The 100 Best Alfresco Restaurants in America
Life’s greatest simple pleasure? A fantastic meal enjoyed en plein air, of course. Which brings us to OpenTable’s list of the top 100 alfresco dining spots for 2018. The restaurant booking site recently sifted through millions of customer reviews to declare the absolute creme de la creme in outdoor dining. In the vicinity to any of these guys? Lucky you.
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1906 at Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania)
Fine dining on a patio tucked away in one of the world's premiere gardens? No wonder you need to reserve wellllll in advance.
BALEEN (Naples, Florida)
Is there any better way to eat a fabulous lobster dinner than with your toes in the sand? We think not.
Beachcomber Cafe (Newport Coast, California)
With its thatched roof and front row seat on the Newport coastline, this spot’s bar, The Bootlegger, is a coveted place to enjoy a pomegranate lemon G&T.
Bistro Don Giovanni (Napa, California)
With its local produce and Mediterranean-inspired courtyard, you’ll feel oceans away at this wine country gem.
Blue Moon Fish Co. (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
A popular opinion: There’s no better place to enjoy your world class seafood than the Blue Moon terrace with boats gliding by.
Boat House Waterfront Dining (Tiverton, Rhode Island)
This upscale eatery boasts a locally sourced, seafood-heavy menu and picture-perfect views of the Sakonnet River.
The Boathouse (Lake Buena Vista, Florida)
You can expect live music, gorgeous water views and the best damn shrimp in town at this nautical hotspot.
Boatyard (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
BRB, posting up at this amazing tree banquette, ordering oysters and ogling yachts.
BRAVO Cucina Italiana (Naples, Florida)
Guests love this Naples haunt for the artisan pastas, happy hour deals and lively patio scene. Buon appetito!
Café Monarch (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Special occasion coming up? Spring for Cafe Monarch’s extravagant four-course menu, served on their magical terrace.
Campfire (Carlsbad, California)
This rustic-chic patio looks is just begging you to stop by for happy hour.
Campiello (Naples, Florida)
With its hand-painted murals, fountained courtyard and “Italian Taste Tour,” this Naples staple is the closest thing to Tuscany on this side of the pond.
Carrol's Creek Cafe (Annapolis, Maryland)
Hot tip: You can arrive at the comfort (sea)food eatery by water taxi.
Catch LA (West Hollywood, California)
Where we want to be: This chic rooftop dining "room", munching on truffle sashimi.
Coasterra (San Diego, California)
Head to this acclaimed restaurant for the famous coconut margaritas and mesmerizing views of the San Diego skyline.
Columbia Restaurant (Sarasota, Florida)
Award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine like Paella a la Valenciana served on the cozy terrace? Perfecto.
Continental Naples (Naples, Florida)
Looking for a dreamy date night spot? This Parisian bistro-meets-steakhouse is as romantic as it gets.
Copley's on Palm Canyon (Palm Springs, California)
Enjoy stunning mountain views at this American fare restaurant (situated on Cary Grant’s former estate, no less).
The Dead Fish (Crockett, California)
Bay views, heat-controlled cabanas and lush plantings make this seafood hub a must-visit.
DeRomo's Gourmet Market & Restaurant (Bonita Springs, Florida)
Hit up this low-key eatery for fresh, authentic Italian cuisine and a casual outdoor dining setup.
Duke's Beach House Maui (Lahaina, Hawaii)
Sure, the food is fabulous—but the Kaanapali beach views are worth the price alone.
Duke's La Jolla (San Diego, California)
We die for this glassed-in deck, which makes you feel like you’re on a boat out to sea…without the sea sickness part.
El Chorro (Paradise Valley, Arizona)
This recently restored landmark offers classic cuisine and a gorgeous desert setting, nestled between the Camelback and Mummy mountains.
Farm & Table (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
This beautiful outdoor patio overlooks a lush, ten-acre farm (where your meal’s produce was grown).
Farmer's Table (Boca Raton, Florida)
If healthy eats are your thing, try this innovative, health-focused restaurant—that happens to have a glorious, palm tree-dotted dining room.
Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens (Corona Del Mar, California)
French country home or Californian eatery? With decor this chic, you’ll feel all the provincial vibes.
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (St. Helena, California)
This tree-lined tent looks like a heavenly lunch spot, now doesn’t it?
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar (Charleston, South Carolina)
It doesn’t get more authentic than Southern-style, local seafood enjoyed in a retired naval building.
Fleetwood's On Front St. (Lahaina, Hawaii)
We love a good pairing—like an eclectic, casual eatery set against the Pacific.
Geoffrey's Restaurant (Malibu, California)
Waterfalls, tropical plants, epic views of the coastline—swoon.
George's Ocean Terrace (San Diego, California)
Is it just us, or does this chic outdoor patio look like Santorini?
Gertrude's - Baltimore (Baltimore, Maryland)
This sculpture and pond-endowed restaurant courtyard is so gorgeous, it’s also a hotspot for weddings.
Gertrude's - Phoenix (Phoenix, Arizona)
Guys, this amazing patio is literally in a desert botanical garden. (Gert really gets what’s up, huh?)
Gracias Madre (West Hollywood, California)
This chic Mexican restaurant offers farm-fresh, locally sourced grub (and reportedly, a downright killer Margarita).
Gram & Dun (Kansas City, Missouri)
Gram & Dunn claims to have the best patio in town, and with a firepit like that, we’re inclined to agree.
The Grand Marlin of Pensacola Beach (Pensacola, Florida)
Come for the shucked-to-order oysters, stay for the views of boats gliding around Pensacola Bay.
Hau Tree Lanai (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Picture a Hawaiian sunset over unobstructed ocean views, under a canopy of lush Hau trees. (Heaven, if you ask us.)
kaimana.com/dining/hau-tree-lanai
Hula Grill - Kaanapali (Lahaina, Hawaii)
Highlights of this plantation-era beach hub? Fiery sunsets, live Hawaiian entertainment and ocean views for days.
Iron Gate (Washington, District of Columbia)
The Italian-inspired food is superb, and the intimate courtyard makes it even better.
The Ivy (West Hollywood, California)
Umm, how are we only just learning of this charming, granny-chic garden restaurant?
Jake's (Palm Springs, California)
Two words: Hedge goals.
JB's On The Beach (Deerfield Beach, Florida)
Tropically-inspired dishes and live music every day? Sounds like vacation in a restaurant.
Juvia (Miami, Florida)
Guys, there’s a rainforest-inspired, vertical rooftop garden hiding in Miami proper.
Kaluz Restaurant (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Heaven is a wood-fired flatbread pizza enjoyed waterfront.
Keoki's Paradise (Koloa, Hawaii)
It’s all in the name: This open-air restaurant includes waterfalls, meandering streams and lush foliage.
Kimo's Restaurant Maui (Lahaina, Hawaii)
Hot tip: Don’t miss the hula pie—a chunk of macadamia nut ice cream topped with chocolate fudge and cookie crust.
The Kitchen (Memphis, Tennessee)
This pretty spot is beloved for its lakefront sunsets and simple, seasonal dishes.
thekitchenbistros.com/shelbyfarms
L'Albatros (Cleveland, Ohio)
Does it get any better than artisan beer and pizza pairings? We think not.
La Mar by Gastón Acurio (Miami, Florida)
Hit up this Peruvian hotspot for a lively bar scene and highly ‘grammable cebiche dishes.
The Lark (Santa Barbara, California)
Expect inventive tapas (like suckling pig, burrata toast and sourdough pretzels) and a lively patio scene.
Latitudes on Sunset Key (Key West, Florida)
You have to take a boat to get here—so you know the view is gonna be amazing.
Lavender Bistro (La Quinta, California)
BRB, making a beeline for this stunning, tree-lined patio.
Le Vallauris (Palm Springs, California)
This swoon-worthy establishment has been the highest rated restaurant in Palm Springs valley since its founding in 1973.
Legal Harborside - Floor 1 Restaurant and Market (Boston, Massachusetts)
The dishes are shareable, there are 14 different oysters on tap and the Boston harbor views are unparalleled.
Leilani's on the Beach (Kaanapali- Lahaina, Hawaii)
The spitting image of of a "Visit Hawaii" postcard.
Lindey's (Columbus, Ohio)
White tablecloths, fine dining and the loveliest patio in town.
Lon's at The Hermosa (Paradise Valley, Arizona)
With its Italianate courtyard-meets-wildflower-field-meets-desert ambiance, the setting here is incomparably gorgeous.
Louie Bossi's Ristorante Bar Pizzeria (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
The ultimate Sicilian comfort food destination brought to you with style and ease (and homemade pasta).
Mama's Fish House (Paia, Hawaii)
Come for the seafood, stay for the windsurfing show.
Mariposa (Sedona, Arizona)
No green screens necessary for one of the most jaw-dropping dining views at restaurant Mariposa.
Meson Sabika (Naperville, Illinois)
This 4-acre estate and mansion of a hidden gem in Naperville, Illinois brings you Spanish cuisine like no other.
The Mill House (Waikapu, Hawaii)
A truly breathtaking view is all that needs to be said here.
MiraMare (Naples, Florida)
This restaurant does Italian so well, you might just forget you’re in Naples, Florida.
Mon Ami Gabi (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Did someone say "rolling wine cart"? We’ll take a table overlooking the Bellagio Fountains, thank you very much.
Monkeypod Kitchen (Kapolei, Hawaii)
From pizzas to pies and everything in between, Monkeypod celebrates the Hawaiian lifestyle with their delicious food and drinks...and great outdoor space.
The Mooring Restaurant (Newport, Rhode Island)
Lobsters with a side of yacht-watching and an award-winning wine list—anything else we should know before never leaving?
Old Oyster Factory (Hilton Head Island, South Carolina)
Seafood and sunsets? Table for two, please.
Olive & Ivy Restaurant & Marketplace (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Through fare and setting, this elegant restaurant channels the French Riviera.
Ophelia's on the Bay (Sarasota, Florida)
Their daily rotating menu has us spinning out of control it’s so good.
Pacific Coast Grill (Cardiff-By-The-Sea, California)
Surfs up at Pacific Coast Grill, where they truly deliver the essence of an oceanfront view throughout the entire restaurant.
Pacifica Seafood Restaurant (Palm Desert, California)
It really doesn’t get much better than incredible food with an even more incredible view at hotspot Pacifica.
Parc (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Baguettes, escargot, poisson, oh la la! This French eatery is a staple dining location at Rittenhouse Square that will send you to the Eiffel tower and back in one meal.
Perch LA (Los Angeles, California)
*Ahem* We’ll be Perch-ed over here if you need us...
Poseidon (Del Mar, California)
Sunny beach by day, stunning sunset by night; we’re swooning either way *insert heart eyes emoji*
The Prado at Balboa Park (San Diego, California)
Love on the brain? Head to one of the most romantic spots in San Diego for a special dinner under the stars.
Preserved Restaurant (St. Augustine, Florida)
Eat delicious Southern food in style at this authentic, ingredient-driven tour de force.
Prime Catch on the Waterfront (Boynton, Florida)
This seafood-to-table destination brings new meaning to the freshest fish and lobster you’ve ever tasted.
Pump (West Hollywood, California)
Hollywood chic meets European fairytale realness at Pump, which is located in a garden surrounded by 100-year-old olive trees. Yes, please!
The Pump House (Rock Hill, South Carolina)
Dine alongside a delicious view of the Catawba River, whether you chose rooftop or riverside, there’s no wrong decision at The Pump House.
Rats Restaurant (Hamilton, New Jersey)
Modeled after famed painter Claude Monet’s work, Rats Restaurant will transport you to another world with their enchanting landscape and ambiance.
Rick's Cafe Boatyard (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Live jazz and a jumbo shrimp cocktail, right this way.
River House Restaurant & Raw Bar (Louisville, Kentucky)
River House offers an always-lovely front row seat on the Ohio River—but it’s the place to be whenever there’s a boat race.
Rusty Pelican (Key Biscayne, Florida)
Quintessential Miami awaits at the Rusty Pelican, where you can enjoy your waterfront skyline views with a side of fire dancers and house music.
Sam's Chowder House (Half Moon Bay, California)
Their lobster roll was named one of the five best sandwiches in America. Just sayin'.
Shell and Bones Oyster Bar & Grill (New Haven, Connecticut)
This New Haven destination restaurant has mastered the art of surf and turf dining.
Shooters Waterfront (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
These shady, sculptural cabanas look like the perfect place to enjoy happy hour. Don't you agree?
Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse (Miami Beach, Florida)
This eponymous steakhouse is a crowdpleaser for sure.
Spencer's Restaurant (Palm Springs, California)
The leafy canopy strung with illuminated globe lights is seriously magical.
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (Escondido, California)
Psst: This massive brewery boats majestic on-site gardens. Nice touch.
Sunset Terrace (Asheville, North Carolina)
We mean, how about those views of the Blue Ridge Mountains?
Talula's Garden (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
A wall of window boxes? Perfectly-patinaed furnishings? Pardon our brunch-stagrams.
Tavern on the Green (New York, New York)
It’s hard to find a more magical dining setting than this iconic, Central Park fairy-light canopied terrace.
Tom Hams Lighthouse (San Diego, California)
Current daydream? Pulling up a seat on this waterfront deck, to watch the moon rise over the San Diego skyline.
Tonto Bar & Grill (Cave Creek, Arizona)
Enjoy gorgeous mountain views and traditional Native American cuisine at this award-winning spot.
The Tropicale (Palm Springs, California)
As the name indicates, this restaurant's 2,000-square-foot patio is filled with lush jungle plantings. Swoon.
True Food Kitchen (Pasadena, California)
Rumor has it, these are the yummiest vegetarian eats in the state.
The Turtle Club (Naples, Florida)
We’ll take our grilled Mahi-Mahi with a side of majestic Gulf sunset, please and thanks.
Ulele (Tampa, Florida)
The immaculate green lawn is like a garden party waiting to happen.
Wildflower (Tucson, Arizona)
Best for those who like to pair their Palomas with an extra fresh and healthy meal.
Woodberry Kitchen (Baltimore, Maryland)
In the warm months, meals are best enjoyed from the patio and open kitchen of this restored foundry-turned-hotspot.
Additional reporting by Camille Baer
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