Despite the lockdowns during the harrowing COVID-19 pandemic, people simply cannot stay firm indoors. They miss the usual way of dining with friends in restaurants, and traveling outside. They can’t let them go.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, dining outdoors or the so-called al fresco dining became a thing.
Al fresco dining, which is an Italian term that means “in the fresh air,” pertains to eating outdoors, such as on patios, terraces, or in gardens.
It wasn’t originally associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, since al fresco dining is what diners prefer when they want to do things not allowed indoors, such as smoking or vaping in restaurants. It was only adopted during the pandemic to keep diners safer.
Also, this casual, often romantic, or festive dining style was used during warmer months, wherein diners could also enjoy the natural surroundings.
This time, DoorDash is bringing back this style.
“Outdoor dining has been an economic lifeline for New York City restaurants both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic,” DoorDash cited on their official newsroom.
However, interestingly enough, the business of al fresco dining was even more successful during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“An analysis by the NYC Hospitality Alliance showed 72 percent of restaurants in New York City experienced a drop in sales from June to August 2024 compared to the same time period in the previous year. In New York State, the restaurant industry lost over 10,000 jobs from June 2024 to 2025,” DoorDash added.
So, DoorDash is trying brand-new things to revitalize this style that was popular a few years ago. The features are as follows.
First, the construction of outdoor settings will be encouraged, and expanded for grocery stores, too. Second, the return of sidewalk cafés with safety features is pushed.
Aside from making the processes easier for merchants, businesses, and restaurants, community-board approvals will also be faster, allowing restaurants to use adjacent curb seats to add seats and create more jobs.
“Outdoor dining is more than a few tables on the curb – it’s an economic lifeline for neighborhood restaurants,” John Horton, DoorDash Head of North America Public Policy, chatted with Ridesharing Forum. “Removing seasonal restrictions on year-round outdoor dining and simplifying permitting are commonsense steps that will help more New York restaurants stay open. Every unnecessary permit, every redundant form, every month of delay gets priced into your check. It’s simple: by lowering the cost of doing business, you lower the cost of living in the city.”
But then again, this will be focused around New York City. For more food delivery and ridesharing news, sign up for that account here on Ridesharing Forum today!