When Chicago heats up, there’s no better way to enjoy the city than to hang out and eat at one of our many outdoor patios. Whether it’s set up on a sidewalk where you can watch the activity going by or hidden away behind the restaurant in a garden, the al fresco patio can’t be beat. A few spots to think about while visiting Chicago include ZED451′s rooftop deck for unparalleled views of River North and Downtown; Perennial’s corner patio that looks across at Lincoln Park and Green City Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays; the new secluded garden paradise at Via Ventuno in the South Loop; or the Garden Restaurant’s outdoor space at the Art Institute.

The best thing about this last place is that while the city is racing by just a few feet away along Michigan Avenue, you can enjoy your lunch in the cozy confines of one of Chicago’s most European-feeling locations. However you weigh it, sitting outside on a warm summer day in Chicago is truly a treat. But make sure you have a reservation because many of these patios — if they even take reservations — fill up fairly quickly.