Best Outdoor Dining Oasis Restaurants in Chinatown
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Emporio
Skylit Roman trattoria with 15+ years as a reliable neighborhood anchor
Notable Picks
#1
Emporio
8.2
This Roman-style trattoria from the Aurora team has anchored NoLita since 2009, delivering thin-crust pizzas, housemade pastas, and a grocery store aesthetic that feels authentically Italian. The skylit back room provides one of downtown's most pleasant dining experiences, all at prices that feel reasonable for the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pizza with Sausage, Honey & Pecorino, Cacio e Pepe, Nutella Calzone
What Makes it Special: Skylit Roman trattoria with 15+ years as a reliable neighborhood anchor
Worthy Picks
#2
Balzem
7.9
Balzem, a Mediterranean wine bar that opened in Nolita in 2014, focuses on shareable tapas, flatbreads, and dips alongside an approachable European-leaning wine list. Reviews consistently call out its cozy, brick-lined room, sidewalk seating, and popular bottomless brunch as reasons it stays busy with neighborhood regulars and weekend visitors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb chops, Hummus Balzem, Zucchini pancakes
What Makes it Special: Cozy Mediterranean wine bar with tapas, bottomless brunch, and patio.
7.6
The Bowery Beer Garden is an open-air sports bar attached to the Wyndham Garden Chinatown, with a covered courtyard, big screens, and a menu that mixes wings, sliders, and ramen from Shinka. Its outdoor setup makes it one of the few spots in the area where you can watch games outside with full table service and pitchers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy fried chicken wings, Bowery Boys sliders, Shinka ramen bowl
What Makes it Special: An open-air sports beer garden with TVs, taps, and hearty bar food in a courtyard setting.