Dining Alfresco in Philadelphia and the Suburbs

In 1998, Rouge opened the first sidewalk cafe in Philadelphia’s posh Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Since then, the number of restaurants offering alfresco dining has increased at a rapid pace, as diners hit these spots each year at the first sign of spring. The city is now home to nearly 150 restaurants with outside seating, and that number continues to grow. Here’s a look at some of the hottest seats outdoors in Philadelphia and its Countryside.

In the City

• Brasserie Perrier - This Parisian bistro opened in 1997 by Georges Perrier serves French-Italian and Asian-influenced cuisine. The restaurant has a front patio that looks onto fashionable Rittenhouse Row. 1619 Walnut Street, (215) 568-3000
• City Tavern - This restaurant is an authentic Colonial tavern faithfully recreated by restaurateur Walter Staib. In the warm-weather months diners can enjoy traditional American cuisine from a garden-side seat. 138 S. 2nd Street, (215) 413-1443
• Continental - Diner-turned-martini bar, the Continental serves tapas-style plates to the young and hip crowd. Diners can watch the Old City scene at tables lining the sidewalk or head to the Continental Mid-town to check out the always-stylish Rittenhouse Square crowd. Continental, 138 Market Street, (215) 923-6069; Continental Mid-town, 1801 Chestnut Street, (215) 567-1800
• Cresheim Cottage Cafe - Warm-weather patio dining is available at this intimate historic restaurant in Mt. Airy, serving "American comfort food with a global influence." 7402 Germantown Avenue, (215) 248-4365
• Cuba Libre - This popular Cuban restaurant in Old City has been designed to resemble a street scene in Havana. When the weather is warm, the first floor of this two-story restaurant opens onto the sidewalk. 10 S. 2nd Street, (215) 627-0666
• Jon’s Bar and Grill - This casual cafe and bar serves modestly priced American fare in a prime location on South Street. The large fenced-in patio and upstairs deck is a popular people-watching spot from spring through fall. 606 S. 3rd Street, (215) 592-1390
• Labrador Café - This charming café located behind an antique store in Chestnut Hill offers light, continental dishes for breakfast and lunch every day of the week. Diners can eat indoors or outside in the garden. 8139 Germantown Avenue, (215) 247-8487
• La Terrasse - College students, professors and neighborhood residents flock to the cafe of this University City favorite for top-notch bar food. Inside, they serve upscale, French cuisine. Outside seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 3432 Sansom Street, (215) 386-5000
• Marathon Grill - This popular Philadelphia chain has six restaurants with outside dining available in warmer weather. Marathon serves modestly priced dishes, including salads, sandwiches and wraps, in a casual atmosphere. 1339 Chestnut Street, (215) 561-4460; 121 S. 16th Street, (215) 569-3278; 1818 Market Street, (215) 561-1818; 19th & Spruce Streets, (215) 731-0800; 2001 Market Street, (215) 568-7766; 200 S. 40th Street, (215) 222-0100
• Philadelphia Fish & Company - Owner Kevin Meeker created a relaxing, seafood restaurant in the heart of Old City that now offers a raw bar. Diners can watch the scene in this bustling neighborhood from the large front patio overlooking Chestnut Street. 207 Chestnut Street, (215) 625-8605
• Pizzicato - This casual Italian restaurant, which has the largest outside dining area in Old City, serves sophisticated entrees along with simple pasta dishes and pizza. 248 Market Street, (215) 629-5527
• Rouge - This Parisian bistro across the street from Rittenhouse Square is the place to see and be seen in this tony neighborhood. Fresh produce is key to all dishes, but it’s the Rouge burger that continues to delight patrons year after year. 205 S.18th Street, (215) 732-6622
• Twenty Manning - Large French windows allow diners indoors to watch patrons outdoors at this popular Rittenhouse Square restaurant, where the dishes are Asian-influenced. 20th & Manning Streets, (215) 731-0900
• Verge - Contemporary American cuisine, including such dishes as maple-glazed pork loin and Eastern shore crab cakes are available on the large outdoor patio of this East Falls restaurant, a sleek, ultra-modern dining establishment. 4101 Kelly Drive, (215) 689-0050
• Washington Square - Famed Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr created a three-season restaurant patio that has become a hotspot for the hip crowd. Drinks, appetizers and full meals are available on this beautifully landscaped area. 210 W. Washington Square, (215) 592-7787

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