As New Yorkers navigate the volatile whims of a Northeastern spring, each clear, sunny day demands to be taken immediate advantage of. And how better to do so than to camp out on one of the city’s many rooftops, terraces, and gardens? These French restaurants in New York have some of the best outdoor seating in town, perfect for pretending that you’ve absconded to a Left Bank cafe or a charming gîte in the French countryside.
NYC Bistros with Rooftops, Terraces & Gardens
1. Ladurée Soho
Ladurée, the French pâtisserie and salon de thé known for its world-famous macarons, has a number of New York outposts, but its Soho location is by far the most magical. Once you step out of the chaos of West Broadway and into this beautiful tea room, it’s hard not to feel like Marie Antoinette could walk in at any moment, so follow her epicurean spirit out into the back garden, where cherry trees are strung with lights in the evening, and each confectionary that finds its way to your table feels like it was spirited there by Cordon Bleu-educated fairies.
2. Risbo
As rotisserie chicken continues to dominate headlines, why not consider a restaurant with delicious whole, half, and quarter birds that won’t break the bank? Risbo in Prospect Lefferts Garden is a casual neighborhood eatery (recommended in the Michelin Guide) serving lunch, brunch, and dinner, both in its modern interior and its tree-shaded backyard. Healthy cafe staples like avocado toast, hummus platter, and a harvest salad offer accessible and allergy-friendly options, but the roasted chicken is the real champ. Favorites include their unique take on Chicken & Waffles and a fall-apart 7-Hour Leg of Lamb Hash.
3. Bar Blondeau
Bar Blondeau, the Wythe Hotel’s rooftop bar, has some of Williamsburg’s best waterfront and skyline views. With a variety of martinis, spritzes, and non-alcoholic cocktails (like the delicious January Spritz), and a variety of French-inflected plates for sharing, Le Crocodile’s sister bar is the perfect place to go from peckish to refreshed on a hot summer night. Don’t miss the Tuna Tartare or the Japanese Fried Chicken, and finish the evening off with a maple-infused Crème Brûlée if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat. They also offer an Afternoon Tea, an excellent weeknight happy hour, and a group prix fixe option for larger parties. No matter the time of day or night, Bar Blondeau has something for everyone.
4. Boucherie West Village
Boucherie’s four NYC locations all offer romantic atmospheres in which to enjoy a fabulous meal out, but perhaps none captures the essence of Paris cafes along the grands boulevards than Boucherie West Village. When the days begin to stretch into early evening and the sun makes the asphalt on 7th Avenue South sizzle, scoot into one of the wicker bistro chairs that spill out onto the sidewalk through the restaurant’s open French doors, protected by an awning overhead. Grab a mimosa or a bottle of Sancerre, and settle in for some of the city’s best people watching in one of the West Village’s main arteries.
5. Le Mistral
For a casual yet lively lunch or dinner in Park Slope, snag one of the tables along the sidewalk, or just inside the open French doors of Le Mistral. As the restaurant’s name, which is borrowed from the famed Provençal wind, would suggest, this brasserie on the corner of 5th Street and 5th Avenue in Brooklyn offers Southern French favorites like bouillabaisse and ratatouille, alongside the requisite escargot and poulet rôti.
6. Juliette
Juliette, the stalwart bistro in Williamsburg, offers not one, but two outdoor dining options. Their Winter Garden, with its slanted glass ceiling dripping with greenery, allows you to take your brunch surrounded by nature, no matter the time of year. In the warmer months, they open Le Rooftop Bar, where you can enjoy a casual drink at the bar or at a table, on a terrace that still feels secluded despite being steps from the neighborhood’s bustling main drag.
7. Recette
Another Williamsburg favorite, Recette is located on a quiet corner on Havemeyer Street, where the sidewalk seating won’t leave you at risk of getting swiped by a passing bike or thrown off your lunch by a loud group of chattering tourists. It is definitely worth taking advantage of those summer Fridays and popping in for happy hour, where $12 glasses of wine and $13 appetizers (steak tartare, escargot, and more) arrive to sate your appetite until dinnertime. Recette is open for lunch, brunch, and dinner, serving French classics every day of the week.
8. Loulou
Dog lovers, rejoice! There’s no need to call around and ask if your furry friend is welcome here—Loulou’s is named after founder Mathias Van Leyden’s rescue pup, and in addition to offering dog-friendly backyard and sidewalk seating, the restaurant even has an adorable (if pricey) dog menu. While you’re munching on Steak au Poivre or Baked Camembert, your pet can indulge in a pupsicle or some seared salmon.
9. Amelie
If you’re looking for a classic Parisian terrace experience, the Frenchies behind the beloved Amelie Wine Bar franchise have you covered. Both Amelie Upper West Side and Amelie West Village have sidewalk seating that allows you to people watch with a glass of wine in hand. Take advantage of those summer Fridays and come before 6 pm for $14 flights, $1.50 oysters, and the perfect vantage point from which to watch the city wind down.
Catherine Rickman is a writer, professional Francophile, and host of the Expat Horror Stories podcast. She is currently somewhere in Brooklyn with a fork in one hand and a pen in the other, and you can follow her adventures on Instagram @catrickman.
