"The American South meets the Italian countryside" at this romantic spot in Birmingham. And its elegant patio is a dreamy place for an alfresco dinner. Feast on Italian plates with Southern twists – think pizza topped with succulent crawfish and sweet strawberry cobbler for dessert – amid potted plants, lanterns and big shady umbrellas.

The Alaskan wilderness is on full display at this sleek restaurant in Palmer, less than an hour north of Anchorage. You can drink in snow-crowned peaks and forest as you dine on the spacious deck, which offers picture views of the Knik River Valley. The menu is fit to burst with fresh Alaskan produce, too, from grilled salmon with a wild berry reduction to seared scallops with herby pesto.

There's a thoroughly southwestern vibe at this Paradise Valley restaurant, part of boutique hotel Hermosa Inn. On the sprawling and popular patio, fairy lights are strung across adobe walls, native shrubs sprout from pots and a trickling fountain serenades diners. The food has lovely southwestern twists too: dishes range from scallops with local grilled corn and smoked tomatoes to grilled broccolini with cilantro chimichurri.

The Arkansas River takes centre stage at this Little Rock spot. Outdoor dining is on an airy deck right by the water and there are sweeping city skyline views too. The imaginative food is another reason to stick around: a meat and fish-heavy menu includes pecan and parmesan encrusted trout, pan-seared duck breast with wild rice and crab cakes with lobster bisque sauce.

West Hollywood's The Ivy has long been a celebrity favourite and it's pretty easy to see why. An upscale menu is packed with fine dishes, from filet mignon and wagyu carne asada to lobster ravioli. The patio, meanwhile, is gloriously kitsch and exuberant – think kaleidoscopic floral displays spilling from patterned porcelain, bright gingham cushions and picket fencing. 

Love this? Follow our Pinterest page for more food inspiration

"Casual mountain dining" is what's on offer at this restaurant in the ski town of Telluride. Altezza is part of the aptly-named Peaks Resort and Spa and its outdoor decks offer picture-perfect panoramas of the surrounding bluffs, at their prettiest with a crown of snow. Happily, the food is as inviting as the view. There's an impressive selection of meat and veggie dishes, from braised short rib with roasted garlic mash to a tempting veggie burger.

This Connecticut bolthole gets top marks for views: specifically leafy waterfall views from the charming covered bridge that leads up to the restaurant's entrance. The food – eaten to the sound of the rushing cascade – doesn't disappoint either. Diners can expect a string of courses, including dishes like tuna tartare, chicken roulade and fruity pavlova.

Alfresco dining in Delaware is all about the coast and you can't go wrong with Obie's By The Sea, a seasonal spot in buzzy Rehoboth Beach. It's got a place right on the city's popular boardwalk with a sun-trapping deck and vistas over champagne-coloured sands and the Atlantic Ocean. The menu is inspired by the sea, too, with favourites like crab cakes, shrimp baskets and the catch of the day in a toasted brioche bun.

Feeling inspired? Try one of these prawn dishes at home tonight

The Sunshine State packs in plenty of dreamy alfresco dinner spots, but Miami's Amara at Paraiso is one of the finest. Tables sprawl out onto a deck that kisses the Atlantic Ocean, so guests can listen to the sound of the sea as they feast on Latin-inspired food under palm trees and giant umbrellas. The menu is the vision of James Beard-award-winner Michael Schwartz and includes delicacies like yellowfin tuna tostadas and grilled red snapper with chimichurri potatoes.

You'll find this idyllic spot on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, which wiggles along to Georgia's border with Alabama. An airy veranda gives guests spot-on views of the water and of Canoe's own pretty landscaped grounds. After dinner – which might involve rainbow trout or oysters, perhaps – visitors can take a stroll in the leafy, flower-filled gardens that unfold along the river's edge.

Alfresco dining is a way of life in the Aloha State and there are plenty of beachy spots to enjoy a bite. A favourite is Duke's Beach House in Maui. It has loads of open-air space and a laid-back surfer vibe, plus tiki torches, grass umbrellas and palms – not to mention sweeping views of the Pacific. Dinner is fresh from the water, with fish tacos, seafood risotto and ahi steak all on offer. There are plenty of rum cocktails on the menu too.

Idaho's capital has a thriving Basque community and culture and Leku Ona is a great place to soak it up. That the restaurant has a charming fairy-light strung patio is a happy bonus. Guests can drink in the sights and sounds of Boise's Basque Block as they dine alfresco: menu highlights include the filet mignon with Manchego cream sauce and tempting traditional appetisers like croquetas and patatas bravas.

Dreaming of an uber-chic rooftop for a long brunch or dinner? The Windy City has just the place. Offering views across Chicago's skyscraper jungle, Aba's rooftop is dotted with comfy sofas, umbrella-shaded tables and plenty of greenery. Plates are inspired by the Med: think short rib shakshuka for brunch or mezze and imaginative seafood dishes for dinner.

Indianapolis is an unsung foodie city and there are plenty of great spots for patio dining. Make a beeline for Bluebeard, a hip Modern American restaurant that's housed in an old warehouse. The laidback patio is filled with trees, blossoming pink in the spring and strung with fairy lights in winter. And when it comes to food, the onus is on sharing: the menu includes small plates like shrimp toast with red curry coconut sauce and mushroom velouté.

"Stylish American comfort food" is on the menu at Gilroy's Kitchen + Pub + Patio. The fairy-light-decked patio is a favourite with the cool kids in town, who swing by for weekend brunch, sunset cocktails and meals like jambalaya pasta, crispy pork tenderloin sandwiches, pizzas and burgers. There's an impressive bourbon menu too. 

Seafood and waterside views are on offer at this Wichita favourite. Diners can bag a table on the umbrella-shaded patio, which looks right over Bradley Fair Pond, and pick from a menu of steaks and seafood treats. Wild-caught Faroe Island salmon, Pacific mahi mahi and Alaskan cod are top picks, as are the braised short rib and filet mignon.

This is porch dining at its finest. Guests can eat amid columns strung with lights at Holly Hill Inn, whose porch looks out onto shady gardens filled with trees and blooms. It's not all about the setting though. Diners are treated to elevated, chef-driven dishes on a four-course or tasting menu, with options like pecan-crusted flounder and a mouthwatering cheese selection for dessert. The wine list is mighty impressive too. 

The Elysian may be a 'bar' by name, but it has a stellar food menu to go with its top-notch cocktails. Options like whipped ricotta with sourdough flatbread and baked Gulf oysters keep punters coming back, while the Elysian Sour – rye whiskey, amaro sfumato, lemon and sugar – is the perfect way to wash things down. The spot is in a converted church and the prettiest place of all is the courtyard, intended to evoke a French country terrace. 

Discover the Big Easy's best cocktails here

Portland was made for alfresco dinners by the water and this restaurant has a prime location in the city's harbour. DiMillo's is actually built in a former car ferry and floats right on the water, so its deck has unrivalled views. Throw in a solid seafood menu – with dishes from fried clams and broiled scallops to the state's famous lobster – and you've got the perfect Maine dinner spot.

Another top spot for some alfresco seafood, Carrol’s Creek Cafe sits on the shores of Annapolis's Spa Creek. It's less of a café and more of an unpretentious fine-dining restaurant with a deck offering glittering views over the inlet. Dishes are plucked right from the water, too, with delectable delights like jumbo lump crab cakes, rockfish and cioppino, a Californian fish stew. 

When it comes to outdoor dining in Massachusetts, there's really nowhere finer than Cape Cod – and particularly Fishermen's View in the quaint town of Sandwich. As the name suggests, it's the incredible views of the bay that make this place so special, with tables and chairs pulled up towards the water's edge. The seasonal seafood menu holds its own too, with picks like clam chowder and bang bang shrimp, as well as a tempting selection of sushi.

Mackinac Island's Pink Pony Bar and Grill has become rather famous in these parts and is often tipped as one of America's finest spots for alfresco dining. Part of the Chippewa Hotel, the restaurant has an enviable location at the edge of Lake Huron and the open-air waterside patio is the best place to take in the panoramas. Have your views with a side of comforting modern American food, from Southern-style baby back ribs to beer-battered Great Lakes whitefish and chips.

Discover the best restaurant in your state serving American classics

Cafe Lurcat is a trendy spot in Minneapolis whose charming alley patio oozes romance. It's strung with fairy lights and dotted with giant potted plants and tables dressed in white, and it feels deliciously hidden. The menu is filled with solid, seasonal New American dishes, such as roasted Amish chicken with wild mushrooms and inventive burgers with red wine shallot butter and fries. 

There's something extra romantic about porch dining and the setting at The Chimneys doesn't disappoint. This refined Gulfport spot is a lovely place to soak up sultry Mississippi evenings, with a sweeping staircase leading down to lush grounds. The food is as deliciously Southern as the location, with choices like sautéed Gulf shrimp, Creole-style pasta and crab claws. 

St Louis has a nice selection of patio and rooftop dining spots and Vin de Set is the finest of them all. The stylish rooftop patio – especially pretty when the city lights are twinkling – is a favourite with locals, who also rave about the French-inspired food. Diners will find classic French dishes like escargot and mushrooms in a red-wine demi-glace, Alsatian tarte flambée and steak-frites.

Montana has plenty of places for a scenic alfresco dinner, but the grill at Yellowstone Valley Lodge has a spot right on the edge of the Yellowstone River. The outdoor seating allows diners to gaze over the water, towards hazy mountains in the distance and maybe watch some fisherfolk reel in the catch of the day. It's not just about the views, though: a seasonal, farm-to-table menu boasts dishes like Great Plains bison tenderloin, fish plates and a mouthwatering maple sugar crème brûlée.

A failsafe Lincoln spot, the Piedmont Bistro by Venue is all about locally sourced, made-from-scratch food that's served up in casual yet classy surrounds. And the outdoor patio is perfect for a laid-back brunch, happy-hour cocktails or a chilled-out meal as the sun goes down. Early diners can choose from offerings like buttermilk pancakes, house-made brioche French toast and biscuits and gravy, while dinner guests will find options like honey soy-glazed chicken and shrimp risotto.

Vegas doesn't do anything by halves and the city is no slump when it comes to patio dining. HEXX Kitchen + Bar is right in the thick of things, with a spot on The Strip, so its sleek outdoor space is prime people-watching territory. It's right across from the Bellagio Hotel and its famous fountains too. The menu is made up of classic, can't-go-wrong American favourites like braised short rib and chicken parmesan, and the cocktails are killer too.

Views of the Atlantic Ocean draw punters to this laid-back grill in Cape May. It's got a spacious rooftop deck, edged by bar stools looking right down onto the sand and to the windswept waters beyond. When it comes to food, Harry's sticks to failsafe American comfort food: choose from classics like the restaurant's signature burger, meatloaf, shrimp po' boys or a warming seafood pot pie.

Albuquerque's Farm & Table is exactly what it sounds like: a restaurant committed to working with local farmers and producers, set on a sprawling 12-acre lot where they raise their own cows. The patio is oh-so-pretty with twinkling fairy lights, southwestern-style throws, drapes and trees. Meanwhile, the menu shifts with the season boasting delights like orecchiette pasta with green chile pork sausage and vegan moussaka, plus artisan cheese plates and delectable desserts.

From secret gardens to trendy patios, the Big Apple brims with top-notch places for a spot of alfresco dinner. But Westlight can hardly be beaten when it comes to views. The Brooklyn rooftop offers canvas-worthy vistas of the Manhattan skyline and there's even a binocular stand so you can get a closer look. The food here is as stylish as the setting: roasted salmon with farro, Peruvian smoked chicken and a house burger are all on offer, plus plenty of small plates and artisan cocktails.

A name like Sunset Terrace promises great things – and this gorgeous Asheville spot doesn't disappoint. The terrace looks over the sprawling Blue Ridge Mountains and is most special when (you guessed it) the sun sets over the peaks leaving them bathed in a glorious yellow glow. Visitors can soak up the panoramas as they browse an elegant menu of Scottish salmon, seared diver scallops, prime filet mignon and Carolina shrimp cocktail for starters.

It's all about the outdoor tables at this Minot favourite. Part of the Minot Country Club, the restaurant is raised above the club's golf course, so a landscape of rolling hills, lush fairways and greens is what diners are greeted with. The best views are from the alfresco tables dotted across the terrace. They're served up with mains like bacon mac 'n' cheese, seafood paella and black garlic filet tips. 

A heated patio and a sprawling deck are among the dining spots at this sleek restaurant in the city of Green. It's folded within Southgate Park, surrounded by wiggling trails and affording diners fabulous lake views. Hearty Italian-American food fills the menu. Guests can pick from comforting staples like classic beef meatballs, rustic Napoli pizza and lasagne.

The rooftop is the place to be at Packard's New American Kitchen. It's decked out with fairy lights, scattered tree stumps and plush sofas with patterned cushions and it has unrivalled views over Oklahoma City. Diners can drink in the buzz of downtown from up high, while sampling seasonal dishes like blackened redfish and lentil curry. Come for brunch and choose between breakfast quesadillas, salads and sweet banana coffee cake.

Portland's Departure Restaurant and Lounge pairs great views with an enticing Pan-Asian menu. Diners can choose between a string of creative, shareable small plates, or a three-course, fixed-price menu with offerings like bison rendang curry and miso black cod. Epic city vistas are served up as a side: the elegant rooftop offers panoramas of the river and downtown. 

Lumberville's Black Bass Hotel has a lot going for it: a rich history, a spot on the Delaware River and a restaurant with camera-loving views over the water. Diners can have supper on the deck, enjoying sunset views paired with elegant New American dishes. Offerings include things like sea scallop risotto with porcini-truffle sauce, apricot-glazed pork chops and the signature dish: Charleston Meeting Street Crab made with cream, sharp Cheddar and sherry.

Tiverton's Boat House does waterfront dining very well indeed, with a generous, umbrella-shaded patio perched beside Mount Hope Bay. Diners can swill New-Orleans-inspired cocktails as they watch sailboats silhouetted by the sunset, and graze on seafood dishes like seafood scampi (packed with lobster, scallops and shrimp) and chargrilled swordfish.

Another idyllic porch spot, Jasmine Porch is revered for nourishing Lowcountry cuisine whipped up by Chef de Cuisine Kyle Bowling. The restaurant's pride and joy is their signature dish: shrimp and grits with a tomato gravy and tasso ham and you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. A table on the porch offers views of lush gardens and the pool at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, where the restaurant is located.

A hip spot in Sioux Falls, M. B. Haskett is known for its mural-covered patio and its friendly vibe. Bold patterns and portraits surround alfresco diners, who can choose from a menu filled with crêpes, sandwiches and sweet treats. Friday and Saturday see a prix fixe menu with creative and varied options like Spanish-style pork and seared sea scallops.

Nashville has a food scene to rival its legendary musical heritage and that extends to alfresco dining too. Cool patios fill Music City and a favourite spot is Rolf and Daughters in the Germantown neighbourhood. The patio itself has an industrial-chic vibe with red brick, metal railings and fairy lights overhead and the food is imaginative New American with an Italian focus. You'll find offerings like agnolotti with lemon, hazelnut and ricotta, and mezzi rigatoni with pork ragu.

The Colorado River beats its way through Texas's capital and coolest city – and Tillery Kitchen and Bar makes the most of the waterway with an expansive deck area hung with fairy lights, planted with trees and dotted with sofas, tables and benches. It's an easy-going spot for a sundowner or a tasty Modern American meal. Veggie surprises like creamy coconut curry join the menu alongside burgers, fish dishes and small plates like grilled broccolini and strawberry caprese.

You'll feel as though you've been dropped in rural Italy at this wonderfully romantic restaurant in Salt Lake City. The patio – clad in trees, twinkling lights and white tablecloths – is as charming as they come and the food matches up to the pretty surroundings. As the name suggests, fine Italian-American food is the speciality here: house favourites include chicken piccata, Tuscan pulled pork and beef meatloaf and a lasagne made with fennel sausage.

Your state's best Italian restaurant

The name – Splash at the Boathouse – hints at the location of this Burlington restaurant, which nudges into Burlington Bay, on gigantic Lake Champlain. The restaurant isn't just by the lake, it's on the lake: it floats right on the water and boaters can ride up and dock outside the restaurant. The menu is seafood heavy with options like New England clam chowder, coconut shrimp and lobster cobb salad, plus tacos, burgers and sandwiches.

Just across the way from Washington DC, the small city of Alexandria punches above its weight when it comes to great foodie spots – and that includes some excellent alfresco options. You can't go wrong with the patio at Virtue Feed & Grain: it's a laid-back spot decorated with giant potted ferns and generous umbrellas to keep off the evening sun. The menu is creative, yet unpretentious with choices including salads, a smoked salmon burger, pork barbacoa tacos and rigatoni a la vodka.

Uber-cool Seattle has plenty of places for an alfresco bite, but our favourite is Westward, whose outdoor decking overlooks the north shore of Lake Union. There's a fire pit and huddles of Adirondack chairs facing the water, plus plenty of long tables for those wanting a sit-down dinner. The menu is bursting with seafood options, from oyster shooters and clams to halibut ceviche.

West Virginia's New River Gorge is one of the state's most prized wonders and Smokey's, part of the Adventures on the Gorge resort, sits right beside its rim. A leafy deck illuminated by fairy lights milks the gorgeous natural location, which is at its most magical come sunset. The no-fuss menu is filled with American classics like baby back ribs and burgers. 

This fine supper club is tucked away in a log cabin and its alfresco offerings are popular for good reason. It's right on the edge of glittering Mirror Lake, in Mirror Lake State Park, and a tree-shaded deck watches over the water. The views alone are worth coming for, but the food is what has earned the place its stellar reputation. A sizeable menu includes dishes such as chicken cordon bleu, shrimp baked with white wine and lemon, and various surf and turf options. 

Laramie's Alibi Wood Fire Pizza has a lovely backyard filled with umbrella-shaded tables, firepits and even a stage for live music. It's the perfect spot for a chilled-out family evening and a pizza feast. Their wood-fired creations are topped with everything from pesto chicken or pulled pork to olive tapenade and artichokes. Extra points for the freshly baked pastries and cakes, too.

This is your state's best pizza place