Al Fresco is Back: Mayor Adams, DOT Commissioner Rodriguez Celebrate Return of Outdoor Dining Season at Dining out NYC Kick off

April 1, 2025

Food Establishments May Now Operate Roadway Dining Set-ups Until November 29, Sidewalk Setups Are Allowed Year-Round 

Thousands of Roadway and Sidewalk Dining Setups Currently Permitted to Operate Under Dining Out NYC Rules 

NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor of Operations Jeff Roth, and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today celebrated the return of roadway dining across the five boroughs. Food establishments participating in ‘Dining Out NYC’ may now operate roadway dining set ups from April 1 through November 29. As outdoor dining seasons kicks off, nearly 2,450 roadway and sidewalk set ups across the city will give New Yorkers the opportunity to dine al fresco, with more expected to be added in the coming weeks and months. Applications are open year-round and interested businesses can apply and learn more on Dining Out NYC’s website. Currently, 80 percent of all sidewalk setups are allowed to operate as their applications are processed. 

“‘Dining Out NYC’ is more than just a meal — it’s a representation of New York City’s vibrant streets, energy, and culture,” said Mayor Adams. “What started as a way to save 100,000 jobs during the pandemic, has transformed into one of the most popular programs across our city. As we launch another season of outdoor and roadway dining, we are reaffirming our commitment to supporting small businesses, revitalizing our economy, and ensuring that every New Yorker can enjoy the benefits of a thriving and equitable dining scene. Whether you’re out for a special dinner with your boo or enjoying brunch with friends, here’s to another season of dining al fresco at the finest restaurants in the greatest city in the world.” 

“Every April, New Yorkers celebrate that time-honored tradition of shedding our winter layers and basking in those first warm days of the year. But this year, we have something new to celebrate — that outdoor dining is here to stay,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth. “The nation's largest permanent outdoor dining program, already over twice the size of our legacy program, will bring renewed life to our streetscape with safer, cleaner setups citywide. We look forward to the program's growth in each successive year.”  

“The wait is over, spring has sprung, and roadway dining is back for New Yorkers across the five boroughs,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “New Yorkers came to enjoy outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are proud that it is now a permanent part of our streetscape. Outdoor dining is a lifeline for many small businesses across the five boroughs and helps make our streets more lively and welcoming. Today, all food establishments with approvals may begin operating their roadway setups.” 

As established by the laws passed by the New York City Council, participating businesses can operate sidewalk setups year-round, while roadway dining operates seasonally, from April 1 through November 29. The vast majority of sidewalk applicants are already allowed to operate while their applications are pending. DOT estimates roughly 600 roadway dining applicants and nearly 1,850 sidewalk applicants are able to operate this year thanks to the Adams administration’s efforts to cut red tape by granting conditional approvals. 

To make participation as accessible as possible, the city created a Dining Out NYC Marketplace that serves as a directory for businesses that sell or rent outdoor dining set-ups and services. Rentals are available for prices as low as just over $1,000 a month, or $33 a day, to provide affordable set-up options that do not require food establishments to find storage when the roadway outdoor dining season ends. 

Dining Out NYC is already more than two-and-a-half times the size of the pre-COVID sidewalk cafe program and applications remain open year-round.

Dining Out NYC is a part of the Adams administration’s initiative to deliver world-class public spaces to New Yorkers. Since coming into office, Mayor Adams has prioritized building safe, accessible public spaces for families — creating over 85 football fields of new public spaces; implementing a record amount of newly-pedestrianized space since coming into office; and finishing 2024 with nearly 500,000 square feet of new plazas, curb and sidewalk extensions, pedestrian safety islands, and traffic triangles; among other improvements.  

In 2024, the Adams administration also continued to grow its programs to deliver more welcoming streets for people, expanding the hours of Summer Streets in all five boroughs for the first time in the program's 16 years and continuing to grow Open Streets, with a total of 249 locations across the five boroughs. Last year’s Open Streets included a record high 71 locations outside of schools, creating safe spaces for kids to play during recess and for parents to pick up and drop off their children from school. 

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