STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In case you missed our recent series, here’s all the best of al fresco dining on Staten Island. Cheers to sunny summer and early fall days in the great outdoors!
For public transportation from the St. George Ferry terminal or Fast Ferry travelers coming from the West Side of Manhattan, transit time is about 30 minutes or from the ferry if traveling to the Dongan Hills area. Going to the West Shore by bus means taking the scenic route with travel time around an hour.
Handy tips if you don’t have a car:
*If a location is marked with one asterisk, it is within walking distance to the Staten Island Ferry.
****Take the MTA Staten Island Railway
North Shore
**Blue — 1115 Richmond Terr., Livingston; 718-273-7777; Bluerestaurantnyc.com
Tugboat and tanker traffic are among the captivating sea sights along the Kill van Kull. Open daily at 11:30, outside is comfy with briny breezes.
Burrito Bar — 585 Forest Ave., West Brighton, 718-815-9200; Theburritobar.com
It’s Margaritaville off of Forest Avenue with a side yard for supping on Southwestern cooking and sipping frozen cocktails.
*Cargo Cafe 120 Bay St., St. George; 718-273-7770; CargoCafe.nyc
Co-owner Michael Musto spruced up the outdoor patio section, which now features two levels of sun-soaked dining buffered by a canopy.
Dough — 977 Victory Blvd., 718-524-7868; DoughSilverLake.com
New and still working out kinks, it’s set with a handsome roadside patio setup with a bar and seats with shady umbrellas, plus a Veuve Clicquot orange-and-sea blue color theme.
**Harbor Eats — 1000 Richmond Terr., Livingston, Cottage Row at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, Dining at Harbor Eats via Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden via Snug-harbor.org
Bring a picnic blanket or sit in a patio chair at this open-air concession, which is open when the weather cooperates.
Ho’Brah — 412 Forest Ave., West Brighton, 718-442-8226, Hobrahtacos.com
Courtyard dining at the side of the restaurant features a tiki bar, all behind a gate and off-street.
The Local — 316 Manor Rd., Castleton Corners, 718-816-6366; TheLocalSi.com
Patio seating is available out front for enjoyment of an eclectic menu.
Mezcal — 20 Bradley Ave., Meiers Corners, 718-494-4547; Mezcalsny.com
A sweet courtyard-style space presents authentic Mexican fare and outstanding mojitos.
Osteria Santina — 502 Jewett Ave., Westerleigh, 718-448-6100; Osteriasantina.com
The backyard includes a bar, grill and pizza oven, all perks for a party or dinner outside.
****Pastavino — 44 Navy Pier Ct., Stapleton, 718-556-9300; Pastavinosi.com
Carefully composed dishes with a strong seafood focus, house-made pastas and a finely curated wine list put seaside Pastavino in an echelon of its own. If taking the train, get off at the Stapleton station and walk north to the Urby complex.
***The Richmond — 695 Bay St., Stapleton, 718-489-8805; TheRichmondSI.com
The Verrazano’s bejeweled sight and salubrious American bistro bites are part of the excitement of al fresco dining here.
*River Dock Cafe — 1 Richmond Terr., St. George, 631-616-5575; River Dock Cafe on Facebook
The upscale restaurant at the ferry terminal offers harbor views and lots of people watching over a fish-forward menu and cold drinks.
Stone House — 1150 Victory Blvd., located in Clove Lakes Park, 718-442-3600; TheStoneHouseSI.com
Turtles, birdlife and boats are part of the view from the outdoor seating sections offered on a patio or lake-side.
The Veranda — 915 Victory Blvd., Silver Lake, 718-448-2233; SilverLakeGolf.com
Be casual for an equally casual breakfast, lunch and dinner on the veranda (hence the name) that overlooks the Silver Lake Golf Course.
***VINUM — 704 Bay St., Stapleton, 718-448-8466; Vinumnyc.com
During the pandemic Massimo Felici expanded his backyard terrace for an Italian-Mediterranean garden to accommodate 70 to 80 guests. Now, it’s a choice place to sit when the weather is nice.
South Shore
Angelina’s — 399 Ellis St.; Tottenville, 718-227-2900; Angelinasristorante.com
When not used for catered affairs, the breezy glass house on the water or a seat on the wrap-around patio offer stunning perches for sunsets and ship-watching.
Annadale Terrace — 801 Annadale Rd., Annadale; 718-967-5900; AnnadaleTerrace.com
Stavros Bakousis created his dream restaurant with many sunny and shady spots in the ground-level garden section, on a sun-washed terrace or breezy rooftop patio.
Campania — 240 Page Ave., Richmond Valley, 347-983-4998; Campaniacoalfiredpizza.com
Charming feel includes comfy wicker chairs and shade courtesy of umbrellas.
Coral Bay Cafe — 722 Rockaway St., Tottenville; : 718-356-3501; Coral Bay Cafe menu on Whereyoueat.com
A sunken front patio area is a stone’s throw from Crescent Beach and a nice place to take in the sea air.
DeLuca’s Italian Restaurant — 7324 Amboy Rd., Tottenville; 718-227-7200; DelucasItalian.com
A front garden along the sleepier part of Amboy Road offers a European cafe feel.
Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor — 441 Clarke Ave., Richmond; 718-280-1442; Eggersicecream.com
The nearby historic courthouse and surrounding village is a fitting backdrop for the old-fashioned-style flavors that are dear to three generations of Staten Islanders.
Fiore Di Mare — 227 Mansion Ave., 718-227-9771; Fioredimaresi.com
Weather some of the elements under a covered patio out front from this lovely Mediterranean eatery that offers fresh seafood in the spirit of its marina ‘hood.
Giuliana’s — 4105 Hylan Blvd., Great Kills; 718-317-8507; GiulianasSI.com
Only when the weather is cool enough is the backyard open. Be sure to call the restaurant first to be sure it is open for outdoor supping.
Joyce’s Tavern — 3823 Richmond Rd., Eltingville, 718-948-0220; JoycesTavern.com
Savor a burger or Irish fare with cold brew on or off the deck out back.
Luce — 2945 Veteran’s Road West, Charleston, 718-954-9188; LuceNY.com.
Sit on the rooftop for a panoramic view of the South Shore with dinner or over drinks. There are nooks in a solarium that are more intimate as well.
Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn — 4254 Arthur Kill Rd., Charleston, 718-984-1202; Killmeyers.com
Cool off in the beer garden with brats or a pretzel at a table, the bar or in the gazebo’s shade.
Marina Cafe’s Tiki Bar — 154 Mansion Ave., Great Kills, 718-967-3077; Marinacafesiny.com
The Tiki section has a straw hut bar, family-friendly dining and bottle service for a vibrant nightlife.
Paradise Island — 225 Ellis St., Tottenville, 845-827-3460; Paradiseislandsi.com
A vast, eclectic menu accompanies an equally rich view of the harbor with the marina and Outerbridge as interesting spots to rest a gaze. Boaters can call ahead for drink and food orders and pull up to the dock for a hand-off of the goods.
Z-Two — 2925 Veterans Rd. W., Charleston, 718-356-6800; Ztwosi.com
Tables weave through a garden, a setting for brunch, lunch and upscale “diner” fare.
East Shore
Baci — 1657 Richmond Rd., Dongan Hills; 718-316-9707; BaciNYC.com
The dining room floor-to-ceiling windows are open for fresh air and enjoying the streetscape. Enjoy the Italian restaurant’s beautifully composed dishes at one of the borough’s finest spots.
Basilio Inn — 6 Galesville Ct., South Beach; 718-720-6835; Basilioinn.com
One of the borough’s oldest restaurants has outdoor patio seating overlooking a bocce court or a view of the sweet, surrounding South Beach neighborhood.
Mello Bistro — 1233 Bay St., Rosebank; 718-448-7275; Bin5NYC.com
A backyard garden is covered for rain or shine dining on South American-French-American fusion.
Campania — 1801 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills; 718-979-8500; Campaniacoalfiredpizza.com
See the twinkling Verrazzano Bridge lights from this tropical-looking rooftop getaway once enjoyed by Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian.
Don Cheech — 1271 Bay St., 718-285-4401; Doncheechnyc.com
Classic, Old School Italian-American in a handsome, masculine setting indoors. Yet in the outdoor, retractable pergola, it’s a bright, sunny experience filled with flowers, plus with heat and air conditioning year-round.
J’s on the Bay — 1189 Bay St., Rosebank, 718-720-0922, Jsonthebaysiny.com
Shaded by canopy, the backyard seating is comfy and cool. For a little kitchen gawking, a pizza-oven area is located in this section with a staff who turns out delicious pies.
South Fin Grill — 300 Father Capodanno Blvd., South Beach, 718-447-7679; Southfingrill.com
Boardwalk seating and raw bar selections are inspired by the South Beach backdrop.
Max’s Esca — 1559 Richmond Rd., Dongan Hills, 718-980-5006; Maxsesca.com
An expansive alleyway next to the restaurant is the setting for nighttime entertainment and a convivial place to gather over dinner and drinks.
Maizal — 990 Bay St., Rosebank, 347-825-3776; Maizalrestaurant.com
Craft cocktails and nicely crafted Mexican fare can be savored in a small courtyard patio.
Royal Crown Bakery —1350 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills, 718-668-0284; Royalcrownsi.com
Between the booming cafe and a bustling Hylan Boulevard, there is never a dull moment outdoors.
Sofia’s Taqueria — 977 Bay St., Rosebank, 929-308-2324; Sofiastaquerianyc.com
Ceviche, cervesa and weekend brunch are a fun way to enjoy the outdoors South of the Border style.
West Shore
Commons Cafe — 2 Teleport Dr., Bloomfield, 347-466-4207; Commonscafesi.com
Sandwiches, soft drinks and other casual fare can prompt a little picnic in the corporate park. Yellow chairs are a bright spot in the midst of pink roses and other flora at the height of the growing season. All profits from the cafe have gone to charity since 2011.
Pienza — 1441 South Ave., Bloomfield, 347-825-2415; Pienzapizzacafe.com
Sit in a park rich with artwork and bright blooms over pizza and Italian fare after an office visit at the corporate park or a scheduled tour of the rooftop farm. Profits from the cafe’s food sales support local charities.
Pamela Silvestri is Advance/Silive.com Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
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