April 1, 2026
NYC Outdoor Dining Season 2026 Starts: What to Know for Restaurants and Diners
The NYC Outdoor Dining Season 2026 is officially underway, with New York City’s permanent outdoor dining program entering its second full operational year under the city’s landmark Open Restaurants legislation giving thousands of restaurants across all five boroughs the right to seat diners on sidewalks and roadways through the warmer months. NYC Outdoor Dining Season 2026 New York City’s outdoor dining program traces its origins to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency measures of 2020, when the city allowed restaurants to extend seating onto sidewalks and streets to survive indoor capacity restrictions. The program proved so popular with both diners and restaurant


















