7 Outdoor Restaurants In New York You Need To Try

As pandemic restrictions have slowly been rolled back over the last few months, the popularity of outdoor dining has exploded. With the streets of New York suddenly filled with hungry city-dwellers, it can be difficult to choose where to enjoy a night out. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Whether, you’re in Rochester or the heart of New York City, there are more than enough choices to go around.

When it comes to dining in New York City, you can’t ask for much more than a patio overlooking the Hudson River. Merchants River House is a staple of Battery Park, with a menu that includes everything from steamed mussels to chicken and dumplings.

Facebook/Merchant River House

Check out Brown’s Brewing Company for an expansive beer selection and the comfort food you never knew you needed. The brewery’s outdoor seating and charming aesthetic in Troy, NY, outside Albany, provide the perfect escape for locals and anyone stopping through the state capital.

Facebook/Brown’s Brewing Company

You won’t find a more fun dining environment that Francesca’s Cucina in Syracuse. The Italian restaurant is a local favorite and is located in the heart of the city’s Little Italy neighborhood.

Facebook/Francesca’s Cucina

Rochester’s Native Eatery and Bar is back on its feet after the shutdown, and locals are surely excited about that. It’s worth the stop. Head on down to South Clinton Avenue for a tasty charcuterie board or a drink from a stacked lineup of cocktails.

Facebook/Native Eatery and Bar

New York City is often referred to as the concrete jungle. But last year, Gitano Garden of Love infused a little bit of the jungle into the city itself. It’s an island vacation in the middle of Soho, a taste of paradise that you just have to see to believe.

Gitano Garden of Love

The patio out back at The Black Sheep is where you want to be when it comes time for Sunday brunch in Buffalo, and in late summer, that hasn’t changed. Come for the double cheeseburger, stay for the blueberry pie.

Facebook/The Black Sheep

Not to worry, Brooklynites: the outdoor environs of Bar Meridian are open to the public. Head over to 406 Prospect Place for a fun night of wining and dining at this neighborhood hotspot.

Facebook/Bar Meridian

Of course, you don’t need a list to see the countless restaurants offering outdoor dining in the Big Apple. And a few other cities throughout the state have more than enough safe options if you’re looking to enjoy a night out. Of course, they won’t all look like the Gitani Garden of Love or have a view of the Hudson River. But if you’re in one of these cities this fall, it could be the perfect time for a special occasion and some of the best food in town.