The Resy Guide to the Best Outdoor Tables in New York

The Danish word hygge comes to mind upon settling into one of the Four Horsemen’s outdoor tables. It means cozy in a tasteful way, and here that translates to a partially covered structure made of light wood beams and decorated with flower planters, for a Scandinavian aesthetic that pairs well with the restaurant’s famously extensive list of natural wines. Share seasonal small plates at dinner, post up with a cup of coffee and freshly fried donuts during the day, or treat yourself to a top-notch ham-and-cheese sandwich for Friday lunch.

“6th Avenue Riviera” is what the King team calls their elegant sidewalk setup complete with overhead heaters and wicker chairs. And it lives up to the name: At dinner, a daily-changing European menu keeps regulars on their toes, and on the weekends from noon to 4 p.m., there are fried cheese sandwiches and pear bellinis à la Harry’s Bar of Venice.

Clinton Hill corner real estate, combined with escapist Tuscan cooking, seals the deal for an outdoor date night at Locanda Vini & Olii. When you book a table, the choice is yours: propane heaters or electric? After you arrive, share a pasta, order the grilled duck with chickpeas, and save room for dessert and amaro.

“Use what you’ve got” may as well be the motto of pandemic-era dining. For Momofuku Ko, that’s Extra Place, an entire alleyway of East Village sidewalk space where diners can opt for the full tasting menu or an à la carte selection of the kitchen’s latest creations (think burnt onion-mustard pizza and carrot-butter mochi cake). To add to the appeal, Ko’s outdoor setup is covered and graced with heaters.

A world unto itself awaits in Flushing, where the international hot pot chain Haidilao has constructed a maze of warm, well-ventilated tents to enjoy waygu slices, Chinese crullers, and enoki mushrooms dunked in spice-laden broths and chased with bottles of Tsingtao. A meal here is the al fresco adventure you’re looking for. More info here.

The chef and restaurateur Marco Moreira went above and beyond to combine 15East and Toqueville into one elaborate patio restaurant. Come for the pink lantern lights, cushy chairs, covered tables, and personal heaters. Stay for a combined menu that features sea urchin angel-hair carbonara, hand-cut soba with smoked duck, and braised short ribs — or an omakase that highlights the best of it all. 

A mural of imbibers overlooks Miss Ada’s cozy backyard, an idyllic setting for a feast of delectable dips and succulent skewers. If you can’t nab a coveted garden table, know that muhammara and salmon belly with labne taste just as good on the Mediterranean restaurant’s cozy, covered sidewalk.

At Cote, cabanas are outfitted with heaters above your head and below your lap, plus portable outdoor grills for a peak Korean barbecued beef experience. There are only five in total — and they require an Amex Platinum Card to reserve — so be quick on the draw. The butcher’s feast is forever a good bet here, as is the steak omakase.

Even after a turbulent year, the Odeon remains the pinnacle of highbrow downtown dining thanks to its expansive sidewalk set up. Outside, the TriBeCa restaurant’s white tablecloths and yellowfin tuna burgers have been joined by string lights and plexiglass, which safely section off tables without making it impossible to eavesdrop on literary agents and fashion designers. Call 212-233-0507 for reservations.

An abundance of choices awaits at Frank Castronovo and Frank Facinelli’s Carroll Gardens campus, starting with which of their three dining destinations you plan to hit. There’s the OG Frankies, 457 Spuntino, where you can enjoy cavatelli with hot sausage and browned sage butter in the tented garden; Franks Wine Bar, where you can pair a bottle with cured meats or a cheeseburger (plus a blanket if you ask nicely); and of course F&F Pizzeria, where you can wolf down exceptional pies curbside. Perhaps a multi-stop hop is in order?

Steaming cups of wonton soup followed by centerpiece Dungeness crab and crispy garlic chicken take on a more glorious sheen when served al fresco. From the generous BYO policy to big round tables and spinning lazy susans, everything is the same as it ever was at Wu’s — except now the restaurant is outside. More info here.

Peruvian vibes abound in this part of Williamsburg, where stitched straw lanterns, neutral-toned ceramics, and patterned pillows complete the patio picture. So grab a reservation and come hungry for hot black bass ceviche, crispy pig tails, and picarones (read: fried dough).

Not only is Dr Clark arguably the only Hokkaido-inspired restaurant in the city, it’s also decked out with outdoor kotatsu tables installed with blankets and Japanese heaters to keep your lower body warm. Start with a highball or a shochu sour, and order from a plentiful menu that ranges from donabe hotpot to sashimi, lamb Bolognese, and squid stuffed with uni rice. Pro tip: Don’t miss the tableside barbecued spicy Jingisukan lamb.

To dine al fresco at Altro Paradiso is to live la dolce vita New York-style. Start with some arancini and a spritz on Ignacio Mattos’ spacious Spring Street corner, then people watch over pasta and a bottle of wine. And cheers to next spring in Italy.