Station 6 is spitting distance to the lake, so no wonder the rustic back patio is a great place ever to throw down some seafood. Chef Alison Vega-Knoll sets a high bar for pescatarians, from her charbroiled oyster pasta to one of the best seafood gumbos in town. Then again, her fried chicken sandwich is tough to resist.

Blue Oak BBQ’s spacious patio fills up on game days, but then again any day is good for chilling at this popular Mid City spot. The creative kitchen and bar staff are always tempting with specials and happy hour runs from Tuesday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. The smoked wings are always a good idea.

N7 is a tucked away gem on Montegut Street, a nonchalantly chic French-meets-Japanese eatery in Bywater with a gorgeous, candlelit patio, a soundtrack of cool French pop music, and bistro fare like steak au poivre and duck l’orange.

The always-delightful Marjie’s Grill is back, serving up its refreshing but hearty menu of Southeast Asian/Southern fare, and hosting a slew of great chefs for special collaborations (for instance, Dakar Nola’s Serigne Mbaye and Mr. Shrimp). Socially-distant patio dining is available Thursday through Tuesday evenings.

Schnitzel hanging over the plate, German beer and wine on tap, fresh baked pretzels, all kinds of sausages and a roomy area for kids to roam. That’s the gist of this friendly spot in the Bywater next door to Pizza D. Bratz Ya’ll has a few indoor high tops, but try for a seat at the communal picnic tables, where Fido is welcome and the vibe is beyond chill.

For a truly unique dining experience in a wonderfully lush French Quarter courtyard, the ever-romantic Cafe Amelie offers an ideal setting for dinner or a leisurely weekend brunch. The courtyard is currently open to reserve for brunch Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Head out back at Bacchanal, after choosing a bottle of wine and cheeses and meats for what might just be one of the tastiest cheese platters in town. Welcome to the funkiest yard party in Bywater, where there’s live music on the patio starting at noon on weekends, 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Bayona, set in an 18th century Creole cottage, has been charming diners since Regina Keever and chef Susan Spicer opened the doors in 1990. Bayona drips with romance, but the vibe is casual and inviting. Pair chef Spicer’s award winning global cuisine with one of the most serene patios for fine dining in New Orleans. Closed since the arrival of the pandemic, Bayona has reopened with reservations available for outdoor dining.

This homespun comfort food cafe in Arabi is swell on all counts, from the Tuesday $12 pork chop special (orange glazed grilled bone-in chop with whipped potatoes and roasted vegetables) to homemade desserts and welcoming service. Kitchen Table also has a lovely outside space, where live music sometimes takes the stage and folks relax and visit.

Chef Jimi Setchim is passionate about his food, a dedication that shows at Broussard’s, one of the grand old French Creole restaurant in the Quarter. Take a seat in the lush expansive outdoor space and try one of the classic Creole dishes or a seasonal special — the gulf shrimp linguine with caramelized onions, herbs, and nicoise olives is a winner.

A massive selection of tapped wine and a menu of sprightly American cuisine (grilled vegetable flatbread with mozzarella, herb roasted mushroom pasta, steak frites) distinguish this Poydras Street eatery, owned by Kyle Brechtel, the hospitality vet behind Walk Ons. Copper Vine is such a pretty spot, thanks in large part to its lush outdoor patio, with its live plant wall and glass ceiling.

Vyoone’s is one of the Warehouse District’s best-kept secrets, a romantic French-meets-Creole spot oozing with ambience. In addition to a balanced menu of delicate French starters and contemporary Creole entrees, the top-notch wine list and magical courtyard make for the perfect special occasion setting.

This pioneering Mexican eatery on Oretha Castle Haley delivers solid Mexico City street fare in a fetching setting. Out back, there’s live Latin music of all stripes and enough room for plenty of hip-shaking. The margaritas are the real deal. Yes, there is Tex-Mex on Casa Borrega’s menu, but try one of the Platos Tipicos for a true treat.

The Company Burger’s Freret location debuted a welcoming (and kid-friendly) patio last year. The space boasts ample outdoor seating, televisions tuned into the game, lots of lush greenery, and a happy hour Monday through Friday.

Drive by this St. Charles Avenue favorite in the evenings or late at night and the front patio is bound to be packed with people. With epic cheese plates, duck fat fries, cocktails, wine and a streetcar view, it’s no surprise.

Tory McPhail is known as the chef behind the Commander’s Palace magic — but his chill uptown spot (co-owned with Ti Martin and Darryl Reginelli) is also worth a visit. There’s a great side patio at Picnic Provisions & Whiskey, very pet and kid friendly, and a menu of fried chicken, crispy fingerlings, salads, and gooey grilled cheese that will please everybody.

Enjoy tacos and margaritas on a covered deck overlooking Magazine, or on the cute patio outback. Either way, it’s a good choice for Mexican cuisine al fresco Uptown.

Think patio meets margarita garden meets funky picnic space and you’ll get the drift of what Barracuda has going for it. Order food inside and then grab a picnic table out back. The crowd is a fun mix of families with kids, pals, and date night couples. Oh, and the food is across the board excellent.