The Resy Guide to Summer Fridays in New York City

For the loveliest lunches in the city…

Who says summer Fridays have to start later than lunch? We’ll never tell. Consider spending some time on the patio at King, where you’ll enjoy crispy panisse and a silky chevre omelet preferably alongside a Venezia spritz. Borgo’s fava puree and fennel sausage with Umbrian lentils are both available during lunch, as is the pièce de summer Friday résistance: their decadent chocolate, almond, and apricot sachertorte. We’re not saying you’re doing it wrong if you don’t get dessert, but you’re doing it wrong if you don’t get dessert.

If you’re rolling with a crew of your most fun coworkers, guarantee nothing else will get done for the shareholders by treating yourselves to Yellow Rose. Tex-Mex never hurt anyone, especially when it’s as delicious as their bean and cheese tacos and chorizo quesadilla with long hots. Did someone say margaritas? We think we heard someone say margaritas.

If you’re dining solo (or heading back to the office after, which, sigh) Okonomi / Yuji Ramen Manhattan is a solid choice. Go for one of their sets, like the chirashi or grilled eel, perfectly portioned for a quick(er) lunch. Or head to Golden Diner’s midtown sibling Golden Hof – Korean Bar & Grill for their lunch box special — marinated kalbi, chicken katsu, or pork belly with banchan for just $22.

And if you find yourself in or near Greenpoint on a summer Friday this June, consider stopping by Chez Ma Tante. Every Friday in June from noon to 3 p.m., they’ll be selling ham sandwiches from Mr. Hams, in addition to pouring some wines, coffee, tea, and maybe even some vermouth.

For an ideal post-work happy hour…

Why not improve on the start of your weekend by indulging in a few drink specials? Do know that it’s extremely hard to go wrong at Fish Cheeks no matter what time it is, but the happy hour is something else. Reserve a table either in NoHo from 12 to 5 p.m. or Williamsburg from 12 to 6 p.m., where you’ll enjoy specials on their seafood towers and cocktails. Or, if wine is more your speed, try The Ten Bells. They have $8 glasses of wine ($22 carafes, just saying) and $1 oysters — a unicorn in New York — but not here, and not today. Know that they only take reservations for parties of four or more, so come with a crew or try for a walk-in.

Brooklyn-bound? Make a reservation at Greenpoint’s Frijoleros, where you’ll enjoy $5 tacos until 6 p.m., plus $10 deals on their (expert approved) cocktails like a refreshing cucumber margarita. Or, try Arden in Crown Heights from Mermaid Inn veterans, where you can make a reservation for happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Given the pedigree, know that you should place your focus on their seafood specials, like $11 salmon tartare and $2.25 oysters. Our personal favorite, though, has to be Arden’s Crown Heights Happy Meal, where you’ll get a martini and fried olives for $22.

For a supremely satisfying 5 p.m. dinner…

Take the opportunity bestowed by your early end to the workday to book a harder-to-get reservation. This could be your chance to eat at Ambassadors Clubhouse New York, where the barbecue butter chicken chops and chile cheese pakode have caused a frenzy among those in the know. We’re not saying snagging that Resy will be easy – just easier. The same could be true for Odo East Village, where the 14 seats remain perpetually full of diners enjoying kaiseki-izakaya style bites. Via Carota’s reputation as hard-to-book is also well established, but 5 p.m. tends to fill up less quickly. Anyone who knows anything knows that you shouldn’t disregard the vegetables here, and do try to sit on the sidewalk for some prime West Village people watching.

Or head to the hot new kid on the block, the King team’s British pub, Dean’s, where you can fill up on stargazy pie or golden fried fish and chips. Guinness non-optional. Technically, Bistrot Ha would constitute a 5:30 p.m. dining time due to their slightly later opening schedule, but if you can snag a seat it’s worth it for the pate mam chung, leeks vinaigrette, and cold pork belly with peanut sauce and watercress.

Finally, reserve a seat at Quique Crudo for the only time available, which happens to be 5 p.m. Otherwise, you’ll have to brave a walk-in and, given the well-deserved hype around their aguachile and ceviches, we wouldn’t count on success. More tips on how to secure some of the city’s most sought-after reservations here.

For basking in golden hour…

We can see you now on our feed: sun on your face, hair blowing in the breeze, eyes tilted toward the setting sun. At Grand Banks everyone’s favorite see-and-be-seen boat restaurant, you’ll be able to do just that, only you’ll be tilting your head back to slide in an oyster or a mouthful of Champagne. And if you really want to splurge, consider booking yourself a seat on The Mark’s private sailboat which will cruise along the Hudson at sunset on June 12, 26, and July 10 with Champagne and lobster rolls from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Celestine in DUMBO also makes good use of their waterside location, where views of the Manhattan bridge can creep into your Instagram story just as easily as the second order of crispy zucchini creeps onto your table.

Rooftop bars are always a good call for a good pic on a warm Friday evening, especially when the drinks are as good as they are at Dear Irving on Broadway. Order the Xantolo. Or head to Bar Blondeau, where the team behind Chez Ma Tante and Le Crocodile treat you and yours to grilled cheese and a cuter-than-cute mini tomato soup, plus a variety of martinis. The views from FiDi’s Overstory are tough to beat, but the Pink Tuxedo cocktail with vodka, cherry blossom, vermouth, strawberry, and absinthe plays for close second.

For when you’ve got to be outdoors…

If you’re craving some greenery or some water, we’ve got you covered for all your outdoor dining needs. Popina has long been one of Brooklyn’s favorite haunts for a sprawling patio and inventive Italian dishes, like the ham hock and collards pappardelle. String lights and low-hanging trees are just icing on the cake.

You’ve probably heard of the strawberry margarita at Gilligan’s, which you should definitely order as you bask underneath the shade from their many, many (many) plants. For those who appreciate a good sea breeze, Brooklyn Crab in Red Hook is a worthy reward for making the trek out to the notoriously tough-to-get-to neighborhood. Play cornhole with strangers or sip a frozen piña colada at their outdoor bar, and head to Strong Rope for a post-meal beer if you’re down for keeping the night going. And at The Bonnie in Astoria, you’ve got options: Take your crew to the back garden (covered, in case of rain) or the front patio for some classic bar fare like fried pickles and draft beers.

For when you’ve got to get out of town…

Why not get a head start on a little weekend getaway? Whether or not you can stay longer than the length of your meal, these spots are ideal for getting out of the city when you need a change of scenery after whatever happened this past work week.

Head across the river to Corto in Jersey City, N.J., where you can slurp up both mafaldine and whatever wine you picked up on the way — they’re totally BYOB. If you’re feeling bougie, join New York’s elite in the Hamptons, where dinner at Little Fish might include monkfish tikka masala and swordfish Milanese followed by a walk on the beach, or a trip to Camp Rubirosa can mean tie-dye pies and spooky stories told by lantern light.

Or take a mini upstate vacay at Casa Susanna in Leeds, N.Y. for some of the best Mexican food the Hudson Valley has to offer. Trust us when we tell you the blood sausage tamal and scallop aguachile should be on your table.

Ellie Plass is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn. Follow her on Instagram and X. Follow Resy, too.