"The city's roadway cafes are returning, with roughly 500 outdoor dining setups approved for the Dining Out NYC program, allowing setups from April 1 through Nov. 29."
"Participation in the program is on par with 2025 but far below the peak of approximately 8,000 restaurants during the emergency outdoor dining program initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic."
"The emergency program was praised by restaurant owners for its support during uncertain times but criticized by community groups for taking up parking spaces and attracting rats."
"The transition to a more restrictive seasonal program has led to frustrations among restaurateurs due to lengthy application processes and high costs, making participation challenging for small businesses."
New York City's outdoor dining program is reviving with 500 roadside cafes approved for the season. The program allows setups from April 1 to Nov. 29. Approximately 1,300 restaurants can operate sidewalk cafes year-round. Participation is significantly lower than the peak of 8,000 during the pandemic's emergency program. City officials are working to reinstate year-round outdoor dining. The previous emergency program faced criticism for taking parking spaces and attracting pests, leading to a more restrictive seasonal program that has frustrated restaurateurs with lengthy applications and costs.
Read at Gothamist
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