Brian Nagele
NYC is a fantastic city for outdoor dining. I love enjoying a meal outside while admiring the beautiful city.
Are you traveling to NYC soon and looking for outdoor dining? I’ve got you covered!
Searching for the perfect outdoor dining spot in NYC can be overwhelming.
That’s why I’ve compiled the best places for outdoor dining in NYC, from brunch to dinner to drinks.
Check out my list of the best outdoor dining in NYC below!
Bandits
44 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 917-398-3042
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Head to Greenwich Village for a drink at Bandits, a casual American-style bar with hearty menu options.
Bandits has a retro feel with a checkered floor and wood lining. Bandits is between the Hudson River Greenway and Washington Square Park, right on Leroy St. and Bedford St.
Bandits boasts beers and cocktails, but you won’t want to miss out on the bar food either.
There’s something for everyone, from hearty meat sandwiches to vegan bolognese.
Dr. Clark
104 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 917-426-4454
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Dr. Clark is in the heart of NYC’s Chinatown, and it’s right on Columbus Park at the intersection of Baxter St. and Bayard St.
It’s an upscale restaurant with traditional Japanese kotatsu tables.
Dr. Clark is a reservation-only location, so make sure to call ahead.
Order your choice of lamb, fish, or sashimi, or check out their seasonal menu, which sometimes includes tuna and octopus.
Finish off the evening with one of Dr. Clark’s signature Japanese desserts.
A favorite choice of mine is the Matcha Chocolates!
Kokomo
65 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Phone: 347-799-1312
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If Caribbean food is more your thing, check out Kokomo during your time here in NYC.
The restaurant is located in the Greenpoint neighborhood, on the corner of N 10th St. and Kent Ave, right next to Marsha P. Johnson State Park.
The vibe of the restaurant is fun and energetic, and it’s even dog friendly!
They run frequent specials, and I’d recommend the bottomless brunch, which includes bottomless mimosas!
Koko Hour runs from 4-7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and you can get happy hour prices during this time.
For dinner, try the jerk chicken or roasted plantains.
Maracuja
279 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-302-9023
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In Williamsburg, near Roebling St. and Grand St, you’ll find Maracuja, a Portuguese restaurant with a lovely plant-covered patio.
It’s just off the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, but it has a peaceful atmosphere.
Try traditional Portuguese cuisine at Maracuja, including paella, boquerones, and carnitas tacos.
Don’t forget to stop by for happy hour from 4-7 pm for $8 frozen drinks, $8 draft beer, and $8 cocktails.
I recommend trying their cocktails, as they brag, “If you know it, we can make it!”
Nowadays
56-06 Cooper Ave, Queens, NY 11385
Phone: 347-523-8535
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Nowadays is a relaxed American restaurant in Ridgewood.
It’s right on the edge of Highland Park, on Cooper Ave between Wyckoff Ave and Irving Ave.
The restaurant features live performances, including music, comedy, and DJs. It’s a great place to go dancing!
The menu ranges from traditional American fares like burgers and sandwiches to international cuisine like Japanese pork sausage and British fish and chips.
Go on Saturdays during the summer to enjoy their barbeque menu.
Popina
127 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-222-1901
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Popina is an Italian restaurant with an American South flair.
It’s at the intersection of Columbia St. and Kane St., right on the Buttermilk channel across from Governors Island.
Chris McDade is the head chef at Popina, and you can purchase his published cookbook, The Magic of Tinned Fish, at the restaurant.
Nowhere else can you find ham hocks and collard greens on the same menu as Panzanella.
I recommend the arancini, deep-fried Italian rice balls stuffed with Carolina golden rice and saffron honey.
Silver Apricot
20 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014
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Near Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, you’ll find Silver Apricot.
Chefs Simone Tong and Emmeline Zhao lead the restaurant, and they cook American-Chinese fusion meals.
Silver Apricot is an upscale restaurant, and it’s on Cornelia St., just past Bleecker St.
One of my favorite menu choices at Silver Apricot is the cucumber salad, which comes with candied peanuts, silken tofu, and Chinkiang vinaigrette.
I also enjoy the sesame oil cake with orange butterscotch and Yuzu cream.
Come on Sunday to catch some of their Sunday Specials during the 4:30-6 pm happy hour.
Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill
4-40 44th Dr, Queens, NY 11101
Phone: 718-433-9269
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Head to Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill in Long Island City for some authentic American bar food.
It is right on the East River, and you can enjoy a beautiful view of Midtown from their outdoor patio.
The atmosphere is loud and energized, and it’s on the casual side as they don’t take reservations.
Anable Basin features many kinds of meat, including bison burgers, Balkan-style beef sausage, and Polish-style pork sausage.
There is also a veggie burger option.
I suggest trying the Italian Caprese salad or the corn on the cob with cotija and lime if you’re looking for something lighter.
Nerai
55 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-759-5554
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Nerai is an upscale Greek restaurant in the heart of Midtown. It’s not that far from the iconic Rockefeller Center, and it’s on 54th St. and Madison Ave.
Aaron Fitterman is the executive chef, and his resume boasts several Michelin star restaurants.
If you want Greek seafood with a contemporary flair, Nerai is for you.
You can order anything from freshly caught Maine lobster to Faroe island salmon, but my favorite would have to be the spring pea risotto, which comes with pickled beech mushrooms.
Cookshop
156 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-924-4440
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Cookshop is a relaxed American restaurant in Chelsea with a popular brunch menu.
It’s right at the intersection of 10th Ave and W 20th St., across from the High Line park.
Head Chef Mark Mayer cooks with fresh, local ingredients.
Wood-fired pizza ovens are one of my favorite features of Cookshop, and you can order a ramp pizza with crescenza and fontina cheeses.
Or try a more traditional pasta dish, seafood, or spit-roasted half chicken.
City Vineyard
233 West St, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 646-677-8350
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City Vineyard is right on Pier 26, overlooking the Hudson River. What better way to enjoy casual American food and wine than right on the riverfront?
It’s right in Tribeca, off of West St., next to the Tribeca Dog Run.
Michael Dorf is the winemaker who runs City Vineyard, and he’s committed to serving the best wine and American food.
Besides a fantastic array of wine, City Vineyard has bar food ranging from duck tacos to Margherita pizzas.
My favorite would have to be the parmesan truffle fries and, of course, the live music!
Dante NYC
79-81 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-982-5275
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Want to step back in time? Visit Dante NYC near William F. Passannate ballfield.
Go to MacDougal St. between Bleecker St. and W Houston St., and feel the vibes of 1910s New York City.
Dante NYC has been in Greenwich Village since 1915, and it’s considered an artist hub. Sip one of their signature cocktails while you browse the menu.
I recommend ordering a Caprese flatbread with Pomodoro, mozzarella, basil, and chili.
Happy hour is 3 pm-5 pm every day.
La Lanterna di Vittorio
129 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 917-639-3236
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For authentic Italian cafe food, check out La Lanterna di Vittorio on the corner of W 3rd St. and Macdougal St. in Greenwich Village.
It’s right by Washington Square Park and has a romantic atmosphere.
It’s quiet, dimly lit, and boasts a massive brick fireplace on the lower level.
My favorite dishes include sweet potato and leek soup, ricotta and Pomodoro calzones, and tiramisu to top it off, and don’t miss out on their extensive selection of wine!
Bar Primi
325 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-220-9100
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Go to Bowery for a modern Italian vibe, and try Bar Primi’s fresh pasta.
Chef Andrew Carmellini runs the kitchen, and it’s right next to the iconic Bowery hotel.
It’s right on the corner of Bowery and E 2nd St., and it has a very hip feeling.
In my opinion, the linguini with garlic and breadcrumbs is the best item on the menu, but there are many options, including squid ink campanelle and Spaghetti Pomodoro.
Loeb Boathouse
Park Drive North, E 72nd St, New York, NY 10021
Phone: 212-517-2233
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Enjoy a lakeside view at Loeb Boathouse, right inside Central Park. It’s just off of East Dr., west of the Upper East Side.
Executive chef John Greeley cooks at Loeb Boathouse, an upscale restaurant with traditional fine dining fare.
On my trip to New York City, I stopped by Loeb Boathouse and tried the miso-glazed king oyster mushrooms, which feature grilled jumbo asparagus, truffle, and English pea risotto.
New York City is one of the best places for outdoor dining, whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner or casual bar food.
Dining outdoors will give you a chance to slow down and enjoy the city, and you can choose a peaceful lakeside view or the busy scene of Midtown.
New York City outdoor dining has something for everyone, including the most discerning critics or busy travelers.
Want to check out some of NYC’s coolest breweries? Stop by these awesome spots for a cold beer!
You can spend a relaxing brunch on the river or dance the night away while enjoying cocktails. Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
