Every New Yorker has a handful of restaurants that become part of their routine each summer.
They’re the places where you meet friends for martinis and fries after work, gather family for long lunches, or linger over dinner because no one is ready to call it a night. They’re less about the latest reservation and more about how they make you feel. Familiar, welcoming, and always worth returning to.
In a city where we often live beyond the walls of our apartments, these restaurants become an extension of our kitchens, a place to celebrate, reconnect, and simply enjoy the season.
Here are a few outdoor tables we’ll be returning to all summer long.
Graciela
New to the scene, Graciela has already become one of those restaurants I can’t stop recommending. Opened by the team behind Buenos Aires’ legendary Don Julio, it brings authentic Argentine hospitality and exceptional live-fire cooking to the West Village.
As an Argentine, I couldn’t wait to experience it, and since opening, I’ve already been four times with family, friends, and clients. It’s quickly becoming an extension of my kitchen, the kind of place where the food is exceptional, the hospitality feels genuine, and every visit reminds me why Argentine dining is about so much more than what’s on the plate.
Everything feels intentional, from the impressive parrilla grilling beautifully sourced meats and vegetables over imported Argentine charcoal to the warm, welcoming service that reminds me so much of home. Rivero has often said that food is simply the excuse for bringing people together, and that’s exactly what Graciela does so well.
If you order one thing, make it the skirt steak. And don’t skip the empanadas.
Click HERE for reservations.
Address: 81 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
Dante
Some restaurants become neighborhood institutions for a reason.
For me, Dante has always been that place. Sitting on the corner of Bank Street and West 4th Street, it’s been my favorite neighborhood spot for years. Whether it’s a perfectly made martini, fries to share, or an aperitivo before dinner, it never disappoints.
There’s something about sitting outside on that corner that captures everything I love about the West Village. It’s timeless, effortlessly charming, and always feels like the right place to end the day.
Click HERE for reservations.
Address: 551 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
Sartiano’s
I’ve been eating on this corner for more than 25 years, so watching Sartiano’s breathe new life into the space has been especially exciting.
Located inside The Mercer Hotel, Sartiano’s has quickly become one of downtown’s liveliest dining rooms, blending classic Italian cuisine with the kind of energy that makes you want to linger long after dessert. The outdoor tables are perfect for people watching, client lunches, or long dinners that effortlessly stretch into the evening.
Some New York corners become part of your story. This one certainly has for me.
Click HERE for reservations.
Address: 99 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
Yves
There are few better places to watch the sun go down than Yves.
With one of my favorite outdoor settings in the city, it’s become a regular stop for early evening cocktails, dinner, and some of the best sunsets downtown. This summer, it has become even more meaningful because my daughter, Sofia Fromm, is now the hostess.
It’s always special when one of your favorite places becomes part of your family’s story. If you stop by, don’t be surprised if Sofia is the first person to welcome you through the door.
Click HERE for reservations.
Address: 385 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013
Final Thoughts
One of the things I love most about New York is that every neighborhood has its own rhythm, and these restaurants have become part of mine.
Whether it’s discovering Graciela, returning to my favorite corner at Dante, continuing a 25-year tradition around Sartiano’s, or ending the day with a sunset at Yves, these are the outdoor tables I keep coming back to.
Because sometimes the best restaurants aren’t simply the newest or the hardest reservation to get.
They’re the ones that begin to feel like an extension of your own home.
