Al fresco eating exploded in New York during Covid, creating a landscape of makeshift shacks and a new set of problems which city regulators are only now getting under control. But not everyone’s ...

As of March 31, 2025, there were just over 2,400 permitted outdoor dining setups, according to NYC’s Department of Transportation, about 1,800 sidewalk seats and 600 roadway seats.

Outdoor dining sheds have become a hallmark of al fresco dining in NYC. - Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images “In one specific instance, the outdoor dining structure at a restaurant blocked the stop ...

As of March 31, 2025, there were just over 2,400 permitted outdoor dining setups, according to NYC’s Department of Transportation, about 1,800 sidewalk seats and 600 roadway seats.

Outdoor dining sheds have become a hallmark of al fresco dining in NYC. - Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Outdoor dining proliferated during the Covid pandemic.

Skyline views, garden hideaways and design-forward patios—this is your master list of the most compelling places to eat ...