The Resy Guide to Outdoor Dining in New York

Alfresco in Manhattan

Whether or not you’ve been to this French addition to the splurge-worthy dining scene, you may want to turn your attention their terrasse menu — a short and sweet, newly debuted list of perfected bites for outdoor dining only, from cherry gazpacho studded with black truffle to foie gras crème brûlée, caviar service at the ready. One to bookmark for those decadent summertime nights. The terrasse is available for walk-ins only.

At L’Artusi, pasta is a given and covered patio seating is a lovely option. The cacio e pepe is done with pici, garganelli gets paired with mushroom ragu and topped with ricotta salata, and tagliatelle comes with a Bolognese bianco. Savor it while taking in the West Village passersby. And if you can’t seem to nab a Resy, here’s how to get in.

Awadh is dead, long live Baazi! Yes, the Upper West Side Indian staple has been rebranded, and yes, chef-owner Gaurav Anand is still running the kitchen, but this time around, he’s presenting his most ambitious menu yet (“baazi” is Hindi for “bet,” after all). Think Goan specialties (like a Cornish hen in a cilantro marinade), a twist of fish and chips with okra fries, a meat-free butter chicken, and more. Do not skip the outdoor setup, a sunny extension of the blue dining room, and one of the prettiest patios we’ve seen yet.

A brasserie with a Buenos Aires soul, Balvanera is your best bet for empanadas, croquetas, pulpo a la plancha, and other delightful plates meant to be shared. Do book an outdoor seat on a balmy day, order yourself a glass of Malbec (their wine list is worth getting lost in), and pretend you’re basking in that port city air.

Mix a cocktail bar with elevated American snacks and a contemporary diner aesthetic and you’ve got Bandits, a West Village newcomer complete with alfresco booths. On the menu are signature libations, frozen cocktails, tiki drinks, and dressed-up beers, in addition to chicken or cauliflower wings, a deep-fried hot dog, and tater tots with various topping combinations. 

For a boisterous LES vibe, hit the patio of this mainstay to enjoy grade-A guac, tacos, and enchiladas. Barrio Chino is also an excellent choice if you’re in the mood for margs — made with Tequila or mezcal in flavors ranging from a very spicy habañero grapefruit to floral hibiscus and sour tamarind.

The outdoor setup at Il Buco reflects the restaurant’s long-held position as the utmost master of rustic aesthetic and cuisine. Worn wooden tables and chairs and even still life paintings have been installed on the sidewalk to complement salumi plates, seasonal salads, and roasted meats.

Because Casa D’Angelo is in the heart of Little Italy, an outdoor seat is a guarantee you’ll have your housemade gnocchi Sorrentina with a side of people-watching: the covered sidewalk patio is right on Mulberry Street, after all, so get ready.

A Chelsea fixture, Cookshop remains a go-to for lunch, brunch, and dinner, pulling the absolute best produce from the farmers market. We’d name-drop ramp pizza and warm asparagus from the menu, but will you catch them in time before the season ends? Do book a patio table, set right on 10th Avenue for a breeze and your people-watching needs.

Outside Essex Market, wherein Chintan Pandya and Roni Mazumdar’s brand-new restaurant resides, Dhamaka has set up a colorful enclosure for outdoor dining. Make a Resy to enjoy papdi chaat, goat belly kebabs, paneer methi, and other “unapologetic” Indian fare alfresco.

A newly debuted gastropub set on a cozy corner of the West Village, Due West deals in excellent bar food, thanks to former Locanda Verde chef Victor Bonano. Look to the hot crab dip, baked oysters, and duck fat fries, and do get a round of their excellent canned cocktails for easy sipping.

Chicago-style deep dish, “tavern” thin crust, and hot dogs are Emettt’s specialty, and yet it feels pretty New York to indulge in this type of fare while watching Citi Bikes and yellow cabs make their way down MacDougal Street. Think of it as the best of both worlds.

Forsythia’s new-and-improved outdoor dining structure is a sight to behold. Think a Roman pergola with a mustard yellow paint job, extending roof, plush green chairs, retractable doors and windows, and — gasp — air conditioning and heating. Grab a Resy, and nosh on pasta in style.

Outdoor dining and wontonini en brodo are back at Manhattan’s favorite Asian-tinged diner, and if there’s one thing to know about Sam Yoo’s Golden Diner, it’s that they like to keep things fun. (See their winter grilling events.) Pro tip: Brunch is for the honey butter pancakes, dinner’s for the matzoh ball soup.

Hudson Square’s de facto neighborhood restaurant is just a few blocks away from the water, which means you can pregame or postgame a meal here with a walk along Hudson River Park. That meal, possibly charred cabbage with tahini and Aleppo pepper followed by the burger, can also be enjoyed on the sidewalk, for a full evening spent alfresco.

Chase your pickle spears and biscuit sandwiches with craft beer from Jacob’s Pickles’ spacious streetside setup. This Upper West Side establishment has been serving up comfort food classics — don’t skip mac ‘n’ cheese — for almost 10 years now, for good reason.

Ignacio Mattos’ elegant Italian-inspired caffé in Rockefeller Center is officially open with terrazzo seating, stunning einkorn chocolate croissants, fresh ricotta and mozzarella made in-house daily, and vitello tonnato. Come for breakfast, come for lunch, or come for both.

Modeled after the tried-and-true Brauhäuser (brewery restaurants) of Cologne, Loreley Beer Garden delivers on its outdoors biergarten experience. Think beer from the oldest brewery in the world, giant pretzels, seasonal craft pints, platters of sausage, and more, within a flower-filled garden that gets its fair share of sun.

See also: Our guide to the best beer halls and breweries in New York.

This Italian gem made headlines when it unleashed roomy and waterproof tent-bubbles onto Amsterdam Avenue. Come rain or shine, Lucciola has perfected al fresco dining — that, and its pasta, too. You’re definitely not going to want to miss the handmade tortellini — an ode to Bologna, the hometown of the owners — or the luxe $199 tasting for two.

People-watching doesn’t get any better on Mercer Street, and thankfully, Lure Fishbar provides. Think a (heated when needed) patio reminiscent of a boat, seafood towers for happy hour, lush accents, lobster rolls, and string lights. The Lure Fishbar see-or-be-seen experience is always a mood, inside and out.

Nothing cures the blues like food coming out of a tandoor oven. And the options at Madam Ji are worth venturing out for: chicken tikka spiced with jalapeño, lamb sheikh kebab with hints of garam masala, and tandoori-roasted cottage cheese are but some of the heady offerings.

Whether you’re here for the hand rolled bagels at brunch, the chopped salad made famous at Freds at lunch, or the housemade pastas come dinner, the permanent and lush outdoor terrace at Mark’s Off Maison, a Madison Square Park gem, is the place to have it all.

Every night (and brunch) is a party at the Miss Lily’s outpost bordering Tompkins Square Park, thanks to a rotating list of specials, from all-you-can-eat jerk fests on Mondays to Tuesday Alaskan snow crab boils, which you may just want to book outdoors. Their streetside patio is a gem, and best accompanied by an ice-cold dark ‘n’ stormy slushie in hand. (Pro tip: Rum is the way to go here — this location offers no less than 100 Caribbean varieties of it.)

At this sophisticated restaurant under the 59th Street Bridge, you’ll find New York-Italian classics from longtime restaurateur and chef Pino Luongo (Coco Pazzo Trattoria). Think housemade pastas like rigatoni buttera made with hot and sweet sausages, peas, and cream; and house specials like braised rabbit and a generous Berkshire pork chop. The outdoor terrace is a lovely retreat, and in the spring and summer, there’s arguably no place better in Sutton Place.

If spam musubi topped with caviar isn’t enough to lure you to Noreetuh (made extra cozy with its heated outdoor patio in the winter), consider the Michelin-recognized Hawaiian restaurant’s treasure trove of wines. Partners Chung Chow and Jin Ahn have built one top-notch team, and everything from the crudo offerings to the mentaiko tagliatelle is sure to blow you away.

Do handmade pastas taste better al fresco on sunny days? Yes, and Peasant’s pretty wooden patio is the place to head to. Plus, the restaurant’s put together a brand-new spritz bar outdoors, with fizzy drinks inspired by six different regions of Italy, from Turin to Trieste. Pro tip: Drop by for their happy hour Monday through Friday, 5 to 6:30 p.m. for half-off select wines and cocktails.

Happy hours in the West Village don’t get better than out in the Perry Club’s flower-filled garden, where $7 drinks and a $10 thin-crust Margherita pie reign (drop by Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 7 p.m.).

It’s in the name, folks: Pinto Garden is a proper flower wonderland cherished by the West Village brunch crowd all year round, but it’s also a gem of a modern Thai restaurant. Start with the shrimp donuts and moo kem tod (marinated fried pork belly), before delving into heftier show-stopping plates — the crab fried rice and short rib khao soi are known favorites.

Trust us, when it comes to udon, Raku reigns supreme in Manhattan. Bouncy, chewy, and homemade on the daily, the noodles Raku delivers are texture-perfect, so do sit outdoors, let the steam envelop your face, and slurp it down quickly as the well-heeled Soho shoppers pass by.

Some days, all you really want is a plate of glistening charcuterie, and for those moments, Salumeria Rosi is waiting on the Upper West Side with plenty of patio seating to boot. Formaggi (lots of it) is on the menu as well, in addition to a selection of classic pasta dishes.

When you make the weather-appropriate switch to cold soba, you’re going to want to sample it outdoors second, and at Sarashina Horii, first. Designed with Japanese minimalism in mind, the 20-seat patio is heated when needed and tucked just a block away from the quiet of Gramercy Park. Pro tip: Drop by on weekends for the special Jyuwari soba, a 100% buckwheat gluten-free noodle. Otherwise, the cold soba is the move: it’s much more aromatic.

Oysters and pink-hued drinks are the specialties at Sel Rrose. Add the buzzy restaurant’s unbeatable vantage point from the corner of Bowery and Delancey and expansive sidewalk real estate, and it’s no wonder it’s packed every night of the week. Still, (Pro tip), it’s easy to snag a table in advance on Resy.

Shuka’s sister restaurant in Chelsea is distinct for its house-made breads for dipping galore and generous use of a charcoal grill. And there’s something about sharing smoky-charred lamb skewers, crispy squid, and stuffed grape leaves while perched outside that feels so right. Nab a patio Resy and get ready to feast.

Leave it to Soho to revamp the nostalgic diner into the sceniest of scenes. Welcome to Soho Diner, complete with vinyl booths, Formica tables, and an extra-long menu. Brunch or breakfast is best eaten in the garden area, under the shade of a pink parasol. The choice of vegan banana pancakes or huevos rancheros is up to you.

As a staple of the Meatpacking District, The Standard Grill makes for an ideal scene for snacking post gallery sightseeing, High Line walking, or window shopping. Get a table at their outdoor café (which is fully heated in the winter) for the lush green pines, roasted onion soup, and general see-or-be-seen vibe.

Nolita’s cool kids’ hangout is also an incredible diner that reinvents the greasy spoon classics with Thailand in mind. Whether you’re here for the egg sandwich wrapped in roti or the lobster omelet, always save room for dessert, and know that their outdoor dining setup is one of the prettiest out there, a true extension of the buoyant dining room.

The Tyger has heated banquette seats in their outdoor booths come frigid days, and a plant-lined greenhouse with ample street-watching, should you decide to book on a sunnier afternoon. Either way, the Tyger delivers on its Southeast Asian menu, hopscotching from Cambodian fried chicken to Singaporean chili crab fried rice, excellent cocktails included.

When Van Da, the East Village’s modern Vietnamese restaurant, finally reopened after a month-long R&R hiatus, it did so with a sprinkling of new dishes and drinks, like a bird’s eye chile-infused mezcal and mango cocktail called Ho Chi Smokey. Chase your short rib grilled cheese with a shot of pho broth on the partially covered, string-lit patio.

Veranda’s got quite the outdoor setup. Think a multi-level space outfitted, with not one but two terraces, a lounge area with its own back bar, and outdoor tables, so you may fully enjoy chef George Mendes’ excellent cooking (the pastas and piri piri chicken are required eating). Swings and backgammon included.

Head to Vestry for something a bit more refined, inclusive of a heated-when-needed outdoor veranda that sings of SoHo chic. The fine-dining restaurant, which is helmed by the Australian chef Shaun Hergatt and recently received a Michelin star, features a Japanese-influenced, seafood-heavy menu, with artfully plated dishes ranging from hamachi crudo with kalamansi, roe, and nashi pear to beef cheeks with foie gras and miso-mustard.

Head to this Upper West Side newcomer for Malaysian fare ranging from honey-chili-sambal chicken wings to Singaporean black pepper prawns, plus Thai- and Indian-influenced dishes such as larb fries and nasi biryani. The menu is as diverse as it is expansive, so assemble a crew and grab a Resy (perhaps on their covered patio?).

The Lower East Side’s worst-kept “secret” garden is not one to miss in your outdoor rotation. Antique furniture from wicker chairs to “wedding banquet” tables act as your charming backdrop while you tuck into the daily curry, or whatever Thai deliciousness Wayla has in reserve to brighten your day.

Enjoy Yellow Rose’s self-described “Genuine Cosmic Texas Cookin’” in the midst of New York City’s bustling East Village by grabbing a table outside on 3rd Ave. Better yet, now that the gussied up taqueria is on Resy, you can plan ahead for barbacoa, vegan queso, and sheet cake alfresco.

Outdoors in Brooklyn

Clinton Hill’s darling neighborhood Italian spot remains ever-popular for dinner and brunch, especially for those looking to outdoor dine. That’s thanks to its rows of sturdily-constructed, forest green alfresco booths. Pasta is the move at night, while weekend afternoons bring classic fare like salmon hash and buttermilk pancakes.

Reasons to go to Antica Pesa in Williamsburg: (1) For the excellent and perennial cacio e pepe, (2) for live jazz every Thursday, and (3) for the twinkly outdoor setup right on Berry Street, which provides ample people-watching.

Fans of Le Crocodile will find lots to love at the Wythe’s rooftop bar, helmed by the same team: exceptional cocktails, French plates to share (the small mountain of fries is A+ for snacking), and Manhattan views amid a buzzy crowd. Pro tip: A Resy around 7 p.m. should ensure you’re there for the sunset.

See also: Our guide to the best rooftop bars and restaurants in New York.

Because Cafe Spaghetti’s backyard is where you’re going to want to be this summer. (The front patio is very nice, too.) Start with an extra-refreshing sfumato blood orange aperitivo, order the spiedini alla Romana (the Italians’ answer to grilled cheese), and go big on the pastas — if the ravioli’s on the menu, do not skip it.

Up in Greenpoint, Chez Ma Tante has lots of heated sidewalk real estate where you can share pâté, chips and aioli, Caesar salad, kedgeree, and other bona fide classics. Pro tip: Save room for the chocolate cake, the lemon tart, or both.

An alfresco structure decked out in pink and green is the perfect backdrop for Di An Di’s vibrant menu of rice paper rolls, noodles, and rice bowls. To drink, try something fun, like a pandan colada or the cà phê trứng (read: Vietnamese egg coffee) martini — made with vodka, cold-brew coffee, condensed milk, egg, and cinnamon.

As one of Greenpoint’s essential brunch go-to’s, Esme has the neighborhood on lock with freshly baked cinnamon rolls and buttermilk pancakes. Book the patio on sunny days; it’s one of Esme’s best seats in the house, both indoors and out.

Over in Bushwick, Falansai’s garden boasts a koi pond and a giant graffitied fish as a backdrop. On the menu are chicken liver brûlée with chicken skin and rice crackers, fall-off-the-bone confit duck necks, spicy green veggie curry, and “Dad’s Fried Rice,” laced with Vietnamese mortadella and fluffy egg — best paired with beers from Vietnam … or Brooklyn.

Because Faun’s extremely lovely garden patio may be Prospect Heights’ best-kept secret. Lush in the warmer days, heated when it’s cold, the patio is one cozy nook made even cozier by the Italian-leaning fare Faun deals in: smoked gouda arancini, braised artichokes, and incredible seasonal pastas.

What’s not to love about French fare in an idyllic Brooklyn garden? At French Louie, menu mainstays like anchovy frites, steak tartare, and duck au poivre are complemented by seasonal dishes such as a nectarine-and-tomato salad, and bananas foster profiteroles for dessert.

This Ditmas Park wine bar is a lovely setting to linger over a bottle of wine and a cheese plate. Come hungrier, and call for an ‘nduja panino or the chicken schnitzel. 

Wood-fired flatbreads topped with sautéed ackee and shrimp or braised oxtail, hot chocolate cocktails, plus vegan items like whole roasted cauliflower with jerk sauce, are some of the hits this excellent Caribbean spot has to offer. A patio decked out for summer makes it all the more alluring.

Make a reservation at Maison Premiere, then politely request a garden table upon arrival for the utmost atmospheric experience. Between the 30-plus varieties of freshly shucked oysters and a team of bartenders that can suit your tastes to the ideal cocktail, you’re in good hands.

Your best bet of snagging a seat at Masalawala & Sons is most likely by dining outdoors (Pro tip: Walk-ins are taken and seated in the backyard!). But if you see an open table online, whether outdoors or in, do not even hesitate: the latest from Roni Mazumdar, his father Satyen, and chef-partner Chintan Pandya is as riveting as the other Unapologetic Foods concepts, with a whirlwind of Indian dishes you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else (prawns cooked inside a young coconut, anyone?).

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.

Housemade labneh, halloumi skewers, and an excellent brick chicken are sometimes best shared and devoured in Miss Ada’s extra nice back garden. The modern Israeli food is always on the point and there’s something about it eating it al fresco that simply feels right, especially when there’s wine on the table (the list veers natural and is very fun).

Japanese fan favorite Nami Nori’s second location is officially open in Williamsburg, with new vegan dishes and alfresco dining, too. The fun here lies in customizing the playful menu to suit your tastes, so share some apps and then create your own temaki set.

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 to enjoy dips, soups, salads, patatas bravas, and all kinds of paella. Pro tip: Olea is especially friendly to vegans, so come one, come all.

Pizza and wine are a match made in heaven, and few places do it better than Ops. Gather a group, grab a patio Resy, order a few bottles, keep your eyes peeled for the specials, and don’t underestimate the square pie. Meat-eaters go crazy for the rojo, a white pie draped with buttery slices of mortadella and sprinkled with pickled peppers.

Pips is a Brooklyn Heights wine bar inspired by coastal Italy. So, you can expect snacks and seasonal shared plates, Negronis and spritzes, plus lots of Italian wines and amari (to finish). Sidewalk seating on Atlantic Avenue makes it all the more European.

Summer nights are best spent in the lovely 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.

A cool-kids Gowanus hub where the vegan café fare is as enticing as the sound room shows (for the best food and drink pairing, head here), Public Records also has one heck of a tree-lined outdoor space, where you should make the most of your sunny days.

Chef Alex Raij’s elegant Cobble Hill fisherie is back in action, and with alfresco seating, too. Grab a Resy for a smattering of snacks (whipped mackerel pâté, stracciatella with smoked trout roe), chilled dishes like octopus with pipian verde and roasted tomatillo juice, and hot plates such as squid à la plancha and cod pot pie, plus Spanish-leaning cocktails, sherry, and coastal European wines.

Because not only did Santa Fe recently (finally) launch their dine-in dinner menu, they revealed a very lovely backyard patio, too. Fill up on chile rellenos, get acquainted with their many margaritas, and have an absolutely excellent time at this New Mexico-inspired haven, all around.

Suffice to say, with an outdoor enclosure of 1,700 square feet, Strangeways has worked its alfresco setup more than well. Think spaced-out picnic tables in a lush private garden that’s heated and covered (when needed), all of which makes for a cozy ambiance fit for its rustic American menu — lots of vegan-friendly options included.

A café come dawn and restaurant with a live DJ booth come dusk, Sisters is Clinton Hill’s answer to where you should spend your mornings and nights. Book the outdoor shed (heated when needed) for brunch, where savory French toast with pulled pork shares table space with huevos rancheros.

Good news: This Brooklyn Heights all-day fixture has officially reopened its perfect garden and roadside seating. And with Resys from 9 a.m. till late, you can drop by Pineapple Street whenever it best suits you: for breakfast burritos in the morning, freshly pressed paninis in the afternoon, or the full-fledged Italian menu at night.

Whether you visit Walter’s before or after a stroll through Fort Greene Park is entirely up to you, but you shouldn’t miss this corner fixture and its lovely, covered patio. Don’t skip the raw bar and the eponymous Walter’s burger, which arrives on a sesame potato roll.

Patio-Side in Queens

With all the buzz going to Dhamaka and Semma, it’s easy to forget the city’s first love affair with Chintan Pandya and Roni Mazumdar’s very first restaurant. Yes, we’re talking about Adda, who shook the city with its undiluted menu of Indian specialties — find us at the patio, with the (non-negotiable) goat biryani and some homemade paneer.

Editor’s Note: Use this as an opportunity to check out Adda’s original Long Island City home before the restaurant makes an eventual move to the East Village sometime later this year.

If you’re looking to book for a very large group, Nowadays has you covered. The Ridgewood venue takes Resys for up to 29 guests (yes, 29) and the outdoor space is something else: a huge backyard with twinkly lights and picnic tables, top-notch music system and all, with food from the team behind Dr Clark. Drop by Mondays through Thursdays for their happy hour (a two-for-one deal from 4 to 8 p.m.) and on Saturdays for their summer-long backyard barbecues.

If you’re in the mood for warm cubes of sesame-crusted feta, roasted bone marrow, and lamb and beef kebabs, Ovelia is the modern Greek trattoria for you. Blending tradition with novelty is what this Astoria spot does best, especially come brunch (are you ready for baklava pancakes?). And the alfresco experience is delightful, thanks to Ovelia’s heated-when-needed street-side cabin.

Astoria’s new American bistro is always a sure bet for taco Tuesdays, live music happenings with local bands, and weekend brunch, with a stellar draft beer selection to boot. Make a beeline to the patio on sunnier days.

What was once an Austrian café is now a destination for Korean- and Chinese-inspired fare from chef Kate Telfeyan. The menu ranges from nori fried pork chop to clam-and-corn wontons, and the Riesling selection is on point. Outside tables are complemented by string lights.

Jackson Heights’ luminous bistro, helmed by Keith McNally alum Tony Liu, is the type of place that has something for everyone: silky pastas, pizzas both classic and new, and a decadent garlic bread slathered in juicy clams that shouldn’t be missed. Oh, and a perfect patio, too.

Wood-fired cooking steals the show at this Ridgewood stunner — do start with the incredible wood-fired polenta bread before making your way through the rest of the excellent menu (lasagna verde, housemade mortadella, crispy potatoes …) Better yet, book a Resy for an outdoors table, where weekend lunch is best served.

You know what’s a perfect food for cooling off in the New York summer? Ceviche. And the ones on offer at Rosatoro in Astoria, Queens are executed to the nines. Tack on a round of pisco sours, get yourself a patio table, and keep your eyes peeled for their live music programming.