Scenes from reopened restaurants across the U.S. in the post-pandemic era

For many, the excitement of preparing every meal at home wore off long ago, weeks or even months before we started to crave dining out again.

While the variety of restaurant options in the U.S. — from casual Thai spots to high-end steakhouses — has never been more plentiful, particularly in cities, it simply couldn't match the experience of dining out.

When outdoor dining became available as cities and states began to reopen, excitement was hard to contain. What restaurants were open? Would reservations be tough to get? Would we need to wear masks between bites of burrata? And would we be able to use the indoor restroom, or would we be stuck waiting until we got home?

We had plenty of questions, but even more than our curiosity about dining out during a pandemic, there was a real, undeniable hunger.

First come, first served

My husband and I ventured out for our first post-lockdown meal in Buffalo, NY, where outdoor dining resumed on June 8. With limited options, we decided on Cole's, a spot known for its lively late-night crowds.

Although Cole's had reopened, converting its parking lot into a “patio” meant a brief, somewhat awkward wait. We hovered near tables finishing their meals before being told to take any available seat. Overwhelmed but cheerful servers, masked up, rushed around taking orders and serving steak sandwiches.

We also wondered how New York City would adapt, given that sidewalk dining isn’t always feasible in many neighborhoods, and restaurants can't magically create a backyard where there isn’t one. Similarly, there’s no way to invent a parking lot just to fit tables when one doesn’t exist.

But it turns out, New York City found its own way to navigate the space dilemma.

Outdoor dining

What would New York City be without innovation? And what would it be without cars?

Now, stretches of city streets are transforming as restaurants take advantage of the opportunity to claim two or three parking spots in front of their doors, setting up tables and chairs where cars once parked.

In one Brooklyn neighborhood, restaurants ranging from a 24-hour diner to a cozy French bistro, and even a bar serving snacks, have embraced outdoor dining by setting up charming wooden fences, placing umbrellas, and strategically positioning plants to craft inviting outdoor dining spaces.

'Outdoor dining presents opportunities for some restaurants to boost revenue, but careful consideration of the cost-benefit is necessary,' says Lilly W. Jan, a lecturer in food and beverage management at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

One thing is certain: Street food has evolved.

The temporary outdoor dining setups certainly offer a creative solution to meet the demand, but establishments with pre-existing outdoor spaces may offer a more aesthetically pleasing and tranquil dining experience.

Take Claro, for example. Its expansive backyard is even larger than its indoor dining space, and if ambiance is what you're seeking, Claro delivers in abundance.

Similarly, Barrio Kitchen, a lakeside Mexican spot in the Catskills, boasts a spacious outdoor deck. Dining there felt almost like a pre-pandemic experience — the only notable change being the servers in masks and gloves.

The deck wasn’t packed, but there was no sign that the coronavirus was still a concern. Dishes were shared between parties, glasses clinked, and cutlery was passed around as usual. When the bill arrived, it came in the classic pleather check-holder — no QR codes or measures to reduce touchpoints. Our group, however, took extra precautions, sanitizing our hands and wiping down our own surfaces.

Over in Carroll Gardens, another Brooklyn neighborhood, East One Coffee Roasters introduced outdoor dining for the first time, offering a fresh way to experience their coffee in the open air.

The setup? Tables placed right on the street, mere inches away from passing traffic.

Despite the unusual and somewhat unsettling seating arrangement, we felt as safe as possible under the circumstances.

We used QR codes to access the menu, minimizing contact and cutting down on waste from disposable paper menus.

When the server cleaned our table, she politely asked us to move some items so she wouldn’t have to touch them. The cutlery was metal, not disposable, and napkins were neatly sealed in packs — a first for us after years of dining out.

At Claro, there were no physical menus either. Instead, we were instructed to view the menu on our phones and place our order with the server. This worked smoothly for selecting our four courses, but when it came to the massive mezcal list of over 100 options, things got a bit tricky. Rather than squint at the small print on our phones, we asked the server to recommend a flight for us.

Taniesha’s recommendations were spot on, but this approach may not be ideal for those who prefer knowing prices upfront. Sure, we could have asked, but in the moment, it was such a delight to engage with our knowledgeable server about the different mezcal varieties and their smoky nuances that we forgot to inquire about the cost.

When the bill arrived—or more accurately, when the handheld credit card machine appeared—we reminded ourselves that quality doesn’t come without a price.

Thankfully, the portions were unexpectedly generous for a tasting menu. Chef/Owner TJ Steele emphasizes that they aim to offer real value to guests. The tasting menu, Steele explains, is designed to guide the dining experience and ensure it’s a memorable one.

He also mentioned that with the reduced seating capacity, the restaurant couldn’t afford to let customers linger over a margarita for hours.

Pandemic Dining

At Terre, a charming pasta and wine bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn, there were few noticeable changes—aside from the newly added outdoor seating. Still, we appreciated the thorough cleaning of the high chair.

We observed that the staff had been significantly reduced. Only one server was covering the small number of tables in the outdoor area.

As a result, the service was a bit slower than usual, and it took longer to receive drinks and place our order. But honestly, we didn’t mind at all. After so many months of being confined at home, it was simply wonderful to be dining out again.

The owner, Daniele Tassi, voiced some concerns about being understaffed, especially with the prospect of allowing 50% indoor capacity once phase three begins. While most cities have allowed this after a week or so of outdoor dining reopening, New York City is postponing this option.

It's possible Terre will expand its team and provide training in the near future.

We were greeted by a server-in-training at Social Bird, where wet naps were handed out generously.

Everything at Social Bird felt well-organized: Clear distancing signs, X’s marking spaces on the ground for guidance, and servers wearing masks and gloves.

Menus were available, but they were disposable, with a note explaining this on the menu itself. Additionally, there were instructions to wear a mask when walking around the restaurant.

Despite all the safety protocols, there was still an undeniable sense of joy. At Terre, both guests and staff radiated happiness. Barrio Kitchen’s effervescent, masked server brought us sangria with a smile, making everything feel more normal. Social Bird exuded a family-like atmosphere, even though social distancing limited interaction. At Cole’s, our server thanked us warmly for dining with them.

The upbeat atmosphere might be why Terre's owner, Tassi, mentioned that the most challenging part of the current situation is enforcing social distancing, particularly with some groups.

As for using the restroom? Let’s just say we didn’t need to hold our breath — but yes, masks were still required.