Dining Out NYC

Dining Out NYC is New York City’s permanent program for outdoor dining. It reimagines how New York City’s streets and sidewalks can support small businesses while enhancing the public realm. Initially launched as the Open Restaurants program during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program allows restaurants to extend their dining spaces onto city sidewalks and in roadway parking lanes, transforming the City’s already vibrant streetscape. Sidewalk cafes function as extensions of ground-floor restaurants, while roadway cafes repurpose curbside space to offer inviting dining experiences. Interested restaurants should apply to DOT for a license and revocable consent through the online application portal

Skillman Avenue, Queens

Description

  • Typical sidewalk cafe designs are comprised primarily of lightweight and durable seating, and tables along with perimeter demarcation such as a planter or movable fence
  • Roadway cafe designs consist of water-filled barriers on all sides except the one facing the sidewalk, which are generally required for all roadway cafes, along with optional elements such as flooring, overhead coverings, planters, and screening
  • NYCDOT launched the Dining Out NYC Setup Guides, an easy-to-use visual guide for detailed setup instructions and material requirements
  • All cafes must comply with the ADA  and rules promulgated thereunder

Siting

  • Sidewalk and Roadway cafes may only be located directly in front of the food service establishment; they cannot extend past the food service establishment’s frontage
  • The Dining Out NYC Setup Guides provide detailed siting requirements from various street elements for sidewalk and roadway cafes

Installation

  • Dining Out NYC Sidewalk and Roadway cafes are installed, maintained, and removed by the food service establishment
  • Sidewalk cafes may be installed year-round; Roadway cafes may operate from April 1st through November 29th and must then be removed and stored for the off-season
  • Roadway and sidewalk cafe features cannot be permanently affixed to the roadway or sidewalk. Any attachments to the building require approval and permits from DOB or LPC, as applicable, prior to installation
     

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