The Best Restaurants For Dining Alfresco Slideshow

Located in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, Cliff's Edge serves locally inspired Italian cuisine in their dining room and expansive outdoor patio. The central feature of the backyard space is a large tree that's illuminated by strings of lights in the evening — the patio structure is draped with light fabric on top to keep the strong breeze from blustering through and the wooden walls add to the rustic atmosphere.

Riverpark is Tom Colicchio's most recent dining venture, and it's located in an urban garden in Manhattan overlooking the East River. There are two outdoor spaces available to diners — the patio and the terrace. The patio is lined with couch-like slate blue banquettes and pillows and modern dark wood tabletops. The terrace has a more casual setting, complete with communal steel and wooden picnic tables. The patio serves the fine dining menu available in the dining room, as well as the less formal menu available on the terrace. 

This East Village spot has an outdoor patio that's covered surrounded by wooden fences and decorated with long white tables and chairs in primary colors. The serene setting offers an escape from the bustle of Manhattan and the neighborhood fare, complete with a signature burger and dishes filled with farmers market produce. 

In the warmer months, this trendy gastro-wine bar sets up rows of tables on the sidewalk outside, right off Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The individual tables outdoors lend a more intimate atmosphere compared to the communal tables inside, and the food tastes just as special.

Often considered among the best steak houses in Boston, Abe & Louie's offers garden patio dining out front, complete with chic white umbrellas to block the harsh sun. Plus, with the location in the heart of the city, the patio is a prime location for people-watching.

The outdoor Sky Terrace at Cielo offers brilliant views of the St. Louis skyline in a modern lounge setting. Enjoy the restaurant's full food and drink menus while admiring the beautiful scenery and lush décor of the terrace. 

The multilevel outdoor dining space is decorated to reflect the tropical beach sensibility of Miami, with wide white umbrellas and gold fixtures setting the tone. The seafood-focused menu is arranged according to the freshest ingredients coming in that day.

This rooftop restaurant located atop The Trump Hotel offers majestic views of downtown Chicago. Sip on rum-infused cocktails and enjoy small plates like marinated beef and shrimp skewers, mango-glazed pork belly sliders, and tuna ceviche. 

Salty's on Alki Beach offers diners a unique view of Elliott Bay and the Seattle skyline at once. The waterfront restaurant is known for serving fresh seafood that is prepared in innovative ways. In the cooler months, diners can enjoy their meal inside while still admiring the breathtaking views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Chef Dante de Magistris modern Italian restaurant overlooks the Charles River, offering spectacular views of the water and the Boston skyline.

The stunning design of the dining room at the Blue Duck Tavern, marked by dark oak furnishings and cool blue accents, is reflected in the outdoor patio with blue chairs, wooden tables, and ivory umbrellas. The fare is classic American food prepared using traditional techniques.

Sociale's cozy dining room is softly lit and elegantly simplistic, but it's the patio here that is the true star. Lit with twinkle lights hung in the surrounding trees, the courtyard is the perfect place for a meal on a warm evening (or even a cool one — they have heat lamps; this is San Francisco, after all!) The menu is filled with innovative takes on Northern Italian classics, like wild boar ravioli with brown sage butter, dates, and saba.