7 Westchester Restaurants to Visit for Garden Dining Al Fresco

Garden dining is a must in Westchester. Adobe Stock / shaiith

There’s outdoor dining, and then there’s…dinner in the garden. Here are the restaurants to visit for garden dining throughout the 914.

Amore Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen

Armonk; amorearmonk.com

This Tuscan-farmhouse-style eatery has been a fixture in the well-heeled hamlet for four decades, and its terrazzo is a hot summertime draw for old-school bowls of pasta, scratch-made artisan pizzas, and Italian classics (spicy chicken scarp, veal parm, zuppa de pesce), which somehow taste even better under the leafy pergola amid ample greenery.

Bedford Post Inn

Bedford; bedfordpostdining.com

Akin to a restaurant within a restaurant — and self-described as a midcentury-modern outdoor lounge — The Terrace showcases local, seasonally driven, small-plates offerings that are whipped up exclusively in a sky-topped kitchen that runs off of a wood-burning oven and asador grill; patio-focused drink offerings are available in pitchers.

Dubrovnik

New Rochelle; dubrovnikny.com

Chiseled fountains, sculptures, and stone benches scream “garden!” yet the scene is so serene and civilized, with fine Croatian fare (with an emphasis on fresh, grilled fish and succulent roasts) offering a momentary portal to the loved and longed-for homeland of the proprietors’ youth.

Harvest on Hudson

Hastings-on-Hudson; harvesthudson.com

In a carved-out miniature forest caressed by cool Hudson breezes and the fragrance of seasonal blooms, alfresco dining occurs on an incomparable scale with an Italo-centric menu — ranging from rabbit scarpariello and a raw bar to simple brick-oven pizza — and inspired, on-trend cocktails to match.

L’inizio

Ardsley; liniziony.com

From the street, the brick façade denotes a hip, urban den, but round back, tall trees and lush greenery envelope an intimate patio enlivened by string lights, tiki torches, and the intoxicating aroma of house-made pastas, inventive Italian entrées, and fresh-baked bomboloni.

Courtesy of L’inizio

Nadine’s

Yorktown Heights; nadinesrestaurant.com

There are those who believe there’s no garden like a beer garden, and in this case, they’re right. Traditional German specialties, cooked with family pride and infused with a hint of French flair, are complemented by beer (natch), wine, cocktails, and Austrian schnapps and liqueurs.

Scalini Osteria

Bronxville; scaliniosteria.com

Secreted away from the village’s log-jammed main thoroughfare and reminiscent of a quaint Tuscan enclave, this exquisite staple boasts both a patio and a secluded courtyard for homemade pastas, local produce and imported specialty ingredients, and regionally inspired fine Italian cuisine.

Related: How to Plant Your Perfect Summer Garden in Westchester