Golden Road, the LA-bred, Budweiser-owned brewery in Atwater Village, has reopened their large front patio and side yard for dine-in. They’ve got an eclectic menu full of pub food, like carnitas poutine, BBQ short rib sandwiches, and fish & chips. First-come, first-served.

Mediterranean spot Momed is back open in Atwater Village. They’ve got a big patio where you’ll eat lamb and beef meatballs with pine nuts, feta, pomegranate seeds, and tomato ragu, and excellent chicken skewers with chickpea aioli and tzatziki.

Crenshaw institution Earle’s Grille specializes in hot dogs and chili dogs, and has a huge menu of vegan options, with free COVID-19 testing on Sundays and Wednesdays.

One of our best new restaurants of 2020, Hotville is a South LA spot serving hot chicken, mac and cheese, and pecan pie you need to try. They’ve got outdoor seating outside their storefront in their Baldwin Hills shopping center that’s officially reopened.

Coffee shop/market South LA Cafe has patio seating for you to sit each morning with your coffee and banana pecan muffin or butter croissant.

With an aesthetic that reads closer to a farmhouse in the French countryside than a restaurant across the street from a hospital, AOC’s patio is one of the most iconic in town. Make a reservation so you can, once again, be dining on it.

Bacari has reopened with an excellent outdoor dining room, covered with massive trees and hanging lamps. It’s tucked far enough back from busy West 3rd St. that it doubles as an impressive oasis, and the wine list - impressively large and just as full of affordable options - only helps. The menu of Mediterranean-ish small plates compliments both the surroundings and the wine very well.

The Beverly Grove dim sum house has reopened their sidewalk patio along Beverly Blvd. It’s tented with string lights for when it gets dark.

The neighborhood Italian spot by The Grove has always had a nice wrap-around front patio, but they’re offering their parking lot as an outdoor dining option as well.

This neighborhood taqueria quietly moved a few blocks down the street in 2020 to a new space with a great wrap-around patio that’s officially reopened.

Haute Mess is a new-ish market/cafe/wine shop in Beverly Grove with excellent sandwiches. Their sidewalk patio right on Beverly Blvd. has officially reopened.

The long-standing steakhouse in Beverly Grove is known for its giant plates of meat (the pot roast is legendary) and its windowless brick facade that feels like the entrance to a secret society. Now, they’re opening things up with a new side patio on Harper Ave. that offers the same great menu, but in a safe al fresco setting.

Home to our favorite (and strongest) coffee in the neighborhood, King’s Road is the perfect place for a casual weekday breakfast when you simply can’t fathom eating another sad bowl of cereal alone on the couch.

This Beverly Grove French bistro is back with an expanded sidewalk seating area - perfect for having a few glasses of wine and some wine-adjacent finger foods that are much better than any wine-adjacent finger foods should ever be (both the white anchovy and jamon tomato toasts are particularly great). For more information, check out their Instagram.

Home to some of our favorite sushi in the city, this upscale omakase bar in Beverly Grove is reopening their tented patio area on February 1st.

Oste is one of our favorite new restaurants in LA, thanks to its delicious pinsa, a Roman-style flatbread that comes topped with everything from pesto and goat cheese to potatoes and rosemary.

Made famous by countless movies, this classic Beverly Grove diner has reopened for outdoor dining. Current hours are 8am-10pm. Your hangover already thanks you.

Located across the street from The Grove, this beloved neighborhood Italian spot has reopened their wrap-around sidewalk patio going along Beverly Blvd. Expect a lot of pasta and even more red wine.

Theía is a Greek restaurant on West Third St, serving entrees like lamb burgers with pita buns, littlenecks with capers and white wine, or whole-roasted loup de mer. Outdoor dining reopens on February 6th.

Relive your middle school fantasies with a visit to this over-the-top Brazilian steakhouse chain in Beverly Hills. They have reopened outdoor dining with a massive new patio in the adjacent parking lot. Bring on the meats.

Old-school Italian spot Il Cielo is open in Beverly Hills, with a big patio involving a lot of trees and Roman columns. They’ve got everything you’d expect at a spot like this: Polpette, bucatini all’Amatriciana, chicken milanese, and lots of focaccia. Reservationsrecommended.

The landmark Beverly Hills steakhouse has taken over a portion of their parking lot and built a fenced-in, string-lit patio called The Silver Cart Terrace. Expect a full menu, a lot of hand sanitizer, and of course, the legendary prime rib carts. Book your reservations here.

When it comes to sushi in LA, it doesn’t get any more classic than Matsuhisa. And now, this Beverly Hills institution has reopened for outdoor dining with a massive tent in their adjacent parking lot and tables going along the sidewalk. Call (310) 659-9639.

Mírame has reopened for outdoor dining serving Mexican dishes in the Beverly Hills-iest part of Canon Dr. You can expect options like albacore tuna asada, lamb barbacoa quesadillas, and corn-stuffed whole hens. Reservations here.

Coastal Italian spot Nerano in Beverly Hills has a redesigned back patio, where you can eat tons of fresh seafood like calamari and branzino, as well as pasta and Neapolitan pizza.

Beverly Hills all-day spot Prospect Gourmand has sidewalk seating open on Robertson Blvd. near Wilshire. They’re open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, all with the same menu, which involves options like handmade fettuccine, tri-tip sandwiches, and steak frites. Reservations recommended - call (424) 777-0481.

The Rooftop By JG is back open at the Waldorf Astoria. Focus on the cocktails - we like the ginger margarita - which are ideal for drinking next to a pool and pretending the world isn’t on fire.

The iconic fine-dining spot in Beverly Hills has reopened their outdoor seating on their Canon Dr. sidewalk, where you can eat smoked salmon pizza and spicy tuna tartare cones. Reservations here.

LA’s most popular casual sushi bar has reopened for outdoor dining at its MDR, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Hollywood, Calabasas, Pasadena, and MB locations.

Sushi Tama is one of our favorite new sushi spots in town and is currently open for outdoor dining for both lunch and dinner.

A great place for afternoon tea, (take that, Infatuation London), the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills has reopened for outdoor dining. Your extremely British meal will involve scones, cucumber sandwiches, and a whole lot of champagne. Reservations here

Baltaire is a Brentwood steakhouse that’s reopened for outdoor dining. All the food is solid, but whether you’re there for Happy Hour or not, you should definitely get a gin martini, involving house-stuffed blue cheese olives. Reservations here.

LA’s most popular casual sushi bar has reopened for outdoor dining at its MDR, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Hollywood, Calabasas, Pasadena, and MB locations.

Toscana is a family-run Italian restaurant with a big menu serving everything from antipasti to pizza to big plates of meat. Their outdoor dining is also open for weekday lunch.

When it comes to epic restaurant views, it doesn’t get any better than the ones you’ll find at Castaway. Looking out over the SFV, this upscale Burbank restaurant has reopened their sprawling patio with plenty of fire pits to keep you warm.

Both the Glendale and Century City locations of this famous dumpling house have reopened for outdoor dining. Be sure to snag a reservation beforehand.

Eataly’s rooftop bar and restaurant Terra is open for Italian patio dining on top of the Westfield Century City. They’re serving a huge menu that has handmade pastas and wood-grilled Italian classics, like branzino, slow-grilled eggplant, and prime beef with parmesan. Reservations required).

Experience some of the best new sandwiches in LA on this tiny shop’s new outdoor dining space in Chinatown.

Experience some of the best new sandwiches in LA on this tiny shop’s new outdoor dining space in Chinatown.

Philippe’s is one of LA’s oldest restaurants, and the birthplace of the French dip sandwich. And now, the iconic French deli in Chinatown has taken over two separate parking lots for outdoor dining. Each patio includes plenty of shade, socially distant tables, and a beverage station selling beer, wine, and soda.

San Antonio Winery’s on-site restaurant is back open for drinking and dining, with a sprawling outdoor dining room, and an Italian-American menu with pastas, grilled meats, and sandwiches.

Bianca Bakery at the Platform has reopened for outdoor dining. Stop by for whichever of the tarts look good (our favorites are the pistachio or the chocolate ganache), some tomato and basil focaccia, and the gnocchi pomodoro. Any of them pair well with a glass of sauvignon blanc.

Cafe Vida has reopened for outdoor dining with a huge menu, including all-day breakfast, a bunch of burgers, and plenty of salads.

The classic Culver City steakhouse has moved their Old Hollywood aesthetic outside - and onto a new patio in their parking lot. On top of string lights and astroturf, there’s also a mural of the interior dining room going along the walls, so you actually feel like you’re inside the place. Except you’re outside - even better.

Built over an adjacent parking lot, Hatchet Hall’s massive patio has officially reopened. With picnic tables, umbrellas, string lights, and fantastic Southern food, you’ll have all you need for an all-day hang. Walk-ins only.

Located on a hidden residential street, Jackson Market serves as deli, apothecary, wine shop, snack bar, and probably a few other things we don’t even know about. Consider it one of Culver’s best-kept secrets, and that’s before we even mention their incredible back patio, which is now open on weekends only for their pizza pop-up.

Loqui is a great taco spot with locations at Platform in Culver City and the Arts District. Their reopened patio is an ideal place to drink Mexican craft beer and eat tacos made with their tremendous homemade flour tortillas.

The side patio at Culver City’s local BBQ spot Maple Block has reopened for lunch, dinner, and brunch. It’s the best place to sit, because you can practically taste the scent of the peach wood burning in the restaurant’s smoker. If you’re there for lunch, get the smoked pork shoulder sandwich - topped with creamy coleslaw and sweet BBQ sauce. Otherwise, try the pork spare ribs for dinner.

We know you’ve been wondering where to go for gin and tonics while watching trains go by, but fear not: Margot has returned. This Culver City rooftop spot on top of the Platform is back open for dinner. Reserve here.

French bistro Meet In Paris has taken one more step toward going full Parisian with the reopening of their sidewalk patio, where you can drink wine and order one of the 12 different kinds of moules frites on the menu.

The tonkotsu specialists in Culver City have reopened with a small front patio right on Washington Blvd.

This handmade pasta spot at the Helms Bakery complex in Culver City has a huge patio that’s ideal for physical distancing. Along with our favorites like tagliatelle Bolognese and spaghetti and clams, Pasta Sisters has also brought back their excellent (and seasonal) eggplant parmesan.

This American Southern/Asian restaurant has reopened their prime Culver City space for outdoor dining. Reservations available online.

Public School 310 in Culver City has reopened their outdoor seating. They’ve also got an impressive beer list to go, plus wine, cocktails, and pub food like wings and pizza. Reservations available here.

The famed pizzeria has reopened their extensive patio at the Platform in Culver City. Now, you can finally eat their incredible Bee Sting pizza with an even better shot of getting stung by a real bee.

Culver City is well known for its sports bars, and Rush Street might be our favorite in the area. This Chicago-centric spot has multiple covered patios and a rooftop space, plus $20 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys on Sundays.

An Italian spot right in downtown Culver City, Ugo serves Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta on prime a sidewalk patio. Don’t leave without getting some gelato as well.

Broken Shaker in Downtown LA has everything you want in a rooftop: Great views, a pool to stare at, and some really excellent cocktails. The food menu is a bit all over the place, but if you get the crispy, twice-fried chicken wings, you won’t be disappointed. Plus, what you’re really there for are the tiki-themed drinks, especially the Sunsetland - guava, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, with your choice of booze. Reservations highly encouraged

All locations of this plant-based restaurant (Larchmont, Arts District, and Venice) are now reopened for outdoor dining. The only question now is are you Grateful?

All locations of Chado Tea (DTLA, Hollywood, Pasadena, and Torrance) are open for outdoor dining. Expect your quintessential afternoon tea experience with plenty of tasty sandwiches like smoked salmon and egg salad.

Located inside Mercado La Paloma, Chichen Itza serves up tremendous Yucatan specialties like cochinita pibil and longaniza asada. They are now open for outdoor dining on the market’s sprawling outdoor patio on their adjacent parking lot.

With a wrap-around patio that feels like you’re hanging out in a beachside mansion in Cuba, Dama has one of the most idyllic patios Downtown. The Latin-inspired food and drinks menu only adds to the appeal. Reservations here.

The casual taco window in the Arts District (and sister restaurant to the upscale Damian) is open now for outdoor dining. Currently operating hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from noon-7pm, and Friday and Saturday from noon-9pm. Get the suadero tacos.

This tiny vendor inside Mercado La Paloma serves some of the freshest seafood in the city. Now, you can have all the scallop ceviche and uni tostadas you want on market’s big outdoor patio.

All four LA locations (Downtown, West Hollywood, Westwood, Santa Monica) of the popular hand roll chain have reopened their patios.

Taco spot Loqui is back with their excellent handmade flour tortillas, Mexican craft beer, and a great patio tucked away from the street in the Arts District.

Manuela, the all-purpose Downtown LA spot, has reopened for dine-in on their outdoor terrace and patio. They have some of our old favorites like country ham and biscuits and soft shell crab with jalapeño relish. They’re open Tuesday-Sunday for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch - reservations required.

Perch in Downtown LA has two separate patios on the 15th and 16th floors of a building overlooking Pershing Square, where you can sit amidst fire pits, stare out over the city, and eat dinner from their French-leaning menu. They’re open for dinner seven days a week and weekend brunch from 11:30am-3:30pm. Reservations can be made here.

Pez Cantina is a Mexican seafood spot right in the center of Downtown LA. You’ll be happy with their cocteles and ceviches, but their excellent (and notably strong) cocktails are probably the real reason you’re back on their patio.

Pilot is the rooftop restaurant at Downtown LA’s Hoxton hotel. They’ve got an open air dining room where they serve Mediterranean food, cocktails, and wine. Reserve here.

Located inside The RowDTLA, you can’t miss this casual oyster bar as it occupies the most prime corner in the whole place. Sitting out on their sunny patio with a tray of oysters and lobster rolls is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon.

In addition to their long-standing courtyard space, Redbird in Downtown has added not one, but two new outdoor spaces - the Redbird garden and the lounge on the Vibiana courtyard.

The upscale Italian restaurant in the Fashion District has reopened their expansive front patio. We definitely recommend snagging a reservation beforehand.

A new spot in Downtown LA right by the Staples Center, Strada is an all-purpose restaurant with sidewalk seating on W. 9th St. They serve an eclectic menu involving ceviche, lobster ravioli, and an ahi tuna steak burger, and have a full bar. Reservations recommended).

One of our favorite downtown bars, The Escondite has converted their parking lot into “Skidrokyo Beach,” complete with Adirondack chairs, umbrellas, and excellent views of the Downtown skyline.

The longstanding Italian spot in the Arts District has reopened for outdoor dining. Their massive new patio has plenty of shade during the day and string lights for nightly ambiance.

The Ace Hotel in DTLA has one of biggest rooftops in the city - and they’re back open with an all-day menu including tacos, charcuterie, and other small plates that are ideal to go along with their cocktail list. There’s also a pool up there, though we suspect no one’s going to be getting in any time soon. Reservation only.

Chifa is a new Chinese/Peruvian restaurant and one of our favorite new restaurants in LA. They have opened their new heated outdoor seating area in their back parking lot. Be sure to order the si yao chicken.

Lolo in East Hollywood has one of the most underrated patios on the Eastside, thanks to its quiet setting and massive fig trees. The menu is keeping a tight focus to start, serving snacks and focaccia sandwiches at lunchtime, and at night, they’re doing housemade pastas - spaghetti with sungold tomatoes and eggplant, tagliatelle with mushrooms, and ricotta cavatelli with pepper ragu and pork meatballs. They’ve got an excellent wine selection, too, and are offering all bottles from their shop at retail price for dine-in service (plus a $10 corkage).

Virgil Village’s natural wine bar Melody converted into a wine shop for much of the pandemic, and now, they’ve reopened their patio, too. Alongside their long wine and beer list, they’ve got weekly pop-ups as well. First come, first served.

In what might be the most unique patio set up in town, Lady Byrd Cafe has placed plant-filled greenhouses around every table, ensuring minimal germ exposure and maximum English garden aesthetics. Couple that with a menu that includes sandwiches, pasta, and pastries, and this new all-day cafe is as good of an al fresco dining situation as you’ll find.

One of our favorite bars in Echo Park has reopened for limited seating on their enclosed sidewalk patio. They’re open until 11pm and have several new menu items including wings.

The classic French restaurant in Echo Park is now offering outdoor dining in their parking lot. The set up includes umbrellas, potted plants, and a lot of steak-frites.

The high-end omakase spot in Encino has reopened for outdoor dining. Weekly hours are Wednesday through Sunday with seatings at 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm. Make your reservation here.

Fairfax’s local Italian cafe, Angelini Alimentari, has reopened their large sidewalk patio. Our order is always the prosciutto panini and some chocolate gelato, but they’ve got all kinds of sandwiches, salads, and pastas available. Next door, they’re also reopening the more formal Angelini Osteria.

Located directly next to door to Alimentari, Angelini Osteria is the upscale sister restaurant serving pasta, pizza, and big plates of delicious meat. They have also reopened their expansive sidewalk patio.

The large sports bar on La Brea reopened one of the coolest new patios in the city. Taking over the parking lot next door, this new massive space is filled with astroturf, long picnic tables, and string lights covering the entire patio. Also, there are weekly specials that include 25-cent wings on Wednesdays and BOGO late night Happy Hour.

The two things we can all depend on in life are taxes and a line outside Blue Jam Cafe. The massively-popular brunch spot has a big front patio going down Melrose.

One of the most underrated ramen spots on Melrose, EAK has reopened both their front sidewalk patio and hidden back patio.

With massive tents taking over the adjacent parking lot, the most famous Mexican restaurant in LA is back open for outdoor dining in a big way. Get ready for margaritas, enchilada platters, and then more margaritas.

If you’re roaming around Melrose in the morning and looking for a low-key spot to grab some breakfast and get some work done, Fratelli’s patio is a fantastic option.

Argentine spot Lala’s is back open on Melrose, with a covered patio where they’re serving all kinds of grilled meats like pollo a la brasa, ribeyes, and NY strip steaks.

NoMoo is an all-vegan burger spot with a front patio that opened in the original Johnny Rockets (major RIP) space on Melrose. It’s a great meatless option to keep in mind if you’re wandering the neighborhood on the weekends.

Fans of the cauliflower nachos rejoice, Petty Cash has reopened for both takeout and outdoor dining. Their front patio on Beverly Blvd. is one of the most expansive in the neighborhood.

Ronan is officially back open for outdoor dining. That’s great news for anyone who wants excellent wood-fired pizza and a plate of burrata that’ll ruin all other plates of burrata.

Tacos 1986’s La Brea outpost opened in April of 2020, right at the start of the pandemic. So we’d forgive you for not knowing about this Beverly Blvd. spot. But, like their DTLA, Westwood, and Burbank locations, they serve great adobada tacos and mulitas, and unlike those other spots, this one has a patio out front.

La Brea’s biergarten is back open with their German comfort food and imported craft beer. It’s an ideal place to spend a Saturday, drink some doppelbocks, order a wurstplatte (sausage platter) and watch the recently resumed Bundesliga.

Both the Glendale and East Hollywood locations of this Armenian institution is back open for outdoor dining.

Both the Glendale and Century City locations of this famous dumpling house have reopened. Be sure to snag a reservation beforehand.

Glendale Tap is a tremendous spot for craft beer lovers in a quiet part of Glendale. They’ve got a low-key patio, where you’ll find people sampling from their 25+ beer taps and food vendors (including the excellent Kuya Lord) popping up on weekends).

Golden Road, the LA-bred, Budweiser-owned brewery in Atwater Village, has reopened their large front patio and side yard for dine-in. They’ve got an eclectic menu full of pub food, like carnitas poutine, BBQ short rib sandwiches, and fish & chips. First-come, first-served.

When it comes to eating outside in Glendale, it doesn’t more fun than Raffi’s Place. The iconic Middle Eastern restaurant’s sprawling patio is officially back open.

One of our favorite date spots in Highland Park, Hippo has reopened their big back patio. Expect great food, great wine, plenty of heat lamps, and even the iconic orange graphic wall that was inside. Reservations encouraged.

Ichijiku is a new neighborhood sushi bar in Highland Park with incredibly fresh fish (get the branzino nigiri) and an excellent back patio. Expect foliage, awnings, and socially distant picnic tables, each adorned with their own bottle of hand sanitizer.

Hollywood sports bar 3rd Base is back open with a patio on Selma Ave. Expect a menu of typical bar food, plus brunch and several different specials throughout the week. Reservations through their website.

Hollywood spot Boardner’s has been around since 1942, so it’s safe to say they know how to weather a storm. They’ve reopened their patio for outdoor dining with plenty of weekday drink specials.

Popping up Thursday through Sunday inside Tartine Sycamore, Cento Pizzeria is dishing out bubbly-crusted Neapolitan pizza with toppings that can range from birria to potatoes to butternut squash puree.

All locations of Chado Tea (DTLA, Hollywood, Pasadena, and Torrance) are open for outdoor dining. Expect your quintessential afternoon tea experience with plenty of tasty sandwiches like smoked salmon and egg salad.

The longstanding American spot on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood has reopened their patio for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Expect a wide-ranging menu filled with salad, sandwiches, pizza, and more.

This excellent train station-themed bar in Hollywood is back for dine-in and takeout service. They’re running limited hours right now - Thursday through Sunday from 11:30am-3:30pm - but that’s still plenty of time to get their burger, which is one of our favorites in the city.

The landmark drinking hole in Hollywood has reopened their rooftop patio for dinner from 5-9:30pm daily. Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations are encouraged. Weekend brunch will be returning shortly.

Gigi’s on Sycamore had the unfortunate luck of opening up only a few weeks before December’s stay-at-home order. After some retooling though, they will officially be reopening for outdoor dining on March 3rd with a revamped menu and space.

Located behind Yamashiro overlooking the Hollywood hills, this Japanese wine bar has one of our favorite patios in the entire city, period. It’s the kind of place you come for snacks and a drink, and end up staying all night, because you simply couldn’t fathom the idea of leaving.

Hollywood pizza spot L’Antica has reopened their big patio. If you’re headed there, we recommend sticking to the pizzas - our favorites are the bianca and the margherita. The original location in Naples is the pizza spot in Eat Pray Love, which are three things you’re probably trying to do a lot of right now.

The Hollywood hotel rooftop is back open serving Mediterranean food and excellent cocktails all day long. The weekends just got a bit more fun.

One of the most underrated Italian restaurants in LA, Osteria Mamma has two outdoor dining spaces - a sidewalk seating out front, and a full patio in the back parking lot. The patio comes with both a canopy and heaters, so whether the sun is up or down, you’ll be taken care of.

Osteria Mozza’s “Piazza” has now reopened. With black and white checkered flooring, string lights, and plenty of foliage, this two-story outdoor dining space is one of the more impressive new patios around.

LA’s most popular casual sushi bar has reopened for outdoor dining at its MDR, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Hollywood, Calabasas, Pasadena, and MB locations.

The Cat and Fiddle has one of the nicest patios in Hollywood, and they’re officially back open for socially distanced dining, serving British pub classics like fish anbd chips, bangers and mash, and Sunday Roast specials. Reservations here.

The neighborhood, rock-n-roll themed Thai spot has reopened with a tiny sidewalk patio going along Sunset Blvd. Favorite dishes include their pad thai, panang nuah, and tom kha soup.

Yamashiro, the massive Japanese restaurant in the Hollywood Hills, feels as much like a public garden as it does a restaurant, with their meticulously manicured courtyard patio. They’re reopening on February 3rd, and should be able to take care of your sake- and spicy albacore-related needs.

The late-night spot in Koreatown has reopened their large patio complete with awnings, string lights, and gallons of tofu stew.

Opening just before the start of quarantine in 2020, Chef Kang Sul Box has managed to build a massive following even in the midst of a global pandemic - a testament to their excellent Korean gastropub menu. The space on Wilshire has a large wrap-around patio that’s officially reopened.

Korean BBQ spot Chosun Galbee has reopened their jungle-like patio. They’ve even still got grills at tables outdoors, so you can cook your own gui, galbee, and bulgogi. And don’t skip the bibim nengmyun, excellent spicy cold noodles.

Few places have our late-night heart quite like Dan Sung Sa, the seminal Ktown drinking tavern. While we dream of the day we can once again be inside eating cheese corn and pounding soju, their outdoor patio will certainly suffice in the meantime.

Walking into this massive beer garden at 11pm on a Saturday feels like you’ve stepped into the best party in town. Everyone is drinking pitchers of beer and smoking cigarettes, and the only time they take a break from either is when a gigantic kimchi pancake hits the table. They’re currently open from 5pm-2am daily, walk-ins encouraged.

Winter is in full-swing in LA, so that means it’s time to be ordering kalguksu from Myung Dong Kyoja. The popular soup specialist in Koreatown has reopened their makeshift sidewalk patio.

The casual spot inside The Line hotel has reopened for terrace dining for both dinner and weekend brunch.

There are countless great KBBQ spots in Koreatown, but Parks will always be among our favorite. High-quality meat, tasty banchan, and big combo meals to accommodate any level of hunger.

Korean BBQ spot Quarters might not be able to cook at your tables outside, but they’re still serving up some high-quality grilled meats on their recently-built patio. The Combo 2 is our favorite here - it serves three easily, and includes their excellent beef jowl and seasoned boneless short rib.

It’s midnight, and you want to go eat bar food and get drunk. Where do you go? The answer (both before and during quarantine) has always been Toe Bang. This Koreatown party spot is a great place to load up on soju, and eat kimchi pancakes and spicy rice cakes on their popular front patio.

Located in Koreatown, Tokyo Hamburg is a lively restaurant with excellent Japanese bar food and a DIY smashburger situation you simply have to experience. And now, with a new patio out front, you can. Expect picnic tables, astroturf, and umbrellas.

All locations of this plant-based restaurant (Larchmont, Arts District, and Venice) have reopened for outdoor dining. The only question now is are you Grateful?

The classic spot on Fairfax is back open for outdoor dining on their front patio.

The classic spot on Fairfax is back open for outdoor dining on their front patio.

A massive, two-level party spot on the marina in Long Beach, Ballast Point is among the best patios in the city, if you can handle the post-grads also taking up space here. You’ll watch boats on the harbor while you drink from the massive, all-Ballast Point beer list and eat wings and nachos.

Ellie’s is a neighborhood Italian spot and home to our favorite pasta Long Beach. They have also reopened for weekend brunch as well.

Noble Bird is a Long Beach spot specializing in - you guessed it - rotisserie chicken. Due to Long Beach having its own health department., their huge patio has been open for a bit, and they’re serving a long list of California beers and wines to drink with your roast chicken.

Located in two converted houses on Hillhurst, this is one of the best outdoor spaces out there — perfect for penning the next King Lear and eating salad in the daylight.

A Los Feliz staple, Bar Covell has converted into a sidewalk wine bar, serving a tremendous list of wines by the bottle or glass (although they’ve had to pause their generous sample-before-you-commit policy). You can also expect cheese and charcuterie plates, tuna melts, and croque monsieurs - in other words, ideal snacks to go with a bottle of something light and French.

Los Feliz sidewalk spot Figaro Bistrot has officially reopened, with their French cafe food, and all kinds of European wines. Things can get expensive, but when you’re drinking a glass of pinot on an empty Vermont Avenue, you can’t be too mad about it.

In a neighborhood that knows good patios (Los Feliz), Home is one of our favorites. The leafy space on Hillhurst doesn’t exactly feel like a home, but it is a great place to hang with a few friends and burn an entire Thursday afternoon drinking mimosas and people watching.

Los Feliz locals spot Little Dom’s has reopened their patio seating for nightly dinner and weekend brunch, both of which will involve wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and, hopefully, martinis. Reservations required.

Another French sidewalk cafe in Los Feliz, Loupiotte is the ideal place for a 2pm glass of wine when “work from home” isn’t going as well as you might have hoped. Pair it with some creamy polenta with mushrooms and a fried egg, or their excellent burger - made with gruyere and confit d’oignons (jammy onions) - and you’ll be very happy. Walk-ins only for breakfast and lunch, reservations for dinner.

Los Feliz’s summer camp-themed Messhall has reopened for patio dining. Their all-day menu includes a fish fry, smoked ribs, and crab cakes, along with some really great cocktails and a few kinds of oysters. They’ve got an all-day menu weekday lunch and nightly dinner, and a weekend brunch menu. Reserve on their website.

Since Sogo’s opening, their front patio area has been used for people to wait around until a seat became available at the bar inside. Now, the Los Feliz sushi spot has converted the space into dining, meaning you can enjoy their simple, fresh hand rolls while remaining outside and socially distant.

Buried deep in the Malibu mountains at Topanga State Park is Inn Of The Seventh Ray, which has officially reopened for all-day dining. The leafy patio is an extremely pleasant place to spend a Saturday afternoon, especially with a cheese plate, some crispy shrimp cakes, and a glass of wine. Or three.

The closest you came to dining by the water during quarantine was parking your car on the side of Silver Lake Reservoir and eating a snack pack of hummus and pretzel chips. If you’re looking to come back with a bang, Nobu Malibu is a great place to do it. They’ve got some of the best views of the Pacific in town, and - this is a scientific fact - no one has ever been mad about eating their yellowtail with jalapeño.

If you’ve driven on PCH before, then you’ve seen Reel Inn’s giant sign, flashing neon fish at oncoming traffic. This retro spot is full of red checkered picnic tables that you’ll fill up with seafood classics like fish and chips, fried calamari, and steamed mussels. No one has ever been mad about eating fish and chips with a pitcher of beer while looking at the ocean, so this is a great place to spend an afternoon.

In the rolling hills of the Santa Monica Mountains is Saddle Peak Lodge, a beautiful spot with lots of space on the patio to eat elk steaks, 16-ounce ribeyes, and bison short rib. Reservations here.

Looking to get out of the city for the day? Head up to The Old Place in the Santa Monica Mountains and enjoy one of our favorite restaurant settings in LA. The historic saloon has shifted to a takeout-only window with a menu that includes cinnamon rolls for breakfast, sandwiches during lunch, and giant sirloin steaks at dinner. Then find a seat in their ample outdoor dining.

Rustic Canyon has been one of Santa Monica’s best dinner spots for years now, and with new and expanded seating along the sidewalk, you can safely take advantage of this classic spot all summer. Expect seasonal summer dishes to be added each night.

If you’re looking for a place with a view, there aren’t many better spots than Beachside, at Marina del Rey’s Jamaica Bay Inn. They’re doing daily brunch and dinner, with an outdoor dining room directly on the Marina.

This small, very solid Italian spot on Lincoln Blvd. has reopened their patio with a new al fresco dining menu, too. Oh, and they post pics like this.

Nueva took the place of beloved bottomless brunch destination Sunny Spot on Washington in Marina del Rey during the pandemic, but didn’t miss a beat. Their huge outdoor dining room will be filled in no time with people looking for tacos, ceviches, and mezcal-based cocktails. Don’t worry, they’re doing brunch, too.

LA’s most popular casual sushi bar has reopened for outdoor dining at its MDR, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Hollywood, Calabasas, Pasadena, and MB locations.

This quaint Italian restaurant has reopened with an intimate patio right on the marina and a menu full of house-made pasta.

The popular waterside restaurant in MDR has reopened. You can expect solid seafood, tons of fire pits, and epic sunset views.

Home to some of our favorite barbacoa in LA, Gish Bac has reopened their tented back patio. It comes complete with abundant shade, potted plants, and colorful fiesta banners.

All four LA locations (Downtown, West Hollywood, Westwood, Santa Monica) of the popular hand roll chain have reopened their patios.

The neighborhood pasta spot on La Brea has reopening for outdoor dining. We like the small bites best, like the arancini and the prosciutto and burrata board, and then washing it all down with a lot of wine.

One of LA’s most recognizeable restaurants, Republique has not one, but two patios that have reopened. The first one is set up along the front on La Brea and can be utilized during their Cafe hours from 8am-2pm. The second patio is in their side parking lot, and includes newly constructed walls and string lights for plenty of ambience. This patio is available during both cafe and dinner hours.

If you’re the kind of person that (even prior to the pandemic) only ventured to rooftops if you were guaranteed ample personal space, this is the spot for you. The Pop-Up at Hotel Wilshire has fantastic views and solid bar food, but most importantly, is one of the few rooftops in town that everybody kind of forgets about. Open weekdays from 3-8pm, weekends 11am-8pm. Walk-ins only.

Uovo’s locations in Santa Monica and Mid-Wilshire are both reopened for sidewalk seating with a pasta-heavy menu, and a $32/person tasting menu that includes an appetizer, three pastas, and a dessert.

It doesn’t get anymore architecturally significant than this barrel-shaped bar in North Hollywood. The historic drinking hole has reopened for outdoor dining at night with brunch service on the weekends.

North Hollywood’s Pitfire Pizza opened a beer garden-style patio last fall, setting them up well for outdoor-only pandemic dining. Their wood-fired pizzas are where to focus your attention, particularly the “Field Mushrooms,” with enoki and cremini mushrooms and fontina cheese. All locations citywide have reopened.

We can’t all live in the Palisades, but we can at least have dinner there every once in a while. And the Draycott is a great place to do that, especially on the patio full of wicker chairs and white tablecloths. The English pea dip with sourdough is a good place to start, and we also like the hanger steak frites with bearnaise sauce. Things can get expensive quickly, so just keep that in mind.

The Raymond is an upscale American spot in an extremely impressive, nearly 150-year-old hotel in Pasadena. The food isn’t going to blow you away, but you’re really here to sit outside and drink a glass of wine on a beautiful patio for the first time in what feels like three years.

Bone Kettle is a great Indonesian spot in Old Town Pasadena with some excellent nasi goreng, bone broth with top sirloin, and massive beef ribs. Their sidewalk patio has reopened. Reserve a table here.

All locations of Chado Tea (DTLA, Hollywood, Pasadena, and Torrance) are open for outdoor dining. Expect your quintessential afternoon tea experience with plenty of tasty sandwiches like smoked salmon and egg salad.

Another great Mexican spot, Maestro is an upscale Pasadena restaurant with a quiet patio in a busy part of Old Pas. Whether you’re there for brunch or dinner, it’s a great place to eat spins on classic dishes like arrachera with chorizo chimichurri or chile poblano chickpea rice. Pasadena has their own health department, so their sidewalk patio is already open.

LA’s most popular casual sushi bar has reopened for outdoor dining at its MDR, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Hollywood, Calabasas, Pasadena, and MB locations.

Luggage Room Pizzeria is a good place to go with a group and split some pies. They’ve got a bunch of options, all with inventive topping combinations, but our favorite is the “Fallen Angel” - house-made Italian sausage, basil, shaved fennel, and roasted peppers. As a bonus, Stone Pasadena is next door, and while they’re still closed for dine-in, you can order beers there and bring them over to drink with your meal at Luggage Room.

Located just a few blocks from the beach in PDR, Playa Provisions has always been home to one of our favorite patios on the Westside. Now, you can get even more of it, as they’ve expanded outdoor dining to their parking lot, adding socially distant tables, umbrellas, and astroturf beneath your feet. If you’re there in the morning, we love the breakfast sandwich and churro bites, but at dinnertime, the patty melt is our go-to order.

San Fernando’s Truman House Tavern has reopened for patio dining with a great selection of craft cocktails and local beer on tap. They’ve got everything you’d expect from a good tavern, like fish and chips, plenty of burgers, and mac and cheese topped with bacon bits.

Clubby steakhouse BOA is on the corner of Ocean and Santa Monica in one of the busiest parts of the Westside. They’ve got sidewalk seating for you to eat all the lobster tails and ribeyes you can afford. So, like, one, maybe. Reservations recommended.

Located on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica, Bardonna is an all-day cafe specializing in salads, sandwiches, and a brunch menu that’s available every day until close. Their wrap-around patio is officially reopened.

The classic Santa Monica hangout - located steps from the beach - has reopened both their front and back patios. You also have to order food, a rather clever way to skirt the state’s “bars must remain closed” mandate, though you would’ve anyway - Big Dean’s double cheeseburger is one of the best in the city.

The upscale comfort food spot off is officially back for outdoor dining with a menu filled with old favorites, plus some new dishes like gold bars (stuffed potato latkes) and cardoon kugel. Make a reservation here.

The popular oyster bar on Ocean Ave. is officially reopen for outdoor dining. Tables will be hard to come by, so we recommend snagging a reservation beforehand here.

Bodega is a casual wine bar in Santa Monica with a large sidewalk patio going down Broadway that includes potted plants and a trellis-like roof to cut out the midday sun.

This gluten-free bakery on Montana Ave. has reopened their outdoor patio. They also serve tea and coffee, completing your morning al fresco extravaganza.

The rooftop restaurant at The Proper Hotel has officially reopened for outdoor dining. The Mediterranean spot will be serving dinner nightly, as well as all-day brunch seven days a week.

The upscale Southeast-Asian spot in Santa Monica has reopened their expanded side patio for outdoor dining. It’s great news for anyone who’s missed their laksa as much as we have. Make a reservation here.

The classic Santa Monica dive bar is back with a new patio in its parking lot, plus a recently renovated back porch as well. Though the quirky, nautical-themed interior will forever be one of our favorite places to drink on the Westside, being able to eat a buttered steak and lobster in their back parking lot is equally as odd... and exactly what we want at a place like Chez Jay.

Open since 1983, Wolfgang Puck’s Santa Monica staple Chinois On Main serves what they call Chinese-French fusion cuisine. Their limited outdoor seating has reopened. Reserve a table here.

The Santa Monica wine bar has always had a great patio, but after expanding along 7th St., it’s even greater (both literally and figuratively). If you want to know where we’ll be sipping wine, eating charcuterie, and remaining socially distant this spring, it’s here.

Fia took over the old Wilshire spot in Santa Monica last year, and remains one of the city’s best-kept secrets, thanks in no small part to their fantastic, tree-filled back patio. While the Coastal Mediterranean menu’s not the most inventive (plenty of burrata, handmade pastas, and a raw bar), Fia makes the kind of crowd-pleasing food that absolutely anyone will enjoy. And, again, the patio…

Both the Santa Monica and Venice locations of this neighborhood Italian spot have reopened for lunch from 11am-4pm and dinner from 4-10pm (10:30pm on the weekends). Book a reservation here.

Gilbert’s El Indio has been serving Mexican classics on Pico in Santa Monica for almost 50 years - and the pandemic hasn’t slowed them down. Their patio has reopened for combo platters, margaritas, and more.

The upscale Italian restaurant in Santa Monica Canyon is famous for its celebrity clientele and a cramped interior where tables are essentially up against each other. Fast-forward to today, and Giorgio Baldi has a new, socially distant parking lot patio with astroturf, hedges, and (hopefully) some very drunk celebrities.

Open since 1949, The Golden Bull is a Santa Monica classic and has been a post-beach hangout spot for decades. Now, you can do that on their expansive which comes complete with heat lamps, shading, and tons of string lights.

Good Boy Bob has some of our favorite coffee in Venice with a solid food menu filled with tartines, salads, and other snacks.

When it comes to finding a casual, quality breakfast in Santa Monica, Huckleberry should always be one of your first choices. Open from 8am-3pm, their new outdoor dining space is spacious with plenty of shade to keep out the morning sun.

All four LA locations (Downtown, West Hollywood, Westwood, Santa Monica) of the popular hand roll chain have reopened their patios.

The Santa Monica cocktail bar just opened up an outdoor seating area along the front sidewalk. All the tables are eight feet apart, making it a great option for some al fresco drinking and tacos courtesy of Barbakush in East LA.

This casual Santa Monica spot has officially reopening for outdoor dining with both a limited a la carte menu, as well as a set menu. The astroturfed patio comes with heat lamps, foliage, and string lights.

Milo & Olive has reopened their spacious back patio, which means plenty of pizza and even more string lights. Reservations encouraged.

One of our best new restaurants of 2019, this upscale French restaurant in Santa Monica is back for outdoor dining. They’re offering dinner service Wednesday through Sunday, as well as weekend brunch. Book a reservation here.

The Santa Monica staple has reopened their outdoor dining space with new guidelines that include temperature checks, masking, and one household per table. Beyond that, expect excellent wine and market-driven dishes.

Rustic Canyon has been one of Santa Monica’s best dinner spots for years now, and with new and expanded seating along the sidewalk, you can safely take advantage of this classic spot all summer. Expect seasonal summer dishes to be added each night.

The all-day canteen is now open for outdoor dining Tuesday-Friday, 11:30am-8pm and Saturdays 10am-8pm. Head over on Tuesdays for $3.50 tacos and $8 tacos.

Santa Monica Polish spot Solidarity has a secret back patio that’s a great place to eat pierogies and drink a few too many Warsaw Mules (made with Zubrowka). If you’re looking for something a bit bigger, the golabki (stuffed cabbage, beef, and jasmine rice) is one of our go-tos, but with comfort classics like schnitzel, stroganoff, and handmade gnocchi in mushroom cream sauce on the menu, you can’t go wrong.

This massive spot on the dining deck of the Santa Monica Place mall has been doing outdoor dining for more than a decade, and they’ve reopened for weekend brunch and nightly dinner, with an updated menu that includes pizzas, pastas, oysters, and burgers.

The Santa Monica location of this popular pizza spot has reopened for outdoor dining, guaranteeing good pie and even better wine. Reserve a table here.

This Mexican cantina in Santa Monica has always had one of our favorite spaces in the neighborhood, and with their new front patio a block from the beach, we’ll double-down on that statement. Because at the end of the day, margaritas by the ocean are always a very good thing.

Located in downtown Santa Monica, Tar & Roses is one of the most popular restaurant in the neighborhood. For good reason too - their oxtail dumplings and strawberry ricotta tostada are legendary. Outdoor dining starts March 3rd. Make reservations here.

Uovo’s locations in Santa Monica and Mid-Wilshire have reopened for sidewalk seating with a pasta-heavy menu, and a $32/person tasting menu that includes an appetizer, three pastas, and a dessert.

This longstanding Sawtelle cafe has reopened, serving a breakfast and lunch menu that features sandwiches, salads, juices, and more in their heated garden patio.

The classic Mexican restaurant in Sherman Oaks is reopening not one, but two different al fresco dining areas on February 22nd, just in time for National Margarita Day. They’ve taken over the back parking lot and filled it with socially distant tables, string lighting, and big white tents for shade.

The second location of the massively popular (and massively delicious) French spot has reopened for outdoor dining. Get ready for French onion soup, a Big Mec burger, and the silkiest omelette in town.

One of our favorite sushi restaurants in the entire city, Sushi Note has reopened their sidewalk patio going along Ventura Blvd. And unlike their takeout operation, the full menu is once again available. Get ready for a lot of premium sushi and even more wine.

One of our favorite places to grab a burger and beer in The Valley, Blue Dog Tavern has officially reopened their excellent front patio.

Alimento is an intimate Italian spot with a small front patio in a quiet part of Silver Lake. They’re back open with their tremendous handmade pastas and other Italian food. Their braised pork sugo radiatori is a new LA classic, but don’t be afraid to branch out if something else catches your eye. Reservations here.

The Silver Lake comfort food spot has set up a small outdoor dining area running along Sunset Blvd. Now you can enjoy their smoked ribs, hot catfish sandwich, and perhaps the most delicious biscuit on the planet while soaking up some rays.

One of our favorite restaurants in Silver Lake, Bar Restaurant has reopened their parking lot patio with heat lamps, good tunes, and new dishes on the menu.

If you’ve missed Casita’s atmosphere and lethally strong margaritas as much as we have, good news - the iconic Mexican restaurant in Silver Lake is back open with not one, but three new outdoor patios. All the tables are six-feet apart, there are string lights hanging everywhere, and tons of umbrellas for shade. In other words, this is the ideal atmosphere for one too many margaritas.

The neighborhood cantina in Silver Lake has reopened with an excellent sidewalk patio going along Sunset Blvd. with plenty of shade and guaranteed great people watching.

If you’ve only ever been to Edendale to drink too much during Happy Hour, you may not have noticed how great their front patio is. It’s an ideal place for a night out underneath Edison bulbs and a bunch of trees. Reopening February 8th.

A classic spot on Sunset Blvd., this music and dance venue in Silver Lake has reopened their back patio for drinking and dining. The menu is all bar food - chicken wings, nachos, and an Impossible burger - which is all ideal for eating alongside their super-strong margaritas. They’re requiring patrons to wear masks at all times when not dining, and highly recommend making reservations. For more information, check out their Instagram.

The excellent Cuban restaurant on Sunset has reopened with four tables on their front sidewalk. Make sure to book a reservation.

The casual strip mall spot on Sunset has reopened for outdoor dining Wednesday through Friday 3-8pm, and weekends 12-8pm.

The neighborhood oyster bar in Silver Lake has reopened their excellent front patio. Hours are currently Wednesday through Sunday, 4-9pm. No reservations.