An outdoor dining guide to New York City

Updated March 13, 2024
Al is collecting the best places to eat and drink outdoors in NYC. Discover hidden backyards, scenic rooftop lounges or sidewalk perches for the best people watching in town.
Cool and casual neighborhood coffee shop serving up fresh drinks and all day fare.
Sidewalk
Turkish coffee, pastries
Awning
Sidewalk
Rustic neighborhood haunt for all-day fare from breakfast and coffee to evening cocktails.
Streetery
All day jazz-cafe for light bites and craft cocktails.
Sidewalk
Head up to the rooftop garden at this easy going cafe specialising in pastries and all-day brunch.
Garden
Fresh juices, smoothies and lunches are the focus at this quirky all-day cafe.
Patio
Cult pastry shop opened in 1976 and a local favourite for coffee and Eastern European pastries.
Sidewalk
Minimal coffee and tea outpost, tucked behind the American Natural History Museum.
Sidewalk
Head to this casual cafe and bar for unsmissable skyline panoramas.
Patio
Italian classics on the Upper East Side including fresh-baked panini and famous cappuccinos.
Awning
Sidewalk
Coconut cold brew coffee shop found in the lower level of Frick Madison.
Garden
Stylish concession with organic coffee, baked goods and light breakfast fare.
Sidewalk
Covered
Bijou Italian cafe with espresso and pastries by day, then foaccia, charcuterie and negronis by night.
Sidewalk
Coffee kiosk in slick landscaped urban plaza.
Awning
Garden
Coffee kiosk in popular park setting.
Garden
Casual Belgian bakery and restaurant chain serving pastries, light lunches, teas and coffees.
Sidewalk
Coffee shop and photo studio, with a spacious concrete stoop to soak up the sunshine.
Sidewalk
Tuscan deli serving regional delights: espresso, pastries, wines, focaccia and cured meats.
Sidewalk
Bright and airy cafe for artisinal coffee and teas.
Awning
Sidewalk
Chic all-day cafe and wine bar offering prime people-watching seats.
Sidewalk
Stylish cocktails, wines, coffees and pastries alongside books and eclectic evening events.
Garden
It's aperitvo time: Classic Italian purveyors of amari, vermouth and espresso.
Awning
Sidewalk
Sleek cafe outpost of the French record label Kitsuné.
Awning
Sidewalk
Bustling Greenwich Village spot served the first US cappuccino back in 1927.
Sidewalk
Downtown kiosk with a classic feel dishing out bagels, schmears, coffees and breakfast sandwiches.
Sidewalk
Hidden garden cafe in chic fashion boutique.
Garden
Spanish tapas cafe and artisan deli counter.
Streetery
Pint-sized cafe specialising in coffee, tea and succulent cupcakes.
Streetery
Inventive pastries and bakes with a spacious, contempory interior – and great playlist.
Sidewalk
Chic interpretation of the Italian gelateria serving up gelato, coffee and light all day fare.
Awning
Sidewalk
Coffee, pastries and a stand-out playlist in a low-key cafe also serving beer and wine in the evenings.
Streetery
Independent bookstore and wine bar with coffee, tea and snacks to boot.
Garden
Sidewalk
Unassuming cafe and bakery serving renowned breakfast sandwiches.
Streetery
Stop by this local coffee shop and juice bar for breakfast and bagels.
Sidewalk
Make a beeline for drip coffee, espresso and cold brew at this roasters.
Sidewalk
Sip speciality coffee on the terrace at the High Line Hotel Coffeebar.
Patio
Covered
Fair Trade, Arabica coffee in an upmarket Tribeca spot.
Awning
Sidewalk
Elevated pastries and bakes beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Bright and breezy brunch spot with a fabulous Manhattan skyline backdrop.
Patio
Tiny neighborhood coffee joint with a very cute loyalty programme.
Sidewalk
Covered
Woman-owned cafe and marketplace, specialising in pastries and pantry supplies.
Garden
Sidewalk
Streetery
Old-school corner soda shop with streetside seats.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Buzzing coffee roastery with daytime dining menu.
Sidewalk
Everyone's favorite coffee stop with a courtyard garden.
Patio
Trendy speciality sandwich shop with streetside seats.
Sidewalk
Espresso bar, pastries snacks sandwiches
Sidewalk
Welcoming coffee shop with coffee, tea, pastries – and budget friendly!
Sidewalk
Pick up morning pastries (don't forget the monkey bread!) from this contemporary bakery.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Hip bakery offering drinks, pastries and picnic fare in an idyllic parkside setting.
Garden
Friendly neighborhood cafe for all day bites and drinks.
Patio
Friendly neighborhood cafe for all day bites and drinks.
Sidewalk
Upscale grocery and cafe specialising in charcutierue, cheese and sandwiches with a homely back yard.
Garden
Heated
Covered
Zero-waste coffee shop in a converted garage with clothing and recycled home goods on sale.
Sidewalk
Chic Parisian-style cafe from the French record label Kitsuné.
Awning
Sidewalk
An effortlessly cool Brooklyn all-day spot taking sandwiches to the next level.
Sidewalk
Vegan sandwiches and pastries served in a colorful, plant-filled space.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Vegan and vegetarian bakery selling cakes, pastries, bagels and burritos.
Heated
Sidewalk
Streetery
Women-owned and operated coffee shop with farm-to-table menu and flower shop.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Enjoy Texas-style Czech pastries, sweet rolls and fresh drinks.
Garden
Patio
Streetery
Pared-back coffee shop with Japanese menu: Bento boxes, onigiri and don bowls.
Sidewalk
Innovate Taiwanese bakery and all-day cafe.
Porch
Covered
Sidewalk
Savoury and sweet crêpes in a neighborhood cafe.
Garden
Covered
Friendly neighborhood cheese store serving all day staples.
Awning
Sidewalk
Organic, Fair Trade coffee roastery, bakery and cafe.
Patio
Sidewalk
Laid back all-day cafe and bar.
Patio
Covered
Tiny coffee nook serving speciality brews.
Sidewalk
Compact, Italian cafe offering piadine, fresh coffee and friendly vibes.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Quaint Japanese coffee shop with speciality coffees, matcha and local ceramics.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Relaxed neighborhood spot for all-day cafe fare, handmade pastas and cocktails.
Awning
Patio
Stop by for classic French all-day fare and elegant cakes and pastries.
Garden
Renovated historic building with food court and park-side seating.
Garden
Patio
Covered
A Greenpoint gem combining modern American classics with an Antipodean outlook.
Sidewalk
Japanese-influenced cafe with hearty, healthy food as its ethos.
Garden
Sidewalk
Laid-back yet inventive all-day menu focused on bowl food and sandwiches.
Sidewalk
Slick New American restaurant serving small plates and drinks in Greenpoint.
Sidewalk
Enjoy fresh-from-the-oven sweet treats at this award winning bakeshop.
Streetery
Neighborhood coffee and sandwich shop with house-roasted meats and homemade condiments and sauces.
Patio
Cozy cookbook cafe serving up Sicilian snacks and coffee.
Streetery
A compact Butler outpost serving espresso and brewed coffee, matcha and handmade pastries.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Modern cafe and flower shop with airy patio.
Garden
Gourmet sandwiches and speciality snacks at this neighborhood staple.
Sidewalk
High-tech small format coffee chain offering fresh coffee and pastries.
Garden
Heated
Wood-fired bagels paired with smoked fish, deli meats and signature sandwich fillings.
Sidewalk
Relaxed bake shop and espresso bar – stop by for breakfast sandwiches and acai bowls.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Sustainable solar powered cafe tucked inside this plant shop. A hidden oasis in the shadows of the Williamsburg Bridge.
Garden
Buzzy coffee shop, bar and bistro with inventive specials.
Streetery
Popular low-key restaurant serving modern Israeli dishes.
Heated
Sidewalk
Cafe outpost of famed restaurant serving Italian snacks and pastries.
Sidewalk
Vibrant and airy all day cafe with backyard petanque.
Garden
Heated
Covered
Serene coffee and book store in archictecturally beautiful surrounds.
Garden
Cozy coffee and craft beer shop focused on Brooklyn suppliers.
Sidewalk
Friendly neighborhood cafe and grocer with compact back patio.
Patio
Home store with coffee and elevated canteen-style light bites.
Sidewalk
Irreverant all-day restaurant with smash burgers, small plates and speciality cocktails.
Garden
New York classic coffee chain with relaxing back-garden.
Garden
Outré coffee and cocktail bar with an out-there menu to boot.
Awning
Garden
They go big on sandwiches at this Queens deli and diner.
Sidewalk
Streetery
Cafe and wine bar with attractive French sandwiches and pastries.
Garden
Patio
Fresh baked key lime pies served up riverside.
Sidewalk
Foodhall and supermarket for authentic Japanese cuisine and dishes – plus firepits and lanterns in the garden by night.
Firepit
Patio
Laid back neighborhood spot for pasties, light bites and coffee.
Awning
Sidewalk