Published January 06, 2021
Now more than ever, restaurants are pulling out all the stops for New Yorkers to enjoy a meal (and hot cocktail or two) despite the fierce winter. Covered patios, complex igloos and tents, and plenty of heaters and lights are out to create the ultimate winter wonderland feast.
With restaurants constantly out-innovating themselves and coming up with unique ways to keep our stomachs full and bodies warm this winter, we're commited to updating this resource for you as much as possible. If you'd like to help us expand this guide, download the Steps app on your phone and subscribe to our Outdoor Dining Guide. From there you can add new places, leave comments and rate your favorite spots!
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Though Lafayette only launched ‘Le Village de Lafayette’ just short of the new year, it’s easily the most talked about neighborhood addition of 2021. With private chalets fringed in light-speckled garland, you’ll immediately be transported to a winter wonderland where après is the name of the game. Reservations are available for dinner and weekend brunch – and with a gruyere truffle fondue on the menu, they’re sure to fill up fast.
Where: 380 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003
Outdoor Dining Feature: Private Heated Snow Chalets
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Another corner gem heating up the sidewalks of the West Village is Fairfax. While we may not be able to take a seat at their intimate bar, Fairfax’s decked out sidewalk yurts are a fair trade-off. With douglas firs lining the walls and cozy furs draping the chairs, Fairfax is the perfect winter escape.
Where: 234 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014
Outdoor Dining Feature: Winter Yurts
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Who would have thought that dining in an Alpine chalet would be on our Italy New York City bucket list? Eataly’s newest outdoor venture, Baita, is an alpine-inspired restaurant experience just underneath the Flatiron building with dishes typical of the Italian Alps, hot cocktails and creamy Raclette.
Where: 200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
Outdoor Dining Feature: Alpine Chalets
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If you’re searching for an open-air dining set up, look no further than the ever-exotic Casa La Femme. Transporting patrons to the colors and atmospere of Egypt, Casa La Femme’s charm includes plush decor, a menu with verve and specialty cocktails.
Where: 140 Charles St, New York, NY 10014
Outdoor Dining Feature: Color! Lights! Heat!
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You have kat to check out the newest outdoor setup lining Katana Kitchen’s West Village sidewalk. New to the outdoor dining game: cozy winter teepee tents. Take a seat, order an eccentric cocktail and dish up some savory and comforting classic Japanese food.
Where: 531 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Outdoor Dining Feature: Teepee Tents
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With individual heated cubbies, The Pomeroy stands as one of the only covered dining areas in Astoria. Serving up new American comfort food and seating up to a party of 6, The Pomeroy also lines its ceilings with electric heaters to help with the chill of any winter night.
Where: 36-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105
Outdoor Dining Feature: Individual Cubbies
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230 FIFTH is New York's largest outdoor Rooftop Garden and Fully enclosed Penthouse Lounge. As you pack away your summer wardrobe and break out your puffer coats, this rooftop sets up 17 heated igloo tents to get you in the holiday spirit.
Where: 230 5th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Outdoor Dining Feature: Rooftop Igloos
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Heated greenhouses with icy river views might be our favorite winter-quarantine duo. Industry Kitchen, located along the East River next to the historic South Street Seaport, happens to have both. Grab a pizza and a cocktail, and soak in that heat before trekking back home.
Where: 70 South Street, At, Maiden Ln, New York, NY 10038
Outdoor Dining Feature: Heated Greenhouses
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Dr. Clark will make you feel right at home with their heated kotatsu dining tables lined outside their Chinatown locale. With soft gingham-printed blankets spread across the floors and disco balls hanging from the ceiling, this eclectic Hokkaido restaurant is the perfect spot to indulge in sashimi and Japanese whisky.
Where: 104 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
Outdoor Dining Feature: Outdoor Heaters
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Kissaki constructs an intimate setting for creative seasonal plates served in both tasting menus and à la carte. Their enclosed, heated outdoor dining pergola welcomes you with red-tinted heat lamps and a full omakase menu.
Where: 319 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
Outdoor Dining Feature: Outdoor Heaters
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'Tis the season to cozy up in Winter Garden at The Standard, East Village. Hunker down in their private alpine yurts, or outside (with heaters!) among the twinkling evergreens, with raclette burgers, fresh oysters, brick chicken, spiked hot chocolate, gooey fondue, freshly baked gingerbread cookies and more. Open daily for drinking and dining.
Where: 25 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003
Outdoor Dining Feature: Outdoor Yurts
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Welcome to one of our favorite COVID-safe date night spots in the city: Kyma. Bringing a piece of Greece to the heart of Flatiron. Kyma’s dreamy set up has greek-inspired seafood and drum roll, please heating lamps to cozy up under.
Where: 15 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011
Outdoor Dining Feature: Outdoor Heaters
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The seasonal conversion of “The Greens” features 28 individual dining cabins for guests to enjoy throughout the winter months. Seating up to 10 people, the cabins promise to bring customers winter décor, spacious banquette seating, a virtual fireplace, heaters, and floor-to-ceiling views of New York City.
Where: 89 South St, New York, NY 10038
Outdoor Dining Feature: Rooftop Greenhouses
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Pull off to the side of Route 66 to dine in an IRL winter snowglobe. Located in Stone Street, Route 66 Smokehouse’s sidewalk is lined with heated bubble tents that seat 4-10 guests. Temperature checks and contact tracing info is required, employees sanitize the entire interior between reservations, and a minimum of 30 minutes between reservations is required to open the bubble and "air out."
Where: 46 Stone St, New York, NY 10004
Outdoor Dining Feature: Heated Bubbles
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Located in the Theatre District, this hot spot alternates its decor per season, making for year-round enjoyment.
Where: 132 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
Outdoor Dining Feature: Heated Rooftop
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On the corner of Greenwich and W 12th, it’s quite hard to miss Don Angie’s impeccably constructed outdoor dining pods. Painted bright red and lined with a clean black-and-white checkered border, we can’t think of a more fashionable (and warm!) spot to spoon-twirl some mouthwatering pasta.
Where: 103 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
Outdoor Dining Feature: Heated Pods
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Cafe du Soleil is living in the future with their 18 social-distanced space bubbles to dine in. Their simple French fare and approachable staff make this a highly popular neighborhood spot.
Where: 2723 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
Outdoor Dining Feature: Outdoor Igloos
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With pink wooden columns supporting the roof over your head, Di An Di is fun from the second you sit down. With a plethora of hanging green plants and twinkling bulb lights, you’ll surely come for the decor and stay for the delightful Vietnamese cuisine? One of our favorite finishing touches? Intricate gold scissors replace knives to slice your food at this hip BK spot.
Where: 68 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Outdoor Dining Feature: Outdoor Heaters
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Dare we say no one does outdoor dining quite like the West Village? Contributing to the success of that statement is Extra Virgin. A staple for outdoor dining in average times, Extra Virgin has now elevated their sidewalk seating, transforming it into an expansive outdoor patio.
Where: 259 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014
Outdoor Dining Feature: Outdoor Heaters
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PHD Terrace has transformed into a Midsummer Night’s Dream for the winter with a gorgeous garden and plenty of lights. There’s even a flower tunnel and swing! Try their Winter Warmer Margarita made with with Milagro tequila, lime, cinnamon syrup and strawberry puree.
Where: 210 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
Outdoor Dining Feature: Heated Rooftop
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The concept for Eataly’s Serra by Birreria winter rooftop has just been announced. Titled SERRA Stellata – In the Woods, this themed experience is a “woodland wonderland.” The space with beautiful shades of icy blue, forest décor, and a sparkling ceiling was designed by Milkway Studio. The winter atmosphere will pair wonderfully with their warm cocktails and hearty food menu.
Where: 200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
Outdoor Dining Feature: Seasonal Rooftop
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Enjoy dinner under the stars at Bottino – quite literally. With beautiful golden stars adorning their open-air back garden, enjoy Tuscan cooking in this winter wonderland.
Where: 246 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Outdoor Dining Feature: Heated Garden
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Cafeteria's swanky take on a classic diner brings guests flocking to their doors year round. As the snow begins to fall, their wraparound sidewalk seating has been lined with heated cozy "suites" for private groups to enjoy.
Where: 119 7th Ave, New York, NY 10010
Outdoor Dining Feature: Heated Suites
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With a menu designed to be shared, family style, bring your closest quarantine crew and relax in Archer & Goat’s casual Harlem dining locale.
Where: 187 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10026
Outdoor Dining Feature: Outdoor Heaters
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Colorful Christmas lights drape the greenery surrounding this covered and heated rooftop. Though the rooftop is temporarily closed for a “winter break,” the Midtown East locale promises to return by mid-January. An ideal setting for weekday dinners, intimate date nights and lively evenings.
Where: 160 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017
Outdoor Dining Feature: Heated Rooftop
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Covered greenhouse dining with the best city views. Located in Long Island City, Savanna Rooftop has you covered for outdoor dining this winter in their private "sky suites" 🌃
Where: 11-01 43rd Ave 12th Floor, Queens, NY 11101
Outdoor Dining Feature: Rooftop Greenhouses