Tucked away in a vintage cottage downtown, Cibo looks small from the outside, but this charming Italian restaurant, whose specialty is wood-fired pizza, offers two patios, allowing customers to sit under the trees and gaze at the stars while grazing on antipasti such as balsamic-glazed burrata served with silky slips of prosciutto and bread. The menu offers loads of pretty salads as well as pasta, sandwiches, and classic pizzas such as the margherita, diavola, and capricciosa. Don’t leave without trying one of the excellent desserts, maybe the Nutella and strawberry crepe or the cappuccino truffle.

The latest OHSO location in Sunnyslope is one of their best yet. Staying true to their original Arcadia location roots, this spot is situated right off the canal, perfect for bike access. At their newest digs, you can find all the OHSO classics, with plenty of lawn games and a large, wedge-shaped, dog-friendly patio. The Sunnyslope location also blends the OHSO experience with their marketplace and coffee shop concept, Little O’s. Pro tip: The parking lot is small and valet-only, so if you’re looking to save a few bucks, park nearby and walk, or better yet, bike there.

Downtown Phoenix’s hippest new hot spot offers sushi, fried chicken, and Asian small plates in a resort-style setting crowded with palm trees. Upscale decor and upbeat music lend an on-vacay vibe, backed up by creative cocktails and lots of snacky options. It’s become a go-to for weekend brunch (think matcha French toast), happy hour, or a romantic evening near the fire pit.

The indoor-outdoor design of Ocotillo provides the best of both worlds with a stunning desert landscape and modern architecture. The expansive patio features the chef’s garden, a mesquite terrace, and a beer garden, so there are plenty of cozy spaces to enjoy the outdoors. Stop by for brunch to taste the brie-stuffed French toast with caramel apples, balsamic strawberries, and maple syrup. For dinner, there are pastas and a buttermilk pork chop with fermented mustard.

Welcome Diner is a beloved staple in the Garfield area. This neon-outfitted, ’60s-style diner has stood the test of time in Phoenix, serving up its Gulf Coast-influenced menu since 2004. The snug restaurant triples in size with its community dining patio, perfect for beating the heat under ample tree-provided shade. Welcome Diner is known for serving comfort food well into the night, making it a go-to spot for locals seeking an intimate, nostalgic dining experience.

Attention all families: Luci’s at the Orchard will be a hit with your kids. An old-fashioned water tower and a splash pad are just some of the highlights of this restaurant patio. Adults won’t be disappointed by the menu either. Order farm-to-table plates like the chopped salad featuring field greens, tomato, corn, red peppers, feta, and ranch dressing.

The Blind Pig in Scottsdale fills a much-needed niche in the Valley’s Italian food scene: New York-style Italian. This husband-and-wife duo-owned and operated spot is run by Michele and Brandon Gioffre. True to form, they fly in ingredients from the East Coast, and anything else not made on site is imported directly from Italy. While the menu often changes, there are always East Coast Italian classics like NY strip, shrimp scampi, chicken parmigiana, and linguine with clams. Brandon’s hand-pulled mozzarella, known Valley-wide, is a highlight, and Michele helms the dessert menu. The courtyard patio offers a charming spot to dine alfresco. Although they excel at dinner service, the Blind Pig also offers a fantastic weekend brunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tucked away in the Bespoke Inn, Virtu is not only one of the most charming restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale but also one of its best. Chef-owner and James Beard award nominee Gio Osso turns out Italian food from a three-course, prix fixe menu highlighting pasta, octopus anointed with Calabrese chile butter, and insanely rich asparagus, adorned with bacon candy, a duck egg, and foie gras hollandaise. The modern, minimalist (and decidedly tiny) interior has its charms, but most people gravitate to the cozy, plant-filled patio, strung with lights and presided over by a graceful old tree. In good weather (fall through spring), that same tree offers dappled shade for brunches offered every weekend.

Nestled between Camelback and Mummy Mountains in the heart of Paradise Valley, this lovely old adobe lodge — an iconic landmark surrounded by palm trees, cactus and desert plants — offers up a delicious taste of Arizona history without feeling remotely stuck in time. The place is justifiably famous for its alfresco brunch, thanks to its gorgeous setting and legendary sticky buns, but don’t miss green corn tamales with eggs or the nostalgic shake (a tangerine freeze, optionally jacked up with booze). Locals and tourists show up for happy hour or a balmy dinner on the fireplace-warmed patio over classics such as trout amandine and beef stroganoff.

Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn offers a special view of nearby Camelback Mountain in a private, serene space surrounded by colorful flowers and a vintage fountain. It’s a setting reminiscent of an old hacienda. Chef Alejandro Martinez adds global touches to Southwestern dishes, many of them wood-grilled and made with local ingredients. His seasonal menus might include charred octopus with anasazi beans, artichokes and chistorra, Patagonian lamb rack with caponata and fava beans, or local chicken with onion-ash potato puree, honey-roasted carrots and Meyer lemon parsley vinaigrette. Seasonal desserts are always outstanding.

Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a kid-friendly lunch, or a romantic date night, this bucolic 10-acre retreat — which features an old pecan grove, great swaths of lawn, flower and vegetable gardens, and a chicken coop — has it all. Bring the kids to the Farm Kitchen at the front of the property for a sandwich and salad picnic and playtime under the trees, or head farther down the lane for an imaginative breakfast on Morning Glory’s verdant patio, where you might order Belgian waffles, a smoked salmon omelet, or an utterly decadent Japanese sweet potato stuffed with smoked brisket. However, the biggest thrills are found at Quiessence, a charmingly refurbished old farmhouse offering a patio that extends out into the lawn, and a secluded “brick oven table,” tucked away under a vine-covered gazebo — surely the most romantic spot in town (reservations required). Chef and co-owner Dustin Christofolo offers three multi-course prix fixe menus, each featuring farm-to-table fare. Don’t miss the elaborate charcuterie board (a signature for good reason) or luxurious add-ons such as foie gras macarons.

Connect with Arizona’s farming roots by dining outdoors at this rehabbed ranch-style house, which was owner Joe Johnston’s former childhood home. One edge of the property still backs up to cultivated fields (now devoted to urban organic farming), but the old place has been transformed into a ’60s-era burger stand, bordered by a sprawling lawn, a towering shade tree, and picnic tables. Although Joe’s was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, there’s a fresh slant to its menu, which makes use of fruit, veggies, and herbs harvested from the Farm at Agritopia. Besides eight different burgers, choices include chicken and waffles, crispy Brussels sprouts, corn fritters, and an ahi tuna sandwich with wasabi mayo.

An evening on the patio at Cielo offers the opportunity to commune with the sky and watch the sunset near the McDowell Mountains. The patio sits 2,500 feet above sea level and the vantage point offers a serious connection with nature. Chef Chris Kight, who sources local ingredients, has recently refreshed the menus, offering everything from popcorn shrimp tacos at brunch to A5 wagyu tartare and 24-hour braised short ribs at dinner. If sweet potato cheesecake and vegan panna cotta aren’t exciting enough, consider Cielo’s desserts by the glass, including jalapeño shortcake and the Dude Abides.