For the few months of spring and summer that are unofficially known as rooftop season in New York, some of the best outdoor seats are found atop breweries, bars, and restaurants. You’re away from the trash-laden streets, the not-quite-up-to-code dining shelters, and pedestrian-crowded sidewalk seating, and will often be rewarded with excellent views, a refreshing breezes, and often super expensive umbrellas to block the elements. Here are some of our favorite rooftop spots.
Read More19 Sun-Soaked Rooftops for Eating and Drinking in NYC
The best spots for making the most of rooftop season
Zona De Cuba
The rooftop at Zona de Cuba is lined with palm trees, colorful umbrellas, and outdoor furniture for a tropical, summertime vibe. This South Bronx Cuban restaurant is known for serving up Caribbean staples like oxtail stew and bite-sized “mofonguitos.” Reservations are encouraged, and plan well in advance as seats on the rooftop can book up fast.
The Heights Bar & Grill
The second-story rooftop bar at the Heights Bar & Grill can be partially enclosed, making it a solid bet for rain in the forecast. This Tex-Mex restaurant is ideal for throwing back a few frozen margaritas, which can be done up with an extra shot of tequila or an upside-down Corona. Bottomless brunch is available.
Darling
Nearly 50 floors above the Park Lane Hotel, Darling is a good choice for dates, a fancy meeting or just a treat yourself outing with unreasonably excellent views of Central Park. Reservations recommended. Small bites include caviar nachos on kettle chips, a seafood tower replete with king crab and lobster, wagyu beef sliders, and plenty more dishes that scream expense account. To drink, craft cocktails with sophisticated flavors (a margarita riff with wasabi is fun) start at $23, plus the $100 Billionaire’s Row served with a bump of Petrossian caviar. Why not? You’re on top of the world here!
Panorama Room
A night out starting with a tram ride is clutch (though the F train and Q102 bus run to Roosevelt Island too) and certainly sets the stage for an evening indulging in an extensive raw bar menu plus elaborate cocktails. 360-degree views from this rooftop on an island sandwiched by Manhattan and Queens offer the only views of its kind, enjoyable any time of day. Indoor and outdoor seating is available and an “elevated chic” dress code is enforced (no athleisure or flip flops).
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Electric Lemon
The Equinox Hotel’s 25th floor restaurant offers a sprawling 8,000 square-foot terrace overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan. And before you write off this wellness-focused restaurant on top of a luxury gym’s luxury hotel, know that the vibe is good — local residents and workers frequent the spot not just for the art-filled ambiance but the excellent veggie-focused menu riffing on New York fan favorites. An elegant crudite platter and Contramar-inspired fish tacos are perfect on a breezy night outdoors.
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Nubeluz
Located above his restaurant Zaytinya, José Andrés’s upstairs cocktail bar has two outdoor roof areas. There’s caviar service, cocktails with smoke clouds, as well as several non-alcoholic drink options.
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Market 57 by James Beard Foundation at Pier 57
The James Beard Foundation opened the doors of its new food hall at Pier 57 this month with vendors like Mother Shuckers, Zaab Zaab, and Ammi (a new concept from the GupShup team). Get a plate of oysters or duck larb at bring your bites to the food hall’s upstairs rooftop, with views of the nearby Little Island.
Gansevoort Rooftop
On the Gansevoort rooftop, there’s Japanese restaurant, Saishin, the Loft; the pool and adjacent cocktail bar, Eden, destinations to enjoy dramatic Hudson River and city views. At Saishin, go all out with a fancy omakase courtesy of chefs Joseph Liu and Isaac Kek. Beyond Saishin, rooftop bites include a Greek salad, charcuterie, Sicilian meatballs, sushi, steaks, sandwiches, and flatbreads. DJ nights are Friday and Saturday starting at 9 p.m. adjacent to the pool area.
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Berry Park
Live-streamed soccer games and flowing European beer options scream summer at Berry Park. This first-come, first-served beer bar is open year-round, pouring picklebacks, frozen pina coladas, and a handful of beers by the half-liter. The crowds here can be fierce, especially on warmer weekends, so plan accordingly or call ahead (or fill out a form on the website for a reservation if heading here with a group of 10 or more).
Laser Wolf Brooklyn
This Israeli restaurant is from Michael Solomonov, who’s brought one of his most popular Philadelphia establishments to the Hoxton Hotel in Williamsburg. The rooftop here is both indoor and outdoor, which makes it a good pick in case of rain.
Night of Joy
This Williamsburg bar is a great next-best if waiting for a table at Llama Inn, located right across the street — and if what you’re looking for is floral drinks on a low-key roof, Night of Joy might just be the best. The beet-and-dill vodka-based cocktail is not to be missed, though the bartenders here will make most drinks on request.
Lala’s Brooklyn Apizza
For a casual rooftop vibe all about beer and pizza, look no further than this NewHaven-style indoor-outdoor spot on top of Grimm Artisanal Ales. Long communal tables extend throughout the space, perfect for larger groups or those willing to mingle over crisp oval pies dense with clams and Riesling butter. Outside, views offer sweeping glances across Brooklyn and up north into Queens, too. Craft beer and natural wine abound.
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Honey's
Rooftop bars in NYC can often be near-impossible to get into, but it’s a little-known fact that those stopping by the rooftop bar at fashion magnet, Honey’s, don’t need a reservation and can find a seat even in primetime hours. The all-wood bar upstairs is a quiet respite from the often-bustling club feel of establishments nearby, making it a solid bet to host a group hangout or birthday in the warmer months.
Overstory
The team behind Manhattan’s Michelin-starred Crown Shy opened this rooftop bar on the 64th floor of the same building. It’s connected to Saga, a fine dining restaurant located a floor below, but a tasting menu dinner isn’t required to enjoy the panoramic views and swanky, upscale vibe here. The cocktails will run you upwards of $20 each.
The Turk's Inn
Turk’s Inn opened in 2019, known for its ornately decorated dining room, purchased from a Wisconsin supper club. This hybrid space, has both a restaurant, a music venue, the Sultan Room, as well as a doner kebab. Its rooftop is equally as lively and great for group hangs.
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Cherry on Top
This wine bar is known for its rooftop, adorned with white metal garden furniture, with plenty of space for big birthday parties. Happy hour here is until 7 p.m. daily, and a roving pop-up program allows for new bites upon each visit.
Time Out Market
Rooftop meals often come with a premium price for the coveted real estate and views, but this food hall, with incredible views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline, offers a more DIY approach. Order from a variety of stands run by beloved New York restaurants, including Wayla, Little Ada (a riff on Miss Ada), Mr. Taka Ramen and more, and bring your bites up to the rooftop bar for a refreshment and an excellent view. This is also a perfect photo spot, if you’re looking for selfies or group shots.
Brooklyn Crab
Sure, Red Hook is more than a stone’s throw away from Cape Cod, but for a moment at Brooklyn Crab, customers might just feel that New England breeze. This beachy, multi-level bar has a little bit of everything to make it an ideal rooftop in the warm weather months: games, frozen drinks, and, yes, buckets of crab.
The Rockaway Hotel
Located on the sixth floor of the Rockaway Hotel, the aptly named Rooftop offers views of Jamaica Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and, farther afield, the Manhattan skyline. The restaurant and bar are open for brunch and dinner, with small bites accompanied by a DJ on Saturdays. Reservations available online.