Most New Yorkers are loving the new in-street dining in NYC (which has been confirmed to return next year!), but others are looking for ways to dine without people constantly passing by.
And that’s where these under-the-radar hidden dining spots come in handy! If you want to avoid the crowds and have a secluded dining experience in peace, you’ll want to add these spots to your list.
Some aren’t secret-staircase level hidden (though some are!), but rather have backyard patios or gardens you wouldn’t necessarily know about just walking by. Here are 10 to check out asap:
1. Blume, Upper East Side
Blume NYC is a hidden patio “weingarten” (aka lots of great wine options!) on the Upper East Side. It’s underneath Schaller’s Stube Sausage Bar, the sandwich shop of the German meat company Schaller & Weber right next door, which has been a part of the neighborhood since 1937. You’ll have to pass the sidewalk seating at the sausage bar, and instead head down the stairs inside to find the pastel pink garden oasis in total seclusion. Read more here.
Where: 1652 2nd Ave
2. Aurora, Brooklyn
Italian restaurant Aurora in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is open for outdoor dining on their sidewalk, but you’ll want to snag seating in the back garden to really feel like you’ve been whisked away from the city. With a partially covered awning woven with twinkle lights, it becomes a wonderfully romantic atmosphere. But what really makes the place is all of the incredible greenery, as it’s completely covered in vines. Find out more here.
Where: 70 Grand St.
3. Terrace at Cathédrale Restaurant, East Village
Don’t get distracted by the front street seating at this restaurant in the Moxy Hotel in the East Village, their outdoor terrace provides even more atmosphere! Just make sure you specify where when you make a reservation. It’s open Tuesday-Friday 6pm-10pm and 5-10pm on Saturday, and they serve delicious French-Mediterranean cuisine. There’s also an awning in case it rains!
Where: 112 E 11th St.
4. Sauced, Brooklyn
What could make a hidden outdoor wine bar even better? Disco balls hanging from the trees and a hammock chair. Sign us up!
Where: 331 Bedford Ave.
5. Cibar Lounge, Gramercy
If you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate an event, you can actually rent out the Cibar Lounge’s hidden backyard patio! Perfect for an intimate birthday or get-together. Enjoy frozen cocktails plus plenty of small plates to share.
If not — though not hidden — their street dining is still really bringing the tropical vibes:
Where: 56 Irving Pl.
6. Temple Court at the Beekman Hotel, Lower Manhattan
When you dine atop this hotel roof, you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked away to Paris instead of NYC. With charming historic rooftops surrounding you and tons of beautiful blooms, it’s definitely the hidden paradise that will carry you into fall. Enjoy a mouthwatering menu from star chef Tom Colicchio, and wait for the sun to set and string lights to go on for a truly magical experience.
Where: 123 Nassau St.
7. Savage Sicko, Astoria
This hidden patio at Savage Sicko in Astoria, Queens is named “La Isla Bonita” and serves vegan latin cuisine with fresh-pressed juices. Plus, its eco-conscious mission is devoted to saving endangered sharks! Load up on vegan nachos, arepas, and guac.
Where: 37-10 31st Ave, Queens
8. Olmsted, Prospect Heights
The neighborhood restaurant from chef and owner Greg Baxtrom opened in 2016, and centers their menu on farm-to-table dining. You can see direct evidence of that in their back patio seating area, which is full of fruit, vegetables and herb gardens. They also host a farmers market of sorts called the “Trading Post” with fresh produce and dairy, baked goods, and pre-made meals and other goodies for sale.
And don’t forget to order their giant cocktail in your own person watermelon!
Where: 659 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn
9. Outerspace, Bushwick
Head to a lush tropical garden right in Bushwick at this new outdoor restaurant. Well it’s actually not brand new. The restaurant, named “Outerspace,” has opened in the backyard space of 99 Scott, a music, wedding and events venue. Outerspace offers a sweeping patio that can fit 126 people, with individual bamboo booths with picnic tables and large umbrellas for staying secluded with your party. And even at maximum capacity, there are still double the amount of plants as there are people! Find out more about it here.
Where: 99 Scott Ave.
10. Gossip Coffee/Chipskates, Astoria
This coffee shop has transformed their back patio into a hidden pop-up cocktail bar! Open Wednesday-Sunday from 8pm-2am, the space is a welcome respite from the bustling 30th Avenue. The menu includes signature cocktails like the Mykonos Paloma, Mediterranean Cosmopolitan and Tsipourita, carefully crafted by barman Fotis Batzas. Food includes inspired takes on classic bar snacks like serrano ham potato chips and cajun pork rinds. A doorman takes temperature checks before escorting attendees to the back. No more than 20 guests are allowed in adherence with social distancing guidelines. Hand sanitizer and alcohol spray are available.
Where: 3704 30th Ave, Queens
See also: There’s A New Hamptons-Themed Rooftop Bar With Swing Seats That Just Opened In Chelsea
featured image source: Moxyeastvillage.com/cathedrale