DOT Launches Outdoor Dining Marketplace For Vendors

By Idy Perl

The Department of Transportation (DOT) on May 6 launched the Dining Out NYC Marketplace, a new innovative way to reimagine the restaurant scene in NYC. 

During COVID-19, outdoor dining gained popularity as restaurants shifted to outdoor seating to accommodate the COVID-19 policies. Last year the city approved a permanent outdoor eating program and policies to replace the ones that had been in place during COVID-19. 

Restaurants can now apply for an outdoor seating license, and can purchase all products and components needed to set it up through the Dining Out NYC Marketplace, a platform where vendors list items or services for sale. 

“As we transition to a permanent outdoor dining program, Dining Out NYC, DOT is working to make it as seamless and as easy as possible for local businesses to participate in this program,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Our new online Marketplace does just this by connecting restaurant owners to the resources they need to build beautiful, clean, and creative outdoor dining setups.”