As the summer winds down, it’s time to squeeze out as much enjoyment as possible from the nice weather.
What better way than to eat a delectable meal and sip some well deserved drinks in a beautiful garden?
If you don’t have the time to really get out into nature, you can still escape to a scenic place for a great meal, and kick back with your friends beneath the fairy lights.
Patio restaurants are one of the best parts of the summer, and these 8 eateries should be visited at least once by anyone who wants to experience the best that outdoor dining has to offer.
1. B Bar and Grill (40 East 4th Street)
The East Village is home to some great patios, and B Bar and Grill stands out as one of the best.
Their traditional American fare is offered with indoor and outdoor seating. The giant garden makes you feel like you’re in a remote forested location, and is the perfect escape.
The complimentary banana bread certainly doesn’t hurt, and the scenic setting sets this outdoor restaurant apart.
2. Aurora (70 Grand Street - Brooklyn)
The original Williamsburg location is famous for its ivy-walled patio and eclectic plant life.
The enormous bay windows look out onto the sort of rustic setting that looks like it belongs in the Italian countryside.
The vegetable and pasta plates here make eating under the summer sky even more appetizing. Add in some of their signature dessert wine, and you’re set for a great night. The ambiance and generous garden make Aurora well worth a trip.
3. Vinegar Hill House (72 Hudson Avenue)
Quaint and cottage-like, this eatery has an enchanting patio to match.
It feels like you’re eating a delicious meal in an upscale backyard, and the food is just as memorable.
The charcuterie and cornbread are particularly on point.
While not exactly sprawling in size, Vinegar Hill’s patio still offers a fairly spacious set-up that feels homey and not cramped.
4. The Black Whale (279 City Island Avenue - the Bronx)
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Tucked into the City Island neighborhood in the Bronx, The Black Whale is full of character.
A diverse menu consisting of everything from homestyle cooking (the apple crisp is amazing) to crab cakes, the “starving artist” pasta, and quirky milkshakes, this restaurant never disappoints.
A great stop for a decadent dinner, The Black Whale has a spacious patio perfectly made for nighttime dining with no pomp or frills.
,5. iCi (246 DeKalb Avenue- Brooklyn)
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A farm-to-table restaurant, iCi, as its name implies (‘ici’ translates to ‘here,’) presents a strong French influence to its dining.
A hallmark of Brooklyn style and taste, this eatery is located in a brownstone and opens up onto a romantically lit patio garden.
Open daily for dinner and for weekend brunch, iCi has a whole host of light and filling summery dishes that are in season and make you feel like you’re having a super fancy picnic.
6. Do or Dine (1108 Bedford Avenue - Brooklyn)
This authentically Bed-Stuy eatery describes their dining experience as “Fine Diving.”
This gastronomical delight is an alluring mash-up of pop-culture, trendy tastes, risky ideas, and it gives its patrons an one-of-a-kind experience.
Best of all is the outdoor patio- equal parts edgy street art and whimsy, it is a wonder.
At Do or Dine you get way more than just food, you get a unique outdoor setting that reflects all the culinary contradictions and quirks that the restaurant has to offer.
7. Candle 79 (154 E 79th Street)
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Home of some of the most savory vegetarian cuisine the city has to offer, Candle 79 is a treat whether you’re a vegan or a hardcore meat-lover.
Professing a strong awareness of quality taste and healthy foods, Candle 79 is worth the price and is a sustainable and delicious choice for a summer meal.
A large patio with umbrella bedecked tables complements the lively greens you’ll eat here. The fairylights feel fancy, and the fine table settings make the outdoors feel as classy as ever.
8. Cavo (42-18 31st Avenue - Queens)
If you’re looking for an extravagant evening in Astoria, then this Greek eatery is the place for you. With an enormous dining room, and an expansive patio garden, it pulls out all the stops.
The brightly lit trees and overflowing flower pots, the colorful mosaics and plentiful tables make Cavo a must.
The menu combines New York staples like burgers and strip steak with Greek risotto and an array of authentic seafood. Treat yourself to the elaborate festivity that a meal at Cavo is sure to be, while the weather is still forgiving.
Check out That's Right, Another LES Cat Cafe Is Coming in Septem-purr.
[Feature Image Courtesy: iCi Restaurant]