In the spring in NYC, there’s plenty of places where you can eat outside, but usually that just means sitting at a little table in front of the restaurant, with the soundtrack of cabs and cars driving by, all-the-while giving everybody who passes by a lovely view of you mid-bite. Instead, check out some of our favorite, most enjoyable places to dine outside, because a garden, string lights, or a rooftop all sound way better than curbside seating.
Hudson Clearwater
Appetizers at Hudson ClearwaterNow that it’s warm, it’s time to enjoy a lovely meal in the beautiful outside garden courtyard area behind Hudson Clearwater. This secluded little patio is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of NYC, and it’s nestled right in the West Village. Come in on a weekend morning for a brunch with the girls, or make a res in the evening for a romantic dinner under the twinkling lights.
Santina
Pasta dishes at Satina.Whether you’re coming right from the Whitney or down from the Highline, be sure to stop in to Satina for a bite. Get a table on their outside patio to enjoy their coastal Italian cuisine; all the trellises covered with banana leaves make you feel like you’re at a super cool garden party, and definitely not sitting on a curb somewhere in Manhattan.
Sushi on Jones
David Bouhadana and sushi at Sushi on Jones.Grabbing sushi at Sushi on Jones is an experience like no other – name another sushi place in NYC where you can get up close and personal with the sushi chefs making your fresh omakase and enjoy the beautiful spring weather all at the same time. At Sushi on Jones, it only takes 30 mins for you to sit down, order and enjoy your omakase at their four-seat bar, then be back on your merry way exploring the Concrete Jungle.
Grand Banks
Main bar at Grand Banks. PC: @reed.bryantEver wanted to just hop on your private yacht to dine on the Hudson with a few of your friends and family? Well, maybe you don’t have a yacht of your own, but the next best thing is definitely dining at Grand Banks, an oyster bar on the historic wooden schooner, the Sherman Zwicker, at Chelsea Piers. We love their oysters and all the sea-worthy drinks, like the Captain’s Blood.
David Burke Kitchen
Rooftop dining room at David Burke Kitchen. PC: @qa2nycDavid Burke Kitchen is a super whimsical restaurant, and what else would you expect from a restaurant whose signature dessert is a tower of cake pops and where they serve bacon on a clothesline? When you eat outside at David Burke Kitchen, you ascend up at flight of stairs and enter what looks like a tree house balcony looking out over Spring Street. For a more intimate dining experience, reserve one of their bungalow-tables with curtains between
Ivan Ramen
Ramen at Ivan Ramen. PC: @jtwerkmanYou’ve for sure heard about Ivan Ramen as one of the best ramen spots in NYC, but you might not expect that Ivan Ramen has a really lovely patio outback, too. Be sure to check out their absurdly cool, super intricate mosaic mural that spans the entire back wall – it’s amazing. Don’t worry about getting too warm while you’re slurping your ramen, they’ve got you covered, literally, with an awning.
Laduree
Courtyard at Laudree Soho. PC: @sebastianssWe can’t imagine a more picturesque Saturday afternoon than sitting under the canopy of trees in Laudree Soho’s courtyard, enjoying an authentic French macaron, or a sleeve. You can get their famous desserts at any of the locations in the city, but if you want to feel like you’ve just been transported to the café’s on the streets of Paris, head to Soho.
Lo Lo’s Seafood Shack
Dinner for two at Lo Lo’s Seafood Shack.For a causal, picnic-style lunch at Lo Lo’s Seafood Shack’s backyard shack, painted a shade of aqua blue that gives the whole place a super chill vibe. First, go up to the counter, order every one of their spicy, zesty Caribbean dishes (plus all the sauces), and don’t forget to get one of their homemade punches – you’ll feel like you’re one a Caribbean beach vacation in the middle of Harlem.
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