During the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants and cafes in New York City faced the challenge of limited indoor seating capacity due to safety restrictions. To adapt to this new normal and continue serving customers, many establishments turned to outdoor dining. The result was the emergence of dining shelters on the city's sidewalks, transforming the urban landscape and providing a unique architectural expression.

These outdoor dining shelters, also known as sidewalk dining sheds or curbside cafes, became a common sight throughout the city. They were hastily constructed using a variety of materials such as wood, metal, and plexiglass, and often featured temporary roofs, walls, and seating arrangements. While some shelters were designed by architects, many were the creative efforts of business owners themselves, showcasing their ingenuity and resourcefulness.

What started as a temporary solution to accommodate outdoor dining during the pandemic soon took on a life of its own. The dining shelters became more than just functional structures; they became an embodiment of the city's resilience and the spirit of its restaurant industry. These structures represented a form of democratic architecture, created from the bottom-up to meet the needs of businesses and customers alike.

While the primary purpose of these shelters was to provide additional seating, they also contributed to the visual appeal of the streetscape. Each shelter had its own unique design, reflecting the character and style of the restaurant it served. Some featured vibrant colors, eye-catching patterns, or references to architectural styles of the past, while others embraced modern aesthetics or incorporated artistic elements.

The dining shelters not only provided a safe and comfortable dining experience for customers but also became an integral part of the city's social fabric. They allowed people to enjoy the vibrant street life of New York while adhering to health guidelines. Customers could savor their meals while watching the city's hustle and bustle, creating a sense of connection with the urban environment.