Dining on a decadent gourmet meal and sipping on a fine bottle of wine is only enhanced by feeling the warm night breeze on your back. There is no better way to celebrate the fun of the warmer months than sitting in an al fresco dining area with your loved ones.
If you love to eat in high-end dining rooms and sample the offerings of glamorous bistros, New York City may be your personal playground. Ranked in the top-five U.S. cities for foodies, you won’t have trouble finding indoor and outdoor dining experiences that are sure to leave you satisfied.
With new restaurants opening every month in the city, you’ll never run out of new outdoor dining setups to explore. And since the pandemic, outdoor dining structures have cropped up all over the city. It’s easier than ever to find sidewalk seating and enjoy some open-air food. Many restaurants even offer outdoor heaters and umbrellas to keep outdoor dining accessible when the weather takes a turn.
New York City is magical in the spring and summer, whether you’re in the East Village, on Broadway, or walking through Williamsburg. The streets are filled with locals and tourists enjoying food at outdoor patios and picnic tables, there are outdoor events in every neighborhood, and nearly every open restaurant offers outdoor tables for relaxing and spending time with friends.
There are countless options for outdoor dining in New York City. The city is home to some of the finest Italian restaurants, Mexican eateries, and Mediterranean spots in the world. NYC is also a hub for Asian cuisine, particularly in the Chinatown neighborhood.
In SoHo, you’ll find tasty tacos, Thai, and more. Whether you want Korean BBQ or the best hot dog in the USA, one of New York’s five boroughs is where to go.
However, the best and most immersive option is the Governors Island Collective Retreats experience. This gorgeous outdoor space would make any restaurateur proud and features an array of unique culinary offerings.
If you enjoy experiencing the outdoors but don’t want to give up your everyday luxuries, Collective Retreats is the place for you. We never want guests to choose between outdoor adventure and luxurious accommodations.
While you are a guest with us, you will have access to on-site experiences that highlight the charm and excitement of Governors Island. Additionally, there is no need to worry about booking your own dinner reservations or finding a bike rental location: a helpful concierge is at your service to take care of the logistics for you.
Culinary Retreats goes beyond offering one option for an outdoor dining experience. You can choose between a large collection of breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner options and enjoy them in a variety of scenic outdoor spots.
While picking a restaurant in the West Village or Long Island and enjoying its outdoor seating area is an option for dining outdoors in New York, nothing compares to the gourmet culinary experience offered by Collective Retreats.
As a guest on Governor’s Island, you will have access to meals prepared by our on-retreat chef featuring seasonal local ingredients.
Dinner comes with a wealth of outdoor dining experiences, including food prepared on a wood-fire grill as a part of our a la carte menu. The globally influenced menu draws on local and international inspiration, and the food is prepared on an outdoor Argentine Grill.
Once your food is prepared, relax on a lounge chair and enjoy your meal while you admire pristine views of the water and the Statue of Liberty.
No meal is complete without a sweet treat, so rely on our chef to supply the perfect ending to your outdoor culinary experience.
We offer a special collection of treats, including a strawberry cheesecake, seasonal dessert, and more. For another take on sweets under the stars, enjoy our Collective S’mores experience before you wind down for the evening.
Customize your own culinary marvel at our Collective Gourmet S’mores Pantry, where you can choose between a nostalgic s’more made with Hershey’s chocolate and Jet-Puffed marshmallows or a premium option using Sugar Rush marshmallows and premium Lindt dark chocolate with caramel crunch.
No matter which experience you choose, no evening is complete without a warm, sugary treat.
Green space can be difficult to come by in most of New York City, so we center our space around an expansive great lawn that sits right on the water.
This elevated deck offers a happy hour every night with specialty cocktails and wines. You can relax in the shaded seated areas and enjoy the unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty at sunset.
If you prefer to sip on a local brew rather than a cocktail or a glass of wine, you can enjoy the unique craft beer program.
Offered on the Sunset Terrace, you can choose from a daily selection of rotating seasonal beers that feature local and imported options. Choose a single beer to sip on before dinner or create a personalized six-pack to enjoy by the campfire later that night.
Besides the incredible outdoor dining experiences, the Collective Retreats ranch offers exciting experiences and luxurious accommodations.
After sharing drinks and decadent food, you may not feel motivated to travel far. We offer top-of-the-line accommodations right on Governor’s Island, so you won’t have to worry about going farther than a few steps to get a peaceful night’s rest.
The most popular accommodation option, the Summit Tent, comes with everything you could ask for in a five-star hotel, with the added benefit of an indoor/outdoor living experience. Before you enjoy breakfast, take a cup of coffee right outside of your tent to enjoy views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan skyline.
At the end of the day, you can rinse off in your en suite bathroom and tuck yourself into your queen-sized bed.
In between meals, we have plenty of relaxing and restorative activities on the island. The main draw of Governor’s Island for many visitors are the carless streets that wrap around the island. It’s a far cry from the bustle of the Lower East Side or the Upper West Side. Only accessible by ferry, you can enjoy the uniquely serene environment of this island and use the free streets as an excuse to take a long bike ride.
After renting bikes with our concierge, take a ride on the 2.5-mile stretch around the island for remarkable views of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan Skyline, and Brooklyn neighborhoods.
For a day full of rest and relaxation, start your morning with sunrise yoga. Designed to strengthen your muscles, center your mind, and relax your body, this session is sure to start your day off on the right foot. Additionally, the Manhattan skyline will shimmer under the golden light from the sunrise, which is a must-see view.
After yoga, use your discount and preferred access at the nearby spa, granted to you as a Collective Retreats guest. This immersive European Spa is surrounded by blooming gardens and an outdoor spa pool.
Sharing a delicious meal with your loved ones is always an enjoyable experience. However, the easiest and best way to elevate this experience even further is to move it outdoors.
If you live in or around New York City, be sure to book a stay at Collective Retreats to enjoy an unforgettable outdoor dining experience at our Governors Island location.
Sources:
15 Best Foodie Cities in the U.S. | U.S. News Travel
That Which We Call SoHo | SoHo Memory
Governors Island National Monument | U.S. National Park Service
The Conservatory Collective
