There's nothing nicer than enjoying a meal outside in the sunshine and America has a huge store of spots perfect for a fantastic alfresco meal. Whether you’re after a cool, urban rooftop, a quaint riverside oasis, stunning sea views, or a laidback patio for brunch, we've scoured every state for their finest outdoor offerings. 

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

'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 soak up the snow-crowned peaks and forest views as you dine on the spacious deck, which offers picture perfect views of the Knik River Valley. The menu is fit to burst with fresh Alaskan produce too, such as pan-seared Alaskan salmon drizzled with a wild berry sauce and seared scallops with mushroom risotto and local vegetables in a 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 center stage at this Little Rock spot. There's an airy deck overlooking the water with sweeping city skyline views for diners to enjoy. There's an appealing menu too, with dishes including lobster ravioli with red bell pepper pesto, grilled mahi with sweet pea rice, asparagus and a blueberry sauce, and raspberry wild boar chops.

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

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'Casual mountain dining' is on offer at this restaurant in the ski town of Telluride. Altezza is part of the Peaks Resort and Spa and its outdoor decking area offers breathtaking 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.

Millwright's boasts amazing leafy waterfall views from the charming covered bridge that leads up to the restaurant's entrance, while the decked balcony is surrounded by trees and greenery. The food – eaten to the sound of the waterfall's rushing cascade – doesn't disappoint either. Diners can expect dishes like chili garlic shrimp, pork loin with BBQ beans and NY strip steak. There's also a chef's tasting menu with beverage pairings available.

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-trapped deck and vistas over the champagne-colored sands and the Atlantic Ocean. The menu is inspired by the sea with favorites like crab cakes, shrimp baskets and the catch of the day in a toasted brioche bun.

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Miami's Amara at Paraiso is one of the finest alfresco dining spots Florida has to offer. 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 seafood parrillada and grilled red snapper with chimichurri potatoes.

You'll find this idyllic spot on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, which twists along to Georgia's border with Alabama. An airy veranda gives guests beautiful 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 favorite is Duke's Beach House in Maui. It has loads of open-air space and a laid-back surfer vibe with 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 Leku Ona is a great place to sit back and soak it up on the restaurant's charming fairy-light strung patio. Guests can experience the sights and sounds of Boise's Basque Block as they dine alfresco with menu highlights including the filet mignon with Manchego cream sauce and tempting traditional appetizers such as 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. The menu is made for sharing with small plates including 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 favorite 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. 

Seafood and waterside views are on offer at this Wichita favorite. 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. Wild-caught Faroe Island salmon, Pacific mahi and Alaskan cod are popular choices, as are the braised short rib and filet mignon.

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 asparagus, crab and crawfish fettuccine, savory mushroom tart 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. There's a daily brunch menu with the likes of baked eggs with tomato, ricotta, chimichurri, and toasted ciabatta, while you'll find strip loin and crab and ricotta gnocchi on the dinner menu. 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. 

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Portland was made for alfresco dinners by the water and this restaurant has a prime location in the city's harbor. DiMillo's is housed in a former car ferry and floats right on the water, so its deck has unrivalled views out to sea. There's also a delicious seafood menu – with dishes including fried clams, broiled scallops and the state's famous lobster.

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. The menu is seafood-heavy with delicious meals including jumbo 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 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 their waterside patio is the best place to take in the panoramas. There's a menu of comforting modern American food, from Southern-style baby back ribs to beer-battered Great Lakes whitefish and chips.

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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 spaghetti squash 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. 

You wouldn't usually expect to find such a garden oasis at an Irish pub but John D.McGurk's boasts a 15,000 square foot outdoor space complete with fountain, waterfall and beautiful plants and flowers. There's also three outdoor bars and the place wins rave reviews for its outstanding Irish food, drinks, and live music. House specialties include Guinness stew, grilled chicken penne pasta, herb glazed salmon, and Gaelic steak. 

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. There's also a seasonal, farm-to-table menu boasting dishes like bison tenderloin, cherry and wine braised short rib, trout melt, and hazelnut torte.

The Piedmont Bistro by Venue is all about locally sourced, made-from-scratch food that's served up in casual yet classy surrounds. The outdoor patio is perfect for a laid-back brunch, happy-hour cocktails or a relaxed meal as the sun goes down. There's a tempting breakfast menu with the likes of buttermilk pancakes, house-made brioche French toast and biscuits and gravy, while dinner guests can enjoy options like honey soy-glazed chicken and shrimp risotto.

Vegas doesn't do anything by halves and that applies to patio dining too. HEXX Kitchen + Bar is right in the thick of things, with a prime 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 and has a menu made up of classic, can't-go-wrong American favorites. Take your pick from crab cakes, crispy calamari, chicken Parmesan, and braised short rib, washed down with some of their killer cocktails. 

Seafood lovers will be right at home at aptly named Surf in the city of Portsmouth. The restaurant is about as close to the water as you can get, with a spot on the Piscataqua River, before it spills into the North Atlantic. A lovely place for a sunset supper, there's an elegant deck and the menu is filled with creative seafood plates including favorites like shrimp and chorizo empanadas, Korean BBQ scallops, and platters of fresh sushi. 

Sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean keep people coming back 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 has a varied menu of sharing dishes, sandwiches, burgers, salads and satisfying entrees including chicken Milanese, flat iron steak and cape cioppino – clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops simmered in a white wine tomato broth and served with garlic bread.

Albuquerque's Farm & Table is committed to working with local farmers and producers, and is set on a sprawling 12-acre lot where they raise their own cows. The pretty patio has twinkling fairy lights, southwestern-style throws, drapes, and trees. The menu is seasonal but you can expect dishes such as housemade orecchiette pasta with arugula, ricotta, mushrooms, and Parmesan, Katsu pork chop, and artisan cheese plates. They also offer private dining in specially erected gazebos out on the farm with a bespoke menu.

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: harissa-spiced salmon, 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 ahi tuna, smoked half chicken, prime beef tenderloin, and citrus-glazed salmon.

Porter Creek features a huge sun-drenched patio complete with fire-pits and water features as well as an outdoor bar. It's the perfect place to sit back and relax while you enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired menu of rotisserie chicken and duck, oven-roasted halibut and salmon and artisan flatbreads. In the spirit of wine country, there are 60 available to enjoy by the glass, as well as an extensive drinks list including tequila flights, craft beer and cocktails.

A heated patio and a sprawling deck are among the dining spots at this sleek restaurant in the city of Green. It's located within Southgate Park, treating diners to fabulous lake views. Complete one of the park's winding trails before heading to this restaurant and bar for a well-earned break. Hearty Italian American food fills the menu with comforting staples like classic beef meatballs, rustic Napoli pizza, and lasagna.

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 boasts 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. There's also a great brunch menu with 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 enticing choices including crispy pork and shrimp spring roll, crunchy crab roll and lemongrass chicken katsu curry. 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 stunning views over the water. Diners can have supper on the deck, enjoying sunset views paired with elegant New American dishes. Choose from seared scallop risotto with porcini-truffle sauce, spice-rubbed swordfish, 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 overlooking Mount Hope Bay. Sip a New-Orleans-inspired cocktail as you watch sailboats bobbing by silhouetted by the sunset while you peruse the menu. Highlights include saffron fennel mussels, lemon basil risotto, grilled filet mignon, lobster stuffed with shrimp scallops and herb crumbs, and the seafood scampi –sauteed shrimp, scallops, slow-roasted tomatoes, and garlic butter served with linguine.

Jasmine Porch is revered for its breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner menus of nourishing Lowcountry cuisine. The restaurant's signature dish, shrimp and grits with tomato gravy, and ham is such a must-try it features on the menu whatever time of day. Other menu highlights include crab-stuffed flounder filets with saffron aioli, crab bisque, and fried green tomatoes. A table on the porch offers views across 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 breakfast classics and crêpes, sandwiches, and salads for lunch. There's a choice of sharing plates for dinner including crab cakes, fettuccine carbonara, and spring vegetable salad while entrees include lemon caper halibut and tofu pad Thai.

Nashville has a food scene to rival its legendary musical heritage. Cool patios fill Music City and a favorite spot is Rolf and Daughters in the Germantown neighborhood. The trendy patio area stays popular well into the evening while diners enjoy the imaginative menu, which features dishes such as tortellini with ricotta and nettle and John dory with pink lady pea and chamomile. Finish your meal with chocolate sorbet and a Petal Blizzard cocktail – gin, amaro, chocolate and cream. 

Tillery Kitchen and Bar makes the most of the Colorado River with an expansive tree-shaded deck area hung with fairy lights and dotted with sofas, tables, and benches. It's an easy-going spot for a sundowner, weekend brunch or dinner. The brunch menu features classics like mac 'n' cheese, frittata, fried chicken and waffles, and eggs benedict, while dinner highlights include coconut curry, wagyu steak gratin, mussels and fries and roasted chicken.

You'll feel as though you've been dropped in rural Italy at this wonderfully romantic restaurant in Salt Lake City. As well as the pretty patio surrounded by trees and twinkling lights, there are sprawling lush gardens to explore making this charming restaurant reminiscent of an Italian villa. As the name suggests, fine Italian American food is the specialty here: house favorites include chicken piccata, Tuscan pulled pork and beef meatloaf and a lasagna made with fennel sausage.

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Splash at the Boathouse sits on Lake Champlain allowing sailors to anchor up right outsite and hop off their boat ready for a tasty meal. Landlubbers will also enjoy soaking up the fabulous waterside views while they dine on a menu of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and Splash Splatters – the restaurant's name for plates including fish and BBQ pulled pork tacos, chicken tenders, coconut shrimp, fish and chips, and lobster rolls. 

The small city of Alexandria punches above its weight when it comes to great foodie spots – and that includes some excellent alfresco options. The patio at Virtue Feed & Grain is a must-visit: it's a laid-back spot decorated with giant potted ferns and generous umbrellas, with a location perfect for watching the world go by.  Diners can choose from a menu including delights such rigatoni a la vodka with Italian sausage and house made sauce, enchiladas verdes with chicken thighs, Mexican rice and salsa, pan-seared salmon, and shrimp and grits.

The waterfront Westward is on the north shore of Seattle's Lake Union allowing diners to arrive by boat and use the restaurant's dock if they wish. The sprawling patio features a firepit and beachside seating, while the menu is bursting with sustainable seafood options including a lengthy section dedicated to fresh local oysters. The menu changes daily to reflect the seasonal ingredients but you can also expect dishes such as seared halibut with anchovy butter and whole roasted poussin with hazelnut cherry salsa.

Smokey's, part of the Adventures on the Gorge resort, sits right beside the famous New River Gorge. A leafy deck illuminated by fairy lights makes dining outside simply magical. Named after the late bus driver who used to shuttle people to and from the river, Smokey's has a satisfying menu of burgers, wings, smoked meats, and steaks, as well as veggie options and salads. 

The award-winning Ishnala Supper Club is situated in the middle of the beautiful Mirror Lake State Park, surrounded by acres of meadow and forest and overlooking the glittering lake, which provides stunning views from the restaurant's outside decked area. The experience 'joins fine dining with nature' and the sizeable menu has customer favorites including steak and lobster tails and roast Wisconsin duck. There's also a mighty list of cocktails such as the refreshing Chief Ishnala with vodka, rum, tequila and triple sec, orange juice, sour mix and grenadine.

The garden area of Laramie's Alibi Wood Fire Pizza is filled with umbrella-shaded tables, firepits and a stage for live music. It's the perfect spot for a relaxed family meal. The menu of wood-fired pizzas features delicious topping combinations such as pesto chicken with roasted peppers, mozzarella and Parmesan, Pork Love topped with spicy pepperoni, Genoa and Sopressata salami, capacolla and prosciutto, and the Great White with garlic olive oil, mozzarella, ricotta, feta, goat's cheese, & Parmesan. They also sell freshly baked pastries including almond croissants, berry cream brioche and morning buns.

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