Below is Vanity Fair's Guide to Outdoor Summer Dining in New york City.
Whether you're visting, in New York to purchase real estate or you live here, this is a comprehensive list for you outdoor dining enjoyment in New York City!
OUTDOOR DINING
Five Front
5 Front St , Brooklyn , NY , 11201
New American on the Waterfront in Brooklyn with a great outdoor patio
202 Café
75 Ninth Avenue ; (646) 638-1173
Shop for hip clothes between courses at this great Meatpacking brunch spot.
A Voce
41 Madison Ave; 212-545-8555
Modern Italian just off Madison Square Park
Applewood
501 11th St. (bet. 7th & 8th Aves.); 718-768-2044
Cozy New-American in Park Slope with sidewalk seating and a great brunch!
Alma
187 Columbia St., at Degraw St., Red Hook, Brooklyn; 718-643-5400
A restaurant in Red Hook made for romance: Start with a mojito, stuffed with mint and served in a latte-size glass, and end with the just-as-fresh Key-lime pie. Service is spacey, but we like to think that the slow pace ups the tropical factor.
August
359 Bleecker St; Phone: 212-929-4774
Romantic West Village spot with robust European cuisine. Perfect for a date or casual night out with friends.
Aurora 70 Grand St. (Wythe Ave.) 718-388-5100\
Cozy rustic Italian in Brooklyn with magical garden in the back
Barolo
398 W. Broadway, nr. Spring St.; 212-226-1102
Barolo is touristy, but it has the kind of tourists you want at a ristorante-Italian ones, seeking a slice of la dolce vita.
Barbuto
775 Washington St.; 212-924-9700
Market driven Italian, in a converted garage with a hip industrial vibe in the far West Village
Bar Pitti
Next to Da Silvano, 268 Avenue of the Americas; 212.982.3300
Da Silvano's more casual next door neighbor, this Italian joint is perfect for people watching and drinking Chianti under the stars.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns
630 Bedford Rd., Pocantico Hills, N.Y.; 914-366-9600
It's not quite The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan's quest to physically track down every last ingredient of four meals, but Blue Hill at Stone Barns is about as close as most city folk are going to get. Arrive an hour early for the self-guided audio tour of the greenhouse and farm and give a carnivorous nod of thanks to the happy hogs and free-range chickens.
Bryant Park Grill
25 W. 40th St.; 212-840-6500
If you're looking to have lunch in Bryant Park and want something a little more substantial than ‘wichcraft, BPG's not bad and the only way to go.
Bottino 246 Tenth Ave. 212-206-6766
Casual Italian in West Chelsea attracting artists and trend setters to the back, plant filled garden.
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden
29-19 24th Ave., Astoria; 718-274-4925
The last of the nearly 800 biergartens that once dotted the pre-Prohibition city. Go for the Staropramen on tap and (when available) the Czech Gambrinus; stay for the live polka.
Café St. Barts
109 E. 50th; 212.593.3333
The food is consistent here at this pleasant summer patio destination, next to St. Bart's church.
Da Silvano
260 6th Avenue; 212.982.2343
This hot Greenwich Village Italian spot's sidewalks are flanked with models and the like. Try the white sangria on a hot summer night.
La Bottega
On the terrace of the Maritime Hotel, 88 Ninth Ave., at 17th St.; 212-243-8400
An engaging wait staff and pleasing patio fare: golden sardines, crunchy artichokes in white-truffle oil, and chicken under a brick.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Ave., at Crown St., Park Slope; 718-623-7200
Spring for the $40 annual membership fee, if only for the Wednesday-evening picnicking privileges: Cheese-and-charcuterie specialist Blue Apron Foods is just two blocks away (814 Union St., at Seventh Ave.; 718-230-3180).
Central Park Boathouse Park Drive North at 72nd Street; 212-517-2233
Although tourists-and tourist prices-will always be a fact of the Boathouse, it's worth reconsidering. Not only are the rowboats still lovely, but there's recently been an ambitious menu makeover. Making reservations for a party of four is the best bet for snagging a lakeside table.
Elizabeth
265 Elizabeth St (between Houston and Prince), 212-334-2426
Nolita's newest small plates spot with a retractable roof.
Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park
At the foot of New Dock Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn; 718-858-4708
Picnic with a pie from Grimaldi's (19 Old Fulton St., nr. Water St.; 718-858-4300)
5 Ninth
5 Ninth Ave., at Gansevoort St.; 212-929-9460
At the back of a stately brownstone on the most frenzied corner of the city's most frenzied neighborhood is Eden: a rose garden hemmed in by ivy-covered walls. Chef Zak Pelaccio's peas-and-bacon dish is justifiably famous, and his newest, tempura lobster with ginger, will be, too.
Gavroche
212 W. 14th St., at Seventh Ave.; 212-647-8553
It's on a scummy stretch of 14th Street, but out back, under the stars and beside the multitiered fountain, Gavroche feels like France. The fare is refreshingly straightforward, especially the goat-cheese tart, frites, and Belgian-chocolate gâteau.
Le Jardin Bistro 25 Cleveland Pl , New York , NY , 10012
Simple French pleasures in a stellar setting.
Habana Outpost
757 Fulton St., at S. Portland Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn; 718-858-9500
The popular Nolita diner Habana has a Brooklyn spinoff (next to the Lafayette Avenue C-train stop) that's even better than the original. The scene is part restaurant, part block party-and drinks are served out of a down-home 1949 GMC pickup truck.
Harry's LIC at Water Taxi Beach
2-03 Borden Ave., Long Island City; 212-742-1969
With sand trucked in from Jersey, the beach here is as real as a spray-on tan. But who cares? It's worth a visit just for the sheer novelty of it all: beach volleyball, stellar views of midtown, and dirt-cheap PBR longnecks.
L'Impero
45 Tudor City Plaza; 212.599.5045
Upscale Italian with a great patio for summer dining in the front
Leo's Latticini
46-02 104th St., Corona; 718-898-6069
Called Mama's by the borough's cops and firefighters, the tiny provolone-scented food shop has been serving possibly the best Italian sub in the city since the thirties. And now you can eat one in the new back garden-next to a statue of Saint Francis.
Loreley Biergarten
7 Rivington St., nr. Chrystie St.; 212-253-7077
It's not as authentic as the Bohemian (see No. 4), but Bowery traffic is far away, the savory sausages have just the right snap, and if you go early, you'll hear "Grüß dich!" more than "Hey dude!" Get a Kölsch: It's served in a slim glass, like champagne.
Max
51 Avenue B, Btwn 3rd & 4th St ; 212-539-0111
One of my favorite Italian spots with the best lasagna in town, just opened up their cozy back patio.
Morandi
211 Waverly Pl; (212) 627-7575
Keith McNally's shot at Italy has the perfect patio for prosecco and proscuitto.
Ono
18 Ninth Ave. (13th St.)
Go for the drinks, not the food at this Gansevoort Hotel hot spot.
Pampano
209 E. 49th St., nr. Third Ave.; 212 751-4545
Falstaffian tenor Placido Domingo's midtown Mexican gem offers two outdoor options: There's a tranquil second-story terrace (a miracle on noisy 49th Street) and, in the office building next door, Pampano Taqueria for takeout-eat it at the pocket park on 51st near Third Avenue.
Paradou
8 LW 12th; 212.463.8345
Quaint French cuisine in Meatpacking with lovely patio.
Pastis
9 Ninth Ave. (Little W. 12th St.); 212-929-4844
Always a scene at this Meatpacking hotspot.
Patroon
160 E. 46th St.; 212.883.7373
Great new American food, wonderful service, excellent outside area on the roof top. New decoration is perfect for entertaining business .
PJ Clarke's on the Hudson
4 World Financial Center; 212.285.1500
Legendary burgers and Guinness overlooking the Statue of Liberty
River Café
1 Water St , Brooklyn , NY , 11201
Seafood at one of New York's truly stunning settings.
Raoul's
180 Prince St.; 212-966-3518
One of my favorite French spots in town; request a table on the romantic back patio
Shake Shack
Madison Square Park, enter at 23rd Street and Madison Avenue; 212-889-6600
Overhyped and overrun, but still deserving of a spot on this list.
Smith Street - Gowanus Yacht Club, Grocery, Robin des Bois
Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
To the chagrin of a couple of curmudgeonly residents-and to the delight of the rest of us-Smith Street has blossomed into an outdoor diner's paradise. Check out the picnic tables at the Gowanus Yacht Club (323 Smith St., at President St.; 718-246-1321), the lovely backyard at Grocery (288 Smith St., nr. Union St.; 718-596-3335), and the quirky patio at Robin des Bois (195 Smith St., nr. Warren St.; 718-596-1609).
Stone Street - Adrienne's, Financier Patisserie, Brouwers
The financial district
The cobblestoned restaurant row has some superior spots with sidewalk tables: Adrienne's for deep-dish pizza (54 Stone St., nr. Hanover St.; 212-248-3838), French comfort food at the Financier Patisserie (62 Stone St., at Mill Ln.; 212-344-5600), and Brouwers (45 Stone St.; 212-785-5400), a fish restaurant.
Terrace 5
Inside MoMA, 11 W. 53rd St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-708-9400
With a vast overhang that could keep diners dry in a hurricane, Terrace 5 is open rain or shine. If you need a quickie, try the gelato cart in the sculpture garden instead.
Tree
190 First Avenue; 212.358.7171
Quaint French in East Village with surprisingly spacious back patio.
Trestle on 10th
242 10th Avenue; 212.645.5659
Unusual Swiss cuisine in the heart of West Chelsea - lovely back patio.
The Yard
Next to the Soho Grand, 310 W. Broadway, nr. Grand St.; 212-965-3588
A little slice of suburbia in what used to be a service corridor running between West Broadway and Thompson Street: With an outdoor grill, humongous margaritas, and dogs rolling around in the grass, it's a nonstop backyard barbecue party for the whole neighborhood.
Vento
675 Hudson Street ; 212-699-2400
Classic Italian in the meatpacking district with one of the biggest outdoor patios in town.
Vespa Restaurant
1625 2nd Ave , New York , NY , 10028
Funky European-style restaurant, lounge and wine bar serves Italian-Mediterranean fare in cozy, eclectic dining room or coveted outdoor garden patio.
Waverly Inn and Garden
16 Bank St.
Dine under the stars at Graydon's West Village hot-spot
OUTDOOR DRINKING
BEST BARS FOR DRINKING UNDER THE STARS
Salon de Ning
Peninsula Hotel 700 5th Avenue (at 55th Street) 212. 903.3097
Expensive drinks, but the views are worth it!
The Pooldeck
4 W. 63rd Street 212.265.7400
Bi-level roof bar at the Empire Hotel - there's a pool area upstairs and cabanas downstairs.
Highbar
251 West 48th Street (near 8th Avenue) 212.956.1300
Cheese factor could be high, but it's convenient for after work, and they have an outdoor grill for burgers, dogs etc. which might cancel out any hesitation due to too many guys with hair gel.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Rooftop
1000 5th Avenue (at 82nd Street) 212.570.3820
Not new, but Jeff Koons is currently on display - doesn't get much cooler than that.
Studio B 259 Banker Street Brooklyn 718.389.1880
From the minds behind the Delancey, this Greenpoint spot with a retractable roof will be this summer's hipster hotspot.
Eden
268 West 47th Street 212.398.3800
Times Square....yes, but this newly remodeled spot that used to be Jade Terrace could be good for after work. I'd say avoid "St. Tropez Thursdays"
Brass Monkey
530 West 27th Street
Yes, they now have a roofdeck...yay!
230 Fifth
230 Fifth Ave., twentieth fl., between 26th and 27th Sts.; 212-725-4300
The cities largest rooftop bar.
A60
60 Thompson, 60 Thompson St., between Spring and Broome Sts.; 877-431-0400
Hotelier Jason Pomeranc's elegant members-only rooftop bar is one of my favorite spots for outdoor cocktails.
6 Columbus 6 Columbus Circle
Uber chic uptown rooftop bar....coming soon.
AVA Penthouse
210 W 55th St; (212) 956-7020
Great after-work rooftop at the Dream hotel. Easy to get a reservation.
B-Bar & Grill
40 E 4th St , New York , NY , 10003-7004
I know its been around forever, but I do still love this patio in the summer time.
Boat Basin Café
W 79th St , New York , NY , 10024
Seasonal outdoor dining spot where the views and the pub-grub eats just don't get any better.
Bohemian Hall Beer Garden
29-19 24th Ave , Astoria , NY , 11102
The last of its kind, this old Astoria landmark beer garden soldiers on.
Bookmarks
Library Hotel, 299 Madison Ave., at 41st St.; 212-983-4500
Perfect for after work, the terrace of the Library Hotel's rooftop bar could pass for the patio of an Upper East Side townhouse.
Cabana or La Bottega at the Maritime Hotel Maritime Hotel, 363 W. 16th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-242-4300
An old standby yes, but still fun and easy to snag a table if you arrive early enough.
The Delancey
168 Delancey St., at Clinton St.; 212-254-9920
THE outdoor spot for LES hipsters.
Hudson Terrace
621 46th St, .212-228-4200 x8003
Owner Sean McGarr (Webster Hall) has transformed a stable into a glittering 13,000sf event space, 4,000 of which will be a semi-enclosed mahogany rooftop terrace with views of the Hudson and water-mists for cooling off. Other amenities include an outdoor fireplace, ceiling video chandeliers with customized Swarovski crystals, reclaimed wood from a sunken WWII ship and AC/heat-controlled floors.
Hudson Sky Terrace and Private Park
The Hudson Hotel, 356 W. 58th St., between Eighth and Ninth Aves.; 212-554-6303
Hate the hotel, but do still love the bars...
The Garden of Ono
Between Little West 12th Street and 13th Street
The bamboo-filled outdoor gardens are the restaurant/bars most coveted see-and-be-seen seating in warmer months
Gramercy Hotel Rooftop
2 Lexington Ave, 866-784-1300
Masterminded by New York's hotelier prince Ian Schrager and bathed in the rosy, luxurious glow that haloes all of Mr. Schnabel's artistic endeavors, this stunning indoor/outdoor space is one of THE BEST new york rooftops, hands down.
Heights Bar and Grill
2867 Broadway, 212-866-7035
Columbia students drink their cares away at this second-story Morningside Heights bar.
Local West
1 Penn Pl., Eighth Ave. at 33rd St.; 212-629-7070
If you are looking for a spot pre-game or post-concert near Penn Station, this is it.
Luna Park
Middle of Union Square
Fun, casual outdoor bar in the middle of Union Square with killer margaritas!
Me Bar
17 W. 32nd St., between Broadway and Fifth Ave.; fourteenth fl.; 212-290-2460
Yes, its on top of the La Quinta in Koreatown, but its usually not too crowded and close to work for lots of people.
The Park
118 Tenth Ave., between 17th and 18th Sts.; 212-352-3313
Will someone please make this place cool again??? I just love it.
Plunge
Hotel Gansevoort, 18 Ninth Ave., at 13th St.; 877-426-7386
Usually horribly crowded and cheesy, but if you are in Meatpacking and in need of a rooftop, this is it : )
Rare View
Shelburne Murray Hill, 303 Lexington Ave., at 37th St.; 212-481-1999
Perfect for twenty something Murray Hill revelers.
Rise at the Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park
2 West St., 14th fl, 917-790-2626
Located on the fourteenth floor of the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park, this award-winning and aptly named bar boasts one of the most dramatic locations in the city.
Sky Garden
530 W 27th St
The new BED.
Soho House Rooftop
29-35 Ninth Ave, 212-627-9800
If you are lucky enough to have a membership (or a friend with one) and you're looking to rub elbows with celebs, the ultra-exclusive membership and intimate pooldeck is your spot for soaking in summer rays.
The Terrace at Sutton Place Bar and Restaurant
1015 Second Ave., between 53rd and 54th Sts.; 212-207-3777
Great rooftop bar, ok food, really preppy crowd.
White Horse Tavern
Hudson and W. 11th.
Casual beers and sidewalk picnic tables at this local West Village watering hole.
Enjoy your outdoor summer dining in the our wonderful city!
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