Those of us who’ve been around long enough might remember when Rouge became the first restaurant to get a modern permit for sidewalk dining. These days, Philly restaurants have gone far beyond the sidewalk. Some stretch onto the street, but also many into garden spaces, vacant spaces, and rooftops to create al fresco dining rooms all over the city. Thanks to the ingenuity of our restaurateurs, eating out, outside is one of the best things to do in Philadelphia these days.
For this guide, we scoped out locally owned, fresh-air dining destinations that we feel embody the Philly spirit. (Want outdoor places to drink? We got you.)
FAIRMOUNT: OUTDOOR DINING
Cantina “Calaca” Feliz Fairmount

A charming little courtyard stands alongside this contemporary Mexican spot in the heart of Fairmount has a menu of well-executed crowdpleasers and occasional surprises (bacon fig guacamole), and compelling tequila and margarita lists. 2321 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 787-9930
The Garden Restaurant at the Barnes Foundation

On the northwest side of this eminent art museum, a lovely, modern, tree-shaded patio serves elegant, seasonal lunches and brunches — chopped salads, ricotta toast, grilled salmon … wine. No admission required. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 278-7070
OLD CITY AND WASHINGTON SQUARE: EATING OUTSIDE
1225Raw

Less a sushi bar, more a sushi lounge, this snazzy, just-off-13th Street joint has a not-so-secret back patio for sipping sake bombs and nibbling sashimi, maki and tempura. 1225 Sansom Street, (215) 238-1903
Little Nonna’s

The courtyard of chef Marcie Turney and Val Safran’s Gayborhood Italian restaurant hides beyond a dining room, protected by a canopy and brick walls. On the menu: traditional Italian comfort foods like spaghetti and meatballs in Sunday gravy, half a roasted chicken, squid ink-pasta, and eggplant and chicken parm. 1234 Locust Street, (215) 546-2100
Royal Boucherie

Royal Boucherie’s garden dining space sits atop the Old City brasserie. Exposed brick walls, hanging greenery, string lights, and a clandestine vibe make make Parisian steak tartare, steak frites, lobster cocktail and French 52 somehow taste even better. 52 S. 2nd Street, (267) 606-6313
Talula’s Garden

Inspired by co-owner Aimee Olexy’s rustic BYOB in Kennett Square, this farm-to-table spot (next door to Talula’s daytime market-cafe; across the street from Washington Square) is beloved for its cheese plate and extra fresh everything. Seats on the rustically planted courtyard are justly coveted. 210 W. Washington Square, (215) 592-7787
The Wayward

Rustic, geometric wooden panels separate the Canopy Hotel’s outdoor terrace from the busy Market East corridor, while deep planters seem and dim lighting muffle the din. The 30-seat American brasserie has one of the largest gin menus in Philly, not a bad prelude to corn beignets, duck confit or a pain au lait-bunned cheeseburger, either. 1170 Ludlow Street, (215) 258-9430
Zahav

Reserving a table at Old City’s Israeli James Beard winner is notoriously difficult. Snagging a spot on the patio? Just show up, and it’s yours. Outdoor diners can walk in for a nosh (hummus for sure) and a cocktail. Or a full, five-course menu. Your choice. 237 S. James Place, (215) 625-8800
NORTHERN LIBERTIES & THE RIVER WARDS: OUTDOOR DINING
Juno

This festive, Mexican-American Spring Garden joint has colorful seating, vibrant wall murals and kitschy decor like neon-lit signage and a large model ship. It’s pretty, too, brimming with trees and overhead flower boxes. Come here for frothy margaritas and guacamole, meat- and veggie-filled tacos, and quesadillas. 1033 Spring Garden Street, (267) 639-2892
Martha

The back garden patio of this spunky Kensington restaubar is as cute as a button. Martha is known for its short-and-sweet menu of natural wine, draft cocktails, salads, hoagies, cold pho and pickles. 2113 E York Street, (215) 867-8881
The Garden at Silk City

The kitschy outdoor garden of this Spring Garden diner has a frozen drink machine cranking out boozy concoctions, plus Thai chili wings, spicy chicken sammies and vegan fare. Open daily for dinner, weekends for brunch. 435 Spring Garden Street, (215) 592-8838
Sor Ynéz

An outdoor space of brightly-colored furniture under strings of white lights atop a green carpet seems the perfect spot to enjoy chef Alex Tellez’ vibrant, vegetarian-friendly, Mexican menu starring heirloom blue corn, cauliflower, cactus, pumpkin seeds — and mezcal. 1800 N. American Street. (215) 309-2582
Suraya

Suraya’s beautiful outdoor dining space reflects its Levantine heritage. A 5,000-square-foot, all-white outdoor lounge and garden has Persian ironwood trees, Arabic art, fountains, and a fire pit. Add an egg to your order of man’oushe, and don’t skip pastry. 1535 N. Front Street / 1528 Frankford Avenue, (215) 302-1900
RITTENHOUSE SQUARE: EATING OUTDOORS
Harper’s Garden

Open daily for lunch, brunch, dinner and drinks, Harper’s Garden is a verdant surprise attached to a ho-hum office tower. There’s lots good to eat, but you’ll also feel compelled to order from the cocktail (or mocktail) menu any time of day. 31 S. 18th Street, (267) 886-8552
Parc

Every day, morning through night, this boisterous brasserie across the street from a … park feels more like Paris than anywhere else in Philly. Have anything. It’s all bon. 227 S. 18th Street, (215) 545-2262

Rouge
In 1998, this petite bistro launched Philly’s sidewalk cafe trend. Back then, martinis and cosmos were the thing. Today’s Rouge is twice the size, thanks to a lovely, year-round, ambient tent along 18th Street. Still on the menu: martinis, a Gruyère-topped burger, but also fresh juice cocktails and sparkling rosé. 205 S. 18th Street, (215) 732-6622
SOCIETY HILL AND SOUTH PHILLY
Alma Del Mar

A papel picado-strung open-air dining room doubles the capacity of a beloved, seafood-forward and fresh juice BYOB, a star of the Philly season of Queer Eye. The sibling of nearby Marco’s Fish & Crab House, Alma’s is known for mango, avocado and blue point crab salad, great brunch, and frequent musical guests. 1007 S. 9th Street, (215) 644-8158
Barcelona Wine Bar

Along busy E. Passyunk, a V of planters and trees conceal a small patio. Have the ham and manchego croquetas and fresh sardines — pretty much all the tapas are good, especially with a small-producer Cava or rosé. 1709 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 515-7900
Bloomsday Café

Headhouse Square is as charming spot as any to sip delicious (no cap) local wines while nibbling branzino conserves and Brigantine oysters at a sidewalk cafe. Dinner only from Wednesday through Sunday, plus weekend brunch. There’s a wine shop too. 414 S. 2nd Street, (267) 319-8018
Blue Corn

An awning shades this family-run Italian Market spot, known for its tacos, tortas, burritos, ceviche, and huarache gratin, a thick tortilla topped with salsa verde, queso fresco, refried beans, onions, cactus, and chihuahua cheese. Also: margaritas. 940 S. 9th Street, (215) 925-1010
Casa Mexico

The younger sibling of South Philly Barbacoa, the second Mexican spot by activist chef Cristina Martinez does everything right — brunches of huevos rancheros and chilaquiles; lunch: chile relleno and Azteca soup; dinner: moles and ceviche. 1134 S. 9th Street, (267-) 470-1464
Irwin’s

Chef Michael Vincent Ferreri is responsible for a serious spread of modern Sicillian plates and fresh pasta: straightforward spaghetti and clams, gnocchi Sardi with eggplant and chili, seasonal caponata. The Bok Building, however, is responsible for the 8th-floor terrace views 800 Mifflin Street, (215) 693-6206
Le Virtù

Italy’s rugged Abruzzo region, birthplace of many older South Philly residents, inspired this elegant East Passyunk spot. An ample, partially-covered courtyard serves seafood stews, fresh pasta, great small plates — arancini, pork-filled fried olives — and great wines, next to a mural of Abruzzo. 1927 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 271-5626
WEST PHILLY: OUTDOOR DINING
Booker’s Restaurant & Bar

This neighborhood-beloved, Black-owned hotspot has a large, covered, lush outdoor dining room serving Southern-inspired food and drinks. Try a salmon burger, Buffalo cauliflower, Creole vegan jambalaya, short ribs, seafood mac — and anything from the brunch menu. Also, there’s kid’s menu, happy hour specials and live music events. 5021 Baltimore Avenue, (215) 883-0960
Dahlak Paradise

The West Philly mainstay has a spacious, covered back patio, open rain or shine. Dahlak’s Eritrean-Ethiopian menu includes a savory stews: meats, veggies like okra, collards and spinach, lentils and chickpeas, eaten with spongy sour injera bread. Cocktails here come double-sized. 4708 Baltimore Avenue, (215) 726-6464
The outdoor rooftop terrace at Irwin's in the BOK Building in South Philadelphia.