NYC’s beloved seasonal restaurant and beach club Gitano Island has officially reopened for the season–just in time to enjoy the warm weather heading to NYC (aka, one of the hottest summers of our lifetime!)
After opening in a brand new, on-brand location on Governors Island in 2022, the 27,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant and beach lounge will surely be the ultimate summer destination.
Once called “Gitano Garden of Love” and located in SoHo for four years, the Mexican-inspired escape changed their name to Gitano Island after relocating to Governors Island with a five year lease.
They even brought in truckloads of sand plus tropical plants and palm trees to complete the beachy feel!
Spanish for “gypsy,” Gitano captures the essence of free spirits, wanderers and wonderers, bohemians, and diverse and inclusive creatives, which is easily seen in their jungle-esque ambiance and decor.
Gitano’s modern Mexican menu has undergone years of evolution resulting in a unique blend of delicious, elegant, and elevated simplicity.
Highlights this year include the opulent black truffle mushroom sope, the 12-hour slow-roasted short rib birria, the branzino cooked in banana leaf, and the crispy chicken in red mole, all among the favorites.
Standout cocktails include Jungle Fever (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Chile, Lime, Cilantro), The Queen (Monkey 47 Gin, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Soda), and Bird of Paradise (Sipsmith Gin, El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, Coconut Vanilla, Passion Fruit, Lime).
The Governors Island iteration is comprised of a restaurant combined with a beach club, offering sun beds and cabanas, a giant disco ball reflecting the New York Harbor, and a stage for DJs and other live performances. That’s to say you can expect some great nightlife heavy hitters to help with programming, such as Jessa Angel who was previously at The Box.
A black dining tent boasts a gorgeous marble bar, twin dining pergolas, and an open-fired kitchen, and the whole thing is tied together with stunning skyline views.
Gitano Island is located on Governors Island, a five-minute boat ride from Casa Cipriani, Downtown NYC, Pier 6 Brooklyn Bridge, or the Red Hook/Atlantic Basin in Brooklyn. Find it at 125 Carder Road, a short ways down from QC NY Spa, whose 15,000-square-foot expansion will open this July!
Keep up to date with Gitano Island’s summer programming and make a recommended reservation on their website here.