One of the great pleasures of summertime is eating outdoors. The Philadelphia region offers many opportunities for outside dining from tiny bistros with two tables outside their front door to large restaurants with landscaped terraces seating dozens of guests. Here is a sampling of the many choices available in the region.

• Arroyo Grill – This upscale Tex-Mex restaurant located in the heart of Manayunk has outside dining on its riverdeck. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 1 Levering Street, Manayunk, (215) 487-1400

• Avenue B – Northern Italian cuisine is served at this upscale restaurant next to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The restaurant has an outside patio that provides a stunning view of the action on the Avenue of the Arts. Open for lunch and dinner daily. 260 S. Broad Street, (215) 790-0705

• Brasserie Perrier – This Parisian bistro opened in 1997 by Georges Perrier serves upscale French-Italian and Asian-influenced cuisine. The restaurant has a front patio that looks onto fashionable Rittenhouse Row. 1619 Walnut Street, (215) 568-3000

• Courtyard Café – Herbs are the focus of the menu at this newly reopened eatery located in the courtyard of the Four Seasons Hotel. Chilled tomato consommé topped with baby shrimp and Thai basil dumplings, tenderloin tips rubbed with rosemary and lavender ice cream are just a few of the offerings available. Open for lunch Monday-Friday. One Logan Square, (215) 963-1500
• Cuba Libre – This popular Old City Cuban restaurant has been decorated to resemble a street scene in Havana. During the warm weather, the first floor of this three-story restaurant opens onto the sidewalk. Dinner only Monday-Friday; lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. 10 S. 2^nd Street, (215) 988-1799

• Garden Gate Café – This charming café located behind an antique store in Chestnut Hill offers light, continental dishes for breakfast, brunch and lunch every day of the week. Diners can eat indoors or outside in the garden. Cash or checks only. 8139 Germantown Avenue, (215) 247-8487
• Jon’s Bar and Grill – This casual, neighborhood bar/cafe serves modestly priced American fare in a prime location on South Street. A large fenced patio on the front of the restaurant is a popular dining spot from spring through fall. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 606 3^rd Street, (215) 592-1390

• Marathon Grill – This popular Philadelphia chain has four restaurants with outside dining. The restaurants serve modestly priced breakfast and lunch dishes in a casual atmosphere at several locations. 2001 Market Street, 1613 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 1339 Chestnut Street and 1818 Market Street, (215) 561-4460

• Keatings River Grill – This restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia hotel has a 140-foot long terrace overlooking the Delaware River. The menu emphasizes contemporary American cuisine. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 201 S. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 521-6509
• La Terrasse – You can enjoy items from the bar menu on the terrace of this upscale, French restaurant in the University City area of Philadelphia. Outside seating is first come, first serve. 3432 Sansom Street, (215) 386-5000

• Opus 251 – This beautiful historic mansion on Rittenhouse Square is home to the Philadelphia Art Alliance and a restaurant that has a small courtyard for dining in warm weather. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 251 S. 18^th Street, (215) 735-6787

• Pizzacato – This casual Italian restaurant, which has the largest outside dining area in Old City, serves sophisticated entrees along with simple pasta dishes and pizza. Open for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. 248 Market Street, (215) 629-5527

• Rouge – This Parisian bistro overlooking Rittenhouse Square is the place to see and be seen. 201 S.18^th Street, (215) 732-6622

• Twenty Manning – French windows overlooking outdoor seating make this Rittenhouse neighborhood restaurant a very popular place for a summer meal. Dishes are mostly Asian-influenced. The restaurant has both a bar and lounge area. Open daily for dinner, and Sunday for brunch. 20^th & Manning Streets, (215) 731-0900

• Joseph Ambler Inn – This colonial estate houses an inn and a restaurant that serves traditional English and American cuisine. Candlelight dining on the terrace and porch is offered in the spring, summer and early fall months. Serves dinner nightly. Casual, elegant dress required. 1005 Horsham Road, North Wales, (215) 362-7500

• Four Dogs Tavern – This casual country inn situated in a pastoral setting has an outdoor terrace for dining in the warm weather months. The eclectic menu includes Cuban chicken, sashimi and crab cakes. Brunch, lunch and dinner are served daily. 1300 Strasburg Road, West Chester, (610) 692-5702
• The Landing – Enjoy regional American cuisine on the riverside terrace of this popular restaurant in the center of New Hope. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Brunch served on Sunday in the spring and summer. 22 N. Main Street, New Hope, (215) 862-5711

• Spring Mill Cafe – Enjoy a European dining experience in a country farmhouse that serves French-fusion cuisine in a romantic setting. Outside dining is offered on the covered front porch and back deck of the main building and on the porch of an adjacent farmhouse. Part of the restaurant is used as an art gallery. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday. 164 Barren Hill Road, Conshohocken, (610) 828-2550

• Paganini Trattoria – This Northern Italian eatery specializes in pizza and homemade pasta. Meals are served on a covered verandah overlooking downtown Doylestown. Lunch and dinner served daily. 81 W. State Street, Doylestown, (215) 348-5922

• Bump – This gay-friendly restaurant, bar and lounge is located in the former Globar restaurant at the Inn at Locust. The club hosts special events including a Sunday Beef and Drag Brunch. Serving dinner only Tuesday-Sunday. 13^th & Locust Streets.
  (215) 732-1800

• Twenty21 – This large Center City restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine. Outside dining is available for lunch, dinner and cocktails in the Commerce Square courtyard. Lunch served Monday-Friday, dinner served Monday-Saturday. 2005 Market Street, (215) 851-6262

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