Outdoor Dining 2008

by Keith Wagstaff - Citysearch Editor - 210 Reviews - 108 Lists

Updated: May 07, 2008

Living in a city as fabulous as New York sometimes means making sacrifices--like a backyard, for example. But don't cram that grill onto your fire escape just yet: We've scouted out the top spots where you enjoy the city's tastiest fare in the great outdoors.

On this page:Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn and Queens.

Uptown

  1. 1 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Fred's Restaurant
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    476 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 (map)

    "Come! Sit! Stay!" is the motto at this casual, canine-obsessed, and constantly crowded eatery.

  2. 2 Hudson Beach Cafe
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    W 105th St at Riverside Park, New York, NY 10025 (map)

    Split-level outdoor restaurant in Riverside Park offers views of the New Jersey shoreline.

  3. 3 2 Star Rating: Below Average Heights Bar & Grill
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    2867 Broadway, New York, NY 10025 (map)

  4. 4 3 Star Rating: Average Hudson River Cafe
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    697 W 133rd St, New York, NY 10027 (map)

  5. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Pampano
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    209 E 49th St, New York, NY 10017 (map)

  6. 6 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Sea Grill
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    19 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020 (map)

  7. 7 3.5 Star Rating: Average Boat Basin Cafe
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    W 79th St, New York, NY 10024 (map)

  8. 8 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Barbetta
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    321 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036 (map)

  9. 9 4 Star Rating: Recommended SheepMeadow Cafe
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    Central Park W, New York, NY 10023 (map)

    Charcoal-grilled delights in the heart of Central Park.

Downtown

  1. 10 4 Star Rating: Recommended Paradou
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    8 Little West 12th St, New York, NY 10014 (map)

    A hidden French find where wine carafes and irresistible crepes draw a fun crowd.

  2. 11 3.5 Star Rating: Average Tree
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    190 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009 (map)

  3. 12 3.5 Star Rating: Average Home Restaurant
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    20 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014 (map)

  4. 13 4 Star Rating: Recommended La Bottega
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    363 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011 (map)

  5. 14 4 Star Rating: Recommended I Coppi
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    432 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009 (map)

  6. 15 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Shake Shack
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    Madison Square Park, New York, NY 10010 (map)

  7. 16 3.5 Star Rating: Average El Rey del Sol
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    232 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011 (map)

    Cuervo-fueled Mexican cantina brims with kitschy character.

  8. 17 2 Star Rating: Below Average Liberty View Restaurant
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    21 S End Ave, New York, NY 10280 (map)

  9. 18 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Mermaid Inn
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    96 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003 (map)

  10. 19 4 Star Rating: Recommended Surya Restaurant Inc
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    302 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014 (map)

  11. 20 3.5 Star Rating: Average Bottino
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    246 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001 (map)

  12. 21 3 Star Rating: Average The Park
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    118 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011 (map)

  13. 22 4 Star Rating: Recommended SushiSamba 7
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    87 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 (map)

Brooklyn and Queens

  1. 23 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Sripraphai Thai Restaurant
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    64-13 39th Ave, Woodside, NY 11377 (map)

    When the restaurant moved out of its formerly cramped digs and into its current locale, it gained one of Queens' most pleasant outdoor gardens, a leafy space that's perfect for indulging in what is arguably NYC's best Thai food.

  2. 24 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Taverna Kyclades
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    3307 Ditmars Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11105 (map)

    It's not quite Athens, but with its traditional Greek menu and sunny front patio overlooking bustling Ditmars Boulevard, Taverna Kyclades definitely has an invigorating European feel to it.

  3. 25 4 Star Rating: Recommended Lamb & Jaffy
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    1073 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 (map)

  4. 26 4 Star Rating: Recommended Creek & The Cave
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    10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 (map)

    Queens bar scene with Cal-Mex cuisine, live music and a chill outdoor patio.

  5. 27 4 Star Rating: Recommended Convivium Osteria
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    68 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (map)

    One of the Most Romantic Spots in the Tri-State Area

  6. 28 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
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    29-19 24th Ave, Astoria, NY 11102 (map)

    The last of its kind, this old Astoria landmark beer garden soldiers on.

  7. 29 3.5 Star Rating: Average My Moon
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    184 N 10th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

    One small step for industrial chic in Williamsburg, one giant space for Turkish cuisine.

  8. 30 4 Star Rating: Recommended iCi
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    246 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205 (map)

  9. 31 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average Harry's At Water Taxi Beach
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    2-01 Borden Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 (map)

    Beach bar party along the East River, with a bar, loud music, and some of the best hamburgers around.

  10. 32 4 Star Rating: Recommended DuMont
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    432 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

  11. 33 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Aurora
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    70 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

  12. 34 3 Star Rating: Average Pacifico
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    269 Pacific St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (map)

    Just off Smith Street, a cozy Mexican cantina drawing the Brooklyn crowds.

  13. 35 3.5 Star Rating: Average Alma
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    187 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (map)

  14. 36 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Grocery
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    288 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (map)