Dining Al Fresco, the Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Way

Dining is maybe 50 percent about ambience, right? So what better place to enjoy good food, good wine and good people than to be surrounded by the streetscapes of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, Brooklyn?

Unfortunately, as Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end to summer, the time to take advantage of the neighborhood's al fresco eateries is drawing to a close. 

So snag a table while you still can. Here's the (growing) list of local restaurants offering outdoor seating:

This classic American burger joint has outdoor dining whenever the weather permits. The fun, group friendly atmosphere makes it a great place to go with friends for a quick bite.

Price Range: $

Takes credit cards

Serves lunch and dinner

Anima is classic Italian bistro in every sense of the word. The outdoor service will remind you of all traditional Brooklyn Italian bistros. Anima also boasts house made pasta dishes.

Price Range: $$

Accepts credit cards

Serves lunch and dinner daily

Black Iris provides a cool atmosphere accompanied by traditional Middle Eastern dishes with a modern twists. Outdoor seating is available for dinner only.

Price Range: $$

Cash only

Serves brunch, lunch, and dinner

Castro’s is great for cheap, fast Mexican food. It’s popular with students and young people. The outdoor section is perfect for a quick bite between classes or a short lunch break.

Price Range: $$

Accepts credit cards

Serves lunch and dinner daily

This French bistro will remind you of the 1920s flapper era. It boasts classic French cuisine with a little inspiration from Mexico and the Mediterranean.

Price Range: $$

Takes American Express only

Serves lunch and dinner 

This is great for young people and groups. Diners can easily see the solar panels that power the cheap spot serving mixtures of Caribbean, American, and Mexican food. Also, it’s a flea market during the daytime.

Price Range: $

Cash only.

Serves brunch, lunch, and dinner.

If you’re looking for a quiet outdoor meal, Le Grand Dakar is a top choice. The African restaurant is on a side street and has a fairly small outdoor dining area, so it’s ideal for an intimate lunch or dinner.

Price Range: $$

Accepts credit cards

Weekdays dinner only, Lunch and dinner on weekends.

Olea has a small outdoor section of four tables. It’s known for its seafood menu and has a $45 prix fixe menu on Wednesdays. It also boasts hip live music.

Price: $$

Accepts credit cards.

Serves lunch and dinner.

Not to be confused with Habana Outpost, Outpost boasts homemade juices and has fin special nights to draw a crowd. The overall ambiance is very bohemian, so count on a young, hip crowd. Outpost has dollar Pabst Blue Ribbon beers on Monday nights, Thursday night movies, and live music on weekends.

Price Range: $

Accepts MasterCard and Visa

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

This cute café has a quiet outdoor section in its back garden. It’s a good spot to relax if you want to get off the street for a little while. They also make their own signature shakes.

Price: $

Accepts MasterCard and Visa.

Serves lunch and early dinner.

Scopello has a small outdoor seating area. It’s made for the theater crowd and its hours reflect that. It’s a very classic, traditional Italian restaurant with some Sicilian flare.

Price Range: $$

Accepts credit cards.

Serves only dinner Mon-Wed, lunch and dinner Friday, lunch, dinner, and late night Sat and Sun.

Sushi D is a traditional sushi spot with an upscale vibe, but for a very fair price. Not many sushi restaurants have outdoor seating, so Sushi D is a unique experience.

Price Range: $ to $$

Accepts MasterCard and Visa

Serves dinner Mon-Thurs, lunch and dinner Fri-Sun.