The best outdoor bars and restaurants in New York City

New York comes to life like no other during the summer, and in large part due to the city’s rich culinary scene. Outdoor patios, rooftops, and secret gardens become prime real estate, and tables spill onto sidewalks. There are countless options for alfresco hangs across the city. From Brooklyn to Manhattan and West Village to Lower East Side, we’ve rounded up the best bars and restaurants with outdoor spaces to visit this summer. Spanning an authentic Lebanese restaurant in Cobble Hill to a floating oyster bar on the Hudson River, read on to discover our guide to New York’s best alfresco restaurants and bars.

Brooklyn

Maison Premiere

Best for: Southern-inspired tipples and oysters
Address: 298 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Price: Small plates from 6 USD; large plates from 13 USD

The world-recognised Maison Premiere bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is considered one of the best bars in New York, year round. Its lush garden feels somewhat reminiscent of a restaurant in 1930s New Orleans Garden District with its overgrown plants and snug seating. Grab a spot beneath the vine-laced pergola and order unique oyster varieties, towering shellfish platters and classic absinthes. Highlights include four different takes on a mint julep, and their exceptional piña colada, served in a whole coconut and flavoured with rum, pineapple, and lime. Larger parties can book the entire garden for special occasions from November to April.

Aldama

Best for: Authentic Mexican cooking and frozen cocktails
Address: 91 South 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Price: Small plates from 9 USD; large plates from 18 USD

This small, bohemian Mexican bar and restaurant is a Williamsburg staple. Dreamed up by Christopher Reyes (formerly of Cosme) and Gerardo Alcaraz (previously head chef of three-Michelin-starred Martín Berasategui in Spain), the duo have earned citywide street cred for their housemade masa tortillas and agave-focused cocktails. The sangre de mezcal is a firm favourite: a frozen cocktail made with hibiscus and mezcal, white vermouth, lemon juice, and a pinch of worm salt. The sunny rear patio brings a slice of Mexico City to Brooklyn with its braided pendant lights, brushed concrete flooring and terracotta walls. Bag a seat here for sunset, and kick back with a frozen cocktail to hand.

Roberta’s

Best for: Wood-fired pizzas and natural wine
Address: 261 Moore Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Price: Small plates from 8 USD; large plates from 14 USD

One of New York’s most iconic restaurants is Roberta’s, the rustic wood-fired pizza spot from chef Carlo Mirarchi. The original Bushwick location, picked up a Michelin star in 2023 and is still as busy as ever. During warm weather, the spacious outdoor patio – complete with its own bar – is an ideal spot to enjoy Italian wines with pizzas topped with seasonal ingredients like market greens, mozzarella, lemon, and parmesan. It’s worth noting that while bookings can be made for indoor seats, the patio operates on a first come, first served service.

Westlight at The William Vale Hotel

Best for: Sweeping sunset views and small plates
Address: 111 North 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Price: Small plates from 10 USD; large plates from 22 USD

Drop by Westlight atop The William Vale Hotel during sunset for one of Brooklyn’s most spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. This wraparound patio features indoor and outdoor seating with plush banquettes. Helmed by acclaimed chef Andrew Carmellini, who’s known for his Italian-inspired menus at Leuca on the ground floor. Here, he presents a modern American small plates menu in the form of spicy chicken empanadas, Moroccan-spiced lamb tacos and charred octopus skewers. Order your choice of dishes alongside drinks from the cocktail menu. The purple and fancy is a good place to start, mixed with bombay gin, guava, dragon fruit, lemon and agave.

Nabila’s

Best for: Low-key Lebanese eating 
Address: 248 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Price: Small plates from 3 USD; large plates from 25 USD

Lebanese restaurant Nabila’s fresh, flavour-filled menu has become a Cobble Hill favourite. Owner Mike Farah swapped his career in finance to launch the restaurant with his Lebanese mother Nabila, and together they have created a memorable dining experience with modern interiors and homemade hot and cold mezzes. On a sunny day, opt for sidewalk seating, and be sure to order the roasted red pepper with walnut, pomegranate and shatta dip paired with sfeeha (seasoned beef) and harak osbao (herb-topped pita chips). The menu is ideal for small parties looking to graze with a glass of wine, and the pistachio ice cream is a reason to visit in its own right.

elNico at Penny Williamsburg

Best for: Rooftop cocktails and Mexican small plates
Address: 288 North 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Price: Small plates from 21 USD; large plates from 38 USD

This Mexican concept by the team behind The NoMad hotel and restaurant is found on the rooftop of Penny Williamsburg hotel. Headed up by acclaimed bartender Leo Robitschek and NoMad London’s former chef Fer Serrano, elNico boasts an entire menu dedicated to tacos alongside a stellar selection of small and large plates. Snag a seat on the outdoor terrace and pair your order with views of the Manhattan skyline. The pork, lamb, and fried shrimp tacos taste even better with the zesty guac, and the pastel pink mole made from beet and tahini works well alongside the light and bright margarita accented with rhubarb.

Laser Wolf

Best for: Open-flame cooking
Address: 97 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 1124
Price: Small plates from 15 USD; large plates from 50 USD

Israeli chef Michael Solomonov moved his beloved shipudiya (skewer house) to the roof of Williamsburg’s chic Hoxton hotel on Wythe Avenue in 2022. The open-air restaurant is a year round hotspot thanks to the excellent views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan. The bar spans the full length of the rooftop and serves fresh citrusy cocktails such as the sour patch kidz – a refreshing, sharp cocktail made with tequila, sour cherry and lime. Drop in for the set menu of fire-kissed proteins and vegetables alongside pitta and a vibrantly-flavoured spread of small salads and dips, like kale baba ganoush and cucumber harissa. The restaurant has no hobs, so all food is cooked over open flame.

Claro

Best For: Seasonal Mexican food and agave drinks
Address: 284 3rd Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215
Price: Small plates from 24 USD; large plates from 18 USD

Embracing the hyper-fresh seasonality of Oaxacan cuisine, chef TJ Steele’s Michelin-starred Claro in Gowanus is home to one of Brooklyn’s best courtyards. The space is decked out with simple tables and bar seating. Choose from a deep mezcal and tequila collection, which the team weaves into thoughtful cocktails beyond a margarita like a tequila and mezcal-spiked milk punch flavoured with pineapple, lime and Campari. Like the restaurant’s tiles and ceramic dishes, most of the ingredients here are imported from Mexico.

Roosevelt Island

Panorama Room

Best for: Escaping the city, seafood platters
Address: 22 North Loop Road, New York, NY 10044
Price: Small plates from 11 USD; large plates from 17 USD

The Graduate New York hotel isn’t necessarily the most convenient outdoor venue in terms of location, but it’s perfect for those looking to escape the city. Hop on the F train or take the ferry over to Roosevelt Island for this polished 18th-floor rooftop bar and lounge from Los Angeles hospitality team Marc Rose and Med Abrous. Snag an outdoor seat on the wraparound terrace with 360-degree views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Queens. Floor-to-ceiling doors connect the patio with the red marble-topped bar surrounded by glass. Drop in for a mix of snacking plates, including seafood towers and caviar-laced nachos paired with thirst-quenching cocktails. We particularly recommend the BMW M1 for a blend of tequila and mezcal with mango, coconut water, and lime. Brunch runs on weekends only.

West Village

Dante West Village

Best for: Martini and spritz enthusiasts, brunch
Address: 551 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
Price: Small plates from 14 USD; large plates from 28 USD

Dante’s outdoor tables are a hot commodity during summer, arranged below two lush, foliage-adorned outdoor dining areas. The bar and restaurant – which was crowned the World’s Best Bar in 2019 – pays tribute to Italy’s aperitivo culture with specific attention to the spritz and martini, of which a myriad of variations are on offer, alongside wood-fired seafood plates. Try the gin-laced Mediterranean tonic with Manzanilla sherry, olive butter, tonic water and salt, and pair it with the house charcuterie board with 24-month-aged prosciutto. Looking for a breakfast or brunch reservation? It’s served here daily.

Grand Banks

Best for: A floating oyster bar with sunset vistas
Address: Pier 25 Hudson River, New York, NY 10013
Price: Small plates from 19 USD; large plates from 33 USD

One of New York’s most idyllic places to catch the sunset with a glass of rosé and plate of freshly-shucked oysters is Grand Banks, parked at Tribeca’s Pier 25. Occupying a Sherman Zwicker fishing boat that dates back to 1942, the waterfront set-up offers unparalleled views of downtown Manhattan. Drop in for chef Kerry Heffernan’s sustainably sourced seafood, including the signature herb-specked Maine lobster roll, plus light tropical cocktails like the vodka-spiked watermelon and lime tropicalia. Pro tip: sunset gets especially busy here, so pop in on a weekday afternoon to avoid the crowds. Brunch runs on weekends only.

Palma

Best for: Homemade pastas and a plant-lined courtyard
Address: 28 Cornelia Street, New York, NY 10014
Price: Small plates from 7 USD; large plates from 30 USD

This romantic Italian restaurant in West Village has the exact vibe of an Italian trattoria in midsummer: wooden furniture, strings of fairy lights, a vibrant trellis of climbing roses, and a retractable roof. Expect perfectly executed classic Italian plates like homemade bolognese and gnocchi served with sourdough focaccia and olive oil – as well as Aperol spritz on tap. The Palma team is set to launch cooking classes later this year, so you can try your hand at creating your favourite dish on the menu.

Bar Pisellino

Best for: Bistro seating and espresso martinis
Address: 52 Grove Street, New York, NY 10014
Price: Food from 5 USD; cocktails from 15 USD

This small all-day West Village bar offers bistro-style tables along charming Grove Street – the perfect spot to spend hours watching the world go by. Mornings are busy with locals gathering for meetings over espresso and bomboloni alla crema (a traditional Italian donut), while evenings focus on amari and vermouth-based drinks. The cocktail offering is short but sweet with just four options to choose from: pistachio, fizz, martini and frappe. There are three variations of negroni on the menu, and a handful of wines available.

SoHo

Twenty Three Grand

Best for: Mediterranean-style plates, greenhouse seating
Address: 23 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013
Price: Small plates from 18 USD; large plates from 28 USD

Twenty Three Grand offers an oasis from the bustle of SoHo with its verdant environment on the ground floor of ModernHaus SoHo hotel. While the slick greenhouse has a retractable roof for warmer months, we recommend venturing outside to the lower terrace. Here, a mishmash of seating sees low-slung rattan chairs ideal for an aperitif, plush sofas perfect for dining with a larger group, and high tables for date night. Head chef Ashley Rath captains the Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring creamy burrata, watermelon and feta salad, and truffle tagliolini. There’s a fair few New York classics like the strip steak and cheese burger, too.

Wayla

Best for: Thai cooking, tropical courtyard 
Address: 100 Forsyth Street, New York, NY 10002
Price: Small plates from 12 USD; large plates from 21 USD

Lower East Side is not short of impressive restaurants, but Wayla takes the crown for its authentic Thai cooking, imaginative cocktails and tropical courtyard. Head chef Tom Naumsuwan plates up authentic Thai street food like moo sarong (crispy noodles wrapped in a pork meatball) and poh pia pu (crab and truffle spring rolls), classic rice and noodle dishes, and larger plates such as gaeng salmon (grilled salmon curry with chillies, aubergines and basil). Inside, the low-lit space is pared back with brick walls and minimal furnishings. Outside, a small courtyard is replete with vintage rugs, printed cushions, lanterns, potted plants, fairy lights and inviting egg chairs. Make it your choice for a midweek dinner with friends, or swing by on the weekend for brunch.