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Designer Dining: 7 Beautiful NYC Restaurants for a Stylish Summer Lunch

New York City scape at sunset

When New York emerges from its long, cold winter, there’s something magical about seeing the city streets, parks, and riverside spots fill with life again.

It’s the time for gathering your friends, booking a restaurant, and settling in for a long catch-up over lunch. We’ve pinpointed seven spots where you can do this in style. Whether you’re basking on a terrace with views across the water or beating the heat in a dimly lit dining room, there’s something for every occasion.

The Fulton 

When the heat descends, it just makes sense to eat seafood overlooking the water. Located at Pier 17 in the Seaport district, The Fulton’s tables on the terrace tick the box – with incredible views of the Brooklyn Bridge, too.

Terrace tables are always in high demand when the sun shines, but you might prefer the cool, nautical-inspired interiors to escape the heat. The menu is overseen by French-born culinary legend Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Choose from light summer dishes such as shrimp cocktail, delicate yellowfin tuna tartare, indulgent Maine lobster rolls, and light summer salads.

89 South Street, New York

champagne in a bucket of ice within Cathedrale restaurant

Cathédrale

Set within the Moxy East Village, Cathédrale’s design merges modern artistry with old-world charm. In the grand main dining room, the focal point is a striking suspended sculpture by Edoardo Tresoldi, hanging like a deconstructed French cathedral under an open sky.

On humid days in mid-summer, the vast room with its soaring ceilings is the perfect place to cool off with a crisp glass of Provençal rosé and a selection of Mediterranean dishes. After lunch, head up to The Ready roof terrace for one of the best margaritas in the area.

112 E 11th Street, New York

pedestrians crossing a New York city street

Genesis House 

Created by the renowned design firm Suh Architects, this calming, light-filled space feels like a sanctuary from the frenetic pace of the city. The minimalist interiors of wood, stone, and glass bring a real sense of calm, while the garden terrace incorporates plants to blend seamlessly with the Zen-like atmosphere inside.

Conceptualized by the team behind Michelin-starred Seoul restaurant Onjium, the cooking refines (and redefines) Korean classics. Opt for the five- or seven-course tasting menu to truly understand the kitchen team’s talents.

40A 10th Avenue, New York

Hawksmoor 

It was a bold move for a UK-based steakhouse to set up in the home of incredible steakhouses, but Hawksmoor quickly established itself among the finest in Manhattan. The bustling dining room is a haven from the summer sun, with its high ceilings, dark wood paneling, and vintage leather seating setting a laidback vibe for lunch.

The charcoal grilled steaks are excellent – particularly the sirloin on the bone – but you might be tempted by the lighter, more seasonal seafood options in summer.

109 E 22nd Street, New York

person looking out window at the Statue of Liberty in the distance

Zou Zou’s 

Cast yourself to the sun-drenched shores of the Eastern Mediterranean at this breezy spot a block from Penn Station. Awash with pastel shades, comfy banquettes, a lo-fi soundtrack, and beautiful lighting, it’s the ideal place for a long summer lunch with friends.

Start with a signature Sumac Spritz cocktail for a zingy twist on the classic, before ordering a selection of meze and mains to share – the food is an ode to the Levant, North Africa, and the Middle East so expect lots of fragrant spices and bursts of color. In good weather, the outdoor tables are popular, so be sure to book well in advance.

385 9th Avenue, New York

People sitting outside La Grande Boucherie restaurant in evening with view of Empire State Building in distance

La Grande Boucherie 

This grande dame of the New York food scene feels like stepping back to early 20th-century Paris. With its sweeping arched ceilings, grand chandeliers, and intricate ironwork, it might sound stuffy and old fashioned, but there’s a spring in its step thanks to impeccable service, a timeless menu of brasserie classics, and buzzy atmosphere – it’s packed each day.

At lunch, reserve a table in the outdoor plaza, which is open to the elements at each end. It has a soaring, arched skylight in case of any rain. Do as the French do and order the daily-changing prix fixe lunch menu, served from 11am to 4pm, with a glass of fine Champagne.

145 W 53rd Street, New York

Peak  

High atop Hudson Yards, Peak is a contemporary marvel of glass and steel, designed to embrace its breathtaking skyline views – extending to the Statue of Liberty and beyond. The restaurant’s sleek, modern interiors, with floor-to-ceiling windows, create a bright and airy atmosphere for taking in the city from a cool, climate-controlled space.

For a hit of fresh air, the adjacent Edge observation deck allows diners to step outside and experience the summer breeze while sipping frozen cocktails.

30 Hudson Yards 101st Floor, New York

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