Located in the heart of the Heights, Presidio enjoins both a covered patio and backyard dining area in addition to its dining room. Enjoy live music and a refreshing cocktail from an inventive list while chowing down on a Texas-style burger and fries, Granny Rose’s grass-fed beef tacos or braised lamb shank.

Charming garden and eatery Colitvare churns out piping hot pizza and Italian fare made from fresh vegetables and fruit straight from their own 3,000 square foot garden. Find a table amongst the plants, and enjoy a bucolic experience without leaving the heart of the city.

Consistently one of the most Instagrammed locations in Houston, The Kitchen at The Dunlavy dazzles patrons with its dripping chandeliers and floor to ceiling windows that show off the beautiful Houston bayou, while offering a little shelter from the heat. The healthy menu offers quinoa bowls, smoothies, mimosas, artisanal pizzas and the like, all of which can be enjoyed alongside the masses at rustic communal tables.

One’s mind would not immediately leap to Hotel Granduca for their dining needs but the hotel’s new outdoor dining spot, Il Giardino, might be a game changer. The casual poolside eatery features a menu packed with antipasto, paninis, salads, breads and pastas inspired by Executive Chef Enrico Glaudo’s Italian roots.

On a quaint brick deck, a charming combination of florals, plants, and black umbrellas pop against a backdrop of a River Oaks cottage. These touches conspire to create a sweet and homey atmosphere perfect for enjoying a serene lunch or dinner away from the harrowing Houston traffic.

Recently revamped, the outdoor patio at La Table mimics a serene garden space. It’s a perfect pairing for the restaurant’s upscale French fare, like quiches, salads, and an extensive list of cocktails and wines. Consider this your most bourgie brunch destination.

Extensive outdoor seating, an upstairs deck and indoor seating area with large windows that open up to a small garden make La Grange a real contender for outdoor dining. While the food is simple coastal Mexican cuisine, the drinks only add to the sweet scenery from smoky Mezcal margaritas to house made tequila infused juices, there is something for everyone.

The launchpad of many a boozy Sunday Funday, Tiny Boxwoods has been enchanting patrons for years with its rustic interior, outdoor dining overlooking an expansive manicured lawn, and adjoining nursery. Enjoy a full meal (the Cubano sandwich is a killer) or simply throw back a few of those perfectly moist and gooey chocolate chip cookies with a glass of rosé for patio perfection.

Though it’s been open for several years now, kid-friendly Brooklyn Athletic Club remains a standard outdoor favorite with its bocce courts and beer bar. The retreat for outdoor game enthusiasts combines play with upscale comfort foods like crab cakes, buffalo sliders, honey bourbon chicken sandwiches and beef short rib mac and cheese.

If a trip to the French Riviera isn’t in the budget, head to this Montrose gem. Chef Sidney Degaine crafts colorful lunch, brunch and dinner items like a traditional Boullabaise, steak frites, and foie gras for dedicated Francophiles. The atmosphere is equally inspiring, thanks to lush greenery in the courtyard and balcony.

Head up the stairs in Rice Village mainstay Hungry’s for a stellar overhead view of Houston’s scenic oak trees. Though the food is nothing out of the ordinary, the extensive wine and cocktail list and bar bites menu is a solid accompaniment to the views.