Outdoor dining in New York is not a new concept, but its variety has become a lot more common, prompting us to take notice of who does it right (and who does it oh! so wrong.) When it comes to keeping the set up beautiful and clean, and the design interesting and safe, we have a few favorites. If you seek a sultry summer outdoor experience that will leave you wanting more, follow this list of places that make dining alfresco a real pleasure.
The Mark Hotel is well-known for their elevated dining and they continue to innovate on the idea with fresh concepts. This spring they gave us the Clam Bar. In their own words, Clam Bar “blends the breezy charm of a beachside seafood shack with the sophistication of uptown dining.” This dining option comes to us from Jean George and Caviar Kaspia so you can expect delectable seafood dishes and summer drinks, like the very popular Aperol Spritz cocktail. The Mark Hotel might be a luxury escape, but this laid-back outdoor experience makes us nostalgic for the slow luxury beach picnic dining. Undoubtedly coming here is a pricey endeavor, but if you are looking to treat yourself, you will find that it is worth it! You cannot miss trying the Lobster Cobb Salad, Lobster Roll and the Kaspia Tacos. Come here with someone who can appreciate seafood and Upper East Side people watching. This is one fashionable sidewalk.
The Mark Clam Bar, 25 E 77th St (betw 5th/Madison Ave) Upper East Side
Photography via Crevette.com, featuring a painting by Michael McGregor.
When we think of a fashionable Mediterranean-style seafood restaurant this summer, we think of Crevette. Coming to us from the team behind Lord’s, Ed Szymanski and Patricia Howard, the new-ish restaurant has already received positive reviews and we expect it to be a popular summer hangout. Crevette took over this location from Holiday Bar, which sadly closed, but left their elegant banquette seating. Above it hangs a commissioned painting by Michael McGregor. The outdoor setup has excellent flow and feels stylish, they even include lounge seating.
The menu at Crevette is where things get really fun. You can build your own raw bar dish or seafood tower choosing from clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp and more. For individual dishes we highly recommend the Spanish Tortilla with Morels & Agretti or the Crudo dish. For bigger entrees try the Seafood Rice with Saffron, Razor Clams & Lobster or their Grilled Golden Chicken with Persillade & Pommes Frites. Dining here feels like a holiday in the South of France, and when it comes to summer escapes in the city, that is exactly what we look for. Plus this corner of the West Village is known to be terrific for people watching.
Crevette, 10 Downing St (betw Bedford St/6th Ave) West Village
La Mercerie at the Guild is known for their stylish interiors, avant-garde plating and delicious seasonal menu, but it is their outdoor dining that keeps us coming back. The restaurant hires a landscape designer, Thomas Little of Urbangreen Gardens, who continues to create a lush haven through “organized chaos.” Simply walking by is a breath of fresh air. Whether you decide to come for breakfast, lunch or dinner, we recommend trying a crêpe dish. Dining here on a sunny day means ordering a cool drink, and there’s many options to choose from. For anyone who seeks non-alcoholic drinks, La Mercerie has a wonderful menu of healthy and summery drinks to enjoy. Wine drinkers will be happy to know that there is a curated menu of French wines. Cocktail enthusiasts should come after 5pm and try to snag a seat at their small bar (only five chairs.) Come here to bask in the beauty of the interiors by Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, shop for dishes, and have a slow lunch, with a side of people watching! It’s an oasis in the middle of Soho!
La Mercerie, 53 Howard St (betw Mercer St/Broadway) Soho
If you enjoy the Tribeca waterfront breeze and people watching, deciding to grab a table outside is a no brainer. You can have that and more at Odeon, one of New York’s beloved dining establishments. Over the years many renowned New Yorkers made it their regular dining spot, including John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. If that doesn’t convince you, this legendary spot is also known for inventing The Cosmopolitan. The restaurant’s outdoor setup can be easily recognized by their white tablecloths and red chairs. Brunch or dinner, the experience at The Odeon continues to impress with delicious dishes and classic cocktails. If it is your first time going to The Odeon we recommend ordering the Country Frise Salad and Buffalo Chicken Dumplings. There is a reason it is a classic New York hangout – the atmosphere and service here are always a pleasure.
The Odeon, 145 W Broadway (betw Thomas/Duane St) Tribeca
For a fun Parisian-style escape, no one comes close to competing with Maison Close. Weekends here can be extra fun, and although all the action is happening inside, we prefer to sit outside as we people watch and listen in. The European outdoor setup includes blue bistro chairs, which face outwards so you can get a better gander. For cocktails we recommend ordering the very refreshing Madame Claude, or the very elegant Les Clandestine. Get them with a side of french fries or a seafood dish. People watching here is an unmatched experience as it includes fashionable people of Soho, tourists, and locals alike. The service is professional and the staff is extremely chic. In fact, they just launched new uniforms by designer Clarence Ruth. Visiting Maison Close feels like a refuge from the ordinary.
Maison Close, 15 Watts St (betw Grand/Broome St) Soho
If you find yourself on the Upper East Side and in search of Italian food, make your way to Elio’s. This traditional fine-dining restaurant opened in 1981 and continues to thrive, attracting loyal customers as well as celebrities. Tom Selleck had his own table here while filming Blue Bloods. While we would never go to a restaurant because of a celebrity, we would for a menu that uses seasonal ingredients. We had a nettle ravioli dish here that we still think about! The outdoor setup, with white table cloths and green bistro chairs, reflects their old school interior. The summer menu features refreshing salads and the cocktails here are nothing to sneer at either. Come here for a classic Italian lunch or dinner, and enjoy people watching on 2nd Avenue.
Elio’s, 1621 2nd Ave (betw 84/85th St) Upper East Side
Penn District has been getting quite the makeover, and that includes more food and drink choices. When in the area, make Bar Primi your go-to spot for slow outdoor dining. The stylish but laid-back Italian restaurant is already well-known for their Bowery location, but the terrace here is certainly a lot more elaborate. Eating at Bar Primi is always a satisfying experience. We recommend ordering pretty much any pasta dish, but you cannot miss trying the meatballs. For something a bit more refreshing and summery, try the red garden beets. Complete your order with their Original Frose cocktail. This drink is guaranteed to get you in the vacation mood. Bar Primi comes to you from NoHo Hospitality, who are behind some of our other favorite spots, like The Dutch and Cafe Carmellini.
Bar Primi, 349 W 33rd St (betw 8/9th Ave) Penn District
