Temperatures are dipping, and the hours of daylight are getting slim. Yep, Winter is officially upon us.
One of our favorite things about New York is summer outdoor dining. It's always sad to see it leave the sidewalks come the arrival of autumn. Lucky for us, outdoor dining is here to stay long past the summer season!
Beat the winter chill at one of these lunch and dinner favorites fully-stocked with head lamps to keep you extra toasty. Dig into your meal alongside great company, enjoy a cocktail or two and support local business during this trying year.
From uptown to downtown, to the city's most outer boroughs, New York offers some great winter al fresco dining, and this list proves it.
See also: The 9 Best Italian Restaurants in NYC
Ladurée SoHo
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396 W Broadway, (646) 392-7868 / Website
Step into a romantic Parisian courtyard hidden amidst the concrete jungle. This upscale french eatery features a jardin for enjoyable outdoor eating without any of the hustle and bustle noise. On the jardin secret menu is a selection of French cuisine favorites including tuna tartar, filet de boeuf and parisienne gnocchi. To top off the meal, indulge in an éclair or a macaron (or two) from the famous patisserie brand. The setting, the meal and the dessert will have you saying Ooh la la!
Ruby's
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Locations in SoHo, East Village and Murray Hill / Website
This charming cafe from the land down under is a local favorite for fresh bowls, burgers and pasta. With multiple locations throughout Manhattan (all equipped with heat lamps for added outdoor dining comfort), you’re never more than a stone’s throw away. Breakfast, or should we say brekkie, is served till 4 p.m. with avocado toast on fresh sourdough, or eggs in every way you can imagine. The wide ranging dinner menu features grain bowls for the health conscious, or juicy beef burgers for the savory inclined.
Barking Dog
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1678 3rd Avenue, (212) 831-1800 / Website
Furry friends are invited to brunch at this American eatery on the Upper East Side. The menu is large and in charge, with options ranging from salads to burgers, pasta and more. The Barking Dog serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with plenty of space to spread out. The outdoors eating area is covered and heated for a cozy atmosphere you’ll enjoy no matter the season, and with $7 frozen margaritas, what’s not to love?
BoCaphe
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222 Lafayette Street, (646) 882-1939 / Website
Everyone loves a good bowl of noodles, and that’s why we think you’ll just love this Vietnamese restaurant. Nestled on Lafayette Street just across from Lt. Petrosino square, this Soho spot has a large outdoor dining area with a tent for cover and heat lamps for warmth. Breakfast is served all day (egg bahn mi, anyone?), and the lunch and dinner options include all things noodles, avec or sans broth. BoCaphe caters to the herbivore and carnivore alike with protein options of chicken, beef, salmon, shrimp and tofu.
See also: 10 Tasty Brunch Spots in NYC
STK Steakhouse Rooftop
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26 Little West 12th Street 4th Floor, (646) 624-2441 / Website
This chic lounge is truly a one-of-a-kind dining experience. With great music, a vibey atmosphere, a curated menu of top quality ingredients, and views for days, STK reigns as one of downtown Manhattan’s hottest spots. STK’s menu offers the highest quality cuts of USDA beef for a difference you can taste. Plus, the weekend brunch can not be beat. Sip on a cocktail or two, and drink up the Gotham city skyline from their outdoor patio.
Bus Stop Cafe
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597 Hudson Street, (212) 206-1100 / Website
If you’re looking for the comforts of home, Bus Stop Cafe’s cozy atmosphere is the place for you. This gem in the heart of the West Village is family owned and operated with a menu full of American diner classics (think pancakes, omelettes and bagels with lox). Locals know this eatery is multifaceted - you can just as easily enjoy an intimate date night here, have a weekend catch up with friends, or dine alone in the prime location for people-watching.
Marea
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240 Central Park South, (212) 582-5100 / Website
Chef Michael White elevates seafood and pasta at this Michelin-star rated restaurant just south of Central Park. Marea serves high-end Italian fare with an emphasis on the freshest catches of the sea. Don’t miss the famous bone marrow and octopus fusilli! Dining at Marea is an experience that indulges all your senses. The upscale eatery creates the perfect cozy ambiance with string lights and a colorful floral canopy that transports you to a lush garden somewhere in the south of Italy.
Photography by: Spencer Platt
