Outdoor dining is now a permanent part of the restaurant landscape, and practically every Harlem restaurant that can has opened or expanded onto the sidewalk—and even the street.
To help you stay current with this ever-evolving scene—from simple sheds to dazzling cabanas—here's a running list of top Harlem restaurants with outdoor seating.
East Harlem
1651 Lexington Ave at E 104th St
New American bistro serving burgers, roast chicken and oysters, plus craft beer and wine.
2051 Second Ave between E 105th and E 106th Sts
Thai comfort food with a light touch—in a spot that doubles as a vintage clothing store.
1711 Lexington Ave at E 107th St
Beer on tap paired with burgers, sandwiches, salads and more—all available on the spacious pergola.
1280 Fifth Ave between E 110th and E 109th Sts
Enjoy chef Pierre Thiam's bright take on West African comfort food on the Fifth Avenue sidewalk patio, offering sunny views of Central Park.
2018 Third Ave at E 111th St
Cuban sandwiches, mojitos, and other island classics—with a mural of Celia Cruz looking on.
1590 Park Ave and E 115th St
A charming French bistro—if the buckwheat galette is on the weekend menu, get it—in East Harlem's historic La Marqueta.
137 E 116th St at Lexington Ave
The tortillas–prepared from scratch—are the perfect base for the flavorful Mexico City-style tacos.
2270 First Ave at 117th St
All-day breakfast, sandwiches and fresh-pressed juices that can be enjoyed on the spacious—and peaceful—backyard.
Central Harlem (south of 125th Street)
300 W 114th St at Frederick Douglass Blvd
Chicken and waffles served with strawberry butter (to name just one famous dish) served in a buzzy outdoor space designed by architect David Rockwell.
2128 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 115th St
After a short hibernation, Row House has reopened with a fresh, new look.
2149 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 116th St
Elevated soul food—including fresh biscuits—made with heart.
2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 116th St
Burgers, wings and more on what might be Harlem's largest outdoor patio.
303 W 116th St between Frederick Douglass Blvd and Manhattan Ave
Island-style seafood and barbecue with cheerful tropical vibes in the backyard cabana.
2164 Frederick Douglass Blvd between 116th and 117th Sts
The Lido team's latest venture is a jewel-like space featuring cocktails matched with a pan-Asian menu. Yes, there's a backyard patio.
2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 117th St
Deeply popular Italian with a menu by chef Serena Bass.
2190 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 118th St
Tasty burgers, chicken sandos, hot dogs and more.
2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 119th St
Chic spot serving Spanish- and Italian-influenced plates.
185 St. Nicholas Ave and W 119th St
Tacos and handcrafted cocktails with a focus on tequila and mezcal.
187 Lenox Ave between W 119th and W 120th Sts
Modern spot fusing Latin American and Bangladeshi influences. Check out the hidden backyard patio.
196 Lenox Ave at W 120th St
Italian favorites and creative desserts, plus cocktails—served on a historic stretch of Lenox Avenue.
200 Lenox Ave at W 120th St
A relaxed corner spot for indulging in French wine and food (don't miss the fries).
227 Lenox Ave between W 121st and W 122nd Sts
Slinging one of Harlem's best pies, featuring a supersoft, chewy crust.
553 Manhattan Ave at W 123rd St
Stylish New American with top wines.
274 Lenox Ave between W 123rd and W 124th St
The modern Indian menu, much of it plant-based, now also available in the greenhouses out front.
100 W 124th St at Lenox Ave
Always-fun burger-and-shake spot—plus frosé—with a retro vibe.
Central Harlem (north of 125th Street)
310 Lenox Ave between W 125th and W 126th Sts
Marcus Samuelsson's world-famous tribute to Harlem includes a spacious patio on Lenox Avenue, complete with tented seating.
328 Lenox Ave between W 126th and W 127th Sts
Harlem's famous soul food destination is popular with locals and tourists alike.
329 Lenox Ave between W 126th and W 127th Sts
Mix-and-match tacos plus customizable margaritas, now in the sidewalk cabana.
331 Lenox Ave between W 126th and W 127th Sts
Bubbling pizzas straight out of a wood-burning oven.
341 St. Nicholas Ave and W 127th St
Très French fare along the sidewalk and in outdoor dining cabins.
350 Lenox Ave between W 127th and W 128th Sts
Enjoy sushi, tempura and more on the lantern-lined sidewalk patio.
2245 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and W 132nd St
American, French and African influences combine at this plant-filled corner.
2269 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts
Lively French bistro with flavorful dishes and an Afro-bohemian vibe.
2363 Adam Clayton Powell Jr between W 138th and W 139th Sts
Harlem's first chef's table now has a lot more room thanks to its front patio.
2374 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts
Sample the popular lobster truffle mac and cheese, cocktails and more in the outdoor "parklet."
2375 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd at 139th St
Creative French meets West African on a sunny Harlem corner.
101 Edgecombe Ave at 139th St
Beloved neighborhood destination run by two sisters, reflecting their British and Jamaican heritage. Check out the shaded pergola.
Morningside Heights (above 120th Street)
1239 Amsterdam Ave at 121st St
A neighborhood favorite excelling at Ethiopian.
1260 Amsterdam Ave at W 122nd St
Babbalucci's sister restaurant with mouth-watering pizzas and more.
1274 Amsterdam Ave and W 123rd St
Fresh pastas and affordable wines on a small wraparound deck.
125 La Salle St between Broadway and Claremont Ave
Consistently delicious Italian trattoria on a residential street off Broadway.
3155 Broadway between La Salle St and Tiemann Pl
Fresh smoothies, sandwiches, and cocktails with a twist.
3183 Broadway and W 125th St
Twenty-plus varieties of ramen, plus soul-warming Japanese rice bowls.
Manhattanville
700 W 125th St at 12th Avenue
Destination barbecue only a block from the river.
Baylander ship, West Harlem Piers at 125th St
This waterfront destination—it's on a decommissioned U.S. Navy ship—is back open for the season serving burgers, fish and chips, and plenty of summery cocktails.
Hamilton Heights
1600 Amsterdam Ave at W 139th St
Deeply satisfying bowls of pasta, pizza and more facing City College's neo-Gothic campus.
1618 Amsterdam at 140th St
The place for fresh tacos and standout margaritas.
1635 Amsterdam Ave at W 141st St
Elevated farm-to-table dining on a covered deck, now with a revamped menu.
3452 Broadway at 141st St
Oysters, ramen and dazzling craft cocktails under twinkling lights.
3489 Broadway between W 142nd and W 143rd Sts
Elevated weekend brunch—think eggs Benedict with Irish back bacon—plus an extensive craft beer menu, now also in the back patio.
3508 Broadway between W 143rd and W 144th Sts
Chicken—rotisserie-style, fried and served in a sandwich, buffalo wings and more—is the star at this newcomer from the Fumo team.
142 Hamilton Pl between W 143rd and W 144th Sts
Northern Italian paired with thoughtfully chosen wine, facing the charming Johnny Hartman plaza.
763 St. Nicholas Ave between W 148th and 149th Sts
Ethiopian-meets-Mediterranean with a down-to-earth vibe.
3612 Broadway at 149th St
Mouthwatering fried chicken sandwiches and burgers, including the Parmesan-crusted. Harlem Public shares its outdoor seating area with sister spot At the Wallace.
3658 Broadway at W 151st St
Crackling brick-oven pizzas and pastas on a sunny corner.
