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Clear off those sidewalk tables: New York City is about to serve its first-ever Curbside Dining Restaurant Week. Running from September 5 to 12, the weeklong event is essentially a remix of the city’s iconic Restaurant Week—only this time, the spotlight is on the dining sheds, patios and curbside setups that became lifelines for restaurants during the pandemic.
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More than 30 spots across all five boroughs are on board, dangling discounts, freebies and prix fixe menus to lure you outdoors. Think 20-percent off the bill at The Mansion on the Upper East Side, $35 prix fixe plates at Sean Og’s Tavern in Queens or complimentary house-made limoncello at Osteria Radisa in Brooklyn. If you want something a little grittier, Judy’s in Sunset Park is pouring $1 beer and wine by the glass. Even the coffee set can get in on the action, with Cafe Grumpy in Park Slope and Greenpoint offering 15-percent off the entire tab.
The deals run the gamut from classy to casual: Bar Italia is taking 10-percent off on Madison Avenue, The Queensboro is slinging two-for-one beers in Jackson Heights and Oh Boy in Williamsburg is pairing a burger and natural wine for $16. The lineup leans into variety: Brewpubs like Threes Brewing (both Gowanus and Greenpoint) are slicing 10-percent off beverage bills, while French staples like La Goulue and Orsay are joining the curbside fête with their own cuts.
The whole shebang is the brainchild of Open Plans, a nonprofit that teamed up with Untapped New York to highlight just how vital outdoor dining has become—and to push for reforms that would keep the program alive year-round. (If you’ve noticed fewer sheds this summer, you’re not imagining it: new City Council rules have shrunk participation.) Organizers are hoping that by showing off how vibrant—and delicious—sidewalk dining can be, they’ll convince policymakers to loosen the reins.
So whether you’re the type to chase a free Aperol spritz at Bar Basic in Park Slope or just want a cheap pint at The Grand Feast on the Upper West Side, next week is your chance to take advantage of deals worth leaving your apartment for. And hey, who doesn’t love dessert when it comes with free booze? (We see you, Aita and Osteria Radisa.)
Bottom line: It’s a Restaurant Week glow-up, curbside edition. Grab a seat outside—you’ll never look at a parking spot the same way again.