sangria.
Rustic Italian food flows at this West Village hotspot from celeb chef Jonathan Waxman. Roll-up garage doors open up to the street, bringing in the summer breeze, while extra seating dots the sidewalk outside Barbuto.
The courtyard at Greenpoint’s Milk & Roses is the place to be, come summa summa time. With a romantic Southern Italian feel and a menu to match, this is a great go-to for spending time with the one you love.
Fort Greene is the center of the action in the summertime and Colonia Verde offers a lively scene. Head over on a Sunday and you’re sure to find local chefs doing their thing over barbecues in the backyard.
Dining at Gemma on the Bowery is sure to come with its share of passersby, and hey, isn’t that half the fun of being out in New York. Part of The Bowery Hotel, this trattoria is old school meets new, offering diners a modern take on rustic Italian dishes.
Get up to the rooftop to get down at this Orchard Street spot. Mr. Purple is a cozy rooftop hangout with great city views, making it equally enjoyable for tourists and locals alike.
A throwback to the oyster barges of yesteryear, Grand Banks offers fresh-shucked oysters, bright summer wines and sailor-approved cocktails aboard its old wooden schooner on the harbor.
Tacos and tequilas are the dream summer match, and you can enjoy both while sitting outdoors at this DUMBO spot. Gran Electrica makes a mean margarita, best experienced with your road crew.
Behold the beautiful retail-meets-restaurant space that is Marché Maman in SoHo. Outside you’ll find a pretty patio where you can enjoy a Maman meal or simply sip a cup of coffee with one of their signature chewy, nutty chocolate chip cookies.
Spicy, cheesy, crunchy Mexican bites are served at this sidewalk neighborhood joint in the East Village. Sign us up for the pitcher of Rosie’s margaritas with mezcal and Serrano-infused tequila!
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If the buzz at Broken Shaker is any proof, New Yorkers love a new rooftop hang spot. Sip award-winning cocktails and nosh on a medley of shareable bites at this newly opened stunner on Lexington.
With an upscale approach to waterfront dining in DUMBO, Cecconi’s is a beautiful place to take in views of the city skyline while tasting your way through pizzas, pastas and cicchetti. Stop by for the weekday happy hour and you’re in for a pocketbook treat. Read more about Cecconi's here →
The greenery-clad rooftop bar at Chelsea’s McKittrick Hotel makes an awesome spot for sipping cocktails at sunset or checking out the wild New York nightlife.
Pasta. Wine. Courtyard. This charming Fort Greene restaurant and pasta shop legit has everything we’re after on a summer evening.
When you’re in it for an afternoon of noshing on delicious eats from a Michelin-starred chef, John Fraser’s Narcissa at The Standard Hotel in the East Village does not disappoint. Sit in the gardens for the best seats in the house.
Who says you have to go all the way to Maryland for a good crab boil? Hop over to Brooklyn Crab in Red Hook for a crab feast right on the water.
Frozen drinks and classic Cuban fare are what’s up at Fort Greene’s Habana Outpost. If you’re looking for a sweet spot that’s family-friendly and super chill, this is it.
Williamsburg’s longstanding oyster bar go-to, Maison Premiere’s outdoor courtyard is dripping in hanging ferns and lush green surrounds. Plus, their bar game is on-point with an absinthe drip and cocktails galore.
City Vineyard
Lower Manhattan, New York, New York
Photo by Michelle Yan
Sunny afternoons in the city are made for sipping house-made wines at City Vineyard while gazing out on the river. Located at Pier 26, the rooftop and wine garden are open daily.
Head straight to the back of this East Village gem to discover its cozy secret garden. Tree Bistro makes a great date night spot for the couple looking for something low-key and totally chill.
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Harvey Restaurant at The Williamsburg Hotel
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York
Photo by Kimberly Motos
The patio life is the good life at The Williamsburg Hotel’s Harvey Restaurant. Also part of the good life: heirloom tomatoes, burrata, wild blue shrimp ceviche, and ALL of the bubbly.
Where else but New York would you find an outdoor bar that’s open till 3am nightly. Diamond Reef brings boozy, tiki cocktails to your Bed-Stuy summer agenda.
Set along the borderline of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, Fives Leaves makes a sweet outdoor dining spot for sidewalk diners. Take it from us, their signature burger is baller.
Retro vibes rule the game at The Springs in Greenpoint. With all the colorful, laidback aesthetic you’d expect to find in Palm Springs, this indoor/outdoor casual booze house is pure gold.
Once you hitch your ride to Rockaway Beach, make a beeline for this outdoor taco spot. Well, really, it’s a surf club, but they make mean tacos including plenty of vegetarian options.
Nowadays is all about the cheap and easy, casual hang with friends. Set on the border of Ridgewood and Bushwick, there’s always a food truck going and these guys light up a barbecue every weekend.
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