The Resy Guide to Outdoor Dining in New York — Resy | Right This Way
Updated: May 31, 2026
We have officially landed in spring, and luckily for you, now through the summer (and well into fall) is prime outdoor dining season in New York. The city has more al fresco dining options to choose from than ever before but, as we all know, the truth is not all outdoor dining setups are created equal.
That’s where we come in. In this newly updated guide, we’ve gathered some of the city’s best outdoor dining settings: the loveliest backyard gardens, the most idyllic of sidewalk tables and patios, and the most breathtaking waterfront views. Right this way.
P.S. If you’re looking for rooftop options, we’ve got you covered here.
Wayla
- Lower East Side
- Thai
- $$
Ammazzacaffè
- East Williamsburg
- Italian
- $
Café Kestrel
- Red Hook
- Bistro
- $
Sawa
- Park Slope
- Lebanese
- $$
Popina NYC
- Cobble Hill
- Italian
- $$
Miss Ada
- Fort Greene
- Mediterranean
- $$
Masquerade
- Williamsburg
- Persian
- $
LaRina Pastificio & Vino
- Fort Greene
- Italian
- $$
The Bar Room at The Modern
- Midtown
- American
- $$$$
Gilligan's
- Soho
- American
- $$$
Baba on Withers
- Williamsburg
- Wine Bar
- $
Bricolage
- Park Slope
- Vietnamese
- $$
Public Records
- Gowanus
- Vegan
- $$
Chama Mama Chelsea
- Chelsea
- Georgian
- $
King
- SoHo
- Italian
- $$$
Cookshop
- Chelsea
- American
- $$$
Huda
- Williamsburg
- Lebanese
- $$
Molyvos
- Hells Kitchen/Theater District
- Greek
- $
BACK BAR
- NoMad
- Cocktail Bar
- $
La Mercerie at The Guild
- Soho
- French
- $$$
Olea Brooklyn
- Fort Greene
- Mediterranean
- $$
Saint Julivert Fisherie
- Cobble Hill
- Seafood
- $$
TATIANA, By Kwame Onwuachi
- Lincoln Center
- Afro Caribbean
- $$$
Avra Rockefeller Center
- Midtown
- Greek
- $$$
Chez Zou
- Chelsea
- Cocktail Bar
- $
Le Dive
- Lower East Side
- French
- $
Radio Star
- Greenpoint
- European
- $
Maison Close Restaurant – Soho
- Soho
- French
- $$
Laser Wolf Brooklyn
- Williamsburg
- Israeli
- $$
Grand Banks
- Tribeca
- Seafood
- $$
L'Avenue at Saks
- Midtown
- French
- $$$
Drift In
- New York
- Seafood
- $$
Bar Blondeau
- Williamsburg
- European
- $$
High Tide
- Dumbo
- American
- $$
Riverpark
- Kips Bay
- American
- $$
GITANO NYC
- Seaport District
- Modern Mexican
- $$$
Celestine
- Dumbo
- Mediterranean
- $$
37 venues
1. Beautiful Backyards
2. Idyllic Sidewalk Setups and Patios
3. Waterfront and Rooftop Views
Best Outdoor Dining in New York
Previous
\ \ ABA Turkish Restaurant\ \ 4.8 ·\ \ Turkish · $\ \ Columbus Circle](/content/cities/ny/aba-turkish-restaurant/index.html) \ \ Bar Manje at Good Enough to Eat\ \ 4.9 ·\ \ Caribbean · $$\ \ Upper West Side](/content/cities/ny/bar-manje-at-good-enough-to-eat/index.html) \ \ Il Leone\ \ 4.6 ·\ \ Italian / Pizza · $\ \ Park Slope](/content/cities/ny/il-leone/index.html) \ \ Maison Provence\ \ 4.9 ·\ \ French · $$\ \ Brooklyn](/content/cities/ny/maison-provence/index.html) \ \ Motek Flatiron\ \ 4.6 ·\ \ Mediterranean · $$\ \ Flatiron](/content/cities/ny/motek-flatiron/index.html) \ \ Olmo\ \ 4.7 ·\ \ Mexican · $\ \ Bedford-Stuyvesant](/content/cities/ny/olmo/index.html) \ \ Rosehill Rooftop\ \ 4.1 ·\ \ Contemporary American · $$\ \ Kips Bay](/content/cities/ny/rosehill-rooftop/index.html)
Next
Party Size
Date
JulyJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
202620262027202820292030203120322033203420352036
Previous MonthNext Month
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Beautiful Backyards
The twinkly backyard at Wayla. Photo courtesy of Wayla
Wayla
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side’s worst-kept “secret” garden is not one to miss in your outdoor rotation. Kick back in the open air of their back patio with their antique furniture, from wicker chairs to “wedding banquet” tables, acting as your charming backdrop while you tuck into the crab curry, or whatever Thai deliciousness Wayla has in reserve to brighten your day.
Ammazzacaffè
East Williamsburg
You’ll definitely want a seat on the brick-framed patio at this warm Williamsburg Italian restaurant, where housemade pasta from veteran chef Gary Tackett is a specialty. Don’t leave without the eponymous ammazzacaffè, or coffee-killer — a shot of amaro or something equally spirited to soften the caffeine effect, or their Perfect Manhattan served with a pickled onion.
Café Kestrel
Red Hook
The ivy-covered backyard at Cafe Kestrel is as secluded as the neighborhood it calls home, all the more to make you feel like you’ve discovered something secret and special. In many ways, you have — especially if you order their thick grilled burger with a side of mac and cheese or fries. Or both. If the weather is especially nice, wash it down with a tall, cold beer.
Sawa
Park Slope
Not only does Sawa have some of the best Lebanese and Levantine food in the city but it also has a lovely backyard that’s ideal for lingering over a meal of creamy hummus and chunks of wagyu beef cheeks; savory rakakat cheese rolls; octopus that’s cooked to perfection; and whole roasted fish. Whatever you do, don’t forget the freshly baked-to-order pita.
Popina NYC
Cobble Hill
Photo by Teddy Wolff, courtesy of PopinaSome nights are best spent in the lovely covered backyard at Popina, preferably with a plate of their always-stellar pasta at hand. In addition to the pastas, you can always count on this Cobble Hill standby for its wines, seasonal plates, and hot chicken Milanese. The happy hour, with kid’s pasta for $10 and adult’s for $15 from 5 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, is also a banger.
Note: The uncovered garden at Popina will fully open on May 1.
Miss Ada
Fort Greene
Housemade labneh, halloumi skewers, and an excellent brick chicken are sometimes best shared and devoured in Miss Ada’s extra nice covered back garden. The modern Israeli food is always on point and there’s something about eating it al fresco that simply feels right, especially when there’s wine on the table (the list veers natural and is very fun). Their sidewalk cafe is also a good option, if that backyard proves full when you arrive.
Masquerade
Williamsburg
Persian tapas, excellent cocktails, and a dance party presided over by a disco ball are but some of the things this gem of a late-night haunt has to offer. Luckily, Williamsburg’s Masquerade has an A+ patio, too — string lights, waterproof coverings, plants, and all — with room for 50 people should you want to celebrate in numbers.
LaRina Pastificio & Vino
Fort Greene
Silvia Barban’s charming Italian restaurant right by Fort Greene Park has a serene covered backyard garden, green and black tile floor included. Don’t sleep on Barban’s signature smoked spaghetti aglio e olio, or the luscious agnolotti del plin, filled with braised beef and chicken, and accented with black lime and sage.
The Bar Room at The Modern
Midtown
We’d argue that The Modern’s Terrace, which is located in the MoMA’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, is one of the most serene backyards of any that you’ll find in the heart of midtown Manhattan. It’s also an ideal spot to try the à la carte Bar Room menu: think caviar hot dogs (yes, really), confit duck legs with endive and orange, and lobster cappalletti. Don’t sleep on desserts, either, especially the cinnamon toast sundae.
Gilligan's
Soho
Photo courtesy of Gilligan'sThis seasonal, tropical oasis in Lower Manhattan makes you feel like you’re on a very different kind of island: one where palm trees hold sway instead of skyscrapers. The menu features plenty of crowd-pleasers, from pizza and raw bar selections to lobster rolls and share plates. Whatever you do, though, don’t sleep on the frozen watermelon margarita or limoncello piña colada.
Note: Gilligan’s reopens for the season on May 1.
Baba on Withers
Williamsburg
Marseille-inspired food, refreshing cocktails, and natural wines always make for a good meal, and that’s only enhanced by the lovely backyard space at BABA on Withers. In the warmer months, it’s not unusual to join in on a game of pétanque, and whether you do or not, be sure to order yourself some whipped ricotta, crispy eggplant, and some bar salmon. And in the winter, do know that it’s also heated and covered, too.
Bricolage
Park Slope
Bricolage boasts a lush backyard full of repurposed wood, plants, and vintage TVs. This is one of the most coveted patios around, but it only plays second to what’s coming out of the kitchen: Vivid Vietnamese fare from a team that came out of San Francisco’s notorious Slanted Door. Pro tip: The summer rolls are required eating, especially on the patio if you can swing it.
Public Records
Gowanus
This cool-kid Gowanus hub for vegan plates and playful cocktails is also home to a lovely tree-lined garden that’s pitch-perfect for outdoor dining. Do check out their sound room schedule for DJs and other artists galore, too.
Chama Mama Chelsea
Chelsea
Cheese pull to your heart’s content in the great outdoors at the Chelsea location of Georgian restaurant Chama Mama. The Adjaruli khachapuri, a traditional kind of cheesy bread boat, is a huge draw, but the kebab and khinkali (Georgian-style dumplings) are just as worth a visit. Their backyard is both covered and heated, so you’re set no matter what mother nature decides to throw at you.
Idyllic Sidewalk Setups and Patios
Photo courtesy of King
King
SoHo
The sidewalk eatery at King might just be the romantic ideal of outdoor dining in New York City. Maybe it’s the corner spot the restaurant uses so well, or the green facade, or the white tablecloths that add a bit of glamour. Whatever the reason, King does al fresco right. Just make sure that the panisse and a bottle of carefully selected wine are on your table.
Cookshop
Chelsea
A Chelsea fixture, Cookshop remains a go-to for lunch, brunch, and dinner, pulling the absolute best produce from the farmers market. Do book an outdoor patio table when the weather allows, set right on 10th Avenue for your people-watching needs.
Huda
Williamsburg
Snack on smashed cucumbers, kampachi crudo, charred eggplant, and shish barak in the sun at Huda’s patio. There’s plenty to love at this lovely, thoughtful Levantine restaurant, but the breezy cocktails are particularly worth the trip, especially when it’s nice out.
Molyvos
Hells Kitchen/Theater District
Photo courtesy of MolyvosUndeniably one of the nicest outdoor patios you can find in Hell’s Kitchen or the Theater District is at this beloved family-run restaurant known for their exceptional Greek seafood and their extensive wine list, focusing specifically on Greek varietals.
BACK BAR
NoMad
Hotel Eventi’s Back Bar has a patio perfect for people watching. Sip your dirty martini or Singani Bramble while you indulge in their burger and a healthy serving of housemade gelato or sorbet. If they have it, the pistachio-orange marmalade is worth the brain freeze 10 times over.
La Mercerie at The Guild
Soho
Sip your French wines and snack on a Niçoise salad and a lovely Dover sole with button mushrooms at the lovely greenery-lined La Mercerie patio. Its prime location on Howard Street makes it ideal for watching the hustle and bustle of the city go by.
Olea Brooklyn
Fort Greene
This Mediterranean gem has been a Fort Greene staple since 2005 for good reason. Its corner location of Lafayette and Adelphi makes for ample alfresco square footage in the warmer months to enjoy dips, soups, salads, patatas bravas, and all kinds of paella. Olea is especially friendly to vegans, so come one, come all. And take note: their outdoor seating is first come, first served only and not available through reservations.
Saint Julivert Fisherie
Cobble Hill
Chef Alex Raij’s elegant Cobble Hill fisherie has covered al fresco seating, and you’re going to want to grab a Resy for a smattering of snacks (whipped mackerel pâté, head-on shrimp with yuzu mayo), chilled dishes like octopus with pipian verde and roasted tomatillo juice, and hot plates such as squid à la plancha and cod pot pie. Do not disregard the Spanish-leaning cocktails, sherry, and coastal European wines, too.
TATIANA, By Kwame Onwuachi
Lincoln Center
One of the toughest tables to score in the entire city has a seasonal walk-in only outdoor dining patio. With access to the restaurant’s full food and beverage menu, it’s the perfect spot for enjoying signature dishes like the crab and oxtail patties, short rib pastrami suya, and bodega special cosmic brownie.
Avra Rockefeller Center
Midtown
Should you find yourself in Midtown and wanting to dine al fresco, Avra near Rockefeller Center is a solid choice. The sidewalk patio is very expansive by New York standards (more than 100 seats) and the Mediterranean fare at Avra is ideal for spring and summertime dining: fresh fish, grilled octopus, spritzes, and Greek wines included.
Chez Zou
Chelsea
Located in Manhattan West, Chez Zou has its own seasonal outdoor patio that’s the perfect setting for trying out their inventive lineup of cocktails. Pro tip: When it’s open, you can request to be seated on the patio when making your reservation on Resy.
Le Dive
Lower East Side
The people watching alone is reason enough to come to Le Dive, but the compact menu of natural wines and French classics (steak frites or mushroom pâté, anyone?) makes this a worthwhile spot to see and be seen. We’re more thankful than ever for the sidewalk setup here that will make you feel as though you’re back in Paris, and with the doors wide open you’ll feel like you’re outside, even when you’re sitting inside.
Radio Star
Greenpoint
The patio at Greenpoint’s RadioStar is flora-filled and covered in case of any summer showers. Enjoy that sense of security by being a bit adventurous with your order; we recommend the merguez in a blanket and the chicken croquettes. Finish off your meal with an order of chocolate passion flan and a walk in Transmitter Park.
Maison Close Restaurant – Soho
Soho
For outdoor dining with a French twist, look no further than Maison Close. The bistro, known for their Champagne list and classic Gallic fare, does sidewalk seating right. May as well make the most of it and order caviar service and côte de boeuf while you’re at it, too. After all, how often do you make it to Paris by way of Soho?
Waterfront and Rooftop Views
The view of the Manhattan skyline from Laser Wolf is hard to beat. Photo by Gary He for Resy
Laser Wolf Brooklyn
Williamsburg
Laser Wolf lays claim to what might be, arguably, one of the most ideal outdoor dining setups in the city. It boasts epic views of the Manhattan skyline from its perch atop The Hoxton hotel in Williamsburg and, to top it all off, it’s got some stellar cooking from acclaimed chef Michael Solomonov, too. Here you’ll find a bounty of Israeli-style grilled meats and perfect salatim, ideal for sharing.
Grand Banks
Tribeca
The views are pretty tough to beat aboard this beautiful wooden sailboat. It also happens to be one of Tribeca’s favorite oyster bars, and one of the best spots for sunset drinks, ice-cold martinis, and bivalves on ice. Oh, and don’t sleep on the lobster rolls.
L'Avenue at Saks
Midtown
Bask far above the bustle of Fifth Avenue on the L’Avenue at Saks outdoor terrace while you enjoy morel rigatoni, escargot, and beef tartare. Don’t forget to grab a bottle of something sparkling and French, while you’re at it. Pro tip: Ask to dine on the terrace in your reservation notes, or request it when you check in.
Drift In
New York
Waterfront dining in the West Village is perfected at this outdoor venue with stunning views of the Hudson River. While you’ll certainly want to drift in (see what we did there) for the unbeatable views, do stay for the top-notch cocktails and the seafood-centric menu; we’re especially partial to the caviar tater tots or the lobster BLT.
Bar Blondeau
Williamsburg
The views from this indoor/outdoor hotel rooftop bar couldn’t be nicer, and the food, from the same dynamic duo behind Chez Ma Tante and Le Crocodile, is pretty exceptional, too. Better yet, for the spring and summer season, Bar Blondeau is offering a Sunset Hour special weeknights (bar seats only) from 5 to 7 p.m., with discounted cocktails ($11) and wine ($9). Pro tip: include a note in your Resy if you want to sit outside.
See also: Our guide to the best rooftop bars and restaurants in New York.
High Tide
Dumbo
There are very few ways to improve upon a view like the one you get at the Fulton Ferry Landing, but High Tide might just be one of them. Lobster rolls with fennel, hot dogs, and raw oysters are made that much better with the addition of a frozen Negroni. Or three.
Riverpark
Kips Bay
Stellar views of the East River aside, Riverpark’s terrace feels about as close to eating in a public park as you can get — if public parks were about 10 times more luxurious. There’s greenery, plenty of room to spread out, and even picnic tables.
GITANO NYC
Seaport District
This spot, formerly housed on Governors Island, has found new lodgings at an equally beachy locale — the Seaport’s Pier 17. The space itself is enormous, with glass windows that open up completely so you can feel that salty breeze. The vibes inside are nothing short of jungle-y, so order something tropical and take a picture under the disco ball.
Celestine
Dumbo
It’s hard to imagine a better view than the one from Celestine, which overlooks the waterfront from practically underneath the Manhattan Bridge itself. It’s also from a superstar team of vets from places like L’Artusi, Grand Army, and Fausto, so make sure to pay particular attention to the menu. Do know that the bucatini with pistachio pesto is a must order if you see it (and a spritz or two, of course).
Ellie Plass is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn. Follow her on Instagram and X.
Deanna Ting is Resy’s Managing Editor of city coverage. Follow her on Instagram.
Noëmie Carrant is Resy’s New York-based senior writer and editor. Follow her on Instagram. Follow Resy, too.
L'Artusi
Italian · $$$
West Village
Grand Army
4.7 · Seafood · $$
Boerum Hill
Fausto
4.8 · Italian · $$
Prospect Heights
PreviousNext
Discover More
The Resy Guide to Road Trips From New York City
New York’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy
The NYC Wine Hit List, Summer 2026 Edition: I Cavallini, Capitaine, Bar Chimera
The Ultimate Guide to New York’s Great Steakhouses
Mūje From Jungsik Yim Journeys All Across Asia for Inspiration
There’s Much More Than Just Cocktails at Employees Only
The Resy Hit List: Where In New York You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
Dravida Delves Into India’s Diaspora in New York’s East Village
Farewell to Loring Place, My Favorite Neighborhood Spot in New York
With Noury, the Kiko Team Brings a Modern Izakaya to SoHo
How to Get the Toughest Restaurant Reservations in New York
Spend Summer in New York City Like Sabrina Ionescu
Titán Is a Northern Mexican Cantina Unlike Any Other in New York
The Resy Guide to New York’s New Old-School Restaurants
The Gertie Team Expands to Carroll Gardens with Trudie’s Tavern
- 1
- 2
- 3
Resy powers the world’s best restaurants, using technology to imagine the future of hospitality.
© 2026 Resy Network, Inc.
BESbswy