Inside and out, Vessel is a religious experience. The gorgeous church-turned-restaurant in Mid City offers a large covered patio with a clear roof above stylish wooden slats — think oversized pergola with pizzazz. There’s a tasty all-day menu featuring Mediterranean favorites, salads and sandwiches, and a brunch menu served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends.

This cool renovation of a Catholic church complex includes a lovely center patio for nibbling under the stars. Hotel Peter and Paul features the Elysian Bar, an intimate space run by the smart folks at Bacchanal. Order cocktails and small to medium plates from chef Alex Harrell’s creative menu — the roasted red shrimp is delicious.

Dining poolside feels like being on vacation and that’s exactly the vibe radiating from the Country Club in Bywater every day of the week. Enjoy chef Chris Barbato’s global menu - don’t miss the silky sweet corn and blue crab bisque and the panko-crusted fried cauliflower swabbed with an Asian sweet and savory sauce. Tables are social distanced so you and your honey can whisper sweet nothings and really get away with it.

Cane & Table delivers super cocktails on lower Decatur, along with a vegetable-forward menu that is best enjoyed in one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the Quarter. Done up in tropical oasis meets tiki, this is the spot to enjoy the likes of avocado salad, tuna ala plancha, and garlic soup with sourdough croutons.

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.

Grab a seat on the intimate back patio at Sylvain and prepare to be dazzled. The elevated gastropub cuisine is stellar, from the famous fried chicken sandwich, grilled gulf shrimp, and pappardelle bolognese. Add in the perfect cocktails and candlelit outdoor space, and you won’t want to leave.

When it became very apparent how important it was to have a covered outdoor dining space to stay afloat during the pandemic, Nathanial Zimet, executive chef of Boucherie, built his own. It features a permanent covering surrounded by trellises growing new evergreen wisteria vines, picnic tables and benches, as well as smaller four-top tables and purple chairs to match the flowers when they start to bloom. The modern Southern restaurant offers a fab cocktail program along with the likes of blackened shrimp and grit cake and whole hog pulled pork.

This hidden gem in the CBD features a lovely patio with string lights and lounge seating for enjoying a cocktail or taking in the global-inspired small plates.

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.

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.

From the tasteful tile work and snuggle-friendly booths to the by turns delicate and swaggering French (and sometimes Italian and/or Asian) cooking, this Uptown stalwart has date night written all over it. One of the city’s most consistent restaurants is also one of its loveliest.