Winter has arrived — and we’re here for it. Now that indoor dining is closed yet again, our only choice is to bundle up and dine al fresco. So get cozy under heat lamps, don’t forget your jacket (or a blanket, for that matter), and keep booking those patio tables.
Just don’t let your excitement get in the way of the rules: Be sure to wear a mask as often as possible (especially when interfacing with servers), stay informed of specific restaurant protocols, and tip well!
From Greenpoint all the way to the Upper West Side, here’s a handy guide for where to dine outdoors. And if you don’t see your favorite restaurant open yet, you can always use My Hit List to stay notified about when it plans to reopen.
New on 1/8: Mark’s Off Madison, Xilonen, Adda, Bolero, Tong, Altro Paradiso.
Mark's Off Madison
Madison Square Park
Mark Strausman, formerly of Freds at Barneys, is playing all the hits at his NoMad venture: Estelle’s chicken soup, spaghetti alla Bolognese, chopped salads, pizzas, and at brunch, and at brunch, his brand-name (Straussie’s) chewy, hand-rolled bagels. Between the covered patio and the high-quality carbs, you’ll forget it’s winter.
Xilonen
Williamsburg
Justin Bazdarich (Speedy Romeo, Oxomoco) is the latest chef to hone in on plant-based cooking with his brand-new Mexican spot. Xilonen is now open in the former Sauvage space off McCarren Park, serving churros with Oaxacan chocolate, carrot-and-navy bean tostadas, and purple potato tacos from 10 a.m. ‘til 4 p.m. Heated seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. More info here.
Adda
Long Island City
If you live in LIC, you’re lucky, but if not, Adda is worth the trek even in 30-degree weather, to feast on dahi batata puri, kashmiri lamb ribs, Lucknow goat biryani, and more. Under heaters, of course.
Tong
Bushwick
Thai newcomer Tong specializes in small plates meant to be paired with drinks and shared with friends. Right now, that means grilled octopus with cilantro and chile-lime sauce, fried tofu skin stuffed with pork and crab, khao soi noodle soup, plus several rounds of Singha, on the warm-enough outdoor patio. More info here.
Bolero
Williamsburg
Choose one of two dine-in options at chefs Matt Le-Khac and Jimmy Tran’s new Vietnamese restaurant: streetside on the sidewalk or out back in the tea garden. Both scenarios are heated, so you can comfortably enjoy dishes like spicy lemongrass mushroom soup, rice tamales with shrimp, shaken beef, and for dessert, pandan honeycomb cake.
Altro Paradiso
Hudson Square, SoHo
Prosciutto di parma and arancini and cacio e pepe and panna cotta is a perfect Altro Paradiso meal, no matter the season. Nab a patio table, cozy up with a heat lamp, and buon appetito.
The Musket Room
Soho
Wreaths and candles make for a festive back garden and front patio, as is the case at The Musket Room. Both outdoor areas are heated, so get cozy and order some oysters (grilled or raw), kampachi crudo with green apple and yuzu, and fried quail with za’atar and tahini—or opt for the chef’s choice tasting menu. Pro-tip: every Friday through Sunday, pastry chef Camari Mick slings sweets from a vintage pick-up truck parked outside the restaurant.
Red Paper Clip
West Village
Red Paper Clip’s al fresco digs, with its blonde wood and sleek black seating, is très chic. Grab a Resy to dine on dishes like everything brioche with trout, miso yolk, and roe; xiao long bao agnolotti with pork, truffle, and black vinegar; and lobster three ways with sticky rice and scallion ginger sauce.
Shabu Tatsu
East Village
As you revel in a steam facial of hot, kombu-laced broth, you’ll realize that shabu-shabu is an ideal meal for dining outdoors during winter. Call for slices of prime rib, dip to cook, pair it with saucy rice and boiled vegetables for the perfect bite, reach nirvana, repeat.
John's of Bleecker Street
Greenwich Village
Expert New York slices and Neapolitan pies are all the rage these days, but let’s not forget about coal-fired brick oven pizza, a style that John’s of Bleecker Street has been mastering since 1929. And the outdoor setup stays true: a handful of wooden tables, etched with decades worth of customer signatures, sit underneath a bright red tent. More info here.
Chama Mama
Chelsea
Khachapuri is easily one of the top comfort foods, and Chama Mama offers the cheesy bread in many iterations. Also on the menu are dumplings, soups, salads, and kebabs. The backyard is heated, and the Georgian restaurant also has warm blankets for sale, should you need an extra layer.
MOKYO
East Village
Kay Hyun’s “wonderfully busy imagination” — so sayeth Times critic Pete Wells — produces Asian tapas like cauliflower with gochujang glaze and raisin labneh, corn dumplings with truffle salsa verde and Parmesan, wagyu with shiso salsa and butternut squash toast, and braised octopus with sweet soy congee. All this can be yours by snagging a patio table, and indulging on a narrow patch of St. Mark’s Place sidewalk.
Claro
Gowanus
Tostadas de calabaza with salsa macha, tacos de barbacoa with lamb belly, and scallops mole verde are gracing tables in Claro’s garden. The heaters are rocking, the atmosphere is transportive, and the format is four courses for $72 and at brunch, three for $45. It’s the treat yourself dining experience we all deserve.
King
West Village
Dinner on King’s terrace is as European as it gets in this city. The menu changes daily, but hand-cut pasta, French and Italian wines, and chargrilled steak are examples of what this corner spot excels at. Their wintertime “cabins” are equal parts elegant and cozy.
Miss Ada
Fort Greene
From the front sidewalk to the back garden, Miss Ada plates ceramic bowls of killer dips (don’t miss the muhammara) and pours natural wine. Order plates to share, and revel in the feel-good vibes of dining out—even if it’s chilly!—with friends.
Ernesto’s
Lower East Side
Chef Ryan Bartlow’s buzzy Basque taverna is dishing daily-changing pintxos and large plates to all who snag an al fresco Resy. Level up with a maroon-colored Ernesto’s branded blanket, for all your winter dining needs.
Via Carota
West Village
Enjoy towering plates of perfect green salad and twirls of tonnarelli cacio e pepe smack-dab in the middle of Grove Street. Rita Sodi and Jody Williams serve the West Village how they know best: as if they were in Italy.
The Four Horsemen
Williamsburg
How lovely is this set up? Sip on the good stuff (read: wine) and munch on whatever rotating array of excellence chef Nick Curtola and team are cooking up. Lunch is on, too, from Thurs–Sun, when you expect plates like puntarelle salad and not-your-average ham and cheese sandwich (with comté and pickled peppers, on sesame focaccia).
Frankies 457 Spuntino
Carroll Gardens
Options are abundant at Frankies’ Carroll Garden campus. Whether you opt for spuntino classics in the magical backyard garden or sidewalk dining outside the wine bar (pro-tip: brunch is back, as is the celebrated Prime Meats burger, and don’t hesitate to grab a slice from F&F for dessert), you’re in for a good time.
Vic’s
NoHo
Daily dinner, plus Friday lunch and weekend brunch are on at Vic’s, where you can enjoy seasonal vegetable dishes, arrabiata and amatriciana pizza, comforting pastas, and more on their NoHo sidewalk. Fear not: Heat lamps have been installed.
Grand Army
Boerum Hill
As temps drop, a surefire way to warm up is by starting your meal with a cocktail. The drinks at Grand Army — like the white Manhattan with honeysuckle, or a hot toddy made with apple cider, rye, and black tea — are stellar, the oysters are always fresh, and dishes like Gruyère-and-cauliflower crab dip, and mussels in a coconut-habanero broth, complete the picture of warmth.
Ops
Bushwick
At Ops, celestial sourdough pizzas, including a rotating seasonal pie and calzone, are the main event. If you haven’t had the rojo, a white pie topped with melty mortadella, put it on your pizza bucket list, stat. They also have a wonderfully casual wine program and a chill vibe that was accessible via walk-in only, until now. Grab a reservation for the heated patio.
Rule of Thirds
Greenpoint
Over in Greenpoint, Rule of Thirds has one of the most aesthetically pleasing outdoor dining set ups in the game. Think blonde wood tables, situated under sleek tents and covered in multi-colored ceramic plates of pork jowl skewers, kaarage, and mushroom somen noodles. Come during weekend brunch for Japanese breakfast sets, tamagoyaki sandos, and soufflé pancakes.
HWA YUAN SZECHUAN
Chinatown
Yes, they famously invented sesame noodles, so you’ll want an order of those, plus your pick from a dazzling array of choices ranging from xiao long bao to Grand Mariner walnut prawns, Peking duck, and braised whole fish in spicy broth. All of their reservation slots are simply marked “dining room,” so it’s worth a follow-up call at 212-966-6002 to ensure an outside table.
Mo's Original
Prospect Lefferts Garden/ Flatbush
Spicy miso curry ramen, Mo’s patty melt, brisket buns, fried chicken sandwich. All of that and more is available for outdoor dining in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Add a painkiller for good measure — the recipe comes courtesy of Mo’s sister restaurant, the late-great Glady’s.
June Wine Bar
Cobble Hill
An intense and thoughtful selection of natural wines awaits you at June, where you can get cozy on the back patio. The list is long, so ask for a suggestion to pair with whipped ricotta on sourdough, lamb sausage and duck confit cassoulet, or the aioli platter with seasonal vegetables.
Old Town Bar
Flatiron
For Before Times sake, grab a table outside of this old-school Flatiron hang and call for a vodka-soda, a pilsner, or whatever it is that’s your dive bar go-to, plus an order of wings and a giant soft pretzel. New York is not dead. More info here (and yes, we’re marveling at Old Town having a website).
Ruffian
East Village
Pleasures abound on Ruffian’s newly overhauled patio, beginning with an expansive selection of skin-contact wines and extending to their eclectic vegetarian fare. Order a glass of wine (or two, or three, probably a bottle!) to drink with smoked beet sourdough baos and roasted Japanese pumpkin in tomato-turmeric brodo, then finish with a braised date tart.
15East at Tocqueville
Flatiron
Tocqueville and 15 East, chef Marco Moreira’s respective American-French and omakase destinations, are now one. That means guests can opt for seasonal plates like honeynut squash soup and hay-smoked duck with black Mission figs alongside hand-cut soba, uni flights, and a selection of sushi — all from the comfort of a partially covered patio lit with pink lantern string lights. Your move.
Nami Nori
West Village
Nami Nori’s trademark temaki hand rolls are being served streetside, so grab a table and order a set. You can go signature, vegan, or choose your own route, with combo highlights including tuna poke and crispy shallots, spicy seabass and daikon, and miso eggplant with gobo chips.
LaLou
Prospect Heights
Did you know that hidden in the back of LaLou is a garden patio? Snag a table, then select something to drink (it’s a wine bar, after all) to compliment snacks like anchovy toast and charcuterie, and larger dishes such as housemade sausage with black lentils and mustard and whole Boston mackerel with salsa verde.
Fish Cheeks
Bowery
Take comfort in Fish Cheek’s fiery curries and warming soups while dining streetside. Tom yum seafood soup and coconut crab curry are wonderful options, and you’ll want to add an order Thai-style oysters and/or zabb wings for good measure.
St. Anselm
Williamsburg
You know that charming Williamsburg steakhouse that’s famous for long waits and no reservations? Well, that last part has changed — St. Anselm is now accepting bookings for the backyard via Resy, where you can chow down on Bibb salad, grilled clams, New York strip au poivre, and rum sticky coffee cake.
Hunky Dory
Crown Heights
The Hunky Patio is partially covered by a hoop-shaped tent and decorated with lush plants and multi-colored lights. Pair the festive vibe with chicken sandos, veggie burgers, hot honey squash, and whoopie pies. As for drinks, spring for the hot turmeric toddy or the mulled orange wine—it’s cold, after all.
The Tyger
Soho
From the team behind Chinese Tuxedo comes this Southeast Asian stunner in lower SoHo, splashing onto the outdoor dining scene just weeks before indoor dining (at 25% capacity) is back in the mix. Expect tiny share plates like charred baby octopus with seaweed salsa verde, Singaporean chili-crab fried rice, and crispy lamb ribs with coconut and fish sauce caramel.
Pastis
Meatpacking District
Leave it to Keith McNally to make you feel warm and cozy, even whilst dining outdoors. Pastis’ al fresco area is heated, so all you have to worry about is what to order. Steak tartare, onion soup, salade niçoise, moules frites? All complemented, as always, by cobblestone streets.
Diner
Williamsburg
This Williamsburg mainstay is over two decades old, and the pandemic hasn’t stopped them from doing what they do best: daily menus that draw on seasonal produce and always include the phenomenal signature cheeseburger. Patio dining at Diner won’t serve you wrong.
GupShup
Gramercy
Get your pod together and grab an al fresco table at Gupshup, where you can order masala chai martinis, plus onion-chili cheese kulcha, yellow dal tadka, Lakhnawi chicken biryani, and plenty more to share. Even Jimmy Fallon is doing it.
JUA
Flatiron District
Treat yourself to six courses of wood-fired Korean fare on the Jua patio. Although the menu is always evolving, you can expect dishes like uni and toro wrapped in nori, grilled-smoked chicken, and black sugar bingsu for dessert. For $85, it’s a steal.
Llama San
Lower Manhattan
Now’s a great time to try (or revisit) one of 2020’s hottest restaurants. Plan for an early (think 5:30 p.m.) or late (around 9) al fresco dinner of punchy ceviches, aged duck-breast nigiri, and chicken thigh maki, or set a Notify for a primetime slot.
Hahm Ji Bach
Flushing
If you thought Korean barbecue couldn’t be executed al fresco, think again. Over in Flushing, Hahm Ji Bach boasts an impressive set-up; each sidewalk table is individually tented and outfitted with a tableside griddle for grilling meats. Get a crew together, order Hite beers on draft, and know that pork belly is their specialty. More info here.
Gertie
Williamsburg
This modern Jew-ish delicatessen serves breakfast all day (think cornflake ricotta toast), relish trays, and corned beef Reubens on their patio. Better yet, legendary baker Melissa Weller recently joined the team; run, don’t walk for her famed sticky buns and braided babka.
Niche Niche
SoHo
Something fun is always going down at Niche Niche. Ariel Arce’s wine-centric dinner party invites sommeliers, wine professionals, and chefs from all over to pour bottles and dish creative menus. Check IG to see what’s on the agenda, then reserve a patio table.
The Jones
NoHo
Gabe Stulman and chef James McDuffee’s NoHo seafood spot is doing sidewalk seating for lunch, dinner, and brunch, so nab a table to get involved. To drink, they’ve got Cappelletti spritzes, Red Stripe lagers, and carafes of crisp white wine, and to eat, there’s top-notch filet o’ fish sandwiches, lobster salad with corn pudding and heirloom tomatoes, and skate with brown butter and lemon.
Supper
East Village
If you’ve never had the spaghetti al limone from Supper, you’re missing out. Frank Prisinzano’s rustic Alphabet City osteria is a lovely place to linger over Northern Italian fare, such as prosciutto di parma with figs, veal Milanese, and homemade gnocchi with pesto — plus, the outdoor setup is pretty cute.
Bar Boulud
Upper West Side
Start your meal on Bar Boulud’s terrace with a board of daily-selected pâtés, terrines, and sliced meats served with mustard, pickles and toasted sourdough. Views of the Lincoln Center, tony French and California wines, plus traditional dishes like salad niçoise and steak-frites complete the picture.
Yakitori Torishin
Midtown
If you’ve been to Torishin, you know that they are masterful practitioners of yakitori. Now you can enjoy their sublime grilled chicken skewers — from crispy wings to gizzards — along a stretch of 53rd Street, plus warm sake to beat the cold.
Kokomo Caribbean Restaurant
Williamsburg
Wood-fired flatbreads topped with sauteed ackee and shrimp, or braised oxtail, plus vegan items like whole roasted cauliflower with jerk sauce, are some of the hits this fresh-faced Caribbean spot has to offer. The patio’s shimmery, tropical vibes will *almost* make you forget it’s winter and you’re in NYC.
Wu’s Wonton King
Chinatown
Wu’s Wonton King has taken over a swath of Rutgers Street and graced it with sidewalk seats and white tablecloths. They even brought their signature round tables and lazy Susans outside, so you can properly feast on the restaurant’s glistening roast meats, juicy wontons, and salt-and-pepper squid al fresco — at a time when Chinatown needs all the support it can get. Psst: pre-order king crabs are available, should you be in the mood for an adventure.
Haenyeo
Park Slope
Reserve a spot on Haenyeo’s patio for grilled oysters with seaweed-butter beignets, bulgogi lettuce wraps, and fluke sashimi bowls with salmon roe and perilla leaf. Chef Jenny Kwak’s exceptional Korean cuisine is worth finding your way to Park Slope, in case you’re not already a local.
Raoul's
Soho
A burger hits differently in the wintertime. Go full hedonist by satisfying your craving at Raoul’s, where the famed burger au poivre is melted with triple cream St. André cheese and served with hand-cut pommes frites — now served on a stretch of Prince Street sidewalk.
Red Hook Tavern
Red Hook
Oysters, chicken liver paté, a fantastic wedge salad, and littleneck clams with grilled sourdough are yours to linger over in Red Hook. Don’t sleep on the restaurant’s unique wine program, now overseen by sommelier Rebecca Flynn — ask for a recommendation, and you won’t be disappointed.
