Outdoor dining is back in New York City, so find a table and some fresh air. The roadway cafes that popped up across the city during the COVID pandemic had to be taken down last year, but they've now become seasonal,

Restaurants across New York City can finally begin serving meals to patrons in their sidewalk and roadway eating spaces on Tuesday. They were once a staple of the pandemic, but those outdoor dining sheds disappeared in November as new rules went into effect in the city,

When the program fully resumes on Tuesday, there will be nearly 80% fewer outdoor dining setups than during the pandemic peak.

Outdoor dining is officially back in New York City, but with a new set of seasonal rules and plenty of confusion. Restaurant owners say the updated program—requiring permits and liquor license alterations—is expensive and unclear.

Edible enlightenment from our eatery experts and colleagues Monie Begley, Richard Nalley and Randall Lane, as well as brothers Bob, Kip and Tim.

Hundreds of qualified restaurants can begin serving meals to patrons in their sidewalk and roadway eating spaces.