Covid-19 coronavirus: The Big Apple gets creative for street eating

Customers dine outside Dudley's in New York. Mayor Bill de Blasio is delaying the planned resumption of indoor dining at restaurants out of fear it would ignite a virus spike. Photos / AP

Customers dine outside Shade Bar in New York.

Street food doesn't usually look like this.

Outdoor dining has bloomed around New York City in the last couple of weeks, as restaurants forced to close earlier this year because of the coronavirus try to find a way to get back onto their feet, even by a little bit.

Tables have popped up on footpaths and in parking spots, protected from traffic by makeshift walls, planters and even picket fences.

City officials say 6600 food and dining establishments have applied for permits to be able to serve their customers outside.

Outdoor dining started being allowed on June 22, as part of the second phase of reopening in New York City.

But indoor dining, which had been expected to start on July 6, will be delayed indefinitely in New York City.

Local and state officials say the fear is allowing diners back inside restaurants will lead to a surge in virus cases, as has been seen in other states.

Indoor dining is allowed in other parts of New York state.

- AP

Customers dine outside PhoBar.

Customers dine outside GMT Tavern.

Plastic partitions separate patrons at Jake's Dilemma.

Diners eat al fresco due to Covid-19 concerns in midtown Manhattan.

Diners eat in the West Village.