It’s warming up in New York City, and that means outdoor dining is back in full swing! The city has given the green light to about 500 roadside dining setups so far, part of the Dining Out NYC program. This initiative runs from April 1 through November 29, and it’s a welcome change after a long winter.
In addition, around 1,300 restaurants can keep their sidewalk cafes open year-round. This is a significant revival compared to earlier years. Before, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 8,000 restaurants took part in outdoor dining programs, providing a lifeline for many businesses.
City officials are now looking into ways to restore year-round outdoor dining. The pandemic-era emergency program allowed eateries to set up outdoor “sheds” with minimal restrictions. Restaurant owners praised it as a lifesaver, while some community members voiced concerns about parking and cleanliness.
In 2024, the program shifted under then-Mayor Eric Adams, making it seasonal and requiring restaurants to follow stricter guidelines. This involved detailed applications, fees for street space, and annual rebuilding of the outdoor setups. Many restaurateurs felt this process was overwhelming and too costly—especially for small businesses.
The approval process has been slow, too. The Department of Transportation (DOT) noted that many restaurants still have pending applications. Out of the 1,300 sidewalk cafes, about 700 have complete approvals, while the rest operate under conditional status as the city tackles a backlog.
Recently, Council Speaker Julie Menin announced plans to revamp the Dining Out NYC program, aiming to bring back roadside sheds year-round. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also supportive of this effort. In a recent Daily News op-ed, DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn shared that outdoor dining could help boost local businesses and create lively public spaces.
According to Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, it’s crucial for officials to expedite these changes. He emphasized the urgency, stating, “Unfortunately, this season may be out of reach for many restaurants because of how long it takes to apply.”
The conversation around outdoor dining reflects broader trends in urban living. Cities worldwide are increasingly embracing outdoor dining as a way to enhance community engagement and support local businesses. As we move further into 2023, it will be interesting to see how New York’s approach evolves.
For more insights on urban dining trends, check out the recent report from the National Restaurant Association here.
