From lush Williamsburg backyards to Parisian-style Midtown sidewalks, these restaurants all make for stellar outdoor dining.
LessCecconi’s Dumbo packs a triple punch with an unbeatable location along Water Street in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the resulting stunning views of Manhattan, and classic Italian fare. Catch a sunset dinner under the restaurant’s black-and-white verandas or head to brunch on the weekend where there are housemade pastas, pizza, salads, and an expansive wine menu.
Spend an afternoon on the plant-filled patio at this retro American spot and you’ll realize why the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce gave it best-in-class status for outdoor dining design and experience. Rustik doubles as an unofficial town square by hosting a weekly happy hour for teachers and has served as a meeting spot for local elected officials including mayor Eric Adams.
Green turf, lively plants, and lattice fencing have turned Casa Ora’s covered streetfront terrace into a tropical getaway. Graze on the Venezuelan restaurant’s menu of arepitas (stuffed cornmeal cakes), empanadas (fried turnovers filled with shredded beef, shredded chicken, cheese, or black beans), or asado negro for two, a tender braised short rib adorned with fresh herbs. Pair your dishes with frozen margaritas made with fresh juice and housemade syrups.
Montesacro’s only East Coast outpost is right in Williamsburg. A dramatic retractable glass ceiling creates a spectacular outdoor space complete with hanging plants and heaters. The menu takes cues from Roman taverns where patrons come together at long wooden tables to enjoy a meal. The pinsa—a Roman style pizza made with a blend of soy, rice, wheat flour, and dried mother yeast—is the star of the show here and there are more than ten kinds to choose from.
The rustic-chic ambiance at this modern Indian spot extends to its vibrant sidewalk tent setup. Grab a seat on bustling First Street and engage in some prime people watching while sipping inventive cocktails such as a chai negroni or a turmeric-infused gimlet. As you take in the energetic street scenes, fuel up with sophisticated South Asian shared plates including tuna bhel tostadas and paneer pinwheels.
The outdoor space at Harlem Tavern buzzes with life on any given warm day. Its canopy of red umbrellas provides crucial shade, ideal for watching sporting events on its mounted televisions. The bar hosts events frequently, corresponding with holidays including Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and more. There are small bites such as crispy fish tacos and wings with various sauce options on the menu, along with entrees including bourbon-braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach.
Even though it’s set in a covered, open-air passageway in Midtown Manhattan, La Grande Boucherie’s outdoor dining area is reminiscent of the enclosed galleries that connect many streets in Paris. Diners enjoy French classics such as steak tartare, croque monsieur, and escargot with the restaurant’s extensive absinthe selection, all surrounded by stained-glass windows on tables with elegant wood-topped dividers.
Parisian vibes fill Laduree’s stunning courtyard, a shaded tree- and flower-filled garden made for warmer temps. The French teahouse is famous for its macarons and other traditional pastries, but there’s also a full savory menu here with dishes such as quiche lorraine, a chicken club sandwich, and skirt steak with peppercorn sauce.
Pera Soho’s gazebo whisks you away to Istanbul. The atmosphere is breezy (fans deck the lush garden in the warmer months) and channels the artistic, gallery-filled Turkish neighborhood the restaurant is named for. Conversations flow over Mediterranean-inspired dishes including Greek yogurt-marinated chicken breast and Levantine seafood cake. Go for al fresco happy hour on weekdays from 4 pm to 6 pm and snack on hummus and calamari, best washed down with Pera’s winning margaritas and martinis.
Dagon’s sidewalk seats and covered cafe area are rich with Israeli and Levantine influences, decked with plants and splashed in shades of light green. The inviting outdoor space accommodates 30 and is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Expect Mediterranean hits including spring vegetable tagine (made with crispy chickpeas, sesame, rice pilaf, and a tomato and charred eggplant broth) along with dry-aged beef kebabs and crispy roasted lamb.