Dining Al Fresco

As the weather warms up and summer approaches, guests are ready to dine outside. OpenTable has released its picks for the top 100 Best Al Fresco Restaurants of 2019. Whether enjoying a glass of rosé or a five-course meal, these restaurants offer customers the best outdoor dining experiences.

Methodology: The list of honorees is based on an analysis of 12 million-plus reviews on OpenTable, canvassing more than 30,000 restaurants across the country—all submitted by verified diners.

Café Monarch

The family owned and operated Café Monarch offers an ever-evolving four-course tasting menu featuring local, organic, sustainable and premium ingredients in an elegant setting both indoors and outdoors. “Cafe Monarch offers a most romantic setting,” an OpenTable reviewer wrote.

4.9 out of 5 stars

Mama's Fish House

Once a beach house, this Hawaiian restaurant offers the ultimate tropical dining experience for diners. The restaurant is decorated with fresh flower arrangements, Polynesian artifacts, and original paintings. Hawaiian flavors, like hibiscus and pineapple, can be found across both the food and cocktail menus.

4.9 out of 5 stars

Beachcomber Café—Crystal Cove

Situated in the Historic District of the Crystal Cove State Park, the Beachcomber Café offers a dining experience filled with ocean views. Just a few steps away from the beach, the Beachcomber Café’s patio allows diners to enjoy their meal with a front row seat to views of the Newport Coastline and Catalina Island.

4.8 out of 5 stars

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

The polished casual dining establishment is situated along Sarasota Bay on Longboat Key. With a panoramic view and convenient place to park your boat, this waterfront restaurant has the perfect setting to dine al fresco.  

4.8 out of 5 stars

The Grand Marlin of Pensacola Beach

This Pensacola Beach restaurant blends the atmosphere of island living with a menu of elevated dishes. The menu, which uses local Gulf Coast seafood changes daily depending on what’s fresh, is comprised of dishes that blend of Florida and Caribbean cuisine.

4.8 out of 5 stars

Latitudes on Sunset Key

Situated on Sunset Key, a secluded island just an 8-minute boat ride from Key West, Latitudes offers diners the ultimate island dining experience. From palm trees and tiki torches to a front row seat of the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, this restaurant sets the bar high for an outdoor seating experience.

4.8 out of 5 stars

Ocean Prime—Tampa

This contemporary restaurant chain from restaurateur Cameron Mitchell has locations across the nation, but its Tampa location has the best outdoor dining experience. Along with a spot on OpenTable’s list, Ocean Prime was also named “Best Outdoor Scene” by Tampa Bay Metro and “Best Seafood Restaurants in the Bay Area” by Creative Loafing.

4.8 out of 5 stars

Piatti—La Jolla

La Jollans flock to this Italian bistro for authentic Italian cuisine and a chance to dine on Piatti’s patio. “It is a wonderful restaurant. When we go we always ask to sit outside,” an OpenTable reviewer wrote.

4.8 out of 5 stars

The Pink Door

Since 1981, The Pink Door has attracted diners with its seafood and produce driven menu. Located in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, The Pink Door impresses both locals and tourists looking for an elevated meal.

4.8 out of 5 stars

Talula’s Garden

Tucked away like a secret garden on Philadelphia’s Washington Square, Talula’s Garden offers an outdoor dining experience that makes diners feel like they’re in the middle of the forest and not a city. The menu is seasonally influenced with touches of European cuisine. When the weather is nice, the best seat in the house is outside. “By all means, sit outside! What a lovely garden to sit and enjoy the gorgeous weather,” an OpenTable reviewer wrote.

4.8 out of 5 stars

Virtu Honest Craft

Inspired by his Mediterranean roots, Chef Gio Osso has created a contemporary menu featuring seafood, homemade pastas, and hearty meat dishes. The intimate dining spot is located inside Old Town Scottsdale’s Bespoke Inn. “The food, ambience and service at Virtu remind me of European dining. It would be easy to forget that we are in Scottsdale because the feel is more old world,” an OpenTable reviewer wrote.

4.8 out of 5 stars

Le Diplomate

After stepping into Le Diplomate, diners will be transported to Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris. The restaurant not only offers diners with the atmosphere of a Parisian café, but also offers a menu with French classics, like Steak Frites and Onion Soup Gratinee. Seating in the outdoor café allows diners to take full advantage of dining “en plein air.”

4.8 out of 5 stars

Le Vallauris

Since 1973, this Palm Springs restaurant has been one of the highest rated restaurants in town. Located at the foot of San Jacinto Mountains, Le Vallauris has served presidents and Hollywood’s elite. Outdoor eating is a year-round affair at the restaurant as the patio is cooled in the summer and heated in the winter.

4.8 out of 5 stars

The Best Al Fresco Restaurants

To see the rest of the list visit OpenTable.

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