Long Island restaurants with heated outdoor dining
Gurney's Montauk Resort has socially distant outdoor dining with firepits to keep guests warm. Credit: Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
Tents, igloos, greenhouses — Long Island’s restaurateurs are devising countless ways, and sparing no expense, in an effort to preserve some semblance of the outdoor dining experience even as temperatures drop. But what if you’re an intrepid all-weather type who wants to truly dine in the open air, under the sun or stars, protected from the cold only by multiple clothing layers and a propane heater or two? Well, you’re either crazy or much in need of the following list. Below are just a few Island eateries that put the fresco in al fresco, happily serving meals to those willing to brave the elements. Weather permitting, of course.
Konoba (46G Gerard St., Huntington): You’ve heard of the tent and the bubbles. Now meet the latest seasonal attraction at this innovative eatery: Japanese-style kotatsu heated patio tables. More info: 631-824-7712, konobahuntington.com
Bar Frites (400 Wheatley Plaza, Greenvale): This French cafe has an attractive outdoor area with lots of torch heaters and a natural windbreak from surrounding buildings. More info: 516-484-7500, pollrestaurants.com/restaurants/bar-frites
Narinatto (5 Irma Dr., Port Washington): If the heaters on the outdoor patio at this Korean hot spot won’t keep you warm, the dolsot bibimbap’s sizzling stone bowl will. More info: 516-883-1913, narinatto.com
2 Spring (2 Spring St., Oyster Bay): "And the heat goes on" is this eatery’s self-stated motto, which features an exceptionally attractive heated patio. More info: 516-624-2411, 2springstreet.com
Amici (304 Route 25A, Mt. Sinai): Outdoor heaters, fire pits and open tents grace the large outdoor area at this Italian mainstay. More info: 516-473-2400, amicirestaurant.org
Pearl (4338 Austin Blvd., Island Park): A long open-ended tent and heaters on a large outdoor patio are among the cold weather options at this seafood-centric eatery. More info: 516-432-0723, pearlrestaurantny.com
Market Bistro (519 N. Broadway, Jericho): Several tables and heaters are available under an overhang at this casual eatery. More info: 516-513-1487, marketbistroli.com
Branzinos (315 Walt Whitman R., Huntington Station): A heated tunnel-style tent (open on both ends) is a fixture of this Italian eatery. More info: 631-944-3141, branzinos.com
Basil Cafe Restaurant (413 Lake Ave., St. James): There are heat lamps galore on an attractive deck under the trees at this Persian spot. More info: 631-862-4444, basilcaferestaurant.com
Small Batch (630 Old Country Rd., Garden City): Enjoy Tom Colicchio al fresco with heaters and outdoor tables at this restaurant adjacent to Roosevelt Field. More info: 516-548-8162, smallbatchrestaurant.com
Seventh Street Cafe ( 126 7th St., Garden City): Draperies, carefully positioned around outdoor tables, do double duty, protecting diners from both the cold and adjacent street noise. More info: 516-747-7575, seventhstreetcafe.com
Market Bistro (519 N. Broadway, Jericho): Several tables with adjacent heaters can be snagged on the sidewalk of this eatery. More info: 516-513-1487, marketbistroli.com
Oniro Taverna (8289 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury): An outdoor patio with heaters is open to the sky at this Greek mainstay. More info: 516-367-8250, onirotaverna.com
Leilu (10 New St., Huntington): An eclectic New American menu is served at a number of uncovered sidewalk tables warmed by heaters and shielded by Plexiglas. More info: 631-944-3111, leiluhuntington.com
Outdoor seating with heaters at Leilu in Huntington. Credit: Kendall Rodriguez
Rustic Root ( 7927 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury): No reservations are needed or accepted for several metal sidewalk tables in front of this restaurant, with umbrella-style standing heaters generously provided. More info: 516-364-5041, rusticrootkitchen.com
Salt on the Water ( 3100 Whaleneck Dr., Merrick): Outdoor tables warmed by standing lamp heaters — they have tented ones too for the skittish — grace the patio at this waterfront eatery. More info: 516-442-7470, saltonthewater.com
Absolutely Mario (10 Allen Blvd., Farmingdale): Outdoor tables graced with umbrellas and heaters? Absolutely. Tent? Nope. More info: 631-694-7416, absolutelymario.com
Park Avenue Grill (178 Park Ave., Amityville): The heated outdoor patio at this eatery has tables shaded by sun sails and the like, but no roof overhead. More info: 631-598-4618
The Bryant (100 Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station): Tables are set up on the patio and in the parking lot of the steakhouse, some with heaters, none under enclosed tents. More info: 631-923-3321, pollrestaurants.com
Outdoor seating with heaters at The Bryant in Huntington. Credit: Kendall Rodriguez
Prato 850 (204 Jericho Tpke., Commack): Outdoor tables are uncovered but heatered at this gastropub. More info: 631-543-1400, prato850.com
Maria’s (211 Smithtown Blvd, Nesconset): This eatery specializing in Latin and Mexican favorites has uncovered tables on its patio, heaters available. More info: 631-979-7724, marias211.com
Gurney’s (290 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk): A seasonal menu is served at seaside, open-air "bungalows," each with a fire pit and space for up to six diners to huddle around it. More info: 631-668-2345, gurneysresorts.com
Newsday writer and restaurant critic Scott Vogel aims for a refreshing, gimlet-eyed take on the Long Island food scene, often while drinking a refreshing gimlet.
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