8 Cozy Places With Igloo Dining in NYC

Over the past several years, outdoor dining in winter months has become a huge part of city life. Of course, it started out of necessity during the pandemic, but now it’s hard to find a restaurant that doesn’t have a version of an outdoor patio or dining area.

And New York brought a creative approach to the tricky situation of outdoor dining on bitter cold days with a clever solution: igloos. Even as we’ve emerged from the darkest days of the pandemic, the outdoor winter dining tradition has surprisingly stayed.

So we’re sharing all of the best rooftop bubbles and igloo dining in NYC for you to check out this winter.

1. 230 Fifth

Starting off with the brains behind igloo dining. Yep, the bubbles you see used by restaurants worldwide were the idea of 230 Fifth back in 2014.

At this rooftop bar, you’ll find 17 igloos looking over the beautiful Manhattan skyline. Each igloo fits up to six seated guests or up to 25 standing guests. The menu includes cozy drinks like Spiked Apple Pie Cider and Pumpkin Pie Hot Chocolate. They even host movie nights too.

This is definitely a place to add to your New York winter bucket list!

2. City Vineyard

Nothing beats a sunset over the Hudson on Manhattan’s West Side and what better spot than Tribeca’s chic waterfront rooftop? In the winter, the open roof at City Vineyard is filled with igloos that will keep you toasty warm while you sip wine and watch the sunset or look out over the evening skyline.

3. Bryant Park

Bryant Park’s Winter Village takes igloo dining in NYC to another level! There are three options to enjoy one of the heated bubbles.

At the Curling Cafe, try your hand at iceless curling. Enjoy the heated igloo in between rounds.

If you’re looking for igloo dining in NYC, Bryant Park Grill is a great place to enjoy a meal and watch the action at the ice rink without getting cold.

Or reserve a Cozy Igloo directly near the ice rink and enjoy treats like gourmet popcorn, hot chocolate, Bavarian pretzels, charcuterie, and more!

4. NoHu

Head over the Hudson River to Weehawken and take in the Manhattan skyline from NoHu Restaurant’s rooftop bubbles. Located on the 6th floor of the EnVue Hotel, you’ll have a front-row seat to the most spectacular sights of the New York skyline. The NoHu welcomes guests to enjoy this experience for dinner, late nights, and weekend brunch. This is a great place to gather a large group of people or host a holiday party or birthday.

5. Lafayette

Last year, Lafayette debuted charming outdoor glass houses called “Le Village de Lafayette.” Each of the chalets is decorated with cozy carpets, snowflakes, and even fireplace heaters to make you really feel like you’re in a chalet. Each of the twelve chalets seats two to seven guests. There’s a prix fixe menu ($125/person), including fondue to start, cozy seconds like winter ratatouille or beef short ribs with buttery potatoes, and classic French crepe Suzettes for dessert. This is a delightful experience to enjoy with your family or friend group.

6. City Winery at Rockefeller Center

Cozy up in the heart of all of the winter festivities at Rockefeller Center’s City Winery. From your heated igloo, you can see the Christmas tree and the ice rink while sipping mulled wine, spiked cider, or hot chocolate and enjoying snacks.

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7. Ten Hope

Ten Hope in Williamsburg is another spot to add to your list. Enjoy bites from their Mediterranean menu, which go perfectly with wine or craft cocktails. The heated igloos are on the rooftop garden and under strings of twinkle lights making this a place you won’t want to leave. They’re open for evening drinks and bites as well as weekend brunch.

8. Watermark

Seaport’s Pier 15 is the place to be this winter as Watermark Waterfront Dining transforms into Santa’s North Pole. You’ll be able to see Santa’s hallway lined with candy cane pillars, a gingerbread house bar, Santa’s sleigh, a giant snow globe, elves, and more. End your visit with some drinks in the heated glass houses looking out over the water. It’s a magical experience for every age!

As you can see from this list of igloo dining in NYC, the cold certainly doesn’t keep city folks from having fun. We hope you’re able to check out some of these cool spots this winter!