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Banana leaf chicken on the top left at Rahi — A spread of food at Rahi

Outdoor Dining Is Here: 28 NYC Restaurants That Are Open This Week

Cuban slow-roasted pork, Indian grilled meats, and rustic Tuscan pastas are all available this week at sidewalk cafes

by Eater Staff Jun 22, 2020, 3:25pm EDT

4 comments / new

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A spread of food at Rahi

| Louise Palmberg/Eater

by Eater Staff Jun 22, 2020, 3:25pm EDT

4 comments / new

New York City’s dining scene regains a shred of normalcy today with the return of outdoor dining. While many restaurants had preempted the city’s official announcement last week and set up tables and chairs outside, several others are scrambling to get things ready for this new reality. For places that already had outdoor dining permits, things will mostly be the same with the addition of new social distancing rules, like keeping tables six feet apart. But for others, there’s a new online application process with restaurants being instantly approved, the city says.

Already, dozens of restaurants across the city have set up shop outside including Thai Diner in Nolita, Brazilian spot Pao de Queijo in Astoria, and Taco Mix in Sunset Park. Many others are waiting to see what the first few days will be like. NYC has been relatively strict and slow with its reopening plan, but many parts of the country are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases as more people return outside. Though studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

Still, as more people feel safe hanging out outdoors, restaurants are eager to meet the demand. Be sure to call your favorite neighborhood spots to see if they have plans for outdoor dining.

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Melba's

This updated soul food spot from chef Melba Wilson will have a sidewalk seating area designed by the Rockwell Group.

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300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026

Visit Website

A rendering of a sidewalk cafe

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Jacob's Pickles

Perpetually packed neighborhood spot Jacob’s Pickles is now accepting reservations through Resy for outdoor dining. Customers are limited to one hour for dining once they are seated.

509 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

Welcome to Phase 2 . We’ve waited a long time for this and finally here we are. . Our outdoor dining is available by reservation only so click the link in our bio to save your seat TODAY ⬆️ . JP Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-10pm / Sat + Sun 9am-10pm

A post shared by Jacob's Pickles (@jacobspickles) on Jun 22, 2020 at 9:14am PDT

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Neptune Diner

Neighborhood standby Neptune Diner will be offering outdoor dining to customers starting on June 24. No reservations needed.

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3105 Astoria Blvd N, Astoria, NY 11102

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Guantanamera

The stalwart Hell’s Kitchen’s spot served takeout mojitos, slow roast pork, and other dishes throughout the COVID-19 crisis, and now it’s letting patrons dine at an outdoor table on Eighth Avenue. Expect crispy Cuban sandwiches, succulent vaca frita (shredded and pan-fried skirt steak), and classic picadillo with ground beef and raisins.

939 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Visit Website

A Cuban sandwich lies on a white plate on the left, while a plate of vaca frita lies on the right at Guantanamera

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Pao De Queijo

This casual Brazilian spot has been offering a takeout and delivery menu throughout the pandemic filled with comforting favorites including burgers, empanadas, and the restaurant’s namesake tapioca cheese bread bites. Now that outdoor dining is allowed, the food will still be served to-go but tables and chairs will be set up outside for customers if they’d prefer to sit and eat.

Open in Google Maps

31-90 30th St, Astoria, NY 11106

Visit Website

Pao de Queijo

Also featured in:

Where to Go for Top-Notch Brazilian Food in NYC

Gotham West Market

A number of Gotham West Market vendors operated throughout the pandemic, but now, the Hell’s Kitchen food hall is open for outdoor seating. Ivan Ramen is still closed, but among the open venues are high-end sandwich spot Don Wagyu, the pasta-slinging Dell’Anima, the taco-focused La Palapa, the burger-centric Corner Bistro, and the excellent pizzeria that is Corner Slice.

600 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Visit Website

A white clam slice and a red tomato slice sit on paper plates at Gotham West Market — A white clam slice and a tomato slice at Gotham West Market

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Angkor Cambodian Bistro

This acclaimed Cambodian restaurant has been taking orders over the phone for its popular Khmer curriers, sliced duck salad, and frog legs cooked a variety of ways amid the pandemic. For outdoor dining, the restaurant directs customers to order over the phone ahead of time and then diners can take their meals out to the backyard where a handful of tables have been spaced six feet apart. Staff will be serving wine to outdoor diners.

Open in Google Maps

408 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065

Visit Website

A dark dining room — Angkor’s dining room

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Raan Kway Teow

Thai noodle hotspot Raan Kway Teow has set out tables and chairs for customers to sit and savor the restaurant’s popular lineup of noodle soups, including the headlining kway teow, or thin rice noodle that’s served in a broth flavored with tamarind or coconut milk.

78-14 Roosevelt Ave #6, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Raan Kway Teow interior — Raan Kway Teow

Ruby's Cafe

This Australian accented cafe offers burgers, pastas, and vegemite toast, with a nice collection of outdoor tables on its bright white, north facing side, just off Third Avenue. which means some sun, some shade.

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442 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

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A bright white wall with tables in front.

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Pastis

Keith McNally’s famed brasserie in the Meatpacking District, run by Starr Restaurants, has reopened its sunny outdoor cafe for dine-in service. The kitchen is serving all of its usual classics: garlicky escargots, rich croque monsieur sandwiches, filet au poivre, and a giant lobster frites for two.

52 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014

Visit Website

A spread of dishes sit on a table at Pastis, including golden roast chicken, buttered lobster, snails, and crimson raw tuna

Also featured in:

Rahi

Chef Chintan Pandya has reworked acclaimed Indian restaurant Rahi’s menu for a summer of outdoor dining. The team will be grilling outdoors and there will be an ice cream cart with cold treats available for customers sitting outside. For those still looking for takeout, Rahi is offering grab-and-go options including a masala fried chicken sandwich and creamy kulfi on a stick.

Open in Google Maps

60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

Visit Website

Tulsi chicken plated on a white slab dish — Tulsi chicken at Rahi

Numero 28 Pizzeria

This purveyor of Neapolitan pizzas offers nearly two dozen pies in three categories (red, white, and special). It has flung some tables onto the sidewalk and street with great views of the East Village.

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176 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

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Tables in the street surrounded by orange plastic barriers.

Fiaschetteria "Pistoia"

Rustic East Village Italian spot Fiaschetteria “Pistoia” will be offering up its signature plates of pastas and approachable wines for outdoor dining starting on June 22. The sidewalk seating is first come, first served.

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647 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009

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The exterior of Fiaschetteria Pistoia, with floor to ceiling window panels that give a view into the restaurant — Fiaschetteria Pistoia

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Nowon

Laid-back Korean-American restaurant Nowon will be starting outdoor dining on June 23. The spot will be open to walk-ins but reservations are preferred, and each table can be reserved for a maximum of 90 minutes. The available menu includes chicken wings with a gochujang glaze, a giant shrimp boil, and a dry-aged steak burger.

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507 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009

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A cheese burger placed on a white plate with a pattern along the border. The cheese burger is sandwiched in a sesame bun with a giant sliced pickle on top held together by a toothpick. — Nowon’s cheeseburger

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Pause Cafe

Pause Cafe is one of the few Moroccan cafes in town, run by Amine Sadki. And when the breezes blow up Clinton Street on a warm day, you might as well be in Marrakech. Plenty of cooling beverages available.

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3 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

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A jumble of tables on the sidewalk with a prominent tree.

Thai Diner

Uncle Boon’s offshoot Thai Diner, interrupted during its initial opening by the novel coronavirus, has now reopened, with a special menu and tables along both Mott and Kenmare streets.

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186 Mott St, New York, NY 10012

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The exterior of Thai Diner with tables and chairs set up on the sidewalk alongside the restaurant — Thai Diner’s outdoor dining setup

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Zyara NY

This is one of the few Middle Eastern places in town where you can get french fries stuffed inside the rolled shawarma sandwich. Ask for extra hot sauce and the garlicky white sauce called toum.

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57 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

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A Middle Eastern restaurant with two tables set out on the sidewalk.

Atera

Chef Ronny Emborg, known best for his longer $285 tasting menus, will serve full a la carte offerings in front of Atera and neighboring Farra seven days a week, weather permitting. Throughout the pandemic, Farra has been serving dishes like squid salad with pickled ginger, salmon tartare with nori chips, dry-aged ribeye with jalapeno, and brown butter ice cream.

77 Worth St, New York, NY 10013

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A U-shaped wooden table with dark wood furniture and hanging light fixtures. — A U-shaped wooden table at Atera

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Nom Wah Tea Parlor

Tables are out on historic Doyers Street, where Nom Wah Tea Parlor is offering takeout. All the favorites of the dim sum restaurant are available, including a slew of dumplings, noodles, and fried rice.

13 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013

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A top-down view of a street with some tables and chairs set up on the road

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St. Anselm

This modern steakhouse is setting tables out in its backyard, with butcher’s steak, fish, and steakhouse sides on deck.

355 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

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Gertie

Casual cafe Gertie launched a weekend “Summer Shack” in June that will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the summer months. The restaurant has a to-go window where diners can pick up cheeseburgers, veggies, fries, cookies, and cocktails, wine, and beer, and then eat along an open stretch of Grand Street that has been temporarily closed to cars.

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357 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

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Squash toast and salad on colorful plates spread across a white table at Gertie — Squash toast and salad at Gertie

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Diner

The classics of South Williamsburg mainstay Diner, including the cheeseburger, are available at outdoor tables. Nearby sister restaurant Marlow and Sons also has seats out, though that menu is sandwiches and snacks for now. First come, first served.

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85 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11249

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Also featured in:

30 Restaurants That Define Williamsburg Right Now

Black Forest Brooklyn

This German biergarten with a great range of tap beers will be pushing tables out onto Fulton street for brats, hot pretzels, and schnitzels. The Smith Street location will also be open.

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733 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

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A big pretzel with mustard

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20 German Restaurants, Beer Halls, and Bakeries in NYC

Peaches HotHouse

Starting Tuesday, June 23, Nashville-style hot chicken destination Peaches Hot House will have tables outside for people to eat their takeout. The Fort Greene location remains closed, but other restaurants in B+C Restaurants remain open and will also have tables: Peaches Kitchen and Bar on Lewis Avenue in Bed-Stuy and Peaches Shrimp and Crab on Grand Avenue in Clinton Hill.

415 Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

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Glady's

This popular Caribbean spot will have tables outside for eating takeout jerk chicken, jerk pork, and peppered shrimp. Sister restaurant Mo’s Original in Prospect Lefferts Garden will also have outdoor seating.

788 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

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Guyanese chow mein, jerk pork with steamed cabbage, jerk fried wings, jerk shrimp, and whole fish

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Camillo

Prospect Lefferts Garden Roman restaurant Camillo is serving its pinsas and pastas at outdoor tables by reservation through Resy.

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1146 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225

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Camillo cacio e pepe

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Taco Mix

Taco Mix’s Sunset Park location, inside Industry City, is back up and running with a variety of tacos, burritos, bowls, and quesadillas available for purchase. Diners can grab food from Taco Mix’s to-go counter and find a spot to eat in Industry City’s outdoor courtyard seating that just reopened to the public.

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220 36th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232

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Tacos at Taco Mix Lower East Side. — Tacos from Taco Mix

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The Owl's Head

Unassuming Bay Ridge wine bar the Owl’s Head has put out tables and chairs on the sidewalk to welcome outdoor dining customers starting on June 24. All orders will be placed via phone to limit staff interaction with customers.

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479 74th St, Brooklyn, NY 11209

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Wooden tables and chairs set up outside Bay Ridge bar the Owl’s Head — Outdoor seating at the Owl’s Head

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30 Reliable First Date Spots in Brooklyn

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Melba's

300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026

This updated soul food spot from chef Melba Wilson will have a sidewalk seating area designed by the Rockwell Group.

Open in Google Maps

300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026

Visit Website

A rendering of a sidewalk cafe

Jacob's Pickles

509 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Perpetually packed neighborhood spot Jacob’s Pickles is now accepting reservations through Resy for outdoor dining. Customers are limited to one hour for dining once they are seated.

509 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

Welcome to Phase 2 . We’ve waited a long time for this and finally here we are. . Our outdoor dining is available by reservation only so click the link in our bio to save your seat TODAY ⬆️ . JP Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-10pm / Sat + Sun 9am-10pm

A post shared by Jacob's Pickles (@jacobspickles) on Jun 22, 2020 at 9:14am PDT

Neptune Diner

3105 Astoria Blvd N, Astoria, NY 11102

Neighborhood standby Neptune Diner will be offering outdoor dining to customers starting on June 24. No reservations needed.

Open in Google Maps

3105 Astoria Blvd N, Astoria, NY 11102

Visit Website

Guantanamera

939 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019

The stalwart Hell’s Kitchen’s spot served takeout mojitos, slow roast pork, and other dishes throughout the COVID-19 crisis, and now it’s letting patrons dine at an outdoor table on Eighth Avenue. Expect crispy Cuban sandwiches, succulent vaca frita (shredded and pan-fried skirt steak), and classic picadillo with ground beef and raisins.

939 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Visit Website

A Cuban sandwich lies on a white plate on the left, while a plate of vaca frita lies on the right at Guantanamera

Pao De Queijo

31-90 30th St, Astoria, NY 11106

This casual Brazilian spot has been offering a takeout and delivery menu throughout the pandemic filled with comforting favorites including burgers, empanadas, and the restaurant’s namesake tapioca cheese bread bites. Now that outdoor dining is allowed, the food will still be served to-go but tables and chairs will be set up outside for customers if they’d prefer to sit and eat.

Open in Google Maps

31-90 30th St, Astoria, NY 11106

Visit Website

Pao de Queijo

Gotham West Market

600 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036

A number of Gotham West Market vendors operated throughout the pandemic, but now, the Hell’s Kitchen food hall is open for outdoor seating. Ivan Ramen is still closed, but among the open venues are high-end sandwich spot Don Wagyu, the pasta-slinging Dell’Anima, the taco-focused La Palapa, the burger-centric Corner Bistro, and the excellent pizzeria that is Corner Slice.

600 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Visit Website

A white clam slice and a red tomato slice sit on paper plates at Gotham West Market — A white clam slice and a tomato slice at Gotham West Market

Angkor Cambodian Bistro

408 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065

This acclaimed Cambodian restaurant has been taking orders over the phone for its popular Khmer curriers, sliced duck salad, and frog legs cooked a variety of ways amid the pandemic. For outdoor dining, the restaurant directs customers to order over the phone ahead of time and then diners can take their meals out to the backyard where a handful of tables have been spaced six feet apart. Staff will be serving wine to outdoor diners.

Open in Google Maps

408 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065

Visit Website

A dark dining room — Angkor’s dining room

Raan Kway Teow

78-14 Roosevelt Ave #6, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Thai noodle hotspot Raan Kway Teow has set out tables and chairs for customers to sit and savor the restaurant’s popular lineup of noodle soups, including the headlining kway teow, or thin rice noodle that’s served in a broth flavored with tamarind or coconut milk.

78-14 Roosevelt Ave #6, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Raan Kway Teow interior — Raan Kway Teow

Ruby's Cafe

442 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

This Australian accented cafe offers burgers, pastas, and vegemite toast, with a nice collection of outdoor tables on its bright white, north facing side, just off Third Avenue. which means some sun, some shade.

Open in Google Maps

442 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

Visit Website

A bright white wall with tables in front.

Pastis

52 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014

Keith McNally’s famed brasserie in the Meatpacking District, run by Starr Restaurants, has reopened its sunny outdoor cafe for dine-in service. The kitchen is serving all of its usual classics: garlicky escargots, rich croque monsieur sandwiches, filet au poivre, and a giant lobster frites for two.

52 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014

Visit Website

A spread of dishes sit on a table at Pastis, including golden roast chicken, buttered lobster, snails, and crimson raw tuna

Rahi

60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

Chef Chintan Pandya has reworked acclaimed Indian restaurant Rahi’s menu for a summer of outdoor dining. The team will be grilling outdoors and there will be an ice cream cart with cold treats available for customers sitting outside. For those still looking for takeout, Rahi is offering grab-and-go options including a masala fried chicken sandwich and creamy kulfi on a stick.

Open in Google Maps

60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

Visit Website

Tulsi chicken plated on a white slab dish — Tulsi chicken at Rahi

Numero 28 Pizzeria

176 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

This purveyor of Neapolitan pizzas offers nearly two dozen pies in three categories (red, white, and special). It has flung some tables onto the sidewalk and street with great views of the East Village.

Open in Google Maps

176 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Visit Website

Tables in the street surrounded by orange plastic barriers.

Fiaschetteria "Pistoia"

647 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009

Rustic East Village Italian spot Fiaschetteria “Pistoia” will be offering up its signature plates of pastas and approachable wines for outdoor dining starting on June 22. The sidewalk seating is first come, first served.

Open in Google Maps

647 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009

Visit Website