The 11 best restaurants to dine outdoors in Philadelphia

Trattoria Carina might be the most idyllic place in Philadelphia for an Aperol spritz. For starters, it’s perched on a sunny corner of Fitler Square—one of Philly’s prettiest neighborhoods. In good weather, the Parisian bistro-style tables and chairs are packed with happy people (and their dogs) sipping spritzes and digging into housemade pastas and chopped salads topped with caciocavallo cheese.

One of Philadelphia’s most adored French restaurants is also home to one of its most sought-after outdoor dining spaces. Parc reaches its atmospheric peak in the spring and summer, with the dining room windows flung open. The bustling sidewalk setup sits across Rittenhouse Square Park, and the restaurant takes full advantage of its setting. Book a seat here to enjoy a flawlessly cooked cheese Gruyère omelet or steak frites while people watching.

La Llorona has an extra-wide pavement for a dining area adorned with lights, and there are enough plants to make it feel like a green escape in concrete-heavy Philly. The cantina-style menu offers standout tacos, nachos, and ceviche. Try the pollo en su mole (chicken breast with frito beans, red rice, and tortillas) for a taste of the housemade mole sauce, layered with complex flavors. Spirit fans, take note: The bar offers a few tequilas you won’t easily find elsewhere.

Take a mini-break to the Amalfi Coast at this Old City gem, where the front and back patios are umbrella-shaded and decked out with tropical plants, flowers, and palm trees. The southern Italian food tastes even better when devoured outdoors, including spicy fried calamari, smoked salmon flatbread, and tuna tartare. If you’re looking for a buzzier vibe, come on the weekends when DJs set a party scene.

Semi-hidden behind a vine-tangled wrought iron fence across from Washington Square Park, the patio at Talula’s Garden feels like a secret garden. The atmosphere is particularly enchanting, lit by paper lanterns and many twinkly lights. Local ingredients feature heavily on the menu, so look for seriously seasonal treats like ricotta and goat cheese ravioli with arugula, Kennett Square mushrooms, and sage-scented breadcrumbs.

Nothing says “outdoor dining” quite like a meal on the river, and Moshulu is the only restaurant in the city that’s fully set in a boat. The historic ship was built in 1906 and has operated as a restaurant for more than two decades. On hot summer days, its waterside location makes it cooler and breezier than other outdoor spots, making for a transportive setting for seafood platters, rock shrimp Thai noodles, and more.

If there’s a cuisine that is best eaten outside, it’s island-inspired Greek food. Locust Street and Philadelphia’s bustling theater district are a long way from the Aegean Sea, but Estia takes you there with a glass of cold white wine, a platter of dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), and charcoal-grilled octopus. The restaurant’s spacious sidewalk tables are shaded by an inviting overhang that offers shade on sunny days, and colorful flower boxes give it a quaint and garden-like ambience.

Sor Ynez is an outdoor dining unicorn in Philadelphia, with a massive patio and roomy parking lot. In addition to lots of standard seating outside, there’s a lounge-like area for grabbing a drink or waiting for a table. Philadelphians come here for an excellent pan-Mexican menu with many tasty plant-based options. Don’t miss the sikil pak—a rich, spiced puree of pumpkin seeds served with raw vegetables.

Just a block from idyllic Rittenhouse Square, Tria is the kind of welcoming place you go for happy hour—and accidentally stay all night. Large windows open onto the street, and cafe tables line the bustling sidewalk. Local author and cheese expert Madame Fromage curates an ever-changing wine list, which comes with generous descriptions like “textured island vibes” or “deliciously classy and unfussy."

When you’re under the striped awning at Louie Louie, surrounded by greenery and sipping a hibiscus-flavored French 75, you’ll feel about as close to Paris as you can get. The restaurant’s front-facing windows can be thrown open on nice days to allow a breeze into the restaurant, but the best seats are on the outdoor patio. Here, you’ll be protected from the sun and can enjoy some quality people-watching while you feast on oysters, wedge salads, and Parisienne dumplings.

Set on busy Chestnut Street, it’s not obvious that Continental Midtown has an impressive outdoor space. But the top floor of the building is home to a spacious rooftop that’s sometimes protected by windows, but breezy and open in good weather. The restaurant’s mid-century vibes extend to its open-air space, decorated with freestanding fireplaces and sleek furniture. Go for the tapas-style dishes and martini lineup, which includes a frozen appletini and a version made with olive-oil washed vodka.