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The Top 150 Romantic Places to Dine Outdoors, Ranked

The Top 150 Romantic Places to Dine Outdoors, Ranked
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Emma WilsonDavid LewisChloe Young

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As the days get longer, the pull of one of life’s best-loved rituals, eating alfresco, becomes impossible to resist. Meals outdoors, whether on busy city sidewalks or in peaceful countryside hideaways, go hand in hand with the turning seasons, and American cities serve up a one-of-a-kind mix of culinary pleasures ideal for couples who want to share a romantic evening.

Alfresco dining, at its core, celebrates connection: to nature, to the people we love, and to life’s simple pleasures. Sharing a meal beneath the open sky, with vivid colors all around and a breeze softly whispering past, has an undeniable magic to it.

With winter’s chill behind us, we’re done hunkering down inside. Instead, the promise of sunny afternoons and warm, balmy evenings pulls us outdoors, and we go looking for restaurants with welcoming patios, rooftop terraces, and garden courtyards.

So what is it about eating outdoors that moves the soul and sparks romance? Plenty of couples treasure alfresco dining as the backdrop for romantic moments and memories they hold dear.

It might be a first date that turns into a love story lasting a lifetime, or an anniversary dinner that reignites the passion. Either way, meals eaten outdoors tend to leave lasting memories of the relationships we treasure most.

Al Fresco Dining Destinations Across the U.S.

The below ranking shows the 150 most romantic al fresco dining spots across America, as voted for by 3,000 couples.

1. Historic District, Savannah, Georgia

Taking the top spot is the Historic District in Savannah. These historic streets are lined with ancient oaks and Spanish moss offering cozy cafes and upscale bistros. Couples can enjoy traditional Southern fare or international cuisine in charming courtyards and sidewalk settings.

2. French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana

In second place is the French Quarter in the heart of New Orleans. Sidewalk cafes and courtyard restaurants offer a taste of local Creole and Cajun dishes as you soak in the bustling atmosphere and historic surroundings.

3. West Village, New York City, New York

The West Village's quaint and artistic streets are next. Lined with a variety of restaurants offering outdoor dining, couples can enjoy intimate garden patios and small terraces with everything from gourmet meals to casual brunches in a picturesque neighborhood setting.

4. Ocean Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

With stunning views of the Pacific, Ocean Avenue offers a relaxing dining experience where couples can sample the local seafood on outdoor terraces, with a perfect view of the sunset over the ocean.

5. Downtown, Charleston, South Carolina

In one of America's oldest cities, couples can enjoy Lowcountry specialties and classic Southern dishes in the lush, open-air environments of Charleston's finest restaurants.

6. Downtown Asheville, North Carolina

Voted in sixth place, Downtown Asheville offers views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, and features a variety of outdoor dining options from rustic beer gardens to rooftop restaurants.

7. Harbor Town, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

With panoramic views, it’s no surprise Harbor Town came in seventh. Seafood is a highlight here, with fresh catches served daily, and couples can choose from casual dockside eateries to upscale dining.

8. Provincetown, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Known for its artistic community and beautiful seascapes, Provincetown in eighth place includes waterfront patios and decks where you can enjoy fresh oysters, clams, and other seafood delights while watching boats drift by on Cape Cod Bay.

9. Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The local restaurants in Old Town offer a blend of Native American and Mexican cuisines, which couples can enjoy in the quaint courtyards and patios that dot this historic area.

10. Waikiki, Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii

Rounding up the top ten is the world-renowned Waikiki. This beautiful location offers a plethora of dining options along the beachfront. From luxurious resort restaurants to casual seaside bars, couples can enjoy tropical cocktails and a diverse range of cuisines with stunning views of the Diamond Head.

RankingLocationState
1Historic District, SavannahGeorgia
2French Quarter, New OrleansLouisiana
3West Village, New York CityNew York
4Ocean Avenue, Carmel-by-the-SeaCalifornia
5Downtown, CharlestonSouth Carolina
6Downtown Asheville, North Carolina
7Harbor Town, Hilton Head IslandSouth Carolina
8Provincetown, Cape CodMassachusetts
9Old Town, AlbuquerqueNew Mexico
10Waikiki, Honolulu (Oahu)Hawaii
11Nags Head, Outer BanksNorth Carolina
12Hawaii Kai, HonoluluHawaii
13Ballard, SeattleWashington
14Downtown Aspen, AspenColorado
15Thames Street, NewportRhode Island
16Beach Avenue, Cape MayNew Jersey
17Uptown Sedona, SedonaArizona
18Downtown, GreenvilleSouth Carolina
19Main Street, HanoverNew Hampshire
20Downtown, AnchorageAlaska
21Downtown, Sioux FallsSouth Dakota
22Downtown, LexingtonKentucky
23Beach Blvd, Gulfport/BiloxiMississippi
24Midtown, AtlantaGeorgia
25Downtown, Grand RapidsMichigan
26River North, ChicagoIllinois
27East Hampton, The HamptonsNew York
28Downtown, AnnapolisMaryland
29The Central West End, St. LouisMissouri
30Main Street, Ann ArborMichigan
31Edgartown, Martha's VineyardMassachusetts
32Historic District, Harpers FerryWest Virginia
33Poipu, KauaiHawaii
34Duval Street, Key WestFlorida
35South Beach, Miami BeachFlorida
36Old Town, ScottsdaleArizona
37Church Street Marketplace, BurlingtonVermont
38Washington Street, HobokenNew Jersey
39River Market District, Little RockArkansas
40The Gulch, NashvilleTennessee
41Historic Lewes, LewesDelaware
42Downtown Napa, Napa ValleyCalifornia
43State Street, Santa BarbaraCalifornia
44Waterfront, St. MichaelsMaryland
45Downtown, GatlinburgTennessee
46Haymarket District, LincolnNebraska
47Fells Point, BaltimoreMaryland
48Main Street, Bar HarborMaine
49Capitol Street, CharlestonWest Virginia
50NuLu, LouisvilleKentucky
51Riverwalk, WilmingtonNorth Carolina
52North End, BostonMassachusetts
53Downtown, New HavenConnecticut
54South Congress, AustinTexas
55Downtown, HermannMissouri
56Plaza Area, TaosNew Mexico
57Near Mahoney State Park, AshlandNebraska
58Downtown, Baton RougeLouisiana
59Downtown Mall, CharlottesvilleVirginia
60LoHi, DenverColorado
61Massachusetts Street, LawrenceKansas
62Bricktown, Oklahoma CityOklahoma
63River Walk, San AntonioTexas
64The Plaza, Santa FeNew Mexico
65Mountain Road, StoweVermont
66Main Street, North ConwayNew Hampshire
67Pearl Street Mall, BoulderColorado
68Fifth Avenue South, NaplesFlorida
69Downtown, StillwaterMinnesota
70Main Street, FredericksburgTexas
71Town Square, Jackson HoleWyoming
72Old Market, OmahaNebraska
73Strip District, PittsburghPennsylvania
74Woodstock Village Historic District, WoodstockVermont
75Over-the-Rhine, CincinnatiOhio
76Main Street, CusterSouth Dakota
77Rhinebeck, Hudson ValleyNew York
78South Lake Tahoe, Lake TahoeNevada
79Downtown, TucsonArizona
80Tulsa Arts District, TulsaOklahoma
81Ohio City, ClevelandOhio
82Downtown, CodyWyoming
83Downtown, LafayetteLouisiana
84Boardwalk, Rehoboth BeachDelaware
85Central Avenue, WhitefishMontana
86Main Street, AmesIowa
87Fairhaven District, BellinghamWashington
88Five Points South, BirminghamAlabama
89Near Beavers Bend, Broken BowOklahoma
90Nashville, Brown CountyIndiana
91Sherman Avenue, Coeur d'AleneIdaho
92Downtown, FairhopeAlabama
93Dock Square, KennebunkportMaine
94Downtown Lancaster, Lancaster CountyPennsylvania
95State Street, MadisonWisconsin
96Main Street, MoabUtah
97NarragansettRhode Island
98Rittenhouse Square, PhiladelphiaPennsylvania
99Old Port, PortlandMaine
100Market Square, PortsmouthNew Hampshire
101Riverwalk District, RenoNevada
102Front Street, Traverse CityMichigan
103Main Street, Blue RidgeGeorgia
104Downtown, Bowling GreenKentucky
105Main Street, BozemanMontana
106East Village, Des MoinesIowa
107Downtown, Hood RiverOregon
108Downtown, JuneauAlaska
109Mystic Seaport, MysticConnecticut
110Square, OxfordMississippi
111Pearl District, PortlandOregon
112Federal Hill, ProvidenceRhode Island
113Main Street Square, Rapid CitySouth Dakota
114Broadwalk Plaza, Red BankNew Jersey
115Carytown, RichmondVirginia
116Downtown, Salt Lake CityUtah
117Ketchum, Sun ValleyIdaho
118Washington Street, VicksburgMississippi
119Downtown, WestportConnecticut
120Merchant’s Square, WilliamsburgVirginia
121Riverfront, WilmingtonDelaware
122Downtown, BoiseIdaho
123Fish Creek, Door CountyWisconsin
124Historic Downtown, Eureka SpringsArkansas
125Central Avenue, Hot SpringsArkansas
126Downtown, HuntsvilleAlabama
127Mass Ave, IndianapolisIndiana
128Country Club Plaza, Kansas CityMissouri
129Downtown, LaramieWyoming
130MandanNorth Dakota
131Third Ward, MilwaukeeWisconsin
132North Loop, MinneapolisMinnesota
133Downtown, MissoulaMontana
134Downtown, MorgantownWest Virginia
135Downtown, NapervilleIllinois
136Main Street, Park CityUtah
137Downtown, Walla WallaWashington
138Old Mill District, BendOregon
139Downtown, BloomingtonIndiana
140Short North, ColumbusOhio
141Historic Downtown, DubuqueIowa
142Canal Park, DuluthMinnesota
143Downtown, FargoNorth Dakota
144Main Street, GalenaIllinois
145Village West, Kansas CityKansas
146South Main, MemphisTennessee
147Downtown, MinotNorth Dakota
148Main Street, TalkeetnaAlaska
149Old Town, WichitaKansas
150Downtown, Carson CityNevada

Dining al fresco has an undeniably sensual side, too, from the mouthwatering scent of fresh herbs and grilled meats to warm sunlight on bare skin. As day fades into night, flickering candlelight and twinkling stars only add to the romance, making the mood feel both intimate and enchanting.

With spring and summer on the horizon, we polled 3,000 foodies nationwide to find the 150 most romantic spots for alfresco dining in 2024. Even if what you have in mind is a get-together with friends and family rather than a romantic evening for two, take the time to track down these hidden gems.

Wherever you go in America, there’s a tempting variety of outdoor dining to explore. In Savannah, Georgia, old oaks draped in Spanish moss shade snug cafes and upscale bistros along historic streets, while New Orleans’ French Quarter hums with energy and the smell of Cajun and Creole specialties.

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About the Author

Emma Wilson

By: Emma Wilson

Editor-in-Chief

Emma Wilson is the Editor-in-Chief at thecandiddate.com. When she was growing up, her family teased her for being 'boy crazy,' but she preferred to think of herself as a budding dating and relationship expert. Emma brings her tireless wit and relatable experiences to thecandiddate.com.

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