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7 Best Places for Outdoor Dining In NYC

By Julie SchneiderJun 25 2024
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Soaking up warmer weather and longer days. Lingering over delicious dishes and drinks in the sunshine. People-watching on the Plaza while taking in a live event. Dining alfresco at Rockefeller Center comes with a bounty of simple pleasures. In the summertime, The Rink transforms from an ice skating destination into a hotspot for eating and drinking outdoors (this year, it also features a public art installation from artist Joel Mesler). Take your pick from an array of terrace restaurants, beer and wine gardens, and food pop-ups.

Whether you’re looking to spend a leisurely dinner lingering over a multi-course meal or seeking grab-and-go fare for an impromptu picnic, you’ll find plenty of options for every palate at Rockefeller Center.

Explore all of Rockefeller Center’s dining and drinking options.

  • People sitting at tables on Le Rock's outdoor patio
  • Various dishes and cocktails on an outdoor table at Le Rock

For a night out: Le Rock

Since the owners of the popular downtown restaurant Frenchette opened Le Rock, their French restaurant at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, it’s become a rising star in a city full of excellent eats. Restaurant critic Pete Wells gave it a rave review for the New York Times, spotlighting the housemade sausage, leeks vinaigrette, profiteroles, and selection of more than 200 natural wines. And Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the top 32 restaurants in New York City, with this recommendation: “Le Rock is an impressive place to take a date, colleague, or anyone who wants to fall in love with New York all over again.” In addition to tables in the Art Deco-style dining room, there’s plentiful seating outside on the terrace.

  • People sitting on Lodi's outdoor patio
  • Various dishes and cocktails from Lodi on a table

For an all-day cafe: Lodi

Day or night, rain or shine, post up at Lodi’s Milanese-style cafe, inspired by Italian aperitivo culture, for your meal of choice. Snag one of the many pleasant, umbrella-shaded tables on the Plaza (or the tent-covered area on a drizzly day), and take in the comings and goings of the neighborhood. In the morning, try the unbeatable espresso-and-pastry combination. And, in the evening, relax with a spritz and a spread of delectable antipasti, like homemade ricotta, tuna tartare, or asparagus scattered with hazelnuts and mint.

  • Aerial view of people dining on NARO's outdoor patio
  • Group of four people sharing a meal at NARO

For Korean flavors: NARO

Offering transporting dishes designed to “take the diners on a journey to Korean flavors and combinations,” as restaurateur Ellia Park puts it, NARO opened on Rink Level in 2022 with exquisite tasting menus. Now, you can also enjoy a special, à la carte summer menu for lunch (11:30am to 2:30pm) and dinner (5 to 9:30pm) on the restaurant’s new outdoor terrace. Customer favorites include a couple varieties of bibimbap and a Korean fried chicken sandwich, served on brioche with pickled cucumber and carrot coleslaw. To bring on the beachy vibes, order the Seaside Summer, NARO’s twist on a paloma, with grapefruit soda and an umami splash of seaweed syrup. Top off your meal with the dessert of the summer: mango bingsu, a refreshing mix of mango, coconut ice, and mango-banana sorbet.

  • Inside view of Jupiter's outdoor patio at Rockefeller Center
  • Three people sharing a meal at Jupiter

For pasta and wine: Jupiter

Looking down at The Rink from street level, cheery red and blue umbrellas dot the terrace where Jupiter, an Italian restaurant located inside the lower level of Rockefeller Center, has recently begun offering under-the-open-sky dining. “Inspired by the breezy clamor of St. Mark’s Square,” Jupiter’s announcement post states, “we are thrilled to bring spring peas, prosecco, and sprezzatura to our iconic location in the heart of Midtown.” Stop in for Jupiter’s signature pasta and wines, as well as spritzes, nibbles, cake, and gelato — for a mini Italian vacation of sorts in the heart of the breezy clamor of New York City.

  • Two people operating Puya Tacos de Puebla's outdoor taco stand
  • Plate of two tacos from Puya Tacos de Puebla at Rockefeller Center

For a quick meal: Puya Tacos de Puebla

Located in a kiosk on the North Esplanade, Puya Tacos de Puebla, named for the famed hot pepper, serves up a fresh and vibrant slate of homemade food from the Puebla region of Mexico. Tacos, as the Rink Level restaurant’s name indicates, are at the heart of this outpost’s menu, with three options: al pastor, carne asada, and vegetarian (crispy potatoes, grilled corn, poblano peppers). And the burrito, elote, and guacamole are worth a try, too. Pair a couple of Puya’s tasty tacos with aqua fresca (tamarind or jamaica) or a Mexican soda, and you’re set for a quick, summery meal outdoors.

People sitting at high-top tables on City Winery's outdoor patio

For after-work drinks: City Winery

When the workday concludes, head to City Winery on Rockefeller Plaza to unwind over a glass of locally-made wine (on tap), beer (from Montauk Brewing Company), and Mediterranean-inspired light bites. Appointed with wooden barrels and green metal stools, the year-round, pop-up wine garden doubles as an easygoing meeting place and an oasis in the middle of Midtown in the summer. When winter rolls around, you can reserve a heated geodesic dome to cozy up with mulled wine and bask in the holiday spirit, after skating on The Rink and visiting the Tree.

  • Two hands reaching for bowls of food on a table from FIELDTRIP at Rockefeller Center
  • A hand holding a slice of pizza from Ace's Pizza
  • Plates of food from Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar at Rockefeller Center

For grab and go: Under 30 Rock

Have a picnic on the Plaza with takeout options to satisfy any craving from Under 30 Rock — a curated collection of casual restaurants and takeaway counters below 30 Rockefeller Plaza. For a pick-me-up, order a coffee from The Tipsy Baker and an artful pastry or quiche. For lunch, get some slices (or a whole pie) from Ace’s Pizza, design your own bento box at Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar, or order a sandwich from Alidoro, rated New York City’s number one sandwich shop on Zagat. Or, if you’re more in the mood for a bowl, grab a flavorful rice bowl from FIELDTRIP and iced tea or a custom salad from sweetgreen. Once you’ve got provisions in hand, scout out a picnic-worthy spot in Midtown, and dig in. Maybe sit next to the Channel Gardens or at one of the big round tables on Rink Level.

To find your new favorite place to eat and drink in Midtown, explore all of Rockefeller Center’s restaurants, cafés, and bars.

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