You might think New York City is always alive and bustling, but once outdoor tables hit the sidewalks and rosé bottles start popping, an entire new energy is sprung.
First, you’ll notice more people on the streets. Socializing is a priority again after the winter months. All plans are directed towards the outdoors, where drinking great vino and eating are priorities #1 and #2.
Chekmark Eats has put together a list of some of the newest and best outdoor spots to score a spot at for this summer:
1) Santina (Meatpacking)
Who doesn’t want to be in the heart of Meatpacking these days with the gorgeous Whitney Museum, Highline, cobblestone streets and fashionable people? Santina has awesome seafood, salads and a chickpea pancake that tastes much better than it sounds.
2) The Mermaid Inn (East Village)
This might be an obvious choice, but the $1 oyster happy hour is unbeatable. Their lobster rolls are pretty great, too.
3) The Meatball Shop (UWS)
No explanation needed. Have your balls and outdoor preferences, too.
4) Cafe Clover (Greenwich Village)
Great healthy food and trendy, good-looking people. Sit outside if you are looking to enjoy the outdoors but do know that the inside is where all the action is.
5) Narcissa (East Village)
This restaurant in the Standard East hotel has a huge backyard. Don’t settle for the front of the hotel’s cafe. Swoop in the back to escape the city feel. Munch on great vegetables at dinner and french toast bites at brunch.
6) Extra Virgin (West Village)
This West Village treat is on one of the coziest streets, and offers a simple pancake that can beat all the rest.
7) Lafayette (NoHo)
This gorgeous restaurant still sparkles outside and has a thick enough patio so that you don’t feel like you are literally eating in the street. Go for an afternoon glass of wine or brunch on that awesome banana, chocolate coconut croissant.
8) Pure Food & Wine (Gramercy)
Don’t fear the raw food menu. You won’t be able to tell, you’ll just praise the tamale and rejoice over that chocolate and peppermint sundae that you can enjoy on the huge outdoor deck.
9) Montmartre (Chelsea)
Anything from this restaurant group is a star (Perla, Joseph Leonard, Jeffrey’s Grocery). Lunch on the back patio is open on Fridays only and weekend brunch and dinner are also options.
10) Caracas Arepa Bar (Williamsburg)
The hanging lights will make you feel like you’re at an extremely well planned backyard BBQ. Skip the wait at the East Village location and eat the best arepa’s in town out in Brooklyn.
