Where to find NYC's best outdoor dining

Cecconi’s Dumbo packs a triple punch with an unbeatable location along Water Street in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the resulting stunning views of Manhattan, and classic Italian fare. Catch a sunset dinner under the restaurant’s black-and-white verandas or head to brunch on the weekend where there are housemade pastas, pizza, salads, and an expansive wine menu.

Green turf, lively plants, and lattice fencing have turned Casa Ora’s covered streetfront terrace into a tropical getaway. Graze on the Venezuelan restaurant’s menu of arepitas (stuffed cornmeal cakes), empanadas (fried turnovers filled with shredded beef, shredded chicken, cheese, or black beans), or asado negro for two, a tender braised short rib adorned with fresh herbs. Pair your dishes with frozen margaritas made with fresh juice and housemade syrups. Diners can expect excellent service at this festive spot that we also singled out as one of the top places to celebrate in NYC.

Montesacro’s only East Coast outpost is right in Williamsburg. A dramatic retractable glass ceiling creates a spectacular outdoor space complete with hanging plants and heaters. The menu takes cues from Roman taverns where patrons come together at long wooden tables to enjoy a meal. The pinsa—a Roman style pizza made with a blend of soy, rice, wheat flour, and dried mother yeast—is the star of the show here and there are more than ten kinds to choose from.

The rustic-chic ambiance at this modern Indian spot extends to its vibrant sidewalk tent setup. Grab a seat on bustling First Street and engage in some prime people watching while sipping inventive cocktails such as a chai negroni or a turmeric-infused gimlet. As you take in the energetic street scenes, fuel up with sophisticated South Asian shared plates including tuna bhel tostadas and paneer pinwheels.

The outdoor space at Harlem Tavern buzzes with life on any given warm day. Its canopy of red umbrellas provides crucial shade, ideal for watching sporting events on its mounted televisions. The bar hosts events frequently, corresponding with holidays including Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and more. There are small bites such as crispy fish tacos and wings with various sauce options on the menu, along with entrees including bourbon-braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach.

Even though it’s set in a covered, open-air passageway in Midtown Manhattan, La Grande Boucherie’s outdoor dining area is reminiscent of the enclosed galleries that connect many streets in Paris. Diners enjoy French classics such as steak tartare, croque monsieur, and escargot with the restaurant’s extensive absinthe selection, all surrounded by stained-glass windows on tables with elegant wood-topped dividers.

Parisian vibes fill Laduree’s stunning courtyard, a shaded tree- and flower-filled garden made for warmer temps. The French teahouse is famous for its macarons and other traditional pastries, but there’s also a full savory menu here with dishes such as quiche lorraine, a chicken club sandwich, and skirt steak with peppercorn sauce.

Pera Soho’s gazebo whisks you away to Istanbul. The atmosphere is breezy (fans deck the lush garden in the warmer months) and channels the artistic, gallery-filled Turkish neighborhood the restaurant is named for. Conversations flow over Mediterranean-inspired dishes including Greek yogurt-marinated chicken breast and Levantine seafood cake. Go for al fresco happy hour on weekdays from 4 pm to 6 pm and snack on hummus and calamari with Calabrian aioli, best washed down with Pera’s winning margaritas and martinis.

Dagon’s sidewalk seats and covered cafe area are rich with Israeli and Levantine influences, decked with plants and splashed in shades of light green. The inviting outdoor space accommodates 30 and is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Expect Mediterranean hits including spring vegetable tagine (made with crispy chickpeas, sesame, rice pilaf, and a tomato and charred eggplant broth) along with dry-aged beef kebabs and crispy roasted lamb.

Little Owl’s sidewalk patio echoes the quaint ambiance that makes its dining room a go-to spot for anniversaries, birthdays, and other celebrations. Fresh flowers bring color to each table, and an added tent offers shade to diners enjoying Mediterranean-accented dishes such as the signature pork chop with butter beans and wild dandelion. Look up and you’ll recognize the famous apartment building facade seen in every episode of the hit television show Friends.

Opt for hearty Greek fare under the plant-filled canopy at Amylos (in the winter months, it's equipped with electric and gas heaters). The beloved Astoria taverna serves contemporary riffs on Mediterranean classics such as phyllo purses stuffed with butternut squash and feta and a slow-roasted mixed grill, which serves two (or more) and includes chicken, country-style pork leek sausage, and lamb. Bring a group to make the most of your outdoor Aegean feast.

Sac’s family-style pizza restaurant is set in the former commissary at Kaufman Astoria Studios (which has filmed popular television shows and movies including Orange is the New Black and Men in Black 3) and makes a great spot for groups—and the occasional celeb spotting. Sit in the outdoor pizza garden and take in the breeze with a special lunch and dinner menu that includes housemade gnocchi, lobster and crab ravioli, and classic or Sicilian pies with a choice of toppings.

This buzzy Latin fusion spot has a dedicated outdoor patio with river and Manhattan vistas plus a sidewalk shed just steps from Gantry Plaza State Park. Bring friends and catch up over Blend’s popular shared plates including cornmeal cakes topped with braised short rib and chorizo mac and cheese. Consider pairing your meal with a red or white wine sangria—and some delicious water views.

San Gennaro—one of the newer arrivals on Arthur Avenue, which turns into a piazza-like thoroughfare in the warmer months—mixes traditional Italian American fare with lesser-seen specials. Sit on the shaded patio and dig into faithfuls such as veal chop milanese or regional specialities including linguine con barbabietola (a red beet sauce topped with walnuts and burrata) for a taste of Rome. Cap off your breezy meal with a cool serving of lemon sorbet or tiramisu.