A New Yorker's guide to safely dining out during the pandemic

With restaurants reopening, it may seem like dining out is safe again. But that’s not entirely true.

However, there are steps you can take to make dining out safer.

As a New Yorker, I’ve been grabbing quick meals across the city for months and have even started dining indoors again recently.

It can be a daunting and stressful experience, particularly in a city where the coronavirus claimed over 500 lives a day at its peak in April. But sometimes, a night out is just what you crave.

If you’re going to dine out, take it from a New Yorker. Here are nine tips to help keep you safe:

1. Ask yourself if dining out is truly necessary

After months of being cooped up, you might feel the urge to head out and grab a meal with friends.

I get it. New York's stay-at-home order lasted 78 days – the longest in the nation. When it was finally lifted, New Yorkers rushed to parks and other open spaces.

But eating out carries risks, especially now with the fall surge in cases. It’s especially risky for those who are immunocompromised or live with others who are.

'The bottom line is that eating at a restaurant right now always involves some risk,' Dr. Stephen Berger, an infectious disease expert and co-founder of the Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network, told Dinogo.

'Dining out means removing your mask, and that’s the number one rule for preventing the spread of coronavirus,' he added.

He recommends 'thinking twice before going to a restaurant'—and if you live in a big city, 'think three times.'

If you still choose to dine out, take every possible precaution to protect your health and safety.

2. Call ahead to avoid large crowds

If you choose to dine out, be sure to call ahead and confirm there won’t be a large crowd and that the restaurant is following proper social distancing protocols.

I’ve learned to avoid peak dining times like Friday evenings and Sunday brunch. Whenever possible, I also make reservations to minimize the time spent waiting and reduce unnecessary exposure.

Many local governments have enforced occupancy limits for indoor dining. In New York, it’s capped at 25%.

Not all restaurants follow safety guidelines. If you find yourself in a crowded place, it's best to pay your bill and leave.

'It’s up to the diners to be aware of their surroundings,' says Demetria Lewis, a bartender at Interboro Spirits & Ales in Brooklyn. 'If tables are only two inches apart and you don’t see proper cleaning, don’t sit down.' Interboro enforces safety measures like social distancing, cleaning between customers, and limiting group sizes.

3. Inquire about their safety procedures

While speaking with the restaurant host, ask about the restaurant’s health and safety protocols.

The most cautious establishments will perform temperature checks, disinfect tables and door handles regularly, require face masks, and even keep customer records for contact tracing.

'A simple tip is to ask the restaurant what safety measures they’re taking,' says Kirsten Kilburn, a bartender and server at The Smith in Manhattan. The restaurant has installed washing stations at the entrance and acrylic barriers between indoor diners, among other precautions. 'Call ahead and ask what measures they’ve put in place since reopening. Knowing what to expect can bring peace of mind.'

As a general rule, I avoid restaurants that can't answer basic questions about their safety protocols for diners.

4. Opt for outdoor seating whenever you can

Many restaurants offer both indoor and outdoor seating. When given the choice, I prefer to sit outside.

Health experts recommend dining outdoors, where the virus has a chance to dissipate in the open air.

Of course, with winter approaching, dining outside might become less comfortable – especially in New York, where temperatures often drop below freezing.

To make outdoor dining more comfortable, The Smith plans to add heaters and even provide blankets for guests, according to Kilburn.

Many New York bistros and cafes are also introducing large bubble tents, although their effectiveness is still uncertain. Some people believe they offer a viable solution for outdoor dining, while others argue they’re just as risky as dining indoors.

"If the bubbles are sealed, as they would need to be in colder weather, I don’t see how this could be considered a safe choice," said Berger. "How many people will want to sit in a bubble where another group just ate? It might even be worse than dining indoors."

5. Carry your own hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

Many restaurants have hand sanitizing stations, but you can’t always rely on them being stocked.

I recommend bringing your own hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to clean your table, chairs, and even the cutlery.

It’s also wise to sanitize your hands after touching the menu or after visiting the bathroom.

While many restaurants are diligent about cleaning, it’s always better to take extra precautions.

6. Always wear your face mask

It’s crucial to keep your face mask on whenever you’re not eating or drinking at a restaurant.

I keep mine just under my chin, so I can easily put it on and take it off as needed when a server or fellow diner comes close. In many New York restaurants, this is mandatory.

“Many of our guests appreciate our policy of requiring masks whenever staff members are nearby,” said Kilburn. “I know it’s a new routine, and it’s not always easy to remember, but we all have a responsibility to protect each other.”

It’s also wise to limit your interaction with servers – both for your safety and theirs.

“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how diners can reduce the number of times servers have to touch the table,” said Lewis.

“Dining has become less personal than it used to be, and that’s unfortunate. But there are small ways to help, like ordering together rather than individually, being mindful of staff carrying dirty dishes from another table, and waiting until they’ve had a chance to clean their hands before you place your next order,” she added.

7. Avoid using the bathroom if you can.

If you can hold off, it's best to do so.

In New York, finding a clean public bathroom can be a challenge. And during a pandemic, even the most pristine bathrooms aren’t guaranteed to be safe.

Bathrooms, especially small, enclosed ones, carry a high risk for transmission, according to Berger.

What's worse, flushing a toilet can release harmful germs into the air, and studies suggest that the coronavirus may be present in feces.

If you absolutely must use the bathroom, make sure to wear your mask and bring disinfectant wipes – you’ll definitely need them.

8. Don't overstay your welcome

Gone are the days of lingering late into the night over bottles of wine with friends.

Now, dining out is about eating quickly and leaving as safely as possible.

To make sure that happens, I plan ahead. I book reservations to avoid waiting for a table, and I check out the menu online so I know exactly what to order when I sit down.

Being swift benefits not just you, but the restaurant too, which is operating at reduced capacity and struggling to stay afloat.

"To ensure our business survives the pandemic, especially with limited seating, we need to turn tables quickly," shared Gabby Ayoub, the general manager at Oxomoco in Brooklyn.

"We don't want to rush anyone, but it's frustrating when guests don't realize others are waiting and just stay at the table after paying. We want to make everyone feel welcome, but we also have seating targets to meet," she explained.

9. Tip generously

There's no better time to show appreciation with a tip than now.

Restaurant workers are often underpaid and lack benefits like health insurance or paid sick leave. Although cities like New York may introduce a coronavirus surcharge on bills, it won't cover tips for the staff.

For this reason, it's important to leave a generous tip—20% or more, if you're able.

"A lot of my frustrations come from how service workers' risks are overlooked. We're often treated poorly and underpaid when it's time to settle the bill. Tips are how we survive, especially now," said Lewis.