The Top Spacious Restaurants for a Night Out Indoors
October 2, 2021
Remember dining indoors – the buzzy energy of being surrounded by other diners; the deliciousness in the air from the parade of dishes coming out of the kitchen; the coolest architecture and design anywhere? No doubt the warmer weather brings added comfort to plywood-constructed cafes, private greenhouses, and sidewalk yurts. Nonetheless, if you are one of many who crave to venture inside without compromising your sense of social distance, your LIVunLtd Concierge team put together this shortlist of recommendations.
In conducting our field research, we concluded that in larger venues, you can feel the old-school energy of a crowd while still feeling comfortably distanced from other tables. We remain deeply in love with the cozy, little places New York is so famous for, but for this list of top picks, we’re showcasing those places endowed with extra square footage.
Let your LIVunLtd Concierge arrange your reservation, and you can send us your request through the LIV app, our web portal, or by emailing or calling us directly. Planning a private event? We can help you with that too.
Lafayette
380 Lafayette Street between East 3rd + 4th Street, NoHo
Located on the corner of Lafayette and Great Jones Street, Lafayette captures the essence of French dining right here in NYC. Their main dining room, bakery, and two private dining suites allow for you to enjoy your Steak Frites and glass of Syrah at a safe distance from other diners.
La Grande Boucherie
145 West 53rd Street between 6th + 7th Avenue, Midtown
New kid on the block, La Grande Boucherie, is a Parisian dining destination in the heart of Midtown. The Art Nouveau-style restaurant stretches the entire block of 6th ½ Avenue of the Americas, and has been built to accommodate more than 400 diners in their dining room, bar, and mezzanine areas.
Peak
30 Hudson Yards on Hudson Boulevard, Hudson Yards
Dine above the clouds at Peak, Hudson Yards’ sky high, 10,000 square-foot restaurant located just a casual 101 floors up. With this million-dollar view, a hefty tab is no surprise, but the exquisite cuisine stands on its own and is well worth the spend. Their seasonal, modern American cuisine and classically inspired cocktails are curated to match the unparalleled views of New York you’re taking in as you dine. Also, they open for dinner at 5:00 PM so you stand a good chance at grabbing an unreservable table in the lounge for a drink or lite bite.
ASSET
329 Columbus Avenue between West 75th + 76th Street, Upper West Side
Design-lovers will adore the creative, sprawling multi-level space that ASSET offers. With two levels of dining and a bar on each floor, the restaurant is about 5,000 square-feet. The elevated yet fun dining “vibe” is complete with a curated live DJ program and fun modern American dishes like Wagyu Pigs in a Blanket.
Perry St
176 Perry Street between Hudson + Bleecker Street, West Village
Jean-Georges and his son, Cédric, have teamed up to bring relaxed elegance to the West Village in Richard Meier’s landmark glass tower. Perry St has a bright and airy dining room that is open at 50% capacity, featuring a mix of rounded booths, quaint tables for two, and a bar full of plush seating for your next night out on the town.
Morandi
211 Waverly Place between 7th Avenue + Charles Street, West Village
Brought to Waverly Place by the restaurateur behind Balthazar and Pastis, Keith McNally, Morandi is a rustic, charming Italian gem with a lively atmosphere in a warm glow. Their restaurant-scene popularity guarantees that every possible table in the place is taken, so you can feel that almost-normal, late dinner buzz.
Marcus at NoHu Rooftop
550 Ave at Port Imperial, Weehawken, NJ
Located just steps away from the NY Waterway Ferry Terminal, Marcus at NoHu Rooftop offers some of the best city views of the New York skyline in a spacious, but cozy indoor lounge setting. Enjoy a cocktail or two at sunset or try their exciting weekend brunch on the weekend, all from a menu curated by acclaimed, Red Rooster Harlem, Chef Marcus Samuelsson.
Le Crocodile
80 Wythe Street between North 11th + 12th Street, Williamsburg
The New York Times said “Le Crocodile shows how a New York brasserie should look and taste” in their three star review. Located in Williamsburg’s Wythe Hotel, they serve up French fare in their outdoor garden terrace and spacious dining room with double-height ceilings and brick walls.
Leonelli Restaurant + Bar
7 East 27th Street between 5th Avenue + Madison Avenue, Flatiron
Leonelli Restaurant + Bar fuses together “old New York” and “old-world Italy” with a Roman-inspired trattoria from Chef Jonathan Benno. Order Cacio e Pepe at one of their banquettes or high-top tables, share a Leonelli Cookie Plate with a loved one in the Benno Skylight Room, or rent out the private dining room for you and nine of your vaccinated friends.
Porta
Asbury Park (911 Kingsley Street) | Jersey City (135 Newark Avenue)
Eat, drink and be honest at Porta, a favorite for locals, New Yorkers, and the jet-set crowd. Whether you’re grabbing a fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza after a beach day in Asbury Park, or as a pit-stop on your commute home in Jersey City, each location is big enough to keep tables six feet apart, while still capturing that “family dinner” feel.