Looking to reimagine your day (or night) on the town? In DC, the outdoor dining scene is hotter than ever, and to prove it, patios in every corner of the city are upping the ante through picturesque, inventive backdrops that set the stage like never before.

From dreamy decor to covered lounge seating to cooling mechanisms, keep reading to dig into our list of the best patios in DC before the sun sets on summer!

#1 Le Diplomate: Leave DC and land on the Champs Élysées when you dine at Le Diplomate, renowned restaurateur Stephen Starr’s wildly popular French bistro. Here, authentic French fare is best enjoyed by locals and visitors alike on the outdoor brick patio.

#2 Salt Line: A trip to chef Kyle Bailey’s The Salt Line on the Capitol Riverfront transports diners from the District to an idyllic New England setting straight from a postcard. The ever-bustling outdoor patio overlooks the Anacostia River, but you can also cozy up to the bar and traverse the Eastern seaboard, sampling oysters from Virginia to Maine.

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#3 Residents: Enjoy chic cocktails and flavorful bites among the quaint patio at Residents Café & Bar in Dupont Circle. Elevate your open-air dining experience with an ambiance featuring decorative pillows, fans, and lush, seasonal décor covering the outdoor roof.

#4 District Winery: As it turns out, the 17,000-square-foot District Winery is also home to a restaurant specializing in unique new American dishes. Start your wine-filled day with a tasting at the bar before settling down for seasonal fare and waterfront views on the outdoor patio, where there’s space for 80 diners.

#5 Calico: This Blagden Alley hideaway has maximized its alfresco resources, transforming their secluded space into an exclusive garden oasis for cool cats. The plot is varied and eclectic, with covered options, open tables, and bar seating to house the endless stream of patrons pouring in. Swing by for trivia and bingo nights to sip on discounted adult juice boxes, beer, wine, and $3 slices of Philly-style tomato pie.

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#6 Alta Strada: Situated right on Mt. Vernon Triangle’s bustling K Street NW corridor, this patio is surrounded by greenery to make the space feel private and beautiful all at once. Enjoy pastas and wines (happy hour is from 4 PM to 6 PM daily) while soaking up city views under a classic red umbrella.

#7 Zeppelin: Shaw’s go-to spot for sushi, yakitori, sake, and karaoke is outfitted with a lengthy patio fit for warmer months. Can’t find a spot? Not to fear: Chaplin’s, the team’s sibling ramen bar down the street, is also a prime place to lounge outside.

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#8 Easy Company: The Wharf’s dreamy wine bar is framed with a massive patio officially dubbed the Rosé Garden. The glassy space offers an epic, 200-degree view of the Potomac River out front. Daily happy hour — a rare find along this pricey waterfront perch — includes 10 wines for $10 each, and snacks for $5-$8, from 3 PM to 6 PM. Head here when the sun’s out for a new weekday lunch deal (two courses for $25).

#9 Tonari: The patio at Daikaya Group’s wafu-Italian restaurant harkens back to its roots, with tables fashioned to resemble a classic red-sauce joint. Along with all the invigorating drinks you could ask for, Tonari recently added a build-your-own pizza option to the menu.