These COVID-safe date spots will make you love NYC’s outdoor dining again

Nothing like eating under a heat lamp to keep the spark alive.

In an effort to adapt to the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines, as well as the city’s rules regarding indoor dining, restaurants have faced more than a few challenges. Among them: a confusing mandate from Albany banning customers from using the restroom (it was quickly overturned) and an unwelcome snowfall.

But despite the hiccups, certain NYC restaurants have managed to find the fun — and yes, even a little romance — in outdoor dining.

Temperature-controlled tents, bubbles with blankets on each chair, Plexiglas dividers, contactless menus and space heaters galore are being set up across the city to keep diners coming, despite frigid temperatures.

And New Yorkers are eager to get out of their apartments and treat themselves to a sit-down meal. “It’s nice to do activities besides watching Netflix and cooking at home,” said Jake Meklinsky, 25, a consultant who treated his girlfriend to a date at Midtown’s Quality Bistro. He raved, “We were able to take our coats off.”

Here are six delightful outdoor dining spots for your next date — all with charming, COVID-safe setups and fun things to do nearby.

Impress that special someone

Save Quality Bistro for an anniversary, or snag a reservation for Valentine’s Day. The draw of the Midtown spot is its brightly lit, well-heated tent, which boasts a checkered tile floor — a step up from cement — trees and brasserie-style light fixtures. “There was a lot of space between tables,” said Meklinsky, who was happy to dine in a “COVID safe” environment with an “inside feel.” 

The French-inspired bistro boasts classics like steak frites ($49), plus inventive cocktails such as their “Old Fashioned au poivre” concocted with peppercorn bitters for $18. 

To walk off the restaurant’s famous “butter service,” head over to Central Park for a stroll around the Pond or make a day of it and visit the Central Park Zoo (you’ll need a reservation there, too) before your meal.  

Open Tuesday thru Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reserve a table at qualitybistro.com. 120 W. 55th St. For the zoo, visit centralparkzoo.com

Dive into a winter wonderland

Carroll Gardens’ newest attraction is Court Street Tavern, which opened during the pandemic and offers 64 seats for alfresco diners, with heavy-duty propane heaters between each table. 

Come for the cozy comfort food — burgers and waffle fries for $21 — or the 13 beers on tap. Stay for the fun environs: The exterior is decorated with overflowing flower arrangements, and the patio has been transformed into an ice rink. 

It’s made with “Glice Ice,” plastic panels that allow for slipping and skating. It’s only big enough to accommodate children up to 15, and costs $25 per child for a 45-minute session. That’s plenty of time for parents to enjoy a private, quiet happy hour while the kids skate around. Otherwise, head down the block to Black Gold Records to peruse the vinyl at their daily $1 record sale.

Open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends. Make a reservation at courtstreettavern.com. 449 Court St. Black Gold Records, open seven days a week, 461 Court St.

Enjoy dinner and a show

At the Cecil Steakhouse, you can grab a meal and a concert all in one.

“The best thing you can provide a couple is something fun that will break the ice,” said Raphael Benavides Baccus, 51, the owner of the Harlem spot, where the outdoor dining area includes a stage for live entertainment.

Shielded in its own space, the stage allows performers — such as DJs on Fridays and jazz musicians on Sundays — to send their tunes through a mixer and a router, which connect to headsets offered at all 50 seats. And during their socially distanced serenade, lovebirds can munch on the most popular dishes — among them, a $48 lobster dish and a $44 filet mignon.

“We get a lot of people on dates,” he added. “They like the fun atmosphere.”

Open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Saturday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reserve a table at TheCecilHarlem.com. 210 W. 118th St.

Wine and dine by the water

Longtime Upper Manhattan date favorite Pisticci gives couples an intimate setting surrounded by classic uptown architecture and a nice dose of calm.

“It’s quiet, but it’s just beautiful,” said Michael Forte, 62, who owns the restaurant with his wife Vivian, 50. The outdoor dining area is full of charm: crystal chandeliers, hanging greenery and sky blue-painted repurposed lumber that serves as a platform for all 12 tables. “We wanted to build something that was romantic and looked like the funky indoor space we have,” said Vivian, adding that “people are still coming” for dates.

For Valentine’s Day weekend, a special menu is in the works that includes intentionally romantic dishes, like a $12 Italian Wedding soup and a $12 passionfruit mousse; other regular menu must-haves include a $19 fettuccine al funghi. “Those are [dishes] that make you feel special,” said Vivian. To extend the date, opt for a stroll down the nearby Hudson River path with skyline views.

Open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reserve a table at PisticciNYC.com. 125 La Salle St.

Escape to a chalet near Madison Square Park

It’s not just the lavish outdoor setting at Scarpetta — a “chalet” theme with mahogany chairs, lanterns, etched glass and wintertime greenery — that lends itself to a cozy atmosphere, but also what’s nearby to extend the date with a post-dinner walk: Madison Square Park.

“I think for … that first-date kiss, what better setting than Madison Square Park?” said John Meadow, 40, Scarpetta’s owner. The outdoor dining area has roughly 60 seats, divided into private rooms with Plexiglas in between each. “The environment is suited to two people spending three or four hours together,” he said.

For Valentine’s weekend, a $150-per-person prix fixe includes the popular classic spaghetti with tomato and basil, which usually costs $30 (or $18 for an off-menu half portion) — and can pair well with a martini or a glass of Brunello. “That’s a perfect meal,” Meadow said.

Open for outdoor dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reserve a table at SevenRooms.com/reservations/scarpettanyc. 88 Madison Ave., inside the James Hotel.

Heat up the night with tropical beats

“[It’s] definitely a good place to go for a first date or a 100th date,” said artist and model Natalie De Ferrari, 25, who stopped by Zinc Jazz Club in the Village Sunday with her boyfriend, musician Daniel Silva, to listen to live Brazilian music. Not only did the samba beats let De Ferrari enjoy a date night with some dancing, the look of the outdoor area also added to the seductive appeal, with touches including neon, dark-wood panels and plush seats separated by dividers.

“They went above and beyond — it’s really nice,” she added of the decor. The couple stop by regularly, where De Ferrari opts for a spiked hot chocolate with Bailey’s and mint ($8), but it also lured in Melissa, 36, who works in digital marketing and declined to provide her full name for privacy, for a lively first date.

“I think the music made a huge difference,” she said, adding “it was cozy and there was nice corner seating.”

For something before the sips, head to Washington Square Park for seating near the arch while munching on takeaway food from any of the nearby spots, including Ben’s Pizza, at 123 MacDougal St., or the favorite Belgian-inflected Pommes Frites at 128 MacDougal.

Via a digital QR code menu, Zinc also offers its own bites, per pandemic regulations, including macaroni and cheese with cheddar, gouda and parmesan.

Zinc Jazz Club opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. seven days a week. 82 W. Third St. ZincBar.com