With dining regulations in New York City always fluctuating, and the uncertainty of winter dining conditions, it’s hard to find a comfortable place to eat. We all want to support our local restaurants and while takeout is always an option, some of us would love a next-to-normal, pre-pandemic seated experience. Here are my personally vetted outdoor dining experiences in New York City that are as cozy and warm as you can get.

Haenyeo: Park Slope, Brooklyn. My current favorite restaurant in all of New York, this homestyle Korean restaurant with a modern twist has a variety of outdoor dining options. Make a reservation on Resy for either a heated enclosed bubble on Carroll street, or alternate dining on 5th avenue that’s a little more exposed to the elements.

Krolewski Jadlo: Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Enjoy rapid service and hot pierogies huddled near a heater with a small group of 2-4 people.

The Tyger: SoHo, Manhattan. Choose the indoor-ish greenhouse area for dinner that have partitions between each table for optimal social-distancing. Bundle up and grab a hot cocktail and some Singaporean Chili Crab Fried Rice.

Little Italy: The neighborhood of Little Italy is surprisingly warm and vibrant. Take a walk down Mulberry St. in Manhattan, between Grand St. and Broome St. and have a bottle of wine and a hearty pasta dish at any of the heated patios on the block.

Hot tip

My sister-in-law shamelessly brought blankets to her outdoor dining experience for her birthday. I highly recommend going this route no matter how stupid you might look walking down the street with a bundle of fluffy blankets.

Recommendations from YOU

I asked YOU to send me recommendations for warm outdoor dining experiences via DM on Instagram. Here’s what you said:

@fatguyfrombrooklyn recommends: Cebu, The Wicked Monk, Sahadi’s at Industry City (has a fire pit!) and Wall Street Grill.
@chrislewis679 – Jajaja on the Lower East Side and Jack’s Wife Freda in the Village and Chelsea are confirmed to have heaters.
@sunny2me – Taverna Di Bacco for Italian food.
@stephaniesatara – Eataly 
@cbossypants – Anassa Tavern

@BrooklynHeightsLife – Juliana’s for pizza, Vineapple Cafe for brunch and Gran Electric for Mexican food.
@Sayparn submitted her restaurant Born Thai in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

Any more recs? Send them to me @maryinmanhattan.  

*Be sure to call ahead to double-check dining hours. Making a reservation is highly recommended. Tip well!