5 of the best al fresco restaurants in New York
Words: Holly
New Yorkers have been famous for their unique al fresco dining spots since 1932, when 11 workers perched themselves a toe-curling 69 floors above Manhattan to enjoy their lunch break during the construction of the Rockefeller Centre. Luckily for you, fast-forward more than 80 years and it would seem that the city that never sleeps has really stepped up their al fresco game – in terms of cuisine as much as safety. Here, we take a look at 5 of the best al fresco restaurants in New York.
1. NARCISSA
For refined, farm-to-table New American cuisine head to the restaurant at the Standard Hotel East Village. Having opened last year to rave reviews, they’ve upped the anti this summer by introducing their outdoor dining space, which is unbeatable for brunch and just as good come sunset., 25 Cooper Square (5th St. and Bowery) The Standard, East Village narcissarestaurant.com
2. MISSION CANTINA
Danny Bowien threw open the side doors at Mission Cantina the moment the weather got warm, and with picnic tables pilled high with his ever-changing Mexican-style menu it’s one of the hottest places to be this summer in the city that never sleeps. With the exceptionally popular $1 taco happy hour from 4 until 6pm almost every day of the week, afternoons are seriously popular, but with the newly launched Mexican brunch and buzzing evening vibes, there really isn’t ever a bad time to go., 172 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002 missioncantinany.com
3. VINEGAR HILL HOUSE
If it’s good enough for Jessica Alba, then it’s good enough for us. You can’t beat a balmy Brooklyn evening in the garden at Vinegar Hill House. Constantly rated as one of the best outdoor dining spots in all of NYC, thanks to the delicious food and adorable setting, this is the perfect date venue., 72 Hudson Avenue, Brooklyn vinegarhillhouse.com
4. MAISON PREMIERE
At the recommendation of our esteemed Art Director and native New Yorker, this is the best place in town for oysters, absinthe and a back garden more akin to somewhere in the Garden District of New Orleans than Williamsburg., 298 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn maisonpremiere.com
5. GALLOW GREEN AT THE MCKITTRICK HOTEL
Another hotel restaurant that punches way above its weight, Gallow Green is the bar and restaurant perched atop the McKittrick Hotel, home to Sleep No More. The roof lounge is the perfect summer sun trap with a green-garden vibe and serves quirky cocktails and punch bowls throughout the day and night., 542 West 27th Street New York m.mckittrickhotel.com
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