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When us poor ol’ New Yorkers can’t be in the Hamptons, we desperately rely on exploring the newest summer hotspots. Rooftops, boats, patios… Summer in NYC is the best for outdoor fun! Every year, new seasonal hangouts open with an even bigger terrasse, a better view, a higher rooftop, a cooler crowd, a cheaper happy hour… Most are great for drinks and nibbles, but not many are actually for al fresco dining. Here are this year’s best new spots for outdoor dining in NYC:
5. Sushi by Bou at the Limelight Patio – the quickest and cheapest omakase in NYC is served at a second outdoor pop-up location, just for the summer! You can now sit for the 30-minute, 12-course, $50 sushi fest at Sushi by Bou‘s counter in Chelsea’s Limelight Patio. Walk through the Jue Lan Club courtyard entrance, grab a stool (although reservations are safer) and enjoy the sushi quickie! This seasonal location has a way cooler vibe than the original Sushi by Bou in Midtown’s Sanctuary Hotel.
Sushi by Bou summer pop-up at The Limelight
4. Tacocina – more than a proper dining spot, Tacocina is a cool & casual taco stand by Mr. Danny Meyer himself in Williamsburg’s Domino Park. Union Square Hospitality‘s first taquería is fun, chill, affordable, for all crowds and ages, and has unbeatable East River views. Just like Meyer’s first Shake Shack, the fast-casual dining spot has been a huge success since its opening in June 2018. The best part about Tacocina? You can enjoy an outdoor taco party with a view year-round!
Tacocina in Brooklyn’s Domino Park
Outdoor casual dining with East River views
3. It’s a tie for Summer 2018’s newest outdoor dining spots in DUMBO:
We missed out on Celestine‘s patio last summer as it opened right at the beginning of Fall 2017. This summer, we can finally enjoy the restaurant’s Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare on an outdoor table right on the scenic DUMBO waterfront. Comparable to neighboring Cecconi’s, dining at Celestine comes with incredible views of the Manhattan skyline and bridges. Also, the indoor dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy the view year-round. Don’t go without trying out their orange wines!
Manhattan Bridge View
Outdoor dining by the DUMBO waterfront
Just a few blocks away is the Miami and Las Vegas import SUGARCANE Raw Bar Grill, which also opened too late in 2017 to enjoy its outdoor seating. This clubby restaurant definitely has less of a neighborhood feel, located in a dimly lit, huge warehouse 300-seat space (I mean, Vegas & Miami – you get the picture). SUGARCANE is managed by the same people that own SushiSamba and you can tell: not only by the vibe, but also by the mix of Asian and Latin fare. Whether this is your scene or not, SUGARCANE has a great 2,000 sqft outdoor patio perched on the DUMBO waterfront, right by the iconic Jane’s Carousel, and with an impressive view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge View
2. The Golden Hour – The beautiful outdoor space of The High Line Hotel where once were Alta Linea and 180 Tenth by Smorgasburg, is now The Golden Hour. After opening for the first time in 2015, the best summer dining spot in Chelsea returns for the 2018 season with a new restaurant in the same picturesque courtyard garden of The High Line Hotel. This pop-up comes from the team behind Brooklyn’s Maison Premiere (that I love) and Sauvage, and serves a seafood-focused menu paired with summer drinks. This is the place to come to for an after-work cocktail on a sunny day, and a great (first?) date spot before a stroll on The High Line.
Al fresco dining – thegoldenhournyc.com
(Overpriced) $32 lobster roll
View of the courtyard from a hotel room – thegoldenhournyc.com
1. Gitano gets the #1 spot as the best new NYC summer spot for outdoor dining – definitely not because of its inconsistent Mexican food (nor service that is) but because this Manhattan oasis really feels like a tropical jungle in the middle of the concrete jungle. Sure it’s nothing like the original Tulum outpost, and yes it was shut down for a split second by The Health Department, but Gitano brings the ultimate summer vibe of a Mexican beach-bar to the city, wey! Once you’ve entered the 24,000 sqft haven of lush palm trees, you’ll forget you’re on a Canal St lot in the middle of Hudson Square, and might even end up looking for the playa after one-too-many margaritas. The crowd is ridiculously good looking during weekday happy-hour (although a bit more bridge & tunnel-ish on weekends…). The best part is reservations in their 450-seat outdoor patios are pretty easy to snag (thank you Health Department!), even for large parties. Just make sure you do make a booking if you want to skip the line for walk-ins and drinks at the bar. There’s a lot that can be improved, but the potential of Gitano NYC is huge, and there’s no denying the unique setting and atmosphere are awesome.
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Jenga in the Jungle!
Tropical Dining
Guacamole & summer cocktails por supuesto
Grilled Avocado, aromatic salt, ponzu, almonds
My favorite thing on the menu – the Fire Roasted Asparagus
Lettuce wraps cause #beachdiet
Dining tables
Downtown views
