Outdoor Dining: Eating Alfresco in New York

321 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036 (map)

The garden at this classic Italian restaurant exudes old-world luxury: Cherubs sit by a fountain, surrounded by a colorful melange of oleander, magnolias and more, all shaded by trees as old the restaurant itself (which opened in 1906).

45 Tudor City Pl, New York, NY 10017 (map)

Esteemed chef Michael White's red-hot resto has garnered almost unanimous praise from New York's critics; see what all the hype is about while sitting on the restaurant's intimate, cobblestone patio.

209 E 49th St, New York, NY 10017 (map)

Chef Richard Sandoval's contemporary Mexican fare is exceptional on its own, but somehow it tastes better while basking in the sun amidst midtown's skyscrapers on the 50-seat, second-floor patio.

19 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020 (map)

Yes, it's popular with tourists, but even locals can't suppress the sense of awe inspired by Sea Grill's majestic view of Rockefeller Center, all while enjoying fresh seafood from the comfort of the restaurant's outdoor seating area.

1625 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028 (map)

This relaxed Upper East Side spot's funky, secluded outdoor garden is the perfect urban oasis in which to indulge in eclectic cocktails and handmade pastas.

181 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014 (map)

Bobo is downtown scenesterdom par excellence, thanks to its bohemian, Parisian vibe, ivy-flecked back patio and James Beard Award-winning chef Patrick Connolly.

246 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001 (map)

This Chelsea restaurant's smart, modern garden, with its white linens and climbing ivy, is the perfect place to enjoy a post-gallery glass of wine in the summertime.

265 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012 (map)

Fastidious Soho scenesters need not worry about suffering the discomforts of Mother Nature while dining on this chic patio: It's equipped with a retractable roof, heaters and air conditioning.

Madison Square Park, New York, NY 10010 (map)

You can spot restaurateur Danny Meyer's famed burger stand by the long line of hungry Shake Shack fanatics winding through Madison Square Park.

118 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011 (map)

On warm, balmy nights, there's no better place to see and be seen than The Park's 4,000-square-foot rooftop garden, where the beautiful people gather to preen and flex under Japanese maple trees and wisteria vines.

190 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009 (map)

Tree's narrow dining room has a perfectly warm, nostalgic feeling about it, but it's the 60-seat, romantic outdoor patio that really draws in hungry East Villagers.

187 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (map)

There's nothing quite like sunset on the rooftop patio at Alma, which affords sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. Oh, and chef Hans Dannerhoj's upscale Mexican menu isn't too bad either.

70 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)

The first of chef Riccardo Buitoni's three Italian restaurants, Aurora has a beautiful rustic patio that's perpetually packed with an eclectic Williamsburg mix of families, hipsters and old-school neighborhood Italians.

68 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (map)

Rustic and charming are the first words that come to mind when describing this Park Slope spot's back patio, flush with leafy plants and graceful wrought-iron furniture.

246 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205 (map)

Simple, seasonal, local fare might be this Fort Greene restaurant's mantra, but the delightful backyard patio, with its tall, shady maple tree, is its raison d'être.

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.