Outdoor dining across New York City returns, with hundreds of restaurants approved
The official outdoor dining season is beginning, giving New Yorkers the chance to enjoy their meals in the spring weather.
Restaurants can once again expand onto the streets starting on Wednesday. It's part of the city's "Dining Out NYC" program that runs until Nov. 29.
While sidewalk cafes are allowed year-round, the season allows restaurants to place tables and seating directly in a safe part of the street. Many New Yorkers became used to the dining sheds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some residents say the setups take up too much space and reduce parking. At the same time, city officials are pushing to make roadway dining a year-round option. They also want to simplify what could be a complicated approval process.
NYC outdoor dining near me
About 1,800 setups are eligible under the program, according to the Department of Transportation.
The DOT maintains three separate lists on its website for people to figure out which restaurants across the city have been approved for outdoor dining this season.
There is an interactive map with a search feature to find establishments with a license.
The second is a list of restaurants that received conditional approval for roadway cafes, as of March 25.
Lastly, there is a list of places that applied by an Aug. 3, 2024, deadline, but their applications are still under review.
NYC outdoor dining guidelines and rules
The city has several requirements for outdoor dining, including rules for cleanliness, specific setup areas, the size of the structure, and requirements for easy assembly and removal.
They are allowed to operate Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight and 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.
Areas must be kept "clean, well-maintained, and clear of trash, debris, graffiti, vermin, food scraps, and unsanitary conditions," the DOT website says.
Restaurants that don't comply are given 30 days to correct the violation before facing a $200 fine. Second and subsequent offenses face a $500 fine, and repeat offenders risk having their licenses suspended or revoked.
Andrew Rigie, the executive director from the NYC Hospitality Alliance, said there needs to be reforms.
"Streeteries return April 1, which is great news for outdoor dining lovers, but the red tape and high costs are keeping too many restaurants inside," he said. "The city must issue more temporary permits so small businesses don't miss out on much-needed revenue, while also fixing the system so more restaurants can offer alfresco dining."
