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Finally, the sun will set after 8 pm for the next three months, so it's high time we head outdoors for cozy picnics, happy hour at outdoor bars, and open-air night markets. By far one of the best things to do in spring in NYC is to break bread al fresco with friends. Once the weather warms, New Yorkers flock to their favorite sidewalk cafés and secret supper spots to soak up those rays.
And we're not alone. According to new research by OpenTable, outdoor dining reigns supreme during summer months in other metropolises, too, including Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. In fact, we're so committed to the en plein air experience that 34-percent of Americans would rather brave unexpected weather than forfeit their coveted open-air tables, per the study.
Due to such high demand, the reservation platform introduced its official outdoor dining guide to various cities across the nation. Here are the top picks for NYC, with OpenTable culling the list by analyzing over 10 million diner reviews and demand metrics, including a minimum number of reviews mentioning outdoor dining specifically:
Cafe Cluny
It took only a few word-of-mouth whispers to draw hordes to this Village bistro from Odeon owner Lynn Wagenknecht. Try rich and succulent favorites like falling-off-the-bone short ribs braised in veal stock and red wine, or squash ravioli doused in sweet sage and brown butter.
Cafe Luxembourg
A true neighborhood bistro, this French-American stalwart offers casual comfort and relaxed elegance by way of cozy rattan chairs and uncomplicated plates of stuffed zucchini blossoms, steak frites and crème brûlée.
Carmine's
Part and parcel of the city’s theater culture, Carmine’s has become recognized as Broadway’s unofficial restaurant. Sure, guests may come for a smattering of Italian suppers, but they definitely stay for the newly launched immersive murder-mystery theater.
Casa Mono
Specializing in tapas that other kitchens shy away from, Casa Mono unabashedly serves cock’s combs with cèpes, fried sweetbreads, and an iconic duck egg atop sautéed fingerling potatoes and showered in shaved salt-cured tuna. To keep drinks flowing afterward, head to adjacent Bar Jamón.
La Masseria
Midtown Manhattan is the last place you’d expect to conjure thoughts of rural life, but this white-tablecloth eatery—whose name means “farmhouse” in Italian—does just that. Rustic decor (wooden ceiling beams, stone archways, antique farming tools) and hearty dishes (creamy four-cheese polenta, black-truffle gnocchi) will bring you down to earth.
Ocean Prime
Attentive service and handcrafted cocktails keep diners coming back to this Midtown seafood and steakhouse slinging standards such as oysters, sushi and lobster bisque alongside Australian lamb chops and Wagyu filets. The restaurant's temperature-controlled outdoor dining area allows you to enjoy the vibrant energy of Manhattan without experiencing all the elements.
Red Rooster Harlem
Marcus Samuelsson artfully blends Southern-fried soul food with East African, Scandinavian and French flavors here. This Harlem den doubles as an art gallery, showcasing notable artists’ work (LeRone Wilson, Philip Maysles) as Harlem politicos mix with downtown fashionistas, everyone happily gorging on rib-sticking plates (barbecue shrimp over dirty rice, crispy fried chicken with mace gravy). Breezy and cheerful, this is the definitive place to be uptown.
RH Rooftop Restaurant
Adorned crystal chandeliers, lush potted trees, and a glittering glass ceiling, this Meatpacking District restaurant atop the NYC flagship of Restoration Hardware delights diners with juicy rib eyes and an extensive wine list.
Tavern on the Green
Truly a quintessential experience for tourists and locals alike, this Central Park stunner has hosted such iconic stars as Grace Kelly and John Lennon over the decades. The 300-seat courtyard of this NYC hallmark often offers live music performers and serves brunch on weekends.
The Odeon
Hard to think of Tribeca without this Gallic standby touting classic steak au louvre and French Onion soup blanketed in bubbling Gruyère. Opt to eat outside for a bustling people-watching experience.
Have you been to all of these NYC outdoor restaurants? Tell us which of your favorites are missing!