On Sunday evening in Fort Greene, clusters of tables lined the sidewalks as restaurants filled with families and small groups escaping the heat. The city’s outdoor dining setups, once improvised, now feel permanent. Many operators roll out umbrellas and string lights by late afternoon, knowing diners expect to eat in the open air well past sunset.
This week, temperatures are holding in the mid-80s. On Monday morning, delivery trucks dropped crates of lemons and crates of ice outside cafes in Astoria, where owners say cold drinks and shaded patios are most in demand. Several restaurateurs reported a spike in weekday lunch reservations for garden seating, with some citing a 20 percent increase from early June.
Jamila Robinson, editor in chief at Bon Appétit, wrote in a recent letter about how summer meals outdoors linger in memory. Local staff echoed the sentiment. "People remember a July dinner outside more than any other time of year," said Carla Gomez, manager at a Carroll Gardens bistro, as she set out planters to edge the curbside dining area.
Several neighborhoods, including the East Village and Greenpoint, have extended street closures on Friday and Saturday evenings to accommodate more outdoor tables. Some residents voiced concern over noise and sidewalk congestion. City officials say enforcement officers are monitoring compliance with closing hours—generally 11 p.m. on weeknights, midnight on weekends.
With July 4th approaching, restaurants are preparing for late seatings and larger parties, especially at rooftop venues and those near waterfront parks. Most operators expect the outdoor rush to continue through Labor Day, weather permitting.